What does a former pro runner think about VKTRY Insoles?

Tim DiScipio was a top collegiate runner and ran pro for a major running shoe brand decades back. He also field-tested new model running shoes for Nike's shoe design lab for 2 years. A true expert in training and racing, he still runs and competes in a few races and triathlons.

Each year during the second week in May, I remember exactly what running event was going on in my life several decades back. It was my last year in college and I was en route from Connecticut to Los Angeles to compete in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 3000m Steeplechase. I think back on what was endured in training and the stress to get to that level and consider myself lucky I physically held up to finish the season so well. I continued to run competitively after college, then transitioned into short and long-distance triathlons some years later.  

Each decade that passed would bring me a new challenge. Sometimes it was an injury, other times it was purely down to performance. And while I can look back and remember very few physical ailments in my 20s, these days I deal with several degenerative discs in my lower back and resulting in a recent surgery that requires me to strategize where and what surface I will run on, what running shoes I will wear, and how many hills I can take on.

Over time, my focus shifted from competitive racing to simply being healthy and in shape, enjoying great trails and routes -- and running a race once in a while to test the wheels out. Good health and preventative maintenance is now my primary goal. And as I seek to get in a good workout, one thing I'm trying to minimize is the ground landing impact my body takes on -- which is something I strongly believe runners at every age and level should be considering

The amount of weight a runner stresses their body with over the course of a run is quite shocking. An average runner takes about 1600 steps per mile. If they weigh 140 lbs, they put 224,000 lbs of ground-impact weight stress on their lower body over 1 mile, and about 675,000 lbs of accumulated weight stress in a 5K run. You 10K and marathon runners can do the rest of the math. Added into that mix -- most running shoes have terrific foam technology, but lack sufficient stabilization control on foot-strike which can lead to inward-roll ankle and knee pronation, greater body fatigue and potential injuries. VKTRY insoles are the first carbon running shoe insole technology customized to the runner's own physics and weight to combine energy return propulsion, shock absorption and ground-strike stability improving the lower-body biomechanics and cadence at the ankle / knee region.

I was asked to test-run the VKTRY Performance Insoles back in early winter and was significantly surprised by what I experienced on my first run. While I felt the energy return flex and propulsion coming off the carbon insole plate (which again, is customized to the runner's weight, height, gender and sport), I informed VKTRY the level of shock absorption and lateral stability upon foot-strike impact was equally impressive. The insole completely changed the functionality and performance of my running shoes, and I could feel much less impact stress on my feet, legs and back. I could also visually see the elimination of foot-strike pronation in the shoe. This should be of great interest to older runners maintaining health or younger competitive runners who race and need enhanced leg-turnover and cadence. Additionally, training recovery and maintaining "fresh legs" for the next day's distance or interval workout are seriously important attributes provided by the VKTRY insoles.

The insoles deliver several key performance and health-related features that I feel are a must-have:

1. A customized inverted carbon plate running the entire length of the insole, whereby the metatarsal flex of the carbon plate produces energy return determined by the runner's exact physics and anticipated ground impact force (e.g. the runner's weight, height, shoe size, gender, sport). This proprietary algorithm ensures the insole is going to perform optimally for the athlete wearing them.

2. The insoles also provide a slight heel cup around the sides and back of the heel that stabilize any irregular foot-strike impact and eliminate inward-roll pronation or supination of the ankle / knee which result in lost cadence or eventual pain and injuries. This is an extremely important feature of the insole. Combined with the VKTRY designed arch support, I could see and feel the improvement in my own foot-strike landing and how proper and squared-up my feet were coming up off the ground surface. For the runner looking to improve times and faster leg-turnover this is an essential feature you absolutely want. Every test runner has mentioned this feature. And with current running shoe stack heights of 30-40mm, runners absolutely need lateral stability to supplement the shoe. If you’ve seen videos of some of the world’s greatest distance runners significantly supinating in the latest super shoes during races, you’ll recognize the importance. VKTRY insoles solve this issue.

3. The arch support is for all arch types and foot-strike landings. It is designed with a corrective anti-pronation wedge for proper alignment of the foot, reduces the impact stress on the navicular bone and "pull" on associated tendons.  

I cannot recommend VKTRY insoles more for the competitive and non-competitive runner. I have felt significant corrective improvement on my own runs. The benefits are immediate, noticeable and the perfect supplement to whatever I'm wearing on my feet. As I finish writing this, I have been told by a family member suffering from knee pain for five years that the insoles are enabling them to go on long trail runs the past 6 weeks now without pain -- with the insoles being the only change to their gear.