How to Make Your Own 3/8-Inch-Thick Foot Insert From Visco-Elastic Memory Foam Sheet Material

Shoe inserts provide relief to aching feet and help prevent painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Store-bought inserts are often expensive, but making one from memory foam is far more cost-effective and requires no special skills or tools. Tailor-made inserts provide the cushioning and support needed by athletes as well as people who work on their feet all day.

Things You'll Need

• Shoes
• Memory foam pillow
• Permanent marker
• Ruler
• Utility knife

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Instructions

• 1

  Align a ruler along one corner of the foam pillow and mark to a depth of 3/8" on all four sides. Draw a line to connect the points and cut straight through the foam with a utility knife. Discard the curved portion of the pillow and keep the rectangular foam sheet.

• 2

  Remove inserts from your tennis or hiking shoes and place them on the sheet of 3/8"-thick visco-elastic memory foam.

• 3

  Trace the outline of each insert onto the foam using a permanent marker. Use straight pins to keep the insert in place on the foam if you have trouble holding it still while tracing.

• 4

  Cut out each outline from the foam sheet using a utility knife. Insert the foam into your shoes to test for fit. Place the surface you cut in Step 1 toward the sole of your shoe.

• 5

  Keep inserts fresh by adding talcum powder or baking soda prior to each use. Wash inserts frequently by placing them in a mesh bag and including them in a delicate-cycle wash.