What comes to mind when you hear the word carbon fiber? For many, it sounds like a material reserved for high-speed Formula 1 race cars and high-end lightweight road bicycles. And while that’s correct, the same material is also used in Superfeet carbon fiber insoles.
Carbon fiber puts the “super” in Superfeet — carbon fiber gives our insoles an edge in weight, feel, and performance that is unrivaled in conventional insoles.
But what are the benefits of having carbon fiber insoles, and is it worth it to invest in this extra technology? Good questions! Our Superfeet experts are here to answer those questions and help you determine if carbon fiber insoles are the way for you to reach that next level of comfort and performance.
So, lace up those tennis shoes or hiking boots and get ready to learn about carbon fiber insoles and how they can make a world of difference for your feet.
Carbon Fiber Insoles, Use Cases & Benefits
Using carbon fiber insoles can add a competitive edge to any sport, something professional athletes know all about. By slipping a carbon fiber insole into your shoe, you are upping your game with superior technology that imparts the advantage of a lightweight, strong, firm base to work with.
Several Superfeet insoles feaure a carbon fiber-blended stabilizer cap, using a material we call EVOLyte®. EVOlyte is a blend of carbon fiber and polymer plastic that provides a responsive and resilient underfoot experience. Think of it as Superfeet’s secret sauce.
You will find these carbon fiber-blended insoles under the feet of professional runners and hockey players. But you will also find them under the feet of dedicated weekend warriors. These carbon fiber insoles will spring back to their original shape time and time again throughout the hard hikes and long walks you put them through. That’s why pros and Everyday Joes alike love them because they are incredibly durable and offer weight-defying support.
Carbon fiber insoles are best used in sports that have a lot of impact and movement, like running, hiking, walking, and hockey. They offer great shock absorption and an additional level of comfort. They can even help prevent injuries to keep you going faster and longer. The arch support is defined in these insoles and creates a stable footbed from which to propel your feet.
Using a carbon fiber insole can also help alleviate foot pain and ailments such as plantar fasciitis, turf toe, and other common injuries that plague athletes.
Throughout the years, carbon fiber insoles have progressed a lot. The history of these high-tech insoles dates back to 2013 when Superfeet developed EVOLyte, our signature proprietary carbon fiber-polymer blend, in Superfeet Run Support Low Arch. At the time, this was one of the most innovative, high-performance Superfeet insoles ever created — a Superhero Superfeet if you will!
Since then, Superfeet has incorporated innovative EVOLyte technology into the following products:
Are Carbon Fiber Insoles just for pro athletes?
Oftentimes people think that carbon fiber insoles are reserved only for professional athletes or hardcore sports enthusiasts. While the pros do love using carbon fiber insoles, it’s not solely reserved for such athletes — anyone can benefit from this technology.
The Superfeet carbon fiber insoles are for anyone who is doing hard impact activities and prefers a more responsive underfoot feel and experience.
Think about a nice carbon fiber road bicycle. While the pros ride these bikes in the Tour de France, weekend warriors who ride around town also purchase carbon fiber bicycles because of the lightweight frame and strength and stability they provide.
It is the same story for insoles. While someone climbing Mount Everest or running an Ironman Race will benefit greatly from a carbon fiber insole, you get the same benefits on your weekend hike or local 5K charity run.
The truth is that sometimes the average athlete can even benefit more from carbon fiber running shoes or a rigid carbon fiber shoe insert because of the gap it fills between the average runner and a pro.
Pros are so strong, fast, and proficient that a carbon fiber insole will help them, but only so much. For us mere mortals, the transformative nature of adding a carbon fiber insole can take our game up a notch, or even two!
The main advantages of going with carbon fiber insoles are:
- Lightweight
- Strong and stiff
- Solid arch support
- Reactive sole
- Firm structure
- Injury prevention
- Incredibly durable
- A very high strength-to-weight ratio
For which foot ailment cases is it best to use Carbon Fiber Insoles?
Another major benefit in going with a carbon fiber insole is that it can help alleviate common injuries or leg pain that many people face.
All Superfeet insoles, including those with EVOLyte, have a biomechanics-based orthotic design that helps cradle the heel and stabilize the foot.
This means that a carbon fiber insole can be beneficial to those experiencing:
- Osteoarthritis in the big toe or midfoot
- Long-term navicular fractures
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hallux rigidus
- Lisfranc injury
- Various stress fractures
If you’ve ever combatted any of these injuries, you know how serious and debilitating they can be. By adding a carbon fiber insole to your shoes or boots, the high-end technology can help lessen these problems, or even prevent them from occuring in the first place.
