Got the perfect hiking boots? Gore-Tex membrane to repel water, high ankle collar for ankle support, lightweight but resistant, breathable but waterproof … everything should be fine, right? And no, you are still ending the hike feeling pain in your feet, lower leg muscles and knees. So why is that? The insole of course! But which one to choose? If you don’t know where to start, here is a selection of the best hiking insoles so you can wave goodbye to foot pain!
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When hiking, our feet are everything. That is why we need to take care of them. This means clipping your toenail regularly to avoid black nails, washing them to prevent rashes, wrapping them in Moleskin to prevent blisters when hiking, and wearing good quality hiking footwear and hiking socks. So far so good. Yet, have you thought of hiking insoles? They play an important part in ensuring your feet receive the right support, maintain the correct posture when walking and prevent back and knee pain.
For this little new addition to your hiking wardrobe, here is a list of the best hiking insoles for 2021 to help you choose the right pair for you.
At a Glance: Best Hiking Insoles
In a hurry? Here is a summary of the best hiking insoles in the table below. I go into more detail in this article about why I like these insoles.
| Insole | Who is it for? | Fabric | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superfeet Green | High Arches | Foam & Plastic | $$$ |
| Envelop Gel Insole | All | Foam & Gel | $ |
| Superfeet Trailblazer | Low & Neutral Arches | Foam | $$$ |
| Timberland Pro – Anti Fatigue | Neutral Arches | Synthetic | $$ |
| Dr Scholl’s Heavy Duty | Low Arches | Synthetic | $$ |
| Sof Sole Athlete Performance | Neutral Arches | Foam | $$ |
| Sidas Outdoor | All | Foam | $$$ |
| Walk Hero | Plantar Fasciitis & Low Arches | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | $ |
| Samurai | Low & Fallen Arches | Foam | $$ |
| PowerStep Journey | Low & Neutral Arches | EVA Foam | $$$ |
Best Hiking Insoles
Here is a selection of the 10 best hiking insoles for each type of foot arch and condition. Happy reading for happy feet!
But before you get deep into your research, find out more about what hiking insoles are and how to choose the right one for you.
Superfeet Green – Best for High Arches
- Profile: High Arches
- Material: Foam and plastic
The Superfeet Green insole is not about comfort but about stability. With very low cushioning, it is instead made of rigid foam for a better distribution of the pressure. This unisex insole is perfect for people with high arches. It acts as a shock absorber thanks to its wide heel cup and helps reduces symptoms of plantar fasciitis and lower back pain. Its narrow shape makes it easy to fit in any type of shoe. The top of the insole benefits from an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odours.
The downside of this incredible hiking insole is that they are made of foam, which is not a long-lasting material and due to the cost of the insoles, it might become quite an expense!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High arches support | Expensive |
| Wide heel cup | Not durable |
| Weight distribution | The sizing is quite small |
| Easy fit |
Envelop Gel Insoles – Best Value for Money
- Profile: All types of arches
- Material: Foam and Gel
The cheapest of the selection by far. But cheap also means that you don’t get the best features. Nonetheless, made of gel, they are durable and retain their form for a long time. The dual layer of the gel makes them comfortable to wear and acts as a shock absorber. They offer great support for the heel and the forefoot, but very little arch support. As they have a bottom grip, they won’t slip in your shoes.
The problem is that they are not breathable or have any anti-odour treatment making them hot and sweaty. Finally, as they are thin, they are not suitable if you are carrying a lot of weight.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | Little arch support |
| Cushioning | None breathable |
| Affordable | Not for heavyweight |
| Can be trimmed |
Superfeet Trailblazer – Best of the Best
- Profile: Low and neutral arches
- Material: Foam
This is an insole specifically designed for hikers! Fitted with Heel Impact Technology to evenly disperse the weight, they are perfectly suited for hikers looking for elevation. They have a deep heel cup to maintain the foot in place and therefore avoid rubbing which could lead to blisters. With its dual layer of foam, this insole is very comfortable and would suit hikers carrying a heavy weight on their backs. Additionally, they are moisture wicked treated to prevent odours. It is a perfect insole for general support but is not designed to prevent or relieve any foot condition.
