There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What are Salted Smart Insoles?
Salted Smart Insoles are force plates that fit inside your golf shoes. If you’re unfamiliar with force plate technology, imagine a mat or platform loaded with sensors that, for golf purposes, measures how your weight shifts during a swing.
Force plates aren’t exclusive to golf. In fact, they have a variety of uses in health care and orthopedics. Force plates measure and map the ground-reaction forces during movement. Understanding your weight distribution and swing pattern can be an invaluable tool to help you gain yardage and improve your game.
In simple terms, during your swing, your body weight can shift from one foot to the other. These changes in weight can be measured in percentages and, when used in the right way, can teach you how to use the ground and transfer weight correctly.
Salted has taken force-plate technology and made it accessible to golfers as they play in game-time scenarios.
Product Expert
Hi, I’m Harry and I am a professional golf shoe tester. (Yes, they exist.) I actually test a lot of things at MyGolfSpy and play professionally when I’m not checking and comparing specs on gloves, rangefinders, bags, ball retrievers, etc. You can call me the Senior Director of Product Testing here at MGS. You can also just call me Harry. That’s fine, too.
Force Plate Insoles
We know that the way your weight shifts during a swing can be the difference between a good and a bad shot. Salted measures your weight distribution during your swing and provides instant feedback. The insoles fit inside your shoe and feel like any other typical insole. Except they’re not. Though the effort to collect data is passive, the results are massively beneficial. The insoles come packed with data. You’ll be able to look at body-balance feedback, live video recording and playback, and even compare your analysis with a professional. Oh, and instead of paying $18,000 for a top-of-the-range force plate, the Salted Smart Insoles will only set you back $199.99.
Take my money now…or should I wait?
Using the Insoles
First things first. You must charge these up and sync them with the free phone app. Once they’re full of juice and connected to your phone, slide them into your shoes and the power is at your fingertips.. Umm, I mean toes. They might feel a bit firmer than some of your most plush insole options but you’ll likely forget they’re in there during a round or range session.
The app has a simple layout which makes it easy to navigate. The biggest feature is the video capabilities that show your weight shift in real time. Once a shot is complete, you can play it back to see the vertical and lateral force at every part of the swing. You can even compare your performance to previous swings or even to that of a pro using their provided library of swings.
Does it Work?
Yes, it does. Is it perfect? Close.
The concept as a whole is top notch but the execution of the app has room for improvement. Our initial trials ran into connection issues, crashes and replays failing to play back properly. However, when the app was cooperative, the results were impressive.
Another great feature is the ability to set personal goals and get progress reports to help you reach them. You can also use the same insoles for other aspects of your life outside of golf. For example, you can use the same insoles for lifting weights, running and correcting balance. You just have to download the specific app and you’re off and running (or lifting or golfing or …).
Final Thoughts
After testing the Salted Smart Insoles and seeing how they perform, I would buy them in a heart beat . The app has a few bugs and could be more user friendly, but that’s certainly not enough to deter me. For $200, you get incredible feedback on how to use the ground effectively to help you hit bombs. The Smart Insoles provided me with the same vertical and lateral force feedback as a high-end force plate.
If you’re still on the fence about purchasing these … Why? The insoles are multi purpose and can be used for other activities. There aren’t many products that come through our HQ that catch my eye as much as these. So start using the ground like Rory Mcllory and join the “treefiddy” club.
If you need a driver to help you hit those fairway dingers, the PING G400 is on sale for $249. Get it while you can!
Dennis Corley
18 hours agoHarry,
It would be interesting (if you still have the insoles) to have you get on a high-end force plate like Swing Catalyst while wearing the insoles and compare the outputs.
Dennis
Chris
4 days agoSaw the “We tried it” article just before Amazon Prime days and was interested in getting a pair. $110 and a few days we received a pair for my wife (My size was out of stock 🙁 ). Charging them as I write, app installed on her Android phone. Can’t wait till we get to our outside hitting bay tomorrow to check them out!
Thanks for the article Harry!
