Insoles

[HankIV]

There seem to be a lot of choices for insoles.

1. Do you use them?

2. If so, what kind and why?

I recognize this is a HYOH issue. Right now planning on starting a 2021 (was 2020)SOBO thru with La Sportiva TX3’s, which walking around town seem fine out of the box.

Thanks

[Slo-go'en]

Yes, you really need good insoles. They make a big difference. You'd think with the price of hiking boots or shoes, they would come with a decent insole, but no they cheapen out on you. Superfeet are popular, usually the "Green" ones, but it can depend on how much volume there is in the shoe and what you need for support. Visit an REI when they let you in again for help in fitting the best insole for your boot/feet.

[peakbagger]

Montrail (now Columbia) Enduro Heat Moldable inserts. They have rigid arch support that works likes small rock plate under the arch.

They last a long time far longer than the trail runners. They have a regular volume and a thinner volume (LP).

[Astro]

Superfeet myself. Be sure to find what is the best color for your type of foot. You can find out more online, and was actually tested once at REI.

[lonehiker]

SOLE brand works well for me. One point I would like to make is that I use them in my every day shoes as well so my feet are completely accustomed to them. I actually use them in every shoe that I routinely wear.

[Seatbelt]

Good Feet; bought them in 2010, was having persistent foot/knee problems. Within one month, they were fine and have been ever since. Kinda expensive though.

[LazyLightning]

I also use them in all my shoes and being a big fan of New Balance I use there insoles as well. I imagine REI has a similar machine they have you stand on that measures your foots pressure points and then recommends a insole accordingly. Mine is an arch insole that sounds similar to one mentioned above. I went to NB looking for shoes to hike the trail with, the year before I hiked it and they recommended those insoles. I ended up buying 4 more pairs of the same exact trail runner/insoles that got me through the trail, now I can't find that shoe anymore.

I got off the trail and started working in basements on concrete all day, at first I was using the standard insole. My feet were hurting by the end of the day and much worse by the end of the week. After a couple months I tried the insole I was using on the trail and was night and day - no more feet hurting. Now I don't use shoes without them for anything, they really do make a difference.

[TNhiker]

You'd think with the price of hiking boots or shoes, they would come with a decent insole,

yeah.....

i never understood this as well....

seems like the typical, stock insole feels like a sheet of plywood....

[Astro]

yeah.....

i never understood this as well....

seems like the typical, stock insole feels like a sheet of plywood....

Other than their cost savings in design and raw materials, perhaps they know there are all different types of feet, and a lot of customers are going to get their own type of insole to add anyway. I know the former is more skeptical and the latter more optomistic, but like many things in life there is probably some truth in both.

[TNhiker]

Other than their cost savings in design and raw materials, perhaps they know there are all different types of feet, and a lot of customers are going to get their own type of insole to add anyway. I know the former is more skeptical and the latter more optomistic, but like many things in life there is probably some truth in both.

yeah..

i see that side of the issue as well...

but you would think they would at least put a standard stock insole that is more comfortable than what it typically in there...

and make it removable so that if other insoles need to go in, it can be replaced....

[hopetofinish]

Spenco . Used them for years. Lots of choices, specific to outdoor use.
Originally, recommended by a physical therapist.

[Night Train]

Spenco . Used them for years. Lots of choices, specific to outdoor use.
Originally, recommended by a physical therapist.

My chiro doc peddles Spenco, I use them in every shoe I own, Vans to Altra to Ariat boots.

[4eyedbuzzard]

yeah..

i see that side of the issue as well...

but you would think they would at least put a standard stock insole that is more comfortable than what it typically in there...

and make it removable so that if other insoles need to go in, it can be replaced....

Just curious as to your comment. I've never seen a pair of modern hiking shoes/boots where the insoles weren't removable. Some fit pretty snugly , but if you get under the edge at the side they can all be removed and replaced. If they're a real tight fit a butter knife might help. And if for some reason they are glued (I've never encountered this), even then, just peel them out and put in what you want.

[Deadeye]

If you've ever dealt with plantar fascia issues, you appreciate a good insole with arch support. I use a variety of brands depending on fit, but superfeet are #1. Expensive, but durable.

[Grampie]

I think that you will find that most hikers who complete a thru ended up using a good after marker inner sole. Super
feet worked well for me.

[HankIV]

Thanks for the input, I think I would have overlooked this.

How many of you trial and errored a few different brands before settling on your favorite, vs those who hit he jackpot with your first ones?

[Astro]

Trial and error. Started with no insole, went to Blue Superfeet since that is what "most" had recommended. Then moved on to Green Superfeet since that is what was best for "my" feet.

[PopcornFool]

How many of you trial and errored a few different brands before settling on your favorite, vs those who hit he jackpot with your first ones?

I hit the jackpot. I did just what Slo-go'en suggested and went to REI. In my case, I bought my shoes and inserts at the same time. I was able to try on many brands and styles of each. The associate worked with me to find the right combination of shoes and inserts that met all my needs.

I've had lifelong plantar fascia and ankle issues. I've worn doctor-prescribed orthotics for years. I've also had ankle reconstruction surgery and hours of physical therapy afterward. I'm particularly cautious regarding my preferred mode of transportation - my feet. I'm also a research freak and went in to REI armed with hours of research regarding top recommended footwear and inserts for men in my situation.

The final perfect match for me turned out to be Asolo Drifters with Superfeet Green inserts. Not at all what I was anticipating going in. Even sizing was significantly different than my "normal". The boots are not as light as I would have hoped, but I've put hundreds of miles on these without a single foot or ankle issue (zip ... nada) even on the most rugged terrain and longest days. The peace of mind earned through the years and miles is worth every extra gram to me. And the Superfeet inserts have proven incredibly comfortable, supportive, and equally rugged. I doubt that I'll change to a different insert. When you find something that works ... well ... why mess with it?

I'm not suggesting Superfeet Green are right for you. Every foot and need is different and YMMV. But I can definitively recommend fitting new shoes and new inserts at the same time if you have that opportunity. Your footwear should be an integrated system and not every insert will work with every shoe brand and model. It just makes sense, when you think about it, to fit them together if you can instead of using trial-and-error until you find something that works.

[Tipi Walter]

Okay, you buy a pair of well-fitting boots and they are great for backpacking---and the insoles which come with them are also nice.

Then you decide to take out the brand insoles and replace with Superfeet---I made this mistake.

Why is it a mistake? Because the dang superfeet insoles will make your excellent fitting backpacking boots now cramped and too small---so you'll have to get a larger pair of boots just to fit in your superfeet. Same mistake I made a couple years ago. What a waste of time and money.

[HankIV]

Okay, you buy a pair of well-fitting boots and they are great for backpacking---and the insoles which come with them are also nice.

Then you decide to take out the brand insoles and replace with Superfeet---I made this mistake.

Why is it a mistake? Because the dang superfeet insoles will make your excellent fitting backpacking boots now cramped and too small---so you'll have to get a larger pair of boots just to fit in your superfeet. Same mistake I made a couple years ago. What a waste of time and money.

Not trying to be smart alecy but did you get the bigger boots because the superfeet were worth it, or because you lost the original insoles and you couldn’t put them back in?