If you have a pair of work boots that could stand to be more comfortable, you need a reliable pair of insoles.
The question is, how do you know if your insoles will be safe? Are there insoles out there that help with specific foot problems? Which materials should you look for? And, what about the sizing? We’ll answer all those questions in our guide, and give you our top 5 recommendations for the different types of insoles.
The bottom line upfront: We like the Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole. They’re great for keeping your feet energized, even during a busy workday.
We also like:
- EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles – if you’re looking for more arch support, this is the pair you need
- Arm & Hammer Work Insoles – ideal for odor control
We’ll be looking at:
- Comparing the best insoles for work boots
- What ‘insoles for work boots’ actually are
- What to look for when it comes to insoles for work boots
- Our top 5 recommendations, including: key features, pros, and cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which ones we like the best and why
Table of Contents
- The Best Insoles for Work Boots Compared
- What are ‘Insoles for Work Boots’?
- What to Look for When Purchasing Insoles for Work Boots
- Top 5 Insoles for Work Boots
- Timberland PRO Men’s Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole – Good for Tired Feet
- EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles – Best Support Insoles
- Dr. Scholl’s Work Insoles (Pack of 2) – Best Value
- Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles – Best for Taller People
- Arm & Hammer Work Insoles – Best for Odor Control
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Insoles for Work Boots are Best?
Keep reading to find the best insoles for work boots.
The Best Insoles for Work Boots Compared
What are ‘Insoles for Work Boots’?
Insoles for work boots are inserts for your shoe, typically made from gel or synthetic foam, that are designed to make your feet more comfortable. They provide excellent cushioning and breathability.
Insoles can help with specific conditions like plantar fasciitis, which is a condition that causes pain on the bottom of the heel; they’re also beneficial for those who have a high arch.
What to Look for When Purchasing Insoles for Work Boots
Here are the key things you should look for in a good pair of insoles:
Type
There are different types of insoles for work boots.
Comfort insoles are specifically designed to improve your comfort levels while wearing your boots. They’re usually made from foam or gel, making them enjoyable if your current work boots feel too stiff to wear, or if you suffer from blisters or bunions.
Support insoles, or orthopedic insoles, are designed to support the shape of your foot. They may be a little more expensive than comfort insoles (although not always), and they help to keep your foot correctly aligned. These are designed for people with specific issues such as: back pain, plantar fasciitis, etc.; they’re not the same as shoe orthotics, which are designed specifically for your feet.
Condition
Which conditions can be helped with insoles? Here’s an outline:
- Fatigue – tired feet are difficult to work with. If your work boots are quite heavy, your feet might get tired quickly. Insoles can help here by providing some cushioning, which helps to support your weight.
- Pain – Foot pain, caused by rubbing or blisters, can be solved by using a padded comfort insole; whereas pain in your ankles or back may require support insoles instead.
- Pressure – if you’re feeling a lot of pressure in the sole of the foot, it may be down to a lack of arch support. While support insoles can help here, you may need to see a podiatrist (a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of feet and ankles).
- Athlete’s Foot – Athlete’s foot can be painful and difficult to deal with, especially if you’re on your feet all day. Look for breathable insoles, as this condition can be made worse if you don’t get enough air to your feet.
- Blisters – Comfort insoles can help with blisters. Look for gel, or padded insoles to prevent rubbing.
- Plantar Fasciitis – If you have plantar fasciitis, you’re probably already seeking support for it, as it’s a relatively severe and painful condition. Support insoles can help with this.
- Bunions (a bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe) – Like blisters, comfort insoles can help with bunions as they prevent rubbing.
- Overheating – If you find your feet get too hot in your work boots, a good, breathable insole will keep you cool.
Materials
The most common materials for insoles are synthetic or gel.
Synthetic insoles tend to be well-padded – if you want to improve the comfort of your work boots, these are a good choice to go for.
Gel insoles are particularly good for shock absorption and stability.
Sizing
Your insoles will need to fit your current work boots. Luckily, the size can be adjusted, so you should be able to accommodate your particular boots.
It’s worth walking around in your boots wearing both your work socks and insoles to ensure that it all fits together properly.
Top 5 Insoles for Work Boots
Now we’ll give you our top 5 recommendations for insoles – we’ve included a variety of materials and types to help you find the best one for you.
Timberland PRO Men’s Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole – Good for Tired Feet
Key Features
- Type: Comfort
- Materials: Synthetic
The Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole is a great comfort insole. They have an excellent grip, adhering to the bottom of your work boots easily.
It has anti-fatigue technology, with an inverted cone shape designed to absorb shock and provide energy back to your feet. The synthetic padding allows your feet to stay comfortable.
In terms of breathability, your feet may overheat with these insoles; however, if you work in colder climates or conditions, these are ideal.
Unfortunately, they don’t offer half-sizes, we would recommend going one size up if you’re unsure. Regardless, they’re quite easy to cut down to size, if needed.
Pros
- Anti-fatigue technology is excellent for tired feet
- Padded and comfortable
- Easy to cut down to size
- Sturdy grip and safe to wear
Cons
- Half sizes are not available
- Not recommended for those who are prone to overheating
EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles – Best Support Insoles
Key Features
- Type: Support
- Materials: Gel
The EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles is a great support insole, particularly for those who have plantar fasciitis. They adhere nicely to the bottom of your work boots, making them a safe option.
