Best Insoles for Work Boots

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best insoles for work boots are, then I recommend the Powerstep Pinnacle Insole.

Your work boots take a lot. You’re out trudging on your worksite for hours on end, which can tire out both your boots and your feet.

To keep things comfortable, you might want to think about replacing the insole. It’s awful feeling tired with aching feet and boots you dread wearing again.

Here are the best insoles for work boots of 2020:

• Powerstep Pinnacle Insole
• Superfeet Orthotic Insole
• Superfeet DMP Copper
• Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles
• Footminders Comfort Orthotic Arch Support Insoles

Why Insoles Matter

Problems like over and under-pronation may be corrected with insoles. Plush insoles can make uncomfortable, hard shoes wearable.

You could go without insoles, of course. But in my opinion, it’s more sensible to invest in a pair.

What to Look for With Insoles

Besides the obvious—that they fit the shoes—there are a few things that go into choosing an insole:

• Comfort.
• Arch support.
• Shock absorbency.

Comfort

Work boots are hard, most of the time. They need to withstand a busy work environment and last while doing it. 

That could lead to your feet being encased in a hard, unpleasant box of a shoe. So to get rid of that feeling, a softer insole may be beneficial. 

Something plush and foamy should take care of this. It can cradle aching feet and nurse them back to health. It’s better to stand on a soft surface than a hard one.

Memory foam or EVA foam work well for comfort. Gel is another excellent choice—soft yet supportive. 

Arch Support

Arch support can be important in any shoe. Most people have an arch, and neglecting to support it may cause some discomfort. With no support, it’s increasingly possible that the arch will become more and more painful as each working day passes.

If the insole claims to have arch support, it’s a good sign. It means you can safely trudge around in your boots with little fear of pain.

For people with low arches or flat feet, proper arch support can help correct the issue. Neither of these are strictly bad things to have; it’s just that people with low/no arch sometimes have issues with over-pronation—when the feet roll inwards while walking.

Shock Absorbency

I feel like a lot of work boots tend to be big hefty things. Add a human on top of that, and it’s a lot of strain around your feet.

Other shock-causing elements could be in the workplace. If you stand on heavy machinery or moving platforms, the vibrations impact your feet.

An insole with a shock absorber should take the brunt of the impact. The vibrations placed upon your feet will most likely be minimized, keeping pain at bay. 

A great insole is particularly helpful for construction workers. I used to work construction on uneven ground, so I ended up doing a lot of jumping over obstacles and down from low ledges, jogging all over the site in heavy boots. I was in agony most days until getting shock-absorbing insoles.

If that sounds like you, shock absorbency could be vital in your shoes.

What If I Can’t Remove My Insoles?

Shoes can come with insoles already in place. Fantastic! You may not need to change them at all, though sometimes the insoles can wear out while the rest of the shoe is fine. Instead of buying a whole new pair of shoes, why not just change the problem part?

Alternatively, maybe the insoles are uncomfortable, or you have medical ones you need to replace them with.

I’m going to recommend you take your shoes to an expert—a shoe shop or a small local cobbler. They should be able to remove and replace them for you safely. 

There are ways to do it at home but I’d rather you go to an expert. DIY’ing this can damage the shoes, and you could burn yourself—removing them takes heat, and lots of it.

How Often Should You Change Your Insoles?

I’d say every six months is a smart block of time if you wear the boots every day. This is to make sure you always have efficiently working insoles. Plus, it keeps bad odors from cropping up.

If you don’t wear your work boots every day, you could go nine months between changes. Still a sensible amount of time, but it allows room for the times you’re free of the boots.

These rough numbers should prevent any issues from cropping up. This keeps you safe from discomfort for longer. Even if your insoles still seem to function well, replacing them is a preventative measure for when they no longer do.

I suggest always buying two pairs, so you’re prepared in case of emergencies.

The Five Best Insoles for Work Boots

By now, you know what you need and why, so it’s time to hunt for it. You could spend hours doing that, not knowing the difference between pairs. Instead, I’ve saved you the time and present to you an insight into some of the best insoles available.

1. Powerstep Pinnacle Insole

Work boots can sometimes be too flat and cause unnecessary pain. Powerstep’s insoles may be the best insoles for flat feet work boots to combat this.

I hate to be cliché, but Powerstep can help put the power back in your step. EVA foam cushioning is ready to support you in two layers, with the top one being plush, yet you’ll still get semi-rigid arch support.

The insoles are flexible but firm. They can cradle your heel as well as keep your arches in place. They should move with you while providing the support you need to keep your feet healthy.

