Every Step Balance product starts as a written specification in Madrid. This page explains what goes into our insoles, compression sleeves and recovery tools, how each one is built and what we check before it reaches you. It describes materials and construction, not promises.
In 30 seconds
- Designed in Madrid. Our team specifies the materials, dimensions, sizes and packaging of every product.
- Insoles built on a shell. All three share a 2 mm anatomic TPU shell; the cushioning and top cover change by model.
- Sleeves knitted in one piece. Each is a seamless tube, with no side seams.
- Checked against the specification. Samples before production, production before shipment, one barcode per size.
Designed in Madrid, made by specialists
Each product begins with our team in Madrid as a specification sheet. It sets the materials, the dimensions, the size range and the packaging, down to the text on the box.
Insoles, knitted sleeves, wooden tools and acupressure mats are four different crafts. So we work with one specialist manufacturer per product family, each chosen for what it makes best. Before production begins, samples are measured and checked against the specification.
Insoles, layer by layer
Our three insoles share one structure. Each has a 2 mm anatomic TPU shell from the heel to the midfoot, with arch and metatarsal support molded in, and a carbon-fiber-look PU base. Above the shell, the cushioning and the top cover change by model. All three come in whole EU sizes 36-45 and are sold in pairs.
Sports Performance
The Sports Performance insoles are made for running, padel and sports shoes. A breathable microfiber top cover sits over 3 mm of full-length high-rebound EVA, with deep-absorption pads under the heel and the forefoot, and a deep heel cup. Thickness: 4.5-5 mm.
Comfort Every Day
The Comfort Every Day insoles are made for roomy everyday shoes and long days on your feet. Under a perforated microfiber top cover, a 3 mm full-length core of deep-absorption material sits between two 1 mm layers of super-rebound foam, with an extra heel pad. Thickness: 5.5-6 mm. They add about half a shoe size, so take the factory insole out first; they may not fit snug shoes.
Slim Fit
The Slim Fit insoles are made for dress shoes, soccer cleats and snug shoes. Under a perforated real leather top cover, a thin layer of super-rebound foam and a deep-absorption heel pad keep the build at 3-3.5 mm.
| Sports Performance | Comfort Every Day | Slim Fit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top cover | Breathable microfiber | Perforated microfiber | Perforated real leather |
| Cushioning | 3 mm full-length high-rebound EVA | Two 1 mm super-rebound foam layers, extra heel pad | Thin super-rebound foam |
| Deep-absorption material | Heel and forefoot pads | 3 mm full-length core | Heel pad |
| Thickness | 4.5-5 mm | 5.5-6 mm | 3-3.5 mm |
| Made for | Running, padel, sports shoes | Roomy everyday shoes, long days on your feet | Dress shoes, soccer cleats, snug shoes |
Why the shell is firm
The shell gives each insole its structure. Firm TPU keeps its shape, so the molded arch and metatarsal contours hold their form step after step, while the softness comes from the layers above. The firmness is intentional, and it takes a few days to get used to. See our guide to breaking in firm insoles.
Why whole sizes
We make our insoles in whole EU sizes only. One EU size step is two thirds of a centimeter, or 6.67 mm. On a half size, such as 42.5, choose the size below (42): it sits inside the shoe and leaves at most a few millimeters at the toe, while the larger size can press into the toe box. For UK or US half sizes, convert to EU and round down. Our insole size and fit guide shows how to compare the outline with your factory insole.
Compression sleeves: the knit
Our five compression sleeves are knitted in the round as one seamless tube. There are no side seams to rub, and the four-way stretch follows the joint as it bends. It is a spandex, polyester and nylon knit; the full composition is on each product page and on our Materials page.
Only the two knee sleeves, the Knee Support Sleeve and the Gel Knee Support Sleeve, have latex-free TPU bands inside to help them stay in place. The gel version adds a TPR gel ring that sits around the kneecap, inside the knit: from the outside you see a lighter knitted oval. Neither knee sleeve has hinges or stays.
The Ankle Support Sleeve goes on like a sock, the Wrist Support Sleeve has a thumb opening, and the Elbow Support Sleeve is a plain knitted tube. All five are gray, come in S, M and L, and are sold as one sleeve. Hand wash and air dry; our care page has the details.
