The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Beauty Review: Foot Petals Shoe Inserts


Back in 2007, my sister Chantal discovered Foot Petals shoe inserts and loved them so much, she wrote a review for my then fledgling blog (here). She was really impressed with the product design, functionality and price, so why is it that I had never tried these out myself until just this past week? Beats me! Keep reading for my review (hint: I should have listened to my little sis looong ago!)

Just as Fashion Week was starting, I got a note from the folks at Foot Petals. A lightbulb went on and I requested a sample pack that I could put to the test during this busy time of year when I break out my heels and hobble along the streets of New York in order to look a bit more fashionable than my everyday self. I received a complimentary starter kit that included two ball of foot cushions, two 3/4 insoles, two back of heel cushions and a pack of thin-strap comfort strips.

I've got to say that after trying out countless products that claim to make heels magically pain-free, Foot Petals rise above the crowd. They're not a magic cure-all, and I still say there's no way to defy the laws of physics, but the Foot Petals I tried really made my platform wedge sandals more comfortable. I literally had to run about 6 blocks to catch a show (I was on a train with a suspicious package, so all passengers had to get off and move to another train which caused a huge delay) and I was amazed at how the Foot Petals kept my feet from sliding, especially since I was wearing tights with my sandals.

I went Uptown to Lincoln Center, back downtown to the Met Pavilion, to and from Grand Central, and my feet were fine. Normally, these particular shoes start to make the balls of my feet burn after a few hours, but the Foot Petals prevented the burn - I think because, once again, they kept my feet from shifting.

I know many of you are already fans of this product line, but if you haven't given them a try, don't be like me and wait years to test them out. See for yourself how Foot Petals can improve the fit and feel of flats, sandals, heels and more. No miracle cure but definitely a well-made product that's worth checking out.

Also, I had to share these tips from the Foot Petals website - great advice on how to pick a more comfortable shoe to begin with!

Signs of Good Quality Footwear

  • Leather for leather shoes is a skin, therefore it breathes. It also adapts to varying temperatures, so it stays cool in warmer climates and warm in cooler climates.

  • Toe tips with a slight curve or lift off the ground (think of a genie's slipper with the upturned toe bed) will help to ensure a perfect step by allowing the big toe to flow and lift off of the ground comfortably.

  • High heels should balance on their own. A good way to test them is to place a shoe on a table before trying it on. If it wobbles or falls over, it's not going to be easy to walk in.

  • Shoes should flex and bend easily and comfortably just behind the ball of the foot without creating long stretch marks or creases

—via FootPetals.com

Shop it online:
Foot Petals

FTC Disclosure: The products reviewed in this post were received free of charge from Foot Petals. The decision to write this post and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Comments
Are these pads reusable or do they permanently stick do the shoe? I'm anxious to go order them!

Thanks!
#1 Melanie on 2011-09-15 18:18 (Reply)
great question! they are reusable, and actually they "stick" with what appears to be regular double-sided tape. I was able to peel them off easily and apply to another pair of shoes. I think I'll probably need to use some more double sided tape if I keep switching shoes. They don't seem to leave any residue or cause damage to the shoe but I'd be cautious with delicate/really nice shoes.
#1.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-09-15 21:23 (Reply)
Nice article, with my love of shoes of all heights, I will have to give them a try. Nice to hear a bit about Fashion Week as well.
#2 Val Fisher on 2011-09-15 19:37 (Reply)
Great review! My problem with all the inserts that I've tried to date is that they alter the fit of the shoe too much by making them tighter and ultimately too uncomfortable to keep in the shoe. How do these rate in terms of changing the fit?
#3 Heather on 2011-09-16 08:47 (Reply)
another excellent question! so, in my experience, Foot Petals do not interfere with the fit. They're very thin and also come in a variety of shapes so you can really target problem areas without altering the overall fit of a shoe. sometimes they improve the fit, for example, by preventing your foot from sliding forward with each step. today I'm wearing the back-of-heel cushions and they are AMAZING. I put them in a pair of Sam Edelman oxford flats that cut into the back of my heels so badly, I couldn't wear them. I put the Foot Petals in this morning, went for a mile long walk and have been wearing them all day and it's like night and day! I'm so relieved, these shoes were slated for Goodwill but now I can wear them, pain free :-)
#3.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-09-16 13:34 (Reply)
Thanks! I will give them a try.
#3.1.1 Heather on 2011-09-17 12:37 (Reply)
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