Solestar: not a marginal profit at all

Are Solestar insoles right for you? If you have a foot defect, foot pain, or are simply looking to maximize your pedaling power, the answer is definitely yes.

I have tried enough supposedly revolutionary products in my "career" as a cyclist to be wary when I am promised that my practice will be radically transformed by anything.

Except that after a few months of using Solestar insoles, indoors and then outdoors, I have to admit that this is by far the best thing that has happened to me in a long time in terms of correcting a physiological defect that affects my power, but also causes me painful Socks pain.

Not to mention its other benefits, which are far from marginal.

Science underfoot

Since 2003, German sports scientist Oliver Elsenbach has been working with renowned professional cyclists. In addition to offering his services to elite athletes in the areas of training plans and fitting, he has long been interested in replacement insoles that theoretically correct foot defects.

That's the case for me: I have a flat foot. The other one has a fairly normal arch. 

If you have purchased running shoes in the last 30 years, you know that there are already many products available in this field designed to correct an irregular foot strike.

Insoles also exist for cycling, but Elsenbach realized through his research that they are not well suited to cycling and that a single product designed to place the foot in a neutral position promotes optimal power transfer, regardless of the shape of the foot.

First impressions

My flat feet have always been problematic. I've tried several shoes over the years (no kidding, at least 15 different models over the past 12 years, not counting mountain bike shoes). Most offered several sole options, but these different arch supports never managed to correct my defect; they only adjusted to different foot shapes. The more specialized insoles were a little better, but in the end, my flat feet always ended up collapsing, and during prolonged exertion, I always had pain in Socks .

When I first heard about Solestar insoles, I was immediately interested in their stability and the idea behind their design: preventing the foot from flexing to maximize the power of my pedal stroke. 

But when I visited their website, I thought I might have found the product I needed to correct my arch defect and prevent my foot from flattening, causing my entire left leg to drop a few millimeters Socks my right, thus destabilizing my pelvis (which is already partially corrected by a spacer under my shoe, but it's not enough).. 

At first, it feels strange. The surface of the sole is extremely grippy. So your foot doesn't slip around inside the shoe at all. At first, it's surprising. Then you realize that this is one of the secrets of this product: I can slightly loosen the closure of my shoe without my foot sliding around, which I appreciate on very hot days when my feet sometimes swell.

As for the arch support, it initially seemed very high when I put the shoe on, but I found myself closing it without noticing, then using Socks thick Socks for my first rides , without any issues. 

After a few tries (two or three), the strangeness of this sensation under my arch had disappeared. All that remained was the positive: a feeling of power throughout my pedal stroke, comfort during long rides my back pain had considerably diminished, so much so that it has almost become a thing of the past.

Comfort for everyone, extra power

Unlike therapeutic insoles, Solestar products are also designed for all cyclists who tend to experience foot pain or numbness during medium and long rides, or who simply want to pedal more efficiently without losing power from their legs.

There are already so many factors that eat up our power, there's no need to add more.