However, they are made of foam which is not highly durable and would need to be replaced every 500 miles. It is also worth noting that they are not suitable for people with high arches.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for hiking | Not durable |
| Heel Impact Technology | Not for foot conditions |
| Moisture Wicking Technology | Not for high arches |
| Support heavyweight |
Related Content: How to Prevent and Treat Hiking Blisters
Timberland Pro-Antifatigue – Best for Shock Absorption
- Profile: Neutral Arch
- Material: Synthetic
If you are looking for a comfortable, bouncy and long-lasting insole, this one is for you. The Timberland insole does a great job of absorbing shocks and returning energy. Reinforced in the key pressure areas of the foot for maximum comfort, they are contoured to offer support and stability to your foot. They are lightweight so perfect for long-distance hikes and coated with OrthoLite for moisture-wicking and odour control. And all of that for an affordable price!
The main complaint is that the sizing is too big and they need to be trimmed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Absorb socks | Too big |
| Lightweight | Need to be trimmed |
| Affordable | Not for foot conditions |
| Neutral Arches |
Dr Scholl’s Heavy-Duty: Best for Carrying Weight
- Profile: Low Arch
- Material: Synthetic
This insole has been designed for men over 200 pounds (90 kg). So if you are planning on carrying a lot of weight, this is what you need. Thanks to the Arch Guard technology which distributes the weight and the Shock Guard technology which absorbs the shock in the heel, your foot can endure everything. These two technologies help ease lower back pain, and foot and leg fatigue.
They are easy to fit in your hiking boots and can be trimmed if necessary. However, they are not treated for odour control and they need replacement every 6 months.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for men over 200 pounds | Need replacement every 6 months |
| Arch Guard and Shock Guard technology | No odour control treatment |
| Easy fit | For men only |
| Relieve back, foot and leg pain |
Sof Sole Athlete Performance – Best for Comfort
- Profile: Neutral Arches
- Material: Foam
If you do not suffer from any foot condition and you are just after some general support and comfort, then this is what you need. With a gel pad at the forefoot and in the heel cup, wearing them feels great! However, they are too soft if you want to carry heavyweight. They have a neutral profile so they can fit most types of foot and they have a low volume so you can wear them on top of the manufacturer’s insole or on their own. They are treated with moisture-wicking technology to let your feet dry and odour free. This lightweight and comfortable insole also comes at an affordable price!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comfortable | Not for heavyweight |
| Lightweight | Soft |
| Affordable | |
| Odour control treatment |
Sidas Outdoor – Best All-Rounder
- Profile: Low, Neutral and High arches
- Material: Foam
The simpler the better. And if simplicity is what you are looking for then you found your hiking insole match. Made with a foam heel pad to absorb the shocks and perforation on the foot sole for breathability, odour control treatment and rigid foam for arch support, this insole has it all! This ready to wear out the box insole gives you all that you need and works for all foot profiles. However, it is worth noting that the sizing is not great so you may have to trim it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All Rounder | Poor sizing |
| Absorb Socks | |
| Breathable | |
| Odour Control Treatment |
Walk Hero Insole- Best for Plantar Fasciitis
- Profile: Plantar Fasciitis and low arches
- Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis then this is the hiking insole you need. With a deep heel cup to absorb the shocks and stabilise your foot, EVA cushioning at the front and rigid foam, this insole does a great job of relieving the pain from plantar fasciitis and preventing its symptoms. It is also breathable and keeps your feet dry to prevent the onset of blisters thanks to a velvet cover. While orthopaedic insoles can cost a lot of money, the Walk Hero Insole is very affordable and promise to relieve pain in 1 week. However, this is a low-volume insole and therefore would not be suitable if you are carrying a heavyweight.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Relieve pain from Plantar Fasciistis | Big sizing |
| Arch support | Not suitable for heavyweight |
| Moisture Wicking and Odour Control | |
| Affordable |
Samurai – Best for Flat Feet
- Profile: Low and fallen arches
- Material: Foam
They are designed for people who suffer from flat feet and fallen arches. Thanks to their rigid foam they provide stability and arch support. They are durable and lightweight which is ideal for hiking, however, they won’t do a great job with a heavy backpack due to their low volume. It is also a pleasant surprise that they fit perfectly right out of the box and don’t require trimming. With a money-back guarantee scheme, if they fail to elevate the pain, you know you are in good hands (or feet)!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Arches support | Not for carrying heavyweight |
| Lightweight | |
| Accurate sizing | |
| Durable |
Powerstep Journey – Best for Versatility
- Profile: Low and Neutral arches, Foot condition
- Material: EVA Foam
This is another one for heavy-duty but this time more versatile as you can also use it for running or strolling. The rigid fabric of this insole and the heel cradle guarantee foot stability on uneven surfaces. The EVA foam layers provide comfort and act as a shock absorber. Even though they are designed to provide arch support for those carrying a heavy backpack they are still lightweight and durable. Lastly, they are made of antimicrobial fabric to keep your feet dry and prevent odours. They can be worn by people suffering from foot conditions, however, people with high arches might find them uncomfortable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy Duty | Not for high arches |
| Lightweight | Camo print |
| Durable | |
| Breathable and Odour Control |
How to Choose the Right Hiking Insoles for You
Before buying a pair of hiking insoles, there are a few factors that you need to consider. Let’s have a look at them.
