What Do Insoles Do For Your Feet?

Insoles are basically the shape of the base of your footwear and are inserted to sit at the bottom. As foot shape and condition varies from person to person, regular shoes are not equipped to help relieve pain or pressure. “Many shoes don’t come with great built-in arch support, so many people need to add an insole. When you walk or run, your foot pronates (flattens) slightly to help absorb shock. You don’t want too much or too little pronation though. In general, people with flat feet or people who overpronate need semi-rigid arch support to help prevent overpronation when walking or running.  Conversely, people with high arches or the ones who deal with over-supination need a cushioned orthotic that fills their high arch and helps absorb shock since they lack pronation,” states Dr. Dave Candy, a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. When you choose shoe inserts, they are designed to elevate certain areas and provide cushioning so you can remain comfortable. At the same time, the material used helps absorb shock and reduce impact, thus reducing potential future damage to feet. Inserts are constructed to realign your feet in such a way that there is minimized pressure on your ankles and knees when you walk or stand. This also helps correct posture and eliminate muscle fatigue. Conditions like plantar fascia strain, achilles tendonitis, fallen arches, flat foot, ball of foot pain, and chronic pain can be taken care of to a certain extent with good-quality orthotic foot inserts.

11 Best Insoles For Standing All Day That Will keep Your Feet Happy

1. Best Foam Cushioning:WALK Hero Feet Insoles

WALK HERO brings to you the best shoe insoles for work that contain a high-density foam layer to stabilize feet and protect them from the impact of physical movement. The deep heel cup helps in maintaining the right position while the EVA material is breathable and minimizes shock absorption. These are the best insoles for walking all day as they give you a moderate amount of control with a semi-rigid orthotic arch support that reduces the stress on your feet and knees. As the fabric is antibacterial, it resists odor to keep you fresh while you work. Pros

Available in wide range of colors Foam layer for cushioning Breathable and anti-friction fabric Built-in silicon for shock absorption Orthotic arch pain support Reduces impact

Cons

Some may find the foam to compress with use

2. Best Non-Slip Design:Physix Gear Full Length Orthotic Insoles

If you’re looking for the best insoles for walking on concrete all day, look no further than these ergonomic non-slip ones by Physix Gear. They’re thin with a low-profile design and deeply cradle your heels to keep them stable. EVA foam and PU combine to give you soft double-layered cushioning for comfort. As they absorb shock, you will find reduced muscle fatigue if you struggle with flat feet or achilles tendonitis. These are also the best shoe insoles for standing all day as they realign the feet and help control overpronation. Pros

Non-slip Thin design Double-layered cushioning Shock-absorbing Realign feet Reduce muscle fatigue

Cons

Might trap odor

3. Best For Toes:Scholl’s Tri-Comfort Insoles

Dr.Scholl’s got the best insoles for ball of foot pain as they use FlexiSpring Arch Support that contours to your feet for stabilization. Their ¾ length design gives your toes enough room to move without feeling constricted. Placed in the heel area and the ball of the foot, Comfort Cushions allow the base to feel cozy. These are the best insoles for standing on concrete all day as they care for your feet without requiring any adjustments. Pros

Roomy for toes Cushioning at heel and ball of foot ¾ length fits in any shoe Contours to feet’s movements Reduce impact No trimming required

Cons

Might not be anti-slip

4. Best For Feet Stabilization:PowerStep Pinnacle Arch Support Insoles

Made with 100% polyester EVA foam sole, PowerStep Pinnacle offers the best insoles for walking and standing all day. Full-length with neutral arch support, these inserts have dual-layer cushioning for feet to rest on. For increased stability, a semi-rigid support shell is present while the fabric is antimicrobial to keep sweat, friction, and heat away. As these are the best insoles for being on feet all day, they can give you relief from mild pronation and plantar fasciitis. Pros

Firm yet flexible ready-made insoles Dual-layer cushioning Cradles heel and arches Antimicrobial top fabric Reduces friction and heat Realigns and stabilizes feet

