This is a gear review about the best insoles for hiking in 2022.
Choosing the best lightweight hiking boots or best lightweight hiking shoes is only half the battle. It is also important that you choose one of the best hiking insoles to support your foot inside your footwear.
Over the years I have suffered have suffered from blisters, plantar fasciitis, and damaged ankles while out thru-hiking. I also spent several years fitting footwear on hikers at a large outdoor store. Take it from me, the best hiking insoles make a difference in the comfort and support of footwear.
This is where a quality pair of insoles for hiking will come in handy. These are handy pieces of equipment that you place inside your hiking boots so that you can get the extra support you need.
The right pair of insoles will prevent blisters from forming, as well as keep your feet protected from hot spots and other unpleasant side effects of hiking for long periods of time.
But with so many products on the market, how can you be sure that you’ve found the best insoles for hiking?
I’ve researched and reviewed the best insoles for hiking and compiled a list below. So let’s take a look.
Best Hiking Insoles 2022
The Best Hiking Insoles for 2022 are:
Best Insoles 2022 – Overall
Superfeet Green
Arch Support: Medium Feet / High Arch
Pros:
> Ergonomic
> Durable
> High Density foam
> Deep heel cup
> True to size
Cons:
> Expensive
These particular insoles for hiking are true to size, so you should order your usual size to ensure that you get the support you need. There are a variety of sizes to choose from for both men and women. You can trim the shape of your shoes with a pair of scissors.
You’ll get the right amount of support that you need with these insoles. These particular hiking insoles feature a deep heel cup.
This works to give you protection from heel pain and features natural shock absorption so as to be kinder on your feet and joints.
These particular hiking insoles feature a high-density foam so as to give you the right amount of support that you need. They feature a closed cell foam layer that works to properly support the arches of your feet.
This is to give you long-lasting, durable comfort when you’re out on the trail for long periods of time.
An interesting feature of these particular insoles is that they feature a stabilizer cap. This works to give you long-lasting comfort, as well as extra support.
It has been designed to support the rear end of your food as well as give the insoles additional structure so that they last you for many sessions out on the trail.
Overall, these are very popular for good reason, they are the best hiking boot insoles for people with medium to high arches or flat feet that need high arch support to stop the ankle from collapsing.
Best Hiking Boot Insoles
Superfeet Carbon
Arch Support: Flat Feet / Medium Feet
Pros:
> Huge range of sizes
> Comfortable High-density foam
> Structured heel cup
> Durable
Cons:
> Expensive
The Superfeet Carbon is for flat feet to medium feet. These lightweight insoles for hiking come in a variety of sizes for both men and women. So you should easily find the size that suits your needs.
These insoles for hiking feature a low-profile design, so they won’t take up too much space in your shoes. This means you can choose the same size as you normally would when it comes to shoes.
These particular insoles come with a carbon fiber stabilizer cap to give you the right amount of support. It features reinforced EVOLyte, which is a proprietary blend of polymer and carbon fiber. This gives the insoles more structure as well as better support.
Another great feature of these insoles is that they come with a heel cup. This features a structure so that you can get that stabilized support you need while you’re out on the trail.
It works to position your feet properly as you walk, which will also reduce the likelihood of pain.
What’s really great about Superfeet Carbon is the fact they have been manufactured using high-density foam. This makes the insoles more comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
Overall, these are one of the best hiking insoles for flat feet or medium feet.
Most Comfortable Insoles
Superfeet Trailblazer Comfort
Arch Support: Medium Feet / High Arch
Pros:
> Designed with athletic activities in mind
> Impact absorbing foam
> Supportive heel cups
> Durable
Cons:
> Expensive
The Superfeet Trailblazer is another solid choice of insoles for hiking. These particular insoles have been specially designed with athletic activities in mind, which makes them the perfect fit for hiking.
They feature an EVOLyte carbon fiber stabilizer to give you the right support you need while out on the trail.
These particular insoles feature supportive heel cups to prevent your feet from moving around as you walk. This can prevent the hot spots that often become uncomfortable. So you’ll get the right support when walking for long periods of time.
Another great feature of these particular insoles for hiking is that they come with shock-absorbing foam. This works to absorb the impact around the heel area so as to be kinder on your ankle joints.
They come in a Women’s Hiking Insole and Men’s Hiking Insole which is specific to each foot type.
Overall, these are one of the best insoles for backpacking and hiking with the comfort provided by the impact-absorbing foam.
Sof Sole Active
Arch Support: High Arch / Medium Feet
Pros:
> Reduce foot pain
> Deep heel cup
> Polygiene anti-bacterial coating
Cons:
> Expensive
If you’re looking for pain relief from your insoles, then you should look at the Sole Active insoles. These insoles have been clinically proven to reduce plantar fascia strain by up to 34%.
They are even recommended by podiatrists as an effective alternative to prescription orthotics.
You’ll get the right amount of support that you need using these particular insoles for hiking. They feature a zero drop, deep heel cup as well as dynamic arch support so as to be super comfortable when you use them.
This will evenly distribute the pressure on your feet so that they are more gentle on the soles of your feet.
Another great feature of these insoles is that you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant odors emanating from your shoes. These insoles use a polygiene coating which gives you active odor control.
They come in different versions to suit medium arch and high arch support.
Overall, these are yet another great pair of hiking insoles to reduce pain in the feet.
Sof Sole Athlete
Arch Support: Medium Feet
Pros:
> Budget-friendly
> True to size
> Moisture wicking
Cons:
> Best used for lighter activity rather than intensive hikes
The Sof Sole Athlete Insole is another fantastic choice if you have some light hiking or day hiking in mind. These particular insoles have been designed with athletic activities in mind, which makes them the perfect fit for hiking.
