Do Skateboard Insoles Work?

From kickflips and fakies to grinds and manuals, your feet can take a beating when you're riding your board. Skateboarders are prone to foot injuries, which can occur due to sudden impacts or overuse. But, the right footwear can keep you from having to take a long-term vacation from the board because of an injury. 

If your feet are in pain while you're skateboarding, it's time to get off the pipe and see a podiatrist. Diagnosing and treating foot pain early is the best way to avoid chronic foot and ankle malfunction. Even small foot pain can lead to big trouble if ignored. 

Your feet are constantly working when you're skateboarding. The thrill of pushing harder to land your next trick, often taking big air, can mean repeatedly landing on hard surfaces and stretching or overextending in falls. Which can lead to common skateboarding foot injuries like these:

• Fractures. Ankles, toes and heels can be broken in a rough fall. Fractures require immediate medical attention and rest.
• Sprains. Sprains are just as common as fractures in skaters due to sudden impact of collisions/falls that may result in forcing parts of your feet through an abnormal range of motion. Rest, down time and medical attention may be required.
• Plantar Fasciitis. One of the most common overuse injuries in skateboarders, plantar fasciitis results from continued strain on your plantar fascia (tissue that connects your heel to your forefoot), and can be seriously painful. Skate shoe insoles with firm arch support can help heal and prevent plantar fasciitis.
• Achilles Tendonitis. Many skaters experience tightness or pain in the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. Almost every trick involves this crucial tendon and the repetitive strain can wear it down over time. Stretching and supportive insoles can help.
• Metatarsal Stress Fractures. While big, sudden impacts can result in fractures, stress fractures are a bit different. They occur over time with repetitive minor trauma. In skaters, stress fractures are most common in the metatarsal bones.

Skate shoes come with generic factory inserts that don't do much to support your arches or protect your foot from the punishing impacts your feet experience while skateboarding. To protect your feet, ankles and knees from constant impact, you'll want to swap out the factory inserts with insoles that have firm arch support. 

Firm support will help to evenly distribute your weight and absorb shock while correcting any biomechanical issues you have. This is especially important for people who overpronate. 

If you have chronic foot pain while skateboarding, or as a result of it, it's time to see a medical professional. A routine examination can reveal any hidden foot irregularities or injuries. Not addressing the pain can cause long-lasting issues.

The best skateboarding insoles will protect your foot against impact, cup your heel to prevent slippage during maneuvers, and provide added stability for your arch. You'll want to make sure you find a firm insole made of durable material (like carbon fiber) that will not buckle or collapse under the stress of impact. 

The most important feature you want in your skate shoe insole is an arch support that matches the contours of your feet. Your arch should be comfortably supported from end to end. Remember, your feet aren't one-size-fits-all. Your insoles shouldn't be either.

Questions? Drop us a line at hello@treadlabs.com. We're here to help.