custom fitted gel insoles

Here is how to make fitted gel insole made just for your unique feet, for about 20 bucks.  fitted orthotics are about 300 bucks

Materials

1 pair of your socks
2 tubes silicone caulking (a pack of 3 tubes was 10 bucks from a hardware store, you may need more is your feet are bigger then mine.  I'm a size 9.5 mens)
1 small bottle of glycerine (5 bucks from a pharmacy, this will do about 3 or 4 pairs)
caulking gun (5 bucks from a hardware store)
a cardboard box
1 old spatula or paint stir stick

your hands and feet will get a little bit sticky

note the caulking will smell strong like vinegar but it should be non-toxic, if the smell bothers you, move to a better ventilated area

Step 1 Silicone caulking set up

1st step.

squirt out all the silicone caulking from one tube on to a piece of cardboard. one tube will do one insole.  If you feet are bigger than a mens 9.5 you might need to add another half a tube.


2nd step.

add about 5 drops of glycerine for every ounce of caulking (if you dont add the glycerine the silicone will not cure all the way through and you will have a cured surface but a uncured middle) and mix thoroughly with spatula.

note
the warmer your work space the quicker the cure time but you should have about a 20 min window before its starts to cure.

Comments

[mikesnyd]

You can add corn starch to your silicone instead of the glycerin. It will allow the silicone to fully cure as well. Be carefull by adding too much corn starch you can accelerate the cure time drastically.

[windigoking]

How much do you add?

[mikesnyd]

up to fifty fifty by volume. Any amount above 10% will still allow the moisture to cure the silicone. just a bit longer.

[Colourful]

How strange, I just made something like this last night with oogoo! I did a different method but I like your idea! Very innovative! Could also use a plastic bag (zip lock freezer bag type?) because silicone peels off them so you would just have the silicone for the insole which would be easier to wash and so smell less! (Not a judgement on your feet, just feet and orthotics in general!)

[windigoking]

i chose to use socks, for the cloth feel (most insoles have a cloth layer so your foot has a bit of air circulation).

And now you gave me a good idea. put a piece of plastic wrap on the top so your feet will not get sticky, when you make them, then just peel the plastic off.

[Colourful]

Yeah I've made mine with a sock too for that reason, should survive the washing machine!
Another thing you can do to stop it sticking to hands or feet is use vaseline (petroleum jelly) on them. Just rub it into your skin and the silicone shouldn't stick.

[windigoking]

thanks for the great tips!

[dchall8]

This is very good. If you had put in proper punctuation and capitalization, you might have earned the "Featured" status. What does that get you? There are other websites that link to Instructables, but they only seem to link to the Featured I'bles. It would bring more exposure to your idea.

[windigoking]

i dont really care about that stuff.

[PS118]

First off I absolutely LOVE this instructible!!!

Ever since I saw the "Ogoo" caulking Sugru substitute
(http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-Your-Own-Sugru-Substitute)
I've had a similar-type of project in mind. The one thing I'm not sure about is that some people say Silicone is acidic and can burn your skin. Did you experience any of that when you did this?

Thanks, and again, this idea ROCKS!

[lennyb]

its not a very strong acid. you can cover your feet in vaseline if you think you are sensitive to it .

[windigoking]

thank you,
No I didn't get any burns or discomfort at all, lol but i did have sticky hands and feet lol.

that Ogoo sounds intriguing. I wonder how soft the final product will be?

[bruc33ef]

This is really useful. Also, they don't look like they would be too thick for most shoes. Great job!

[windigoking]

thanks, they fit great in my workboots