Sports and Athletic Insole Market

Future Outlook for Sports and Athletic Insole Market In Comparison to Historical Pattern

Due to additional comfort, insoles have been gaining popularity since the last few years and are increasingly worn across various age groups. As customized insoles provide extra comfort by restoring natural foot function, players are witnessing surging demand for the same. Additionally, adoption of sports and athletic thick insoles to prevent foot injuries has grown. FMI had outlined the sports and athletic insole market to rise at 4.3% CAGR between 2015 and 2019.

Besides the increasing demand for customized insoles, consumers, especially sportsmen, are asking for additional cushioning, improved energy return, and durable and lightweight insoles. This is likely to create lucrative opportunities for players operating in the sports and athletic insole market, expected to aggrandize at a positive CAGR through 2030. According to FMI, the market will exhibit 7.7% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. 

How is 3D Printing Stimulating Accessibility of Sports and Athletic Insoles?

Due to its affordability and ease of use, 3D printing is emerging as the next stage for the manufacturing of sports and athletic insoles. 3D printing has simplified the entire fitting and customization process. 3D scanning and modeling reduces time consumption required to manufacture and deliver insoles to users significantly.

Therefore, players across the world are increasing their focus on 3D printing. For instance, Phits™ Insoles became the first company to translate gait analysis into customized, dynamic 3D-printed insoles. To make the most of this, they integrated their leading dynamic measurement foot scan solutions with Materialise’s 3D printing software and production expertise.

As with 3D printing, players can manufacture more in less time, accessibility of sports and athletic insoles in rising significantly. 8sole is yet another prominent 3D-printed orthotics manufacturer, specializing in custom-made prescription orthotics. Their advanced biomechanics help exert only half of the total foot pressure, thus helping alleviate pain.

How popular are Sports and Athletic Insole Gels?

Gel insoles help maintain proper pressure and impact distribution on the heel, preventing soft tissue damage. Owing to the shock-absorbing abilities of gel insoles, they are gaining immense popularity. Players of the sports and athletic insole market are increasing their focus on the development of these insoles.

For instance, Dr. Scholl’s® Athletic Series Sport Insoles, which are designed with Massaging Gel ® Advanced technology, cushion and absorb shocks to help reduce muscle fatigue in the limbs. Likewise, Sofe Sole, manufactures gel insoles with Skydex air bubbles in the heel and arch to aid absorb impact. The company introduced gel for maximum cushioning and particularly for running, cross training and walking.

Players are attracting more users by highlighting benefits of using shock absorption materials such as gels. As a result, gel insoles are becoming first preference among sportsmen, athletes, regular walkers, and runners.

Will Increasing Incidences of Feet Ailments Fuel Demand for Sports and Athletic Insoles?

Growing health and fitness consciousness is compelling individuals to undertake physical activities such as walking and running. Consequently, episodes of joint pain are rising. According to Diafarm Laboratories, a person weighing about 65 kg, while walking every 1 km, puts stress equivalent to the weight of 10 Asian elephants.

This added stress on joints leads to pain and ailments of the feet. With an increase in such cases, there has been a rise in consumers looking for insoles. Insoles not only maintain comfort but also give support to them, helping improve body posture and providing breathability to the foot-sole.

As a result, the sports and athletic insole market is becoming greatly opportunistic.

What Challenges Does High Cost Pose on Impacting Sports and Athletic Insole Market?

With the advancement in products, their costs also rise. Hence, the increasing costs of better-performance sports and athletics insole is a key challenge for the market. Apart from this, lack of awareness is another challenge for the market. Despite of increasing incidences of feet ailments, people are not aware of variety of products available in the market.

The sports and athletic insole markers market is flooded with counterfeit products that are available at cheaper prizes. Leading players are witnessing an increase in production of such products. The presence of such counterfeit products is slated to impede future growth of the landscape.

Country-wise Analysis

Why is the US likely to remain the Lynchpin in Sports and Athletic Insoles Market?

The US is accounts for the largest revenue share in the global sports and athletic insole market. Increased frequency of sports injuries is spurring frequent product launches and consistent innovations, keeping the market in the lead during the forecast period.

Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates that in the U.S, nearly 30 million children and teens participate in various organized sports, causing over 3.5 million injuries annually, contributing to one-third of the total physical injuries burden. The most common injuries are sprains and strains. Hence, demand for foot cushioning accessories is rising substantially.

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Powerstep, a leading producer of sports and athletics insole heatable, concentrates on innovations and is launching products that cater to the growing requirements of its target customers. Its ArchMolds brand is a heat-moldable insole that effortlessly molds to the shape of the foot and give a personalized fit.

