Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1537724
24 • Footwear Insight ~ July/August 2025 footwearinsight.com T here's been no shortage of news in the insole category so far in 2025. Most recently, UK-based Coats Group announced it has signed a denitive agreement to acquire OrthoLite, as well as Cirql. With Coats, a global leader in industrial threads, structural components, and perfor- mance materials in the footwear and apparel markets, OrthoLite and Cirql will gain the global scale, infrastructure, innovation and resources to drive impact to the next level. "I'm excited to merge OrthoLite, the foot- wear innovation business that I founded 28 years ago, with Coats Group plc.," stated Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. "is alliance forms a powerful partnership of industry leaders to provide a platform for OrthoLite and Cirql to continue to serve our customers with the most inno- vative and sustainable footwear components in the world." On the product side, OrthoLite will be launching an expanded memory foam col- lection next month with two new SloMo insole formulations—designed to expand the functional and sensory dimensions of memory foam technology for footwear. In other category news, in May of this year, Superfeet unveiled a brand refresh that introduced a new logo, refreshed visual identity, and an updated marketing approach that celebrates "real" athletes who pursue progress across every arena, from courts and trails to job sites and city streets. e brand announced several new planned introduc- tions for late 2025 and 2026, including the Run Pacer Elite featuring Carbitex and a Puncture Resistant Support work insole with a puncture-resistant plate that shields against sharp hazards, without bulk or restriction Meanwhile, in addition to the upcoming Superfeet Run Pacer insole, Carbitex is also featured in Blumaka's Carbon Elite insole that is designed to defend against turf toe and supercharge propulsion. A n d a n o t h e r s t a n d o u t p r o d u c t , PowerStep's Morton's Extension insole, oers full-length support and cushioning with a carbon ber plate to reduce pain and stabilize the big toe joint. Here, we take a look at several standout products in the insole category. INSOLES INNOVATIVE TIMES Brands are keeping tech at the forefront in the insole category. Sorbothane Ultra SOLE e Ultra SOLE Performance Insoles ($36.99) are designed to absorb shock, return energy and provide long- lasting comfort. Since a successful introduction, e Ultra SOLE has been modied since and combines a supportive molded air-infused base with a larger Sorbothane heel inlay for shock absorbing comfort and impact protection. e brand's gel forefoot pad adds cushioning and returns uid energy.