A detailed look at Slowtwitch's review of Stride Soles 3D-printed custom orthotics, exploring their fit, construction, and value for older endurance athletes.
On September 25, 2026, Slowtwitch published Ryan Heisler’s review of Stride Soles custom orthotics. The publication detailed the construction, fit, and reported comfort of these 3D-printed insoles for endurance cycling. Heisler tested the inserts inside his Shimano S-Phyre RC9 cycling shoes over a sustained period. He found the product comfortable and reported less foot fatigue during his longer rides.
While the article notes this was a single reviewer’s personal account, it provides a detailed look at modern insole manufacturing. Heisler explained that his custom pair fit his cycling shoes immediately without any issue. He did not need to perform any trimming, shimming, or manual adjustments to make the product work. This immediate precision highlights a shift away from older traditional orthotic manufacturing methods.
The Slowtwitch review closely examines the physical makeup of the Stride Soles inserts. The insoles are constructed from 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane, which forms the structural base. This rigid yet flexible base layer is then topped with two millimeters of EVA cushioning to absorb vibration. Finally, a vegan-leather top sheet covers the insert to provide a smooth interface for the foot.
Stride claims that this specific 3D-printing approach produces 96 percent less material waste than traditional milling techniques. Heisler spent roughly 500 miles testing the resulting inserts on the bike. Over those miles, he experienced a noticeable reduction in foot fatigue on his longer efforts. He noted that because his feet felt fresher, it became somewhat easier to continue producing power late in rides.
Despite these positive outcomes, he framed the ultimate value of the product as a difficult question. Heisler acknowledged having prior success with non-custom Superfeet insoles. Because the review was not a controlled head-to-head test, he found it hard to quantify the comparative performance benefit. He remained unsure if the Stride product was worth roughly $200 more than an off-the-shelf insert.
Heisler noted that measuring objective performance gains is inherently difficult outside of a laboratory setting. A rider might feel more comfortable, but translating that comfort into numeric power measurements requires rigorous testing. The Slowtwitch page does not present a controlled head-to-head test or numerical fatigue data. Readers are left to weigh the reviewer's positive subjective experience against the premium cost.
Understanding the final product requires looking at how Stride Soles gathers its fitting data. The described ordering process begins with a detailed online questionnaire about the customer’s feet, pain points, and desired support. After completing the purchase, the customer uses a mobile device to scan their feet. The buyer also submits a video of their walking gait to provide dynamic movement data.
The digital intake method represents a significant shift in how athletes acquire biomechanical support. Previously, custom orthotics required multiple visits to a specialist for physical casting and adjustments. The ability to use a mobile phone to capture foot shape and gait mechanics streamlines the initial fitting phase. The Slowtwitch article presents Stride's claim that combining 3D scanning and gait analysis is faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than other approaches.
The publication identifies Dietmar Walter as Stride’s head of design. Walter is an award-winning pedorthist and podiatrist who has been crafting orthopedic shoes since the 1980s. Stride reviews the mobile scan, the gait video, and the intended shoe model before making the orthotic. This shoe-specific review is a critical step in the modern manufacturing process.
The article explains that cycling orthotics typically need to be thinner than running orthotics to fit inside rigid shoes. Once the design is finalized, Stride moves directly to production. The typical production and delivery timeline is listed as 10 to 15 days. However, in the article's comment section, Heisler mentioned that his pair arrived in under 10 days.
The final cycling inserts proved to be quite light. Heisler reported that the product weighed about an ounce less than his non-custom Superfeet insoles. This lightweight construction appeals to cyclists who want arch support without adding rotational mass.
For ambitious athletes over 35, foot health often dictates the absolute ceiling on training volume. We know from reading the endurance training blog that managing cumulative physical stress is a top priority. A 2026 systematic review of studies focusing on foot orthoses and injury-risk factors in runners adds useful context here. That review reported that most included studies examined custom orthoses.
The authors of that systematic review concluded that specialized footwear and orthoses can affect relevant biomechanical factors, pain levels, and overall comfort. Hitting my forties brought a harsh reality check regarding how my body handles training stress. The track workouts were not getting slower, but the days after them felt significantly heavier. Instead of forcing my old Tuesday and Thursday intensity schedule, I looked at the data on Masters athletes and muscle protein synthesis.
I pushed my second hard session to Friday, allowing an extra forty-eight hours of low-intensity recovery. My total weekly volume stayed the same, but the quality of my intervals skyrocketed. Just as we must allocate recovery time wisely, we must be deliberate about how we manage biomechanical load. Finding the right physical support systems is crucial for maintaining long term athletic performance.
Endurance athletes frequently battle repetitive strain injuries as they age. Small misalignments in the foot or knee can compound over thousands of pedal strokes, leading to chronic joint pain. Reading endurance life articles often reveals how minor equipment tweaks can dramatically influence a rider's season. Custom orthotics are simply one variable in the complex equation of injury prevention and power transfer.
Athletes must carefully separate a basic comfort purchase from a medical treatment claim. The Slowtwitch review clearly documents one rider's improved comfort and reduced fatigue over 500 miles. It does not demonstrate absolute injury prevention or a universally measurable performance gain. Before spending money, you must consider the exact physical problem you want to address.
You should also carefully consider the specific footwear in which the insole will live. As the article noted, running orthotics differ from cycling versions. Heisler had no plans to test his cycling pair in his running shoes. If an inexpensive insert already meets your needs, you might not require a premium upgrade.
The cost factor is a highly individual calculation for any endurance athlete. Slowtwitch listed the retail price at $249, noting a $50 discount was available at the time of publication. Athletes should verify the current price, discount terms, and production timeline directly with the seller. It is always wise to consult gear and technology articles to weigh the pros and cons of expensive equipment upgrades.
Veteran athletes thrive on consistency, and long term consistency requires pain-free movement. Finding the right biomechanical support can keep you on the bike for decades to come. You must evaluate whether your current setup leaves you fatigued or if you simply need minor fit adjustments. A custom insole is a powerful tool, but it should be part of a comprehensive approach to bike fit.
Custom 3D-printed insoles offer precise fit and welcome comfort for endurance athletes managing foot fatigue, but veteran riders should thoroughly exhaust more affordable off-the-shelf options before committing to the premium price tag.
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