What each Step Balance product is made of, and why. We name our materials so you can judge them for yourself.
Insoles
| Material | What it is | Where we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Super-rebound foam | A high-quality, very responsive foam that springs back after every step. Not the generic foam used in cheap insoles. | Two 1 mm layers in Comfort Every Day; a thin layer in Slim Fit |
| High-rebound EVA | A high-density, high-rebound ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, the kind used in sports footwear. | 3 mm full-length layer in Sports Performance |
| Deep-absorption material | A premium shock-absorbing material, placed where the foot lands hardest. | 3 mm full-length core and heel pad (Comfort Every Day); heel and forefoot pads (Sports Performance); heel pad (Slim Fit) |
| Anatomic TPU shell | A 2 mm thermoplastic polyurethane shell from heel to midfoot, with the arch and metatarsal support molded into it. It helps the insole keep its shape. | All three insoles |
| Carbon-fiber-look PU | A thin polyurethane bottom layer with a carbon-fiber-look finish. | The base of all three insoles |
| Top covers | Breathable microfiber (Sports Performance), perforated microfiber (Comfort Every Day) and perforated real leather (Slim Fit). | Sports Performance, Comfort Every Day, Slim Fit |
In all three insoles the arch and metatarsal support are molded into the TPU shell. They are designed in Spain and made by a specialist insole manufacturer.
Compression supports
| Product | Composition |
|---|---|
| Knee, ankle, elbow and wrist sleeves | 38% spandex, 28% polyester, 22% FIR polyester, 12% nylon |
| Gel knee sleeve | 44% TPR gel, 20% spandex, 16% polyester, 10% FIR polyester, 10% nylon |
Circular knit
Our supports are knitted in the round as one seamless tube, so there are no side seams to rub. Four-way stretch lets the joint move freely. The two knee sleeves also have latex-free TPU bands on the inside to stop them sliding down.
FIR polyester
FIR (far-infrared) polyester is a polyester yarn with bioceramic particles bound into the fiber. It is part of the knit, not a coating applied afterwards. Fabrics like this have been studied in laboratory and small clinical studies, and a review in Photonics & Lasers in Medicine describes the research so far1. The evidence is still developing, so we describe FIR polyester as a material and do not make therapeutic claims for it.
Our supports are made by a specialist manufacturer of sports supports.
Recovery tools
| Material | What it is | Where we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Schima hardwood | A dense, fine-grained hardwood that sands to a smooth finish. Each piece has its own grain. | MuscleGlide™ rings and handles, ReflexRoll™ rollers and frame |
| TPR | Thermoplastic rubber: firm but flexible. | The 25 spiked rollers on ReflexRoll™ |
| Steel | A solid steel axle that the nine rings turn on. | MuscleGlide™ |
| ABS spikes | A rigid plastic, molded into swirl-pattern rosettes. | AcuNomad™ and AcuEarth™ |
| Covers and fills | Cotton (AcuNomad™); linen and cotton blend, coconut fiber and buckwheat hulls (AcuEarth™). | Acupressure mats and pillow |
Our wooden tools and acupressure mats are each made by a specialist manufacturer. We work with manufacturing partners and suppliers around the world; the country of manufacture is printed on every box.
Reference
1. Vatansever F, Hamblin MR. Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications. Photonics & Lasers in Medicine. 2012;4:255-266. doi:10.1515/plm-2012-0034