How to choose the right insoles

You’ve picked out a brand new pair of shoes. Maybe they’re a sleek pair of running shoes for the trail, or a stylish pair of heels for a night out. Whatever they may be, your new shoes may be missing something very important: proper support. 

Shoe insoles are not only for those suffering from foot ailments or disorders. Modern shoes are not always designed with comfort and correct anatomical positioning in mind. While your new pair of shoes may look great on your feet, they may not be the best thing for your feet in the long term, and that is where insoles come into play.

What Are Insoles?

Insoles are pieces of padded material that are placed inside your shoes or boots for extra comfort, warmth and a better fit. Sometimes referred to as ‘foot beds’, insoles are designed to add support to shoes as well as make them more comfortable to wear. While insoles don’t physically make a shoe smaller, they fill out the empty space between your feet and the inside of the shoe.

Are Insoles The Same As Orthotics?

The words ‘insole’ and ‘orthotic’ are often used interchangeably, however they are not exactly the same. Orthotics are similar to insoles in that they provide cushioning, padding, and support to your shoes however they differ in that they are custom-made for your foot shape whereas insoles are more generalized and not an exact custom fit. Both insoles and orthotics can cushion against shock, protect your feet and also provide extra support in your shoes.

Common Reasons To Buy Insoles

There are many benefits to wearing insoles or orthotics. Most notably, insoles can help relieve pain from an existing condition, or provide support to your shoes in order to prevent a condition from worsening or even happening in the first place. As always, if you are experiencing pain you should consult your doctor before trying any treatments.

Relieve Pain

There are a variety of insoles designed to relieve pain and provide support for various foot conditions and ailments. Below are some of the top conditions we have seen across our customers as reasons for buying insoles.

Plantar Fasciitis & Arch Pain

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. If you strain this tissue it can become swollen and inflamed causing pain in your heel and throughout your entire arch when you stand or walk. Learn more about plantar fasciitis.

Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is pain, numbness, or tingling in the forefoot, especially between the 3rd and 4th toes. The pain is due to the thickening of the nerve that supplies the sensation to the area between the toes. Other names for the condition are Morton’s metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuralgia, plantar neuroma, and intermetatarsal neuroma. Learn more about morton’s neuroma.

Metatarsalgia & Ball-of-Foot Pain

Metatarsalgia (also called ball of foot pain) is a broad term and there may be a more specific term that can be used for the specific condition. You may experience aching or burning beneath the ball of the foot and you may feel as if you have a pebble in your shoe. The discomfort is often made worse with standing or walking activities. Learn more about ball of foot pain.

Back pain

Nearly everyone experiences back pain during their life. Back pain can be aching or throbbing or pinching and the intensity can range from mild to severe. There are a variety of causes for back pain, poor support for your feet could be one of them. Learn more about back pain.

Knee pain

There are a variety of causes for knee pain, such as arthritis, cartilage tears, and tendonitis. If you are experiencing knee pain another factor that is good to keep under consideration is how you are walking. This is the kind of knee pain that stems from your feet and arches. Learn more about knee pain.>

Shin splints

Have a throbbing or aching in your shins after running, or even after just a short sprint? You may be experiencing shin splints. Shin splints are a common development for those who frequently participate in strenuous physical activity, especially stop and start sports. Learn more about shin splints.

Gout

Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints most commonly isolated to the joint at the base of the big toe. This type of arthritis is severely painful and causes great discomfort while walking. Someone with this condition will experience extreme tenderness along the joint line as well as skin warmth and swelling. Learn more about gout.

Provide Support

Insoles can provide added support to your shoes to reduce your risk of injury as well as prevent injuries from worsening. From overpronation to arthritis, there are many ways insoles can provide support to your shoes and keep you on your feet.

Overpronation

People with low or flexible arches however may be at risk of overpronation - a condition when the arches of the foot roll inward/downward more than normal when walking. Pronation is a natural movement of the foot, however if your ankle rolls too much you are over-pronating and at risk of injuries to the foot or ankle. Learn more about overpronation.

Provide support for arthritis 

There are different types of arthritis which commonly affect the foot or ankle, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Arthritic pain can range from mild to severe. Each type of arthritis can cause different symptoms, but in all of them inflammation is a factor. Learn more about arthritis.

Provide support for diabetes

When you have diabetes, you are more susceptible to foot problems developing. Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. These include neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, calluses, foot ulcers, and poor circulation. If these conditions are not properly treated, they can lead to serious complications and at times they can lead to amputation. Learn more about diabetes.

