Pulse Performance Insoles vs Plantar Fascia Insole: which is safer?
PowerStep Pulse Performance Insoles is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Powerstep
Pulse Performance Insoles
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes in fabric blend
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
Spenco
Plantar Fascia Insole
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from foam off-gassing
PossibleMicroplastic shedding from foam degradation
PossibleAdhesive toxicity from foam-to-textile bonding
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 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from foam off-gassing, Microplastic shedding from foam degradation and Adhesive toxicity from foam-to-textile bonding on the Spenco and not on the Powerstep.
- The Powerstep is EVA foam, gel, fabric blend where the Spenco is Foam cushioning, textile upper, no disclosed coating, 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