Capo Velo Cycling Collective Review

Pro Series 2620 Orthotic Insoles Review by Petr Minarik

I recently started a bike fitting business based in Harrogate, Yorkshire. There is no other cycling insole on the market that can provide the level of arch support and adjustability that my clients need to optimise their functionality and comfort on the bike. The quality and design of the 2620 is excellent and a product of this type is essential for me to carry out my bike fits successfully.

Darrell Varley

Varley Cycling Limited

"I choose to wear G8 insoles for the extra race performance advantage they give me. The one to two percentage increase in power makes the biggest difference to my race time.  I train so hard and invest so much time and money into racing that being able to gain event the smallest increase into my power output simply by wearing the correct footwear is a worthwhile investment for me to make. That extra one to two percent could be the difference between first and second place for me."

Jason English

World 24hr MTB World Champion

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Another from Declan von Dietze

Record Holder of the Munda Biddi 1100 km trail

"When looking at comfort on the bike, one of the most important things to consider is the overall fit, from the bars to the seat and down to the pedals, all parts need to be considered to provide overall best comfort and performance. When ensuring proper power transfer, cyclists take the time and care to ensure that their shoes are correctly sized, cleats are fitted in the proper position and their crank length and seat height are correct, but often neglect to look inside the shoes and think about what is actually providing support – the inner sole. G8 Performance is an Australian company on the block that provides exactly that, an inner sole designed to provide the foot with proper support throughout the entirety of the pedal stroke. The Pro Series 2620 is the cycling optimised design providing 5 arch inserts and 11 position changes in order to perfect the fit underneath the foot.

Critical to the 2620 design is the full customisable arch design, allow the owner to choose a size specific to their arch height, and position it in order to provide support to the front of the arch. This flexible arch piece not only provides support for the arch, but also allows the forefoot to flex, ensuring that the foot is allowing itself to move the way that the body wants it to, in essence allowing the foot to perform as close to being barefoot to displace force while staying within the confines of a shoe.

When looking at the plethora of innersoles that are available on the market currently, most can be divided into two categories. Firstly, they will provide comfort, cushioning and support, three words that people like to hear when they are looking to decrease foot pain or increase their overall performance. Secondly there are the more custom orthotics that are produces to provide total support within the shape of the foot, eliminating the body’s natural abilities to provide cushioning and support.

What separated G8 from the majority is their ability to sit within the middle of the pack, providing comfort and cushioning through the arch flex and support while also supporting the foot in its natural movements. Furthermore with the ability to change the arch piece with one of the supplied 5 options as well as move the insert both laterally and anterior/posteriorly in order to find the bet possible position with over 400 combinations for a personal fit.

On the bike this is definitely noticeable. Having used stock innersoles, custom orthotics as well as a range of other brands products over the last few years the G8 2620 provided a great balance of what the others had to offer. The foot was well supported but moved comfortably throughout the stroke and it was a noticeable that the foot was no longer constricted decreasing some of the pain that I was previously having. This was further enforced after a month of use, I was suggested to replace one of my innersoles with the stock model that I was previously using, immediately noticing that my right foot, supported by G8 was not only more comfortable through the foot but actually tracking smoother through the knee than I had noticed. The small change added up to make a larger difference than I had previously noticed, not only improving my foot comfort but also my pedal stroke."

Declan von Dietze

Record Holder of the Munda Biddi 1100 km trail

"It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to use a reasonable priced, high quality, fully customizable orthotic that actually works better than advertised. I have fairly high arches and, so, far, have been unable to find an over-the-counter orthotic that actually works correctly for my feet. I have been hesitant to shell out $600+ for custom podiatry grade orthotics so G8 Performance sparked my interest when a friend told me about them.

So let me introduce the IGNITE orthotic insoles from G8 Performance.

IGNITE orthotic insoles are the most recent and versatile addition to the G8 Performance insole product range. They are easy to mould and shape to the exact contours of your feet. They support your feet exceptionally well, and are extremely comfortable.

G8 Performance Founder David Lee asserts that when it comes to feet, one size definitely does not fit all. “The majority of people actually experience quite significant differences between their left and their right foot so having the ability to adjust an insole to perfectly fit each foot just makes sense” Lee says.

