Skateboarding can be a tough sport on your feet. All that jumping, flipping tricks, and hard landings sends shockwaves right up through your legs and into your feet. Having proper cushioning and support is essential for comfort and avoiding injury when you're spending hours at the skatepark every day working on your skills. That's why choosing the right skate insoles for your needs is so important.
What should you look for in skate insoles? Cushioning and impact absorption are key. The repeated impact as you land tricks can really wear down your feet and joints over time if you don't have adequate padding built into your skate shoes. Most stock insoles that come standard with skate shoes just don't provide enough protection and comfort for hardcore skaters. Aftermarket skate insoles are specially designed to absorb shock, relieve pressure points, support your arch, and reduce foot fatigue.
Make sure to choose skate insoles that specifically state they are designed for the demands of skateboarding. Typical everyday shoe inserts aren't made to stand up to the constant impact of ollies, kickflips, drops, and grinds. The materials skate insoles are made out of are constructed to be long-lasting, cushioned, and stabilizing. Look for polyurethane foam or gel padding and deep heel cups to keep your foot locked in place inside your shoe. Arch support is also key, as landing tricks can really flex your arches repeatedly over time. Some even have metatarsal pads built in to support the balls of your feet when they take the brunt force of absorbs landings.
Finding the precise level of cushioning you need may take some trial and error depending on your skate style and impact intensity. Thinner insoles around 1 to 3 millimeters are best for technical street skaters looking for enhanced board feel and control when doing flip tricks and grinding. Intermediate skaters doing bigger drops and airs may want thicker 5 to 10 millimeter cushioned insoles to absorb harsh impacts on their joints. Vert, pool, or mega ramp riders should go for ultra-cushioned 10 to 15 millimeter insoles when dealing with extreme heights. No matter your level or terrain, quality aftermarket insoles make a huge improvement over the flat stock inserts of most skate shoes.
One consideration when upgrading your inserts is sizing. Many higher end cushioned insoles conform nicely to your feet, but still take up additional room inside already snug skate shoes. Going up at least a half size, or even more for thicker insoles, helps compensate for the reduced interior volume. You want your toes free to wiggle a bit and not jammed up against the front of your shoes, while still keeping your foot stable and supported on the insole. It also helps to look for skate insoles with TPU stability frames or deep heel Capture systems to lock in your feet securely despite the extra padding.
Having the proper cushioning and support keeps you shredding longer with higher comfort and less aches and pains. For serious skaters, skate insoles are just as essential as your trusty deck, wheels, bearings, and trucks. Find the right insert fit for your style and enjoy many more happy hours of skating ahead!