Insoles for Hiking

Hiking boots and shoes are readily equipped with insoles to support your feet, but they may be inadequate especially if used for long periods of time. Hiking insoles are available to provide additional padding to your shoes so you can continue to hike with ease and comfort.

  1. Definition

    • Hiking insoles are shoe inserts that you can put inside your hiking shoes or boots to increase support and improve fit while alleviating pain and discomfort. Hiking insoles can be used to replace the worn-out insoles of hiking shoes or as an added cushioning to existing ones. Hiking can put a lot of strain on your foot, especially during long backpacking trips when heavy loads are typically carried on a hiker's back. Some insoles are readily made while some are customized for hikers with a foot structural imbalance.

    Benefits

    • Hiking insoles provide shock absorption, motion-control, comfort and better fit when used with hiking footwear. They also give ample foot arch support to strengthen your feet. The added padding of insoles help to distribute your weight evenly over your foot, which improves balance and comfort. Using insoles may allow you to cover longer trail distances that were too uncomfortable to tackle before.

    Features

    • Look for insoles with features that specifically support the strains of hiking. Different brands offer varying features, styles and sizes. Manufacturers like Superfeet offer low-volume hiking insoles that take up less space. Low-volume insoles are ideal for close-fitting hiking shoes and for those with wide feet. Other features are full-length size for maximum stability, high-density closed-cell foam construction for cushioning, polypropylene heel caps, deep heel pockets, soft edges and extra cushioning for forefoot and heel strike.

    Consideration

    • Consult your physician before purchasing hiking insoles, especially if you have foot pain. According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, if you select the wrong type of shoe insoles, you could alter the mechanics of your walking gait, which may cause more problems. If you have a foot arch imbalance, you will need special insoles or pads to adjust the heel or front of your foot to correct arch deficiencies while providing arch support.