Types Of Insoles

Orthotic Arch Supports

Orthotic arch supports are insoles that feature a rigid or semi-rigid support plate or support platform. Also called ‘orthotic insoles’, ‘arch supports’, or ‘orthotics’ these insoles help ensure your foot maintains a natural and healthy shape throughout the day.

Orthotics support your foot by focusing on the main areas of the foot: the arch and the heel. Orthotics are designed with built-in arch support to prevent the collapse of the arch as well as a heel cup to stabilize your ankle. Orthotics are a great option for preventing plantar fasciitis or arch pain. Additionally they ensure natural foot movement as you walk which can prevent over-pronation or supination.

Cushioned Arch Supports

While orthotics provide rigid or semi-rigid arch support, cushioned arch supports provide flexible arch support made from padded cushioning to your shoes.

Cushioned arch supports may also be called "arch cushions." These insoles are designed to provide some support for the foot while focusing primarily on providing maximum cushioning. This is particularly useful in situations where proper support is desired, but the primary goal of the insole is to provide relief from foot fatigue. Walkers/runners seeking cushioned support tend to prefer cushioned arch supports over orthotic arch supports, and people who spend all day standing but otherwise suffer from no foot conditions benefit most from cushioned arch supports.

Flat Cushions

Flat cushioning insoles provide no arch support at all - however they are still very useful in that they provide a cushioning liner for any shoe. These insoles are not designed to provide support, rather they can be placed in a shoe as a replacement liner, or to add a bit of extra cushioning for your feet. The Spenco classic comfort insole is a perfect example of extra cushioning with no added arch support.

Athletic/Sport Insoles

Athletic or sports insoles are often more specialized and technical than standard insoles - which makes sense, they are engineered for optimal performance. Athletic insoles are designed with specific functions or sports in mind.

For example, runners typically require good heel & forefoot padding as well as a foot support system to assist with their heel-to-toe (gait) movement. Cyclists require more arch support and support on the forefoot. And those who partake in snow sports like skiing or snowboarding will need warm insoles that retain heat and cushion their boots. Check out our full list of insoles by activity.

Heavy Duty Insoles

For those who work in construction, service work, or are on their feet all day and need some extra support, heavy duty insoles may be required to provide the support you need. Heavy duty insoles are designed to add reinforced cushioning and support, browse our insoles for work to find a pair that are right for you.

High Heel Insoles

Heels may be stylish, but they can also be painful (and put you at risk of foot injury). As a result, adding slender, low-profile insoles can add support to keep you on your feet and prevent injury when wearing heels. We carry a number of high heel insoles including the Superfeet Easyfit high heel and the Superfeet Everyday high heel.

What Are Insoles Made Of?

Heat-Moldable Insoles

Some insoles conform to the shape of your foot (like memory foam). Others are trimmable. And others are designed to conform perfectly to the shape of your foot when heat is applied. By heating these insoles for a short time in the oven and then standing on the insoles while they cool, you are able to mold the insoles to your unique foot shape instantly. For a perfectly custom fit, opt for heat moldable insoles. Browse our selection of Form heat moldable insoles to find the perfect insert for you.

Wool Insoles

Going skiing? How about golfing on a hot day? Wool insoles may be the perfect addition to your boots to provide support, and warmth through any winter sport. Not only do wool insoles provide support to any shoe, they also help regulate and maintain the temperature of your feet, whether in the hot or cold. As a result wool insoles are great for hot and cold weather: wear them to keep cool in the summer when golfing or going for walks, or put them in your winter shoes to keep warm during the cold. Check out our Superfeet wool insoles to add insulation and comfort to your shoes any season.

Memory Foam Insoles

Memory foam isn’t just for your mattress - memory foam’s incredible softness and ability to retain shapes makes it a perfect material for insoles. Memory foam insoles are great for folks looking to add a soft, plush layer to their shoes.

Half vs full-size insoles

Not only do insoles come in a variety of materials, you can also buy half-size insoles or full-size insoles!

Beyond size, there is a key difference between these to be aware of. Full-length insoles provide a little extra cushioning in the forefoot. These may be high volume (they take up a lot of space and usually have more cushion) or low volume (they take up minimal space with a minimal amount of cushion). Full-length insoles tend to be used in place of the removable liner that comes with most shoes to provide better (or more specific) support. 

Meanwhile, half-insoles (also called short insoles or three-quarter insoles) are designed to fit in shoes that do not have a removable insert. This allows you to add support to shoes that otherwise would not allow you to add an insole to them. Typically this would be dress shoes, flats, boat shoes, or high heels. These also work well in winter boots and fashion boots.

What To Look For When Buying Insoles

Suddenly those thin inserts at the bottom of your shoes are looking a lot more sophisticated. Don’t worry, we’ve got a simple checklist to keep in mind when evaluating different insoles and choosing the right insole for you. 

