In this Footwear Feature, we're going to explain the benefits of a heel counter.

So, what's a heel counter? It's a semi-rigid plastic insert used to reinforce the heel cup of a shoe. It wraps around the back of your heel to increase support. A heel counter can be either internal or external and can vary in stiffness and size. Fitting your heel to the back of the shoe is a crucial component of shoe fit and anchors the back of your foot into the shoe. Although they only contribute a small amount to controlling rearfoot motion, recent research shows that heel counters work with your own heel fat pads to reduce stress at that location.