We walk almost every day, whether from the car to the office, from the car to the store, around the neighborhood, or even from the couch to the kitchen. When walking, we typically do not think of the effects it has on your feet, and most people do not consider having an orthotic insole in our shoes because the insoles that came with your shoes are “just fine.” What you may not know though, is that these factory insoles are usually a flat sock-liner that is not designed for cushioning or support and will likely start to wear out within the first couple of weeks of use!
Whether you walk as part of your daily routine, are starting to walk for fun or exercise, or have started to develop foot pain, you should consider a walking insole to keep your feet supported and comfortable throughout your day. Insoles for walking will provide you with the proper arch support, foot foundation, cushioning, and impact shock absorption, and can additionally help assist in the treatment and prevention of some of the most common foot conditions that can occur with something as simple as everyday walking.
The Impact that Walking has on our Feet
Walking is a part of almost everyone’s daily routines, and even walking from the car to the store and back puts stress on your feet. This stress will, over time, begin to affect our feet and may cause some very common foot conditions.
Foot fatigue is the general feeling of soreness or tiredness in our feet. It may be hard to pinpoint where exactly your foot is sore, but typically you’ll feel symptoms of foot fatigue in the arch or heel of your foot. While often not a sharp or severe pain, foot fatigue is nevertheless an uncomfortable condition that can deter us from being up and about. Foot fatigue is typically caused when stress and pressure is put on the foot without the foot being properly supported, since your foot has to work harder to deal with this pressure and keep your body supported.
Plantar Fasciitis is the most common heel pain that can deter us from doing the things we love. Plantar fasciitis often presents itself as a sharp pain near the bottom of your heel. This is caused by repeated damage to the Plantar Fascia tendon, typically through excess or repeated stress on the arch of the foot, causing swelling and pain of the tendon and foot. The best treatment for this condition is to keep your foot properly supported at all times to alleviate undue stress on the foot.
Two other common foot conditions are Over-Pronation, where the foot and ankle rolls overly inwards due to the arch not having the proper support, and Supination, where the foot and ankle rolls outwards so that you end up walk on the outside of your feet. Both of these conditions are common in many adults and occur simply because your foot does not have the proper support they need to keep them in alignment. A walking insole featuring an arch support will help support the foot and maintain foot alignment with each step, preventing excess rolling of the foot and ankle in either direction.
Lastly, for those of your that are avid walkers, a common condition that may arise could also be shin splints. As we put more miles under our feet, the repeated impact shock of the ground against your feet can sometimes lead to pain and soreness that occurs in your shins. Shin splints can thankfully be treated and prevented by wearing an insole that has a good amount of cushioning and shock-absorbing pads, alleviating the stress of impact shock on your shins.
With the right amount of support, foundation, and comfort, we can walk further and say goodbye to pain!
How Walking Insoles Can Help Your Feet
When your foot has a proper foundation, you will be able to start walking more and more and not have to worry so much about fatigue. Walking insoles have the features you need to prevent the pain symptoms and foot conditions common with walking.
Walking insoles feature a moderate amount of cushioning throughout the body of the insole to alleviate pressure on the foot while standing and to help absorb the shock that your feet and legs receive as you take each step. Additionally, many walking insoles also have shock-absorbing pads at the heel and forefoot of the insole, typically made of gel or a gel-like material, which absorbs a greater amount of impact shock at the two areas of the foot that make the most contact with the ground: the heel, and the ball-of-foot.
Walking insoles also feature a built-in arch support. Having a proper arch support will help to align your entire foot, guiding it through a natural foot motion with each step while also helping to prevent and relieve stress on the arch of the foot. Having an insole with arch support will prevent strain on the plantar fascia, the cause of plantar fasciitis, and help prevent foot fatigue. Whether you have a high arch, neutral arch, low arch or are flat-footed, there are walking insoles available for your specific foot arch. If you do not know your arch type, we have a video available to explain how to find your arch type. The SOLE Active Medium Footbeds are a heat-moldable insole making it ideal for all arch types and provides you with the perfect fit specific to your foot.
Finally, walking insoles typically feature a deep heel cup that will cradle the heel of your foot. This heel cup will help provide ankle stability and, when combined with an arch support, will help excessive foot and ankle rolling (over-pronation and supination). This will also relieve pressure on the heel of the foot, which can be a contributing factor of foot fatigue.
Best Walking Insoles:
Powerstep Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles – A full-length, semi-rigid orthotic arch support that is for all arch types. This insole has double layer cushioning with shock-absorbing EVA/VCT(variable cushioning technology) foam cushioning for enhanced comfort. They are ideal for foot and heel conditions such as mild to moderate over-pronation; hammertoes and claw toe; bunions; neuroma; calluses; plantar fasciitis; heel pain; and other common foot conditions.
Spenco Total Support Original Insoles – This full-length, semi-rigid orthotic arch support insole is also for all arch types. They feature an advanced arch support, deep heel cupping and the exclusive 3-POD Cushioning System that absorbs shock and helps control pronation.
SOLE Active Medium Footbeds – This semi-rigid orthotic arch support insole features a heat-moldable footbed for a custom fit for your feet. They are designed with 1.6 mm of SOLE’s proprietary cushioning material called Softec. They help to relieve pain and soreness from flat feet, bunions, back and knee pain, and plantar fasciitis.
IceBug Fat Insoles – These full-length, semi-rigid orthotic arch support insole that is designed specifically for specific arch types. The Icebug Fat Insoles provides maximum cushioning and support for high-volume shoes, or shoes with a removable footbed. They feature an extra layer of memory foam for more comfort and protection. These insoles respond to the user’s body and activities to provide comfort, support, and relief with each and every stride. The Arch Flex System Technology works like an exercise ball, providing energy return with every step you take.
Take your next steps in comfort, only at TheInsoleStore.com!