Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle | Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Patients ask me about the Good Feet Store regularly — usually after they’ve spent $300–$500 there and aren’t sure if it was worth it, or they’re considering going and want a clinical opinion first. I’ll give you my honest assessment as a practicing podiatric surgeon: the Good Feet Store sells legitimate arch support products at unjustifiably high prices, through a sales model that lacks any clinical evaluation. Whether you’ve already bought their products or you’re considering it, here’s what you need to know.
The most important clinical decision with Good Feet Store Review isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
What Is the Good Feet Store?
The Good Feet Store is a retail chain (500+ locations nationwide) that sells prefabricated arch support systems. Their flagship product is a 3-Step System — three different arch support devices used at different times of day — sold as a package for $200–$600+ depending on the location and which products they recommend during your visit.
Their stores use a retail sales model, not a clinical model. The staff who fit customers are trained salespeople, not podiatrists, physical therapists, or orthotists. There’s no gait analysis, no biomechanical evaluation, and no diagnosis of why your feet hurt. You describe your symptoms, they recommend products from their inventory.
The company has significant marketing presence — celebrity endorsements, local advertising, and prominently placed storefronts in shopping malls. This creates an impression of clinical legitimacy that the business model doesn’t quite support.
How Their Arch Supports Work
Good Feet arch supports are prefabricated rigid arch supports made from polypropylene — the same material used in many podiatric custom orthotics. They come in a limited range of sizes (not individually cast or milled for your foot). The 3-Step System concept divides support into strengthening (the most aggressive arch support, worn for short periods), maintaining (moderate support for daily wear), and relaxing (flexible, for rest periods).
Is the underlying concept sound? Partially. Graduated arch support and the idea that different activities benefit from different levels of support is legitimate podiatric thinking. What’s not legitimate: applying it through a rigid prefabricated device selected without any clinical evaluation, at prices that far exceed clinically superior alternatives.
Are Good Feet Arch Supports Worth the Price?
The short answer: almost never, when you account for the alternatives.
Good Feet arch supports typically cost $200–$500+ for their system. For the same money, you can get:
- A podiatry consultation + custom orthotics: If you have insurance (most PPO plans cover custom orthotics for medically necessary conditions), a consultation and custom orthotic prescription costs your copay. Even without insurance, custom orthotics from a podiatrist run $300–$500 — but they’re fabricated from a cast or scan of YOUR actual foot, not a generic size medium. They’re also prescription medical devices with a biomechanical rationale based on an actual examination.
- High-quality OTC insoles (×10): Powerstep Pinnacle, Superfeet Green, or Tread Labs Pace insoles cost $30–$60 each. Several of my plantar fasciitis patients see equivalent relief to Good Feet products with these options. At $50 each, $300 buys you six years of quality insoles replaced on schedule.
The Good Feet Store’s value proposition breaks down when you realize their products are prefabricated polypropylene devices indistinguishable from many OTC rigid arch supports — marketed and priced as if they’re custom medical devices.
Good Feet Store vs. Podiatrist Custom Orthotics
| Factor | Good Feet Store | Podiatrist Custom Orthotics |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication | Prefabricated (off-the-shelf) | Custom-cast/scanned to your foot |
| Clinical evaluation | None — retail sales consultation | Full biomechanical exam, gait analysis |
| Diagnosis | None — symptoms described to salesperson | Confirmed diagnosis before prescription |
| Insurance coverage | Not covered (retail product) | Often covered (prescription medical device) |
| Modifications | None available | Adjustable at follow-up appointments |
| Price | $200–$600 (no insurance) | Copay with insurance; $300–$500 without |
| Appropriate for | General arch fatigue, mild discomfort | Any foot condition requiring biomechanical correction |
Good Feet Store vs. Quality OTC Insoles
For mild arch discomfort and general foot fatigue without an underlying pathology, several OTC insoles provide comparable or superior relief to Good Feet products at a fraction of the cost:
- Powerstep Pinnacle: Semi-rigid polypropylene arch support with dual-layer EVA cushioning. Clinically proven for plantar fasciitis in peer-reviewed studies. $30–$40 on Amazon.
- Superfeet Green: High-profile rigid arch support with deep heel cup. Exceptional for overpronation and plantar fasciitis. Used by many podiatrists as a bridge before custom orthotics. $50–$55 on Amazon.