Prospects abound for Sports and Athletic Insole Market in South Korean

The market in South Korea is forecast to register notable growth with a remarkable CAGR between 2020 and 2030. To match the pace with 3D printing, South Korea's government is providing extra support to the industry.

In 2014, the government established a 3D printing roadmap for research and development. This plan intends to strengthen the existing industry with an integrated ecosystem that enables players to efficiently use and connect with 3D printing technology.

More recently, in 2020, researchers have proposed the design for an innovative new wearable orthotic device designed for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries for improving hand function and co-ordination. The orthosis work via customized electromyography (EMG) signals, and is made up of the forearm cuff, hand and finger ring parts.

China Sports and Athletic Insole Market Gains Impetus from Government Support

China is one of the most attractive markets for sports and athletics insole. The initiation of several government-led strategies and the rising interest of manufacturing companies have assisted China to succeed in forming a sustainable additive manufacturing (AM) ecosystem. As a result, 3D printing is emerging as a new production perspective in the country.

In 2017, the government of China announced the Additive Manufacturing Industry Development Action Plan. This plan sketches long-term goals to present China as one of the leading 3D printing nations. In 2019, eSUN’s manufactured 3D printed insoles system, revolutionizing to the customized insole manufacturing in China. The company employs patented technology that uses 3D foot scanning to get user’s foot data and uses high soft 3D printing material and iSUN3D FLX printer. With this, insoles that are fully and specifically suitable for the user’s foot type are now gaining more attention in China.

Besides, sport is emerging as a center of attraction in China. According to DigitalEurope, Basketball is the most popular sport in China and more people are now opting sports. With more people opting sports, incidences of feet injuries will also rise. As a result, the demand for sports and athletic insoles will also grow. These trends are forecast to benefit the market in China between 2020 and 2030.

How Lucrative is Germany Sports and Athletic Insole Market?

Germany is also a lucrative market for sports and athletics insole. In Germany, due to rising environmental concerns among users, insoles made with eco-friendly raw materials are gaining immense popularity.

According to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Germany is facing severe capacity limits for waste disposal at present. Consequently, public opposition to the installation of new landfill or incinerator sites is rising in the country.

Thus, efforts towards expanding waste recovery and reduce waste generation are stepped up. These practices are gaining pace by involving the use of charges and subsidies to foster waste prevention and recycling. Besides, the increasing use of “eco-labels” such as the Blue Angel is emerging as a new trend in the market.

Players such as Pedag International are at the frontiers of manufacturing eco-friendly insoles, producing a wide array of products, including plantar fasciitis orthotic insoles and the BUNION CUSHION Sock for foot injuries.

Why is Italy an Emerging Sports and Athletic Insole Market?

The Italian market is expected to emerge as the most opportunistic in future. Sales of sports and athletic insoles are rising constantly due to the high popularity of insoles and patronage attributed to sports, particularly football. The consequent increase in physical injuries has prompted the entry of several manufacturers.

A study was also published on possibilities of concussion and injury identification among sportsperson in Italian club football events. This study stated that loss of consciousness and foot injury are the leading cause of sports injuries amongst athletes. Patients are opting for high-performance arrangements in their footwear. This has also led to the entry of several new players in the market.

India Leveraging Sports Welfare Programs to Welcome Prominent Players

India offers credible expansion opportunities. Growth is catalyzed by the growing prevalence of foot problems amongst athletes. A2019 survey under the Healthy Athlete (HA) Fit Feet Screening Program of Special Olympics Bharatrevealed that middle age group athletes had the highest incidence of frequent foot problems. Moreover, female athletes were found to have more prevalence than men.

Taking the most of the opportunities, players are launching innovative products more frequently in order to expand their product portfolios. For instance, Cure Foot (India-based), offers a vast portfolio of insert and insole replacements that gives support to the foot, changing the way entire body feels and functions so that users can keep moving freely.

Category-wise Insights

What Makes Women Leading Consumers of Sports and Athletic Insoles?

Based on consumer orientation, the women segment is leading the market. This segment is forecast to continue its leads due to the rising participation of women in sports and athletics coupled with their growing interest in products that are a combination of style and comfort. According to Statathlon, the percentage of women's participation in the Summer Olympic Games 2016 grew over 10% of total participants after 1950s.

Which Base Material is More Preferred for Sports and Athletic Insoles?

Based on base material type, silicone is witnessing highest demand among others. This segment is forecast to continue its lead during the assessment period. As silicone insoles aid in absorbing the shock on the heel, and metatarsal regions and maintain the arch of the foot, they are the first preference of consumers.

