The FootLab
The FootLab is a private, founder-owned pedorthic practice in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that fabricates custom-molded orthotics on-site in approximately one hour using a proprietary direct-mold process, serving athletes, on-your-feet workers, seniors, and skiers across the Twin Cities area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersWhite Bear Lake, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The FootLab does
The FootLab is a private pedorthic service provider founded in 1994 and operating from a single retail location inside Hi Tempo SnowSports & WaterSports in White Bear Lake, Minnesota (north of St. Paul). The company specializes in custom-molded foot orthotics fabricated on-site using a proprietary direct-mold process: a Certified Pedorthist evaluates the customer while they stand on a heated orthotic blank over molding pillows, capturing the weighted foot shape, and the same practitioner then fabricates the finished orthotic in approximately one hour so the customer leaves the appointment with the product in hand. The business evolved from decades of ski boot fitting work at Hi Tempo into a broader orthotics practice serving athletes, on-your-feet workers (healthcare, retail, construction, trades), seniors, skiers, cyclists, soccer players, and runners.
The core product set comprises mid-volume custom orthotics ($399 adult / $199 children) for gaited footwear such as running, hiking, and work boots, low-volume custom orthotics ($199) for tight footwear including cycling cleats, soccer shoes, and dress shoes, and Alpine Ski orthotics ($249). Adjacent offerings include a Gait Analysis assessment, complimentary foot evaluations using a Podoscope, Dr. Comfort orthopedic footwear (ordered through catalog), and over-the-counter items such as Superfeet insoles, Quadra Step prefabricated orthotics, Little Steps pediatric orthotics, and PediFix footcare accessories. The company does not bill health insurance or Medicare but accepts HSA and Flex Spending accounts and offers a 25% first-responder discount and a $100 second-pair discount.
The FootLab is a bootstrapped, founder-owned business operated by Brad Nelson (owner of Hi Tempo and The FootLab) and Katelyn Nelson, both ABC Certified Pedorthists. Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time purchases of custom orthotics and complementary products sold in-person at the White Bear Lake storefront, supplemented by medical professional referrals and word-of-mouth. With 11-50 employees (only two practitioners named in disclosures) and approximately 10,000 orthotics fabricated over 15+ years of operation, the company functions as a small, lifestyle-scale specialty retail and service business rather than a scalable enterprise.
The FootLab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The FootLab
- Legal name
- The FootLab
- Website
- https://thefootlab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The FootLab is a private, founder-owned pedorthic practice in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that fabricates custom-molded orthotics on-site in approximately one hour using a proprietary direct-mold process, serving athletes, on-your-feet workers, seniors, and skiers across the Twin Cities area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The FootLab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Orthotics / Pedorthic Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Podiatrists (621391), Footwear Manufacturing (31621), Shoe Retailers (45821)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail (CRAAADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Foot Care & Orthotics OTC (Corn/Callus Care, Insoles, Athlete’s Foot Treatments) (CRADAMAL), Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)
Keywords
Where The FootLab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- White Bear Lake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The FootLab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Orthotics Sales: One-time purchase of custom-molded orthotics. Different price points for different orthotic types (Alpine Ski, mid-volume adult, low-volume). Children priced lower than adults.
- Orthopedic Shoes: Sale of Dr. Comfort orthopedic footwear, ordered through catalog, with custom orthotics built to fit.
- Footcare Products: Over-the-counter products including Superfeet premium insoles ($50+), Quadra Step prefabricated orthotics ($165), Little Steps kids orthotics ($99), PediFix medical footcare products.
- Ski Boot Services: Boot grinding/alignment services ($229) in addition to ski orthotics ($249).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Custom Orthotic - Mid Volume |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Children's Custom Orthotic |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Alpine Ski Orthotic |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Low Volume Orthotic |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | First Responder Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Second Pair Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Over-the-Counter Footcare |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Boot Alignment Service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
The FootLab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The FootLab fabricates custom molded orthotics on-site in approximately one hour using a proprietary Direct Mold Custom Orthotic Fabrication Process performed by Certified Pedorthists. They also offer gait analysis assessments, free foot evaluations, ski boot alignment/grinding services, orthopedic shoes, and a range of over-the-counter footcare products including premium insoles, prefabricated orthotics, pediatric orthotics, and medical footcare accessories.