Cons

Might not be the best at shock absorption

5. Best Breathable Velvet Layer:VoMii Memory High-Rebound FoamInsoles

VoMii’s insoles for standing long hours feature a medical-grade velvet layer that repels moisture. A gel pad placed under the heel absorbs shock and minimizes muscle fatigue. Made with a non-slip design, VoMii’s inserts have memory foam cushioning that makes them the best shoe insoles for walking. If found to be too long, you can trim them to fit your size and find comfort in their impact-reducing properties. Pros

Breathable velvet layer Shock-absorbing Impact-reducing Memory foam cushioning Gel pad reduces muscle fatigue High arch support

Cons

Might be too soft for some

6. Best Arch Support:PCSsole Orthotic Arch Support Shoe Inserts

PCSsole’s shoe inserts for standing all day have a rigid arch support to distribute and minimize the pressure in your feet. To enhance stability, the deep heel cradle keeps the bones properly aligned. The EVA foam base and multi-layer cushion is not just soft but also absorbs and repels moisture to keep your feet fresh and dry. With these non-slip foam inserts for shoes, you can find your body posture corrected for pain relief. Pros

Rigid arch support Enhances stability Aligns bones Multi-layer cushion Breathable and moisture-wicking fabric Non-slip

Cons

The color might bleed onto socks

7. Best For Pressure Minimizing:Spenco Polysorb Heavy Duty Shoe Insoles

Spenco’s comfortable shoe inserts provide PolySorb foam cushioning that is ultra-thin along with a deep heel cup for stabilization.The SpenCore Material Heel pad works to reduce impact while the forefoot crash pad minimizes pressure. With a low arch and heel-to-toe cushion, these are good insoles for walking all day. Targeted shock absorption gives you lasting comfort during the workday. Pros

Thin cushioning Reduces impact Absorbs shock Minimizes pressure Low arch

Cons

Some might find the cushioning to be insufficient

8. Best Gel Heel Cup:Ariat Women’s ATS Footbed Round Toe Insole

Ariat brings to you gel insoles for work boots made of 100% polyurethane. The round toe keeps your toes able to flex without shutting off blood flow. Gel in the heel area helps reduce and distribute pressure to minimize the work that your knees and feet need to do. Footpads are sufficiently cushioned and fit into your shoes with no hassle. Just slip these inserts into any old shoe to make it new again! Pros

Roomy toe area Reduces pressure Optimum cushioning Absorbs shock Reduces impact Gel heel cup

Cons

Might not offer enough arch support

9. Best Moisture-Wicking:Superfeet Orthotic Shoe Inserts

Superfeet’s best insoles for fallen arches use sculpted deep heel cups to assist with pain and naturally absorb shock. With a high-density closed-cell foam layer your feet are given a maximum amount of cushion to release tiredness. For extra support, a stabilizer cap is added at the bottom while the moisture-wicking fabric coating gets rid of any odor-causing bacteria. Reducing fatigue, the Superfeet Shape keeps your knees, feet, and ankles completely stress-free. Pros

Sculpted heel cups Shock-absorbing High density foam cushioning Moisture-wicking Coated to eliminate odor-causing bacteria Reduces stress on joints

Cons

Might not fit easily into all kinds of shoes

10. Best Eco-Friendly:SOLE Performance Medium Cork Shoe Insoles

SOLE offers the most comfortable insoles for work boots that are also eco-friendly as they are made with recycled corks. This material is naturally moisture-wicking, supportive, and offers a good amount of cushioning. The arch support is accomodative as it is flexible yet sturdy to minimize strain. With a deep heel cup, lateral movement can be prevented and the natural padding under your heel bone is repositioned. These inserts have a moldable orthopedic base that conforms to your foot shape and stay secure. The Softec cushioning used is made of open cell foam technology and does a great job at shock absorption. Pros

Eco-friendly Moisture-wicking Flexible yet sturdy arch support Repositions bones for comfort Conforms to foot shape Absorbs shock

