How do I choose the right hiking insoles?

Is hiking one of your favourite activities? Does walking in the mountains, in the countryside or along the coast — alone or in a group — make you happy? Then we share the same passion! At Sidas, our teams — the ones who design the products — love sport and nature. That's just how they spend their holidays and weekends! And that's how we came to an obvious conclusion: foot pain is the main obstacle to enjoying hiking. In response to problems like blisters, overheating, muscle fatigue, sore spots or black nails, based on nearly 50 years of expertise in foot comfort, we have developed the best hiking insoles on the market.

Hiking insoles perfectly suited to flat feet or high arches; to short contemplative walks or long days of trekking; for sensitive feet or those a little more sturdy; for delicate ankles or unreliable knees... With one guiding principle: providing cushioning, comfort and confidence in your support.

To find out everything you need to know in order to choose the right pair of insoles to slip into your hiking boots, click here!

"Foot pain is the main thing that stops us enjoying ourselves when we hike."

WHY USE INSOLES IN MY HIKING BOOTS? AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIKING INSOLES?

Why use insoles in your hiking socks? The answer is extremely simple: because hiking insoles help prevent foot pain. Tucked away in a specific corner of your mind, you probably have the painful memory of a walk or trek ruined by a blister, a black nail, rubbing, a sore spot or muscle fatigue. Well, it's the insole's job is to protect you from these problems. Allowing you to concentrate on the unique pleasure of roaming in nature.

After the 'why', naturally comes the 'how': how, in practical terms, can hiking insoles increase comfort and prevent foot pain?

- Hiking insoles firstly offer arch support. As the kilometres go by and as the foot tires, the arch tends to sag. The hiking insole then acts by relieving the arch of the foot, supporting it and thus limiting muscular pain.

- Hiking insoles also offer better cushioning for your whole foot. This is thanks in particular to their composition, with a dynamic gel that absorbs the shock waves of your footsteps while returning the energy you need to keep moving forward.

- Hiking insoles also ensure better distribution of pressure points. Your foot sits more comfortably in the shoe, as if you were sitting in a soft seat behind the wheel of a car. As a result, you can say goodbye to sore spots thanks to better body alignment, improved posture and better overall balance.

- With your foot better set and your posture more balanced, you gain precision, stability and therefore confidence, even on the steepest trails.

- Finally, hiking insoles have a breathable and anti-slip quality. They reduce friction between your foot and the shoe and wick away moisture due to rain or sweat. The most effective way to stay blister-free!

"The hiking insole has the function of relieving the arch of the foot, supporting it and thus limiting muscular pain."

WHICH ARE THE BEST INSOLES FOR HIKING? HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT INSOLES FOR MY HIKING BOOTS?

There is no such thing as "one best hiking sole", but rather different models, each one more or less suited to your style. That's why our range includes 4 hiking insoles, so you can find the one that best suits your needs.

All our hiking insoles meet the highest standards in terms of composition, comfort, cushioning and stability. But each has its own characteristics.

- The '3Feet Outdoor' is the benchmark for hiking insoles in terms of support and therefore foot comfort. Designed around '3Feet' technology, this insole comes in 3 arch sizes (low, medium or high) to perfectly match the uniqueness of your foot. Whether you have flat feet, regular feet or high arches, this is the insole with the most anti-fatigue qualities. A 'must have' for hikers who walk a lot or regularly.

- The 'Outdoor Gel' hiking insole, meanwhile, stands out for its exceptional cushioning, thanks to 'dynamic cushioning gel' pads strategically placed in the most sensitive areas of the foot. A great way for occasional or shorter-distance hikers to get started.

- The '3D Outdoor' hiking insoles, for their part, stand out for their breathability. As well as offering maximum comfort thanks to its EVA mould, anatomical shape and innovative foam, its optimal ventilation helps to combat the main enemy of hiking feet: moisture. A powerful ally for summer trekking and walks in hot or humid conditions.

- Finally, the 'Outdoor Memory' hiking insoles shine through their simplicity. Lightweight and easy to use, they provide instant and long-lasting comfort thanks to their memory foam.

To complete the range, we have also developed:

- The '3Feet Merino' insoles, available in 3 arch sizes and ideal for winter hiking.

- The 'Volume Reducer' insoles, which can be used in your everyday footwear to increase support and comfort.

There is no such thing as "one best hiking sole", but rather different models, each one more or less suited to your style."

ARE CUSTOMISED HIKING INSOLES EFFECTIVE?

Of course, customised hiking insoles greatly improve your comfort. Made-to-measure, they adapt perfectly to the specific shape of your feet. Their advantage? To maximise precision, cushioning and anti-fatigue qualities for long walks.

It was with this in mind that we developed the '3Feet'technology mentioned earlier in this article. The principle behind this technology, found in the '3Feet Outdoor' hiking insoles, is to offer a customised insole construction adapted to the 3 main types of feet:

- The '3Feet Outdoor Low' hiking insoles are therefore aimed at hikers with flat feet, i.e. with a low arch.

- The hiking insoles '3Feet Outdoor Mid' are aimed at hikers with regular feet, i.e. with a normal arch.

- Finally, the hiking insoles '3Feet Outdoor High' are aimed at hikers with high arches.

Would you like to find out your foot type? It couldn't be easier! All you have to do is visit one of our partner shops, which have a foot analysis tool.

"Customised hiking insoles greatly improve your comfort. Made-to-measure, they adapt perfectly to the specific shape of your feet."