Proper Placement of a Poron Arch Pad

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1: Preparation
Before you peel off the adhesive backing, you need to find the “sweet spot” in your shoe.
Identify the Apex: Look at the arch pad. It has a high point (the apex) and tapered edges.
Clean the Surface: Poron is a high-performance open-cell foam, but the adhesive on the back won’t stick to dust or debris. Atlas Biomechanics recommends placing the arch pad under the shoe’s insole. Wipe the inside of your shoe with a damp cloth or a small amount of rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely.
The “Dry Run”: Place the arch pad inside the shoe (under the insole) without removing the adhesive backing.
2: Finding the “Sweet Spot”
The most common mistake is placing the pad too far forward under the ball of the foot.
The Landmark: The arch pad should sit directly under the medial longitudinal arch.
The Feel Test: Slide your foot into the shoe with the loose pad. Move the pad back until the highest point feels like it is “filling the gap” of your arch, just in front of the heel bone (calcaneus).
The Marker: Once it feels perfect, use a pencil or a piece of chalk to trace a small line on the shoe’s insole at the front and back edge of the pad.
3: The Permanent Placement
Now that you have your landmarks, it’s time to commit.
Peel: Remove the plastic film from the adhesive backing.
Align: Using your chalk/pencil marks as a guide, carefully lower the pad into the shoe.
The “Medial” Rule: Ensure the straight edge of the pad is aligned with the inside (medial) wall of the shoe. The pad should not be centered in the middle of the shoe; it should be flush against the inner side where your arch naturally curves.
Press and Hold: Press down firmly on the pad for 30 seconds. The pressure helps the adhesive bond with the shoe’s material.
Article content
https://www.atlasbiomechanics.com/poron-ppt-arch-pad-p/poron-arch.htm
Pro-Tips for Success
Wait before you walk: Give the adhesive about an hour to “set” before you head out for a long walk. This prevents the pad from sliding under the heat and friction of your foot.
Under the Insole? If your shoe has a removable factory insole, try placing the Poron pad underneath it. This keeps the pad perfectly in place and provides a smoother feel for your foot.
If the Pad is Too High: If the support feels too aggressive, you can slightly “feather” or trim the edges of the Poron with sharp scissors, though Poron is generally designed to compress slightly to match your foot’s shape over the first few days.
Why Poron?
In 2026, Poron remains the preferred material for podiatrists because it doesn’t “bottom out.” Unlike cheap drugstore foams that flatten within a week, Poron maintains its thickness and shock absorption for the life of the shoe, providing consistent medical-grade support.
Atlas Biomechanics manufactures Poron Arch Pads in the USA. It is the most used arch pads by medical professionals.

 

Hi Teri,

Great product!

When stabilizing the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity, it is very important to shift the CoP laterally as the body's weight crosses the ILA. Your product is well constructed to accomplish that.