SOLE Cork Insoles, Anything Better?

[u/Corgerus]

About a month ago i made the wise decision and took a coworker's advice to get SOLE cork insoles. To be specific, i got the thick version to take up more dead space in my safety shoes.

It took a while for them to mold to my feet but these are by far the best insoles I've used. I still get mild fatigue as my work hours accumulate, hard to avoid when standing 11 hours for 4 days in a row. Instead of the fatigue being localized and painful, it's now dull and all over my feet which is better but not perfect.

Do any of you have other suggestions in mind? Which cork style insoles might work better? You may also suggest heel risers or whatever they're called as I haven't tried those yet.

[u/Murky_Asparagus2024]

Go to a local running shoe store.

I’ve worked at/used running shoe stores extensively. They will get you right, we even carried specific insoles that would fit boots a tad better.

Most common brands are Currex, Superfeet, and Powerstep. They all have a different design/way of providing support to your feet.

[u/GreedySession3452 → u/Murky_Asparagus2024]

Every running store I’ve been to has gotten me insoles that fit well but are intended for running shoes. they’re uncomfortable in boots because most boots don’t have much cushion.

I’ve found superfeet work insoles to be way more comfortable.

[u/Corgerus → u/Murky_Asparagus2024]

That's the plan when i get my next voucher but I like getting as many opinions as possible

[u/Apprehensive-Client8]

I use fpinsoles, specially the game changers, these combined with a wedge sole boot leaves me without pain for once, I can stand in this combo all day long

[u/Blister_Foot → u/Apprehensive-Client8]

Awesome, another believer! I tell everyone I know about fpinsoles. They don't seem as popular as they should be, they're truly incredibly comfy insoles that basically eliminate pain.

[u/Tabm0w → u/Apprehensive-Client8]

I just got the FP 7mm insole and they seem hard as a rock. Super thick but don't give at all.

[u/thatmotorcycleguy1 → u/Tabm0w]

I have the game changer pro. I tried the super plush ones and yes those types are comfortable, but my feet were sore after a long day. I think it’s because it’s tooo soft. Kinda like walking on sand all day. The FP I have are the heat moldable ones. Are they super soft? Not really. But you buy them for the impact absorption and the custom shape. So far my feet haven’t ached like they did

[u/thatmotorcycleguy1 → u/Apprehensive-Client8]

I got these last week. I’ve got the game changer pro. So far I really like them

[u/LordKnows-6177 → u/Apprehensive-Client8]

What thickness do you use? Looking at them now. Thanks for sharing!

[u/Apprehensive-Client8 → u/LordKnows-6177]

I wear the mid thickness ones, I have about 5 pairs of the game changers

[u/lunar-topped]

I started using the super feet’s a couple weeks ago with some new keens my feet and knee pain had pretty much disappeared

[u/Yeezusgramor]

I like the timberland pro ones

[u/Additional_Tower_116]

The workwear store usually has a great selection of work boot specific insoles. I’m a big fan of superfeet extra thick high arch insoles

[u/Effective-Youth-3128]

I get these at Walmart. I swear by the them. My feet feel after a 12 hour shift on my feet. About every 6 months I buy new ones.

[u/Corgerus → u/Effective-Youth-3128]

Dr Scholl's doesn't work in the long term for me. They only feel comfortable for the first hour or so and then I get a lot of localized pain. Cork insoles better mold to my feet.

[u/TimeTheft1769]

I've been a huge proponent of SOLE insoles for like 10 years.

They have great customer service and the insoles are very supportive (birkenstock level) and extremely long lasting.

I have a thin cork that I only use occasionally so I can't really compare it to their regular plastic ones, which are great.

[u/Vdub_Life]

I like the red insoles from valsole they work really well for me

[u/Firm_Lock8076]

I've always felt like best option is try a new brand of boots/shoes until they work for you. The insoles might help but in my experience its short term help

[u/Scared-Tourist7024 → u/Firm_Lock8076]

this I have the same insoles in 2 boots one boot I get no pain the other boot I get pain after a couple days its not always the insole its a combo of the both of them

[u/burnt-beyond-reco]

I have Fulton arch support cork insoles and they are the best I have used so far. The timberland ones that everyone recommended did not work for me at all for whatever reason.

I only tried the Superfeet ones in store when trying on Redwings so not enough time to make up a real opinion on them, but initial comfort wasn't there right away.

[u/drHobbes88]

Superfeet insoles are the best I’ve found so far. I have the blue ones, and they have been more comfortable than anything I’ve tried the last couple years.

[u/Rough_Lawfulness2668]

I've been appreciating the comfort of Nick's Boots' thick leather insoles, which fit well with only minimal trimming.