Apart from silicone, the polymer segment is expected to showcase remarkable growth. Players such as Amercule’s JMAC manufacture polymer based insoles. The company’s proprietary polymer shoe inserts are made with abrasion-resistant polyurethane, offering unparalleled impact reduction and shock absorption.

Which Sales Channel is More Lucrative for Sports and Athletic Insole?

Indirect sales are projected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Among indirect sales, online retailers are anticipated to exhibit significant growth with a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. Growth witnessed in this segment is attributable to the several benefits it provides.

Which Size of Sports and Athletic Insole More Preferred?

The 8-7 segment is leading the market at present. FMI expects the 6-7 segment to expand considerably during the forecast period. Besides, 4-5 segment is also projected to register a notable growth rate between 2020 and 2030.

Competitive Landscape

The global sports and athletic insole market is becoming more competitive. Established and new players in the market are considering changing consumer needs as their foremost priority. They are developing innovative products using cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing.

Some of the leading players operating in the sports and athletic insole market include

• Aetrex Worldwide, Inc.
• Footbalance System Ltd.
• FAES FARMA
• Gravitus
• Protalus
• Currex GmbH
• ImplusFootcare LLC.
• Powerstep
• Superfeet Worldwide, Inc.
• Sorbothane Incorporated.

The list is only indicative – a full list of sports and athletic insole market key playersis available upon request

Leading players are massively investing resources in research and testing to estimate which insole material is best for different shoes worn to perform different physical activities. For instance, Nike announced it has spent more than 2,000 hours on its newly developed React technology for testing the durability and energy return products.

Besides adopting key market strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, players are also advertising their products at the biggest events. For instance, Bauerfeind, one of the largest sports and athletic insole orthopedic manufacturers sponsored events such as the Olympics and National Basketball Association (NBA) league. The company catered to athletes with products branded with the name of the company.

Sports and Athletic Insole Market Report: Scope

Key Questions Answered by the Report

• At what rate the sports and athletic insole market is forecast to grow?

  According to FMI, the market is expected to rise at 7.7% CAGR between 2020 and 2030.

• Which is the largest market for sports and athletic insoles?

  The US is the leading market. Growth registered in the country is driven by frequent product launches and consistent innovations. The high purchasing power of consumers in the US has also made them more inclined to invest in better quality and more comfortable sports and athletic insoles.

• Which are the top companies in the sports and athletic insole market?

  Some of the leading companies operating in the sports and athletic insole market areAetrex Worldwide, Inc., Footbalance System Ltd., FAES FARMA, Gravitus, Protalus, Currex GmbH, ImplusFootcare LLC., Powerstep, Superfeet Worldwide, Inc., and Sorbothane Incorporated

• What are the key challenges witnessed in the sports and athletic insole market?

  The increasing costs of better-performance sports and athletics insole is a key challenge for the market.

• Based on consumer orientation, which is the most lucrative segment in the sports and athletic insole market?

  According to FMI, the women segment is the most lucrative segment in the sports and athletic insole market. Growth witnessed in this segment is due to rising participation of women in sports and athletics coupled with their growing interest in products that are a combination of style and comfort.

Enquiry before Buying

• Is this research conducted by Future Market Insights?

  Yes, the report on the sports and athletic insole market has been conducted by expert analysts of Future Market Insights through a combination of primary research and secondary research. To know more about how the research was conducted, you can speak to a research analyst.

• What research methodology is followed by FMI?

  FMI follows a methodology that encompasses demand-side assessment of the market and triangulates the same through supply-side analysis. This methodology is based on the use of standard market structure, methods, and definitions Request detailed methodology.

• Who are the respondents for primary research?

  FMI speaks to stakeholders across the spectrum, including C-level executives, distributors, product manufacturers, industry experts. For a full list of primary respondents, please reach out to us.

• What are the sources of secondary research?

  FMI conducts extensive secondary research through proprietary databases, paid databases, and information available in the public domain. We refer to industry associations, company press releases, annual reports, investor presentations, and research papers. More information about desk research is available upon request.

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Key Segments

Base Material Type

• Polymer
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Carbon Fiber
• Silicone

Consumer Orientation

• Men
• Women
• Kids

Sales Channel

• Direct Sales
• Indirect Sales
  • Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
  • Departmental Stores
  • Specialty Stores
  • Multi-Brand Stores
  • Exclusive Stores/Franchised Stores
  • Online Retailers
  • Other Retail Channel