How To Choose Which Superfeet Insoles Are Right For You

Posted in: Hiking + Outdoor Running Snow

Five Superfeet insoles displayed fanned out

When equipping their feet with new shoes or boots, people don’t often think about one very important aspect: the part of the shoe that your foot will rest on day in and day out. Shoppers will often focus on other things about their shoes, like the fit or color. While these are all good considerations when selecting footwear, it is just as important to ask yourself, “What insoles do I need?”

Think about it this way, your insoles are something that your body is in direct contact with all day long. What else that you wear has this important role? Undershirts, underwear, pants, and shirts. You should consider investing just as much time and money into your insoles as you would into any of these other critical articles of clothing you wear every day.

Selecting the right insole is a very personal matter because there is no other foot out there just like yours, and there are many types of insoles to choose from. The good news is that our Superfeet experts are here to walk, no pun intended, you through the process of how to choose the right insole for you.

We will cover the reason for shoe inserts, how to find the right insoles, and ultimately answer the core question of, “What insoles do I need?”

Let’s get started.

How to choose the right Superfeet Insoles

Superfeet can be a game changer for athletes and anyone suffering from foot or leg pain. However, it is imperative to find the right Superfeet insoles in order to get the most out of each pair.

Superfeet products are tailored to specific activities, uses, and even styles of footwear. The contours of each insole are strategically positioned to offer maximum impact on the way your specific foot functions as you move.

Regardless of the technology, your comfort is key! If the insole feels uncomfortable to you, try a different Superfeet style. There are plenty to choose from, and there is no reason to be uncomfortable. There is surely a Superfeet that works for your feet.

For the most part, shoes nowadays are built mostly to be fashionable rather than comfortable, and that can be harmful to foot anatomy in the long run. Keep in mind that Superfeet insoles are not exclusive to people with foot ailments and that everyone can benefit from their use.

Superfeet insoles help you move more comfortably so you can focus on what you love, not foot pain. Superfeet insoles provide comfort, pain relief, and performance all at the same time. You can dramatically improve the fit, function, and feel of your footwear by adding a pair of insoles.

The Superfeet shape can reduce foot fatigue and help resolve common foot and lower leg injuries. Finally, you can enhance certain aspects of performance, like going farther or faster, with insoles in your footwear. But don’t just take our word for it, check it out for yourself and feel the difference that Superfeet can provide.

Common reasons to get Insoles

The reasons behind why people decide to get insoles are as varied as different foot styles. There are some common reasons why people tend to opt for an insole. Some of the main reasons to get insoles are:

Comfort - These people are looking to improve the overall fit and feel of their shoes.
Pain relief - Foot pain can be debilitating for many. A lot of people look to insoles as a method to prevent or relieve foot conditions like Plantar Fasciitis, general heel pain, metatarsalgia, etc.
Performance - The better your footwear fits and feels, the more comfortable you are, and that can keep you moving farther, longer and faster. Some shoppers turn to insoles to help give them a competitive edge.

You may identify with one or all of these categories. The three are not mutually exclusive but are often the driving force behind someone wanting to get Superfeet insoles.

Regardless of the initial reason, almost everyone can benefit from purchasing the right insoles. Whether you bought a new pair of shoes that could use better support, are an avid runner or hiker, or you have to spend long hours standing on your feet or walking all day for work, the right insole can make your life better.

For anyone who connects with the “pain relief” category, some common feet ailments that insoles can help with include:

Arch pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Morton’s neuroma
Metatarsalgia
Back pain
Knee pain

Any and all of these discomforts can be prevented or alleviated when using the right insoles. If you experience any of these ailments or have some other driving force making you consider what the best arch support insoles are, you qualify for a new pair of Superfeet.

Foot arch types

While every person’s foot is different and personal to them, typically when it comes to arch support people fall into one of three categories: neutral arches, high arches, and flat feet.

The arch of your foot is the center part between the heel and the toe. The arch is a slight curve upward that is designed to help with balancing your body weight as well as the impact from walking, running, or hiking. The arch is very important because it acts like the foundation of a house, keeping your feet and the rest of your body supported as you move throughout your day.