Wood and spikes: the recovery tools
Schima hardwood
Our wooden tools are made from Schima, a dense hardwood with a fine grain that sands to a smooth finish. Because it is natural wood, each piece has its own grain. None of our recovery tools has batteries or needs charging. To keep the wood in good shape, see caring for wooden recovery tools.
MuscleGlide and ReflexRoll
The MuscleGlide wooden massage stick is 38.4 cm long and weighs 240 g. Nine gear-cut Schima rings turn on a steel axle between two turned Schima handles. It fits in a kit bag.
The ReflexRoll wooden foot roller is 29 cm long, with a Schima frame and 50 rollers in two channels, for one foot or both: 25 smooth wooden rollers and 25 with textured TPR spikes. A rubber base keeps it steady while you sit.
Acupressure mats
On both mats the spikes are ABS, arranged in a swirl pattern. The AcuNomad foldable acupressure mat has 5,400 spikes on a cotton cover over high-density foam. It measures 73 × 46 cm, has two flat sections and a raised neck section, folds in three, and its three sections are joined by zips, so you can detach them and use each one on its own. It weighs 702 g. The AcuEarth acupressure set pairs a 75 × 44 cm mat (5,250 spikes, linen and cotton cover, coconut-fiber filling) with a 40 × 30 cm pillow (1,475 spikes, filled with 750 g of buckwheat hulls): 6,725 spikes in total, with a carry bag.
Do not use the mats on broken or irritated skin. If you are pregnant or have a circulatory or skin condition, check with a healthcare professional first. Our guide to your first acupressure sessions explains how to start.
How we set and refine sizes
| Sleeve | Where to measure | S | M | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Support Sleeve | Around the center of the knee | 30-38 cm | 38-47 cm | 47-55 cm |
| Gel Knee Support Sleeve | Around the center of the knee | 30-40 cm | 40-50 cm | 50-55 cm |
| Ankle Support Sleeve | Your EU shoe size | 36-38 | 39-41 | 42-45 |
| Wrist Support Sleeve | Around the wrist at its narrowest point | 13-15 cm | 15-20 cm | 20-25 cm |
| Elbow Support Sleeve | Around the elbow | 18-23 cm | 23-27 cm | 27-34 cm |
Between two sizes, choose the larger: a firm, graduated knit can read as too tight at the edge of a band. One finger should slide under the fabric. If you feel tingling or numbness, take it off and try the next size up.
We read returns and customer comments size by size, and when a pattern shows, we update our size guidance. That is what we did for the support size bands, and it is how we arrived at our rule for insole half sizes.
To find your size, use the size calculator for the sleeves (one measurement), the insole finder for the insoles (about 30 seconds), or see every chart in our size guides.
Checks before a product reaches you
- A specification sheet for every product, written by our team in Madrid.
- Samples measured against it before production begins.
- Production checked before shipment.
- One barcode per size. Every size has its own GS1 barcode (EAN), and its Amazon label is applied before it leaves production, so the right size reaches the right store.
- One product truth. The same specification appears on the box, on our product page and in every Amazon store where we sell. See where to buy.
Packaging
Our insoles come in printed retail boxes, with the size on a size sticker. The AcuEarth set comes in a plain cardboard box. Either way, the text on the box follows the same specification as the product page.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Step Balance insoles firm?
A 2 mm anatomic TPU shell from the heel to the midfoot gives them their structure; the foams above it provide the cushioning. Expect a few days to get used to it.
Are your compression sleeves seamless?
Yes. Each sleeve is knitted in the round as one tube, with no side seams, in a four-way stretch knit of spandex, polyester and nylon.
What if I am between two sizes?
For the insoles, choose the size below: they come in whole EU sizes, and one size step is 6.67 mm. For the sleeves, choose the larger size, because a firm knit can feel too tight at the edge of a band.
What wood are the MuscleGlide and ReflexRoll made of?
Schima, a dense hardwood with a fine grain that sands smooth. Each piece has its own grain.
How do you check your products?
Each product has a specification sheet. Samples are measured against it before production, production is checked before shipment, and every size gets its own EAN barcode.
About this page. Prepared by the Step Balance Research Team in Madrid. Every figure comes from our own product specifications. Our products are sports and wellness accessories. This page is for information only and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.