Type
There are 2 types of insoles on the market:
- Comfort
- Sport
The comfort insoles are bouncy, soft and cushioned to suit the daily life requirement. However, they are not of great quality and don’t last long.
The Sport insoles are rigid to provide arch support. They might not be comfortable at first when you wear them so it is recommended to wear them at home or to run errands before the big hiking day. The Sports insoles are not designed to mould to your foot but the other around; your foot has to adapt to the insole’s shape.
As you may have guessed, when looking for insoles for your hiking boots, you need to choose Sports insoles.
Volume
The volume of an insole is the place they take in your shoes. There are 3 different types of volumes: low, medium and high.
Low: They are thin and don’t take up a lot of place in your shoes. They won’t be efficient if you are carrying a lot of weight. Due to the fact they are thin, they can be worn on top of the manufacturer’s insole or on their own. They can suit hiking shoes and trail runners as well as your day-to-day shoes. They would suit people with low arches.
Medium: They are the most common ones on the market and they suit most arch shapes. They take up some space in your shoes but not too much and can be worn on top of the manufacturer’s insoles or on their own. They would suit hiking shoes and hiking boots and casual winter boots.
High: They take up the most space in your shoes and would fit in hiking boots and ski boots. You would need to take off the manufacturer’s insole to be able to wear them. They are made for people with high arches.
Profile
The profile of an insole is the type of arches they are designed for. As for the volume, there are 3 types of profiles: low, medium and ….. high! (That wasn’t hard to guess)
Low: Those insoles are for people with “flat feet” or fallen arches. They provide support by lifting the arch. With time, you can even upgrade to a medium profile.
Medium: They suit people with neutral arches – which is most of the population. They correct the posture and provide support to prevent issues such as plantar fasciitis, lower back pain and knee pain.
High: The high-profile insoles are for people with high arches who are more affected by plantar fasciitis as they put a lot of pressure on the heel. These insoles are made with a deep heel cup to stabilise the foot, absorb the shock and evenly disperse the weight. They do not cure plantar fasciitis but offer pain relief for those who suffer from this condition.
Related Content: Hiking Boots vs Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners
Material
Insoles are made of 3 different types of material. Yes, you read it correctly, 3! It seems like everything goes by 3 when it comes to insoles.
Foam: The cheapest of the material and the softest and bouncy of all. However, the cheapest often means poor quality. This means that as much as they are comfortable, they tear quite quickly and need to be replaced often.
Gel: Affordable but heavy. As hikers, we know that every single ounce counts and the last thing you need on a hike is an additional weight on your shoes. As much as the gel is a resistant material for insoles, it won’t be suitable for us hikers.
Air: The best of the best, but equally the most expensive of the three. Comfortable and breathable, air insoles absorb shocks making them ideal for hiking.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hiking Insoles
Whatever your foot and arch shape, there would be an insole that works for you! It is a bit like finding love, you need to kiss a few frogs before meeting Mr Right.
With a clear guide of what to look for when searching for hiking insoles and a selection of the best hiking insoles for all types of arches and foot conditions, I trust that you would find your foot second half. Am I being a matchmaker here?
What hiking insoles do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.
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