Top 5 Best Insoles for Work Boots on Concrete – MySafetyTools

Shoe inserts are not only used to eliminate different types of foot ailments but they also provide support and comfort especially needed by workers that spend all day on their feet and get pain and aches because their legs take the strain of supporting their bodyweight all day (plus loads that vary from a burger tray to a 100lb sack of cement).

We reviewed today’s top removable insoles and orthotic inserts that’re known to work well for work boots. With our shared experience, you’re sure to get your best pair in no time!

5 Tested Insoles for Work Boots That You Can Use Over Concrete

01 Dr. Scholl’s Heavy Duty Support insoles (Best for Heel Pain Relief)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Anyone with back pain, whether for long or short, is going to love Dr. Scholl’s Heavy Duty Support insole. The way it handles body weight and reduces the impact is worth appreciating.

The level of compatibility doesn’t let the insoles stick to a certain kind of shoes only, nor does it allow the comfort to fall short.

Our Experience with Dr. Scholl’s Heavy Duty Support Insoles

• When we checked out the features, we found that these insoles are made to handle 200-300 lbs. And during our tests, they’ve performed exceptionally well, even carrying 300+ lbs.
  We’ve faced no issues using it, the level of cushioning is that good here. It has eased up the back pain and fatigue; the arch support helped a lot with that as well.
• With every step you take, it gets clear that the insole’s impact handling capability is more than adequate. Even in different circumstances, the insoles hold up pretty well. Plus, their perfect weight distribution has added some extra points in its favor.
• Finding the right size isn’t any hard nut to crack here as there’s a decent variety of sizes. But that’s not what impressed us in the first place, as that’s common in most of the insoles. What we loved more was how easy it was to trim when these insoles didn’t fit.
• At first, we thought they’re good enough for work boots only as that’s what we had in mind. But later on, we came to know that they work with equal efficiency on other common types of shoes like sneakers or regular shoes.
  The main advantage of that is it doesn’t make you buy any extra pair. You simply can take it out from one and put it into another.
• It might not be something you’re looking forward to, but it surely will make you feel a bit taller. Having a thicker construction seems to be nothing bad after all.
  Besides, the extra cushioning added some additional comfort while taking every step. After all, no insole is worth grabbing unless it’s comfortable.

What We Didn’t Like

• Insoles squeak a little at times based on the shoe type

Who Is It Great for

They can be the best insoles for work boots, especially for those who are working long shifts standing over concrete and dealing with back pain or fatigue.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Fixing the creaking would be great as it gets annoying sometimes.

Our Recommendations

If you’re a woman and planning to use these insoles, trim them according to your size first, in case they don’t fit.

Specifications

Pros

• Efficient weight distribution
• Good weight carrying capacity
• Impact absorbent
• Durable design
• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Perfect thickness

Cons

• A bit squeaky

02 Plantar Fasciitis Feet Insoles Arch Supports (Best for High Arch Support)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Not everyone can sacrifice comfort to get rid of back pain, and for them, Plantar Fasciitis Feet Insoles are a perfect option. They’re made to keep the pain away without compromising the foot’s positioning.

This pair of insoles contains not only great arch support for total stability but also deeper heel cups to maximize that. Plus, their top fabrics are so breathable that staying fresh inside became too easy.

