How to Use Liftly Insoles: Sizing, Trimming, Fitting, Washing and Keeping the Return Option Open (2026)

How to use Liftly insoles: the three official steps

The Liftly offer page at getliftlyinsoles.com lays out setup as three steps: cut to fit, insert into your shoe, and enjoy all-day comfort. ReAthlete's own product page on reathlete.com breaks the same process into four: remove the flat factory insoles that came with your shoes, trace your old insole or follow the precision sizing lines, trim for your shoe shape, and insert.

Neither page mentions glue, tape or any tool beyond something to cut with, and nothing about the process is specific to one kind of shoe. ReAthlete's FAQ says you can move the insoles from work boots to gym sneakers, which tells you the design assumes a shoe with a removable insole and enough room for a cushioned replacement.

That last point matters before you start. Liftly replaces your shoe's insole; it doesn't sit on top of it. If your shoe's insole is glued in, or the shoe is a slim dress shoe with no removable footbed, Liftly isn't designed for it. Check that the factory insole lifts out before you order for a specific pair.

Step 1: pick the right Liftly size range

Liftly comes in two base ranges, listed on ReAthlete's product page as Standard (37-41) and Large (42-47). Those are European-style sizes. ReAthlete's FAQ puts it simply: choose your range, then trim it down for a custom fit. The insole starts at the top of its range and you cut it down to your shoe.

Because you can only cut an insole smaller, never larger, the rule is easy: if your size sits at the top edge of the Standard range or you wear roomy shoes, the Large range gives you more material to work with. If you're well inside the Standard range, Large just means more trimming. The offer page doesn't spell out the size ranges, so confirm the size option during checkout. Colors on ReAthlete's page are Electric Blue, Classic Black and Modern Grey.

Step 2: trim Liftly to your shoe without cutting too much

Pull the factory insole out of the shoe you plan to use first. ReAthlete gives you two ways to get the outline: trace the old insole onto the Liftly insole, or follow the printed sizing lines. Tracing is the more accurate option for a specific shoe, because two shoes in the same size can have different toe shapes.

Line the heels up first. Liftly's heel area is its cushioned impact zone, and the length adjustment happens at the toe, so set the old insole's heel into Liftly's heel cup and trace around the front. Then trim a little outside your line. You can always take off another sliver after a test fit; you can't add material back. Sharp scissors give a cleaner edge than a craft knife on soft foam.

Test the fit before you do the second insole. Slide the trimmed one into the shoe and press it flat. If the front curls up against the toe box or the edges ride up the sides, trim a little more and try again. When it lies flat from heel to toe, use it as the template for the second foot, flipped over, so both match.

Before you trim: keep one Liftly pair returnable

This is the step most how-to guides skip, and it's the one that can cost you money. The offer page promises a 30-day money-back guarantee and says you can return Liftly hassle-free. ReAthlete's written refund policy is stricter: you have 30 days from delivery to start a return, items must be in new condition (unused, clean, undamaged and free from signs of wear) in the original packaging, returns must be approved by email first, and a $15 return and processing fee applies per order. Return shipping is on you, and refunds go out within 15 business days of inspection.

A trimmed insole is hard to describe as unused. So before you cut, slip the untrimmed insole into your shoe and stand on it for a minute to see whether you like the arch and the nodes. If you bought a three- or six-pair bundle, trim one pair and leave the rest sealed until you're sure. That keeps the refund option open on most of the order.

Step 3: insert Liftly and what the first days feel like

Slide the trimmed insole into the shoe heel first, then press the front down so it sits flat under the toes. Liftly's design zones, as ReAthlete describes them, are a cushioned heel zone it calls the Impact Shield, arch support through the midfoot (the Active Bridge), a reinforced forefoot for push-off (the Power Launch) and support along the outer edge (the Balance Rail), plus raised Anatomical Support Nodes underfoot and a high-density foam base.

The nodes are the part you'll notice first. ReAthlete's FAQ describes them as a gentle micro-stimulation rather than something that should bother you. Liftly's pages don't give a break-in schedule, so how quickly you adjust is personal. If the nodes or the arch feel like too much at first, a sensible approach is to wear them for part of the day and build up, rather than starting with a 12-hour shift.

Liftly is a comfort and support insole, not a custom orthotic. The offer page lists foot conditions it says Liftly helps relieve pain from; those are the brand's claims, and we haven't seen studies behind them. If you have ongoing foot pain, see a podiatrist, and our guide to insoles for standing all day covers when an off-the-shelf insole is enough.

How to wash Liftly insoles and keep them fresh

ReAthlete's product FAQ gives one cleaning instruction: hand-wash with mild soap and air dry. It says this preserves the foam and keeps the colors bright. The offer page adds that Liftly is designed so you can clean away dirt, sweat and odors.

Air dry means no tumble dryer and no radiator. Take the insoles out of the shoes to wash them, rinse out the soap, press out the water rather than wringing the foam, and let both the insoles and the shoes dry fully before you put them back together. Neither Liftly page mentions machine washing, so we'd avoid it.

Moving Liftly between shoes, and when to buy more pairs

ReAthlete's FAQ says yes, you can move Liftly between shoes, and that the foam is built to keep its feel when you do. The catch is the trim. Once you've cut a pair to one shoe's shape, it fits that shoe best. A pair trimmed for wide work boots may be loose in narrow sneakers, and a pair trimmed for sneakers may be short in boots.

That's where the bundles make sense. On November 8, 2026, the Liftly offer page listed one pair for $29.99, three pairs for $59.98 and six pairs for $89.97, with free US shipping. ReAthlete's own store lists a single pair at $39.99. If you want Liftly in two or three pairs of shoes, trimming a dedicated pair for each is easier than swapping, and the three-pair bundle works out to about $20 a pair.

Liftly carries a 1-year warranty. ReAthlete's warranty page says it covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal use, and replacements need proof of purchase from the past 12 months. Support is at support@reathlete.com or 1 (757) 414-7772 for warranty questions, and returns go through support@reathlete.pro.

Liftly vs heel lifts and other look-alike inserts

Searches for Liftly often turn up heel-lift and height-increase inserts, the wedge-shaped pads sold by many marketplace sellers. Those are a different product from a different company: they raise the heel, and they don't follow the steps above. If what arrived is a small wedge rather than a full-length insole with nodes and a trim guide, it isn't Liftly. Akusoli is also a separate brand from a different company; our Liftly vs Akusoli comparison covers how the two differ.

The official Liftly sellers are getliftlyinsoles.com and reathlete.com, and our are Liftly inserts legit guide covers what to check before you pay. Disclosure: TopCrate earns a commission if you buy Liftly through our link, at no extra cost to you.