Product overview
The FootLab is a custom orthotics provider offering a portfolio of custom molded orthotics and related foot support products and services. The core offerings include Custom Molded Orthotics (Mid Volume, $399 adults / $199 children) for general athletic and work footwear, Custom Orthotics (Low Volume, $199) for tight footwear like cycling shoes and cleats, and Alpine Ski Orthotics ($249) for ski boots. These custom orthotics are fabricated on-site in one hour using a direct mold process. The company also offers Gait Analysis as an assessment service and Free Foot Evaluations. Supplementary products include Dr. Comfort Orthopedic Shoes, Superfeet Premium Insoles ($50+), Quadra Step Prefabricated Orthotics ($165), Little Steps Pediatric Orthotics ($99), and PediFix footcare products. All custom orthotics are fabricated by Certified Pedorthists (C.Ped) licensed by the State of Minnesota.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Molded Orthotic (Mid Volume) Custom molded orthotic for medium to high volume gaited footwear including running shoes, cross country ski boots, volleyball, football, softball, baseball, hiking, walking, trail, hunting, and work boots. Priced at $399 for adults and $199 for children. Fabricated on-site in approximately one hour during a single appointment from a direct mold of the weighted foot.
- Custom Orthotic (Low Volume) Custom molded orthotic priced at $199, designed for tight low volume footwear including lacrosse, soccer, cycling, dress shoes, hockey, and figure skates. Fabricated on-site using the FootLab's direct mold process.
- Alpine Ski Orthotic Medical grade orthotic for non-gaited ski boots priced at $249. Fabricated by Certified Pedorthists with over 40 years of custom ski boot fitting experience to accommodate the unique forefoot structure of skiers for optimal comfort and performance.
- Gait Analysis Assessment service in which a Certified Pedorthist observes how feet, ankles, knees, hips, and posture work together through each step to identify biomechanical issues and determine if custom orthotics could improve movement and comfort.
- Free Foot Evaluation Complimentary in-person consultation including stance assessment, Podoscope imaging, and explanation of how feet and stance affect alignment of ankles, knees, hips, and back. Used by The FootLab as a top-of-funnel service to evaluate prospects for custom orthotics.
- Ski Boot Grinding / Alignment Service Boot grinding and alignment service priced at $229, performed as part of the FootLab's custom ski boot fitting process. Combined with custom ski orthotics ($249), the service corrects improper stance and improves energy transfer. Not all customers require both services.
- Dr. Comfort Orthopedic Shoes Orthopedic footwear line ordered through catalog, offering multiple widths and styles from casual sneakers to dress shoes, with focus on diabetic footwear. The FootLab builds custom orthotics to fit each ordered pair.
- Superfeet Premium Insoles Over-the-counter premium grade foot support insoles for low and high arches, priced from $50.
- Quadra Step Prefabricated Orthotics Prefabricated adult foot orthotics priced at $165 for customers who may not need full custom orthotics.
- Little Steps Pediatric Orthotics Prefabricated foot orthotics for children priced at $99, providing pediatric foot support without the full custom fitting process.
- PediFix Medical Footcare Products Medical footcare product line including toe spacers, toe caps, gel pads, and tapes.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40+ years' experience treating plantar fasciitis - orthotics will cure it in 3 weeks
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The FootLab
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The FootLab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The FootLab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Sneaker ImpactminorThe FootLab serves as a drop-off location for Sneaker Impact's shoe recycling program. Customers can drop gently used footwear at The FootLab, which gets packaged and sent to Sneaker Impact when the container is full. The program reduces landfill waste, creates businesses in developing countries, and provides shoes to those who cannot afford them.
- Dr. ComfortcoreThe FootLab recommends and can order Dr. Comfort orthopedic footwear. They offer shoes in various widths to accommodate different foot shapes, with styles from casual sneakers to dress shoes. The Dr. Comfort line is particularly focused on diabetic footwear. Customers select styles from a catalog and The FootLab builds custom orthotics to fit.
