Insoles for Hiking buying guide

Love to go for long hiking trips but want to keep your feet safe, warm, and comfortable? Do you think it is not possible? Wait a second. Insoles for hiking shoes are here at your service.

The insoles provide you with the necessary support, stability, and comfort. You don't feel pain after some time, and you can avoid the frustrating sores and aches.

Selecting the right option for your shoes is crucial. With several options available, you can not select any product blindly. You have to look into the necessary elements. Flexibility, support, and type are some of the critical factors that you should look into while selecting the best option.

A buying guide provides you with all the information under one roof. You don't have to look into other sources. You also get answers to common questions and queries. With all the correct facts and details, you can make an informed purchase in no time.

So, starting with a quick introduction, let us dive into this immense guide.

What do you mean by Insoles for Hiking? Why do you need them?

They say that we have evolved from the primates or, in simple words, the monkeys. If you have noticed, our so-called 'ancestors' walk barefoot, and if you follow their footsteps, you will end up with a chaffed, bleeding foot sole.

Thanks to the fluffy footwear with the best quality of foam soles. These have successfully ruined your endurance and made you highly sophisticated. The matter is so grave that before removing your footwear, you need to think twice.

Shoes are the most potential footwear in this modern time. Everyone is chasing the best shoe in the market because, according to some saying, shoes protect your feet and don't affect your joints and muscles.

But wait! Who said that all the shoes protect your feet? Many aspects of a shoe can drastically affect your body. One of them being the insoles.

If you pick a pair of shoes with the wrong type of insole, you better watch your next step because you would be lying on the bed for weeks altogether.

Hiking involves a lot of different terrains, and you have to walk on them anyhow. With a shoe with the best insoles for hiking, you can gain a lot of advantage. These absorb shock and reduce the pressure on your vital joints.

Your entire body weight is evenly distributed across your shoe's insole. This helps in reducing body aches and helps you enjoy your hiking trip. Hence, to have the best hiking time, invest in the insole that suits your feet.

Shoe Insole Terminology

Before proceeding further, let's get familiar with some unknown terminologies related to the shoe insole industry. This will help you understand things better and make the right choice.

1. Antimicrobial

This is a significant feature of this foot supporter. It helps keep odor at bay and doesn't allow the growth of microbes that may cause infection.

2. Gel

The gel is used in the shoe insert to absorb the shock generated while you walk or run. Thanks to this shock absorption, you don't feel tired or any pain.

3. Low Friction Top Cover

You should opt for shoe insoles that have low friction top covers. These covers reduce the friction generated between your foot's sole and the insole. When this friction is reduced, you can walk or run more comfortably.

4. Metatarsal Pads/raises

Metatarsals are the bones that originate from your ankles and move towards your toes. These bones are vital and should be accurately supported by your shoe. You should opt for the inserts that have metatarsal pads or raises. This padding will enhance your comfort level.

5. Bulk Sizing

There are many different sizes of insoles available. You should look for the one that fits you well. You will find insoles with many size ranges that are of high quality while others are cheap and feature only one size.

To have a high-quality insole that is durable and gives you good support, you should opt for the one that comes in various sizes.

6. Trimmable Insole

A trimmable insole offers you the liberty to tailor it the way you want. There are shoes that either have wide or a long insole in them. Walking is all about comfort and reduced pressure. Hence, you should look for the trimmable ones because you can easily alter them according to your convenience.

Shoe Inserts vs. Insoles vs. Orthotics

In hiking shoes, you will most commonly find a device that is placed to enhance your comfort level and provide support to your legs. These devices are known as orthotics.

While this is one of its kind, you will also find other kinds known as shoe inserts and insoles. The section below will give you a brief of all these three types combined into two categories. This categorization will help you know which one is beneficial for you.

1. Over the Counter Shoe Inserts

To get these, you don't need to visit any doctor. You get them along with the shoe while making your purchase. These are further divided into two categories.

1. Partial Shoe Inserts

1. Heel Cups

These provide support to your heel and are made either from gel or plastic. These mitigate your heel pain.

2. Heel lifts

If you have a calf muscle injury and don't want that region to experience any pain, you need these lifts to raise your heel. The rise in your heel height removes your calf muscles' pressure and transfers it to the heel.

These also help to rectify the issue in leg lengths. If you have this issue and find it difficult to walk, these lifts will level up your heel and maintain the same leg length.

3. 2/3 length Shoe Inserts

This insert, unlike the full-length shoe insert, ends near your foot's ball. If you are a ballet dancer and wear those kinds of shoes, having these inserts will change your life.

2. Full-Length Insoles

These are the other variants of the over the counter shoe inserts. These, too, include different parts. Let's have a look at each.

1. Heat moldable insoles

As the name says, 'moldable' insoles can get accustomed according to your foot's shape. All you need to do is heat this insole using your over and then place it under your feel and mold it.

