Are your shoes uncomfortable? You might think adding an extra insole will give you more cushion. But is that the right way to fix the problem?
No, you should not put insoles on top of existing insoles. Insoles are made to replace the original ones in your shoes. Stacking them can make the shoe too tight, which creates pressure on your feet and causes discomfort. It’s always better to use just one insole.
I get this question a lot. It seems like a simple way to add more comfort, but it usually does more harm than good. Let’s break down why this is the case and what you should do instead. I want to help you get the best possible fit and feel from your shoes.
Should you put insoles over insoles?
Your feet are hurting, so you bought a new pair of insoles hoping for relief. But now you’re holding them, looking at your shoes, and wondering if you have to take the old ones out first.
You should always take out the original factory insole before putting in a new one. Your new insoles are designed to replace the factory ones. This will make sure they fit correctly and give your feet the support they need.
When I designed Footcool insoles, I made them to work directly with the base of your shoe. Putting them on top of another insole can cause a few problems. It changes how your foot sits inside the shoe. This can feel strange and even be unstable. The support features won’t work as they should. Think of it like putting a new mattress on top of an old, saggy one. You won’t get the full benefit of the new mattress.
Here’s a simple table to show what I mean:
| Feature | Single Insole (The Right Way) | Stacked Insoles (The Wrong Way) |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | The insole fits perfectly, just like the original. | The shoe becomes too tight. |
| Support | Your arch and heel get the correct support. | The support is unstable and not in the right place. |
| Comfort | Your foot has enough room and feels secure. | Your foot feels cramped and might slip. |
So, always remember to swap, not stack.
Is it okay to stack insoles?
You want the most cushioning you can get. Stacking two insoles seems like a simple trick to make your shoes feel like pillows. But this idea can cause more problems than it solves.
No, it is not okay to stack insoles. This makes your shoes too tight and pushes your foot up too high. This reduces stability, and the special features of a good insole won’t work right. It can lead to blisters and foot pain.
When you stack insoles, you reduce the amount of space inside your shoe. Your foot needs that space to move naturally. When it’s too tight, you can get pressure points, which are very uncomfortable. Your heel might also not sit properly in the back of the shoe, making you less stable when you walk or run. For a product like our Footcool insoles, which have dynamic arch support, stacking them on a soft or uneven surface means you lose that key feature. The insole can’t support your arch if it’s not on a solid base. I once tried this myself on a long hike, thinking it would help. After a few miles, I had to stop and take the extra pair out because my feet felt so cramped.
Here are the main problems with stacking:
| Problem | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Tightness | There isn’t enough room left in the shoe for your foot. |
| Instability | Your heel is lifted too high and can’t sit securely. |
| Ineffective Support | The insole isn’t on a flat, stable base, so it can’t support your foot correctly. |
Can you put two insoles on top of each other?
You might have two different kinds of insoles. Maybe one has great arch support, and the other has nice gel cushioning. You might be tempted to combine them to get the benefits of both. But this usually just creates a lumpy, uncomfortable mess.
No, you shouldn’t put two different insoles on top of each other. This can create an uneven surface under your foot. It often leads to discomfort and even new foot problems. It’s always better to choose one insole that has all the features you need.
The shapes of two different insoles will not match up. The arch support on the bottom insole will be in the wrong place for the top one. The heel cups won’t fit together properly. This creates a weird, bumpy surface for your foot. Instead of getting double the benefits, you get none of them properly. A few years ago, a customer told me he tried this. He put a gel insole under his orthotic insole. He said it felt like his foot was constantly trying to find a flat spot to rest. It made his foot pain worse. Our Footcool insoles combine multiple technologies, like dynamic arch support and a forefoot power transfer layer, so you don’t need to mix and match.
Here’s why it doesn’t work:
| Feature | Insole A (e.g., High Arch) | Insole B (e.g., Gel Cushion) | Result When Stacked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arch Support | Firm, high arch | Soft, flat | The arch support is pushed up in the wrong spot or feels lumpy. |
| Heel Cup | Deep and structured | Shallow and soft | Your heel is not secure, and the two shapes clash. |
| Overall Feel | Structured and supportive | Soft and cushioned | Lumpy, unstable, and uncomfortable. |
Do you put insoles on top of old ones?
The insoles that came with your shoes are worn down. You bought a new pair to replace them but aren’t sure what to do with the old ones. It might seem easier to just leave them in.
You should always take out the old, original insoles from your shoes before you put new ones in. A new insole is meant to replace the old one, not to be an addition to it. Leaving the old one in will lead to a bad fit and discomfort.
Think of it as a simple replacement process. The first step is to take out the factory insoles. Most of the time, they are not glued in and can be removed easily. Then, you put in your new insoles. Sometimes, you might need to trim your new insoles to get a perfect fit. If so, you can use your old insole as a guide. Just place it on top of the new one and trace around it. Also, some shoes are made with a smaller interior. If you put in a new insole that you’ve trimmed to size and it still feels too tight, you might need to go up a half-size in your shoes. Our Footcool insoles, with their moisture-wicking and deodorizing technology, work best when they are the only insole in the shoe. This allows them to manage sweat and odor effectively. Understanding how long shoe insoles last can help you know when it’s time for a replacement.
Here’s a clear guide:
| The Correct Way | The Incorrect Way |
|---|---|
| 1. Remove: Pull out the original factory insole. | 1. Don’t Remove: Leave the old insole in the shoe. |
| 2. Replace: Put the new Footcool insole into the empty shoe. | 2. Stack: Put the new insole on top of the old one. |
| Result: A comfortable, secure fit with proper support. | Result: A tight, uncomfortable fit with poor support. |
Conclusion
To get the best comfort, support, and fit, always use only one pair of insoles in your shoes. Remember to remove the original ones before putting in your new ones.
My name is Mike, and I am the founder of Footcool. If you have any questions, you can contact me at contact@insolework.com. You can also visit our official website at https://insolework.com/ to learn more about our products. We are based in Nanjing, China, and we ship our products worldwide.
