Adding the right pair of supportive insoles to your Hoka running shoes can make a great shoe even better. Hoka shoes are loved for their maximal cushioning and smooth ride. But many people can benefit from replacing the Hoka's factory insole with something more custom and supportive.
But what's the best insole to add to Hokas? Which insole is going to give the best arch support and comfort? And how can you be sure the insole will fit properly?
In this post we'll explain why Hoka's factory insoles fall short, and why SOLE custom moldable footbeds are the best insoles you can add to your Hoka shoes.
Do Hokas need insoles?
Hokas are among the most popular running shoes on earth. So why would you change the insoles they came with?
The answer comes down to the difference between cushioning and support. Hoka's highly cushioning midsoles do an excellent job of absorbing impact. But cushioning alone doesn't support your arch, cradle your heel, or promote the kind of neutral alignment that keeps your feet working efficiently.
That's where the insole comes in. And unfortunately, Hoka's factory insoles don't do much to support you.
What's wrong with Hoka's factory insoles?
Hokas come with an industry-standard 4.2mm thick foam liner. This 'insole' is really just flimsy foam, meant to be comfortable enough to as many different feet as possible.
This means that for all of Hoka's engineering investment in the midsole, your foot is sitting on a flat pad with no support underneath the arch, no heel cradling, and no personalization to your unique foot shape. That's true whether you're running easy miles in a pair of Cliftons, logging hours on your feet at work in a pair of Bondis, or hiking in Hoka trail shoes.
Replacing that flat factory liner with a proper supportive insole can help reduce strain in your feet, prevent fatigue and improve biomechanics for efficient movement.
Arch support insoles for Hokas.
SOLE footbeds feature our Signature Supportive Shape, with an arch that's clinically proven to reduce strain in your feet by an average of 34%. This makes our footbeds an excellent choice for anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis, or anyone who experiences foot fatigue during long runs, hikes, or shifts on their feet.
The arch support in SOLE footbeds is dynamic, meaning it flexes with your foot's natural motion as you take each step. It's designed to support your foot's movement, not control it. This means you keep all the natural, responsive feel of your Hokas, with the added benefit of a properly supported arch.
This combination of Hoka's midsole cushioning and SOLE's arch support is the ultimate anti-fatigue toolkit. The midsole handles impact absorption. The footbed handles support and alignment. Together, they make a complete foundation for your feet.
SOLE medium thickness insoles fit best in Hokas
Insoles for neutral alignment in Hokas.
SOLE's Signature Supportive Shape combines arch support with a deep heel cup to promote neutral alignment in your feet, ankles, and legs. Neutral alignment means your foot lands efficiently with each step, spreading pressure evenly across the bottom of your foot rather than concentrating it in one area.
It also means your body's chain of motion, from foot to ankle to knee to hip, is working on a stable, well-aligned base. This is especially important for Hoka wearers, because Hoka's broad, maximalist midsole platform is designed to promote a smooth, rolling heel-to-toe transition.
Adding SOLE's deep heel cup to that equation keeps your heel precisely positioned within the shoe, maximizing the benefit of Hoka's Meta-Rocker geometry and reducing the risk of your ankle rolling inward or outward with each step.
Custom moldable insoles for Hokas.
SOLE footbeds are custom moldable to your unique feet and arch height. Simply slip them into your Hokas and they'll mold to your feet gradually over a few wears. You can also heat mold them in your oven at home in just a couple of minutes to speed up the process.
Once molded to your feet, the footbed stays in constant even contact with the bottom of your foot. This helps distribute pressure evenly with every step, reducing hot spots, preventing fatigue, and giving you a truly personalized fit inside your Hokas.
The custom moldable fit also makes SOLE footbeds an excellent, affordable alternative to prescription orthotics. Because so many people find relief from various foot ailments using SOLE footbeds, doctors often recommend their patients try SOLE first before investing in custom inserts. And with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, you can try them risk free.
Insoles for flat feet in Hokas.
When it comes to flat feet, not even the thick cushioning of the Hoka can prevent strain and pain in your feet. The arch of your foot helps carry much of the load placed on the foot, as well as ensuring that pressure is efficiently absorbed while you walk or run.
Adding proper arch support to your Hokas will help your feet absorb the load of walking or running, without excess strain on any one part of your foot or ankle.
SOLE footbeds are an excellent choice for anyone with flat feet wearing Hokas. The heat moldable base means you can get just the right level of arch support dialled in for your feet, without the arch feeling too aggressive or uncomfortable.
Insoles with metatarsal pads for Hokas
If you suffer from metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, or numbness and tingling in your toes while wearing your Hokas, consider a SOLE footbed with a built-in metatarsal pad.
A metatarsal pad — or Met Pad — is a small bump positioned to support your foot's transverse arch, which runs across the width of your foot. This promotes natural spread between your metatarsal bones, reducing pressure on the metatarsal heads and improving circulation in your forefoot.
SOLE Active Medium with Met Pad footbeds are the best option for adding metatarsal support to your Hokas.
Which SOLE footbeds are best for Hokas?
Hoka shoes typically have a removable insole and a medium-depth fit, making them well-suited to a medium-thickness SOLE footbed.
The Active Medium is the most versatile choice for Hokas. It features a super durable EVA base, making it an excellent option if you plan to move your footbeds between different pairs of shoes, or if your Hokas are likely to get wet on a run or a hike.
The Performance Medium is made from recycled natural wine corks. Cork is a natural thermal insulator, which makes this footbed a great choice if you wear your Hokas in cold conditions. Cork also molds to your feet a little more quickly through wear, and adds a touch of extra shock absorption.
Both footbeds feature the same Signature Supportive Shape, with the same arch support, deep heel cup, and custom moldable base. Whichever you choose, you'll get the same excellent foundation for your feet — and both come with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can try them in your Hokas and return them if you're not satisfied.