Pain-Free Movement Starts Here:
Expert-made, Tailored to you
Foot pain, discomfort, and misalignment don't just affect your feet - they impact your entire body. Whether you're dealing with plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or chronic pain in your knees, hips, or lower back, the problem often starts at the foundation.
Custom orthotics provide the precise support, stability, and cushioning your feet need to keep you moving comfortably.
Fred Chiappetta
Fred is the third generation owner of Chiappetta Shoes. Fred received his certification in pedorthics from Northwestern University in 1986, after graduating from St. Ambros University in Iowa. Fitting shoes since he was a kid, Fred has honed his skills to address foot issues with a savage precision. Fred got in at the ground floor of American Pedorthics, starting in the early '80s when newer materials like memory cushion and foam rubbers were readily available for manufacturing custom inserts. From Fred's original education, Chiappetta Shoes still manufactures custom orthotics with an "accommodative" philosophy, leading the way for happy customers and extremely happy feet.
Tony Chiappetta
Following in the family footsteps, Tony is the fourth generation at Chiappetta Shoes. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with degrees in marketing and Italian, Tony's dream has always been to run an exceptional shoe store. Realizing that pedorthics is the best possible customer service a shoe store could offer, he enrolled in Northwestern University's Pedorthic program for certification. With an analytical mindset, Tony looks to improve the practice of custom orthotics through advancements in technology, material, and process.
Chiappetta's philosophy towards Pedorthic care is simple. Accommodate the foot to reduce pain, relieve pressure and restore health.
Most footwear on the market does not offer significant contour or support. With a focus on comfort and common sense, your accommodative orthotics will provide a basic balance underneath your feet, solving many painful problems. We refer to this as "Bringing the ground up to the feet."
Getting The Right Fit
We take the time needed to make sure that your new orthotics are measured, constructed, and fit properly to your feet. We don't ship our work out of state or out of the country. All of our work is done in-house by our certified pedorthic team.
While we understand you are anxious to alleviate your foot pain, the process from foot assessment to in-store delivery may take three-to-four weeks. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide you an exceptional product.
Durability
Orthotics are guaranteed for 3 years and are built to last for 5-7 years. However, if you experience a significant injury or a 20% weight gain, we recommend getting a new cast to accommodate your body's changes.
Insurance Information
Chiappetta Shoes does not accept assignment; meaning the charges for our services and merchandise are not negotiable, and you are held responsible for payment. We are out-of-network for all insurance companies but can provide a Superbill within the proper medical coding information if requested.
HSA (Health Savings Account) Accepted!
F.A.Q
How do I know if I need orthotics?
- If done right, anyone can wear orthotics. The first principle of Chiappetta Shoes' custom orthotics is proper weight distribution, helping the foot fell comfortable but also improving the alignment and efficiencies of your ankles, knees, hips, and spine. Sure there are plenty of biomechanical challenges we see daily but a well made custom orthotic should help the whole body feel more comfortable.
What’s the difference between custom orthotics and over-the-counter insoles?
- A custom orthotic made by Chiappetta Shoes is hand crafted from the ground up to perform for your needs. Our orthotics are a minimum of four layers, allowing us to combine the perfect recipe of materials to help your feet and body. The custom aspect of our orthotics greatly differs from an over-the-counter solution. For OTC's, finding the right prefabricated solution can be a cost savings and we are always interested in helping you out with the most economical solution!
Do I need a doctor’s prescription to get them?
- Nope! No prescription is required for Chiappetta Shoes to make you a custom orthotic. We are partners with most Podiatrists in our are and happily work with them for referrals. Often times foot pathologies are difficult to diagnose so working with a medical professional to accurately diagnose a problem is helpful in determining the proper modification approach once you start wearing orthotics. With that being said, we are fully confident in helping you without a prescription.
How long does it take to get my orthotics?
- From our initial assessment, we have a two week turnover with our manufacturing. Once the orthotics are made in-house, we call to set up a pick up appointment and we are off to the races! In most cases, you should be able to start wearing the orthotics all day versus most Podiatrist inserts recommending a three hours per day routine for a week. For the first week, there is a learning curve with your body and the break in process is typically 40,000 to 60,000 steps depending on the materials. The second week is your assessment week and after two full weeks we require a quick initial check up to ensure your comfort!
Will custom orthotics feel uncomfortable at first?
- What we like to say is the the first week often feels foreign but comfortable when wearing a new orthotic. In extreme high-arch and flat-foot situations, we do recommend easing into usage of the orthotics but for most feet you should be able to wear them 100% of the time right out of the gait. The reason for this is two fold. First with our impression process, we are starting with the most neutral alignment making the orthotic's shape as natural as possible. The second reason is that our materials are typically more dynamic and semi-rigid, working together with your feet and shoes to make a cohesive unit.
How do I take care of them?
- Chiappetta Shoes guarantees our orthotics for three years and they are built to last five to seven years. Maintenance is easy and we recommend a free, quick check-up appointment every six months for us to make sure they are holding up as best as possible. For home maintenance, make sure they have time to dry off if the orthotics get wet or saturated. Light cleaning with acetone is recommended for our EVA top covers.
When should I replace my orthotics?
- Don't wait until the original problems start again! The Chiappetta Shoes' custom orthotics are guaranteed for three years, built to last five to seven years. We often recommend replacing after the three years and in doing so, the original set is still good for weekend use and if you get a new set after three years, you will have more sets to rotate throughout the wardrobe. At the end of the day, we will happily make you as many as you'd like!
Can I wear my orthotics in any type of shoe?
- If crafted properly, a custom orthotic should be able to fit into a large majority of your shoes. For men's footwear, a "standard" insert of 5mm is pretty ubiquitous and can be transferred from casual, dress, work, and athletic footwear. Guys are easy. For the ladies, there is a larger variance on the depth of footwear with your casual and athletic typically running a 5mm insert thickness. When it comes to women's casual-dress and dress shoes, there's about 2.5mm of depth for an insert. We do make great "dress orthotics" and they are typically much thinner than a standard insert thickness.