Pulse Performance Insoles vs Orthotic: which is safer?
Vionic Orthotic is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
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
Our pick
Vionic
Orthotic
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Good 59/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Foam insoles, synthetic upper, textile lining
Confidence
65%
PossibleFoam degradation and particulate release
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 Vionic.
- We flag Foam degradation and particulate release on the Vionic and not on the Powerstep.
- The Powerstep is EVA foam, gel, fabric blend where the Vionic is Foam insoles, synthetic upper, textile lining, 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