Lechal fitness insoles: Right direction, needs work in execution

Two years ago, fitness trackers were a rage. I’m not sure whether I can make that statement today, although there are those who still actively use a Fitbit or a Moov to monitor their steps. Unfortunately, there isn’t a foolproof method to determine the number of steps one takes using these trackers. I can vouch for this personally because while running a 10-k last year, the Fitbit HR that I wore said that I completed 12 kilometres. That’s a two-kilometre difference and a fundamentally large error. Similarly in the Moov, a 10-K race showed that I did 11.5 on the Moov.

So when Indian company Lechal introduced GPS insoles that one could put in an individual’s shoes and track the number of steps taken, I thought that it was a good idea. So we ordered a pair and decided to test them out.

The packaging was compact. There were two insoles for an individual who wears a size 12. These soles have areas that one can cut so that it can be worn by individuals who wear a size 11 and size 10. There are two batteries that are provided separately and can be charge within an adaptor (Lechal instructs users to charge the batteries for two hours before using it for the first time). There is also a USB device that connects the adaptor to a plug point. The battery lasts a good week without recharging (the manual said it lasts 15-20 days).

The phone app, although initially complex to understand, is good. It syncs well with the pods, which is what the batteries are called. Like fitness bands, the Lechal syncs to your phone’s GPS, but surprisingly is more accurate than what the wrist band shows, with errors usually a +/- 1 step.

After inserting the insoles into my regular running shoes, I tested the shoes to check the vibration. Incidentally, these insoles were originally invented to aid the visually impaired by providing vibrations in case of obstacles coming in front of them.  The vibrations were strong, which prompted me to change the settings on the phone to change the vibrations to minimum.

The issue with the insoles is comfort. I inserted them in my shoes and once I wore them, I felt as if I had something beneath my feet. My running shoes, which are usually light, felt heavy and I felt tired after running – something I usually don’t. It was as if someone tied a pair of stones to my feet and made me walk.

I initially thought that it was a hiccup and that the issue would resolve much like it does when an individual gets used to a new shoe. But as I wore it for the entire week, I felt a weird sensation in my metatarsals (the bones right below the big toe) and by the end of the day, I had to soak my feet in warm water to ease the pain.  I also admit that I am a difficult customer when it comes to buying running shoes because I am horribly flat-footed, but this pain was quite excruciating.

Finally last night, I took the soles out of my shoes and replaced it with the old ones. And when I tried my shoes on this morning, I felt my feet were normal again.

If LeChal were to gain popularity amongst runners, then it needs to probably make thinner versions of the insoles and even consider flat footed runners as potential customers. Furthermore, Rs 6,999 is a little too much for a pair of insoles, given that the starting price for a fitness tracker begins at around Rs 1,500.

Final verdict: If you really feel that you want to spend Rs 7,000 on a pair of soles, ensure that your shoes are absolutely light, so that you don’t feel as if you’re lifting weights every time you run.