Pulse Performance Insoles vs Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles: 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
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
Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Poor 45/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 5
Material
Foam cushioning, carbon layer, textile top
Confidence
72%
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in textile finishing
PossibleAzo dyes in textile coloring
PossiblePolyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
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 Formaldehyde resins in textile finishing, Azo dyes in textile coloring, Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing and Antimony in polyester textile backing on the Spenco and not on the Powerstep.
- The Powerstep is EVA foam, gel, fabric blend where the Spenco is Foam cushioning, carbon layer, textile top, 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