Power Step describes itself as the “#1 Podiatrist Recommended” brand of orthotic insoles. This is a company positioning claim rather than an independent industry ranking.[1]

Origins

The history of Power Step begins with Dr. Les Appel, a podiatrist and avid runner. Around 1991, Appel observed that many custom orthotics he prescribed shared similar design characteristics. He identified an opportunity to create an orthotic that could replicate beneficial features of custom devices while being more affordable and readily available.[1] This insight led to the development of the first Power Step insoles.

An early distributor played a significant role in the brand’s history. According to historical accounts, Appel presented his early prototypes to The Verne Bintz Company in 1991, and the two parties subsequently collaborated on product distribution.[2] Power Step was formally established in 1992.[3]

Development of the brand

The original concept focused on making podiatrist-informed orthotic support accessible without requiring every consumer to undergo the fabrication of a custom device. Over subsequent decades, Power Step expanded from its initial insole concept into a broader foot-care portfolio comprising:

• Everyday orthotic insoles
• Medical and podiatric orthotics
• Running and athletic insoles
• Orthotic sandals
• Footwear
• Metatarsal pads
• Foot cushions
• Other foot-care accessories

The company states it now offers more than 65 distinct products.

Power Step is currently part of Foundation Wellness, a U.S.-based foot-care and wellness company operating multiple brands. Foundation Wellness describes itself as a house of brands with a portfolio including Power Step, CURREX, Foot Petals, and FLAT SOCKS. It also manufactures aftermarket insoles and other foot-care products for its own brands and external partners.

Ownership timeline

The corporate history of the brand includes several transitions:

• 1992: Power Step founded
• 2010: Remington acquired Stable Step, the supplier of Power Step; Power Step became part of the broader Remington foot-care business
• 2019: Gridiron Capital partnered with Remington Products
• 2020: Remington Products rebranded as Foundation Wellness
• 2023: Foundation Wellness acquired CURREX
• August 2024: Bansk Group acquired Foundation Wellness from Gridiron Capital

Although Power Step began as an independent orthotics business, it is now part of a larger privately held foot-care and wellness platform.

The central product of Power Step is the prefabricated orthotic insole. Unlike basic shoe inserts intended primarily for cushioning, Power Step designs its products around a combination of arch support, heel stabilization, cushioning, foot alignment, and load management. The company’s design philosophy centres on a built-in arch shape, which it states was designed by a podiatrist to support the foot and encourage healthier alignment.

The underlying premise is that proper foot support leads to improved mechanics and alignment, reduced stress, and potentially less pain. This distinguishes Power Step as an orthotic brand rather than a conventional comfort-insole company.

Design components

• Arch support: Intended to provide structural support while retaining some flexibility.
• Heel cup: Designed to stabilize the rearfoot and maintain foot position on the orthotic.
• Cushioning: Foam layers provide shock absorption and comfort for everyday wear.
• Alignment: The broader theory posits that supporting the foot in a stable position improves function and reduces excessive stress.

Power Step Pinnacle

Pinnacle is a primary consumer product family intended for everyday use, with versions tailored to different foot types and conditions. Variants include Pinnacle, Pinnacle Maxx, Pinnacle Plus, Pinnacle Pink, Pinnacle Low, and Pinnacle High. These products vary in arch support, cushioning, and intended application. The range is particularly marketed for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and overpronation.[1]

Power Step ProTech

ProTech represents the medically oriented segment of the portfolio. These products are distributed primarily through podiatrists and other medical professionals rather than general consumer channels. ProTech offers semi-flexible arch support and cushioning intended to maintain foot function and alignment.[1] This professional distribution model is a key component of the brand’s identity.

Power Step PULSE

PULSE is the athletic and running-oriented family, developed specifically for active users. Key features emphasized include arch support, heel stabilization, shock absorption, cushioning, and reduction of impact on the body. The company describes PULSE as “Made by Athletes, for Athletes,” establishing a presence in the performance insole market beyond medical foot care.

ArchWear

Power Step has expanded into orthotic sandals under the ArchWear line. These products integrate the brand’s support philosophy directly into footwear, eliminating the need for a separate insole.

