Compression Athlete
Here Are the Best Insoles for Your Boots
Dynamic support and comfort for hiking boots, work boots, and winter boots.
![Athlete hiking in boots and three insoles featured.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69158a_4c75a836b8b8449da5b6ced51a2ce792~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_490,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/69158a_4c75a836b8b8449da5b6ced51a2ce792~mv2.jpg)
Nothing beats a great pair of boots.
Tough, durable, and able to handle whatever terrain or elements that come your way.
And while it’s great to have confidence that your feet are protected on the outside, one of the most common queries associated with boots is how to improve your feet’s environment on the inside.
Whether you’re experiencing some form of pain when you’re on your feet (arch, ankle, knee, etc.) or you’re simply wondering if your footwear experience could be a little bit better, adding insoles to your boots might be just what you need.
A high-quality pair of insoles will improve support, comfort, and endurance for your feet, while also reducing your risk for injury and limiting wear and tear on your joints.
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing boots all day for work or for fun outdoor adventures, the more steps you take and the more miles you log on your feet, the more crucial adequate support and comfort becomes.
Here, we’ve put together a list of the best insoles for your boots with the top picks for adding comfort, support, and warmth to your feet, as well as for treating painful conditions like plantar fasciitis.
So, go ahead, grab a pair of these insoles and forge ahead on some much happier feet.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
Yes, insoles really do provide a beneficial boost.
In terms of comfort, support, and performance, adding insoles to your boots can offer you several benefits.
Whether you’re seeking general overall improvement or looking to address a specific condition, pain point, or area of discomfort, insoles are a great way to further customize your footwear to your needs.
While some are apprehensive to switch out the insoles that come with their boots, it’s important to keep in mind that factory insoles offer a very generic fit and, in some cases, can be relatively cheap.
![High-quality insoles versus factory insoles.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69158a_940e28e2b7864c498e73cc8ac2f9e228~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_490,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/69158a_940e28e2b7864c498e73cc8ac2f9e228~mv2.jpg)
If you pop out the factory insole of your boot and place it next to a high-quality option, you’ll be able to actually see the difference between the two.
One flat and flimsy while the other will look much more like the bottom of your foot with a cushioned heel cup and dynamic arch support.
The majority of insole benefits stem from 3 key design features.
It’s important to remember that even though impact starts at your feet as they meet the ground, that force can ripple throughout your body (to your ankles, knees, hips, and all the way up your spine and back).
Just ask anyone that’s on their feet all day or engages in high-impact activities how crucial it is to have the proper footwear.
When you add high-quality insoles to your boots, you’re improving the barrier between your feet and the ground (i.e. point of impact).
![Insoles improving barrier between feet and ground.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69158a_91b932b6d7b84418829b6d8b4c80220c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_490,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/69158a_91b932b6d7b84418829b6d8b4c80220c~mv2.jpg)
The specialized design of the insole improves biomechanics and posture in the body through three key design features.
1. Enhanced Arch Support: Supporting the arches of your feet reduces the amount of strain placed on your feet’s ligaments and bones, which in turn lessens fatigue and pain for improved endurance.
2. Improved Shock Absorption: Stress reverberates through your muscles and joints with every step, but a good insole with a deep heel cup and supportive cushioning will absorb and blunt it.
3. Even Pressure Distribution: By distributing weight and pressure evenly across your entire foot, insoles help to decrease strain, fatigue, and injury risk.
And a few other notable features that insoles can offer your boots are warmth and moisture management.
Certain insole designs can provide additional insulation for your feet in cold weather conditions, while also wicking away moisture to keep your feet dry.
Top Picks for the Best Boot Insoles
Now, we covered the many benefits that you can gain by adding insoles to your boots, but it’s important that we also mention there is a caveat.
Not just any old pair of insoles will provide these benefits.
Inferior insoles will tout lots of foam and cushioning, and these might even feel nice at first, but they won’t deliver the support and performance necessary to achieve other benefits like improving endurance or reducing plantar fascia strain.
So instead, go with one of the high-quality picks we have listed here.
1. SOLE Active Thick Footbeds
The SOLE Active Thick Footbeds feature an incredibly durable EVA footbed that adds shock-absorbing cushion to your boots. These boot insoles are clinically proven to reduce plantar fascia strain and work great for long hours on your feet and repetitive high-impact activities.
Shop at SOLE: SOLE Active Thick Footbeds
Note: Use this link for a $20 Credit!
SOLE’s Active Thick Footbeds utilize a deep heel cup, highly cushioned support, and Polygiene stay fresh technology. These boot insoles work for any arch height, are moldable for a custom fit, and are covered by a 90-day guarantee.
Check out the SOLE Active Thick Footbed difference over on our YouTube Channel here.
2. SOLE Performance Thick Footbeds
The SOLE Performance Thick Footbeds feature a naturally shock absorbing and insulating cork base that molds quickly to your feet. These boot insoles are clinically proven to reduce plantar fascia strain and work great for long hours on your feet and repetitive high-impact activities.
Shop at SOLE: SOLE Performance Thick Footbeds
Note: Use this link for a $20 Credit!
