Sometimes you may have seen that some shoe models have in their product description that it has been granted The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval for its characteristics. What does this really mean and what characteristics should a shoe have to get The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval? Here I also give you running shoes from the most well-known running brands granted with The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval.
What is The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval?
The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval are certifications granted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to products that promote good foot health. The Seal of Acceptance is awarded to shoes, socks, insoles, materials, and equipment, while the Seal of Approval is given to therapeutic products like lotions, deodorizers, wound care treatments, regulated medical devices, and medicines.
To earn the seal, products are reviewed by APMA podiatrists to ensure they promote foot health, considering safety, quality control, and other data. The review process involves evaluating the product’s ability to allow normal foot function and promote quality foot health, alongside evidence of usefulness and safety established by recognized laboratory or clinical investigation.
Companies must provide extensive documentation including research, intended use, patents, composition, quality control procedures, and objective data from clinical or laboratory studies supporting product claims.
Products that lack documentation to substantiate claims, are primarily cosmetic, do not allow for normal foot function, or do not promote good foot health are rejected.
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Running Shoes Granted With The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval
For a list of specific shoes and other products that have been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance or Seal of Approval, you can visit the APMA’s official website, which provides a comprehensive directory of these products.
Here are the shoe models from some of the best-known running shoe brands that have been granted The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval:
Altra Footwear
- Escalante 2.5
- Lone Peak 5.0
- Paradigm 6.0
- Provision 6.0
- Timp 3.0
- Torin 5.0
ASICS America Corporation
- GEL-CUMULUS 25
- GEL-KAYANO 29
- GEL-NIMBUS 25
- GT-1000
- GT-2000
- GT-4000
Brooks Sports Inc.
- Addiction 14
- Addiction GTS 15
- Addiction Walker 12
- Adrenaline GTS 21
- Adrenaline GTS 23
- Beast 20/Ariel 20
- Dyad 11
- Ghost 13
- Ghost 15
- Ghost Max
- Glycerin 19
- Glycerin 20
- Glycerin GTS 19
- Glycerin GTS 20
- Glycerin GTS StealthFit 20
- Glycerin StealthFit 20
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HOKA ONE ONE
- Anacapa 2 Low GTX
- Anacapa 2 Mid GTX
- Anacapa Breeze Low
- Anacapa Breeze Mid
- Anacapa Low GTX
- Anacapa Mid GTX
- Arahi 3
- Arahi 4
- Arahi 5
- Arahi 6
- Bondi 6
- Bondi 7
- Bondi 8
- Bondi SR
- Bondi X
- Challenger 7
- Challenger ATR 6
- Clifton 5
- Clifton 6
- Clifton 7
- Clifton 8
- Clifton 9
- Gaviota 2
- Gaviota 3
- Gaviota 4
- Gaviota 5
- Kids Clifton 9
- Kids Ora Slide 3
- Kids Speedgoat 5
- ORA Recovery Flip
- ORA Recovery Slide
- Stinson 7
- Transport
Merrell
- Antora
- Hut
- Nova
New Balance
- 1540 v3 (men’s and women’s)
- Fresh Foam X 840 v1 Leather Walking (men’s and women’s)
- Fresh Foam X 840 v1 Mesh Running (men’s and women’s)
- Fresh Foam X 860v13 (women’s)
- Fresh Foam X 880v13 (men’s)
- Fresh Foam X More v4 (men’s and women’s)
- FuelCell Propel v4 (men’s and women’s)
- FuelCell Walker Elite (men’s and women’s)
Saucony Inc.
- Echelon 8
- Echelon 9
- Echelon Walker 3
- Endorphin Shift 2
- Endorphin Shift 3
- Guide 15
- Integrity Walker 3
- Omni 20
- Omni 21
- Omni Walker 3
- Ride 15
- Tempus
- Triumph 19
- Triumph 20
Topo Athletic
- Fli-Lyte 4
- Fli-Lyte 5
- Magnifly 4
- Phantom 2
- Phantom 3
- Rekovr 2
- Trailventure 2
- Ultrafly 4
- Ultraventure 2
- Ultraventure 3
Read more: Best running shoes for heavy people
FAQs about The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval
The APMA Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval are granted to products found to promote good foot health. The Seal of Acceptance is for products like shoes, socks, and insoles, while the Seal of Approval is for equipment, materials, and services.
Products are rigorously reviewed by a panel of APMA podiatrists to ensure they meet the Association’s criteria for safety, quality, and overall effectiveness in promoting foot health.
No. While products with the APMA Seal are beneficial for foot health, they may not be suitable for all foot conditions. It’s always best to consult a podiatrist for individual recommendations.
Yes. If a product no longer meets the APMA’s standards, or if the product changes significantly from the version that was originally approved, it can lose the Seal.
No, only those submitted by the manufacturer for review are considered for the Seal.
Yes, there is a fee for the application process and for maintaining the Seal, which is usually borne by the product manufacturer.
The APMA typically reviews products periodically to ensure ongoing compliance. The frequency of review may vary based on the product type.
Products like therapeutic footwear, insoles, socks, topical medications, and foot care devices are common recipients of the Seal.
The primary focus of the Seal is on foot health benefits. While some products with the Seal may also have environmentally friendly or ethical manufacturing practices, this is not a primary criterion for the Seal.
Consumers can find a list of approved products on the APMA website or look for the Seal on product packaging in stores.