Our Experience with the Plantar Fasciitis Feet Insoles

• If there’s anything we’ll have to call impressive about these insoles, then it’ll be the response time. Right after your feet sits on it, you’ll have the ultimate comfort zone. We figured out it’s the foot support that does most of it as it improves the overall foot stability.
  But giving it all the credit will be unfair to the silicone material it’s made of. After all, that’s what handles the shock absorption part, along with relieving soreness.
  There’s one more thing we couldn’t help loving, and that is the reduction of the foot pressure. If you’re a day-long walker, you’d understand what that truly means.
• The insoles allow the heel to get deeper, promoting the arch-support and keeps pain out of the way. Looks like having a heel cup does its work perfectly. On top of that, we thought the top cover might mess with the fitting, but we were wrong as it does quite the opposite and fits perfectly to the shoe.
• These anti-bacterial insoles showed significant improvement in pain and stress caused by pronation which we all know as flat feet. And the result is even better when it comes to Plantar Fasciitis. Besides, they can give support for years, though we don’t suggest using a pair for more than two years.
• There’s nothing much to say about the comfort. With a higher thickness level of the foam, it’s one of the obvious advantages. Also, the fabric on top is hard to avoid noticing as it takes down the friction like a piece of cake.
• The insoles are not entitled to a certain gender as the makers have left options for all. What we think, lowering the size for both men and women was a good move. It has cut off the hazard of trimming to a certain extent.

What We Didn’t Like

• Breaking in takes a little longer, though the duration is nothing intolerable

Who Is It Great for

These are not for professionals only but also for hikers, diabetes patients, day-long walkers, or anyone who needs a solution to their back pain.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Being machine washable would’ve been better.

Our Recommendations

Think twice before using the insoles in narrow shoes as the design is perfect for wider shoes.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to clean
• Long-lasting
• Comfortable construction
• Wider compatibility
• Better support
• Fast pain relief
• Low on friction
• Anti-bacterial

Cons

• Incompatible to narrow shoes

03 Dr. Scholl’s Work Insoles All-Day Shock Absorption and Reinforced Arch Support (Best for Plantar Fasciitis)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Professionals who wear work boots and suffer from fatigue or discomfort while walking on concrete would love to have something like Dr. Scholl’s Work Insoles because they’ve got the perfect breathability, proper support, and of course, top-notch cushioning.

Our Experience with Dr. Scholl’s Work Insoles

• The comfort level is quite high on these insoles. Even after spending hours on them, you won’t feel any fatigue or pain on your feet. That proves the cushioning is doing the job perfectly. Besides, the vents work fine to keep the feet cool.
• Like the other high-end gel insoles, this pair, too, is good with absorbing shock. With these, handling laborious jobs and any other tasks that require physical effort gets easier. Besides, they have shown significant results in reducing muscle fatigue in the legs and feet.
• The grooved design on the bottom made us feel like they might struggle a bit to slip in. But it was nothing to worry about as slipping the insoles in was easy as pie. The side edges might interrupt the access depending on the shoe size, but that can be solved with a little trimming.
• Looks like it fits perfectly regardless of the shoe type. Not only in sneakers, casual shoes, and work boots, but the insoles have managed to slip into tough shoes like steel toe boots as well. So, full marks for the compatibility.
• The variety of the sizes is nothing satisfying but not entirely disappointing as well. People with smaller feet might find these helpful, but we can’t say the same for the ones with bigger feet.

What We Didn’t Like

• Doesn’t come in a wider variety of sizes

Who Is It Great for

If you’re looking for quality insoles for work boots because you’ve got massive muscle fatigue due to working on hard surfaces, you’ll find this one worth grabbing.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Adding more sizes to the list would give more users a chance to try out.

Our Recommendations

Avoid using it on high heels as it might make your heel slip out.

Specifications

Pros

• High on comfort
• Better shock absorbency
• Easy to trim
• Perfect cushioning
• Trimmable
• Breathable
• Highly stable

Cons

• No color variations

04 Riemot Anti Fatigue Shoe Insoles for Men

Why It Stands Out to Us

Riemot Anti Fatigue Shoe Insoles for Men is a perfect option when you love keeping bacteria, fatigue, odor away without losing the privilege of comfort. The ergonomic design, comfortable cushioning, non-slippery bottom – all these features make the insoles perfect for work boots on concrete. And yes, they’re good at relieving pain as well.

Our Experience with the Riemot Anti Fatigue Shoe Insoles for Men

• These insoles have shown remarkable improvement in shock absorbency. The way they support the feet regardless of the surface or time helps a lot in the workplace. We believe the thickness they come with is mostly responsible for that.

