The 10 Benefits Of Insoles For Runners

For those that might not know, insoles are pieces of material inserted into your shoe for extra comfort. They play a vital role in making a shoe comfortable if they happen to be too big or too tight.

The idea is that any empty space between your foot and the shoe can be filled up comfortably so that it doesn’t cause discomfort, pain, or injury.

The Benefits Of Insoles For Runners

What Are Insoles Good For?

Insoles can benefit us for many reasons, and not just one. That’s one of the reasons that we still wear them to this day.

The 10 Benefits Of Insoles For Runners

1. Insoles can provide some great pain relief from those who might need it.

2. Insoles can help to prevent friction blisters.

They are also useful for athletes hoping for optimal performance. Insoles also can help with odor control of your shoes, as well.

The global footwear sole material market is only growing and is estimated to be worth somewhere around $21 billion by 2023.

Insoles can also help keep your feet warmer and improve your foot health.

This can certainly help if you are living in a region of the world with particularly cold weather at any time. In summary, there are many other benefits to consider a shoe insole. 

●     3. Additional comfort

●     4. Prevents blisters

●     5. Extra warmth

●     6. Can help with athletic conditioning

You probably know what an insole is, even if you don’t stick them into your shoes them regularly.

Do Insoles Really Help?

Insoles can undoubtedly help, but it depends on the situation. If your shoe comfortably fits, there’s a good chance that an insole isn’t required. 

However, if your shoe happens to be extremely tight, you might find that an insole helps to make the shoe comfortable to wear.

They also may help to prevent blisters, as well -especially if you are particularly prone to them.

However, if you are not an active individual, the difference might not be as noticeable. After all, if your shoe fits and is comfortable, insoles might not do much beyond improving your mood.

They certainly help those with knee and back pain, and those with any foot issues in general.

Kinds Of Insoles

You should choose your shoe insole depending on what exactly you need - whether it’s increased comfort, warmth, better posture, or odor control. If you figure out your exact requirements, it can help save time and energy when it comes to finding the right shoe insole.

Foam insoles are the most popular and also the cheapest. If you have a significant amount of money to spend on an insole, the foam insole might not be the highest-quality insole out there. However, you may want to try a couple out just in case.

Memory foam inserts are a better choice, but they will be more expensive. Memory foam technology has existed for decades and it’s extremely soft and energy-absorbent.

You also might want to opt for air-cushioned insoles which are better if you are more interested in prolonging the life of your shoes.

We detail some of the most popular ones in the following articles:

Superfeet Green Review

Protalus vs Superfeet

Protalus Insole Review

Best Insoles for Flat Feet

There are even leather ones out there that might be a good fit for you.

How Long Are Insoles Good For?

You should make sure to remove the insole and clean your shoes when necessary. An insole can go a long way towards making sure that a shoe is clean - but when do you replace an insole?

A standard time to replace an insole is every six months.

However, it should be noted that you might want to change it sooner if you are particularly active.

For example, if you work out at the gym every day - you might want to change them within two or three months, since you are using your insoles/shoes more intensely.

If you are consistently active, you might find that removing them is a good idea from time to time. If you are exercising consistently, this means that moisture gets trapped in the shoe.

You should not wear them every day so every now and then you should remove the insole to let your shoes “breathe” and dry out.

When Comfort Is Needed

One of the reasons why you might think that a shoe insert is necessary is if your job requires that you stand for long periods of time.

There are many occupations where this can be a huge help, such as those who work in the restaurant or healthcare business that has to be constantly standing and attentive. 

After all, don’t you want to make sure that your local medical professional is wearing footwear that is comfortable for them to wear all day?

Nike is even reportedly developing specialized shoes for those in the medical field.

Insoles can end up making it easier to stand up for hours at a time. You also might find that it helps with your overall productivity. Of course, you might still opt for a pair even if your job doesn’t require much standing.

Things To Remember

You should first understand that there are many different inserts for different shoes, and you should figure out which kind you are interested in.

You may favor arch support or not.

You may find an insole that is more comfortable than another but is way too expensive for your budget. Figure out how much you are interested in spending, whether it’s $20 or $100 or more.

Can the insole be hand-washed?

Is there a warranty involved? 

These are questions that you might want to ask.

Additionally: you might want to consider how thick the padding is, and how it works in terms of the overall movement.

You may want to figure out what country the insole was made in, or what materials that it was made from.

There are many companies out there that are creating their own versions, so you can definitely find a particular insert that works for your lifestyle.

Situations Where Insoles Help

You may not have grown up wearing shoe insoles or inserts/orthotics, so you might not actually be aware that they are needed.

You might stand on concrete for extended periods of time, and realize that you could benefit from an insole to help prevent blisters and/or bunions. 

You might also think about them as a better way to hike, and can help when it comes to walking on gravel or trails that have pebbles. Of course, if you have ailments such as arthritis, corns, and calluses - you can also benefit from insoles.

There is also a condition by the name of plantar fasciitis where insoles or orthotics can help tremendously with your life on a day-to-day basis.

It involves inflamed foot tissue and can often be extremely painful and uncomfortable. If you are a runner or overweight, you have an increased risk for plantar fasciitis, and you might want to purchase an insole pair created specifically with plantar fasciitis in mind. The condition is most common in individuals aged 40-60.

Running With Insoles

There are millions of individuals all around the world that love running as a form of exercise, and running with insoles allows for more stability and comfort during your run.

This is especially important when you consider that running is an extremely democratic way of exercising.

You don’t really need much else but running shoes, and you can run whether you’re in a metropolitan area or a rural area.

Inserts can help to distribute the shock evenly while you are running, and this might change depending on the surface that you are running on.

There are many benefits to running, of course, such as the fact that you can lose weight, improve your health and boost your confidence. 

There are many injuries that can result from running. In fact, as many as 79% of runners get injured at least once a year. If you are an active runner, you might have gotten a shin splint or stress fracture before. You should research which insoles are best for your particular condition or injury if you happen to have one.

You should first consult with your doctor before making any insole purchases in this case.

Are Shoe Inserts Good For Your Feet?

The short answer is simple: yes, they are.

Inserts or orthotics can help with those suffering from foot conditions. However, it should be noted that inserts alone should not be considered a “remedy” of any sort. If you have a foot condition, you should consult with your foot doctor before wearing insoles or inserts.

Inserts can help to absorb pressure, which means more comfort for those who need it the most. This often includes individuals who have physical ailments or disorders of some kind. Of course, they are more necessary for those who keep active. 

Inserts can also help tremendously with posture. There are many benefits to good posture, including:

●    7.  Keep bones and joints aligned

●     8. Prevent backache and relieves pressure

●     9. Decrease ligament stress

●     10. Help with the overall appearance

You should certainly try on different types of inserts and figure out what will work for your lifestyle and your shoes.

Once you figure out your budget, you might also want to look up sole reviews

regarding customer satisfaction and durability.

As you can see, there are some pretty good benefits of insoles!

Your sole should also depend on the type of footwear that you are wearing - whether it’s penny loafers or athletic shoes for the next 5K you signed up for.