Mark
6 days agoI had this idea 7 or 8 years ago….but didn’t know how to make it a reality 🙁 I loved the idea of knowing how my weight transferred on good shots vs. bad…ah well hopefully I’ll make my millions elsewhere!
Jack
7 days agoThey are $110 today on Prime Day
Dustin Rief
1 week agoAmazon Prime has them for $109 today 😄
tanksfurnutin
1 week agoThey are $110 on Amazon now for Prime Day. Just pick a size.
Ryan
7 days agoThanks! Just ordered a pair and save $90
Michael D Reed
1 week agoFor those who might be interested, and subscribe to Amazon Prime, these insoles are on sale for $109.99 for Prime Day.
VJ M
1 week agoHEADS UP! For anyone interested in these they’re selling for $110 on Amazon as part of Prime Day.
Cody
1 week agoThese are now $109!!! Amazon Prime Day sale!!!
Mike
1 week agoAs someone who wears orthotics custom (built by my podiatrist), I can see the concept here. But once you start talking about a phone app for my shoel insoles, that’s getting way too techy for me. Take some lessons & practice and
& you’ll learn better how to shift your weight. Can’t wait to be paired up with some 20-something handicapper who tells me he has these. I play with a guy in my course who has new gadgets and new clubs every single year. Finally, this year, he’s actually playing better. You know why? Simple fix, he changed his “routine” and now is NOT standing over the ball 45 seconds before he hits every shot!
Plumbob
1 week agoHarry, interesting review,! Would you expect to wear these during your game or mainly on the range. If during a game do you imagine there would be diminishing returns as you make improvements, over a couple of rounds?
TenBuck
1 week agoThings I would be concerned with:
1. wet conditions. They say waterproof, but I’m skeptical.
2. charging, I’m bad at charging things, and an insole would be the last thig on my mind to charge.
3. Price/durability. I can see these lasting a season if you play a lot. I know some guys wear orthotics and these wouldn’t be a good substitute for that.
4. Anything that requires a phone pairing with the item I usually have trouble with
Paul Smith
1 week agoVery interesting, but two questions?
Is the app for Android as well?
I am left handed. I assume that I am stuck with the feet image on the right side so the weight shift will all be reverse-correct?
Thanks
HAC
1 week agoExcellent question. I also would like to know if this works for left handers.
Jeff
1 week agoHarry – any connectivity issues or crashes? Also, did you test this with iPad or iPhone or Android (seems like Android has some issues). Amazon reviews are spotty but the promise of this and your review give me hope.
Thanks!
Harry Nodwell
1 week agoHi Jeff,
It was used with an iPhone. There were some issues with playback on previous swings taken but it never crashed in my experience.
As the product is relatively new to the US the reviews are a little spotty like you said, however, even with these little app issues, I love the product and would highly recommend.
Garrett
1 week agoTerrific review, just ordered! And I second Michael – Amazon has a $60 coupon right now. I was literally just wondering last night if something like this existed as I was reading Tyler Ferrel’s stock tour swing.
scott
1 week agoCan you provide the link to the coupon? thanks!
Garrett
1 week agoJust add it to your cart in Amazon and check the box. Super easy!!
Emery
1 week agoHow did you find/get the coupon?
Adam Carlson
1 week agoAs a large framed golfer, I know that my balance and weight transfer could use to be significantly improved. But as a mid-high handicapper I’m not sure I would know what to do with the resulting information to make corrections. – would be nice to know if the app offered tips or suggestions.
Harry Nodwell
1 week agoYou can set goals and the app suggests how to reach those goals. You can compare your swing to a pro golfer to see how you match up.
Paulo
1 week agoWow. I’m impressed. These are on my shopping list for sure.
Glen
1 week agoI live in Canada and just looked these up on Amazon…They are $615 here so not likely something I would purchase..Although a cool idea
Ellen
1 week agoI also live in Canada and got a reply from Salted through the email. They said I can pay through Paypal and they’ll personally send me them!
Why don’t you email them at [email protected] ?
