A foot orthotic is a medical device designed to improve the way your foot functions. Whether custom-made or prefabricated, orthotics are used to support the foot, correct alignment, and reduce stress on joints throughout the body.
A custom foot orthotic is individually crafted based on a detailed biomechanical assessment. It provides precise correction for abnormalities in foot structure and gait, helping to reduce pain, enhance support, and prevent progression of deformities over time.
For many patients, prefabricated orthotics—especially those matched to foot type—can offer an excellent and more affordable alternative. These are carefully selected based on your specific needs and can still provide significant relief and correction when appropriately fit.
Orthotics don’t just help your feet. Because your feet affect your whole body, correcting foot alignment can also relieve knee, hip, and lower back pain caused by lower extremity malalignment.
At Stride Orthotics & Pedorthic Center™, we offer custom orthotics, medical grade QuadraSTEP prefabricated orthotics, and professional grade Over-the-counter Tri-STEPS® foot orthotics – always chosen with your comfort, function, and long-term wellness in mind.
At Stride Orthotics & Pedorthic Center™, we believe that effective orthotic care starts with truly understanding your feet. That’s why every patient receives a comprehensive one-hour evaluation with our expert team.
During this visit, we assess your biomechanics, foot structure, gait, and lifestyle needs to guide the most appropriate treatment—whether that’s a custom orthotic, a QUADRASTEP® prefab, or our newest option: TriSTEPS®, a professional-grade over-the-counter orthotic designed for everyday support and performance.
Watch our short video to see how we combine clinical insight with personalized care—every step of the way.
Take a look at the 24-foot type chart—can you spot your foot? You might be surprised what it reveals.
No two feet are exactly alike, and that’s why effective orthotic care must be personalized. Each foot requires different design features—such as posting (wedging), pads, inlays, and structural modifications—to properly support its function and alignment.
Stride founder Roberta Nole, PT, C.Ped has identified 24 distinct foot types and developed a patented 4-step foot typing algorithm to help clinicians pinpoint your foot type and understand how it may be contributing to pain, instability, or dysfunction.
During your evaluation at STRIDE®, our experts will help you discover your foot type and guide you toward the best orthotic solution—whether it’s a custom orthotic, a QUADRASTEP® prefab, or our new TriSTEPS® professional-grade over-the-counter option. You’ll also learn how to choose shoes with the right features for your foot type, so you can avoid wasting money on footwear that doesn’t support your needs or comfort.
Orthotics are medical devices used to support, align, and improve the function of the feet and lower body. At Stride Orthotics & Pedorthic Center™, we offer three levels of orthotic solutions to meet your needs and budget: Custom Orthotics, Medical-Grade Prefabricated Orthotics, and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Foot Orthotics.
There are two primary categories of custom foot orthotics: accommodative and functional.
Accommodative orthotics are designed to provide comfort by redistributing pressure and relieving stress from painful areas. These devices are typically made from soft materials and are not intended to correct structural abnormalities. They’re often referred to as “soft orthotics.”
Functional orthotics, on the other hand, are designed to correct biomechanical abnormalities and improve foot alignment. They provide a higher level of correction and are typically used to address issues such as overpronation, supination, and other gait-related problems.
Functional orthotics come in two general types:
At Stride Orthotics & Pedorthic Center™, our custom functional orthotics are crafted from the highest-quality materials and fabricated to exacting standards—right here on-site in our Connecticut facility. We’ve been handcrafting custom foot orthotics since 1989, blending experience, precision, and innovation to deliver unmatched support and performance.
When you wear a STRIDE® orthotic, you can feel confident you’re receiving the very best in comfort, correction, and long-term results—built by experts who truly understand your feet.
Developed by our founder, Roberta Nole, PT, C.Ped, the QUADRASTEP® System is a patented prefabricated orthotic system that bridges the gap between over-the-counter inserts and fully custom orthotics. Designed to match six distinct foot types, QUADRASTEP® offers a near-custom fit—quickly, effectively, and affordably.
The QUADRASTEP SYSTEM® is based on a clinical assessment algorithm which identifies and differentiates the structural and functional aspects of the foot into 6 specific foot “types”.
Each foot type influences not only the patients gait but the conditions and pathologies which may affect them throughout their lives.
The QUADRASTEP SYSTEM® approach to prescribing prefabricated functional foot orthoses is easy to use and brings immediate improvement to patients’ symptoms. The 4 steps to selecting a device with the correct features are based on many years of clinical experience and scientifically researched evidence.
QUADRASTEP® orthoses are manufactured from an injection molded thermoplastic compound which has a unique combination of strength with a “soft-edge” feel which gives incredible support while maintaining high patient comfort and therefor improving patient compliance. The devices are a single piece incorporating all of the required postings, recesses and heel cup/sidewall heights to effectively treat the specific foot type diagnosed requiring no additional adjustments.
The TriSTEPS® System is our premier line of professional-grade over-the-counter orthotics, created to offer high-performance support without the cost of custom.
Unlike generic drugstore inserts, TriSTEPS® orthotics are engineered with clinical-grade features—including rearfoot posting, arch support, metatarsal relief, and targeted padding—to address the needs of three common foot profiles:
TriSTEPS® orthotics are ideal for patients on a budget, those seeking a reliable backup to their custom orthotics, or anyone needing support in specialty footwear like ski boots, cleats, or casual wear shoes. They’re also a smart preventive solution for active individuals who want to stay ahead of pain and injury before it begins.
| Feature | Custom Orthotics | QUADRASTEP® | TriSTEPS® |
| Level of Customization | Fully customized to individual foot structure | Matched to one of 6 specific foot types | Off-the-shelf, matched to general arch type |
| Foot Types Addressed | All foot types (based on detailed assessment) | 24 subtypes grouped into 6 core categories | 3 common arch categories |
| Posting & Padding | Yes – tailored to exact needs | Yes – specific to foot type | Yes – professional-grade features |
| Best For | Chronic conditions, complex deformities, maximum correction | Moderate to severe dysfunction, cost-effective alternative to custom | Budget-conscious patients, backups, prevention, specialty footwear |
| Price Range | $$$ (Highest) | $$ (Mid-range) | $ (Most affordable) |
| Available Immediately | No – requires evaluation and fabrication time | Yes – available in clinic | Yes – take home same day |
| Ideal For Specialty Footwear | Yes – can be designed for any footwear | Yes – especially effective in most shoes | Yes – great for sport, ski, or casual wear |
| Clinical Evaluation Required | Yes | Yes | Recommended but not required |
I want to thank you for helping me to get fitted with an orthotic. I can't believe that I went so long linping around and missin gout on so much because I didn't know what was wrong OR what to do about it. You and your WHOLE STAFF there at Stride really know what you're doing, and you do it so well. VERY, VERY PROFESSIONAL and I will pass this on. I will also thank my orthopedic surgeon - who strongly suggested that I see you. It's so great to be walking again and PAIN FREE! Keep up the good work! Thank you again -
Thank you is such an understatement, when what you've done has made such a change in my life. I was so sure surgery was my only hope. Pain has altered my mind and body. I had resigned myslef to sedentary living, limping and lots of medication to function. The you! You made sense! You took the time to explain my problems. You created this extrodinary orthotic that changed my walk, shifted my balance and gave me back my mobility. Heel - Toe walking is back! How grateful I am with every step.
80 Turnpike Drive, Unit 1
Middlebury, CT 06762
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