- Tread Labs Pace: Medical-grade polypropylene orthotic with lifetime arch support guarantee. Available in four arch heights (low, medium, high, ultra-high) — closer to custom orthotics than any other OTC product. $75–$85 on Amazon.
Who Actually Benefits from Good Feet Products
Despite my reservations about the pricing model, some patients do experience genuine relief from Good Feet arch supports. The people most likely to benefit:
- People who’ve never used arch supports before and have mild, generalized arch fatigue. Any quality rigid arch support — including Good Feet — provides meaningful relief when the baseline is no support at all.
- Those who respond well to rigid arch control (neutral to moderately pronated feet) and don’t have underlying pathology requiring diagnosis.
- Patients who need the in-person fitting experience and don’t have access to or confidence in online purchasing. Good Feet’s staff, despite being salespeople, do provide a fitting and sizing consultation that OTC online purchases don’t.
The people least likely to get value from Good Feet products: those with diagnosed conditions (plantar fasciitis, flat feet requiring motion control, diabetic foot, neuropathy), those who need modifications, or anyone whose budget would benefit from OTC alternatives or podiatric evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Good Feet arch supports the same as custom orthotics?
No. Custom orthotics are fabricated from a cast or 3D scan of your specific foot and prescribed after a clinical biomechanical examination. Good Feet arch supports are prefabricated devices selected from inventory based on your shoe size and described symptoms. Both use similar materials (polypropylene), but custom orthotics are designed for your specific foot geometry; Good Feet products are not. The distinction matters clinically when there’s a specific deformity or gait pattern requiring precise correction.
How much do Good Feet arch supports cost?
Good Feet’s 3-Step System typically runs $200–$600 depending on location and which combination of products they recommend. Individual arch supports range from $65 to $200+ each. These prices are significantly higher than functionally comparable OTC options and approach the price of actual custom orthotics — without the clinical evaluation, diagnosis, or customization that justifies the price of custom devices.
Does insurance cover Good Feet Store products?
No. Good Feet products are retail consumer products, not prescription medical devices. Insurance does not cover them. By contrast, custom orthotics prescribed by a podiatrist for a medically necessary condition (plantar fasciitis, flat feet, diabetic foot, etc.) are often covered by PPO insurance plans, reducing your out-of-pocket cost substantially.
What is the Good Feet Store 3-Step System?
The 3-Step System consists of three arch support devices used at different times: Step 1 (Strengthener) — a rigid, high-profile arch support worn for short periods to “strengthen” foot muscles; Step 2 (Maintainer) — a moderately rigid device for everyday use; Step 3 (Relaxer) — a flexible cushioned device for relaxation and rest. The concept has some clinical logic, but the implementation — generic sizes, no clinical evaluation, high price — is the limitation.
The Bottom Line
The Good Feet Store sells functional arch support products at premium prices without the clinical evaluation that justifies those prices. For many people, the same mechanical benefit is available from quality OTC insoles at $30–$55, or — for any diagnosed foot condition — from custom orthotics covered by insurance after a podiatric evaluation. If you’ve already purchased Good Feet products and they’re helping, that’s genuinely great. But if you’re still shopping, I’d recommend starting with a podiatry evaluation: we can diagnose why your feet hurt, determine whether custom orthotics, OTC insoles, physical therapy, or something else is the right intervention — and help you avoid spending $400 on a product that may not address your actual problem.
Wondering If You Need Custom Orthotics?
Our board-certified podiatric surgeons provide full biomechanical evaluations and orthotic prescriptions at both Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI locations. Many insurance plans cover custom orthotics.
Schedule Your Evaluation — (810) 206-14024.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries Performed
Sources
- Landorf KB, Keenan AM, Herbert RD. “Effectiveness of foot orthoses to treat plantar fasciitis: a randomized trial.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(12):1305-1310.
- Hawke F, Burns J, Radford JA, du Toit V. “Custom-made foot orthoses for the treatment of foot pain.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(3):CD006801.
- Roos E, Engström M, Söderberg B. “Foot orthoses for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.” Foot and Ankle International. 2006;27(8):606-611.
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM provides expert in-office care at Balance Foot & Ankle, serving Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Learn more about scheduling your appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle. Same-day appointments: (810) 206-1402 | New Patient Information
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.