A nurse's job entails not only standing for long hours but also a lot of walking too. All these activities put a toll on your feet, and sometimes you can't wait to get your shoes off because of sore feet. Shoe inserts can ease the burden of your aching feet and legs. In this guide, we have listed the best insoles for nurses to help you get optimal comfort and be able to perform your duties well.
Why Do Nurses Need To Get The Right Shoe Insoles?
Aside from getting the right pair of shoes, getting the best insoles can also give you the extra cushioning that you need. Nurses often suffer from foot and leg discomforts because they are always on their feet during their long shifts.
The best foot insoles for nurses may help prevent issues that can arise from these discomforts. It can also be a game-changer to help correct posture issues and back pain problems. These inserts work wonders by adding support and making your shoes fit more comfortably.
Properly fitting shoes may reduce common foot conditions including corns, bunions, and calluses. It also helps deal with certain conditions like plantar fasciitis, a common foot injury that presents with pain in the heel. This condition may be relieved with the right kind of insoles for shoes.
We recommend that all nurses consider the use of shoe insoles to avoid potential problems and stay on top of their game as life-saving heroes.
Benefits of Wearing an Insole
Wearing the right insoles can benefit anyone regardless of their daily chosen activities. While its primary purpose is to make your shoes fit better and more comfortably, other added advantages include.
1. Shock Absorption
Shock impact is the amount of force that runs across the body when you take a step. Insoles that provide better foot movement reinforces the body's ability to absorb shock. Improving foot functions will also reduce tiredness and impact on your joints.
2. Proper Alignment of Body and Feet
Wearing the right footpads improves posture and foot, heel, knee, hips, and lower back pain. It can also reduce the discomfort from conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.
3. Prevention of Blisters
Insoles make the shoe fit better by preventing the shoe rubbing against your skin.
4. Helps With Existing Foot Conditions and Prevent Medical Conditions
The right orthotic insoles can improve your foot-related conditions and alleviate the stress that comes with it. Over time, it can realign your foot's position, improve posture, aid in recovery, and improve your general health as well.
5. Optimizes Your Shoes
Works as a replacement for worn-out insoles that came with your shoes. A great insole made with the finest materials can extend the lifespan of your footwear by reducing unnecessary wear and tear.
Getting the best insole makes you enjoy the full value of your shoes, especially your favorite ones. High-quality insoles are also easy to clean, washable, and reusable for at least six months. By regularly cleaning your shoe insoles, hygiene is also maintained.
The 7 Best Insoles For Nurses
Shoe insoles are often overlooked and underestimated, but one should realize that it plays an inevitable part for nurses or anyone whose job requires standing all day. You can find many ready-to-wear shoe inserts available online and in various retail stores. But finding the best insoles for nurses could be quite a daunting task if you don't know where to start.
Foot pain, blisters, and other discomforts will get in the way of performing at the top of your game while at work. Below, we listed our top picks for the best insoles for nurses to help you get the right pair suited for your needs.
1. Superfeet Green Insoles
The Superfeet Green Insoles are biomechanically shaped to support your feet and legs and can fit a variety of shoes. These inserts may be the best insoles for nursing shoes because of their superior cushioning designed to provide maximum shock absorption and also alleviate pain.
Among the other Superfeet products, the Green is the most popular and has a superior arch support profile. These Green ones have a plastic mold for maximum heel cradle and arch support. It is ideally one of the best insoles for nurses with narrow feet and medium to high arcs.
These shoe inserts are great because they deliver their purpose of relieving feet from pain, blisters, and other issues. It also works by correcting your stride and how you push the ball of your foot when walking. It is even more affordable than custom orthotic insoles.
These insoles are made with durable EVA foam material and has superior odor-control properties making it ideal for nurses to wear even for long hours. It is also lightweight and provides an excellent deep heel cradle for optimal comfort.
You only need a few hours to break them in. It is also the best insoles for nurses who enjoy other activities like running, hiking, climbing, and other outdoor physical activities.
2. Soul Insole Shoe Bubble Orthotic Insoles
These shoe inserts are designed with the gel arch positioned in the middle of the foot's heel cup.
This product works optimally by distributing weight evenly. It also supports the tarsal bones and alleviates pressure from the foot. It potentially treats weakness in the legs and helps prevent joint and back pains.
