Buying guide

CURREX RunPro vs. PowerStep: Which Insole Does a Podiatrist Recommend?

Not yet bench-tested. This guide was written by Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS from clinical experience and moved to Podiatrist Tested from the practice’s patient library. The products named here have not been measured or worn under the Podiatrist Tested standard, so no scores and no Seal appear on this page. Tested reviews replace these recommendations as they are published.

Written and medically reviewed by · Last reviewed 10 October 2026

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By Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFASDouble board-certified foot & ankle surgeonUpdated 10 Oct 2026

Podiatrist Tested is reader-supported. Links to Amazon are affiliate links; commissions never influence a recommendation or a score. Read the independence policy.

Correction (8 October 2026): Corrected model construction and fitting descriptions, removed unsupported brand-superiority and mileage rules, and clarified the limits of the lifespan comparison. These changes do not represent new bench or wear testing.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS compares the published features of CURREX RunPro and PowerStep Pinnacle, with the limits of this untested comparison stated below.

By Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Editorial Policy

Compare arch profile, shoe space and sizing before choosing between these insoles. This guide compares published product information; neither pair has been bench-tested under the Podiatrist Tested standard.

Quick Answer

CURREX RunPro is marketed for running and offers low, medium and high arch profiles. Standard PowerStep Pinnacle provides a firm but flexible neutral arch shell for everyday footwear with removable liners. Compare the exact size, arch contour and space in your shoe; this guide has not measured either product or established a clinical winner.

Check RunPro profiles, sizes and current price → (paid link) · Check Pinnacle sizes and current price → (paid link)

CURREX models: start with the activity, then check the fit

RunPro is one part of the CURREX range. The manufacturer also separates hiking, pickleball and cleated-sport models. Those activity labels help you narrow the comparison; they do not establish which insert will fit your shoe or treat a painful foot.

Assessment basis: This section compares manufacturer descriptions and selected retailer listings checked October 9, 2026. We have not measured, worn or bench-tested these models under the Podiatrist Tested standard.

CURREX activity models and the fit questions to check
ModelManufacturer’s activity categoryBefore choosing
RunProRunning; HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW profiles.The selected retailer listing is High Arch, XS. Confirm your own profile and size rather than accepting that default. Check RunPro profiles, sizes and current price (paid link).
HikeProHiking; HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW profiles.The checked listing is Low Arch, Large, which is a different profile and size from the RunPro listing above. CURREX describes a rearfoot grip zone and a hiking-oriented construction. Check HikePro profiles, sizes and current price (paid link). Manufacturer model information.
PickleballProPickleball.A candidate for a separate court-shoe comparison. Current retailer stock and the exact size/profile have not been checked for this guide; no shopping pick is made here.
CleatProSoccer, football, spikes and other cleated field-sport shoes.A candidate for a cleat-fit comparison. Its narrow-width design is not a substitute for checking the actual shoe interior. Current retailer stock and the exact size/profile remain unverified for this guide.

Open the listed options: RunPro listing (High Arch, XS) (paid link) · HikePro listing (Low Arch, Large) (paid link). Change the profile and size to match your needs; these defaults are not a matched comparison.

The model categories above come from CURREX’s model comparison and its field and court range. They describe the manufacturer’s intended uses, not results from our own testing.

How do I choose the profile and size?

Check the current selector and size chart for the exact model. HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW are separate profile options; XS and Large are size labels. One does not determine the other. The two linked model listings above should not be treated as a matched-size or matched-profile comparison. Check the final retailer selection before ordering.

Do I replace the factory footbed or put an insert on top?

CURREX’s RunPro directions start by removing the existing insole and using it as a template for trimming the toe area. Follow the exact model’s instructions. Check that your shoe’s footbed can be removed before buying an insert intended to replace it.

What should I check about shoe space?

After replacement, check toe room, heel seating and pressure from the upper with your usual socks. An insert that occupies more space can change the fit even when the length is correct. We have not measured the thickness of these models, so this guide does not rank them by volume or call one the best fit for every shoe.

Watch: Dr. Tom Biernacki explains the topic in detail · Subscribe to Michigan Foot Doctors on YouTube

Watch: Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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This comparison covers CURREX RunPro and the standard PowerStep Pinnacle, using the makers’ published construction and fitting information. It does not compare every variant in either range or report a head-to-head clinical or wear test.

Quick Verdict

CURREX RunPro offers running-oriented cushioning and three arch profiles. PowerStep Pinnacle offers a neutral polypropylene arch shell and dual-layer cushioning for everyday footwear. Neither design description proves that one treats plantar fasciitis better.

CURREX RunPro: Built for Performance

CURREX describes RunPro as a running insole with LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH arch profiles, a decoupled heel and dual-layer cushioning. Use its fitting guide and check the chosen profile in your shoe. This page has not verified a 28 g weight, a TPU shell specification or a mileage threshold that makes it the best choice. For further context, see our insoles for high arches guide.

