Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting School me on footbed/insoles/ inserts

I wonder if any of you use an insert in your boots. I have some Lowa Renegades that I use for hiking and hunting and I have some Asolo 520 leather backpacking boots. The Lowas are about as comfortable as a sneaker. I wore them on a backpack hunt to Idaho last Fall with no issues. However, I felt a need for a stiffer boot for rugged terrain when backpacking. The Asolo's are very comfortable but not very cushiony. I bought them for a stiffer boot when carrying a pack.

I have no issues with either boot, they both fit my foot and are very comfortable as is, but I'm curious as to the purpose behind insole/inserts for hiking boots.

Does it add comfort to an already comfortable boot? Or is it to make a mediocre boot fit and feel better?

If you have a "low volume foot" like I do, they will help your feet fill up the boots for a better fit. But the main reason I wear them (in all my shoes) is for more arch support.

Superfeet....

Then all the rest.

But then I spend a lot of my week in Whites or Nicks 10" high logger boots. Arch support is something that I really like now.

superfeet are the best I have used.
Really add to the comfort of any boot.
Prevents blisters in new boots.
Seeker

I wear orthopedics some of the time, depending on what shoes I'm wearing. If the shoe is fairly flat inside, they give a good, firm arch support which is great when stressing the foot.

Never had a need for 'em. Barefoot/POSE running has helped in that regard. My daughter however, LOVES her green Superfeet. She forgot them one hike and was miserable. Everyone's feet are different. Hell, some people's own two feet are different. YMMV

I have used SOLE and Superfeet with good results but be aware that they can/will change the fit of your boots. My Tibets starting giving me blisters when I swapped the insoles as my feet sat too high in the boot and rubbed at the heel. I went back to the original insoles and have had no further problems.

This can be a good thing if you need to adjust the fit.

Used the SOLE and green super feet

Switched to these and really like them

http://www.lathropandsons.com/synergy-footbeds.html

I'm also a barefoot and minimalist runner but I still wear green Superfeet in combat and backpacking boots. I always take a pair with me and wear a pair of Smartwool socks with liners when I go boot shopping.

Okay well, thanks for the replies. I'm sorta coming down on the old wisdom of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
My boots fit fine and are comfortable. Can't really see investing in insoles if there isn't a need to fix a problem.

Thanks again.

I like Sole. I have used superfeet and sole and like the sole better. They make 3 sizes in thickness so depending on how much room you have in your boot is the thickness you get.

I also really like the Sole footbeds.

I can say this, if your arch starts giving you any problems at all, do something. It will only get worse if you let it go. I wore othopedics for a year or so and now hardly need them at all. I only wear them in 1 pair of boots with inadequate arches.

I had arch pain a few years ago and started wearing superfeet green, then went to the orange over time. I tried the Sole heat moldable insoles as well but didn't really like them.

Over time I think my arches got stronger and now if I try to wear superfeet they hurt pretty bad. I think wearing minimalist shoes has helped some, as has more trail running. So for now I don't wear any aftermarket footbeds.

I have gone to putting meindl cork beds in all my boots. I have spent 20 years in whites and nicks and now work where I can't wear them so I have found solace with the cork beds.

I have two sets of these ^^^^ in a pair of Danner Pronghorns, and in a pair of Asolo Sassalongs. They help with the "low volume" issue in the Pronghorns. And they add "cushion" to the Asolo's.

The Danner Rats had a really cheap insert in them. Starting having some heel pain on descents. Put a pair of the green superfeets in them and initial hikes seem much better. Taking a longer stroll today but optimistic these fixed them up.