Finding The Best Boot Insoles For Your Feet
Do you tend to wear boots for doing manual work, or just for looking stylish? Do your feet also tend to hurt after standing and walking for long periods of time? If you answered “yes” to either or both of these two questions, then you probably might want to consider getting insoles.
True, not only are insoles designed for regular sportswear such as running, but they can also be used for other activities, such as walking and hiking, as well as different shoe types, including boots. Although it might seem like a different aspect to getting insoles for boots than sportswear, you might be surprised to find that the process is very similar to it.
That said, in this article we will give you tips on how to find the best boot insoles for your feet, as well as recommend you a few of our top choices to consider purchasing the next time. Soon enough, your feet will be comfortable and aching no longer. Without further ado, let’s get started!
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Product Name | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Timberland PRO Unisex Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole | A | $ | |
A+ | $ | ||
A | $ | ||
A | $ | ||
A | $ |
How to pick the best boot insoles
When it comes to selecting good insoles for boots, the process is just like any other type of shoe out there, whether it is running shoes, ballet flats, or casual sneakers. Here are a couple of aspects to consider when picking out your insoles:
- Comfort vs. sports.
The first thing to take a look at is just what type of insole do you want and need for your day-to-day life. While the design of the different insole types are not that dissimilar, their functions make a difference in how you feel throughout your day:
- Comfort insoles. These particular type of insoles are often worn for more-casual activities, such as walking or standing on your feet all day long. They can be inserted into just about any shoe, even running shoes, and provide extra cushion and sometimes memory foam inside of them.
- Sports insoles. As the name suggests, these type of insoles are used for sportswear, such as running, hiking, and basketball. While they still provide some cushioning, sports insoles are firmer and offer stability for balance under strenuous workouts, in order to keep the feet supported and even correctly aligned with the rest of the body, as means of preventing injuries.
- High vs. low volume.
In essence, volume refers to the thickness of the insole, as well as refers to how much cushion it will provide for the feet.
Basically speaking, high-volume insoles have a thicker look to them that are often inserted into sportswear such as running and hiking shoes. On the other hand, low-volume insoles are thinner and used for more casual wear, such as walking, cycling, or skating.
- Arch type.
Just like with any insole out there, it is necessary to pay attention to your arch type when picking out the best insole for your feet. The different arch types are as follow:
- High arch. Having a high arch is when the arch is raised, to the point that the imprint in the middle of the foot is non-existent. As a result, it can lead to an abnormal pronation, in which the ankles and toes are under extra pressure.
- Medium arch. Considered the “ideal” arch to have, the medium arch strikes a balance between both high and low arches and tends to be the most stable. However, it is rare among people to have this particular arch type.
Via: Amazon.com
- Low arch. Also known as having a “flat foot,” low arches are when the imprint in the middle of the foot is heavily emphasized, as if having a “collapsed arch.” It is a common type among runners and it can lead to over-pronation, which increases risks of injuries.
To find out just what arch type you have, you can take a “Wet Test,” in which you dip your feet into water and place it on a paper towel. The imprint will then determine if your arch is invisible, visible, or heavily visible for high, medium, and low arches, respectively.
Further Reading:
Top Five Best Boot Insoles for your Feet
These removable insoles from Timberland contain an Ortholite layer on the top for extra comfort that reduces foot fatigue. It also has a footbed cradle to keep your feet snug and stable for just about any strenuous activity in your boots.
Pros
- Top layer of the insole has a temperature-regulation feature and odor control for cool and clean feet.
- Material is made from leather and a synthetic sole for durability and flexibility, respectively.
- Adapts to the shape of your foot with its arch feature.
Cons
- A bit thinner than other high-volume footbeds, which might not be ideal for day-long activities on your feet.
- Might need to be trimmed to fit the inside of your boot.
Opinion
When I purchased Timberland’s boot insole, I found it to be quite comfortable and enjoyed its moisture-wick technology, especially when I am usually out and about all day on my feet. I would say that the only problem was that I needed to trim it down to fit my boots, but then again I have rather small feet to begin with.
With a gel-cushioning system for shock absorbance and heel stability, Ariat’s boot insoles are best for rough-and-tough activities like hiking and mountain climbing. They are especially good for round-toed individuals, since it is cut to fit those particular type of foot shape.
Pros
- Has innovation technology for reduce shock impact while also supporting the heel.
- Consists of a round-toed shape for a more spacious and comfortable foot-wearing experience.
- Durable, able to last all-year round.
Cons
- While thicker than other models, it might be too thick to fit into certain boots.
Opinion
Considering that I have low arches, I tend to heel strike quite frequently, and so I find Ariat’s boot insoles to help me maintain heel support and stability. However, I also find it a bit too big for me, and needed to trim it down to fit my boots.
SOLE’s Softec technology strikes a balance between cushioning with low-volume, as means of providing you comfort while also not being too thick to fit inside your boots. It offers enough padding and arch support to help improve posture and reduce feet fatigue while out all day.
Pros
- Consists of Softec technology for cushioning and low-volume thickness for comfort and support.
- Has padding to help with better posture and decrease fatigue.
- Is waterproof, so you can wear them when in the rain or working in the bog.
Cons
- Material might be too firm and geared toward high arches, which might not account for all different foot and arch types.
Opinion
I really enjoyed the Softec technology of SOLE’s boot insoles, as I found it to be very comfortable and supportive. The waterproof feature is also a plus. Only thing was that I have low arches and I felt that I was not getting enough support from the arch area, which made it a bit awkward at times to walk in.
Consisting of a deep heel cup to cradle your heel inside, Superfeet’s insoles offer stability and support for just about any strenuous activities in boots, from farming to hiking to even herding. That said, its durability and versatility can be applied to any kind of work out there.
Pros
- Is comfortable and supportive for being on your feet for the entire day.
- Offers a deep heel cup for keeping your heels snug and supported.
- Can alleviate the pain from sports-induced injuries like plantar fasciitis.
Cons
- Is geared towards high-arched feet, so not ideal for other arch types.
- Can be a bit too firm with its plastic material underneath the insole.
Opinion
Superfeet’s deep heel cup was quite a nice touch to the insoles themselves, as I felt my heel being stable when moving around all day. At the same time, though, the firmness from the plastic bottom felt a bit too much and not as supportive as I had wanted.
Miscly’s insoles provide gel-cushioning comfort, as well as an anti-slip polyester material to prevent your feet from sliding all over within the boots, as well as to reduce friction. Its foam middle layer helps secure arch support while also keeping it comfortable for the foot itself.
Pros
- Its trim-to-fit feature accounts for almost all shoe sizes, from small to large ones.
- Is comfortable to reduce soreness and muscle fatigue, as well as speeding up recovery.
- Good for walking/running on concrete and other hard surfaces.
Cons
- Front area of the insoles can be quite thin, so not as supportive on the toes as expected.
- Design might be a bit too narrow for wide-foot individuals.
Opinion
Since I tend to walk on hard surfaces, Miscly’s insoles provide the cushion to reduce shock impact from such surfaces. Yet, my feet tend to be on the wide end, so the narrow design of the insoles are a bit cramped for me.
Winner of the Roundup
Altogether, the winner of this roundup goes to Ariat Men's ATS Round Toe Footbeds (#2). Its high-volume, shock-absorption features make it not only cushioning, but also supportive for just about any high-impact activity out there. That said, we encourage you to consider products such as this one, which balances between comfort and support.
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