10 Best Insoles for Hiking: A Step in the Right Direction
Updated March 31, 2023
Hiking is fun, but only when you get the best hiking insoles to prevent foot injuries, alleviate discomfort, and make your experience worth it.
Many people have lost the zeal to go hiking due to the foot pain and discomfort they experience afterward. Hiking often results in a sprained ankle, blisters, foot fatigue, plantar fasciitis, muscle cramping, etc. A retrospective cross-sectional study revealed a prevalence of 9.15% of ankle sprain during hiking and 41.8% residual foot problems after such injury.
To avoid the discomfort and injuries that can occur during a hike, every hiker should prioritize foot safety by investing in high-quality footwear and hiking insoles. Hikers need firm and supportive insoles in their boots to ensure a proper fit, cushion the feet, prevent foot injuries, and enjoy a pain-free experience during and after the adventure.
Our Top Picks for the Best Insoles for Hiking
- Best Insoles Overall - Upstep Fitness Walking & Hiking
- Best Comfort Insoles - Superfeet TRAILBLAZER Comfort
- Best Thin Insoles - Tread Labs Dash Thin
- Best Wide Insoles - SOLE Performance Wide Medium
- Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles - URthotics Active
- Best Wool Insoles - FitMyFoot Wool
- Best Breathable Insoles - Superfeet ADAPT Hike Max
- Best Cushioned Insoles - Protalus T-100 Elite
- Best Firm Insoles - Tread Labs Pace Wide
- Best Pain-Relieving Insoles - SOLE Active Thick
A Closer Look at Our Top 10 Insoles for Hiking
1. Best Overall Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 9.8
- Intended use - Reduce fatigue and improve comfort
- Material - High-quality EVA
- Support - Orthotic support
- Cushioning - Adequate cushioning to prevent injuries
- Sizes - Custom-made
The Upstep Hiking Custom Orthotics are fully personalized, supporting the foot and encouraging proper walking biomechanics for natural and efficient foot movement. This prevents foot fatigue and pain while providing adequate cushioning for the balls of your feet on rough hiking trails.
What We Love
- Moisture-absorbing
- Custom-made
- Adequate arch support
- Alleviates foot fatigue
What to Consider
- Delivery may take a while
2. Best Comfort Insoles for Hiking Boots
Footora score: 9.6
- Intended use - For hiking and outdoor footwear
- Material - Aerospring foam
- Support - Weight-defying support
- Cushioning - Heel-to-toe cushioning
- Sizes - Kids 2.5-4 / M5.5-7 / W4.5-14
Superfeet TRAILBLAZER Insoles offer fantastic foot comfort even on the roughest hiking trails by dispersing impact during tough ascents and descents. They feature two layers of heel-to-toe cushioning to reduce fatigue and provide reliable stability, with an Evolyte stabilizer cap for responsive support on uneven terrain.
What We Love
- Great stability and comfort
- Odor control
- Pain relief
- Reliable support
What to Consider
- Might make squeaking noises
3. Best Thin Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 9.4
- Intended use - For performance athletes
- Material - Polyurethane foam and polyester fabric
- Support - Molded arch support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cushioning
- Sizes - M4-13.5 / W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
If you've been overpowering most of your hiking insoles, Tread Labs Insoles offer extra firm arch support to improve foot biomechanics, deliver superior energy return, and minimize injury risks. Available in three firmness levels—firm, extra firm, and ultra firm—these insoles reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
What We Love
- Great arch support
- Pain relief
- Three levels of firmness
- Durable material
- Four arch heights
What to Consider
- Takes time to get used to it
4. Best Wide Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 9.5
- Intended use - High-performance pursuits
- Material - ReCORK recycled wine corks/ EVA
- Support - Metatarsal support pad
- Cushioning - Medium Softec cushioning
- Sizes - M3-13 / W5-16
The SOLE Performance Medium Insole makes it possible to enjoy a pain-free hiking experience, even with wide feet. The wider-than-usual toe box accommodates toes without cramping, while the moldable orthopedic base customizes to your foot's shape, offering support and comfort.
What We Love
- Shock-absorbing
- Carbon negative
- Moldable orthopedic base
- Metatarsal support pad
- True to size
What to Consider
- Might make squeaking noises
5. Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 9.5
- Intended use - For an active lifestyle
- Material - EVA
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - Custom-made
URthotics Custom Orthotics excel in shock absorption, featuring a 1/8" impact-absorbing Poron base that mitigates the effects of impact forces on your feet during rough hikes. This reduces stress fracture risks and prevents foot fatigue.