You’ll get the support you need from these insoles. They feature a contoured neutral arch that will be ideal for the vast majority of foot types. These insoles have also been designed to be true to size, so you can easily find the right size for your feet.
Another great feature of these insoles is that they make use of moisture-wicking technology. This works to eliminate the bacteria that can cause odor while also keeping your feet dry.
Overall, this is one of the best hiking insoles for day hiking.
WalkHero Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles
Arch Support: Flat Feet / High Arch
Pros:
> Designed to help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis
> Can be used for a variety of sports activities including hiking
> Good arch support
> Great Budget Price
Cons:
> Some hikers found the insoles could be on the squeaky side
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, then the EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles will be the perfect insoles for your needs. These insoles have been designed to alleviate foot pain and be gentler on your feet.
Another great feature of these insoles is that they feature shock absorption. This works to cushion your feet as you walk, as well as being kinder to your joints. These insoles also feature a deep heel cradle to give you even more support.
You won’t have to worry about these insoles letting you down. They have been manufactured using premium materials so that they will last you even longer.
Overall, these are the best budget hiking insoles.
Buyers Guide
There are so many things to bear in mind when it comes to choosing the best insoles for hiking. Especially if you’re new to this particular accessory!
It will be important to find the right-sized insoles for your feet so that they can actually do the job they need to. If you choose a pair of insoles that don’t fit you properly, you won’t get the support you need.
I’ve put together this handy buyer’s guide to help you on your quest to find the best insoles for hiking.
I used the below criteria to find the best insoles for hiking that we’ve reviewed in more detail above, so you can use them to make a fully informed decision.
As long as you bear the below factors in mind when choosing your insoles, you can rest assured that they will be perfect for your needs.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about insoles for hiking below or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Break in period
This is important. When you first use a pair of hiking insoles it is best that you start wearing them only a couple of hours per day and no more.
They will take a while for your feet to get used to and if you wear them too often at first your feet can become quite sore. It is important to remember that this feeling is normal.
Take your time and get your feet used to the new fit and feel of the new hiking insoles.
Size
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best insoles for hiking is to select the right-sized insoles for your shoes and feet.
This is because if you choose insoles that are too small or too big, they won’t be able to give you the support that you need while you’re out on the trail.Â
It will be best to opt for the size of insoles that match the size of your feet. This is so that you can get the support that you need while you’re hiking.
If you notice that this gives you a more snug fit in your shoes, you can opt for a slightly larger size hiking boot to ensure that you get the right type of support when walking.Â
Insoles that have been designed with hiking in mind often can’t be cut to size compared to standard insoles, so it will be important to choose the right size for you and your feet.
Support
It will be crucial to ensure that your hiking insoles will give you the right amount of support when you’re walking. Do they feature a heel cup to give your heel more support?
Do they feature a comfortable cushioning that will take the impact from your feet? Do they work to stabilize your feet as you walk so that you’re not sliding around in your shoes?
As long as you have the right support from your hiking insoles, you won’t have to worry about getting any blisters or hot spots at the end of the day once you get off the trail.
You’ll be surprised by how much difference a pair of quality insoles for hiking can make to your walking experience.
Odor control
Another factor to consider is whether your insoles come with odor control. This is because if you’re hiking for long periods of time, then your feet start to sweat, which can cause unpleasant odors to linger in your insoles and boots.
You should look for a quality pair of insoles that will be able to wick away moisture and eliminate the bacteria that typically cause odor to linger.
By choosing a quality pair of insoles that wick away moisture, you will also be left with comfortably dry feet while you’re out walking.
Ergonomic
It will be wise to opt for an ergonomic pair of insoles. This is because a quality pair of ergonomic insoles will give you the support you need while also being super comfortable. The more ergonomic your hiking insoles, the better they will be.
A comfortable pair of ergonomic insoles will work with you so that you get the support you need while you’re out on the trail.
A more ergonomic pair of insoles will prevent any foot fatigue, as well as repetitive strain injuries such as plantar fasciitis.
Arch support
Choosing a pair of insoles that give you the right amount of arch support will also be crucial. Everybody has different types of feet. Some have high arches, some have low arches, and all of these will need different levels of support.
So you should always opt for a pair of insoles that give you the right amount of support for the type of arch that your feet have.
You may find that you will have to adjust the type of insoles that you opt for depending on the arch support that you need.
Durable
You will need to ensure that you opt for a highly durable pair of insoles that will last you for several months or years, depending on how often you like to go hiking.
This will mean choosing a high quality pair of insoles that will be able to stand the test of time while also giving you the support that you need. The better quality the materials, the more support you will get, and the longer the insoles will last you.
Take a look at the components used to craft the insoles. Have they been made using premium materials that will last you a lifetime? Do the insoles come with a warranty to give you even more peace of mind?
These are all factors to consider in choosing a durable pair of insoles that will give you the support you need.
Conclusion
The Best Insoles for Hiking Boots and Hiking Shoes for 2022 are:
Frequently asked questions
Yes, insoles do help with hiking. Adding a quality pair of insoles to your walking boots can make them much more comfortable during long treks.
These can also reduce the likelihood of injury to your feet such as blisters, foot aches, and hotspots. They will also be incredibly helpful for people who suffer from foot issues such as foot elongation, heel slippage, as well as collapsed or low arches.
Remember to pair your insoles and hiking boots with the right hiking socks, too.
Yes, you can go hiking with plantar fasciitis, however, there are a few caveats to bear in mind. Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive strain injury, so it will be important to take things slowly and carefully, especially at the start of the hiking season.
You will need to slowly build yourself up to the more intensive hikes so that you don’t cause further injury to yourself and your feet.
