F is for Formthotics, a popular and widely used brand of pre-frabricated foot orthotic used by podiatrists and other health professionals world wide.
The brand emerged in the 1970s in New Zealand when a general medical practitioner, Dr. Charlie Baycroft, while walking barefoot in sand, realized that feet weren’t designed for hard, flat modern surfaces. Around the same time, David Boyd, a professional skier and boot-fitter, was exploring how custom orthotics could improve skiing performance. Their collaboration led to the creation of Formthotics.
A feature is their heat-molding process that creates custom-fitted insoles on-the-spot. The orthotics are thermoformable, meaning they can be heated and molded to fit both your specific foot shape and shoe.
Formthotics offers several lines:
- Medical orthotics for healthcare professionals treating conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and heel pain
- Sports orthotics for athletic performance
- Everyday insoles for general comfort and support
- Youth products for younger users
They use proprietary plant-based materials called Formax™ foam and a 3D milling process to manufacturer the lightweight, supportive foot orthotics while focusing on sustainability. They are manufactured in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Formthotics products are distributed across more than 50 countries and are trusted by medical professionals, athletes, and retailers worldwide. The company has helped over 10 million people since its founding.