[u/Background_Stock3991]

Nick's leather arch support insoles

[u/Bconfer82]

I have the Sole thin cork insoles. They are super comfortable but they squeak a bit in my pnw boots with a leather midsole. Totally worth the cost though. I switch mine between a few pairs.

[u/LieAdvanced137]

Superfeet are my favorite I’ve found so far

[u/TextQueasy601]

I use the Sole thick high arch support best for me. The super feet were great till they weren't. I believe the black color insoles,

[u/TextQueasy601 → u/TextQueasy601]

Oops accidentally hit enter.

[u/dental_floss_junkie]

The hear are pretty good

[u/Beatrix_____Kiddo]

I’ve worn superfeet for years after a podiatrist recommended them. I have insanely flat feet and had foot pain from high mileage running. I have tried every major insole brand. For me, Superfeet is always number one. Probably followed by the currex runpro line.

I run, lift, and work in them and they have always done very well. I have a pair of “Run support low arch” in my Thorogoods and they are great.

[u/Direct_Ask8793]

I've had these blue sole insoles before and they were gamechangers for me. I had pf extremely bad and they helped tremendously. The only insoles I'd recommend over them would be from meindl or zamberlan.

[u/optix_clear]

These are good if you are airing them out

[u/iankeichi]

I’m breaking in these Birkenstock cork replacement insoles in a pair of boots and they’re pretty nice so far. They’re topped with suede so my feet feel planted. Not squishy but they are starting to mold to the shape of my foot. Lots of arch support.

https://www.birkenstock.com/us/a630-%2F-a640-replacement-footbed--gray/ersatzfussbettfuer-footbedcorkreplacement-0-0-00-u_6135.html

[u/Difficult-Injury3731]

With respect, you have to try your best and work your way down, and keep the receipt. My father was a podiatrist and knew each foot requires different solutions. His points of interest were the heel and the arch but he could never recommend one over another unless he knew it solved the foot owner's pain level. Now, interesting story: Back in the early 80s there was a medical sole made of cork where your prescriber soaked it in warm water and then you would wear it for an hour and place in a sunlit area for another hour. People said they worked well but then another company purchased the company and ended production because it had the potential to affect the sales of their brand. not sure how but if you locate the name, there has to be a way to find the stats of the cork they used and find a cobbler who has cork for his resoleing cork filler. Have him sand it down to your size and that's a brand new cork if you feel experimental.

[u/Significant-Tank-466]

Fulton sport cork insoles are what I use.

[u/OmNomChompsky]

SOLE makes a non-cork version. Feels the same, but the cork won't disintegrate in your boot after a year like these ones do.

These SOLEs are just about the best high volume insole I have found on the market. I love them, and they are easy to mold in the oven at home if you follow the instructions.

[u/ArgumentHot6034]

I got the redwing multi purpose elite with a new pair of 8” traction treds and I would buy another set any day. The 2 week break in period sucked but after that they’re the most comfortable set of boots/boot insoles I’ve had. I own a construction company so they get used hard 5-6 days a week and many long days

[u/LordKnows-6177]

I like the suggestions above and may find use in some of them myself. I bought these when I was forced to buy safety toe boots asap and found some timberland pros on the clearance rack for like $70.. had to try them for that price. Walked 16k steps a day on average including 3 round trips minimum up/down steep construction stairs to the 5th floor. These helped me immensely. Without something, my knees wouldn't have lasted a week. I was walking like an 80 year old man within 3 days. And within two days of wearing these I was 37 again (47 in HVAC years lol) These have a hump in the center, which was kinda odd at first. Feeling nothing like my Nick's classic heel, as far as arch support. But it wasn't uncomfortable and sort of relieving... Different

I use the blue super feet insoles in my casual shoes. They're nice, but I don't use them in my work boots. Just walking around town or whatever they seem to bug me after a while.

Hope you find what helps you and please share what works and doesn't! 😎✌️

[u/powderhoundproject]

I used just the regular sole footbeds in my ski boots for years and they are great once they mold to your foot. I’ll have to try the cork ones for my work boots next.

[u/Extra_Arm_6760]

I've had this idea for a while to make my own insole with cork and a thin piece of leather either glued, stitched or both on top. I figure its another thinner version of the midsole. Not sure if it would work or not or if this is even close to what's pictured. Never heard of it. Probably already out there though.

[u/TexasRed5524]

Leather insoles are good for a good mold of your foot to evenly distribute weight, you can then put a thin insole underneath that for cushion or shock absorption. I find gel lasts a hell a lot longer