Insoles For The Right Activity

You may want to choose different insoles for high impact activity and low impact activity. Insoles designed for hiking may not be the same for ones optimized for soccer. There are two reasons for this: specifically designed shoes for activities will vary, as will the type of support you need during that activity. 

It’s important to take the activity into consideration when choosing insole - are you getting a pair for your favorite hiking boots or your heels?  Do you need an insole for standing all day or for running? You can browse our full list of activities to help narrow down your choices.

Insole That Are Properly Sized

The size of the insole is obviously pretty important - they need to fit in your shoes after all. Insoles are typically sized by a range of shoe sizes (for example, Men’s 9-11). For most insoles this is because they are designed to be trimmed down to fit your shoe perfectly.  If you know your foot measurements then pick the insole that corresponds with your foot size. If you do not know your foot measurements then pick the insole that corresponds to the size of the specific shoe you are wanting to put it in.

For 3/4-length insoles and other insert pieces, the size range on the product denotes the footwear sizes in which the insoles/inserts can be comfortably used; 3/4-length insoles and inserts are usually not designed to be trimmed in any way. If you are between sizes (you wear a size 9.5 when the insoles are sized "8-9" and "10-11"), you should buy the next size up.

Read our full insole size guide for more information.

Insole Placement

Almost all full-length insoles are designed to completely replace the liner that comes with your shoe - only flat insoles can be added to a shoe without removing the insole that comes with it. ¾ length insoles on the other hand can be placed inside a shoe without removing the liner that comes with it.

Insoles For The Right Arch Type

This one is key - you should match your insoles to your arch types otherwise you risk painful arches and potential injury. If you are not familiar with your arch type, we have a guide on how to tell if you have flat feet as well as a guide on high arches. Arches usually fall into three buckets:

• Neutral/medium arches
• Low arches/flat feet/fallen arches
• High arches

When browsing insoles, take note of the arch types they are suited for and make sure you are purchasing an insole made for your arch type.

Footbed Type

Insoles and orthotic arch supports typically have one of four different footbed constructions: 

• Rigid orthotic arch support
• Semi-rigid orthotic arch support
• Cushioned arch support
• No arch support/flat cushion

The type of footbed that you need will be heavily dependent on why you are looking for an insole, and you should be sure that you browse products with a footbed type that will suit your needs.

Insole Material

Lastly, you need to consider material. Insoles come in a variety of  materials:

• Foam
• Gel
• Cork
• Leather
• Wool
• Plastazote
• EVA

Each material has its own advantage, but what it really comes down to is personal preference. Foam and gel are usually the best for cushioning and shock absorption while cork or rigid or semi-rigid plastic is usually best for support. Beyond that, go with what feels best and provides the support you need to your shoes.

How long do insoles last for?

How long your insoles or orthotics last will vary based on the brand, usage, and material of the insole.  Your weight and gait will also play into how long your insoles will last.

The higher the quality of your insoles, the longer they are likely to last. Still there are some variations, usually based on the materials your insoles are made out of.  Softer insoles, even when high quality, will tend to wear out faster than firm insoles.

We generally recommend replacing your insoles every 6-12 months. Most of our customers replace their insoles every 6-8 months to ensure they are as supportive as possible. Your mileage will vary.

How to know when it is time to replace your insoles

While every person and insole is different, here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your pair of insoles.

• Wearing and fading: If your insoles have a clearly worn spot or are starting to get a bit tattered then it may be time to replace them. It’s not about appearances, it’s about ensuring they are providing adequate support for your feet.
• Flattening/loss of comfort: if your insoles are not providing the same level of comfort or support that they used to, it may be time to replace them.
• Tearing or splitting: Eventually your insoles might be worn to the point of being torn or split. If that’s the case then it is time to replace them.

For some users and insoles, this might take 6 months while others may be able to wear the same pair of insoles for a year or more. Make sure to pay attention to how your insoles look and how well they are supporting your feet in order to make a decision.

If you find your favorite pair of insoles are a bit worse for wear, browse for a replacement in our shop!

How To Choose The Right Insoles For You

As you can see, there is quite a bit to choosing the right insole for you. If you need help determining which insole may work the best for your specific needs then try our Insole Advisor for a recommendation.

As a rule, start with the activity or type of foot pain along with which shoe type you need an insole for.  Narrow things down by your arch type and personal preference for materials. Insoles are a fantastic way to add support and cushioning to your shoes, as well as prevent or even help treat injury. With free shipping on all orders, you can purchase insoles easily to try on at home and find the perfect pair of insoles for you.