What We Love
- Premium quality
- Custom- made
- Durable
- Pain relief
- Great comfort
What to Consider
- Might be expensive
6. Best Wool Insoles for Hiking Boots
Footora Score: 9.2
- Intended use - For everyday comfort
- Material - Wool
- Support - Dynamic custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep contoured heel cup
- Sizes - Custom made
FitMyFoot Wool Insoles offer moisture-absorbing and temperature-control features, making them ideal for hiking. Capable of absorbing one-third of their weight in water, these wool insoles keep your feet warm when it's cold and cool when it's warm, while also being odor resistant.
What We Love
- What we love
- Odor-resistant
- Moisture-absorbing
- Flexibility
- Custom comfort
What to Consider
- Not trimmable
7. Best Breathable Insoles for Hiking Boots
Footora Score: 9.1
- Intended use - For hiking and outdoor footwear
- Material - Aerolyte foam
- Support - Medium to high-arch orthotic support
- Cushioning - Energizing heel cushion
- Sizes - Kids 2.5-4 / M5.5-13 / W4.5-14
Superfeet ADAPT Hike Max Insoles are breathable, ensuring your feet are healthy, well-ventilated, and odor-free during hikes. Their adaptive comfort technology allows them to flex and adapt to your foot's natural motion, preventing foot fatigue and increasing your feet's range of motion.
What We Love
- Durable construction
- Reliable support and comfort
- Deep heel cup
- Long-lasting
- Trimmable
What to Consider
- Not custom-made
8. Best Cushioned Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 8.7
- Intended use - For standard volume shoes
- Material - ETC, Polyurethane, and Nylon
- Support - Arch support with higher sides
- Cushioning - 3mm cushioning
- Sizes - M5.5-15 / W4.5-12.5 / Youths 3-4
Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles offer adequate cushioning and proper foot alignment while hiking. They feature a tri-planar alignment system that guides the body into the appropriate position, preventing ankle sprains and other mechanical foot injuries. Additionally, the 3mm heel and forefoot cushioning protect your feet from obstacles on the trail.
What We Love
- True to size
- Great support
- Trimmable
- Firm grip
What to Consider
- A little thick for some
9. Best Firm Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 8.6
- Intended use- For shoes with removable inserts
- Material- Polyurethane foam, polyester fabric
- Support- Molded arch support
- Cushioning- Deep heel cup
- Sizes- M7-14.5/W8-12.5 with 4 arch heights
Tread Labs Pace Wide Insoles provide firm support that doesn't quit, with three firmness levels to withstand any terrain. Their extra firm, precision-fit support improves stability and reduces foot pain while hiking. These insoles relieve pressure on the plantar fascia and offer adequate cushioning for the balls of your feet.
What We Love
- What We Love
- Medical-grade support
- Durability
- Easy to trim
- Four arch heights
What to Consider
- Needs time to fit
10. Best Pain-Relieving Insoles for Hiking
Footora Score: 8.4
- Intended use - For high-impact activities
- Material - EVA, Recycled cork
- Support - Metatarsal support pad
- Cushioning - 3.2mm Softec cushioning
- Sizes - M3-16 / W5-18
SOLE Active Thick Insoles are designed to distribute your body weight and pressure evenly, making your feet feel light during and after long hours of hiking. Equipped with metatarsal support pads, these insoles relieve stress on the forefoot and enhance maximum comfort. They also improve natural foot alignment, ensuring a normal gait and preventing foot twisting while hiking.
What We Love
- Carbon negative
- Pain relief Heat
- Wear moldable
- True to size
What to Consider
- Not custom-made
How We Choose
Drawing upon our extensive experience treating patients and evaluating the benefits of various insoles, our team has established criteria to help identify the most effective solutions for individuals with foot issues. We rate a number of factors on a weighted scale and aggregate them to create a single metric called the Footora Score, which reflects the product's overall usefulness. Do note that the score may vary depending on the specific purpose it's being reviewed for.
Here are the factors we considered when choosing the best insoles for hiking:
- Fit
- Support
- Comfort
- Durability
- Value for money
- Customer reviews
Step Up Your Hiking Game
Hiking can be an incredibly enjoyable activity, and it's important not to let foot discomfort and pain hold you back. With the proper insoles, you can reduce the risk of foot soreness, fatigue, bruises, and other injuries associated with hiking. When embarking on your next hike, wear insoles with adequate cushioning, arch support, proper fit, shock-absorbing, and breathable features for a fun-filled adventure. Not only will you enhance your overall experience, but you'll also save on potential medical bills.
