Blumaka Insole Review: Ultimate 2026 Guide

Who Should Buy

• Those who want extra cushion in their shoes – Blumaka is one of the squishiest insoles we’ve tested to date.

• Those who are looking for a bit more stickiness from an insole. The bottom of Blumaka is a sticky foam so for sports like Pickleball where there is lateral movement, some of this tackiness could be helpful. 

• Those who want high energy return while playing a sport. Our bounce test revealed a high return of energy - perfect for athletics. 

• Those who want a flat insole. Under weight, Blumaka completely flattens out and has no arch or ball of foot support. 

Who Should Not Buy

• Those with a foot condition such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or bunions. Blumaka is just a cushion, there is no re-conditioning the gait pattern. The second you step on the insole it's flat so does not offer any support for common conditions. 

• Those who want strong arch support or heel cups. While there does appear to be arch support when viewing the insole, the fact that there is no actual orthotic shell means it completely flattens out. 

• Those who want custom orthotics to be built around their specific foot shape. While there are different lengths, there is only orthotic width. 

• Those who want a good deal (Blumaka is $60 and functions similarly to a $15 Dr. Scholls insole)

Quick Facts

Material Overview

Blumaka is simply one foam layer. There is no base shell and no moisture wicking top layer. The Foam is made up of ETPU, which is essentially reclaimed TPU plastic pellets fused together. If you look closely you can actually see the different foam pieces fused together. 

It's important to note that the website claims Blumaka is 4 layers, with a base shell. However, this is 100% not true, and a complete lie. You can compare me taking the insole apart compared to what is on their website... 

ETPU is a well regarded material, known for its high energy bounce back and durability. 

For a basic insole, it’s actually a smart choice as it will keep its shape longer than an insole made of just gel. 

However, for someone with true foot pain, we would have needed to see an orthotic shell that keeps it’s shape to be considered viable for this person. 

Support & Stability

An orthotic should have lateral stability to help control excessive rolling of the foot. This can either be inwards, known as pronation, or outwards, known as supination.

Lateral stability will also reduce strain on tissues the foot has appropriate alignment. 

Unfortunately, Bluemaka does not have any lateral stability. It’s completely useless for preventing pronation or supination. As you can see in the bend test, the orthotic easily bends every which way. For any stability concerns, we recommend looking for another insole like from Stride Soles. 

Arch Support

An arch functions as the body's natural spring mechanism, taking pressure off the midfoot and dispersing it throughout the entire foot. As a spring, it compresses underload, only to push back when the body is ready to complete the gait cycle. 

For someone with low arches, the foot has no natural ‘spring’. It simply smacks the ground like a pancake on repeat. For this reason, insoles can be extremely beneficial to someone with low arches. 

The external arch support, like through an insole, essentially takes the place of the natural ‘spring’. However, Blumaka does not have any arch support because it lacks the hardness to actually hold its shape under load. There is no springing back into place, because it is simply flat. 

You can see this effect demonstrated in the video. When the foot is placed down, the insole collapses instantly and does not provide any external arch support for the foot. 

With that, someone with flat feet who needs support, I would steer clear of Blumaka. Opt for something with more of a rigid shell like Stride Soles or even Powerstep. 

Heel

A deep heel cup is essential for keeping the foot locked into the shoe during quick lateral movements in sports like pickleball or basketball. 

Bluemaka, like in their arch, has the appearance of a deep heel cup, but with no structure it simply flattens with any pressure. The 10mm of heel height just flops over with any pressure placed on it. 

Forefoot

Custom orthotics are known to have corrections, or raised parts, in their forefoot. The purpose is to specifically offset pressure on certain parts of the toes and around the ball of the foot. As Blumaka is not a custom insole, they have kept things simple and opted for a simple cushioned forefoot. 

The forefoot of the Blumaka is completely flat and has no corrections built into it. It’s extremely squishy with the 29mm shore hardness. The offsetting of the pressure happens from the foam itself, not any raised elements. If you have bunions, toe pain, high arches, this might not be enough support, but for basic comfort, it might be all you need. 

Metatarsal Pad

Many orthotics had a metatarsal pad, or met pad, to offer extra cushioning over the metatarsal region that often takes the majority of the foot load. 

For better or worse, Blumaka has opted not to place a Met pad on their orthotics. 

Cushioning

Let’s be clear: Blumaka on its own is comfortable. It is a 13.8mm cushion designed to offset pressure. As someone with flat feet, I actually need stability and arch support, so simple cushion is not enough to reduce my pain, but for others it can be. 

The shorehardness score 29, which is a lot softer than custom orthotics brands like Upstep and Stride. Yet, compared to gel inserts and other OTC insoles, it’s in the middle. 

Energy Return

For an athletic focused insole, we liked that Blumaka’s energy return ball test was 7 inches at the heel, which comes in 2X higher than other insoles like superfeet. It has a springy, responsive feel that gives one a bit of a kick when running. 

It’s important to note that energy return is not the same as comfort or support. Those areas, as we’ve discussed earlier are on the weaker end and need to be considered. 

Durability

Blumaka is made up of ETPU which is fused together with foam plastic pellets. It’s often a more expensive material than EVA foam, and lasts for longer. 

Blumaka’s website states that the pair will last 1000 miles, or about one year. Of course that number is highly dependent on your gait pattern and weight. 

From what I can tell from my one month of use, I would put that number at 6 months of daily use. Without a shell to help keep an orthotic’s shape, it cannot possibly last longer than 6 months. 

Without rigidity and a arch, you are hoping that the insole stays cushioned over the high pressure zones, but that just isn’t going to be possible with months of repeated stress. If you want a truly durable insole, look for something with a harder shell like a powerstep. 

Breathability

Blumaka insoles have no breathability given it’s just one single layer of foam. Air is not able to move freely across the insole and there are no perforations. Without a top layer too to wisk off sweat, the blumaka insole will start to smell over time. 

To avoid having your insoles smell, we recommend replacing Blumaka once every 3 months or wiping off after every use. Otherwise it is a matter of time before they get that classic insole musk. 

Weight

The average insole we’ve weighed out is 61 grams. At 41 grams, Blumaka is well under this average. The light weight makes it a great athletic comfort insole, although not suitable for true support if required. 

FAQ:

How long do Blumaka insoles last:

Blumaka’s website states that they will last 1000 miles or 6 months. With a lackof orthotic insole shell, we expect this number to be closer to 300-500 miles, or roughly enough to outlast a good pair of running shoes used as a daily trainer.  

Where to buy Blumaka insoles:

Blumaka can be bought on Amazon as well as the Blumaka website. There are also specialty pickleball outlets which cover Bluemaka

Are Blumaka insoles fsa eligible: 

While Blumaka are not available on FSA Stores directly, as long as you can get a letter of medical necessity approved by your doctor, you can get Blumaka reimbursed by your FSA plan. 

Which Blumaka do I need:

If you are looking for more cushion and tackiness in your shoes but don’t mind a lack of arch support, go for the ‘Non-slip Performance Insoles’. 

If you have feet that sweat and would like anti-microbial top layer, go for the ‘Performance Insoles’. These are functionally the same insole, except for that top layer. You are essentially sacrificing the stickiness of the ‘non-slip’ top layer for a bit more smell dissipation. 

Finally, if you want more energy return, you should consider the ‘Carbon Elite Insole’. This is essentially copying the VKTRY insole.

Who Reviewed The Orthotic. 

Greg Gerla is CEO of Stride Soles, a custom orthotics company based in Brooklyn, NY. The article was reviewed by Dr. Zac Cartun, MD, and Podiatrist Dr. Daniel Stewart.