SOLE’s Performance Thick Footbeds utilize a deep heel cup, highly cushioned support, and Polygiene stay fresh technology. These boot insoles work for any arch height, are moldable for a custom fit, and are covered by a 90-day guarantee.
3. CURREX HIKEPRO Insoles
The CURREX HIKEPRO Insoles feature shock absorbing cushioning with dynamic arch support and a deep heel cup to lock the heel securely in place. These boot insoles are specifically designed to support your feet and boost your hiking endurance.
Shop at CURREX: CURREX HIKEPRO Insoles
Available on Amazon: CURREX HIKEPRO Insoles
CURREX’s HIKEPRO Insoles utilize an anti-slip SuperGrip surface for stability on uneven and downhill terrains. These boot insoles sport premium foam for moisture management and an EVA base with air vent technology for a comfortable experience.
4. CURREX WORK Insoles
The CURREX WORK Insoles feature antistatic cushioning in the heel and forefoot shock absorption for all day standing relief on the job. These boot insoles are great in work boots and winter boots alike, offering durable and breathable cushioning.
Shop at CURREX: CURREX WORK Insoles
CURREX’s WORK Insoles utilize dynamic arch support, a deep heel cup, and extra cushioning to reduce stress and fatigue. These boot insoles are also ESD Certified with electrostatic discharge functioning and a carbonized mid layer for improved safety on the job.
5. PowerStep Pinnacle Work Insoles
The PowerStep Pinnacle Work Insoles pair an EVA foam base with an energy activating ShockAbsorb top foam layer for dual-layer cushioning. These boot insoles sport a heat, friction, and moisture reducing fabric surface.
Shop at PowerStep: PowerStep Pinnacle Work Insoles
Available on Amazon: PowerStep Pinnacle Work Insoles
PowerStep’s Pinnacle Work Insoles utilize a firm but flexible neutral orthotic arch support with a deep heel cradle for improved comfort, stability, and motion control while on the job.
6. PowerStep Pinnacle Hiker Insoles
The PowerStep Pinnacle Hiker Insoles pair an EVA foam base with a top foam layer for dual-layer cushioning from heel to toe. These boot insoles have a heat, friction, and moisture reducing fabric surface.
Shop at PowerStep: PowerStep Pinnacle Hiker Insoles
Available on Amazon: PowerStep Pinnacle Hiker Insoles
PowerStep’s Pinnacle Hiker Insoles utilize a firmer support shell with neutral arch support and a deep heel cradle for comfort, stability, and motion control specifically designed to handle rigorous outdoor activity.
7. PowerStep Pinnacle Wool Insoles
The PowerStep Pinnacle Wool Insoles feature a warm insulating wool fabric that regulates temperature and reduces perspiration. These boot insoles pair an EVA foam base with a top foam layer for dual-layer cushioning.
Shop at PowerStep: PowerStep Pinnacle Wool Insoles
Available on Amazon: PowerStep Pinnacle Wool Insoles
PowerStep’s Pinnacle Wool Insoles utilize a firm but flexible neutral orthotic arch support with a deep heel cradle for improved comfort, stability, and support during outdoor adventures.
8. Move All Day Insoles
The Move All Day Insoles feature an extra adaptive base with gentle support and plush Recharge Foam that absorbs impact and aids recovery. These insoles have a molded forefoot and Active Heel Technology that reduces pressure points in the foot.
Available on Amazon: Move All Day Insoles
Move’s All Day Insoles utilize X-Frame Torsional Support that protects and stabilizes while allowing maximum movement. These insoles sport odor control and a low friction top cloth to alleviate hot spots and foot slippage.
Here’s What to Consider When Choosing Insoles for Your Boots
As you may have already noticed, there’s no shortage of insole options out there, each of them promising some superior feature (comfort, support, etc.).
So, how do narrow down your selection and actually choose a pair of insoles for your boots?
Our best advice is to opt for a high-quality insole brand and be as specific as possible in your footwear style, primary activity, and health needs.
Here’s what we mean by that.
First, you’ll want to consider what style of footwear you’ll be putting the insole in.
In this case, you’re choosing insoles for a pair of boots, which is important because boot insoles tend to be a bit thicker and wider than other insole options.
While most insoles are moldable to your footwear and can be trimmed to fit a certain size, other design features will lend themselves better to a specific footwear style.
Next, think about the primary activity for which you’ll be wearing the insoles.
![Using insoles designed for hiking.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69158a_cae08ee3f77f48e79c5cb635d0bee3fc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_490,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/69158a_cae08ee3f77f48e79c5cb635d0bee3fc~mv2.jpg)
This may be for a more general all-day wear or for a more specific activity like hiking, running, etc.
There are insoles specially designed for each and every one with varying specifications and features to help you perform your best.
Additionally, these insoles are made from various materials (foam, cork, gel, etc.) and may work better or worse in certain weather or temperature conditions.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, prioritize any foot conditions you have.
Plantar fasciitis is a common one that can be very painful and debilitating.
Heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, and shin splints are also common and can be aided through wearing insoles.
Look for insoles that specifically address these conditions, as they can make a noticeable difference when it comes to reducing stress, strain, discomfort, and pain.
And remember that insoles, just like all footwear options, eventually wear out over time.
Replacing them on a regular basis will ensure you’re receiving peak performance from your insoles.
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