One of the reasons most people stop hiking is the pain they feel on their feet, while and after hiking.
Even if you’re using the best hiking boots or shoes, you might still have foot pain, especially after long hikes on difficult terrains.
Fortunately, using the best insoles for hiking can give you that extra comfort and protection you need to keep your feet going.
With multiple options and types available today, we reviewed five great choices, curated a simple buyers guide, and answered common questions to help you decide which one's the best for your needs.
Comparison Chart
Best Insoles for Hiking: A Review
1. Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Feet Insoles
The Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Feet Insoles is one of the best ones you can find in the market.
For a brand focused on comfort and support, they did a great job with the design.
Product Highlights
Designed for daily use, you can use the Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Feet Insoles with different footwear types.
You can use it while walking, and it is definitely a perfect choice for hiking.
That isn't the only reason this is one of the best insoles you can find.
- Long-Lasting Comfort
As the name implies, it provides support and comfort like no other.
Thanks to the semi-rigid orthotic arch support, you'll experience improved leg and foot alignment without compromising comfort.
The full-length footbed also helps lessen stress and pain caused by flat feet, arthritis, and diabetes.
Additionally, it provides relief from foot ball pain, Achilles Tendonitis, and Plantar Fasciitis.
- Deep Heel Cup
Maintaining the right foot positioning while walking and running won’t be a big issue, thanks to the insoles' deep heel cups.
It protects the heel when you jump or run and helps stabilize your foot.
- Premium Material
The Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Feet Insoles is made from premium EVA material, which is excellent for pain relief and shock absorption.
The fabric is also very comfortable to your feet, keeping it cool and fresh at all times.
What We Like
The cool and fresh EVA material is definitely the best thing about this insole.
If you're hiking, adding insoles can provide more heat to your feet, but with this premium fabric, your feet will stay cool the whole time.
Also, it comes in a resealable Ziplock bag, so you can open and seal it anytime.
What We Don’t Like
Although this insole is made to counter a few specific foot problems like plantar fasciitis, it won’t help much if you have a severe case.
There are also instances wherein people suffering from acute plantar fasciitis experience more pain when using it.
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CONS
2. Dr. Scholl's Insoles for Women
Dr. Scholl's Insoles for women is a great choice if you are on the heavy side.
If you want to know if this insole is what you are looking for, below are a few things you need to know about it.
Product Highlights
Meant initially for women suffering from back pain and foot and leg fatigue due to heavy weight, you can also use the Dr. Scholl's Insoles for hiking.
As such, even if you’re not heavy, you can still benefit from its features.
- Extra Support
Hiking shoes already support your body weight, but this insole can provide that extra comfort you’re looking for.
Thanks to the Arch Guard Plus Shock Guard Technology, your body's weight will be distributed evenly.
It will also help reduce the impact of your steps.
You put in a lot of your weight on your foot when going uphill, making this insole a great support for your feet to absorb impact.
- Better Stability
It’s easy to stumble when you’re overweight, so you need that extra stability, especially when hiking.
The Dr. Scholl's Insoles' deep heel cup gives you that extra support and stability for every step you take.
- Fits Perfectly
Dr. Scholl's Insoles for Women can fit sneakers, work shoes, sneakers, and even hiking shoes.
What’s more, you can trim the insoles to fit any type of shoes you are currently using.
What We Like
Trimming the insole to fit the type of shoe you are wearing is an amazing feature.
You don’t need to worry about buying the wrong size since you can just trim the insoles if they don't fit your shoes.
What We Don’t Like
Although there is a separate Dr. Scholl's Insoles for men, it would have been better if the insoles were unisexual.
Also, these insoles aren't a great choice if you have a flat or oddly-shaped foot.
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CONS
3. EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles
When it comes to insoles, EasyFeet is one of the best choices you have.
If you want to experience pain relief while doing your regular chores, these insoles provide a wide range of support features that would surely keep you hooked.
Product Highlights
EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles can be used by any age and for any footwear and activity.
Whether you plan to go on a hike or participate in sports activities, this insole can provide the comfort and support you need.
- Foot Pain Relief
EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles are highly recommended for people suffering from arch pains.
Although it cannot completely remove the pain, it provides temporary pain relief and comfort.
Through the Anti-Pronation Biomechanical Reinforcement technology, the pain can be lessened significantly, allowing you to move freely without any hindrance.
- Shock-Absorbing Effect
Its shock-absorbing feature and enhance cushioning can provide relief from plantar fasciitis.
That extra cushioning also gives more comfort when you are doing your activities.
The EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles is perfect for hiking since it adds more protection to your feet.
- Better Balance and Stability
Thanks to the deep heel cradle with built-in heel support, you can keep your feet balanced while walking or running.
Also, it guarantees that your bone will stay vertical and prevent serious injuries.
- Amazing Quality
The EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles has a hard TPU and a cushioning layer with a PU memory foam base.
The breathable cover will keep your feet cool at all times and reduce the heat inside the shoe.
You can also trim the insoles to your liking to fit different types of shoes.
What We Like
One of the best features of the EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles is its arch support.
EasyFeet insoles are known for their quantum technology that combines hard arch support with soft cushioning pads.
It keeps your feet protected from foot injuries while providing comfort to your day-to-day activities.
What We Don’t Like
The only thing you won’t like about the EasyFeet Arch Support Insoles is the squeaky noise it makes every step you make.
It usually appears after using the insole for a few months.
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CONS
4. Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts
The Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts will help keep you on your feet the whole day without pain.
You can do all the activities that you need to do without having to deal with foot problems.
Product Highlights
The Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts looks plain and simple but is packed with great features.
- High Profile and Volume
Being a high-volume insole, Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts will take up a lot of space in your shoes, while high profile means you can fully feel the shape under your foot.
