Skiing is a super fun winter activity for both thrill-seekers and those who enjoy nature’s calmness. But the joy ends when your feet get cold or sore at the end of the day. To prevent this, invest in a pair of insoles that help you stay warm and comfortable while also supporting your feet.
In this article, I’ll give you some guidance in picking the best ski boot insoles and review my top six for 2021.
The best ski boot insoles are:
What To Consider When Buying Ski Boot Insoles
Naturally, your ski boot insoles should keep your feet warm on the slopes and prevent sore feet. Consider the following things:
Fit and Compatibility
Ski boots differ from regular shoes in that they’re stiffer and provide more space for your feet to breathe. This means that insoles that fit in your everyday footwear might not be compatible with your boots.
The best ski boot insoles are thick and have a high-volume since these make your boots more comfortable and warm. Remember that they need to fit your boots as well. It’s better to buy larger insoles than small ones since you can cut down the size if you need to, but it’s more difficult to make them bigger.
If you find that your ski boots are too big for you, our article on the best insoles for boots that are too big will help you out.
Support
Your ski boot insoles should provide support to your feet and improve your posture. Depending on the shape of your feet, you need different types of assistance. Those who have flat feet should look for insoles with arch support, while people suffering from supination or overpronation need a deep heel cup or a stabilizing cup.
Heel Support
Your heel bone endures a lot of impact from physical activity and supports your body weight. Generally speaking, skiers tend to go for insoles with deep heel cups since these provide extra stability and help keep your feet in place when you’re skiing. These cups raise your heels which helps prevent pain by putting less strain on your tendon.
Arch Support
Further digging into the supporting features, there are two types of orthotic insoles that provide arch support: rigid and semi-rigid ones.
Rigid ones are mainly used by those who are diagnosed with foot diseases or problems and not for the general skier. They can help change foot function and improve foot, leg and lower back strain but should only be used if you need special support. Therefore, there aren’t any rigid soles on our list.
Semi-rigid insoles have efficient shock-absorbing features, which are ideal for those who put pressure on their joints by, for example, engaging in physical activities such as skiing. They also have cushioning materials in the blend or a softer feel. The best ski boot insoles are semi-rigid ones that combine support with comfort.
Insulation
As we all know, skiing equals being exposed to freezing temperatures for hours a day. Your feet are generally ultra susceptible to the cold and can easily lose sensation and motor skills, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous on the ski slope.
To prevent numb feet, we need warm footbeds. Well-insulated insoles prevent heat from escaping from your body and add insulation between your feet and the snow. The best ski boot insoles have Merino wool and heat-retaining synthetics such as polyester since these provide sufficient insulation out in the snow.
You also have a choice of buying heated insoles. These use batteries to add warmth to your boots. Consider features such as battery life, charging time and temperature settings if you’re interested in these. They should last all day out on the slope, be able to charge fully overnight and have adjustable heat settings. Note that some heated soles have a limited number of charges and might not last you for a whole season of heavy skiing.
If you’re interested in heated insoles, read our article where we determine the best heated insoles in 2021.
Moisture-Wicking
With physical activity comes sweaty feet. The moisture won’t only make your feet cold; it can also lead to foul-smelling feet and boots as well as bacterial infections. To prevent this, invest in insoles with moisture-wicking properties. Materials with these features include polyurethane and Merino wool.
Also, breathable materials such as cotton can help prevent sweat and moisture from building up.
Materials
These days, most insoles are made of either foam or gel, or a mix of the two.
The best feature of foam insoles is that they give superb cushioning. Even better for comfort is memory foam made from polyurethane, which also keeps your feet stable by molding around it. They’re not very long-lasting, however, and will lose their shape after a few weeks or months of skiing.
Gel insoles are great at providing shock-absorption due to their higher density and durability. For a person active in the ski-slopes, these soles will help protect your joints from heavy impact. But note that they’re not moisture-wicking and might lead to sweaty feet.
According to research, combination insoles made from both foam and gel are the superior alternative when it comes to reducing pressure on soles. So these are also great for skiers standing on their feet all day.
To learn more about insole materials, check out our article on the best insoles for military boots.
Reviews of the Best Ski Boot Insoles
Let’s jump into the reviews of my top six ski boot insoles in 2021.
Our Overview
These insoles are made from polyurethane memory foam and gel, which makes them both cushioning and shock-absorbing. EASYFEET describes them as the ultimate high-impact sports soles.
The combination material blend is superior in reducing pressure on soles and is perfect for activities such as skiing. Furthermore, they have an antibacterial velvet cover that will keep your ski boots smelling fresh the whole day.
