Here are today’s best silicone heel pads to avoid tendon inflammation and prevent foot and back pain.
The heel is the medical device with a support function inserted into the shoes or into the foot that prevents the Achilles tendon from stretching too much, helping prevent a rupture or tendonitis.
The heel is delicate because the Achilles tendon extends and retracts when walking or running. This movement can lead to inflammation of the tendon, a very annoying pain that can affect the gait and lead to pain up to the back.
The silicone heel pads are recommended for those suffering from heel pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bursitis and those who practice intense sports activities that could stress the tendon, such as running, football, basketball, or rugby.
Even those who often assume incorrect postures that affect the spine, perhaps because they do a job for which they have to stand for long periods or have to walk a lot, can have many advantages from using silicone heel pads.
The silicone heel is also recommended for those who want to avoid deformation of the heel bone, called heel spur syndrome, common in overweight or flat feet.
While it is true that the heel is a tool for prevention and should not be used in the presence of a rupture or actual tendonitis, it is also true that this heel support can be beneficial during healing or if you find it in the recovery phase.
Most silicone heel pads are inserted inside the shoe, under the heel, to carry out a shock-absorbing action during walking or running. Still, some closed models slip on like socks and guarantee more excellent wrapping and stability of the heel to the foot.
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How to choose Silicone heel Pads: Types and Characteristics
The choice of silicone heel pads should not be underestimated, as you should consider many features to buy the best heel unit for your needs.
Typology
The gel heel pads with a removable central insert allow you to remove or replace the central insert depending on your intent. By removing the removable pads, the body’s weight will be discharged on the heel in a balanced way, eliminating the pressure on the tendon and the pain. Gel heel pads are ideal for those who want to prevent Achilles tendon pathologies.
Instead, one can use the silicone heel in front of a natural heel, a trauma caused by a disproportionate impact on the ground. It is a support to be inserted inside the shoe and is especially suitable for sportspeople, professionals, or amateurs.
A sub-category of silicone heel pads is the lateral heel spike, high-strength support with side discharge made of dual-density silicone. The oval part, usually colored blue, has a lower density, allowing the weight to discharge better. We recommend using this type for pain from inflammation caused by excessive effort.
It is also possible to find self-adhesive latex heel pads on the market, usually in unisex size, as the latex allows the heel to adapt perfectly to the foot’s shape. These solutions cushion and lift the heels and are used in calluses, bruises, and healing.
There are particular models, such as silicone heel pads with knurling for heel spurs, that guarantee a graduated density and more excellent grip inside the footwear thanks to the knurling. These models are suitable for cases of retrocalcaneal bursitis and heel pain. The most recent type is the comma-shaped silicone heel, which adapts to any shoe.
This heel unit is lined in fabric and is soft, odorless, water-repellent, and hypoallergenic. The name derives from the comma-shaped hole that acts specifically in the most sensitive part to prevent tendonitis, heel pain, heel spurs, sports trauma, and muscle fatigue.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Although most silicones used for heel pads have no odor, wearing them often in closed shoes for long periods can give these supports a strong odor.
For this reason, it is advisable to check the possibility of washing the heels with water or water and neutral soap and then letting them dry naturally.
Some heel supports are sold in pairs or several pairs to use with different shoes and alternate between drying quietly after washing them.
Cut it
Unlike unisex, silicone heels have their size, just like shoes. Usually, medium-low-end heel units are available in 3 sizes: S, M, and L.
In addition to the size of the foot, it is also advisable to check your weight, as some models of medium-high-end heel units may have a different density of silicone depending on the weight they can withstand. Therefore, choosing a heel unit of the right size but with a thickness that cannot bear weight will not benefit our physical condition.
Some brands also produce minimal models, ideal for children. When you check the sizes, always check if they are expressed according to the European or American size to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Since the heel will have to be inserted inside a shoe, it is good to check the thickness and size of the support itself to avoid buying an oversized silicone heel model that will not allow us to wear the shoe inserted in the support comfortably inside.
Length
Most of the silicone heel pads on the market have a reduced shape, which wraps only the heel, but heel models support up to ¾ of the foot length, thus taking up more space for the foot inside the shoe.