These have been designed to both prevent and relieve pain in that they’re great for flat feet that over or underpronate because of the support they give. Yet, they’re suitable for all arch types, low to high.

One last bonus is that the top fabric of the insoles reduces heat and friction. This should help keep your feet cool and dry and reduce the risk of blisters, no matter how active your work gets.

These insoles fit shoe sizes 3–16+ for men and 5–15.5 for women.

Pros

• Help boost your foot health.
• EVA foam with a plush surface.
• Arch support.
• Relieves and prevents pain.
• Friction-restricting.

Cons

• They may have a shorter life than other insoles—need replacing every three months rather than six.

2. Superfeet Orthotic Insole

Something that stood out to be about these insoles straight away was the anti-bacterial coating. If you’re worried about athlete’s foot locked up in sweaty work boots, these could alleviate that worry. 

These insoles are also latex-free, so are great for people with latex allergies. They’re also vegan-friendly, so if you like your clothing to be free of animal products, they may be perfect for you.

Superfeet’s insoles are super if you have arch or heel pain. They’re made to help get rid of it and prevent it. This could be fantastic for anyone with those struggles.

The insoles have a deep heel cup to cradle that part of the foot and provide subtle arch support. They’re also foamy, so they provide soft support, shock absorption and a buffer between you and the stubborn ground. This shock absorption may make them the best insoles for work boots on concrete, which is such an unforgiving surface to stomp on.

These insoles are made to fit shoes in a vast array of sizes. There’s a one-size-fits-these for kids’ shoe size 13.5–15. For adults, they fit sizes 4.5–16 for women and 2.5–17 for men.

Pros

• Anti-bacterial surface preventing athlete’s foot and odor.
• Deep heel cup for heel pain relief.
• Mild arch support.
• Shock-absorbing.

Cons

• Heel cup may come up too high and require altering.

3. Superfeet DMP Copper

As an alternative to the other Superfeet option, these feature the same shape and deep heel cup to support you.

However, a difference between the two is that these insoles have memory foam. This means you can get personalized comfort as they mold to hug your feet.

The shape of these insoles has been optimized to help relieve stress on the feet, ankles and knees. That’s a bonus for the whole body, and pain-free joints may even help you do more efficient work in your boots.

These insoles come ready to fit sizes 4.5–14.5. They boast the most comprehensive size list of those I’ve reviewed. 

Pros

• Deep, supportive heel cup.
• Memory foam for optimum comfort.
• Arch support.
• Relieves stress on various joints.

Cons

• They can be bulky, so you might want to order a size down.

4. Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles

Dr. Scholl’s insoles are simple but effective. They’re designed for people with foot and leg discomfort and fatigue. The cushy gel used in the design is made to massage your feet as you walk, which could relax your muscles, making walking a breeze.

The unique design ensures arch support and shock absorption are present, keeping your feet shaped correctly and taking the brunt of any force or vibrations you’re put through.

A standout feature point of these insoles is the price. They’re inexpensive, so should suit people with a tighter budget. Massaging gel insoles at a low price sounds like a dream to me!

These insoles should fit men’s sizes 8–14 and women’s 6–10.

Pros

• Massaging gel cushioning.
• Helps to relax the foot muscles.
• Arch support.
• Shock absorption. 

Cons

• You may need to trim them to fit your shoes, which some report to be difficult.

5. Footminders Comfort Orthotic Arch Support Insoles

Footminders has made some versatile insoles for both work boots and athletic shoes, which is great if you want to swap your insoles from shoe to shoe.

They offer firm arch support and cushioning, relieving any foot pain. The extra arch support is particularly handy for reducing pain caused by flat feet. The dual-layer orthotic technology is excellent for making sure the cushioning is top-notch.

Deep heel cups help support your heels and ankles, enhancing stability—great for reducing the risk of any future injuries. 

These insoles are available in sizes 3.5–13 for men, 4.5–12 for women.

Pros

• Great for flat feet.
• Dual-layer technology for cushioning and support.
• Deep heel cups for stability.

Cons

• Some customers found the arch support slightly too high.

Insoles for the Sole

The best insole, in my opinion, is the Powerstep Pinnacle Insole. I feel like they have the best arch support without compromising on comfort.

Despite being rigid to cradle your arch, they provide the flexibility your feet need when walking. This is excellent for keeping your feet healthy and should serve most people well. 

Unfortunately, there’s nothing stated about shock absorption. However, I often use foam for absorbing shock in and outside of shoes. I’m assuming the EVA foam helps absorb shock, too.

To me, these are the type of insoles you could stomp around on all day without issues. They hit the most important points, while not being horribly expensive, either, so they shouldn’t scoop too much out of your wallet when it comes to replacing them.