Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers about Sorbothane Insoles

Q. WHAT IS SORBOTHANE?

A. SORBOTHANE ® is a new visco elastic material which after many years of clinical and scientific research was developed to provide a new method of relieving pain and at the same time giving maximum comfort and protection from many of the common problems experienced in the foot, leg, and back.

Q. WHAT IS MEANT BY VISCO ELASTIC?

A. Visco elastic means that SORBOTHANE is a viscous fluid-like elastic with a built-in memory. It is a solid that acts like a liquid and feels and acts like flesh.

Q. WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SORBOTHANE

A. SORBOTHANE is unique insofar as it has the remarkable ability to absorb shock and to spread pressure over a large area. It is also BACTERIALSTATIC and FUNGISTATIC which means that SORBOTHANE discourages foot infection unlike most foams which provide ideal breeding conditions for bacteria and fungi.

Q. HOW DOES SORBOTHANE DEAL WITH SHOCK AND PRESSURE?

A. SORBOTHANE acts like a liquid, and therefore flows like a liquid. This is the secret of SORBOTHANE's ability to absorb shock. Shock waves are made to move in an outward direction just like the waves move outward when you throw a stone into a pool of water.

Q. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ABSORB SHOCK?

A. It is important to absorb shock because scientific evidence proves that it is one of the major causes of knee, hip, and lower back pain. It has also been proven that when walking the body is subject to forces of up to 7G, and up to 15G when running.

Q. HOW MUCH OF THIS SHOCK CAN SORBOTHANE ABSORB?

A. In order to discover exactly how efficient SORBOTHANE is, laboratories carried out tests which showed that SORBOTHANE can absorb up to 94% of shock.

Q. DON'T OTHER MATERIALS ABSORB SHOCK?

A. Some products currently available can provide temporary relief from discomfort, but cannot absorb shock as effectively, efficiently and consistently as SORBOTHANE. They also break down and lose their properties during use.

Q. WHAT MAKES SORBOTHANE MORE EFFICIENT THAN OTHER MATERIALS?

A. SORBOTHANE is more efficient than other materials because it is visco-elastic. This means it can disperse shockwaves, unlike other materials which allow these pain-causing forces to be transmitted through the feet, legs, and back.

Q. WHAT SORBOTHANE PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE?

A. SORBOTHANE is available as insoles, heel inserts, accommodative heel pads, metatarsal pads, arch supports, seat cushions, hand exercisers, and a system of orthotic components.

Q. DO THE GROOVES IN SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE WAY SORBOTHANE WORKS?

A. Yes, because SORBOTHANE acts like a liquid, SORBOTHANE works more efficiently if it has somewhere to flow.

Q. WILL SORBOTHANE EVENTUALLY PACK DOWN OR "BOTTOM OUT" LIKE OTHER MATERIALS?

A. Research carried out shows that after over two million compressions there were no significant changes in SORBOTHANE's physical characteristics.

Q. WHY DOES THE SURFACE FEEL TACKY TO THE TOUCH?

A. SORBOTHANE is made tacky to prevent the insole or heel from slipping around in the shoe. If the SORBOTHANE heel or insole should lose its tackiness it can be gently washed in mild soap and water and allowed to drip dry.

Q. SHOULD I USE SORBOTHANE INSOLES OR THE HEEL INSERTS?

The full insoles should be used because they provide protection and comfort for the whole foot. The heel, however, may be used where protection is only required in the heel area.

Q.WHAT IS THE SIZE RANGE FOR INSOLES & HEEL PADS?

Q. CAN THE INSOLES BE TRIMMED TO FIT?

A. Yes, if necessary, SORBOTHANE insoles can be trimmed with a sharp pair of scissors.

Q. JUST HOW INCREDIBLE IS SORBOTHANE?

A. Incredible enough to be featured on CBS's PM Magazine and twice on ABC's That's Incredible!, who refer to SORBOTHANE as... "AN INCREDIBLE NEW INVENTION"..."A NEW MIRACLE SUBSTANCE"