Top 5 Best Insoles For Hiking 2023:
- Superfeet GREEN Insoles
- Tread-Labs Stride Insoles
- Timberland PRO Men’s Anti-Fatigue
- Samurai Insoles
- Powerstep Journey Hiker Insoles
Hiking is fun for everyone except for your feet.
These poor things take a beating no matter how good your footwear is. Things get even more severe if you have a condition like flat feet, since long hours of walking in the mountains lead to pain and discomfort.
Hiking should be a joy, an activity that charges up your batteries, and not something that’ll leave you sore and in blisters. If only there was a product that could help you out.
Oh, wait, there is, and today, we’re going to help you find it! Behold, the best insoles for hiking with your specific condition and/or foot shape.
If you’re ready to enjoy nature painlessly, then read on!
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5 Best Insoles For Hiking In 2023: Detailed Reviews
We all know what insoles are supposed to do – minimize discomfort and improve foot stability on hikes. However, if you want them to do work, you’ve got to find the pair suitable for your feet.
When putting our list together, we’ve thought about different foot types/conditions, and we tried to include something for everyone.
All that’s left for you to do is scroll down and pick your perfect pair!
1. Superfeet GREEN Insoles – Best For High-Arches
The first product of today is for the high-arched hiker looking for foot stability and support. If you fit this description, then look no further than Superfeet’s peculiarly named Green insoles. Yup, you guessed it – they’re green!
Being a high-arch insole means being high volume, so you ought to wear them with roomy hiking boots for optimal comfort.
The stabilizer cap requires a special mention, as it is what sets this model apart from the rest. It stretches from mid-foot to the back of the heel and is a solid base for the layers of foam.
Speaking of the heel, we need to say that it’s deep and that it does a great job at shock absorption. As a matter of fact, the entire rear foot is snuggled in the insole, keeping it very stable as you walk.
The cushioning on these insoles could be better. Don’t get us wrong, they are pretty comfortable, but the spread of the foam may feel inconsistent. In other words, there is variation between different pairs, which shouldn’t be there.
Another complaint that we heard was that the arch starts too soon from the heel cup and that it presses the front of the heel. However, this depends on your foot shape, so take this comment with a grain of salt.
Pros
- Great arch support
- Deep heel cup
- Stabilizer cap works well
Cons
- Inconsistent cushioning
- On the pricey side of things
2. Tread-Labs Stride Insoles – Best for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis plagues people with all kinds of arches; from low to high. Tread-Labs created insoles to ease the pain of this condition, and they made them to fit people of all foot shapes. Find out how they did it!
The best thing about Tread-Labs is that their insoles are available in three volumes: low, mid, and high, so you can choose the one that fits your feet. If you’re not sure what kind of arch you have, the company has a quick and simple test to figure that out.
These insoles are firm, which is needed if they are to provide any relief for plantar fasciitis pain. The heel and the arch are supported by rigid but flexible plastic, and the entire insole is covered by polyurethane foam. The foam layer isn’t very thick, though, and a bit more cushioning would be nice.
Another issue with this model is that they’re relatively narrow, so folks with exceptionally wide feet will not be able to use them.
All in all, Tread-Labs has managed to design a decent insole for plantar fasciitis with more advantages than drawbacks. If you suffer from this condition, we highly recommend you try these insoles out.
Pros
- Semi-customizable (three volumes to choose from)
- Provides good support
- Mitigates plantar fasciitis-related pain
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Could use more cushioning
3. Timberland PRO Men’s Anti-Fatigue – Best For Neutral Arches
If you don’t have any of the conditions mentioned above and are looking for feet-relief during long hikes, then you might be interested in this one. Meet Timberland’s insoles – a quick fix for fatigued soles.
The idea behind this pair is maximum energy efficiency. In other words, the aim of these insoles is to provide you with additional shock absorption and energy return on each step.
“And how will they do that?” you might ask. The answer lies in inverted cone elements embedded in the bottom of the insoles. They contract upon impact and spare your foot from the shock, and use the force from the contraction to bounce back. Simple but effective.
It’s important to point out that this model is suitable for people with neutral (medium) arches. They’re not high enough to provide support for high arches, and they’re too tall for low arches, so keep this in mind before buying them.
Also, we’ve seen a number of complaints regarding durability, but these comments were only a small percentage of the overall customers.
We forgot to mention that the insoles are lightweight and that they go for a pretty high price.
Pros
- Great shock absorption
- Nice bounce
- Ideal for neutral arches
Cons
- Not very durable
- Not for high/low arches
4. Samurai Insoles – Best for Flat Feet
Don’t let flat feet stop you from getting out and experiencing nature to the fullest! Samurai Insoles are among the best on the market when it comes to this condition, so let’s see what they’re all about.
These insoles are designed in such a way that they provide “flat footers” with a bit of arch support. They’re not high, nor even mid-arched, but very low, which makes them ideal for any kind of footwear – from business shoes to hiking boots.
Samurai insoles are lightweight and thin, but they’re not soft; quite the contrary. Some users actually complained about their rigidness and lack of foam.
However, the company states that their intention was to make a hard, minimalistic insole that’s somewhat flexible, so that’s what you can expect.
As far as the price goes, this pair isn’t the most expensive, nor the cheapest on the list. Durability is somewhat an issue, as different users have very different experiences. Some claim that the insoles lasted for a long time while others say they broke after several months.
One thing is for sure if you need a light, low volume, firm insole to support your flat feet, Samurai is the way to go.
