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7 Best Insoles for Hiking Boots—Get Arch Support for Long Walks

a man in a white shirt and blue and pink suspenders
By Babafemi Adebajo
Michelle Meyer - Editor for Upstep
Edited by Michelle Meyer

Updated June 22, 2023.

 A pair of hiking boots with insoles standing upright inside of them, placed next to an orange tent on a patch of grass.

While many people aren't bothered about the insoles in their shoes, athletes, runners, and hikers need all the extra support and comfort they can get. The average hiker wants a firm, supporting insole in their hiking boots to guarantee a pain-free experience during and after hiking.

When you're faced with many choices, you may choose the wrong insole on a whim. To avoid such an uninformed guess, we have carefully selected seven insoles for you to consider. Let’s look at their benefits and differences.

  • Best Overall Insoles: Upstep Fitness Walking & Hiking Custom Orthotics
  • Best Stabilizing Insoles: Superfeet Trailblazer Comfort
  • Best Thick Insoles: SOLE Active Thick
  • Best Firm Insoles: Protalus M-100 Elite
  • Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles: Tread Labs Pace
  • Best Pain-Relieving Insoles: URthotics Comfort
  • Best Foam Insoles: FitMyFoot Black Full-Length

1. Best Overall Insoles for Hiking Boots 

Hands displaying Upstep custom  fitness walking and hiking custom orthotics vertically




Pros


  • Custom-made by top podiatrists
  • Comfort and extra cushioning
  • FSA and HSA Eligible
  • 180-day money-back guarantee

Cons


  • Short waiting period

Upstep Fitness Walking and Hiking Custom Orthotics are custom-made to fit your feet for the utmost in comfort and support. Professional podiatrists custom-make each set of insoles with the help of customer-supplied foot impression kits, premium materials, and state-of-the-art machinery.

If you put Upstep insoles in your hiking boots, you won't have to worry about blisters or sore feet no matter how rough the terrain gets. Furthermore, what's the deal here? If you try Upstep insoles and aren't completely satisfied with the results, you can get your money back within 180 days. Buying a pair of Upstep insoles is a win-win proposition.

Fitness Walking & Hiking Custom Orthotics

4.8/5(497 reviews)



2. Best Stabilizing Insoles for Hiking Boots

Picture of Superfeet Trailblazer green, orange, and black Insoles with 60 day comfort guarantee text in the left hand corner


Pros


  • Medium to high arch support
  • Stabilize foot on different terrains
  • Heel impact technology

Cons


  • Needs to be trimmed to fit shoes
  • Shifts around causing hot spots
  • Squeaky noise
  • Costly compared to alternatives

Superfeet Trailblazer Comfort insoles often have a deep heel cup and medium to high arch support to stabilize the foot on different terrain. Invariably, this reduces the stress on the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back.

Superfeet insoles are cushioned well enough to make the foot comfortable. They also have heel impact technology for optimal energy transfer during difficult ascents and descents. Unfortunately, they sometimes squeak and shift around in the boots as they may not fit properly, causing hot spots and blisters. However, they are trimmable to achieve fitting.

» Do you need insoles for other sporting activities? Discover the best arch support insoles for running and cycling shoes

3. Best Thick Insoles for Hiking Boots

SOLE Active Thick Insoles


Pros


  • Cushioned footbed
  • Built-in metatarsal pad
  • Different sizes available

Cons


  • Too thick for other shoes
  • Not custom-made
  • Does not fit all foot arches

SOLE Insoles have been clinically proven to be effective store-bought insoles, reducing the loading of the foot. Apart from a well-cushioned footbed, SOLE Active Thick insoles have a built-in metatarsal pad to increase the cushioning of the feet and forefoot comfort.

SOLE Insoles come in varying sizes and are suitable for most arch heights, ensuring one with a natural foot arch. They also fit well in hiking boots and are an affordable option.

4. Best Firm Insoles for Hiking Boots

Grey and orange insoles from Protalus on display


Pros


  • Firm insole for pain relief and comfort
  • Maximum alignment
  • Different sizes available

Cons


  • Short-lived usage
  • Flatten out after regular use
  • May not find the correct size

While not specific for hiking, the Protalus M-100 Elite insole provides maximum alignment and support for all kinds of activities. It has a firm insole that guarantees pain relief and comfort.

Protalus insoles come in varying sizes so that you can get something as close to your foot size as possible. But they're not very durable as they flatten out within 4 to 6 months, compared to others that last as long as 12 months.

5. Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Hiking Boots

Tread Labs Pace Insoles


Pros


  • Different arch support heights
  • Varying sizes available
  • Extra firm medical-grade support

Cons


  • Rigid support may not be for everyone
  • Must trim them to fit shoes
  • Customer responsible for shipping
  • Longer waiting time

Tread Lab Pace insoles are one of the easiest insoles to accommodate. They provide arch support and improve foot alignment, thus relieving pain and making hiking more comfortable.

Tread Lab insoles come in four different arch heights: low, medium, high, and extra high arch height. They also come in different sizes, so you can find the best fit possible. However, this isn't as effective as custom orthotics that are made for your feet specifically.

» How beneficial are arch supports? Arch supports are beneficial to your feet and ankles

6. Best Pain-Relieving Insoles for Hiking Boots

URthotics Comfort Plus insoles


Pros


  • Custom-made insoles
  • Made for sensitive feet
  • Extra cushion support

Cons


  • Pricey compared to alternatives
  • Long waiting period
  • Very noisy when placed in shoes

URthotics insoles are excellent for hiking boots despite being more expensive. Those who hike frequently and have feet that are particularly sensitive may benefit from URthotics Comfort insoles.

These insoles provide a lot of cushion and support, making them ideal for relieving foot pain. Using 3D imaging technology, they are tailored to each person's unique requirements, foot shape, and activity level.

7. Best Foam Insoles for Hiking Boots

Black insoles from FitMyFoot on display


Pros


  • Custom-fit insole
  • Flexible and provides arch support
  • Firm support

Cons


  • Customer has to pay for shipping
  • 30-day product guarantee
  • Narrow width
  • Has to be trimmed to fit shoes

FitMyFoot Black Full-Length insoles are comfortable because they're custom-fit to give you the best arch support and flexibility possible when you perform your daily activities. This means they're firm enough to support you while hiking, but also flexible enough so your muscles can move appropriately in response to changing terrain.

Barring its sub-par returns policy that only lasts 30 days and requires you to pay for your shipping when returning an item, FitMyFoot insoles are a good choice for hiking boots.

Hike With Confidence and Comfort

Now that we’ve done all the hard work, you can weigh up your options and make an informed choice. While your decision is based on your specific needs, we recommend custom orthotics as the best choice. As the most accommodating and durable option, custom orthotics will provide the most support while hiking.

» How do you know if you need arch support? These factors can indicate you need arch support