Barry R
1 week agoThese do seem quite intriguing. While I understand their benefit, I do wonder at one point I begin to suffer from information/data overload when trying to tie it in to my game. But if I were just worried about one of the main fundamentals of a swing, solid weight shift, these might be worth looking in to.
On a side note, I really liked those Travis Matthew golf shoes. They look fantastic. I don’t remember seeing them in the spikeless shoe evaluation, will we except to see a write up on them soon?
Harry Nodwell
1 week agoAfter testing the Salted insoles out I didn’t find it to get data overload. Granted I can absorb more data than the average person but if you want to work on the fundamentals they’re perfect.
The Travis Matthew shoes weren’t included in the test but they will be including in next years. First thoughts are positive though. If you want check it out heres the link for the exact shoes https://bit.ly/3lEDdrW
Jeff
1 week agoI highly recommend them Barry. Super comfortable and good traction in my experience. Was bummed they weren’t in this year’s test but am excited about them next year. I swap them out with CodeChaos (Most Wanted winner) and they’re both exceptional.
Ranny Reynolds
1 week agoThe Amazon site says these only go up to size 12. That would seem to eliminate 50% of American men.
Andrew
1 week agoHalf of American men wear a shoe *larger* than size 12? I don’t think so. (Or is there a joke in your comment, and it just went over my head? Certainly possible!)
Large chris
1 week agoWell it’s kind of interesting I suppose. But insoles wear out, will $200 electric insoles last playing golf every week if that’s the suggestion?
I suppose I could troll my buddies on the first tee, hang on I’m just syncing my shoes up..
Bit sceptical, I await to see a non elite golfer improve their game using this or force plates.
Gary McDonald
1 week agoHave to charge PowaKaddy battery and Garmin watch every time I play now Insoles think I will give them a miss.
James
1 week agoGreat write up and interesting product. Are the insoles cushioned/padded? And what do you think the durability is under heavy practicing?
Harry Nodwell
1 week agoThe padding is average but still have some give to them. I can’t speak to the durability to them but I can imagine they will do just fine because of the structure of the insole and how they’re designed.
David J.
1 week agoCool concept! Thanks for another great review and bringing this product to our attention. These would be great for downhill skiing and hitting a baseball, too.
Jack M.
1 week agoI bought a pair of these insoles and the entire instruction manual is in Korean I think. I could find NO instructions in English. I will sell mine Cheap!!!
VJ M.
1 week agoHi Jack! I’d be interested in taking them off your hands!
Emery
1 week agoI’d try them out Cheap, seems like you would use them a few times at the range and once you get the weight transfer down, give them to your kids or buddies.
Mark M
1 week agoVery interesting Harry! I’m not sure how much benefit these would be to the average golfer, given their knowledge of swing mechanics and ground forces, but for a single digit or elite amateur trying to improve I can see these being a no brainer.
Harry Nodwell
1 week agoI agree to a certain extent. However, every golfer could learn how to use the ground effectively even if you’re a high handicapper. An example of this would be if you stay on your right side throughout the shot, Salted provides great visuals to show your weight distribution on how much you need to get to your left side. If this is all you get from it its worth the money in my opinion.
Andrew
1 week agoI’m considering buying them. My golf coach has a forceplate. He’s also $150/hour to see. But having used the forceplate with him, I have a pretty good idea of what my forces need to look like for me to swing well. If I combine this with a $40/hour launch monitor rental I can get a lot of the benefits of a lesson by myself.
Travis
1 week agoI picked these up after watching Ali Taylor review them a few weeks ago. I want to work on my footwork and ground forces over the winter and these will let me do that. Worth the $200 IMHO.
Michael
1 week agoWorth noting: the Amazon link here currently has a $60 coupon that you can activate, bringing the price down to $140.
Rich
1 week agoI don’t see the coupon. Which link?
Michael
1 week agoIt looks like the coupon button appears after you choose your insole size.
Shawn
1 week agoThey are $90 off right now w/ Amazon Prime
Michael
1 week agoIt looks like those coupons are gone at this point. Might have been had limited uses before it expired.