It’s no secret that our mission at INSITE is to develop better footwear through science. This mission was the main driver behind the development of our ProvenComfort™ footwear testing method.
The INSITE ProvenComfort method is a series of biomechanics tests designed to give footwear brands the data they need to make better product decisions. These tests are conducted by the experts on the INSITE research team. These passionate professionals use their backgrounds in kinesiology and biomechanics to help footwear brands build more comfortable footwear.
Last month we sat down with INSITE Biomechanics Research Lab Assistant Lily Bartel to discuss her research as she completes her master’s degree at Oregon State University and how it relates to her work with INSITE.
Lily is currently completing a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on biomechanics research. Her research is centered around understanding how footwear affects the body’s biomechanics, specifically in runners.
Q: What is your thesis topic?
A: I’m comparing the effects of maximalist running shoes vs. regular running shoes during prolonged running. In this case, “prolonged” means a one-hour run. I’m the head of the team, which consists of four undergrads and one recent graduate. We needed a minimum of 12 participants for the study, but we were able to recruit 14.
Q: What inspired you to research this topic?
A: I studied maximalist shoes during my undergraduate research with the FORCE Lab. We did tests using shorter duration runs, but I had noticed a gap in the data for longer runs.
I find this trend of maximalist shoes and running interesting since everyone seems to be talking about maximalist footwear right now, but there really isn’t much research out there on how these shoes affect biomechanics.
Q: How has your work with INSITE influenced your research?
A: Learning about mechanical properties and materials through the impact testing portion of our ProvenComfort™ research helped immensely when it came time to select the shoes for the study.
I wanted to choose shoes with similar properties, specifically hardness. Choosing which shoes to test was a huge part of this process, and what I’ve learned at INSITE was key to the process. INSITE even funded the purchase of the shoes used in the study!
Q: What made you want to work in footwear?
A: I started shadowing one of my instructors in the FORCE Lab during my undergrad studies. That’s where I met Sherri. She had just started testing for INSITE and was looking for an assistant. We hit it off and I joined the team. I’ve been inspired to learn more about footwear and its relationship to biomechanics ever since.
Q: What has been the most interesting part of your research so far?
A: I love speaking with runners and translating what we do in the lab into something meaningful for the everyday person. Having conversations informed by what we do in the lab is both validating and fun.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working with the INSITE research team?
A: Every team member is so passionate about what they do. We spend our days working to make products better for our consumers. Every day is different, which makes the job that much more exciting because I get to improve our processes to make our research outcomes even better. This, in turn, leads to better feedback for brands to base their decisions on.
Lily graduates from Oregon State University in June 2025. She will continue to support the INSITE research team in facilitating ProvenComfort testing in the meantime.
INSITE ProvenComfort™ testing is designed to help footwear brands quantify and improve the comfort of their shoes, with tests including:
These tests allow brands to establish levels of comfort that work well for the majority of their customers.
If you want to participate in our ProvenComfort testing and help influence the comfort of your favorite footwear, please submit an application.
Learn more about how INSITE’s data-driven approach can help your brand build more comfortable footwear,
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