A carbon fiber insole is not a magic bullet that will cure foot and body ailments, however, when used correctly, it is best for anyone who prioritizes stability and support over flexibility and cushion.
If you have ever used a custom foot orthotic with success or have a recent history of injury or pain and want to prevent painful injuries in the future, a insole made with carbon fiber might be great fit for you.
What are the benefits of using Carbon Fiber Insoles?
The high-end technology used in carbon fiber shoe inserts has a wide array of benefits. Often, it’s best to experience it firsthand, but we will do our best to explain what these benefits are and how they can help you.
Carbon fiber is a low-density material with a very high strength-to-weight ratio. This means that the insoles offer the athlete a very stiff insole with high tensile strength. While it is strong, it is also very lightweight and offers a high-temperature tolerance.
All this technology and science translates to a top-of-the-line experience for the user. The primary benefits of using carbon fiber inserts include:
- Lightweight
- Slim shape
- More support
- Shock absorption
- Presence underfoot
- Maximized responsiveness
- Reduce risk of new injuries
This is the reason pro athletes love to use carbon fiber insoles. But anyone who is participating in a high-impact activity such as running, hiking, hockey, or skiing and snowboarding will feel the benefits of a carbon fiber insole.
Superfeet insoles made with EVOLyte can help athletes of all levels reduce foot fatigue while gaining efficiency. It creates a responsive experience that delivers exceptional comfort and smooth and efficient energy transfer through your gait from foot strike to toe-off.
Do Carbon Fiber Insoles help improve performance?
So, carbon fiber insoles sound great if you are looking to go lightweight or prevent injuries, but what if you are looking to improve your performance on the trail, field, or ice?
Well, we are here to tell you that Superfeet carbon fiber insoles absolutely do have the ability to improve performance! With a carbon fiber insert with EVOlyte technology in your shoes, boots, or skates, you can expect to run faster, hike higher, and skate longer.
Take the Superfeet Hockey Performance insole for instance. This product offers everyone from NHL pros to recreation league skaters up to 11% better acceleration on the ice, unrivaled edge control, and exceptional energy transfer.
These insoles are designed for tight turns, crossovers, quick starts, and hard stops.They are a genuine game-changer.
According to some studies, carbon fiber can help to better distribute the kinetic energy, causing an increase of up to 2% higher on vertical jumps, and thanks to the lightweight and slim shape, they are also more comfortable and manageable for runners.
Using our EVOlyte carbon fiber-polymer blend allows Superfeet to produce a product that is incredibly durable with weight-defying support, so you see the gains in your game.
Use cases for Carbon Fiber Insoles
While you can use and benefit from carbon fiber insoles in almost any situation, they really stand out for high-impact sports and activities.
If you run marathons or plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, then carbon fiber insoles might be a great choice for you.
Carbon fiber insoles pair best with the following high-impact activities:
Whether you are using a carbon fiber insole in a pair of hockey skates, ski boots for those backcountry alpine touring adventures, or to help you feel your best on a long run, the insole will offer a higher dose of Superfeet shape and a more present underfoot experience.
Leaning into those sharp turns for a slap-shot or deep powder turn on the mountain, the Superfeet carbon fiber insole is going to be there when you need it most, providing the responsive boost and structure that athletes know they can rely on.
Carbon Fiber Insole reviews
Don’t just take our word for it. Wearers of Superfeet built with EVOLyte carbon fiber insoles share with us the difference these insoles have made:
“I love how these inserts help achy feet. After my runs, my feet feel good and pain-free. I actually now use it in all my athletic shoes because I have a high arch and these inserts have stopped the pain.” – Martha N., Run Women’s Support
“On my second pair! Love them for hiking and hunting. They keep your feet anchored in place on steep terrain. Also have a pair in my work boots! Good stuff.” – Austin B., Hike Support
“These have been the best I’ve ever used. The carbon plates stay the same shape for years. Have continuous support even on bad days for my feet, I still feel the strong support and stability. Always invest in feet and head protection. Don’t just go buy expensive skates, make sure you’re wearing the right insoles or your feet will be miserable. These are the ones I have in both player skates I rotate and in my goalie skates. They’ve been the best purchase I’ve made in ages.” – Thinkingjack, Hockey Performance
“So the podiatrist was spot on — these insoles are unbelievable. I have a pair in my work boots and it's made a significant difference in my day. Thank you Superfeet.” – Michael C., Casual Support
Need helping choosing which Superfeet insole with carbon fiber is the right choice for you? Check out the Superfeet Insole Finder — answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the right carbon fiber Superfeet for you, your footwear, and your activities. Or, for an in-person fitting experience, find a retailer near you.
