Use It or Lose It: Why You Should Get a Second Pair of Custom Orthotics Before the New Year

Planning to get more active in the new year? Worn-out orthotics can’t support increased training demands. Get a second pair before the year ends and start January ready to move.

January is the perfect time to set new fitness goals. However, starting the year with worn-out orthotics sets you up for failure before you even begin.

At Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California, board-certified podiatrist Hai-En Peng, DPM, FACFAS, can help you prepare for your most active year yet by getting fresh custom orthotics before the calendar turns.

Getting a second pair of orthotics positions you for success in the new year while maximizing insurance benefits that likely expire soon.

Your current orthotics are probably worn out

Custom orthotics break down gradually, so you may not notice the declining support. The materials compress and the arch flattens over time.

While you can adapt to the reduced function, you might not realize your feet aren’t getting proper support anymore until the damage is already done.

Most custom orthotics last about 2-3 years with regular use. If you got your current pair more than 18 months ago, they’re probably halfway through their functional lifespan. Active people who walk or run regularly wear through orthotics faster than sedentary people.

Different activities need different support

Your New Year’s plans might include activities your current orthotics weren’t designed to support.

Maybe your resolutions include training for a spring race, joining a hiking group, or committing to daily walks. We can help customize a new set of orthotics to help you achieve these 2026 goals.

Fresh orthotics prevent injuries during increased activity

New Year’s fitness resolutions often lead to overuse injuries. You go from minimal activity to aggressive training schedules. Your feet, ankles, and knees absorb forces they’re not conditioned to handle yet.

Fresh orthotics with full arch support and cushioning help your feet handle the stress of new training programs. The devices distribute pressure evenly across your foot, reducing strain on vulnerable structures like your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.

Worn orthotics can’t provide this protection. Starting intense training with degraded orthotics often leads to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or knee pain within the first few weeks of your new routine.

A backup pair keeps your progress consistent

Having only one pair of orthotics creates gaps in your treatment. Your orthotics might need adjustments as your activity level changes. They could break during a workout, or you might forget them when packing for a trip.

These interruptions in foot support can derail your progress. A few days without proper support might not seem like a big deal, but your feet notice immediately.

A second pair eliminates these disruptions. You continue your training without interruption while your primary pair gets serviced or adjusted. Your feet stay supported, and you don’t lose the progress you’ve made.

Preparing for your most active year

Fresh orthotics give you the foundation to pursue ambitious goals in the new year. Your feet can handle increased mileage and more challenging workouts when they have proper support.

Contact our Camarillo office at 805-482-6711 or book online to get your second pair of custom orthotics before the new year begins.