Ask Angie: insoles for boots!

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Hey Ladies!

Forgive me if this is a double post, I didn't see it post. I have those fussy feet! I need some advice on insoles for boots. Thanks so much!

12 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from ClaraT

Anonymous

Not Angie, but I have diabetic feet and have good luck with insoles in the pharmacy section of Target or Walmart. It depends on what you need. There are some that add a cushy surface, some add arch support, some ease the ball of the foot. Nordstroms shoe department sells some plastic inserts that lift the heel. They make flats more comfortable and the heel fit better. You may need to ask for them. There are lots of options that are not expensive.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Joy said. I buy cushioning insoles at the drugstore for a few dollars.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I use the ones from the pharmacy as well.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I use the cheap ones at Target that you cut to size. Easy to change out when needed, and they add just enough cushioning for me, without taking up too much room in the shoe.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Depends on what you are looking for. If you just want cushioning/padding, the drugstore ones are fine. I like the cheap white foam ones, or some people like gel. If you need real arch support (for example if you have flat feet like me) I would NOT recommend the drugstore brands like Dr. Scholls. Anything completely squishy will not provide proper arch support. You need something with a rigid frame (it can be padded on top of the rigid part; sometimes I wear both a rigid orthotic and a drugstore foam insert at the same time). I recommend Superfeet or Powerstep, you can usually find them at sporting goods or running stores. I like the 3/4 length ones as they tend to be slimmer and fit better in regular shoes. Superfeet black are the thinnest real arch support orthotics I know of - they even make a high heel version.

12 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Can I ask a piggyback question? Is sizing up and using an insole a real thing people do? A full size up or just a half size when available? I tried it recently with a pair of booties and ended up going back to my regular size. I wasn't convinced the insole was compensating for the shoe just being too big. On the other hand, I have realized that my brand new converse Hi Ness (while they technically fit in my regular size per the SA who checked my toe) are too narrow in the toe and I am wondering if I should have done the size up/insole thing per Angie's advice. I have slightly wide toes, one foot bigger than the other, but a slightly narrow heel that tends to flop around in a too-big size. What issues does sizing-up-with-insole best address?

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have never had any luck adding an insole to my shoes. I can't figure out why it doesn't work.

Jules - excellent question .... Wonder if it has to do with my narrow heels.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Jules, I don't size up (but I do generally buy my boots a half size bigger than my sandal size in general, whether or not I add an insole). I have really narrow heels and shallow insteps though, so if I use a 3/4 orthotic I generally still have plenty of room for my feet with socks. A full length one sometimes crams my toes, so I prefer the 3/4. (As I wrote above, though, I use rigid arch support inserts though; they take up more room than the squishy ones. Full length foam ones are just fine.) For me, not only does the orthotic provide arch support, it also takes up some of the excess room in the instep, so win win!

12 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I also have had problems with insoles:
1. Hard to cut to size if there is not a removable insole to trace (so I cut until it fits but usually the fit is not perfect).
2. Once on my feet, I can feel the edges of the insole which is quite uncomfortable.

Anyone else have/solve these problems?

(And sorry to hijack the post, but these are issues for me so perhaps others have them as well.)

12 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I think it depends on the shape of the shoe in relation to the shape of your foot. In my flat black shoes I had a piece of leather sewn into the heel to take up space but it did not really work. I also use the blue Birkenstock rigid insoles that goes from the heel to a couple of inches before the arch near the toes plus a thin white one for cushioning at the toe part. Very comfortable. These flat shoes are very narrow and shallow though so I might use a different combination in other shoes.

12 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

Clara- some insoles are sold by shoe size, usually eliminating the cutting. That works very well. Also, if you have to cut them, use very sharp scissors and try cutting them at an angle, so the edge isn't abrupt, but rather tapers down towards the sole if that makes sense.

If you need insoles, it is very helpful if the manufacturer's insoles come out easily and are not glued down. Depending upon how a particular shoe runs relative to your foot and depth of insole, sizing up can be an advantage. I have sized up 1/2 a size successfully for this purpose, but a full size causes me to walk out of the shoes. Some shoes require no sizing up for a reasonably substantial insole. It is all trial and error for me. I suggest bringing insoles if trying on shoes so you can see how it works.

12 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

Eliza, thanks for the tips. They sound good and I will keep them in mind (since it turns out I have some boots that could really be a little cushier).

12 years ago

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