What kind of insoles for flat feet in work boots. Has foot pain or fatigue put you out of the game before you're ready to quit? A long day at work on the construction site, in the field or onboard is hard enough. There's nothing worse than having to get down on your knees and watch your peers do their job because of pain in the soles of your feet, arches, or ankles.
9 Best Insoles
1. Keen Utility K-20 Cushioned Insole
2. Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole
3. Orange Superfeet Premium Template
4. Keen Utility K-10 Replacement Mold
5. Latest Powerstep Comfort Complete Templates
6. Carhartt Insite Technology Footbed CMI9000 Insole
7. Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles: Professional Foot Support
8. Red Wing Heritage Comfort Force Insole
9. Servus puncture resistant midsoles with flexible steel inserts
Work boots are necessary for foot protection and traction during heavy-duty work, but their inserts aren't always built to last. Fortunately, most work boots are made with removable insoles that can be replaced with something more comfortable and supportive.
The best work shoe insoles not only provide comfort and support but also protect your legs and joints to keep you safe in the toughest conditions.
Our experts have tested the work shoe insoles on our list for shock absorption, comfort, arch support, durability, and more. But before you start, you need to know how to work shoe insoles that will affect your feet and your work.
How to choose a good pair of insoles for your boots?
Work shoe insoles come in many different variants and offer many advantages. They relieve pain and discomfort caused by flat feet, high arches, bunions, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, and the pressure that prolonged standing can cause. But choosing just any template does not guarantee relief from all these problems. To get the lighting you need, you need to know what you're buying (don't worry, we'll make it easy!).
First of all, there are two types of insoles for shoes and boots.
Comfort Insoles – These insoles are designed for comfort, but are not intended to support the shape of your foot. They are usually soft and can be made of a material such as gel or foam. They are an ideal choice for those with issues such as bunions, minor aches and pains, fatigue, and blisters.
Insoles: These insoles provide support to the arch, ankle, or sides of the foot. They are stiffer than comfort insoles because they need to be strong to keep your foot properly aligned. Arch supports are often necessary for people who suffer from arch problems, bad joints, back pain, plantar fasciitis, and pain caused by other structural problems in the foot.
To determine which type of work shoe insole is best for you, you need to list your symptoms. Do you suffer from muscle pain or blisters? Do you feel pressure on your arches? Are your feet often sweaty and uncomfortable? The list goes on and includes many painful and non-painful problems. Let's take a closer look at some of those issues.
Top-Rated Work Shoe Insoles
Now that you know what insoles are and how they can benefit your feet, you're ready to pick the right pair. Our picks for the best work shoe insoles have been tested by real workers in a variety of situations. We also consult customer reviews to ensure each product stands the test of time. Read on for our top picks.
1. Keen Utility K-20 Neutral Arch Cushioning Insole
The Keen Utility K-20 Cushioned Insole is a simple and affordable insole that provides extra comfort
for sore feet. This is not an insole designed to support arches, although it is said to provide adequate support to the sides of the feet.
Made from soft, highly durable synthetic materials, these insoles are designed to withstand the harshest conditions. They are also quite thick, making them ideal for heavy people or those who need more shock absorption.
2. Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole
The Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology replacement insole offers a good balance
between support and comfort. If you have arch problems or already have a medical condition related to the muscles or ligaments in your foot, you'll want an insole with more support.
But if you're looking for preventative support and don't want to sacrifice comfort, this sole is a good choice. Using exclusive anti-fatigue technology, Timberland has created a flexible, shock-absorbing synthetic footbed using supportive cones.
3. Superfeet Orange Premium Insole - Medium Arch Support
For a higher level of support and scientifically engineered sole protection for the entire foot, look no further than the Superfeet Orange Premium Insole. This insole is made of different densities of foam to give every part of your foot the right support and comfort.
The Superfeet Orange insole is a bit denser than the rubber comfort insoles that precede it on this list, making it a more supportive option.
4. Keen Utility K-10 Replacement Template - Neutral Arch Support
If you're at work or on the road every day, you know that insoles don't last. If you've never replaced yours, go ahead and get one out of your shoe. Let me guess; completely flat? If so, it's time to replace it. The Keen Utility K-10 Replacement Insole is the right choice for someone who doesn't have many complaints about their work boots but knows that a good insole is important. The Keen K-10 is a slimmer, more basic version of the K-20 (which we looked at earlier in this list).
5. PowerstepComfortlast full insoles: neutral arch support
PowerstepComfortlast complete insoles aren't just for work boots; they can be removed when you get home and put in your favorite pair of lounge shoes. They are easily transferable as they do not need to be modified or cut to fit in a shoe.
If you are concerned about the smell, you can put your worries aside. These insoles are made of antimicrobial fabric that reduces heat and prevents bacteria or fungus from growing. That also means bad odors don't linger.