Another notable feature is that it is easy to clean and are deemed odorless. These odor- control properties that keep your feet odor-free are made possible by the non-porous medical gel used in the product.
With proper care, it can last long years because of the high-quality elastic materials used. The high-performance memory gel of these inserts helps avoid compression even over frequent use. This feature makes it perfect for everyday work use.
These inserts are flexible for use on almost any occasion and may be the best gel insoles for nurses. These shoe inserts also come with a 60-day guarantee, making it ultimately risk-free to buy such a price-worthy product.
3. Walk Hero's Plantar Fasciitis Insoles
Walk Hero's Plantar Fasciitis Insoles are specially designed to match any shoes or feet type. It is ideally suited for nurses who suffer from plantar fasciitis, pronation, or flat feet. Its well-optimized shape can be easily inserted into your favorite work shoes for additional cushioning, excellent heel cradle, and arch support.
It features a full-length footbed that provides balance across the entire foot and contours the foot's arch with its built-in silicon deep heel cup layer.
Its TPU design provides shock absorption to protect from discomfort from walking and running activities. It is also made with anti-bacterial materials that keep your feet free from odor-causing bacteria.
The premium EVA material also helps keep your feet cool and dry inside your shoes. The 3D breathable mesh design enhances airflow to allow a cooling effect on your feet during active days.
Sizes start from women's size 6 to men's size 16. With four color options, these shoe inserts are a perfect addition to your nursing work shoes.
4. Spenco Polysorb Support Shoe Insole - Maximum All-day Comfort and Heavy Duty
Spenco's Polysorb insoles are heavy-duty shoe inserts that provide added padding to the heels. Nurses assist in life-saving activities, and it is but proper that their feet are given optimal support.
It is made with polyurethane thick-foam cushioning to provide long-lasting comfort. The EVA forefoot padding provides comfort to the ball of the foot. Its deep heel cup also cradles the foot with maximum cushioning and arch support. This thick cushioning is ideal for standing or even walking on hard surfaces.
The foam's top cloth contains, Silpure, an anti-microbial treatment that reduces odor and fungi problems. So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly shoe insert, Spenco's Polysorb Heavy Duty may be the right product for you. Despite its low price, it can address problems and discomfort brought about by plantar fasciitis and high-arch problems.
5. Powerstep Pinnacle Orthotic
The Powerstep Pinnacle Orthotic insole is a versatile shoe insert that can support all foot arch types. It comes with two layers of support. The thick EVA foam foundation gives proper cushioning support while the anti-microbial fabric keeps feet free from blisters, sweating, and odor-causing germs.
These shoe inserts are also ideal for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, mild to moderate pronation, metatarsal pain, heel pain, and many other foot-related issues. The improved biomechanics of these shoe inserts are designed to provide proper foot alignment.
One great thing about these shoe inserts is that it comes in true-to-size shoe inserts. However, you can still trim it to fit your work shoes perfectly. To do this, we recommend you to use your shoes' original insole as a guide.
Powerstep's archmold insoles are ready to wear and will form to follow the shape of your feet in as fast as two days. These archmolds can also be reheated and remolded up to five times. It can also easily pass as the best insoles for high-intensity activities like running and workouts.
6. New Balance Casual Flex Cushion Insoles
These New Balance insoles may be the perfect pair of shoe inserts for nurses. The design features a wide heel cup and arch support that enhances natural shock absorption. It has an advanced high-density foam that provides full foot comfort and absorbs the stress from prolonged standing. The anti-fatigue feature makes it great for nurses who work for 8 to 12 hour-long shifts.
These shoe inserts are designed for people who want semi-rigid orthotic arch support. It enhances natural foot motion and even has an additional heel cup cushion for better comfort. These New balance footpads also guarantee high-quality support and comfort. It is made available in a trim-to-fit design to customize it to your shoes' shape.
These New Balance insoles are an excellent addition to your work shoes and even to your athletic shoes.
7. Footminders Comfort Orthotic Arch Support Insoles
The Footminders Comfort Insoles may be the best insoles for nurses who spend long active hours standing during their shifts. It is a full-length insole developed by podiatrists and designed for general everyday wear.
