Superfeet GREEN Support Insoles vs Tread Labs Pace

Whether you’re looking for insoles to relieve your foot pain, improve your athletic performance, or to bring back energy to your tired feet, it can be hard to know where to start. There are a lot of different types of insole products from many different brands.

One brand you’ve likely seen while shopping online or in the store is Superfeet. They’ve been around for decades and have been dominant in the industry. So, how does Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (previously named GREEN), their best-selling insole, compare to Tread Labs bestseller, the Pace insole?  

The Basics ---

• Before you start searching for your perfect pair of insoles, you should know there are two types; accommodative insoles that are just an added layer of cushioning and supportive insoles, which provide firm structure that supports your arches and improves your alignment.
• Superfeet and Tread Labs are two brands that make supportive insoles. Superfeet All Purpose Support insoles are the best selling Superfeet arch support. Tread Labs best-selling supportive insole is the Pace. While they have some similar features, they are some big differences too.
• The key differences between Superfeet All Pupose Support and Tread Labs Pace are the placement and shape of the arch support on the insole, the cushioning of the foam layer, and the long-term value.

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What You Need To Know ---

Before we dig into the details, there are some insole basics you should know. When it comes to custom orthotics vs. over-the-counter insoles, Health Magazine says many podiatrists recommend trying off-the-shelf insoles first.

"An over-the-counter device is sometimes used as a trial prior to using a prescription insole, similar to using readers before getting prescription glasses," says Grace Torres-Hodges, DPM, a podiatrist based in Pensacola, Florida. The fact is, very few people actually need custom orthotics. For the vast majority, over-the-counter insoles address their needs perfectly and are much more economical.

What Types of Insoles Are There?

There are two main types of over-the-counter shoe insoles:

• Accommodative insoles – Made of 100% foam, these provide an added layer of cushioning in your shoes. They can help with a minimum amount of shock absorption but they do not change the way you walk or stand and ultimately have very limited benefit to your feet. Found at your local pharmacy and sometimes at sport stores, accommodative insoles are inexpensive.
• Supportive insoles – With a firm structure (usually plastic) made to support your arches and improve your alignment, supportive insoles cost more than accommodative insoles, but they can drastically improve the way you feel at the end of the day. They have a deep heel cup that helps with shock absorption and stability.

Superfeet All-Purpose Support insoles and Tread Labs Pace insoles both fall into the supportive insole category. And while they have some major differences, they are similar in a few ways. Both have:

1. A contoured heel cup that helps concentrate the body’s natural cushioning under the heel.
2. Molded plastic arch supports covered with foam.
3. Arch support to limit pronation. Over-pronation is the cause of many foot ailments.

Among supportive insoles, there are different styles that are used for different types of footwear. A long insole like Superfeet All-Purpose Support and Tread Labs Pace is meant for shoes that have a full-length removable insert. That insert is replaced by the supportive insole. Casual shoes you probably wear everyday, like sneakers and boots, will typically have a removeable factory insert. 

What Are The Differences Between Superfeet All-Purpose Support (GREEN) Insoles and Tread Labs Pace Insoles? 

This chart puts Superfeet All-Purpose Support insoles (left) head-to-head with Tread Labs Pace (right). It’s based on information taken from each company’s website and direct observation.

Should I Buy Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) Arch Supports or Tread Labs Pace Arch Supports?

Both Tread Labs Pace insoles and Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles are full-length insoles that offer firm support. They're head and shoulders above the flat, foam inserts at your local drugstore. Remember, cushioning alone doesn’t lead to long-term comfort. Your feet need arch support to keep you moving comfortably and efficiently.

Arch support

The placement and shape of the arch support on insoles is the key to pronation control, which is most effective when it comes from support at the rear of the arch. On all of Superfeet arch support insoles, the arch support is further back than on Tread Labs insoles.

As Superfeet says on their site, “Some Superfeet insoles may feel different than you expected. This design is intentional — the contours of each insole are positioned to have maximum impact on the way your foot functions as you move. However, your comfort is key — if the insole feels uncomfortable to you, try a different Superfeet style.”

Tread Labs insoles do provide support at the rear of the arch like Superfeet, but they also extend the support forward along the entire length of your arch to support more of the foot. Some people find this more comfortable. Generally, it's a personal preference as to where you like the insole arch to hit your natural arch.

In addition to the difference in the arch shape, Tread Labs insoles are available in 4 arch heights to give a custom-like fit. Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) most closely match the Tread Labs Pace medium arch, so if you have a high arch or an extra high arch, GREEN insoles aren't going to have enough support for you.

There are other Superfeet insoles for high arches you'll want to consider, while Tread Labs range of arch heights helps ensure that all arch heights, from very low to very high arches, can get a semi-custom fit.

Fit and Sizing

Superfeet orthotics are available in fewer sizes, but a wider size range overall. This is a definite advantage for very small feet or very large feet. Each insole size covers two whole sizes, which means you’ll likely have to trim your insoles. Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) does offer a wide version for people with very wide feet.

Tread Labs offers more sizes in small increments between sizes for a more precise fit. This means you likely won’t have to trim your insoles to fit your shoes. Also, you can choose from 4 arch heights in every shoe size.

Cushioning

When comparing All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles to Tread Labs Pace insoles, you can feel a big difference in the cushion of the foam layer. Tread Labs Pace foam is softer and more resilient than the closed-cell foam Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) uses. 

Both insoles maximize the natural cushioning of the fatty pad beneath your heel but cupping it.

Durability

The fabric used on top of both Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles and Tread Labs Pace insoles appears to be the same with the Superfeet orthotics in green and Pace insoles in blue. The foam used in Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch looks quite firm and durable. Superfeet says it has a 12 month or 500 mile lifetime. Once the fabric or foam wears out, you’ll need to replace the insole.

While Tread Labs top covers should last from 6 to 12 months, their insoles are novel in that the top cover is easily replaceable when it wears out. The arch support base has a lifetime guarantee so that if they ever crack or lose shape, you can just reach out to Tread Labs customer service to get a replacement. 

Value

Durability, comfort, and price all contribute to the overall value of an insole. Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles are less expensive to purchase, especially if you don’t have to pay shipping on your order. However, replaceable top covers from Tread Labs offer a great long-term value.

Say you’re an active user who puts 500 miles on your insoles in 6 months. The chart below shows your insole-related expenses over the course of two years time.

When you wear out the fabric or foam of your Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles, you will need to put a whole new pair of insoles on your shopping list. With Tread Labs, you can just replace the top cover.

Certainly, if you are light on your feet or modest in your activities, your replacement frequency will be less and your overall savings will be different.

The Bottom Line

While we believe Tread Labs are the best insoles available, we do owe a huge debt of gratitude to Superfeet orthotics GREEN and every other color. They created a groundbreaking design more than 40 years ago and, in turn, have educated so many people about the benefits of insoles and arch support. We are proud to be in the same industry.

Whether you go with Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (GREEN) insoles, Tread Labs Pace insoles, or another high-quality insole, you can change the way your feet communicate with the ground and improve your mobility dramatically.

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Questions? Drop us a line at hello@treadlabs.com. We're here to help.