Heating makes it stretchable so that it can easily take the shape of your foot. The drawback is that, due to regular heating, this insole is not very durable.

2. Cushioned Insoles

How fascinating and comfortable is it to walk on a soft surface? Have you ever experienced it? To create the same feeling, these insoles are made using gel and foam. These two materials impart a smooth texture to the insole that helps you stay comfortable.

These help relieve pain but do not provide any support to your foot's arch. For getting arch support to enhance your biomechanics, you can opt for the arch support insoles.

2. Custom Orthotics

These inserts are either doctor prescribed or customized to support your foot. You will find two variants of custom orthotics.

1. Accommodative orthotics

If you have painful calluses on your foot's soles and find it difficult to step on any surface, accommodative orthotics are designed just for you. These are custom made to offer you maximum comfort and remove the pain.

2. Functional orthotics

These also help to treat injuries and pain. These are designed to control the abnormal motion of your foot, which results in pain.

These are made from plastic and semi-rigid material like carbon fiber. These provide an appropriate amount of arch support to your foot that you look for in every shoe.

Things to deem about while selecting appropriate Insoles for Hiking

Now that you have learned the various advantages of using insoles for hiking, it's time to put some light on their crucial aspects. Without any further ado, let's quickly have a look at each of them.

Volume

The volume of any insole determines the amount of space it will occupy inside the shoes. Based on that, insoles for hiking feature three different kinds to match your convenience. Hence, depending on your requirement, you can opt for the one that suits you.

1. High-volume Insoles

If you have a high foot arch, you should search for high-volume insoles. These insoles can easily get accommodated in hiking boots, ski boots, and running shoes.

2. Medium Volume insole

If you want to wear casual shoes or the ones that aid in your sports, medium volume insoles are an apt choice. You get access to varying arch supports and get great comfort.

3. Low volume insoles

To enhance your cycling skills and fulfill the desire for ice skating, you will have to look for the insoles that occupy less space. It is the best option if you have a foot with low arch design.

Fit

What's the purpose of buying a hiking shoe if you don't get enough comfort and support from it? The fit of these is governed by many factors that are listed below.

1. Heel slippage

Some shoes fit you well, but you may find that your heels are slipping. To negate this problem, you should use high to medium volume insoles for hiking.

These insoles strike the right balance in volume throughout your shoe. This removes the problem of heel slippage and prevents the eruption of blisters.

2. Foot Elongation

If you are one of those who face foot elongation issues, there is an instant solution for you. With a supporting insole, you can maintain the same foot level while standing.

This aids in providing you the necessary support and negates sizing whenever you are out hunting for the perfect footwear.

3. Low or collapsed arches

Many of you might be having a flat foot or low arch. This structure of the foot demands for better arch support to stay comfortable. But arch support alone doesn't suffice.

To fulfill all the needs of your foot, you should opt for a better fitting supporting insole. These support your entire foot and distribute the pressure evenly. This enhances your comfort level and helps you continue walking.

Materials

The material of your footwear's insole plays a significant role. It affects its durability and performance. Insoles for hiking activities are made from the following materials.

1. Gel

The gel is a highly durable material. It does not get compressed with regular use and maintains its shape.

It is relatively easy to clean and efficient in absorbing shock. The drawback is it adds weight to your shoe's insole. Besides, a gel is not breathable and hence, can retain odor.

2. Cork

Cork is a lightweight material and has moisture-wicking properties. This does not retain odor and keeps your foot protected. It is soft yet strong enough to ensure pressure.

3. Air

The foam of your insole has air bubbles in it. These function the same way the gel insoles do. The only difference is these are breathable, and hence, odor retaining is not their job.

4. Foam

Memory foam is used to make the insoles, but these compress over time. The main advantages are lightweight, shock absorption, and optimum comfort.

Durability

Insoles for hiking are made from sturdy materials that can endure rugged use and high-intensity pressure. These maintain their shape and don't get damaged even after regular use.

These insoles have a long lifespan, but it entirely depends on how you use it. These are so tough that they don't get compressed quickly and keep absorbing the abuse.

You can use them in any terrain, whether it be rocky or concrete. They don't give you pain and provide an adequate amount of support.

Flexibility

While hiking, your feet always move, and so it changes its position. If your insole is not flexible enough, it would be troublesome to walk in your shoe. You will have pain and many more injuries. The flexibility of your shoe is paramount and should not be neglected.

To get the appropriate amount of support and comfort while walking and enjoying your hiking, switch to insoles for hiking. These insoles are very flexible and adapt themselves quickly to sudden changes.

You don't have to worry about anything while wearing a shoe with this kind of insole in it. These also offer maximum shock absorption and the freedom to step on anything.