View CURREX RunPro on Amazon → (paid link)

PowerStep Pinnacle: Neutral Arch Support

PowerStep lists a firm but flexible polypropylene support shell, polyester odor-control cover, foam top layer and EVA base for standard Pinnacle. Its heel cradle is neutral; this is not the angled Pinnacle Maxx. Select the listed shoe-size range and follow the maker’s fitting instructions rather than treating standard Pinnacle as a generic trim-to-fit insert.

View PowerStep Pinnacle on Amazon → (paid link)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CURREX RunPro PowerStep Pinnacle
Maker’s intended use Running; check profile and fit Walking, work and casual footwear
Support description Dynamic arch support (CURREX) Firm but flexible shell (PowerStep)
Arch profiles LOW / MED / HIGH options Standard Pinnacle: neutral arch
Weight No comparable measured weight here No comparable measured weight here

Neither insole has been on our bench, so neither carries a score or the Podiatrist Tested seal. The table summarizes CURREX RunPro and PowerStep Pinnacle manufacturer information. Firmness, heel-cup depth, durability and symptom relief have not been measured head-to-head here.

Which Should You Choose?

If you are comparing PowerStep with a particular drugstore insert, see Dr. Scholl’s vs PowerStep. Compare named models and their published construction; a brand-wide claim that no competing product has a shell is not established by this guide.

  • For running: RunPro is a running-focused option; choose a profile and check fit rather than relying on a weekly-mileage cutoff.
  • For everyday footwear: standard Pinnacle is one neutral-arch option when its contour and thickness fit your shoe.
  • For plantar fasciitis: either may be considered within a broader care plan; this page does not establish that runners need one brand for exercise and another for the rest of the day.

Most Common Mistake We See

Break-in advice differs by maker. CURREX suggests one or two days of wear before the next run. PowerStep recommends starting with one hour and increasing gradually if comfortable. Reduce use and reassess fit if new pressure or pain develops; do not force a fixed two-hours-per-day schedule.

Warning Signs: When to Seek Care

  • New sharp pain under the arch that did not exist before
  • Skin breakdown over pressure points
  • Diabetic patient with any new pressure spot
  • Symptoms that worsen or do not improve: arrange a clinical reassessment instead of continuing solely because a four-week threshold has not been reached.

More Custom Orthotics Guides from Dr. Tom

  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction Conservative Treatment: Orthotics Bracing and Physical Therapy
  • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD): Staging, Orthotic Management, and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Midfoot Arthritis: Lisfranc Arthritis, Primary OA, and When to Fuse vs. Manage with Orthotics

Podiatrist-recommended products

As an Amazon Associate, Dr. Tom earns from qualifying purchases. Some retailer or brand referral links also earn a commission. These commissions do not purchase a test, score or ranking.

PowerStep Pinnacle Orthotics

PowerStep Pinnacle: a polypropylene neutral-arch shell with dual-layer cushioning; check the fit in your shoe.

View on Amazon → (paid link) Metatarsal Pads

Add-on for either brand when forefoot cushion is needed.

View on Amazon →

Related resources

  • Podiatrist Orthotic Picks
  • Custom vs OTC

Choosing between them

CURREX vs PowerStep: Published Features and Fit

  • CURREX RunPro — running-focused design: CURREX markets its dynamic arch concept in three profiles. That is a manufacturer design claim, not evidence that this untested insert individually corrects every phase of your gait or outperforms Pinnacle.
  • PowerStep Pinnacle — neutral arch shell: PowerStep publishes its firm but flexible polypropylene shell and intended everyday shoe types. This does not establish superior correction for all non-runners; shoe space, contour and tolerance still matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for plantar fasciitis?

This guide does not establish a clinical winner. Standard Pinnacle and RunPro have different construction and fitting options; choose the exact model that fits and is comfortable in the footwear you use. The 2023 plantar-fasciitis guideline supports considering prefabricated or custom orthoses alongside other care, rather than as an isolated short-term treatment.

Which lasts longer?

The manufacturers give guidance under different use conditions, so these figures do not prove equal durability. CURREX says RunPro can last up to 4–6 months or 400–600 miles, depending on body weight and use. PowerStep says its insoles should last 6 months or longer under normal casual wear, with shorter life possible during rigorous activity. Neither has been wear-tested here. Inspect declining support, comfort and visible wear; recurrent pain also warrants reassessment.

Which is better for flat feet?

CURREX markets its LOW profile for low or nearly flat arches. Standard Pinnacle has a neutral-arch shell; the separate Pinnacle Low is a different model. These descriptions do not establish which works better for an individual flat foot. A stiff or painful flat foot needs assessment rather than automatic selection by arch height; tarsal coalition is one possible explanation, not a diagnosis made by this comparison. See our guide to insoles for flat feet for further options.

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