If you’re an experienced hiker, rambler or hill walker, you’ll obviously know all about the strain these activities can put on your feet, especially when you’re travelling over uneven terrain.
Even with the best of boots, having a good pair of walking boot insoles can make all the difference. Not only will you be more comfortable, your feet will also have the support and stability needed to prevent any foot problems, conditions and injuries common among walkers and hikers.
The insoles which come with your new walking boots will no doubt be soft and bouncy. Their sole purpose is cushioning and they are not designed for stability, or even comfort. Neither are they very resilient.
If the manufacturer-fitted insoles in your hiking boots get wet, when crossing a stream or on a rainy day for example, these insoles may absorb water. This will make them spongy, but once they are dry, the fabric will then become crisp and may crack under the pressure of your foot when you’re next walking.
There is another issue with manufacturer boot insoles, and that’s the fact they were not made for your foot and the specific requirements it will have, such as arch support.
It may be annoying having to spend more on what may already have been an expensive purchase, but investing in walking boot insoles really can make a world of difference when it comes to comfort and support.
Despite what a lot of people think, insoles for walking boots are not an additional layer of cushioning. Their role is to give you more stability, while also absorbing shock to reduce impact and the strain on your joints and lower leg muscles.
There are many benefits of fitting hiking insoles in your boots. Benefits which most factory-fitted insoles just don’t incorporate.
The arches can be regarded as the shock absorbers of the feet. If they’re weak, you’re going to be landing too heavily on your heels.
If you have flat feet (low or collapsed arches), you want walking insoles that cushions and supports your foot, leading to a more even distribution of weight, instead of just on the heels and balls of the feet.
We all know how important comfort is to an enjoyable hike and how miserable it can be if boots are not comfortable.
Along with the extra cushioning offered by walking boot insoles, their metatarsal pads, arch supports and gel heel pads will ensure your feet feel their best, even on the longest of treks.
Stable feet are a solid foundation for your entire frame and good hiking boots insoles will keep your feet aligned, stable and in place.
This will help you to avoid the friction and rubbing which causes blisters and, perhaps more importantly, help you optimise your gait to minimise the risk of injury.
Slippage is one of the major causes of heel pain and blisters.
Good walking insoles have a gel heel pad that will lock the heel into place and prevent your foot from slipping inside your hiking boot. They will also address any alignment issues you may have, reducing the strain on hips, ankles, back, neck and knees.
A day’s hiking will obviously result in some fatigue, especially if it involves scaling and descending peaks. The cushioning and shock absorption features of a walking boot insole will reduce the strain on your feet and leave you feeling less tired, while their added arch support will help your feet get through the toughest of treks.
A painful condition, plantar fasciitis is often caused by walking boots with poor support. Good hiking boot insoles will go beyond simple cushioning, giving you the arch support you need to land your foot properly.
As hiking insoles lessen the strain on the the band of tissue connecting the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel bone, they can help prevent achilles tendonitis.
If your walking boots are comfortable and feel good right out of the box, then you may not need hiking boot insoles.
However, as we’ve mentioned, the insoles supplied with your boots are usually far from ideal. Plus you may find that your level of comfort decreases as these insoles eventually wear out.
If you find that you’re suffering the discomfort of tired and aching feet more than you should be at the end of a hike in the hills, or even a gentle walk on flatter ground, it could be time to invest in a decent pair of insoles. The same goes if you’re experiencing pain in your back, hips or knees.
We provide the best insoles for walking boots, which are also suitable for other sports, such as football, running and cycling incorporate features which can help you enhance comfort, reduce fatigue and help you avoid injury.
They include:
Our hiking insoles are just one of a range of FootActive sports insoles and arch support insoles.
We also provide a range of insoles that helps various foot problems such as heel pain and tired and aching feet, along with a choice of orthopaedic footwear, such as slippers, flip flops and sandals with arch support and supportive socks.
If you have any questions about any of the products on our website, our team are always happy to help!
Get in touch on +44 (0)1963 33088, or use the form below, and we’ll be back in touch as soon as possible.