These insoles have high arch support and are recommended by podiatrists to minimize arch pain. These are useful for the following conditions: plantar fasciitis and high arches; flat feet; ankle, knee, neck, lower back, and joint pain; posture; shin splints; bunions, etc.. In addition, it has shock-absorbing gel and air capsules for cushioning.
Because of the high arch support, you may experience some initial pressure ; which means you may need to start by wearing them for a few hours a day and increase the wear-time gradually.
They’re also sufficient in terms of temperature and sweat. If you’re new to wearing insoles, you may find them a bit warm, however these particular insoles are breathable and pleasant to wear.
Pros
- Great for all kinds of foot-related conditions
- Not too warm to wear
- Shock-absorbing gel for cushioning
- Well padded
Cons
- Sizing can be challenging to understand
- It may take time to get used to wearing
Dr. Scholl’s Work Insoles (Pack of 2) – Best Value
Key Features
- Type: Comfort
- Materials: Gel
The Dr. Scholl's Work Insoles (Pack of 2) is a great value pack, as they come with 2 insoles. They’re comfort insoles, with a focus on reducing shock and fatigue. They fit well in work boots and can also be used for sneakers.
Thanks to their gel cushioning, they can absorb shock and reduce muscle fatigue. This also offers arch support for conditions like plantar fasciitis. Their massaging inserts will keep your feet relaxed and comfortable.
If your feet tend to overheat, these are an excellent option as they have vents for improved airflow.
The downside is, there aren’t many sizes to choose from. These fit men’s sizes 8 -14 and can be trimmed to fit your particular boots.
Pros
- Good value
- Gel cushioning reduces shock and muscle fatigue
- Massaging inserts for extra comfort
- Vents provide good airflow
Cons
- Only one size available
Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles – Best for Taller People
Key Features
- Type: Comfort
- Materials: Gel
The Dr. Scholl's Extra Support Insoles are designed for tall people who are looking for better arch support. They fit neatly into work boots and can be used for casual shoes as well.
If you experience discomfort after being on your feet for extended periods, these insoles could be a great choice because of their massaging gel technology. If you have high arches, these could make a huge difference.
They have decent ventilation, which means you won’t have to worry about overheating. The downside is, they may make a noise when you walk, which can take time to adjust to!
These come in just one size; this is excellent as it allows you to trim them to fit your exact size.
Pros
- High arch support
- Great for taller people
- Massaging gel technology
- Good ventilation
Cons
- May make a noise while walking
Arm & Hammer Work Insoles – Best for Odor Control
Key Features
- Type: Comfort
- Materials: Synthetic
The Arm & Hammer Work Insoles are designed to give you support while reducing odor. They fit perfectly into work boots.
They’re comfortable to wear, with shock-absorbing memory foam that reduces pressure. The contoured heel cups are great if your work boots feel a bit stiff around the heel area. They offer some arch support, but not enough if you have particularly high arches.
If you struggle with odor control, their Fresh Guard technology helps your feet to stay cool. They have sweat-activated odor control properties, using Arm & Hammer’s baking soda formula to neutralize any potential odors.
They come in various sizes, with a trim-to-fit design.
Pros
- Comfortable and supportive
- Great for odor control
- Good ventilation
- Shock-absorbing memory foam
Cons
- Only one size available
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you head off, here are some frequently asked questions about insoles for work boots:
Can I wash insoles for work boots?
Yes, you can clean them using water and rubbing alcohol. You can also deodorize them with baking soda, or scrub them with soap and water if they get dirty. They will wear out after a while, but this could help them to last a little longer.
You can read a full WikiHow on how to clean insoles if you want a step-by-step guide.
Can I use insoles for work boots that are a little too small?
No. This could make any foot problems worse – it’s better to get as close to your actual size as possible. If you’re worried, size up and then cut them down – this is better than having insoles that are too small.
Are insoles safe to use with work boots?
Yes, they are safe – as long as you make sure they fit correctly and they don’t slide around. Insoles that don’t fit could cause discomfort or even make you unbalanced, which can be very dangerous. It’s really important to wear the right sized boots – you can find out more about this in Very Well Health magazine.
How long do insoles last?
Insoles can last anywhere from 6-12 months, depending on the length of time you are standing.
Can you recommend more gear for construction site workers?
Yes we can! We can point you in the direction of some great water bottles in our Hydro Flask vs S’well comparison, and our Takeyo vs Hydro Flask comparison.
We’d also recommend a great lunch cooler for construction workers to keep your lunch fresh and cool all day.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Insoles for Work Boots are Best?
We really like the Timberland PRO Men's Anti-Fatigue Technology Replacement Insole. Working on your feet for extended periods can feel exhausting, but these are designed to be shock-absorbing and will return energy to the soles of your feet.
If you have a particularly high arch, or you struggle with plantar fasciitis, you could check out the EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles. They have excellent arch support, and are both cushioned and comfortable.
If you need a bit of support with odor control, you could try the Arm & Hammer Work Insoles. They’re designed to neutralize odors, and they’re ideal for people whose feet tend to overheat quickly.
We hope this has helped you to find the best insoles for your own work boots – if it has, feel free to share it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts. Which insoles do you wear, and would you recommend them? Leave us a comment to let us know.
