Best Insoles for Work Boots that Make them Bearable to Wear

Every pair of work boots need an excellent pair of insoles. They’re designed to make your workday more comfortable despite your work boots’ heaviness. Yet, looking for quality insoles could be challenging, especially if you have no idea where to find one. Keep on reading, and we’ll help you figure out the best insoles for you. We’ve also added the basics of finding one. 

What Are Podiatrist Insoles? What Are Their Benefits?

According to research, you can suffer from foot pain when you’re working for longer hours. Podiatrist insoles, also referred to as orthotic inner soles, are used when you need an extra cushioning that would support your heels and arches. Simply slipping insoles into your shoes and you’ll find added comfort. 

Wearing quality inner soles produces several benefits not only to your feet but also to your body. Here are the benefits of wearing one:

• Supports flat feet and arches
• Creates a more stable and balanced posture
• Comforts your feet all-day
• Reduces pain of plantar fasciitis
• Absorbs shock at the media heel
• Reduces tension, pressure, and bunions
• Lessens lower back pain

Why Do You Need Insoles for Work Boots?

Work boots are far more different than your ordinary shoes. The fact that they cover the whole foot and lower leg makes them heavier—usually leading to uncomfortableness. Work boots are designed to make long hours on feet more relaxed. You’ll see nurses, construction workers, and warehouse operators on work boots because they involved activities with increased hazards.

Good pair of work boots is necessary to create traction and protection on your feet. However, you might suffer from foot pains when wearing them for a long time, regardless if you’re standing, walking, or taking heavy-duty activities. Thus, buying a quality insole would give your footwear a new life –increased comfort and stability.

Insoles are meant to protect your feet, legs, and heels. They’re designed to improve comfort and, at the same time, expected to relieve stress and pressure from working. Other foot pains you might experience from not inserting insoles in your work boots include:

• Foot fatigue. Foot fatigue generally refers to ongoing foot and back pains resulting from standing or walking up for hours. Symptoms of foot fatigue involve swollen feet, achiness, and cramped muscles.

• Flat feet. Flat feet are among foot conditions that develop when your shoes don’t have the right inner soles that have an arch support system. Individuals suffering from this encounter pains in their heel or arch areas. Pain increases with activity.

• Athlete’s foot. Work boots are an excellent place for fungus and odor-causing bacteria to grow, added with the humid environment caused by foot sweat. Athlete’s foot occurs when your shoes don’t maintain a breathable space, leading to redness and itchiness of your feet.

• Blisters. New shoes cause blisters, which are painful bumps seen on the side or back of the foot. Although small, blisters result in all-day pain. Quality insoles are needed to prevent blisters from happening.

• Bone spurs. Known as osteophytes, bone spurs result from joint damage wearing work boots for an extended period. If not treated, the condition may lose motion in your muscle joints.

• Slippage. There are some cases you’ll feel greasy in the insides of your work boots. Without a good grip, you could end up slipping on the floor. Inner soles could help improve your feet’s grip and traction on the shoes.

• Plantar fasciitis. This is one of the most common heel pains known by podiatrists. Plantar fasciitis is caused by unsupported arches and unabsorbed shock when you walk. Repeated stretching or tearing could also lead to this condition.

How to Choose the Best Pairs of Insoles for Your Work Boots?

Determining the right pairs of insoles for your work boots would be difficult if you have no idea of its basics. Read on, and you’ll get to know more of the things you need to know before placing an order.

Materials Used for Insoles

Knowing the types of insoles is ideal before buying your insoles. Most commonly known types are the memory foam, gel-type, air-cushioned, and leather insoles. Here are their differences:

• Memory foam insoles. Memory foam insoles are designed to provide soft and cushioning comfort against foot pains. It reduces and relieves foot pressure when making steps. This type of insoles is viscoelastic, meaning, the foam changes and moves with your feet’s activity. Foam insoles would make you feel like you’re walking on the clouds. Thus, supporting and cushioning your feet the whole time.

• Gel insoles. Gel insoles are good shock absorbers, which prevents foot problems from occurring. They distribute your weight evenly throughout your shoes, so the pressure isn’t concentrated on a few locations. They’re easier to clean but heavier compared to other types. Gel insoles are highly accessible in the market, regardless of shapes and sizes. You can easily find the perfect fit that meets your needs.

