How Long Do Insoles Last & When to Replace Them

Just as you would replace your shoes once they start to wear out, so should you get new shoe inserts. Orthotic insoles help alleviate pain from common foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and flat feet. The materials inside wear down over time and replacing them regularly ensures lasting relief.

The article details how long shoe insoles last, when you should replace them, and how to tell if you need a new pair.

How Long Do Arch Support Insoles Last?

Generally, shoe insoles last between six months and a year before you need a new pair. This time frame depends on the individual wearing them and the quality of the inserts you choose. PowerStep® insoles are designed with high quality, premium materials. Even the most durable insoles, however, need to be replaced every so often to give you the best results.

Everyday Insoles

With normal use, you can expect your Pinnacle every day insoles to last about 6 months, but this varies depending on factors such as intensity of use, hours on your feet, and foot structure.

Running Insoles

For serious athletes, PowerStep Pulse Running Insoles last between 3 and 4 months depending on your activity level. The general rule is the same as your running shoes. About every 350-450 miles your PULSE running insoles should be changed.

Insoles for Work Boots/Shoes

For those individuals who work on their feet or stand on hard surfaces for more than 6 hours a day, you should replace your work shoe insoles every 4-5 months.

Inserts for shoes are an excellent way to get the support you need without the price tag of a custom orthotic. PowerStep insoles were designed by a podiatrist to give you ready made support and comfort that’s both affordable and high quality. Still, even the best shoe insoles don’t last forever.

Here are some signs that it’s the right time to replace your shoe inserts:

Discoloration

Can shoe insoles wear out? The answer: If the general appearance of the inserts is significantly different from when you bought them, you might need a new pair. This may include a worn logo or a visible mark from your foot on the insole. Just like an old rusty car, while the surface may be the only part we can see that looks aged, there's usually more going on beneath the surface. Visible wear on your insole's surface is a sign that the foam padding and structures inside are beginning to lose integrity.

Damage

Tearing and cracking on any part of the insole may put you are risk for blisters. Plus, your insoles will no longer provide proper support and cushioning in the right locations. It's easy to look at an old ripped up insole with damaged arch support and figure it's time for a new set, but an insole with a smaller amount of damage will likely cause more problems because—understandably—it's just as easy to tell ourselves they're still good to keep wearing.

Small tears and cracks cause blisters, and damage to the insole is a detriment to its function. This becomes all too true when we finally get a new set of insoles and immediately feel the difference.

Unpleasant Odor

If you’re on your feet a lot, it’s likely that they sweat. This moisture can collect inside your shoes and on your shoe inserts, resulting in unwanted odors. Some smells might indicate the presence of bacteria or fungus, which can cause foot infections.

When replacing insoles due to odor, consider choosing new inserts for shoes that are made with antimicrobial fabric to help stop bacteria, mold, mildew, and other harmful microbes from growing. PowerStep insoles are designed with an odor-controlling top fabric that reduces heat, friction, and perspiration, wicking away moisture to prevent unwanted odors and keep your feet dry.

Compression

Maybe you've avoided wearing out the padding of your insole. There are no rips or cracks in the foam, and you’ve taken all the right steps to care of your shoe inserts. While this does help prevent the problems mentioned above, eventually your insoles will feel flatter than they used to. The foam loses its spring and built-in arch support structures lose height.

This is probably the most gradual form of damage to insoles, and you often won't notice it until it's too late. Especially in the case of plantar fasciitis insoles, losing support greatly reduces the benefits you receive from the inserts. For preventing and alleviating ball of foot pain, our insoles feature a built-in metatarsal pad. This can also compress and lose functionality over time.

High-quality cushioning foams and supportive materials are durable, but they do break down over time and cease to be effective at preventing injury and foot pain. Therefore, it’s important to keep tabs on the compression of your insoles.

How to Tell If You Need New Shoe Insoles

Shoe insoles aren’t necessarily something we pay close attention to daily, and wear and tear occurs very gradually. You may not notice a difference day to day, so it’s important to take note of when you purchased your insoles. Set a date on your phone’s calendar about four to six months from your first purchase to check your insoles for wear and tear.

If you change your inserts out between shoes, such as your walking shoes and your work shoes, you can always check your insoles then to look for tears, cracks, or compression issues. For avid runners, change your running shoe insoles out whenever you buy a new pair of trainers.