Do You Remove the Original Insoles Before Adding New Ones?

Before you choose a cushioning feel, check the shoe you plan to use. A removable liner gives you a practical sizing template and makes room for the replacement. A fixed liner needs a different decision: do not tear the shoe apart to make an insert fit.

Check the original liner first

Open the shoe and gently check whether the original liner lifts out. If it is securely attached or removal appears likely to damage the shoe, stop and check the footwear manufacturer’s guidance. Some shoes simply do not have enough volume for this type of full-length insert.

The AAOS shoe-fit guide notes that removable insoles allow the liner to be replaced without adding another layer inside the shoe. The practical aim is comfortable space for the whole foot, not just getting the door closed on a tight fit.

Measure the liner, not just the shoe label

US shoe sizes vary between shoe shapes and brands. Your original removable liner provides a useful outline for the space you are replacing. Lay it flat and compare its heel-to-toe length with our untrimmed insole lengths:

These are insole measurements, not foot lengths. Choose an option at least as long as the original liner, then check width and arch position as well. Use the full size and shoe-fit guide before trimming. Do not select only by the closest-looking number.

Fit before making the final cut

1. Match the left and right liners to the corresponding replacements. Align the heels.
2. Use the original liner as a guide for the forefoot outline. Keep the heel and support frame intact.
3. Trim the forefoot gradually, removing small amounts rather than making one aggressive cut.
4. Seat the replacement fully in the shoe. It should lie flat without curling, buckling or riding up at the toe.
5. Put on your usual socks, fasten the shoes and walk briefly. Check toe room, arch contact and heel hold again.

Trimming can shorten the forefoot outline. It cannot move the molded arch, lower the heel cup or turn a structured insole into a thin liner. If the shape is wrong for the shoe, more cutting is not the answer.

Choose a feel after the shoe passes

Embrace

Softly contouring. Low bounce.

For a yielding, settled contact feel.

Shop Embrace

Fusion

Firmer cushioning. Less sink.

For a more substantial contact feel, also with low bounce.

Shop Fusion

Once there is room for the replacement, choose the surface feel you enjoy. All five PerseveranX models share the same high-arch support concept and nominal cushioning-layer thickness. Switching models is not a reliable way to solve a shoe-volume problem. Compare the high-arch collection after checking your shoe fit.

A few practical questions

Can I put PerseveranX over a prescription orthotic?

Do not stack it over a prescribed device without the prescribing clinician’s advice. The combined height and contour change the fit.

What if my shoe has no removable liner?

Check the manufacturer’s guidance and available room. A shoe that becomes crowded or raises your heel too far is not a good match for this full-length replacement.

Can I trim the heel to make it fit?

Keep the heel and support frame intact. Use the original liner to guide gradual trimming at the forefoot only.