How to Choose Insoles

Do you hike, backpack, run, ski or cycle? Do foot aches, blisters, hot spots or discomfort hamper the enjoyment of your activities? If so, you may want to consider the extra comfort and support provided by aftermarket insoles.

Stock insoles in performance boots and shoes are typically inexpensive fillers. Aftermarket insoles or shoe inserts can better tailor your footwear's fit, support and comfort to your feet.

Types of Insoles

The types of insoles you'll find at REI are sometimes called "support" or "sport" insoles. They feature a harder material for structural support and stability. Comfort is derived from the increased stability rather than direct cushioning. This differs from the soft, cushy insoles that you might find at your local drug store.

Supportive insoles are best for the following conditions:

• Structural misalignment, which can manifest not only as foot pain, but discomfort in the ankles, knees, hip, back, neck or head.
• Plantar fasciitis: Medical professionals routinely recommend the use of a supportive insole as part of the treatment protocol for this painful condition resulting from tears in the plantar fascia—a band of connective tissue which connects the heel to the forefoot.
• Supination or over-pronation: Support insoles moderate a tendency for the feet to either supinate (roll out) or overpronate (excessive rolling in) when walking or running. 

Though not customized to an individual foot, support insoles come in different models and profiles to suit most foot shapes or footwear types.

Insole Volume

Insoles come in different volumes, which means that they take up different amounts of space inside your footwear. For most insoles, there is also a correlation between volume and the arch shape that the insole is designed to fit.

High-volume insoles best suit high-volume shoes such as hiking boots, ski boots or running shoes. They typically work best with high arches.

Medium-volume insoles fit average-volume shoes, like casual shoes and some athletic footwear. They work well with a variety of arch profiles.

Low-volume insoles are needed for low-volume shoes such as a cycling shoes, in-line skate boots or ski skate boots. People with very low arches often find a low-volume insole works best for them.

(Note: The thickness of your socks will also have a big influence on footwear fit.)

Common Footwear Fit Problems

If you have any of the following common fit problems, insoles may help. Insoles vary in heel and arch dimensions; an REI footwear specialist can assess your feet to see which type works best.

Heel slippage: A shoe that fits well in the mid- and forefoot but allows heel slippage or lift may be improved with a supportive, mid- to high-volume insole. This reduces excess volume in the rear of the shoe and stabilizes the heel of the foot, minimizing the heel slip that can cause hot spots and blisters.

Foot elongation: For those with significant foot elongation in one or both feet when measured standing as compared to sitting, a supportive insole can help. This reduces foot elongation when weight bearing, creating a better fit and lessening the need to size up when buying footwear.

Low or collapsed arches: People who have low or collapsed arches often ask for “arch support” insoles. What is really needed, though, is “foot support” which helps stimulate the arch muscles to be engaged and active. A supportive insole stabilizes the heel and distributes pressure across the base of the foot, instead of concentrating pressure into the arch area. Direct arch support is actually uncomfortable for many people since it inhibits the normal flexing of the foot.