Customers feel that the best feature of these insoles is the support they give. With a deep heel cup, they help stabilize your feet, and they’re also built to provide high arch support—1.3 inches, to be exact. In terms of pain relief, users also state that they’ve reduced aches in heels and soles.
The EASYFEET insoles are available in XS–XL sizes and come in men’s and women’s measurements. If they don’t fit your boots perfectly, you can trim them easily with a pair of scissors or a utility knife.
What’s less ideal with these insoles is that they squeak. Buyers find that they’re very loud and distracting, especially when used indoors. If you invest in these, take them out of your boots before you head on to the after-ski.
Also, these aren’t the warmest soles on our list. They don’t provide much insulation or have any heat-retaining materials in them. Some users also state that the arch support is a little off and more inclined forwards than it should be, but it no doubt depends on the shape of every individual foot.
Pros:
Cons:
- Squeak loudly.
- Don’t provide much insulation.
Our Overview
The Superfeet Red sole is made of Nylex, which is a type of polyester fabric that’s known for proper insulation. Other heat-preserving features include a foil forefoot and an open-cell foam thermal layer that helps keep warmth inside the boot.
They also have a top cover that’s treated with Outlast technology that controls temperature. Users agree that these insoles will keep your feet warm when you’re out in the snow.
As for support, this product comes with a stabilizer heel cap that’s specially made to provide structure for ski boots. They also have a shock-absorbing deep heel cup. This makes these footbeds high volume, which is ideal for skiers. Buyers like the extra height in their boots that keeps their feet from moving around.
Even though these insoles are warm, they won’t get smelly from sweaty feet due to their organic odor-control coating. On top of it all, they’re also comfortable, and customers state that they don’t get sore feet, even after a whole day of skiing.
Not as popular is the fact that they don’t provide much arch support. If you’re suffering from flat feet, these aren’t for you. Opt for the EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles instead.
Also, they’re a pair of rather pricey insoles. Some customers feel like they aren’t worth the price since they don’t perform substantially better than other ski boot insoles.
Finally, these are also available in a women’s model. If you’re interested, check out the Superfeet hotPINK Women’s Insoles for Ski Snowboard and Snow Sports.
Pros:
- Warm polyester fabric.
- Heat-preserving foil and coating.
- Stabilizes the heel.
- Keeps the feet from moving inside the ski boots.
- Odor-control.
- Prevents sore feet.
Cons:
- Rather pricey.
- Doesn’t give much arch support.
Our Overview
These Superfeet insoles are made using 100 percent Merino wool, which is known for both its warmth and moisture-wicking capacities, so your feet should stay cozy without building up sweat. Further adding to the insulation of this product is its high volume that also gives adequate arch support. The supportive part of the footbed is plastic, which lasts longer than foam, for example.
With deep heel cups, the MerinoGREYs also put less stress on your tendons and stabilize your feet when skiing. These cups are also shock-absorbing, which suits well for high-impact activities.
Now, while the Merino wool makes these insoles soft, they lack in terms of cushioning. The hard plastic layer might absorb impact well, but it won’t give you that squishy, comfortable feel like foam, for example.
Also, customers state that these aren’t very long-lasting. The wool tends to move from the heel and clump up in the front, which deforms them.
Pros:
- Warm and moisture-wicking Merino wool.
- High volume soles great for skiing.
- Deep heel cups stabilize feet.
- Shock-absorbing.
Cons:
- Not the most cushioning.
- Durability is lacking.
Our Overview
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, these insulating felt insoles are it. Underneath is an aluminum base that protects you from wet snow and helps trap heat. According to buyers, these really do keep your feet warm all day out on the slopes.
Users also like the comfortable feel of the felt soles and state that they give extra cushioning to your boots even though they’re thin. In fact, the thinness is appreciated since they don’t take up much space and won’t change the fit of your ski boots.
It’s recommended to buy these a size up, since they run a little small. You can then cut them down to fit your boots perfectly this way.
Moneysworth & Best advertises these footbeds as withstanding temperatures up to -13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 degrees Celsius). Based on reports from users, they keep your feet warm at low temperatures, but perhaps not that low.
What’s further lacking with these insoles is support. They don’t provide any arch support and not much heel support either. They’re an affordable alternative that adds warmth to your ski boots but don’t do much to stabilize your feet or correct your posture.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Keeps feet warm in the snow.
- Insulating felt and aluminum.
- Comfortable.
- Thin, so they don’t make your boots feel smaller.
Cons:
- Don’t make your feet stay warm in extremely cold temperatures.