Price
The price of silicone heel pads is meager and can bring many advantages. You can find the cheapest heels at $5, up to $25-$30 for the most innovative professional heel units.
How to wear silicone heel pads?
Since the heel is often worn in direct contact with the skin, wash your feet well and apply a little talcum powder on the contact area to facilitate application and make it more stable.
Heel and sport
Those who practice sports at a competitive level are more likely to develop tendonitis or heel problems. For this reason, silicone heel pads are often recommended for runners and athletes in sports such as football, rugby, and basketball.
The heel prevents excessive inflammation of the tendon, but it can also significantly limit the performance of a professional sportsman, as it can involve excessive plantar effort. So, generally speaking, if you choose to focus on prevention, you will have to accept to limit your performance and vice versa.
To solve this problem, it is possible to reach a compromise; these are intermediate heels with removable central inserts and different pads of different densities that can be placed.
The inserts ideal for sports use an active exhaust level and prevent tendon problems for better performance than a standard insert with total exhaust.
The Best Silicone Heel Pads to buy
Now let’s see the best models on the market chosen by type, characteristics, and price to facilitate selecting the best silicone heel pads for your needs.
- PROTECTIVE HEEL CUSHIONING: Gently wrapping around the entire heel, the ViveSole gel heel...
- SOFT SILICONE GEL: Constructed with a soft, elastic silicone gel, the heel protectors are...
- FLEXIBLE AND BREATHABLE: Designed with multiple ventilation holes throughout, the...
- Pain Relief - More and more people have heel problems such as Achilles tendon, bone spur...
- You Get - This set includes one pair of comfortable gel heel cups that can be worn in most...
- Comfortable design - Providing soothing support for the heel and ankle, the gel heel cups...
- Value Pack: Pay less you will get 4 pairs of the breathable heel cups.
- Superior Raw Materials: Made of High elastic, durable, heat-resistant, aging-resistant,...
- Unique Heel Fit Design: With the Venting holes design on the heel cups can keep your feet...
- ☆Excellent Stickness: heel pads feature great sticky, stay in place firmly while you are...
- ☆Heel Pain Killer and Loose Shoe Insert: ease the friction between your feet and your...
- ☆Fits Most Shoes: heel cushion inserts are made of soft silicone and gel, flexibly...
- DOCTOR DEVELOPED HEEL PADS - Ballotte’s heel protectors provide compression protection...
- MEDICAL-GRADE SILICONE - Made of light silicone heel pads with air holes, our heel cushion...
- REUSABLE AND WASHABLE - Ballotte’s blister prevention for heels/shoes is reusable, easy...
- Made with molded medical-grade soft silicone which helps reduce strain, shock and...
- Ideal for those suffering from heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis
- Simply place 1 ProCare Silicone Heel Cup Insert in each shoe, on top of the insoles
- FAST HEEL PAIN RELIEF: Put a spring back into your step with the Figly Silicone Gel Heel...
- MEDICAL GRADE SILICONE HEEL CUPS: The Figly heel gel pads are so lightweight and soft you...
- ERGONOMIC HEEL CUSHIONS: Each pair of heel pads for pain features thick gel padding that...
- [HEEL CUPS FOR HEEL PAIN RELIEF] Our heel cushions are designed for heel pain relief from...
- [TIRED & SORE FEET RELIEF] Lightweight shock absorbing heel inserts for heel pain relief....
- [COMFORTABLE ALL DAY WEAR] Comfortable heel cushion inserts support your heel cups...
- ☆Clear
- ☆Heel Inserts for Loose Shoe and Heel Pain: ease the friction between your feet and your...
- ☆Heel Cushion Pads fit Most Shoes: heel cushion inserts are made of soft silicone and...
- Value Pack: Wonderwin Heel pads/cups comes as a set of 4 pairs small/medium gel heel cups...
- Heel Pain Killer: Designed for those who have foot pain, plantar fasciitis, sore heel,...
- Multi-Function: They are not only heel cups, but also can use as heel lift inserts,...
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