But the best part is how each insole deals with the pain; especially on flat feet, they work excellently.

• The design itself is focused on comfort to a huge extent. Its cushioning seems to be perfect enough to bring some positive changes to the overall shoe performance while using them with work boots.

Regardless of the shoe type, the comfort doesn’t get compromised once you put it in. Cushioning on the heel has made it easier to utilize the arch support to the fullest, ensuring an even weight distribution.

• We know that keeping the feet away from sweating can be a lot tougher than it initially seems. But the level of breathability these insoles come with has made that part easier.

Interestingly, that feature alone has made them more odor-resistant too. Plus, the anti-fungal property seems to work fine in ensuring better safety.

• The bottom grooves are promising enough to maintain stability. So, while moving faster, there are not many chances to lose balance or feel any shakiness.
• Cleaning the insoles is simply a breeze. That’s because, unlike most insoles, there’s no need for handwashing. You can just throw them in the machine and let the machine do the rest.
• The velvet layer on the top gives a softer feeling to the feet. Even if you’re used to the regular hard surfaces, you’re going to like these insoles for sure.

What We Didn’t Like

• These insoles do no good to the people with high arch feet. For them, it’ll be as good as not using any insoles.

Who Is It Great for

In case you’ve got flat feet, these insoles can be perfect for your work boots and you’ll be able to use them comfortably over hard surfaces like concrete.

What Could Be Improved and Why

A little more wideness is needed for people with big feet.

Our Recommendations

If they’re a little big for the shoe, trim them up with scissors rather than using knives.

Specifications

Pros

• Machine washable
• Reduces pain
• Anti-bacterial
• Lowers the odor
• Anti-perspiration
• Better support
• High on stability
• Anti-fungal

Cons

• Ineffective with high-arch feet

05 Physix Gear Sport Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis (Best for Flat Feet)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Physix Gear Sport Insoles are the proof that insoles are not always about being a pillow under the feet but solid support.

The high-density material, non-slip construction, deeper heel cup – all of these features the insoles come with are focused on two things only. One, making the shoes more tolerable, and two, keeping away from pain.

Our Experience with the Physix Gear Sport Insoles

• We can’t help calling these insoles a versatile option, at least not after seeing the kind of arch support they deliver. Not only for professionals who wear work boots on concrete but also anyone who’s bound to stay on their feet for a longer period will find these helpful for the required support.
• They’ve worked as one of the finest insoles out there in relieving the pain of Plantar Fasciitis. Besides, each insole also helps amazingly in Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and many more. Doesn’t matter if the arch is high or low, they’ll be supportive anyway.
• Initially, we thought they’re going to be highly firm like some of the other insoles out there. They surely are rigid but not so much that it makes us call them the firmest. Thankfully, they do show their share of flexibility where the user needs, at least better than being unbendable.
• The thin profile allows having more room within the shoe. This means you won’t be feeling suffocated, at least after putting on your shoes. But for that, the pair of insoles had to sacrifice the cushioning, which doesn’t make them the comfiest on our list.
• Besides, the heel cup primarily might seem extra deep, but for maintaining stability, it simply works better than anything else. Plus, it makes getting extra support more convenient.
• At first, it was kind of hard for us to figure out the major differences between stock insoles and this pair. But when we looked at the non-slip design, it became clear that no stock insole can pull off a performance like this without losing its ground.

What We Didn’t Like

• Low cushioning puts the pair behind in the race of comfort

Who Is It Great for

These can be useful for any professional suffering from the metatarsal arch and heel discomfort, Patellofemoral syndrome, or plantar fasciitis.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Lowering the rigidity of the arch support can make them more comforting. Adding some cushioning, too, would be great.

Our Recommendations

Follow the trim lines if you feel like the insoles need some alterations.