Versatility

These insoles are incredibly versatile and have maintained the right balance between the amount of cushioning and the support offered. These insoles can be used in different shoes because of this correct balance, match different arch shapes and sports.

The incredible comfort and support that these provide the help you perform various activities like jogging, jumping, running, etc. You can also do ice skating and skiing using these.

The significant benefit of investing in these insoles lies in their use. These can be easily inserted inside your footwear and taken out. You can effortlessly clean it and use it again.

Type

Different types of insoles are used to treat different kinds of issues. Insoles for hiking are so versatile that these can be used as a remedy for multiple problems. Let's see how these can be used to treat different ailments.

1. Orthotic insoles

Whether it is a pain in the vital joints or muscles, orthotic insoles have the cure. These, with their unique design and features, help remove all the difficulties you are experiencing and make your life easier.

2. Support Insoles

1. High Profile Insoles

If you have a flat foot with no arch, you should opt for these insoles.

2. Medium Profile Insoles

You don't need to focus on your foot design and type. These insoles suit almost all kinds of shapes and sizes of feet and are very comfortable.

3. Low Profile Insoles

If you have a beautiful foot arch and don't need any extra support, you can always look for low profile insoles.

Comfort

Hiking is a very tiring activity. You have to walk long distances irrespective of the weather and terrain. To help endure the strain and keep you comfortable, you should opt for these insoles. Their sturdiness and stability keep you comfortable all along the way.

There are times when your ankle might twist. Thanks to these divine creations, you don't get sprains. These adapt themselves to match your movements and keep your feet protected.

Another factor that affects the insole's comfort is feet sweat. While walking, you sweat a lot. This demands an insole that can absorb the sweat and does not retain odor. Insoles for hiking are designed, keeping in mind all these essential requirements.

These are made from materials like cork, air bubble, foam, etc. that are very breathable and let the sweat evaporate. Due to this moisture-wicking ability, your shoes don't stink and stay fresh.

Support

Insoles for hiking are popular among athletes and hikers because of the outstanding amount of support. This is the most crucial aspect of these that sets them apart from other insoles.

Whichever terrain you walk on and whatever is the shape of your foot's arch, you have got all covered. These provide support to your arch, heel, metatarsals, and the foot front. Remember that while you plan for hiking, try to opt for sturdy insoles.

These provide support to your entire foot while you are hiking. These prevent sprains and injuries and keep you protected.

Also, opt for supportive insoles only when you need to support your foot's arch. If you don't feel the need to support your foot's arch, you can just focus on the rigid one.

Material Characteristics

The nature of the material of your footwear's insole has a significant effect on your decision. While you may be wanting a specific type of insole, with no knowledge, you may end up buying the wrong one. To help you, we have mentioned some material characteristics below that will help you with your purchase.

1. Waterproof

If you are hiking during the monsoon period or different season, but in a wet area, you should look for waterproof insoles. These won't let water penetrate inside and will keep your foot dry.

2. Weighted

Some individuals are very health conscious and look for different ways of exercising. If you are also a fitness freak like them, you have a great option of weighted insoles.

These are heavier when compared to others. This extra weight enables you to have a light workout every time you start your hike.

3. Cushioned

Having a cushioned insole absorbs the maximum amount of shock and keeps your foot safe. This also provides maximum comfort and support to your feet. This choice also helps you to stay away from body fatigue.

How to take care of Insoles?

To enhance the durability of your footwear's insoles and keep them working for long, follow the steps below.

Your footwear's insole is continuously in contact with sweat and dirt and absorbs it to keep you comfortable. Hence, after every usage, ensure that you air dry them. Also, to remove the stuck dirt, use a brush, and clean it. If the soil stays long, it will damage the insole's material.

If you are near any water source and have plenty of time and water, you can wash your insole. Wash it with mild fabric-friendly soap and cold water. After washing, leave it in the air to dry.

Follow these cleaning guidelines to keep your insoles intact so that they can pay off your investments and support you on every trip.

FAQs

1. After how long should I change the insoles of my shoes?

It entirely depends on the steps you take. Typically, the lifespan of the product is 12 months. However, if you feel that your feet are experiencing some pain, then you should change the insoles right away.

2. How should I select the type of insoles for my shoes?

You have to consider the arch shape of your feet. Also, the type varies according to your walking style. So look into every element and make an informed purchase.

3. Is the product worth buying?

Yes, the insoles save you from the trouble of buying a new pair of hiking shoes. The product provides proper cushioning and support and can be easily changed. They come with a pocket-friendly price tag and keep your feet safe from pain, sores, and aches.

Summing Up

With all the information under your possession, what are you waiting for? Read the critical pointers mentioned in the guide and select an elite product.

The insoles for hiking shoes keep your feet safe and provide the required warmth and support. So, invest in an excellent option to enjoy your hiking expedition.