Insoles for Diabetes
Why your feet need extra care
Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, but the feet are especially vulnerable. High blood sugar levels over time can damage nerves and blood vessels, making foot problems more common and sometimes more serious. Understanding how diabetes impacts the feet is an important step toward staying comfortable, mobile, and healthy.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Feet?
One of the most common foot-related complications of diabetes is nerve damage, also called diabetic neuropathy. This can cause numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or pain in the feet. In some cases, people may lose feeling altogether, which makes it harder to notice cuts, blisters, or pressure points.
Diabetes can also reduce blood circulation to the feet. Poor circulation slows healing and increases the risk of infections. Even small wounds can become serious if they go unnoticed or do not heal properly.
Changes in foot shape are another concern. Muscle weakness and nerve damage can alter how the foot functions, leading to pressure points, calluses, ulcers, or deformities such as hammertoes or collapsed arches.
Common Foot Problems Linked to Diabetes
People living with diabetes may experience:
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Burning, shooting, or aching foot pain
- Dry, cracked skin
- Calluses or pressure sores
- Slow-healing cuts or ulcers
- Increased risk of infection
Because pain may be reduced or absent, regular foot checks are essential.
How Custom Insoles and Exercise Can Help With Diabetes
Custom-made insoles can play a major role in protecting and supporting diabetic feet. Unlike standard shoe inserts, custom insoles are designed specifically for an individual's foot shape, pressure areas, and walking pattern.
Custom insoles help redistribute pressure evenly across the foot, reducing stress on high-risk areas where ulcers or sores may form. They also provide cushioning to improve comfort and reduce irritation, while supporting proper alignment to improve stability and balance.
When combined with appropriate exercise, custom insoles offer even greater benefits. Gentle activities such as walking, stretching, or prescribed foot exercises can help improve circulation, maintain joint mobility, and strengthen muscles. Insoles provide the support needed to exercise more comfortably and safely, encouraging regular movement without added strain.
Together, custom-made insoles and regular exercise can help reduce pain, improve foot protection, and support overall mobility, making daily life more comfortable and helping people with diabetes stay active and confident on their feet.
General guidance for selecting a custom insole
For diabetes
Please note: These are general best-practice guidelines and the most commonly recommended custom insole features. Final prescriptions should always be individualised. We recommend seeking professional advice and guidance where symptoms, medical conditions or complex demands are present.
- EVA density: select low for extra comfort, but this will reduce stability.
- Heel cup Depth: select 20mm if you want more stability.
Recommended Custom Insole Specifications
- Foot demands: Protection, ulcer prevention
- Typical shoe style: Depth shoes, trainers
- Shoe space required: High
- Custom insole type: Medical accommodative
- EVA density: Low–medium*
- Insole length: Full length
- Heel cup depth: 15–20mm*
- Extensions: Poron
- Middle layer: 6mm Poron
- Top cover: EVA
- Design focus: Tissue protection, safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear, helpful answers to common questions about our custom orthotics, fitting process, materials, benefits, care, warranties, and more to support your foot health and comfort.
How do I order bespoke custom-made orthotic insoles?
Simply purchase our Bespoke Insole Kit. We’ll guide you through taking accurate foot impressions at home, then hand-craft your custom insoles in our workshop and post them back to you.
How can custom insoles help with shopping and everyday life?
Our bespoke insoles reduce foot, leg, and back pain during prolonged standing and walking. Many customers enjoy pain-free shopping trips, easier daily tasks, and greater comfort while staying active and independent.
How can custom-made insoles improve shoe fit?
Custom-made insoles dramatically improve shoe fit by perfectly matching the unique contours of your feet. They fill gaps, provide targeted support, and create a secure, comfortable fit.
Why does shoe type matter when selecting and using bespoke custom insoles?
Shoe type matters because the right footwear complements your custom insoles. Stable, well-fitting shoes with enough depth ensure optimal support, proper function, and maximum relief from pain and misalignment.
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"Before, my feet hurt while hiking, gardening and caring for the horses and home. After seeing Mark Smith Orthotics, I can walk for longer distances without pain."
Val Bell
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"Before the insoles, I had foot pain from a flat arch in my feet. Now, I am pain-free, and can move without lower back pain and can walk further and faster."
Tom Cartner
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"Mark Smith Orthotics have now become indispensable by correcting my posture, straightening my hips, dramatically reducing pain during daily activities and exercise, and providing surprising relief that has transformed my workflow."
Mark Freeman
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"I chose Mark Smith Orthotics over other options because of his highly professional approach, the time he dedicates, and the excellent quality of his work."
Tayyab Talu
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"I have experienced a significant enhancement in daily comfort, a substantial reduction in pain, and unexpectedly straightforward ease of use, making these custom orthotics indispensable."
N. Douglas
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"Before the insoles, I had foot pain from a flat arch in my feet and sometimes lower back pain because I also had one leg slightly longer than the other. Now, I am pain-free and can walk further and faster!"
Tom Carr