Feet can be categorized by the height of the arches (low, medium and high), but, in reality, no two people have the same height of arch. To further complicate the issue, each person’s left foot is different than their right. One is usually a little longer than the other, a little taller or shorter than the other and has a little higher or lower arch than the other. Because the IGNITE’s are easily shaped by the palm of your hand to match the exact contours of your feet, the IGNITE’s can provide support to the foot throughout the full range of motion, at a fraction of the price of podiatry grade orthotics. Podiatry grade insoles can cost $600 or more, so the IGNITE allows people access to support and comfort for their feet at a much more affordable price of $77 USD per pair.

Lee further emphasizes, “There are numerous heat moldable insoles on the market; however all of them suggest heating the insole in an oven or the like and then standing on them. The issue here is insoles will then conform to whatever you are standing on (i.e. floor) and not to the shape of your foot.”

SETUP:

Following the simple provided instructions, I first cut the IGNITE’s to length using the original insole as a template. I then borrowed my wife’s hairdryer (important note for the guys, do this while she is at work), and, doing this one at a time, I heated the gray underside of each IGNITE for 2 minutes – until the IGNITE became soft and pliable. While seated, I then molded the IGNITE to my foot using the palm of my hand making sure to press the complete IGNITE and especially the arch area into the bottom of my foot. I also made sure to wrap and firmly press the side of the IGNITE up the side of the arch which gave me full support. The IGNITE cooled in about 2 minutes so I put it on the floor and repeated with the other one. The instructions then say to heat the gray heel area of the IGNITE and do the same. Mine felt good ‘as-is’ so I skipped this step.

After letting them cool for 10 minutes, I placed them in my running shoes. They felt perfect.

Note: If you feel any discomfort, repeat the heating process in the areas that need to be re-molded.

HOW DID THEY PERFORM?

I placed the IGNITE’s in my running shoes and went out for a jog with Max, our Labrador. After a 5K run, my feet felt  refreshed, no pain. The custom formed arch supported and cradled my feet so there was no soreness to the ball of my foot (Sesamoid’s) that I get sometimes due to high arches.

Several runs later, they are still comfortable and support my feet perfectly.

OVERALL SUMMARY:

The IGNITE can be heated multiple times without affecting the quality of the insole, it can be heated in separate sections and is machine washable. I highly recommend the IGNITE’s! They get a 5 star rating!"

RA Schultz

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"Since having G8 innersoles inserted into my running shoes, I have honestly noticed an improvement in my running. For the first time in a long time, my recovery is so much better after some long runs. I also feel like my running is stronger even though there has not been an increase in the amount of miles in my training. In the past I have had reoccurring issues with plantar faciitis, however since wearing the G8 insoles the pain associated with that injury has vanished. This is absolutely fantastic for my training as I now enjoy running more as a result.

Overall I would totally recommend G8 insoles to anyone involved in triathlon, running and multi-sport events, as the benefits in training, racing and training are amazing."

Pete Murray

These help correct my foot to a neutral boot compatible position. Do not need to offset the alignment of wheels with these. The ability to adjust each foot differently is unique and extremely useful.

Ken C.

"G8 2620s have saved my feet!

I am 65 and have tried everything for the part 40 years Including all of the following orthotics:

• Superfeet — all versions

• Comfortable Sidas custom made for ski boots and ice hockey skates

• eSoles $300 3D scanned road cycling version

• Plaster cast and custom made by U.K. Olympic chiropodist

• And many more

I started using 2620 during the past 6 months when I have dug, bagged and carried up a flight of stairs 75 metric tons of earth!  I thought I have flat feet and started with #2 arch and 5 months later I am wearing #5! I have had NO FEET ISSUES WHATSOEVER when wearing 2620.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have this kind of success. I now have 3 pairs and one set works great in ice skates and the other in walking shoes.

Can’t wait to try met pads.  Don’t wait and make your feet happy!

Simply the best and take your time to experiment with different arch versions."

Ed Sherman

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"I am writing to say thank you for the G8 performance products. I have had years worth of problems with my feet and seen many podiatrists for my feet problems and was provided rigid orthotics but none resolved the problem. In fact, when I participated in sport, they made them worse, as the impact on a rigid product caused debilitating soreness to a point where I would end up on crutches or a walking stick and doctors tried to diagnose me with gout due to the inflammation in my feet.

When I discovered your products (Pro Series 2620 and Ignite) my active life changed and I am now back able to enjoy participation in sports and activities which would previously have caused me issues. I wear the Pro Series 2620 for all sporting activities and I wear the Ignite as a daily in my work shoes where I am on my feet a lot.

I am slowly but surely moving the arch heights too and adapting my feet to change and I couldn’t be happier with the product.

Simon Hancox

Real Estate Agent