Start 2021 on the Right Foot with Custom Orthotics

Why Two (or More) Pairs Are Better Than One

But maybe you already knew all of that—because you already have a pair of orthotics, and you feel the benefits every day! If so, we are very happy they’re working out for you!

Here’s a question to ponder, though: Have you ever considered picking up an additional pair?

We know, we just said custom orthotics last 3-5 years. That’s a pretty decent lifespan already. Why would you need to pick up a second set so soon?

There’s actually a number of very good reasons:

• They’ll last EVEN LONGER. When you have one pair of orthotics, they’re holding up your entire weight all day, every day. When you have two or more pairs, now the load is being shared. That 3-5 year expected lifespan for a single pair could easily become 6-10 years for two if you cut the wear and tear in half for each set!
• Your orthotics can be even more specialized to fit particular shoes or activities. No two pairs of shoes are exactly the same. Dress shoes, for example, might run a little narrower and have a little less give and “wiggle room” than casual athletic shoes. If you have only one pair of orthotics, they might fit really well in one pair of shoes, but not as well in another. If you have two pairs of orthotics, we can typically modify them at our office so you can have one pair for one type of shoe, one pair for another, and a great fit for both.
• They’re a lot less of a hassle to deal with. We typically recommend our patients wear their orthotics every day, all the time. So if you have several different pairs of shoes and boots that you wear regularly, that means you’re switching your orthotics constantly from one pair to another. More orthotics means fewer swaps, greater convenience, and makes it more likely you can just throw on your shoes and go!

There’s one more thing to consider, and that is—of course—finances. Many insurance plans will fully or partially cover a new pair of orthotics at regular intervals (often yearly), even if the “old” pair is still in good shape. You may be approaching a deadline to spend tax-advantaged FSA money as well. If you find yourself in either of these situations, getting a new pair of orthotics now can actually make a good deal of financial sense, too.

When you consider all the benefits, the reality is that for most patients, adding a second pair of orthotics to their collection provides more than double the value of a single pair.