Power Step markets its products for a wide range of foot and lower-body complaints, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Heel pain
• Arch pain
• Overpronation
• Flat feet
• High arches
• Metatarsalgia
• Ball-of-foot pain
• Morton’s neuroma
• General foot fatigue
• Standing-related discomfort

The company also notes potential effects on ankle, knee, hip, and lower-back discomfort, based on the view that foot mechanics influence the kinetic chain. However, these insoles are not a universal treatment; individual results depend on the underlying problem, foot structure, footwear, and other factors.

A significant aspect of the brand’s identity is its emphasis on clinical research. Power Step publishes summaries of studies concerning prefabricated orthotics, reporting findings such as reductions in foot pain, improvements in stability and mobility, and decreased plantar fascia strain.

One frequently cited statistic is that 90% of users in a customer survey reported less foot, knee, or back pain within two weeks. The company identifies this data as originating from an August 2021 Power Step customer survey, distinguishing it from a randomized clinical trial.[1] Additionally, Power Step cites research suggesting that prefabricated orthoses can provide therapeutic outcomes comparable to custom orthoses for certain applications at a lower cost. The core argument is that a properly designed prefabricated orthotic can offer meaningful biomechanical support and pain relief without the expense and manufacturing process of a custom device.

The professional medical market serves as a major differentiator for Power Step. The company states its products are recommended by podiatrists, used by healthcare professionals, dispensed through medical offices, and available via specialty footwear retailers. ProTech products are specifically designated for professional distribution.

Furthermore, Power Step reports that its products have received the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, reinforcing its professional credibility.[1]

Power Step maintains a strong association with U.S. manufacturing. The company states that most of its insoles are designed and manufactured at its facility in Wadsworth, Ohio. Its parent company, Foundation Wellness, possesses extensive experience in foot-care manufacturing and product development, alongside international sourcing capabilities. This domestic production capability differentiates the brand from generic shoe-insert competitors that compete primarily on price.

Power Step operates at the intersection of several distinct markets:

Its core positioning is defined as medical-style orthotic support made accessible to everyday consumers. Rather than competing solely with inexpensive foam inserts, Power Step occupies the space between mass-market comfort products and individualized medical orthotics.

Comparison with alternatives

• Conventional inexpensive insoles: Typically emphasize cushioning, comfort, and shock absorption.
• Custom orthotics: Involve clinical assessment, scanning or casting, individual fabrication, higher cost, and personalized geometry.
• Power Step: Occupies a middle ground with podiatrist-designed, prefabricated devices in multiple sizes and designs. They are immediately available, less expensive than many custom devices, and more structurally supportive than basic cushioned insoles.[1]

Primary consumers

• Individuals with plantar fasciitis
• People experiencing heel or arch pain
• Those with overpronation or flat feet
• Runners and athletes
• Workers who stand for long periods
• Older adults seeking stability and comfort
• Consumers seeking alternatives to custom orthotics

Professional clients

• Podiatrists and foot specialists
• Healthcare practices
• Specialty shoe retailers
• Running stores

The professional channel remains vital as the brand is built around medical credibility rather than purely lifestyle marketing.

Strengths

1. Podiatrist origin: Founded by a practicing podiatrist rather than as a generic accessory.
2. Professional channel: Decades of established relationships with healthcare providers.
3. Orthotic positioning: Emphasis on structural support and alignment over simple cushioning.
4. Product breadth: Models addressing various arch heights, conditions, and activities.
5. Clinical focus: Active publication of research and clinical information.
6. U.S. manufacturing: Domestic production supports quality and supply chain narratives.

Limitations

Power Step is not equivalent to a custom orthotic in every situation. Prefabricated devices utilize standardized geometry, despite available variations. Individuals with highly unusual foot structures, significant deformities, severe symptoms, or conditions requiring individualized correction may still require custom assessment and devices. Furthermore, no single model suits all users; selection depends on specific arch height, stability needs, and activity. Finally, while clinical evidence is cited, some prominent statistics derive from company-sponsored surveys and should be interpreted in that context.[1]

The stated mission of Power Step is to provide high-quality products that help prevent and relieve common problems, enabling people to return to active, healthy lifestyles. The philosophy encompasses three core ideas: supporting the foot, improving function and alignment, and helping people stay active with less pain. This approach explains the expansion beyond traditional inserts into athletic insoles, sandals, and comprehensive foot-care solutions.

1. About Us – PowerStep
2. Bintz & PowerStep – The Verne Bintz Company
3. PowerStep | LinkedIn