- Medical Professionals (Podiatrists, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists)coreThe FootLab operates as a custom orthotics vendor for medical professionals including podiatrists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. They accept referrals and fabricate orthotics for patients prescribed by these providers. Also offer to send sample orthotics to doctors for quality evaluation.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The FootLab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Podimetrics: Podiatric-technology company offering remote foot-temperature monitoring for diabetic-foot ulcer prevention. Comparable as an adjacent/emerging player serving podiatrists and diabetic-foot patients, indirectly competing for the same clinical referral channel.
Direct peers
- Foot Levelers: National custom-orthotics manufacturer and practitioner-supplier with a broad product line of custom spinal-pelvic orthotics. Comparable because it competes for the same end-customer and practitioner referral channel in custom orthotics.
- Sole Supports: Custom-orthotics lab that fabricates devices from practitioner-captured casts. Comparable because it offers custom-molded orthotics to a similar patient profile (pronation, plantar fasciitis, biomechanical pain) and competes for the same referral business.
- Superfeet Worldwide: Premium OTC insole brand (sold through FootLab as a complementary product) and provider of 3D-printed custom insoles. Comparable because it sits in the same customer consideration set — from OTC to custom — and uses similar practitioner and retail channels.
- Cascade Dafo: Custom pediatric and adult ankle-foot orthotics manufacturer. Comparable because it serves overlapping pediatric and biomechanics segments and competes for the same referral-based custom-orthotic orders.
- KLM Laboratories / KLM Orthotic Lab: Independent custom-orthotic fabrication lab serving practitioners. Comparable because it offers custom-molded devices from practitioner prescriptions and competes for medical-professional referral volume.
Emerging players
- Upstep: Direct-to-consumer custom orthotics brand using mail-order impression kits and 3D printing. Comparable because it targets the same cash-pay custom-orthotic customer with a digital, no-visit alternative to The FootLab's in-person model.
- Powerstep: Prefabricated orthotic insoles sold OTC through retail and clinic channels. Comparable because it occupies the lower-price tier in the same orthotic-decision journey and competes for first-time buyers who might otherwise upgrade to custom.
Broad incumbents
- Dr. Comfort: National orthopedic and diabetic footwear brand, distributed through FootLab as a catalog reseller. Comparable because it offers medical-grade footwear that pairs with custom orthotics, competing for the diabetic-foot and medical-footwear customer.
- Langer Biomechanics: Established orthotic components and prefabricated-device supplier serving practitioners and clinics. Comparable because it competes in the practitioner-supply stack and offers both preformed and custom solutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The FootLab social profiles
Digital presenceThe FootLab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The FootLab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The FootLab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The FootLab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The FootLab
What does The FootLab do?
The FootLab fabricates custom molded orthotics on-site in approximately one hour using a proprietary Direct Mold Custom Orthotic Fabrication Process performed by Certified Pedorthists. They also offer gait analysis assessments, free foot evaluations, ski boot alignment/grinding services, orthopedic shoes, and a range of over-the-counter footcare products including premium insoles, prefabricated orthotics, pediatric orthotics, and medical footcare accessories.
Is The FootLab a public or private company?
The FootLab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The FootLab founded?
The FootLab was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The FootLab based?
The FootLab is headquartered in White Bear Lake, United States, in the North America region.
How does The FootLab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Orthotics Sales are the primary driver. The others are orthopedic Shoes, footcare Products and ski Boot Services.
Who are The FootLab's main competitors?
Podimetrics is listed as an others. Direct peers are Foot Levelers, Sole Supports, Superfeet Worldwide, Cascade Dafo and KLM Laboratories / KLM Orthotic Lab. Emerging players are Upstep and Powerstep. Broad incumbents are Dr. Comfort and Langer Biomechanics.
Does The FootLab have an API?
No public API is recorded for The FootLab.
What industry is The FootLab in?
The FootLab's product category is Custom Orthotics / Pedorthic Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAADAG, Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail, with a secondary code of CRADAMAL, Foot Care & Orthotics OTC (Corn/Callus Care, Insoles, Athlete’s Foot Treatments). Its NAICS code is 621391 and its SIC code is 3842.