You still need to trim the insoles to make sure they would fit your shoes.
- Maximum Support and Shock Absorption
With the wide and deep heel cup, you can get the best support on your feet along with natural shock absorption.
If you are dealing with foot problems, this insole is the best way to experience pain relief.
- Better Stability
The shape of the arch support provides more stabilization and support to your feet.
It reduces stress on your knees, ankles, and feet.
- Comfortable and Durable
More cushioning is added to the Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts through the high-density foam layer.
It provides long-lasting comfort while keeping your insoles durable.
What We Like
The high-density foam layer that provides extra comfort is a great feature if you plan to go hiking.
Since hiking boots and shoes are focused on protection, using an insole for additional comfort would be a good choice.
What We Don’t Like
The only annoying thing about the Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts is the sound it makes after using it for a long time.
If your feet got wet while using it, it will produce squeaky sounds while you are walking or running.
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5. Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insole
If you want insoles from a renowned brand, Powerstep is definitely the best choice for you.
This company is focused on manufacturing insoles, and they are based in the USA.
Product Highlights
Compared with the other insoles on the list, the Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insole doesn’t require any trimming.
You can just transfer it to any athletic or casual shoe you are using. It also has a lot of features that you will surely love.
- Recommended By Podiatrists
One of the reasons Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insoles is very popular is its design.
A podiatrist designed the insoles to help alleviate foot pain related to metatarsal issues, plantar fasciitis, heel and arch problems, and more.
- Comfort
The Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insole's upper is made from polyester fabric that helps keep you dry and comfortable.
By preventing heat and friction, your feet will stay cool and fresh the whole day.
- Support
Full-length, total contact gives more support and stability to your feet.
With its encapsulated design, you can experience a firm and flexible support shell.
The Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insoles also has a deep heel cradle and built-in arch support for that additional stability.
- Moderate Cushioning
Dual-layer cushioning with VCT variable cushioning technology along with a durable EVA foam base offers a more targeted cushioning to your feet.
No matter what type of activity you plan to participate in, you can rely on this insole to give you the comfort that you need.
What We Like
The polyester material is a great choice since it can help control the odor on your feet.
We also loved its moderate cushioning because it provides more comfort and balance while doing activities.
What We Don’t Like
Powerstep's size chart doesn’t match the exact size of the Original Orthotics-U Insole.
If it’s your first time buying an insole from the company, it’s better to get a full size down since it is extremely big.
After all, it is a full-length insole, so you should expect that the size is bigger than normal.
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Buyer’s Guide
It’s easy to make a mistake when buying an insole. Although most people make mistakes on the sizing, there’s a chance that you would buy something that’s not fit for the type of foot you have.
As such, you need to be very meticulous when buying insoles.
Below are a few things to consider to find the best insoles for hiking.
Sizing
When looking for insoles, you will encounter items with a fixed sizing and those you can trim.
You can cut down full-length insoles to fit perfectly on the shoes you want to wear.
For insoles with a fixed size, they have a shoe size range; meaning, you usually see numbers like eight to nine, ten to eleven, and more.
You can't trim these insoles, so if you want to get the right size, you just need to consider your feet' size.
You must take note that manufacturers use different sizing, so it is better to ask around before you buy a specific size.
Placement
Most people choose an insole based on placement. Full-length insoles are very large, so if you plan to use them, you have to remove your shoe's existing insole.
They are meant to replace your current insole.
Purchasing a 3/4-length insole means that you don’t want to remove the existing one in your shoe.
You usually place them at the top of the existing shoe insoles.
If you got an insert piece, you can place it at the top or below the existing insole.
Foot Arch Type
This factor is the most important when buying insoles. The arch of your foot will determine the type of insole that you should buy.
There are three types of arch:
- Neutral
- Low arches
- High arches
Although insoles are usually made to work for different foot arch types, you should still be very cautious when buying.
The first thing to do is to check your foot arch type before you browse insoles.
Footbed Type
There are four different types of arch supports, and they are meant for different types of the footbed.
- Rigid orthotic
- Semi-rigid orthotic
- Cushioned
- No arch support or flat cushion
To choose the right footbed for your insole, you need to ask yourself what type of insole you are looking for.
If you want solid arch support for your feet, rigid orthotic arch support is your best choice because the support platform is very stiff.
If you want something more flexible, semi-rigid orthotic arch support will do the trick.
If you don’t need any support and just need more comfort, cushioned and flat cushioned models are the best.
Material
There are four common materials insoles are made from, namely:
- Gel
- Cork
- Leather
- Foam
Each of the materials has its benefits and disadvantages. Foam is the best choice for support and pressure relief.
On the other hand, gel is an amazing choice if you need more shock absorption.
Lastly, cork is a good option if you need a bit of cushion and support, while leather is perfect for cushion and feel.
FAQs About Insoles or Inserts
1. How Do I Make My Hiking Shoes More Comfortable?
You can get insoles to make your hiking boots more comfortable to wear.
2. Do Good Feet Inserts Really Work?
Yes, feet inserts not only work as a way to improve comfort. Most foot inserts are there to provide better protection to your feet.
3. Do Insoles Hurt at First?
Some insoles are very stiff in the beginning. They usually require break-ins before using them regularly. These insoles may hurt at the beginning.
4. Which Insoles Do Podiatrists Recommend?
The type of insole that a podiatrist will recommend would depend on the type of feet you have.
5. What's Better Gel or Memory Foam Insoles?
Foam is a better option when it comes to insoles. Gel is only applicable for shock absorption, while foam is used for support, cushioning, and pressure relief.
Our Final Recommendation
If you are looking for the best insoles you can use for hiking, Powerstep Original Orthotics-U Insole is our top pick.
Aside from being recommended by Podiatrists, it offers many features to keep your feet protected and comfortable.