• Air-cushioned insoles. Unlike memory foam and gel types, air insoles use pressurized air bubbles enclosed inside a foam sole. You’ll get a practical shock absorption functionality with this type. Plus, they produce comfort, give arch support, and lessen foot fatigue. Air-cushioned insoles last longer than foam insoles but come with a price.

• Leather insoles. Benefits of leather insoles include breathability, durability, and flexibility. Like the types mentioned above, leather insoles eases foot pains with its shock absorption feature, arch support, and heel cup comfort. It also provides a better climate for your feet, which reduces sweating that might result in an Athlete’s foot.

Types of Arches

Aside from insoles’ materials, you should know the specific fit problems you’re experiencing with your arches. In this way, you can find the pair of insoles that work best for you.

• Flat feet/Low arch. You’ll most likely encounter plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and bunions if you have flat feet. In this case, you’ll need arch support to keep your foot aligned and reduce over-pronation problems.

• Medium arch. Medium arches are vulnerable to heel pains, especially if you’re doing repetitive work. Unfitted footwears also caused metatarsalgia, which can be treated by inserting insoles that have arch support feature.

• High arch. If you have high arches, you might need a pair of insoles that have proper arch support and comfort. Insoles needed for high arches should accent reduced-pressure points to rearfoot and forefoot.

7 Podiatrist-Recommended Insoles for Work Boots

Insoles should not only support your arches but also provide a comfortable feeling when wearing work boots for long hours. With that being said, here are our top picks for the best insoles for work boots you’ll need in your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do inner soles last?

Most insoles typically last for six months, especially when you wear them daily. Yet, the inner soles’ life highly depends on the way you use them. Make sure to hand wash them regularly and dry them thoroughly before inserting into your shoes. Humidity might cause odor in the insides of your shoes.

When is the right time to replace my inner soles?

Again, replacing the insoles varies. Here, we gathered the four sure signs that it’s the best time to change those insoles and buy a new one:

• Damage. Inner soles get worn out over time. You’ll notice that they have cracks on the sides. Once you see this issue, it’s better to replace them before you suffer from blisters and wounds.
• Color change. We’re definitely sure that an insoles’ color changes when using them daily. You can easily recognize a changing of color when you no longer see the logo or words stamped in your insoles when you bought them.
• Smell. You’ll notice a change in smell in your insoles over time. This may be because of the sweat and humidity created when you’re doing an activity. Please note that smelly orthotics need to be replaced immediately. You don’t want to get a bacterial or fungal infection on your feet.
• Flat. The best indication to find new pairs of inner soles is when they’re flatter than they used to be. After all, cushion and support features are the reasons why you bought them. The fact that these attributes are gone makes the inner soles a replaceable one.

How can I measure the insole of a shoe?

It’s very crucial to know your inner sole’s measurement before buying one online unless you want to end up with a bad fit. To correctly measure your shoes’ soles appropriately, you need a pair of shoes that best fit your feet. Additional steps required are:

1. Use a flexible tape measure that you can mark.
2. Lay the tape measure flatly from the toe edge until the forward edge of the show.
3. Grasp the “0” on the tape measure. Push the end into the toe on the inside of your shoe.
4. Lay the tape flat and walk it to the inside of the heel.
5. The measurement you get is your insole’s length.

Are inner soles only suitable for people with foot pain?

Relieving foot pains are just one of the several reasons why you need good inner soles for your work boots. Ideally, they provide a comfortable feeling for wearers who always find pain and discomfort on their feet. They also help in treating foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, back pains, and Achilles pain. What’s more interesting is that inner soles prevent the development of foot disorders.

Additionally, most inner soles feature shock absorption that reduces the impacts of forces and pressures when you’re running, walking, or standing. Insoles are great if you’re putting the most pressure on the feet. Aside from shock absorption and cushion materials, inner soles support your arches. Just make sure to find the right fit before you buy one.

How do insoles treat back pains?

Although inner soles don’t treat backaches and pains directly, they help maintain a healthy posture and gait. These concepts correlate with back pains because achieving the right stance helps the soft tissues in the lower back to heal. Nevertheless, they’re a safe and drug-free treatment approach if you want to restrict yourself against pain medications.

Why do my insoles hurt my feet?

Here are the most common reasons why insoles hurt your feet:

1. They were not properly fitted or trimmed correctly to your footwear.
2. You’re using improper orthotics or work boots.
3. The arch support doesn’t fit your arch type.
4. Your inner soles are worn out or need replacement.
5. They’re too thick or thin for your shoes.
6. High arch padding rubs your toes against the insides of your shoes.