How to Choose the Right Cowboy Boot Insoles

Many of us often overlook wearing insoles with our boots or shoes, but while some footwear comes with excellent supportive features already, other styles may need a little extra cushion. If you need additional cushioning or support, you may be more comfortable if you add an insole or insert to your footwear. With so many boot insert features, how do you choose the right one? Explore our guide to cowboy boot insoles to find the best option for improved comfort.

What Are Insoles and Why Do We Need Them?

Insoles—removable inserts that go inside your shoes or boots—function by raising and supporting your arches and properly aligning your feet and ankles to redistribute your weight and help relieve pressure in sensitive spots. Many people choose to add insoles to their footwear for improved comfort. The cushioning and support are especially welcome if you spend a lot of time on your feet.

Many healthcare professionals identify foot health as something that affects the entire body. The alignment of your body starts with your feet, goes to your ankles, then your knees, hips, back, and shoulders. Properly aligned feet and ankles help prevent injury and lower back pain, but misalignment, stress, and impact can affect your entire body, all from your feet.

Insoles are one way to provide better alignment—but there are so many options available it can be difficult to choose the right type. This guide explains how to find the best insoles for cowboy boots and Western-style work boots.

The Most Common Insole Types for Boots

Looking for insoles for the first time can be overwhelming. When deciding between different types of insoles, you’ll likely come across two main categories: Prescription insoles—called Orthotics—and non-prescription insoles for general use. Full- and three-quarter-length insoles go inside the shoe or boot for cushioning, arch support, or a mix of both. There are other options as well, such as short-length insoles which include heel cups, heel lifts, or short insoles to provide targeted relief.

Are Insoles and Orthotics the Same?

Insoles and orthotics are similar, but there are a few key differences and they are not interchangeable. Generally, insoles are designed to fit your shoe or boot, while orthotics are custom-fitted to your foot. While over-the-counter insoles can add cushioning and improve boot comfort, you should speak to your doctor if you think you need more support. Orthotics are a custom solution prescribed by a podiatrist or other specialist to fit your feet and are often used to reduce pain.

**Note that special considerations may be needed when choosing insoles, especially those with diabetes, biomechanical issues, or recurring injuries. It's always best to ask a podiatrist if you have any medical conditions or if you’re an athlete.

How to Choose Insoles for Cowboy Boots

Choosing your insoles for cowboy or cowgirl boots starts with making a list of features you need. When you know which qualities you want out of your insoles, it’s easier to narrow down the options. Consider these options when deciding which insoles you need.

• Volume: Depending on your footwear and your activity, you may want to look for a low volume or slim fit insole. These insoles are designed to take up less space within the shoe, while still providing the necessary support. This is especially useful if you are looking for insoles for a pair of shoes or boots that fit very well, or if you often wear thick boot socks—a low volume insole takes up less room, without sacrificing support.
• Heel slippage: If your shoes or boots fit the middle of your foot and forefoot perfectly—but you find that your heels slip around—then a heel cup insole will most likely solve this issue for you.
• Foot elongation: Did you know one foot is often larger than the other? For some of us, sometimes it is a full size larger! Insoles can help adjust the fit of footwear to balance this problem.
• Low or collapsed arches: To tackle these foot complaints, look for insoles with arch support and motion control. The support will align your foot, and the motion control will help train and strengthen the muscles in the arch. Arch support insoles can also help with pronation, or feet rolling inward or outward, which may come with low or flat arches.
• High arches: With high arches, weight and impact is mostly placed on your heel and forefoot or toes. You want your weight and any impact on your foot to be as evenly distributed as possible, and so choose an insole designed specifically for high arches or stability.

If you’re still not sure which insoles are best for you, keep these suggestions in mind:

• People with flat feet or low arches should look for motion control insoles.
• People with high arches should look for balancing, cushioning, or both in their insoles.
• People with regular arches but moderate pronation (foot tending to roll in or outward) should look for stabilizing insoles.

Insole Size Tip: If you are replacing your existing insoles, buy the same size insole as the boot. If you are adding cushioning insoles to boots that don’t have any, buy insoles a 1/2 size smaller than your boots.

Common Insole Terminology

When you begin shopping for the right insole for you, you’ll see some common terms regarding the inserts and features. Let's run through some of the most common terms used by Ariat and other insole brands, and what they mean.

• ATS® stands for Advanced Torque Stability, an exclusive technology used by Ariat for better support and cushioning as you move.
• Moisture-wicking insoles pull sweat and moisture away from your body so it evaporates faster, keeping your feet dry.
• Gel or gel-cushioned insoles feature a semi-liquid that is excellent for mitigating heel strike shocks.
• Antimicrobial insoles are designed to resist bacteria and prevent foot odor.
• Agion® is Ariat's exclusive technology for intense odor defense.
• Smart Rebound™,another of Ariat's exclusive technologies, provides added cushioning by absorbing shock and dissipating heel pressure.
• CST, or Core Stability Technology, offers full-foot support without compromising flexibility.

No matter how great your footwear is, insoles can often improve comfort and alignment, lower your risk of injury, and improve balance. This guide will have you up and running in no time. Next, explore our blog for more Western wear guides.