- Lacking in terms of heel and arch support.
Our Overview
If you’re looking for electronically heated insoles, these ones from Thermrup are great for skiers. They’re made of nylon, foam and rubber that make them both comfortable and shock-absorbing. The heating area is 7 inches long and uses infrared light to keep your feet warm, which they really do, according to users.
Thermrup heated insoles have adjustable heating settings, and you can choose between four levels. The battery lasts all day on the 25 and 50 percent heat settings, and the rechargeable battery only needs a bit more than an hour to be restored to its full capability. Several customers found that the lower settings provided enough heat for the slopes.
Note that these batteries are attached to your leg with a velcro battery holder that you wrap around your ankle. There’s even an extended cable so you can place the holder where you like on your body. While some thought the cord would be uncomfortable, buyers state that they barely notice it.
An additional pro is that these insoles are machine-washable. Just make sure to disconnect the batteries and cords from them before washing.
Some users report having problems with the batteries, however, and that they don’t charge equally or stop charging after some time. Others feel that the cables are fragile and can break easily if you fall while skiing, for example.
Pros:
- Infrared heat keeps your feet warm all day.
- Adjustable heat settings.
- Comes with a rechargeable battery and long cords.
- Foam and rubber give cushioning as well as absorb shock.
- Machine wash friendly.
Cons:
- Batteries stop working for some users.
- The cords may break.
Our Overview
These insoles are specifically made for winter athletes, including skiers. They’re available in a wide range of sizes from XS–2XL and are advertised for both men and women. What makes them even more inclusive is that they come in three different profiles that provide low, medium or high arch support, depending on your preference.
Because of this, buyers love the arch support they give as well as the ergonomic heel cup that gives your heels a lift.
The CURREX Edge Pro Insole is made with memory foam and nylon that provide stress relief to your feet. Users state that they keep you pain-free even after a long day in ski boots and that they don’t feel any pressure points. They’re reportedly also super stable and make edging and turning much easier.
What’s less popular is that these footbeds lack in terms of padding and that the cushioning pads are uneven and have gaps between them. Also, they aren’t ultra-warm and don’t have specific insulating materials.
Pros:
- Wide range of sizes.
- Customizable arch support.
- Prevents foot pain and hot spots.
- Makes turning easy by stabilizing your feet.
Cons:
- Not very cushioning.
- Don’t insulate well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about ski boot insoles? Let’s answer some FAQs.
Can You Put Insoles in Ski Boots?
Yes, you can. Most people benefit from insoles, and those who wear ski boots are no exception. Footbeds can keep your feet warm while you’re out on the slopes and provide extra comfort and support to your feet. Just make sure to adjust them to the size of your boots, which can often be done by trimming them.
How Do I Stop My Feet From Hurting in Ski Boots?
These are some steps you can take to prevent foot pain while skiing:
- Invest in cushioned insoles.
- Make sure your boots aren’t too small or large.
- Massage your feet every day.
- Don’t tie your buckles too tight or loose.
- Practice barefoot training to make your feet stronger.
How Long Do Ski Boot Footbeds Last?
This depends on the material. Foam tends to last a shorter time, while gel and wool are rather long-lasting. In general, your ski boot insoles should last you for about 40–100 days. This means approximately 2–5 years if you ski a couple of weeks every year.
How Do I Strengthen My Feet for Skiing?
One exercise you can do to strengthen your ankles involves a motion Bosu ball. Put one foot on the center of the ball while keeping the other foot in the air, and slowly tilt the Bosu in circular motions downwards to the floor. Try and do as many circles as you can but aim for about 10 on each foot.
Another exercise that strengthens your foot arches starts with lying on your back with bent knees and both feet flat on the ground. From here, lift both arches while pulling your toes towards you and keeping the heels on the floor. Then slide your heels toward your butt and flatten the arches. Repeat six times and then slide your feet away from you for six reps as well, then repeat the whole sequence a few times.
Conclusion: Which Are the Best Ski Boot Insoles?
Now you know that the best ski boot insoles should be warm, comfortable and supportive. In my eyes, the EASYFEET Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles are the best footbeds for skiers.
They provide cushioning, arch and heel support, and absorb shock while skiing. They reduce pressure on the soles and won’t leave you with sore feet after being out on the slopes all day. The insoles also come in a wide range of sizes and have an antibacterial cover to prevent any unwanted smells.
If you’re mostly looking for insoles that keep your feet warm and don’t need as much arch support, go for the Superfeet REDhot Insoles for Ski Snowboard and Snow Sports.
But what are the best ski boot insoles for your needs?
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