While some shoes have a fixed footbed, others have a removable insole. The loose insole or fixed footbed often does not provide the comfort you need during a long working day, a walk or other daily activities. For example, if you have foot problems or work with electricity, special insoles or arch supports offer that little bit of extra support, comfort and shock absorption that you need.
Which insole suits me? 6 points to consider:
1. Support where it is needed
A 'healthy' foot has good ground contact with the heel, midfoot and forefoot. The midfoot does not make contact with the ground on the left side. To provide your feet with support where it is needed, standard insoles provide sufficient support for the hind, mid and fore feet during everyday use. If you have foot problems we recommend purchasing arch supports or having them fitted by a podiatrist or orthopedic shoemaker. Arch supports ensure better pressure distribution and pressure relief and can prevent unnecessary muscle pain. Some common foot problems include:
- Hollow foot: A hollow foot can be recognized by the high instep, which means that the midfoot has no contact with the surface. Hollow feet often cause lower back pain and neck complaints that worsen during walking and decrease with rest.
- Flat foot: With flat feet the middle part of the foot rests almost entirely on the ground. Flat feet that are inward overpronate and flat feet that are outward underpronate.
- Sagging forefoot: With sagging forefeet your toes are spread and the forefoot becomes wider. The pressure distribution is then no longer correct and you probably suffer from a sharp burning pain under and above the ball of your foot or calluses, blisters and corns in these places.
Other examples of foot problems for which arch supports can help are :
- heel spur
- torn ankle ligament or Achilles tendon
- muscle cramps in the calf
2. Shock absorption provided by insoles while standing and walking
If shoes are too flat the shock of each step can reach your knee and sometimes even your neck. Insoles with a anti-shock system in your work boots or work boots can significantly increase your walking comfort. So also check the packaging or the description of the product to see whether the insoles of your choice have these shock-absorbing properties.
3. Good moisture absorption capacity of insoles
A large moisture absorption capacity helps against sweaty feet. Insoles are therefore often made entirely of leather. Plastic insoles will usually have a thin layer of leather. Leather is a natural product with characteristic properties that no synthetic product can match. This way leather molds completely to your foot and 'breathes' better.
4. Antibacterial, breathable and antifungal
If you quickly suffer from sweaty feet it is best to wear insoles in your safety shoes or walking shoes made of breathable, quick-drying material. Insoles with antibacterial and anti-athlete's feet properties can also prevent unpleasant foot odors.
5. Gel insoles
Gel insoles have pain and pressure reducing properties. Very useful for Achilles tendon and heel spur complaints for example, are (3/4) gel insoles, heel spur cushions and heel spur cups. Heel spur cups reduce pressure on the Achilles tendon, allowing it to recover faster.
6. Extra ESD protection in insoles
ESD stands for Electro Static Discharge. This extra protection is necessary if you work in places with electronic components or when there is an increased risk of fire and explosion. The ESD function in insoles ensures continuous conduction of the electrostatic charge to the grounded ground. Anti-static insoles are equipped with an electrical resistance that is high enough to prevent electrical discharge and low enough to dissipate static charge. This makes anti-static insoles an indispensable addition to ESD work shoes. Insoles to prevent static electric charges can be recognized by the yellow/black ESD label.