Footbed at a glance
- Also called
- Insole, sock liner
- Aftermarket lifespan
- About 12 months
- REI, for regular use; longer for occasional use
- Hiking boots suit
- High-volume insoles
Is a footbed the same as an insole?
In a shop, yes. REI uses insole and footbed as two names for the same removable layer, and that is how most hikers use the words. The piece you pull out of a boot, stand on to check your size and replace with an aftermarket one is the footbed.
Shoemakers draw a finer line. In shoe construction the insole is the board the upper is built onto, and the footbed, also called the sock liner, sits on top of it. You will only meet that distinction if you read about how a boot is made.
Why replace the footbed a boot comes with?
Because it was rarely the point. REI describes stock insoles in performance boots and shoes as typically inexpensive fillers, and says aftermarket insoles can better tailor fit, support and comfort to your feet. The support insoles it sells get their comfort from a firmer structure that stabilizes the foot, not from extra cushioning.
A swap can also fix fit. REI notes that a shoe that fits well in the forefoot but lets the heel slip may improve with a supportive mid to high volume insole, which takes up excess space at the back and steadies the heel.
What does insole volume mean?
Volume is how much room the insole takes up inside the shoe, and it usually tracks arch height. REI's guidance is that high-volume insoles suit high-volume footwear such as hiking boots and typically work best with high arches, medium-volume insoles fit average shoes and a range of arches, and low-volume insoles suit snug footwear and very low arches.
Take the stock footbed out before trying a new one, which REI also reminds you to do. Stacking two changes the fit of the whole boot, and the point of the test is to judge the new insole in the space it will actually occupy.
What this means when you're choosing
- A removable footbed, which leaves room for an aftermarket insole or an orthotic
- Insole volume that matches the footwear and your arch, which for most hiking boots means high volume
- A firm, supportive insole rather than a soft cushion if your heel slips
- Wear on the insoles you already have, since REI puts aftermarket insoles at about 12 months of regular use
Footbed vs Midsole
| Footbed | Midsole | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it sits | Inside the shoe, directly under your foot | Built into the sole, below the footbed and above the outsole |
| Removable | Usually | No |
| Main job | Fit, support and comfort where your foot touches | Cushioning and structure for the whole shoe |
| When it wears out | Replace it on its own | The shoe is usually done |
Which to pick: A tired or generic footbed is a cheap fix and a dead midsole is not, so work out which one is the problem before buying insoles to rescue a worn-out shoe.
The common mistake
Buying the softest insole on the shelf
Soft and cushy feels good in the shop and does little for a foot that is sliding or rolling. REI's point about support insoles is that the comfort comes from stability, not padding. If the problem is fatigue, heel slip or arch pain, look for a firmer, structured insole in the right volume.
Common questions
How often should you replace insoles?
REI puts aftermarket insoles at about 12 months for daily or regular use, and several years for a pair in footwear you only wear occasionally or seasonally. Check them now and then and replace them when they show wear.
Can a new footbed fix a boot that doesn't fit?
It can fix small problems, such as a little too much volume or a slipping heel. It cannot fix the wrong length or the wrong shape of last, and a boot that hurts in one specific spot usually needs replacing rather than padding.
Where this is defined
- How to Choose Insoles or Shoe Inserts, REI Co-op
- How to Choose Hiking Boots and Hiking Shoes, REI Co-op
- Athletic Shoes, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo
- Shoe, Wikipedia
See it labeled