Upstep launches one stop custom orthotics online service in the U.S.

Upstep (https://www.upstep.com), founded by Israeli entrepreneurs, is launching a comprehensive online service to buy custom made orthotics designed by world-class podiatrists. Prices represent 35%-50% savings over the direct purchase from podiatrists.

Upstep was founded by Limor Katz, Aviad Raz, and Oren Raz, with an investment of $3 million. The company lets customers anywhere in the U.S. get fitted with top of the line custom orthotics. Delivery is quick and the service guarantees full customer satisfaction.

Upstep's service enables the customer to order online and receive the footprint kit at home. The customer then follows the simple instructions to make a foot imprint and send it back to the company. Upstep uses 3D technology to scan the footprint. The orthotics are custom designed based on each customer’s specific requirements. The technology also offers a platform that takes various work or athletic factors in order to meet the individual customer’s needs.

The state of the art orthotics are produced using sophisticated methods and innovative materials and delivered directly to the customer’s home. As part of Upstep’s holistic approach, customers also receive a detailed series of personalized exercises to help improve the health of their feet.

Each footprint that Upstep scans is saved in the company’s computerized database, enabling customers to order additional orthotics for up to five years. Upstep is a one stop online service with a logistics center in New Jersey and deliveries handled by FedEx.

Customer satisfaction is utmost in the company’s strategy. Upstep’s policy is to adjust orthotics if the customer is not satisfied or fully refund the payment within 60 days of the date of purchase.

Upstep custom orthotics are designed and produced by a team that includes a world-renowned podiatrist. Phillip Wells, chief podiatrist at Upstep, has more than 17 years of experience in the field and has designed and lead the production of over 50,000 orthotics for the general public as well as professional athletes. The latter includes hundreds of players in Britain’s Premier Football League, the Rugby League as well as the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Wells applies the latest principles and studies in biomechanics in his work. The experience of Wells and the Upstep experts enables the company to design orthotics which will protect and offer vastly improved foot support through the use of 56 combinations of materials that are specifically adapted for each customer.

Customers also are encouraged to correspond directly with Upstep experts at the company’s Podiatry Department and with Phillip Wells himself before ordering their orthotics.

Prices for standard orthotics in the United States using the Upstep website range from $189 to $239, 35%-50% less than the $300-$500 cost of orthopedic orthotics purchased at a podiatrist’s clinic.

Upstep custom orthotics are made to deal with common types of foot pain, such as heel pain and arch pain, as well as medical conditions like flat feet, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinopathy,  metatarsalgia, heel spurs and Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. The company currently has two product categories: one for everyday use and the other designed for a wide range of sports. Upstep Sport orthotics are adapted to various sports based on studies and extensive experience. The range includes running, jogging, hiking, fitness walking, cycling, golf, basketball, football, soccer, aerobics, tennis and fitness training at the gym. Specific elements are inserted into each Sport custom orthotic design, while at the same time maintaining the comfort level and customization platform.

A study by Zion Market Research from July 2016 estimated the global foot orthotic insole market at $2.6 billion in 2015. The market is expected to grow annually by 5.6% through 2021 and reach $3.7 billion in sales.

Research found that several factors are driving the orthotics market growth, including an aging population, improvements in lifestyle, and health issues that affect feet. These include obesity and injuries, the most common of which being spurs that impact millions of people in the U.S. annually. Another factor is growing demand for orthotics in sports. Researchers also note that technological innovations in the field will contribute to future growth in demand.

“Upstep has completed development of a system which has been successfully tested by hundreds of satisfied users across the U.S.,” says Limor Katz, co-founder and marketing manager at Upstep. She noted that Upstep is backed by an experienced team that has designed and produced more than 50,000 custom orthotics. Katz added the company plans to target a wide range of segments in the population who suffer from foot pain, and there is a high demand for orthotics. This includes women who wear dress shoes, professional and amateur athletes in a wide range of sports, as well as professionals who are on their feet for many hours like nurses, teachers, salespeople, flight attendants, and cooks.