Do you need to know where you can find the best insoles for long distance walking? There are many people out there interested in getting outside and on their feet more, whether it’s for charity walks, walkathons, 5Ks, or even walking groups. Sadly, arthritis, foot pain, and a number of other leg and foot problems can deter people from getting to grips with their ambulatory ambitions. Arthritis is a problem that tens of millions of Americans suffer from daily. However, exercise is an excellent way of relieving pain and joint stiffness. Walking is low-impact and has additional benefits beyond joint health: it helps with aerobic conditioning and heart health. Using an exercise bike can also provide a safe way of getting joints moving and improving cardiovascular fitness. Dr. Lanny Johnson, a world-recognized orthopedic surgeon and arthroscopic trailblazer, offers high-quality insoles developed in response to knee problems experienced by both his patients and later, he himself.

 

Long Distance Walking Shoes

Insoles (also known as footbeds, inner soles, or inserts) are soft padded layers inside your shoes. They separate the base sole of the shoe from the foot. Shoes have stock insoles as standard but they’re low-quality and quickly degrade more often than not. Better quality insoles improve comfort levels and flexibility. Hiking shoes typically provide average comfort to average feet. Shoes for walking typically have basic extra cushioning. The better examples of hiking shoes will have orthotic elements to them. The firmness of the insole can vary. Boots tend to have more rigid insoles. When shoes talk about ‘cushion’, ‘control’, or ‘neutral’, it refers to the amount of structure built into them. Different types of insoles can soften or enhance the effects of these different types of shoes.

People with no foot pain or issues of any kind can use neutral shoes or boots.

Those who need shock absorption should choose the cushion option.

Control footwear has features to control gait and correct issues such as over-pronation.

How to Choose and Fit for Pain-free Feet

Shoe insoles can do a lot for your feet. Insoles that can support your arches can prevent you landing too heavily on your heels and developing heel pain. Well designed insoles will secure your foot inside your hiking shoe or boot, offering the support and stability necessary for an active day on your feet. 

If you are training to run a 5K race, or you’d like to, it’s important to get running shoes with the right shoe inserts for the job. Support insoles in a pair of flexible running shoes is generally recommended for road races. If the race is going to be on gravel or dirt paths, you should instead plump for trail shoes or lightweight boots. If instead of running, you are more interested in long walks and long distance hiking in wilderness, you’ll likely need more heavy duty boots.

Best Insoles for Running and Walking

There are broadly three different ways that you can stride when you run. With the heel, with the midfoot, or with the forefoot. Concentrating on a single method is detrimental to the health of your feet and legs. The heel-to-toe method harms your heels, since you’re concentrating a lot of force in one point. The forefoot method means that your Achilles tendon can cushion the impact and distribute the force more evenly. Insoles and shoes with good inherent cushioning can absorb the impact of heel-to-toe running, meaning your muscles and joints will be able to run longer and you’ll be less sore after your workout.

If you have low or collapsed arches (also known as flat feet), an insert to support your entire foot will help simulate a high arch, engaging the muscles and distributing pressure more evenly. This will take pressure off the heel and ball of your foot. Heel slippage is a common issue with boots— where your boot is a great fit for your foot in the toe, fore, and midfoot areas but offers too much space around the heel. Heel slippage can lead to chafing and blisters, an annoyance at any time but especially if you’re on your feet all day walking around different areas on your vacation. An insole can do a great job of filling up the extra space and stabilizing your heel.

 

Dr. Lanny’s Recommendation for Shoes and Inserts

Dr. Lanny has struggled with arthritis too after sports injury in 1996 and surgeries.  He has first-hand advice for those seeking to do more exercise in spite of their arthritis. He lost cartilage on the inner side of both knees with subsequent bow leg deformity.  When walking, excessive load was placed on the inner compartment of his knees and resulting pain with each step. After scientific study on load bearing with walking and during the golf swing he came up with the patented wedged insoles.  Ones that are easily customized to the individual’s foot and shoe. He like others has put off any further surgery now for 24 years as of this writing.

He designed the comfort insole for the opposite shoe for those with only one side arthritis.  The Comfort insole has found a home for those seeking the best insole for activities of daily living and even running.  It’s vital, when choosing a walking or running shoe, to get the right combination of shock absorption, cushioning, and the arch support that’s right for you.  With that said, neutral shoes that offer cushioning and shock absorption can still provide benefits, and are easier to customize with inserts or orthotics.

Dr. Lanny’s favorite arthritis shoe is the Ecco Biom Hybrid.  He has no financial endorsement, he just buys them.  It’s a rubber-spiked golf shoe which offers an effective cushion and reduces the peak axial load while walking. One has to be careful when doing steps and on uneven ground not to catch the rubber spikes. They are also easy to customize with Dr. Lanny’s comfort insoles, or any of the Dr. Lanny’s Insoles range, to provide extra cushioning or relief from arthritis. You can purchase inserts from the store today in order to find relief from discomfort caused by your arthritis or foot problems.