How to Make Inexpensive Custom Arch Supports

If you need custom arch supports, you can make your own cheaply and customize them exactly how you want. For example, you may need extra thick support, or more on the one foot than the other. Making your own arch supports, is not only cheaper than buying commercial arch supports, but also you may find that it's the best way to make your feet comfortable.

Things You'll Need

  • shoes that need arch supports
  • old, worn-out shoes
  • scissors
  • waterproof glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Carefully pull the insoles out of a worn-out pair of shoes. Cut the insoles into the shapes you need to support your arch. You can experiment, but one suggestion is to use one to three rectangles that are, in one direction, as wide as your foot. In the other direction the rectangles should measure 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch and 1 1/2 inches the other way.

    • 2

      Stack the rectangles on top of each other, with the narrowest rectangle on top, to make a tapered pad.

    • 3

      Start at the heels to gently lift up the insoles of the shoes that need an arch support, being careful not to tear the insoles. Loosen the insoles until you can slip the new padding under the arch area.

    • 4

      Adjust your custom arch supports to your liking. Try out different thicknesses, positions and shapes until they're comfortable. Get your custom arch supports positioned just the way you want,

    • 5

      Glue your custom arch supports in place with waterproof glue the insoles back down on top of them.

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