6. Carhartt Insite Technology Footbed CMI9000 Insole
If you wear work boots, you know the name Carhartt. This brand has been producing rugged and tough workwear for decades and the quality doesn't stop there. The Carhartt Insite Technology insole was designed after analyzing more than 100,000 3D scans of the foot. The result is a flexible, comfortable, and durable insole for work shoes.
Designed more to optimize work performance than to provide support, this insole excels in three areas: grip, comfort, and impact protection. The unique material used in these insoles is called Ax Suede. It sounds great, and it works even better.
7. Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles: Professional Foot Support
Powerstep gets another position on our list with their Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Support Insoles. This semi-rigid insole definitely falls into the arch support category, meaning this insole is ideal for arch support, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and more intense muscle and joint pain.
Along with Podiatrist-recommended Powerstep support, these insoles offer two layers of plush, comfortable foam and are covered with an antimicrobial fabric to help prevent rashes, fungus, and harmful bacteria.
8. Red Wing Heritage Comfort Force Insole
Made from ultra-comfortable suede and polyurethane (the same material used in memory foam), the Red Wing Heritage Comfort Force insole is an insole that provides comfort and protection no matter what shoe you're wearing.
Granted, these insoles aren't just for work boots, but they're on this list because they're durable enough for just about anything. If you don't believe us, ask the US government Red Wings Shoes produced footwear for our soldiers in both world wars.
9. Servus puncture resistant midsoles with flexible steel inserts
Anyone who works in the service, manufacturing, or construction industries knows that life at work can be dangerous. Sometimes padded synthetic insoles don't give your work boots the extra protection they need. For that, you need Servus puncture-resistant midsoles with flexible steel inserts.
That's right, you heard us. These are real steel boot inserts. They resist puncture from shrapnel, rusty nails, and broken glass that can easily slip through the rubber soles of even the heaviest boots.
Different Types of Insoles for Work Boots
Carbon or Activated Charcoal Insoles
Undoubtedly one of the most popular and widely used types of insoles for sweaty feet. The insoles contain activated carbon particles, just like the carbon socks. As everyone knows, charcoal has been an old filtering and deodorizing material for decades.
Activated charcoal is just an improved version. In carbon insoles, the carbon is heat-treated and expands to form millions of micro pockets. Normally, activated charcoal acts like a sponge absorbing water; but charcoal also absorbs gas particles and odor-causing components. Aside from pure charcoal, some of these insoles use baking soda to absorb moisture and odors.
Ultra Absorbent Insoles
Since your foot is encased in an almost airtight environment, it pays to have a lot of absorbencies. The main culprit for smelly feet is the build-up of sweat. As such, ultra-wicking insoles work twice as hard to instantly absorb and wick away all moisture.
On the surface, absorbent soles contain small felted cotton fibers that look a lot like a towel. The only difference here is that it is done on a micro-scale for higher efficiency. If you want the most effective absorption for extremely sweaty feet, this is it.
Cedar Wood Insoles
So also; wood for templates. Like charcoal, cedar has also earned a reputation as an effective household deodorant. In addition to absorbing sweat, Cedar has an advantage over most other insoles. Thanks to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, it is perfect for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms that cause bad odors.
As everyone knows, sweat itself is harmless and odorless. The problem arises when you allow it to build up and create an environment conducive to certain bacteria. Cedar templates ensure that you never have this problem again. On the plus side, Cedar insoles are extremely thin and very flexible; making them very comfortable to wear in sturdy, insulated work boots.
Biocide Treated Wool Insoles
Simply put, these are insoles that have been chemically treated to kill all bacteria and fungi while inhibiting the growth of other organisms. A lot of wool is used to increase the absorbent character of the insoles. The wool fibers stick together and leave many air spaces that allow moisture, sweat and air to pass through.
From there, the sweat is directed from the feet to the cracks between the wool fibers and eventually absorbed by the insole. To increase the absorbency of fleece insoles, compressed fibers are incorporated into sturdy but extremely thin fabric straps.
Ionized Insoles
In today's ever-evolving market, ionization technology is gaining in popularity. You may have heard of
ionized water, air conditioners, diffusers, refrigerators, filters, and much more. Templates now also use this technology.
Basically, ionization means changing the electrical charge of an item. It is usually made so that the elements act like magnets that attract desirable materials and repel unwanted components. In contrast, silver-treated insoles have been ionized to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria in work shoes.
Aromatherapy Insoles
These are just the all-natural alternatives to biocide insoles. Unlike chemicals, aromatherapy insoles are packed with natural deodorizers like tea tree and lavender. Tea tree oil is popular for its powerful antibacterial properties making it a promising template. While these insoles work wonders at eradicating odors, they don't really do much against sweating.
Sockless Insoles
Walking barefoot often makes your feet sweat, so an insole designed for bare feet should definitely be super effective. These types of insoles directly prevent excessive sweating and do not rely on socks to do their job. On the plus side, it's great that the sockless insoles are washable to keep them fresh and clean.