Looking for eco friendly insoles that are supportive but won’t break the bank? This Fulton Insoles review discusses why this new brand has a leg up on the competition.
I often wish I’d broken my leg instead of tearing up my knee.
It’s been 20 years since a surgeon reconstructed the ACL in my left knee, and that sucker still isn’t back to normal.
It’s fine most of the time, but I can’t run long distances, sit cross legged, or wear high heels.
And if I’m honest, my back often hurts at the end of the day even when I wear sneakers.
I figured I was dangerously close to shopping for shoes at SAS instead of Nordstrom.
Thankfully there’s another option that doesn’t have me twinning with my Grandma.
**Fulton sent me a pair of insoles for free but this Fulton Insoles review is my own opinion. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Read my affiliate disclosure for more info.**
Summary
Fulton insoles are eco friendly shoe insoles that mold to the unique shape of your foot for a customized, comfortable fit. They provide proper arch support to prevent injury and ease the aches and pains caused by body misalignment. In addition, these sustainable cork shoe inserts are an eco-friendly alternative to the synthetic gels, foams, and plastics used in conventional insoles.
I’ve worn the women’s Fulton Classic Insoles in my Adidas athletic shoes for about eight weeks, and they’ve helped ease the back pain I sometimes experience by the end of the day. It took me a long time to get used to the arch support, and I was afraid I never would. But I’m glad I stuck out the transition period because I can tell a difference between my sneakers with the Fulton insoles and my ones without them.
I think the Fulton insoles work best in boots, dress shoes, or casual sneakers with a narrower toe box. They didn’t fit well in the wider toe box of my athletic sneakers.
What is Fulton?
While most people bond over their mutual love of sports, hobbies, or interests, Fulton founders Libie Motchan and Daniel Nelson bonded over something else entirely: their mutual foot and back pain.
They wanted to fix their problems, but they didn’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for custom orthotics or give up wearing the latest shoe styles.
So Motchan and Nelson decided to do something about it – and the idea for Fulton was born.
What To Expect
Before my insoles arrived, I read all about how to use them on Fulton’s website. But I forget a lot these days (#mombrain), so it’s helpful that the company includes some instructions right on the lid of the box.
The first thing I noticed about the insoles was how stiff they were out of the box. These are not the squishy gel ones you’ll find at Target.
And because they’re stiff, they take some time to break in. Fulton says about 10 hours of wear, but I think it took longer for mine to mold to the shape of my foot.
They reminded me of breaking in a new pair of Rainbow sandals. New Rainbows are really uncomfortable when you first wear them, but then they mold to your feet and fit perfectly.
These Fulton insoles are my first pair of supportive insoles and it took me a while to get used to them, probably longer than normal. I don’t recommend a full day at Disneyland the first time you wear them.
How To Wear Fulton Insoles
- Remove the old insoles from your shoes and insert your new Fulton insoles.
- Wear them a little bit each day until they mold to your feet, usually after about 10 hours of wear.
- Do not move your insoles between pairs of shoes. The insoles mold to your feet based on how you walk in each specific shoe.
- Replace your insoles when you replace your shoes. (Or sooner if you’re like my father-in-law and have shoes from college. From the 70s.)
What I Like About Them
They are eco friendly insoles made with plant-based, all natural materials. The top layer is made from vegan cactus leather, the mid-layer is made from rubber latex foam, and the bottom layer is made from natural cork.
In addition to the eco-friendly materials, Fulton uses sustainable processes to harvest the cork and manufacture the insoles. Plus, their manufacturer’s machines run on renewable energy.
The cork and latex foam in Fulton insoles are naturally antimicrobial, which means they won’t stink.
These cork arch supports are pre-cut to your shoe size, in sizes 5-11 for women and sizes 8-14 for men. (If you’re in between sizes, order up. The insoles run small.)
Fulton has a free return policy and will even accept used insoles if they don’t work for you. However, they want you to try the insoles for at least 30 days to make sure you have time to break them in. You can start a return 30 days after you receive them, and up to 90 days after getting them.
The shock-absorbing cork molds to your feet for a semi-custom fit that’s affordable. For less than $50, you can get moldable insoles for significantly less than custom orthotics. My mother-in-law mentioned that her friend recently spent $600 on custom insoles. Six. Hundred. Dollars.
What I Don’t Like About Them
The cons in my Fulton insoles review are definitely not deal-breakers. The big takeaway is knowing which shoes they work best in.
The fit wasn’t quite right for my athletic sneakers. I think these insoles would work best in boots, dress shoes, or casual sneakers.
They didn’t fit right because the toe box is too narrow and the insole length is too short for my athletic sneakers. The Women’s Size 10 insole is a little too short for my Size 9.5 Adidas sneakers and way too short for my Size 10 Asics sneakers. A measurement chart or size guide on the website would be helpful so customers can measure their old insoles to find their equivalent Fulton size.
Also, the heel is significantly thicker than the insoles that came with my sneakers, so the shoe slips a bit on my heel when I walk. I wouldn’t wear these to run, but they’re fine for walking and everyday wear.
What Others Are Saying
As of the time of writing, the Fulton Classic Insoles have 47 five-star reviews and 5 four-star reviews.
Check out what others have to say in these Fulton insoles reviews.
Where To Buy Fulton Insoles
You can buy Fulton Classic Insoles on their website and at select online retailers.
Final Thoughts From My Fulton Insoles Review
I feel silly I never thought to change my insoles to ease my aches and pains. Fulton insoles are good for my body, good for the environment, and good for my wallet.
Plus, SAS shoes aren’t really my style.
Looking for eco friendly insoles that are supportive but won’t break the bank? This Fulton Insoles review explains how this new brand has a leg up on the competition.
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