Its deep heel design helps relieve pain from plantar fasciitis and other common foot problems by improving ankle stability. These insoles are made with medium-density EVA foam. It comes with a shock-absorbing quality cushion and deep-heel pads to support and protect your feet from injuries. It can also reduce foot strain, over-pronation, and heel pain.
These insoles work best for those who suffer from flat feet and low-arch issues. These insoles will provide long-lasting relief from sore feet and leg muscles. To get optimal results, you should choose the right size.
Most insoles may only last for six months up, while expensive ones may last longer. Factors that affect the wear and tear of insoles may also depend on the frequent usage, type of activity used for, or even foot type.
We recommend that you immediately replace your insoles when you begin to notice a decrease in support and comfort. Go for a replacement when the foam starts to crumble, lose form, or when your feet feel uncomfortable than usual.
Recommendation: Our Top Choice
Replacing your shoes' standard insoles may be the best choice to make in achieving exceptional foot comfort. Investing in the best insoles will significantly increase your over-all wellbeing as a professional nurse.
So, without further ado, we recommend Superfeet Green Insoles. It is the best insole for nurses because of the many benefits it can provide to such a demanding profession. It works in a way that makes your feet perform better, and your entire body benefits from this advantage.
The Superfeet Green insole is designed for all types of arch types and offers the highest level of support. It is also versatile enough to wear even for activities outside the nursing profession. Though it may be a bit pricier than other competitors, the value and advanced features of these shoes inserts are ultimately worth it in the long run.
Don't forget to check out Superfeet's full insole collection to find a footbed that works best for your needs. Superfeet has indeed applied science in providing a foot-pain-free life for anyone who has tried it.
A Guide To Getting The Right Insole
We understand that not all insoles may work the same for everyone. So, be wise when purchasing off-the-shelf insoles. Many of these are poorly-made, and certainly, not all of these shoe inserts can work for all foot problems. To help you, we created a complete guide to help you find the best insole for nurses.
Who Needs To Wear Insoles?
Nurses and other people who spend long hours on their feet would benefit best from wearing insoles. The best insoles for nurses can help address various foot-related problems. The following signs also warrant you to wear insoles for relief and proper support.
Helpful Tips
So before purchasing a pair, check for those that would help alleviate your current conditions. Here are some helpful tips:
The wrong insoles can make foot problems and injuries worse. Consult a medical expert if you have existing foot, knee, leg, or back conditions. These medical experts may be an orthotist, pedorthist, podiatrist, or physical therapist.
Buying A New Insole - What to Keep in Mind
1. Sizing & Trimming
Each manufacturer may use different sizing for their insoles. These sizes usually come in shoe size ranges (women's 6-8 or men's 8-10). Trimmable insoles are useful to make the insole fit your shoe well.
2. Foot Arch Type
Our feet come with three different arch types: neutral; low; or high. Make sure to identify your arch type and get an insole designed for your foot type.
3. Insole Placement
If you plan on using a thick or full-length insole, remove your shoes' original insole before placing the new insole inside the footwear.
4. Insole Footbed
The type of footbed depends on your purpose for getting an insole. Footbed construction may be any of the following:
What Are Insoles Made From?
The insole's materials and construction also play a crucial role in providing optimal support and comfort. Insoles made with thick-grade materials for cushioning are ideal for nurses or anyone who works long hours on their feet.
The material you choose will depend on what you as well as your personal preference. Here are the common materials that are used for insoles.
1. Foam
Provides the best cushioning and is the cheapest and most common material used in insoles.
2. Memory Foam
Longer lasting than the simple foam and retains your feet's shape over time.
3. Gel
Used to increase grip, help prevent slips and for shock absorption.
4. Air-Cushion
This contains pressurized bubbles under the foam sole.
5. Leather
Tough, durable and provides adequate arch support.
Final Thoughts
As a nurse, your feet may be one of the most valuable assets, so you should do everything to protect them. After all, we all want a foot-pain-free life, and with the perfect insoles, comfort is just around the corner. However, we still recommend that you consult a foot expert before investing in a pair of quality insoles.
It may all sound like a dream, but we guarantee that finding the right insoles will do wonders for your feet. We hope that this complete guide helps you find the best insoles for nurses like you and even for your loved ones.