While there is no standard measurement to indicate whether your arches should be deemed “high,” you are said to have high arches if you have significant height at the arch of your feet. When you walk barefoot in the sand, your tracks may show only your heel and the ball of your foot, with little to no imprint in the middle. Alternatively, someone with flat feet (sometimes called “fallen arches”) have minimal to no arch at all. The entire bottom surface of your foot is in complete or near complete contact with the ground while standing.

This is where Superfeet comes in. We make insoles with a wide variety of arch profiles to fit a wide variety of feet.

Keep in mind that while the arch type is an important variable that needs to be considered when selecting the right insole, it’s not the only variable. Superfeet knows that there is more to a proper fit than just your arch height. Our insoles are designed to interact with the entire foot, not just one part.

Types of insoles

When it comes to the types of insoles, Superfeet has something for everyone. Each different type can be preferable to the other depending on the main purpose of the insole. Whether it’s for hiking, running, working, hockey, or business meetings, we have an insole for every need.

How the insole feels is also an important factor in helping you choose the right one for you. The Superfeet family has insoles with an adaptive underfoot experience, meaning they are more flexible and cushioned, all the way to responsive underfoot experience, which offers more stability and support.

Superfeet Cushion insoles with flexible support and cushioning include:

Superfeet insoles made with EVOLyte carbon fiber enhanced support give you a more structured, responsive feel underfoot. Those insoles include:

For original support with a firm foundation, try Superfeet All-Purpose insoles:

The advantages of getting the right foot support in each situation will make a world of difference for you and your activity day in and day out.

The best insoles for walking and standing all day are the types of insoles that are most comfortable for you. Remember, with Superfeet comfort is king.

What elements should I consider when purchasing new Insoles?

When purchasing new insoles there are a variety of things to consider. First, which activities will you be using your insoles for. In most cases, Superfeet are made for specific uses. Second, consider the fit of your shoes. The insoles need to be able to fit well inside your footwear, so the volume/thickness of the insole should be a factor. Finally, how you like your insoles to feel. Insoles are a little like mattresses — some people prefer soft and cushioned while others like a firm, harder mattress.

Here’s a step-by-step set of questions to help walk you through:

How are you using the insole?
- Understanding the activity you will be using the insole for can help pinpoint insoles designed with features and benefits for certain activities
- Match the insole to the activity — choose running insoles if you are running or walking for exercise, hiking-specific insoles if you are hitting the trails, etc.
How does your shoe fit?
- Tight, just right, or loose
  - Tighter-fitting footwear, such as dress shoes, cleated shoes, or performance shoes, requires a “Thin” volume insole. This footwear often does not have a removable sockliner, so you’ll need to put your Superfeet directly in the shoe – the thinner the insole, the better.
  - If your footwear fits “just right,” like in running shoes, casual shoes, etc, and you can remove the sockliner, choose a Medium volume insole
  - Looser fitting footwear, such as work boots, utility boots, or waders leaves enough space for a “Max” volume insole
What is your desired underfoot experience? In other words, how do you like the insole to feel?
- Superfeet makes insoles with a wide range of feels – from the flexible cushioning of insoles with Adaptive Comfort Technology to the responsive, more structured support of Superfeet built with EVOLyte carbon fiber.

So, what do you have to look forward to once you have answered the question of, “What insoles do I need?” Well, the sky is the limit once the best Superfeet for you is in your shoe. The following are just a few of the benefits and reasons for shoe inserts:

Improve the fit of footwear
Improve the feel of footwear
Improve the function of footwear
Reduce foot fatigue
Resolve common foot and lower leg injuries
Enhance certain aspects of performance

Still wondering how to choose insoles or find the best arch support insoles for you? Check out our easy-to-use Insole Finder Quiz. It is ideal for finding the right product.

Want in-person help to get the right fit? Visit a Superfeet retailer near you. A trained professional can also assist with an insole fit process there and ensure that your feet will feel happy.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t waste another minute without having the right insole for your foot in your shoe. Your feet will thank you.