When buying your new pair of hiking boots, you may realize that most of the manufacturer’s time and effort is put into constructing the boot, sole, and lacing system. It is very rare to find boots, even the most expensive ones, with quality insoles.
What does that mean for you? If you are serious about hiking or backpacking, you need to invest in a pair of high quality, supportive insoles.
For years I’ve worn the “blue” Superfeet insoles, which are a standard pair of enhanced insoles for people who don’t need or want extra arch support.
Now there are a lot of brands on the market, and each has particular strengths.
How these insoles stack up:
- Best shock absorption and cushion: CADENCE INSOLES. In our testing, Cadence insoles seem to have the best shock absorption and feel the softest in hiking boots. These insoles are the easiest way to transition from wearing standard insoles to enhanced insoles because of their soft feel. You’ll also benefit from the orthotic support to help control pronation (Find out if you pronate or supinate).
- Most Custom: CURREXSOLE EDGEPRO. The currexSole EdgePro’s come in a wide variety of profiles (hiking, running, etc.) as well as High, Medium, and Low profiles. Since I have medium arches, I tested the “Med Profile” version. However, if you have low arches, you can get more support with an insole specific for your arch profile. (Check out the Hiking Lady guide of how to determine if your foot type, and the currexSole website to find out which style is best for your feet and legs.
- Lowest Profile Insoles: SUPERFEET BLUE INSOLES. The Superfeet blue insoles are for low and medium volume feet (which means that the insoles don’t take up a lot of space in your boots). If you have wide feet, then Superfeet “blue” insoles are your best option.
Hiking Lady special tip on insoles: Once you have a pair of hiking insoles you like, be sure to take them with you when you go shopping for hiking boots (or put them in the pair of boots you ordered online). Some insoles, i.e. currexSole EDGE Pro’s, take up more volume than Superfeet, and you want to make sure that the boots you buy fit your feet and your favorite insoles!
Happy trails!