Specifications

Pros

• High-density material
• Minimalistic design
• Strong construction
• Non-slip base
• Relieving pain
• Cheaper price
• Lightweight
• Less odor

Cons

• Rigid arch support

Insoles Buying Guide: Find the Perfect Insoles for Your Work Boots

1. Insole Sizing

The easiest way to end up with the wrong insole is picking up the wrong size. That’s why you need to make sure the one you’re grabbing is going to match the shoe size or not. Often the manufacturers provide a list of the sizes. That’ll make finding out the right size easier.

2. Weight Distribution

No insole can save you from back pain with uneven weight distribution. That’s the reason why the makers have lately focused so much on that part alone. When choosing a pair of insole for your shoe, check out how good it is in distributing the body weight.

3. Insole Materials

• Gel Inserts

These inserts are more about dealing with the shock as they’re good with absorbing that. Plus, the fitting is kind of perfect on this one too.

• Foam Inserts

This one is mostly focused on cushioning, which means it’s all about comfort.

• Cork Inserts

Cork inserts are great for support with slight cushioning.

4. Foot Arch

• Normal

Know your foot type first, as not all kinds of feet can match up with all the shoe insoles. In this kind of arch, the feet stay on the ground normally with regular proportion.

• Flat

In this type of foot arch, maximum parts of the foot’s bottom stay on the ground. Without the right kind of insoles, they can cause major fatigue and back pain. That’s why arch support matters the most in this one.

• High

This is quite the opposite of a flat one and resists ground contact more than the other types.

5. Breathability

Lack of breathability leads to excessive sweating and can lead to fungal infection later on. Make sure the one you’re picking is keeping that level of breathability high and allowing the feet to stay cool.

6. Durability

While choosing an insole, make sure your one is coming with a durability of 6 months at least. Some even come with years of durability, depending on the material, of course.

7. Anti-bacterial

Shoes are one of the common places for bacteria to reside. But having insoles with anti-bacterial features will help you keep them away and keep the feet safer.

8. Compatibility

Buying insoles for each of your shoe pairs can be irritating at times. The best way to avoid that is getting a pair of insoles that will go with most of your shoes, whether it’s sneakers, casual shoes, or work boots.

9. Flexibility

Over-rigid insoles can cause major discomfort while moving around. Besides, this can make the insertion harder as well. To avoid such situations, pick insoles that don’t stop your feet from bending a little.

10. Ease of Cleaning

Some insoles can be a bit hard to clean. Don’t even think about grabbing one of those. It’s better to stick to something that’ll get cleaned without making you try harder for it.

11. Thickness

For shorter people, having thicker insoles might look like a blessing but can also make the feet feel suffocated. This means, at the time of buying your next insoles, you’ll have to go for a level of thickness that’ll give you the required support but without making your feet squeezed within the shoe.

12. Trimming

Sometimes it gets harder to find out the right size as all you can see is bigger insoles. They do have their share of advantages but not without some drawbacks. In such cases, the easiest way to fix the problem is trimming the insole.

But not every insole is made for trimming as the durability can be compromised this way. That’s why you need to grab a pair that won’t make trimming a big issue and would hold itself as it would’ve without trimming.

Insoles Cleaning & Maintenance Tips

• Don’t leave the insoles in the shoe for the whole night. Otherwise, they won’t dry naturally.
• Avoid forced drying on insoles. Leaving them in sunlight or direct heat can deform them.
• Use soap suds to wash synthetic insoles and use cotton towels to dry them up.
• Soaking insoles into vinegar essence can get you rid of the odor. But don’t forget to wash them later on.
• Use cleaning sprays to clean up non-washable insoles.
• Applying foot deodorant can keep unpleasant odor away too.
• Don’t use anything else but leather-cleaning products for leather insoles.

FAQs

1. How long can memory foam insoles last?

Ans. Depending on the usage pattern, they can last from 1 to 6 months. Due to their soft construction, they struggle to sustain more than that.

2. Which one is better between memory foam and gel insoles?

Ans. If you’re more into having comfortable and lighter insoles, then going with memory foam is a better option. But if you’re considering having insoles with better shock absorbency, then don’t think twice before getting gel insoles.