Cons

Might make a squeaky sound when walking

11. Best For Joint Strains:Vionic Full-Length Supportive Relief Orthotic Shoe Insole

Vionic’s sole inserts for boots are podiatrist-designed and help combat excessive pronation that is caused by flat feet. Made with the innovative Three-Zone Comfort technology, you can find deep heel cup stability, arch support, and forefoot cushioning. At the forefoot, 1st Ray technology is used to improve flexibility beneath your big toe area. These contact points help reposition your feet to relieve any strain. The top cloth is made of 100% nylon coupled with Shield technology to rid you of odor-causing bacteria. Pros

Helps combat overpronation Repositions feet Eliminates odor-causing bacteria Forefoot cushioning Increases flexibility and stability Lowers strain on joints

Cons

Some might find these to be thick shoe inserts

Now that we’ve looked at some of the best insoles for standing all day long, let’s learn how you can pick the right ones for your feet.

How To Choose The Right Insoles For Standing All Day

Size and shape

The shape of the insole you’re about to purchase must be the same as your footwear. For example, wide work boots cannot accommodate a narrow insert. Additionally, you also need to think about how your shoes fit you at the moment. If they happen to be a tad bit loose, opt for a thick insole and vice versa. It goes without saying that you must remove the already existing insoles to put in your orthotic ones. Some fit right out-of-the-packet but some might need trimming, so you can choose whatever is preferable.

Fit

An insole can fit well into your footwear but it must also fit your foot. Walk around in your insole and ensure that it doesn’t feel too constricting. Keep in mind that no toes should dangle in the front nor should your heel stick out the back. The ball of your foot should be in line with the arch support with no gap. Another option is molded inserts that conform to your foot’s shape for an exact fit. Some can also be heated for the same.

Cushioning and shock absorbency

Gel is good at absorbing shock while foam relieves foot pressure and offers cushioning. To get the best of both worlds, look for insoles that feature both of these materials at strategic places. Gel added at the heel and ball of the foot is helpful when in contact with the ground. Foam can be present throughout the insole for maximum comfort.

Moisture and odor control

Standing for long hours can cause increased sweating in your shoes, which can further lead to trapped unpleasant smells. To combat this, some shoe inserts use moisture-wicking fabric that have an antimicrobial and anti-bacterial coating that gets rid of odor-causing bacteria. Repelling sweat, this feature also keeps your feet dry and fresh.

Arch support

Your feet can have arches that are low, medium, or high and depending upon this you can choose your insert. While medium arches are okay, high and low ones can cause you pain. Cushioned arch support can be the best choice if you’re on your feet for long hours on end. But other foot-related conditions like overpronation and supination might require you to use semi-rigid support for better stability.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Priyam Gupta is a makeup and fashion enthusiast. She has a passion for enhancing her readers’ lives by bridging the gap between their needs and the right products at the right time. Here, she highlights the best insoles that allow you to stay comfortable and relaxed on your feet for longer without a hassle. She conducted in-depth research and checked online reviews to recommend the best products to her readers. Do insoles cure foot problems? No, but they can aid in comfort. Orthotic inserts, on the other hand, are designed to correct and realign your feet to ease foot-related conditions. Can you put 2 insoles in shoes? No, as you need only 1 to be able to walk comfortably. If you use 2, there might be no room remaining for your feet to move and breathe. How long should you wear insoles? It is recommended to start off by wearing your insoles for about an hour every day and go on adding an hour to this daily. In the long run, insoles must be replaced every 6 months. How long does it take for insoles to work? This depends on the person but on average 1 to 2 weeks is sufficient for you to break into and get used to your shoe inserts. Will insoles make shoes tighter? Yes, which is why they’re a great option at making loose shoes work. However, they shouldn’t be so thick that your feet don’t have room to move and flex, cutting off blood flow. Should orthotics be worn all the time? Orthotics can be worn all the time and when worn regularly they can help reduce strain if you’re on your feet a lot. What’s better: gel or memory foam insoles? Gel insoles are good for high intensity activities as they absorb shock and are quite durable. Moderate-level intensity activities like walking require lightweight, soft or semi-rigid insoles made of memory foam. Do height insoles damage your feet if I wear them every day? Yes, height insoles make you appear taller while also offering support and cushioning. However, this can shorten the muscle-tendon structure by raising your heel and cause them to contract. Additionally, this puts pressure on the forefoot area and the toes.

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