Do you ever notice your shoes feeling a bit too big or too loose? Perhaps your feet rub slightly your shoes causing discomfort throughout. Whether you have a favorite pair of heels that you don’t want to get rid of or a new pair of loafers that you cannot wait to try, finding the right insoles can take your shoe wearing game to the next level.
If we are all honest with ourselves, feet are not a concern for most people until they become a painful concern. Anyone that has experienced any problems with their feet, whether that’s in the form of pain, deformities, calluses, or corns will tell you how challenging things can get. Although individuals take them for granted, healthy feet are important.
What Exactly Are Insoles And Which Ones Should You Buy?
Insoles are designed to offer more comfort and support for overworked feet and extend the life of your shoes, all while helping you fit into your favorite shoes a lot more easily. But one man’s insole is another’s foot ache; insoles are not one size fits all. Every foot is unique so before you purchase any type of insole, it is vital to find out how it can benefit you and your type of foot.
Figure Out Your Feet
We all have different feet. Before you head out to purchase insoles, you want to first figure out your arch type; whether you have a high, medium, or low arch. Another thing that you have to pay attention to is your gait type. Basically, individuals have 3 types of gaits:
Over-Pronation - which is when the feet turn inward. This is also the most common type of gait.
Supination - which is when the feet turn outward
Neutral - which is the perfect balance of both.
You also need to keep in mind any foot problems or disorders that you may suffer from such as bunions or plantar fasciitis or any other common foot issues before settling for a pair of insoles.
Find Your Type Of Insole
When you start shopping around, you will primarily have to choose from custom orthotics, comfort insoles, or molded insoles. If you suffer from discomfort regularly, comfort insoles are an ideal option. Anyone that struggles with soreness from working out or if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, comfort insoles could also suit you nicely as they are designed to offer wearers more arch support.
If you have tried everything under the sun and nothing seems to cure your achy feet, you may need to go for something more custom made such as custom orthotics or molded insoles. Molded insoles are designed to sort out issues such as over-pronation or flat and low arches.
Custom orthotics can handle the same problems, the only difference is that custom orthotics are designed by a specialist specifically for your foot and are typically under the recommendation of a doctor. Insoles are not just for people that suffer from foot problems. Anyone that has loosely fitting shoes or heel slippage can benefit from insoles.
If the point is only to make your shoe more custom fit to your feet, then all you need is an aftermarket insole that will help to fill out space better. If you want to rectify a tight-fitting shoe, low volume insoles would be the best choice.
Are you looking for insoles to improve your performance? Performance insoles are designed to provide shock absorption so that you can stay active for longer. Are you struggling with foot pain? Why don’t you consider getting pain management insoles?
Pain management insoles are made using gel and are sometimes just for placing around your heel to reduce the effects of an array of problems such as heel spurs and bunions. Pain management insoles are also great for anyone that is looking for improvement with back pain.
Check If Your Insoles Need To Be Replaced
At some point, even the best insoles need to be replaced. With regular usage, you can expect your insoles to serve you for approximately 6 months. However, this will vary depending on your level and intensity of activity, as well as your foot structure. If you work out regularly, for instance, you may need to replace your insoles every 3 or 4 months.
You will know that you need to replace your insoles when you notice:
Discoloration: If your insoles look vastly different from when you bought them, then you need to replace them with a new pair. Your insoles may also need replacement if the logo has worn off or if you’ve worn them long enough to leave a visible impression of your heel n the sole.
Damage: If any part of your insoles is torn or cracked, then you need to replace your insoles. If you continue to wear cracked insoles, you put yourself at risk of developing blisters since your insole will no longer be supporting you or cushioning that you need.
Built-Up Odor: If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, you probably experience a lot of sweating. Without regular cleaning, sweat is bound to accumulate which can cause undesirable smells to develop. When picking new insoles to replace your old ones with, consider going for those manufactured using antimicrobial fabric that will prevent the buildup of fungi and bacteria.
Final Thoughts
Insoles come in all shapes and sizes and individuals invest in them for all sorts of reasons. A lot of people just use their shoes until they wear out, never needing to replace their insoles. Others, however, rely heavily on insoles for relief from foot or heel pain.
Some insoles are designed solely to make your favorite pair of shoes more comfortable. Others are created to offer support for people recovering from lower body pains and injuries.
There are so many varieties of insoles; the challenge lies in figuring out which insoles and shoes are right for your feet. It can get overpowering trying to figure out which insoles are right for your feet. Hopefully, this detailed guide can help to narrow down your search. You’re welcome!
