Pulse Performance Insoles vs Gel Comfort Insoles: which is safer?

These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.

PowerStep Pulse Performance Insoles

Powerstep

Pulse Performance Insoles

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 57/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

EVA foam, gel, fabric blend

Confidence

72%

PossibleAzo dyes in fabric blend

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in fabric finishing

Spenco Gel Comfort Insoles

Spenco

Gel Comfort Insoles

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 57/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Gel cushioning with foam/textile upper

Confidence

68%

PossibleFoam degradation and microparticle shedding

PossibleAllergic sensitization from materials

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Azo dyes in fabric blend and Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing on the Powerstep and not on the Spenco.
  • We flag Foam degradation and microparticle shedding and Allergic sensitization from materials on the Spenco and not on the Powerstep.
  • The Powerstep is EVA foam, gel, fabric blend where the Spenco is Gel cushioning with foam/textile upper, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics: see the full ranking