Best insole for ball of foot pain

Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Messages
320
Location
Montana
I have a pair of Kenetrek mountain extremes and they are super comfortable as far as blisters and hot spots go, but after a decent day of hiking the balls of my feet absolutely kill me. I've had the same issue with crispis in the past but threw in a pair of superfeet insoles and it resolved. I've tried 3 different insoles from superfeet(orange, green, hike support) in these kenetreks and can't find relief. Any advice or different insoles to try out that might help?
 

Ron.C

WKR
Joined
Jan 25, 2021
Messages
338
Location
Vancouver Island British Columbia
I had a similar issue with my Hanwag Trapper tops. Tried a couple different insoles, nothing worked. What did work was playing with the lace tension across the top of my foot.

What I found is in softer soled boots like my old Alaska's, I can snug up quite a bit more and go all day. Stiffer soles of the trapper tops require a tad more play for all day comfort (for me anyway).

Google lock lacing techniques. Lots of different ways to adjust (and maintain) tension in different areas of lacing.

anyhow, cost nothing to try and may work for ya.

Good luck.
 
OP
Western Hunter270
Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Messages
320
Location
Montana
I had a similar issue with my Hanwag Trapper tops. Tried a couple different insoles, nothing worked. What did work was playing with the lace tension across the top of my foot.

What I found is in softer soled boots like my old Alaska's, I can snug up quite a bit more and go all day. Stiffer soles of the trapper tops require a tad more play for all day comfort (for me anyway).

Google lock lacing techniques. Lots of different ways to adjust (and maintain) tension in different areas of lacing.

anyhow, cost nothing to try and may work for ya.

Good luck.
Much appreciated. I'll give it a try
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2020
Messages
383
I cut an old insole into the shape of a triangle ( like an meta pad) and taped it underneath the insole for additional cushioning at the ball. I can’t tell it’s in there and it’s helped a lot.
 

kad11

WKR
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
961
Location
Billings, MT
I have a pair of Kenetrek mountain extremes and they are super comfortable as far as blisters and hot spots go, but after a decent day of hiking the balls of my feet absolutely kill me. I've had the same issue with crispis in the past but threw in a pair of superfeet insoles and it resolved. I've tried 3 different insoles from superfeet(orange, green, hike support) in these kenetreks and can't find relief. Any advice or different insoles to try out that might help?

Do you have high arches? If so, you might benefit from gel insoles for absorbing impact. I've been using cheapo Dr. Scholl's gel insoles for years in Kenetreks and La Sportiva Aquelibriums.
 
OP
Western Hunter270
Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Messages
320
Location
Montana
Do you have high arches? If so, you might benefit from gel insoles for absorbing impact. I've been using cheapo Dr. Scholl's gel insoles for years in Kenetreks and La Sportiva Aquelibriums.
I do have pretty high arches. For the price point I'd definitely be willing to give that a try.
 

kad11

WKR
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
Messages
961
Location
Billings, MT
I do have pretty high arches. For the price point I'd definitely be willing to give that a try.

Yep, this is the model I use:
 

CM

WKR
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
553
Location
Franklin, Idaho
I've struggled with foot pain when doing lots and lots of miles with a pack. I've tried all kinds of different insoles. The best thing I've found is AirFeet under my regular insoles. They sound gimicky but they have solved a lot of my foot pain problems.

 

ThorM465

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Feb 8, 2023
Messages
430
Location
Madison, AL
I like the sole performance cork insoles in my crispis and danners. I needed another set of insoles recently and decided to give superfeet a try. I sent them back after one 3+mile hike. They seemed to be good quality, but didn't work for me, I was getting hot spots on the hills of my feet. I tuned around and bought another set of the sole performance insoles.
 

Loo.wii

WKR
Joined
Sep 23, 2022
Messages
674
Try a boot with a softer shank. Get a tennis ball and roll it on the ball and arch of your foot. Im not sure an insole change will work.
 

adamm88

WKR
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Messages
475
Location
Pennsylvania
I had a similar issue with my Hanwag Trapper tops. Tried a couple different insoles, nothing worked. What did work was playing with the lace tension across the top of my foot.



I had a pair of boots simular issue, i tried lacing mine different no pain......It was too the point i would stop and take my boots off it hurt so bad
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2017
Messages
939
I have the same issue and tried sheep feet I love them for working on concrete all day and they are better in the field but it’s still the first place I feel pain in my feet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Jordan

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
165
Location
WA
Do you have high arches? If so, you might benefit from gel insoles for absorbing impact. I've been using cheapo Dr. Scholl's gel insoles for years in Kenetreks and La Sportiva Aquelibriums.
I use the insoles from Dr. Scholls for plantar. They work great for a season or so and helped with that exact pain you’re talking about. Cheap and easy to replace. I’ve run them in La Sportivas, Mammut and Schnees.
 

Ka88

FNG
Joined
Jan 14, 2019
Messages
15
I was having pain in the balls of my feet several years ago and went to the podiatrist. It turns out I had broken the sesamoid bones in each foot. The solution is a custom orthotic where they remove material under the ball of the foot to relieve pressure. It works. Just an idea to consider. Hope you find a good solution for the pain.
 
Top