Adding insoles to barefoot shoes can help ease the transition to wearing barefoot shoes, or add crucial arch support to those who need it. But can you wear barefoot shoes with insoles? And if so, what insoles are best for adding to barefoot shoes?
In this article we’ll discuss both these points. We’ll explain why SOLE Wide footbeds are the best insole to add to barefoot shoes due to their wide toe box, zero-drop platform and custom moldable supportive shape.
Can you wear barefoot shoes with insoles?
Yes! As long as the insole fits comfortably in the barefoot shoe, there’s no reason you can’t wear it.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Barefoot shoes are designed to provide as little structural support as possible: mimicking the experience of walking barefoot, while wearing shoes. So to add supportive insoles to barefoot shoes might seem counter to the aim of the barefoot shoe itself.
That being said, there are many reasons you might want to add a supportive insole to your shoe. You might need support to help you transition into wearing barefoot shoes full time. You might also need arch support due to having flat feet, or dealing with pain from other biomechanical inefficiencies. But you might want some of the benefits of a barefoot shoe, like a wide toe box and a zero drop platform.
Adding an insole for barefoot shoes allows you to tailor your barefoot shoe experience to your personal needs.
Wide toe box insoles for barefoot shoes.
SOLE Wide footbeds are made with an extra wide forefoot, specifically designed to fit seamlessly in wide toe box shoes. This means you can enjoy all the benefits of a supportive insole, while still enjoying the benefits of allowing your toes to spread naturally within your shoe.
The best thing about the seamless fit, is that you can add the insoles to your barefoot shoes without your toes rubbing on the edge of the insole within the wide toe box, which could lead to blisters in long-term use.
This is one of the many reasons that SOLE Wide footbeds are the best supportive inserts for barefoot shoes.
Zero drop insoles for barefoot shoes.
Another good reason to choose SOLE Wide footbeds for your barefoot shoes is their zero drop platform. In all SOLE footbeds, the bottom of the heel sits at the same height as the forefoot and toes.
This provides a zero drop platform, meaning that you can add SOLE Wide footbeds to your zero drop shoes without impacting their heel-to-toe drop at all.
Arch support insoles for barefoot shoes.
SOLE footbeds all feature a supportive arch that’s clinically proven to reduce strain in your feet by an average of 34%. The special thing about this arch support is that it’s dynamic, meaning that it flexes with your foot’s natural motion as you take each step. The footbed is designed to support the foot, not control its motion.
In this clinical study, when compared with top competitors, SOLE footbeds led to the greatest reduction in strain, while controlling the foot the least.
Many people might be turning to barefoot shoes to help build strength in their feet as a result of suffering from plantar fasciitis or other overuse injuries.
Switching straight to wearing barefoot shoes without an adjustment period will likely result in placing more strain on your muscles and ligaments. This could lead to the problem you’re facing getting worse rather than better, as you aggravate the injury.
By adding arch support to your barefoot shoes, you reduce strain on your feet, allowing them to heal properly before placing more extra strain on them. Supporting the arch to reduce strain will also reduce pain, helping you get back to living pain free while you build strength in the area you’re targeting, over time.
This is why SOLE Wide footbeds are an excellent choice for helping you transition to wearing barefoot shoes.
Insoles for transitioning to barefoot shoes.
SOLE Active Wide footbeds are a particularly good choice for helping you transition to wearing barefoot shoes. Their durable EVA base can be moved in and out of your shoes countless times without compromising their support or long-term lifespan.
This means you can slip insoles into your shoes any time your feet get tired, for a couple of hours in the day. The footbeds’ Signature Supportive Shape will reduce strain in your feet, preventing fatigue and avoiding the risk of injury.
Think of your barefoot shoes like a crate of beers, and our insoles like a glass of water you need every now and then to keep the good times rolling.
Custom moldable insoles for barefoot shoes.
SOLE Wide footbeds are custom moldable to your unique feet and arch height. Just slip them into your barefoot shoes and they will mold to your feet over a few days of regular wear.
You can also heat mold the footbeds in your own oven at home. Heat molding the footbeds helps to speed up a custom fit. Once molded to your feet, the footbeds offer personalized support. They also stay in constant even contact with the bottom of your feet, helping to distribute pressure evenly across the surface of your feet as you walk.
The best insoles for flat feet in barefoot shoes.
As discussed above, SOLE Wide footbeds offer industry-leading arch support, with a heat moldable base. The ability to heat mold the footbeds helps address a common problem for people with flat feet. An arch that’s too supportive can cause discomfort and pain, while an arch that’s too flat doesn’t help correct the issues being faced due to flat feet.
With SOLE footbeds, you can get the right level of support dialled in for your unique feet. The heat molding process can be repeated up to five times, allowing you to adjust the level of support until it’s comfortable.
Which SOLE insoles for barefoot shoes?
SOLE Wide footbeds come in two styles: Active Wide Medium and Performance Wide Medium. These footbeds both feature the same zero-drop, supportive shape with an extra wide forefoot. In fact, they’re exactly the same, apart from the material that their respective bases are made from.
The Active Wide Medium features a super durable EVA base. This is the best bet for anyone who plans to move their insoles in and out of their barefoot shoes on a regular basis. It’s also the best foot if you plan on trail running in barefoot shoes, or expect your shoes to get soaking wet for any other reason.
The Performance Wide Medium is made using recycled natural wine corks in its base. Natural cork is an excellent insulator, so helps guard against extreme cold or heat. It’s also naturally antimicrobial, and adds a little more shock absorption to your barefoot shoes.
Whichever footbed you choose, when you buy it from the SOLE webstore, it comes with a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re unhappy with the footbed for any reason, simply return it within 90 days of purchase for a refund or exchange!