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ROCKER SOLES

Definition:  A rocker sole is angled up at the heel and at the toe to help the foot “rock” forward upon contact with the ground. 

There are gradations of rocker soles: A “toe only” rocker sole is angled up at the toe but at the heel. A “mild rocker sole” differs from a “heel to toe rocker” in the degree of the angles at the heel and toe. The new MBT physiological shoe is an example of a heel to toe rocker with sharp angles at both ends.

Most shoes today have mild rocker soles. In years past, soles were made of leather with the heel and the rest of the sole being separate units. There was little to no rocker concept in the design. 

Those with drop foot or other stumbling gait problems walk better with rocker soles. A Pedorthist can arrange to have any shoe modified by a shoe repair professional to give more rock to the sole. The costs are usually reasonable as it requires little in the way of material for the repair person to modify a shoe in this way.

Benefits:  The more “rock” there is in a shoe, the more easily the foot will move forward, reducing any propensity to move side to side or require the toes to grab.

Text:  Copyright 2007 Carole Romig   Image:  PFA Pedorthic Reference Guide