How long do custom orthotics last?

If you’ve dropped $400–$800 on custom orthotics, one question eventually hits:

“How long are these things actually supposed to last?”

Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear everything from “a few years” to “forever.” And if you got yours through a foot clinic or insurance, there’s a good chance no one told you what to watch for once they’re in your shoes.

So let’s set the record straight — based on how your body works, not just what your receipt says.

🥾 The Short Answer:

Most custom orthotics last between 1 to 5 years.
BUT — and this is key — their actual effectiveness depends on how your body, gait, and movement evolve.

In other words:

• They don’t have an expiry date stamped on them.
• But they can stop working long before they physically wear out.

Let’s break it down.

🧱 1. Material Lifespan: How Long Do They Physically Hold Up?

Most orthotics are made from high-density foam, plastic, or carbon fiber. Their structural integrity depends on:

• The quality of the materials
• How often you wear them
• Your body weight + impact level (e.g. running vs. walking)
• Environmental wear (sweat, water, heat, pressure)

General guidelines:

• High-quality sport orthotics: ~1–2 years (due to high-impact use)
• Everyday use orthotics: ~2–3 years
• Specialized rigid/custom-molded orthotics: up to 5 years (if well maintained)

But again — this just tells you how long they might stay intact. Not whether they’re still doing their job.

🦶 2. Your Feet (and Movement) Change Over Time

Even if the orthotic itself is fine, your body isn’t static.

Things that shift your biomechanics:

• Weight gain or loss
• Injury or compensation patterns
• Surgery (especially knees, hips, spine)
• Pregnancy
• Training volume changes
• Footwear changes

So the orthotic that “fit perfectly” 2 years ago might now be reinforcing the wrong pattern — or making your body over-rely on support instead of restoring better mechanics.

At YFS, this is where we see problems all the time: people locked into orthotics that were prescribed for a body that no longer exists.

👣 3. Signs Your Orthotics Aren’t Working Anymore

It’s not about how worn-out they look. It’s about how you feel.

Here are red flags:

• You’ve developed new pain (knees, hips, low back, arches)
• The original pain they were prescribed for has returned
• One side feels more supported than the other
• You’ve stopped training or walking the same way
• You feel “off balance” or unstable in certain shoes
• They make your feet sore after only short wear time
• You’re compensating somewhere else in your gait or posture

If this sounds familiar — your orthotics probably aren’t the problem.
But they may no longer be the solution.

🔁 4. When Should You Replace or Reassess?

We recommend you reassess your orthotics every 12–18 months — even if you feel “fine.”

Why?

• Your structure can change subtly without pain (until it doesn’t)
• Reassessments catch early breakdowns in movement or load transfer
• You may no longer need the same support — or may need a different type entirely

At YFS, we don’t just look at your insoles. We look at your movement patterns, joint alignment, load tolerance, and how your feet integrate with your whole kinetic chain.

Orthotics are a tool, not a forever fix.

💡 Here’s What We Ask at YFS Before Recommending New Orthotics

• Are your feet adapting — or becoming dependent?
• Is your pain coming from your feet, or higher up the chain?
• Is your gait symmetrical and efficient?
• Have your shoes changed — and are your orthotics compatible?
• Could a form correction, strength plan, or mobility fix solve the issue instead?

We’re not here to throw more devices at your feet.
We’re here to get your body working better — with or without orthotics.

Final Word: Your Orthotics Might Still Look Fine — But That Doesn’t Mean They’re Right for You Now

The best orthotic is the one that supports your current body, not your body from 3 years ago.

If your pain is back, your gait feels off, or you’re unsure whether they’re helping or hurting — it’s time to reassess.

Book a gait + movement checkup at YFS
We’ll tell you if your orthotics still serve you — or if your body’s ready for something smarter.