Shoe Modification: The Best Materials for Fixing Your Footwear

There is nothing like a new pair of shoes. Whether we buy them for comfort or style, fresh new footwear can make you feel like you have brand new feet. And for people with foot health issues, having a pair of shoes that support conditions and provide comfort are a dream come true. But for people with certain conditions, it can be difficult to find a pair of shoes with the exact structure we need. In those instances, shoe modification may be the solution.

Shoe modification is the process of adjusting the structure of a shoe to improve stability, reduce stress from impact when walking, and even to improve overall mobility. Diabetes, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, traumatic or sports injuries are some of the conditions that can cause issues that call for shoe modification. But not all of these issues are created equal, and thus the type of modification and materials used need to be just right.

Note that once a shoe has been modified that restoring to its original condition is not easily done. Modifying the outsole of a shoe can be helpful and beneifical to the wearer, yet is most likely irrversible on the shoe.

What Kinds of Shoe Outsole Modifications are Possible?

While there are a number of approaches to shoe modification, there are four main types that generally address foot issues:

• Accommodative - cushions and protects the foot
• Semi-rigid – cushions, protects, and provides control and weight distribution
• Rigid – provides foot support
• Partial foot prosthesis – Supports partial amputations and protects the foot.

Types of Outsole Materials For Modification

Once the type of modification is selected, the next decision is the type of material that is best to use. There are several options, each with their own construction, benefits, and limitations. Here are a few to consider:

Leather Sole Modification

Leather is the most traditional material. It’s perfect for patients with upper limb, back, hips, or knee dysfunction, mobility or flexibility issues. It’s used to create heel grip pads, where soft material, such as foam, is covered in leather and applied to the inside of the heel collar; Orthopedic stretching of leather footwear above and beyond traditional stretching; and Scaphoid pads, which are soft or firm leather or rubber pads cemented into the shoe.

These modifications can reduce heel slippage and movement during walking, relieve bunions, hammer toes, and other feet deformities, and provide extra midfoot support.

Rubber Sole Modification

Rubber is used to create cushion heels. Heel cushions are an internal shoe modification that can be made from rubber, foam, or silicone. Heel cushions have been proven to relieve mild cases of plantar fasciitis and early heel pain syndrome by providing shock absorption and a slight heel raise.

Rubber is also used to build heel wedges which are a mild correction for a pronated (flat) foot.

Polyurethane Sole Modification

Polyurethanes are lightweight yet highly abrasion resistant and perfect for hard wearing shoe soles. It’s often used to make insoles due to its affordability and ability to keep shoes waterproof.  A tough material, shoes made with polyurethane can be used in harsh climate conditions. These kinds of shoes are found in a large variety of shoe types used for sports and trekking shoes, boots, and business and fashion footwear.

Low density and compact polyurethane systems are generally used for mid-soles and outer soles. Shoes that are modified with them are great shock absorbers. They are good for people with chronic foot pain who stand or move all day.

EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) Sole Modification

EVA is a man-made material that is essentially foam. Generally seen in the midsole of the shoe, between the upper and outsole that follows the foot line. It prevents the foot from feeling hard or sharp objects, gives the shoe durability, and relief from body weight and the pressure of walking and running.

EVA is also used for foot orthoses, specially designed shoe inserts that support a variety of foot issues including arthritis, pain under the ball of your foot, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis. 

Are there any shoe modifications to avoid?

It is important to know what modifications to choose, but it is just as important to know what to avoid. One of those is rocker bottom shoes. These are shoes with a thicker than normal sole and a rounded heel. They have been referred to as “aspirin” for chronic and temporary foot issues.

But while they are supposed to protect against flat feet, there are risks related to altering balance. Some studies suggest rocker bottom shoes can negatively affect a wearers balance and increase the risk of falls and injury.  

The debate over this feature continues, with some experts worried that they can cause wearers to over use certain muscles and others believing in them as an invaluable tool.

There is no quick fix to chronic foot issues, and working with an expert or buying from a shoe specialist is the best approach. Ultimately, the choice of modification and material should be between you and your feet.

**It is advisable to consult a health-care professional such as a doctor or podiatrist before taking action based on any information found on our website. Our goal is to provide information and educate others on a number of issues relating to foot health, not give medical instruction.

About author:

Derek Roach is a foot health specialist and has worked in the foot health industry for over 10 years. He is knowledgeable in various foot conditions and shoe features to help with those conditions. Also, he has been quoted on CNN, The Penny Hoarder, HuffPost, Dapper Confidential and other popular publications for foot and shoe-related topics.