Pros
- Lightweight and low profile
- Suitable for all kinds of footwear
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Might be too hard for some
- Some users complained about poor durability
5. Powerstep Journey Hiker Insoles – Best Heavy-Duty
Soldiers, campers, or anyone who hikes with a heavy backpack will want to take a look at these insoles. Confidently named, Powerstep Journey Hiker insoles are sturdy enough to carry you and your added load, so go on and check them out.
Made in the USA, this camo-colored hard insole is made to last. The plastic base is firm but flexible enough to keep the foot moving. The top is covered with a layer of EVA, which provides the cushioning and does it well.
Another good thing about this model is that the top fabric is anti-microbial. It also reduces friction and keeps the feet somewhat cool throughout the hike.
The biggest problem with these insoles is the arch, which many users find too high. Of course, if you have high arches, it’ll probably work for you, but if you don’t, the insoles won’t feel very comfy.
Just like some other models on the list, Powerstep Journey insoles vary in terms of durability. Some users praise them for being able to withstand miles of rugged terrain, and others, well, they’re not so happy.
This pair has proven to be popular among the “hardcore” hiking community, and if you need insoles that will endure hours of abuse, you might as well try these.
Pros
- Rigid support
- Pretty good cushioning
- Anti-microbial top layer
Cons
- Pretty high arch (not for everyone)
- Durability varies from order to order
What Are Insoles For Hiking?
You already know what insoles are, right? Well, the insoles that we’re covering today are specifically designed for hiking.
These models are usually made of rigid yet comfortable materials so that they provide the feet with adequate support for strenuous conditions.
It’s important to state these are not just “any” insoles, and you shouldn’t go hiking with a regular drugstore-bought pair as it won’t do you any good.
So, what makes insoles for hiking different than others?
Find out below.
See Also: The Best Hiking Shirts
What To Know Before Buying Insoles For Hiking?
In the following sections, we’re going to talk about all the essential features of insoles for hiking.
We will show you which aspects of the insoles to look at before buying, and how to find a pair that’ll suit your needs.
If you have any doubts about the model you want to buy, the paragraphs below should clear that up for you.
1. Type
Insoles can generally be divided into two major categories: soft (comfort) and rigid (sport). We’re going to focus on the latter because they’re the ones that you want to be hiking in.
But, before we move on, let’s clarify the difference between the two.
Comfort insoles are gel-filled, soft models that are recommended to people with “regular” feet who want to make their shoes comfier. Sport insoles are firmer, and the idea behind them is to provide the walked with arch support and stability.
When walking for long hours on rough terrains, your feet get fatigued, and the muscles don’t work as well as when they’re fresh and rested. This means that they won’t be able to maintain a proper structure and alignment, which might lead to pain or even injury.
The support from hiking insoles prevents the feet from losing their shape and thus helps you stride on without any issues. Also, rigid insoles are a must for anyone with collapsed arches or other foot conditions.
2. Flexibility
It may sound paradoxical, but the ideal hiking insoles should be firm and flexible at the same time. They need to be rigid enough to provide support to the foot (like we explained above), but able to bend and allow the feet to flex.
Flexion is how our body absorbs impact, and if we’re not able to do it, then all the shock goes straight to the joints and bones, eventually leading to injury. Proper flexibility is especially important when going on long hikes, as it’ll provide you with more comfort.
3. Volume
An insole’s volume refers to how much space it takes inside the shoe, so it basically tells us how thick the insole is. As you can imagine, this is a crucial factor because it has a huge impact on comfort.
The volume that you need is best determined by the size of your arches. Those who have high arches should go for high volumes, medium arches for medium volumes; you get the picture.
Another thing to consider is the room inside the shoe. For example, a spacious hiking boot will fit a high volume insole and your foot without any problems, but a low running shoe probably won’t.
4. Sturdiness And Durability
This one’s a no-brainer, but we want to mention it anyway. Durability is paramount because, just like the shoes, hiking insoles take a lot of beating, and you want them to be able to last.
One of the aspects that determines durability is, of course, the material. Athletic-grade gel, sturdy, layered foam, and leather are the best in the game right now. However, getting the right material still won’t give you any guarantees.
Pay attention to the brand’s reputation, the length of the warranty, as well as the price, and if all of them seem legit, then you may buy the insoles. Also, it can’t hurt to check what previous customers have to say about this.
5. Fit (Shape)
Everybody’s feet are different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to insoles. This means that you’ll have to find the model that suits the shape of your feet almost perfectly.
To do this, you need to think about the height of your arch, your shoe size, the length/width of the foot, as well as the insole’s volume. The trouble with shopping online is that you can’t try them on, so getting a good match can take a while.
The great news is that insole manufacturers have managed to categorize different types of feet somewhat successfully, so if, for example, you have wide feet and low arches, just get a model that has those words in the description, and it should be good.
Read More: The Best Socks For Sweaty Feet; The Best Rain Poncho
Conclusion
We’ve hiked up to the summit of the article, and we hope you’ve appreciated our bad puns. Before we leave you, we’d like to present to you our top three models for today.
The first place goes to Superfeet GREEN Insoles, as many folks with high-arches swear by them. These insoles are well-made, comfortable, and, most importantly, effective, which is why they’re our top pick.
Next, we have the Tread-Labs plantar fasciitis insoles, which have proved good in relieving pain, and they’re semi-customizable.
Third and last, Timberland’s anti-fatigue model will provide its users with energy efficiency and much-needed comfort on long, tiring hikes.
We hope that you were able to find a pair that suits your needs or foot condition. Besides being a lot of fun, hiking is great for the body and the mind, so don’t let anything stop you from doing it!
