The Contoura Algorithm: Embodying Comfort, Performance, and Support

How INSITE’s Data-Driven Shape Supports Every Kind of Movement

Our flagship insole shape, Contoura®, isn’t like any other insole shape on the market. It’s made using our proprietary, data-driven shape algorithm that is rooted in the science of custom orthotics but refined for everyday footwear design. 

Many of our brand partners have used Contoura to elevate their footwear design and give their customers a premium underfoot experience – one that supports movement through any activity from training hard, working long shifts, or chasing after their kids in the backyard.

What Is the Contoura Shape Algorithm?

Contoura is designed using a shape algorithm informed by biomechanics science and human factor data. Built from more than 120,000 3D foot scans and refined through the application of multiple testing methodologies, the Contoura shape algorithm models how the human foot behaves in motion.

Our testing includes:

• Comfort Perception Testing:
  We capture individual perceptions of what comfort really means, conducting in-depth psychometric surveys that help quantify the fit, placement, and cushioning of the insole during different movements and activities. By examining specific comfort variables, we can take into account both individual experiences with shoe and insole performance, as well as overall trends in comfort perception.
• Plantar Pressure Testing:
  Using high-fidelity wireless insole sensors, we visually map underfoot pressure in real time during activity. This allows us to gain data and analysis on plantar pressure, the foot’s center of pressure, and gait – helping us identify pressure “hot spots” and reduce discomfort through insole design.
• Material Impact Testing:
  Using a computer-controlled test that simulates heel and forefoot impact, we measure the compression, shock absorption, and rebound of the shoe’s cushioning system to understand the level of impact created by the foot during certain activities. This allows us to see how that impact is absorbed by an insole, and the effect of footwear on a wearer’s foot over time.
• Additional Biomechanics Testing: In addition to core ProvenComfort testing, our research and design lab in Los Angeles allows us to conduct advanced biomechanics tests – providing even more detailed comfort metrics for high-performance footwear applications.

Analyzing components of the human foot, such as the curvature of the arch, pressure distribution patterns, and natural flex and strike points, INSITE has reverse-engineered the comfort and biomechanical benefits of custom orthotics into an insole that can scale for mass production.

Rather than relying on flat or generic insole designs, our shape algorithm delivers an insole experience designed for the way people really move, with support where it’s needed and flexibility where it’s not.

The Evolution of Contoura: Science Meets Real-World Movement

When INSITE originally produced Contoura, we were designing an insole that would help elite athletes improve their training and performance. Then, we realized everyone should have the kind of comfort, performance, and support elite athletes enjoy. 

Our Contoura shape has since evolved to support not just athletic movement, but all types of everyday movement, from long work shifts to trail runs, to school drop-offs. Our goal is to give footwear brands the ability to provide comfort, performance, and support right out of the box – so customers don’t have to seek out aftermarket insoles or wear uncomfortable, unsupportive footwear.

Additionally, our innovations in foam compounds have only expanded what Contoura can do. Brands can select the best foam formulation and support level based on intended use, and Contoura fits right into the footwear design.

The Right Foam for the Right Footwear Function

Contoura is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s a platform. Contoura offers a human-informed shape that can be supported by different foams, depending on performance needs. 

For workwear and industrial applications, Contoura is paired with a higher-density polyurethane (PU) foam that provides long-lasting shock absorption and resilience under heavy, prolonged use. It’s ideal for boots or shoes worn in tough environments, where fatigue and joint stress are real concerns.

For athletic and lifestyle footwear, Contoura is paired with lightweight EVA foams, often with open-cell construction for better breathability and energy return. These options strike a balance between responsiveness and cushioning, helping athletes of all kinds stay comfortable and perform at their best.

Each foam is carefully engineered to complement the Contoura shape, preserving its arch support and heel stability, while tuning the insole for the demands of different activities.

Support That Moves With Your Customers

Your customers want a comfortable shoe for whatever activity they’re doing, and that’s why Contoura works so well – it delivers an exceptional experience whether for running a marathon or running errands. 

The Contoura algorithm ensures these insoles are built to adapt to motion, support alignment, and potentially reduce fatigue over time.

Because we leverage 3D contouring to inform the Contoura shape, Contoura offers a dynamic heel cup for greater stability, supports arches to help reduce overpronation and arch collapse, and cushions the forefoot while allowing natural flexion.

The Contoura shape can improve consumer experience with your footwear, meaning your brand sees fewer product returns, higher satisfaction, and a stronger reputation for quality.

Contoura Delivers Orthotic-Based Science to Every Shoe

Contoura is inspired by the same technologies used in custom orthotics designed for elite athletes, but INSITE has reimagined that science to ensure Contoura works for a majority of wearers. 

Because Contoura’s shape algorithm is grounded in real biometric data, it provides consistency across styles, while still offering the flexibility to customize for different footwear.

If you’re designing shoes that need to do more than just look good, Contoura is your foundation for functional excellence. By embedding data-backed performance into the insole, you help ensure comfort and support aren’t afterthoughts – they’re engineered into every step.