Dress shoes are a fantastic addition to anybody’s wardrobe and do wonders when it comes to adding a bit of a classy feel to one’s fashion choices. Whether you’re going for a formal event like a business meeting or wedding or something more casual like drinks at a rooftop bar, a good pair of dress shoes will elevate anyone’s outfit to the next level – that is when they are sensibly (fashion-wise) paired.
Now here’s the fine print: dress shoes can hurt. Sure, they’re designed to look great on just about anybody but oftentimes, because of the materials they use and the way they’re shaped, they tend to cause a lot of discomfort on the feet, especially when worn over prolonged periods of time.
Bruises, blisters, cramps, and all sorts of nasty things can then ensue which may even lead to you being put off from ever wearing dress shoes.
Don’t worry though, there is one (affordable) way to get about this bump: insoles. Insoles are a godsend for anyone who finds dress shoes uncomfortable as they’ll provide long-lasting comfort and support even during the longest of days.
If you find yourself intrigued by this, we hope that you read on as below you’ll find our reviews of some of the best insoles for dress shoes out there in the market!
Best Insoles for Dress Shoes
Superfeet EASYFIT Men’s Dress Shoe Inserts
Made out of the best plush micro suede out there, this fabric-based sole will offer immediate comfort and relief to just about anyone who owns a pair of dress shoes.
Better yet, you don’t have to fret about trimming here – just drop it into your shoes and you’ll be set to go! With its unique and patented design, it takes advantage of the latest orthotic research to provide an insole that is contoured to match the contours of your feet.
Because of this, it helps to add both support and stability and takes away some of the shock from walking on your ankles, knees, and feet. Designed specifically for dress shoes, equipping insoles like this will be virtually unnoticeable thanks to its height of just 1-inch.
Don’t worry about it slipping about during long walks though as it also features slip-resistant ridges on its bottom!
Dr. Scholl’s Ultrasoft Leather Insoles for Dress Shoes
Meticulously crafted in accordance to countless experiments, Dr. Scholl’s leather insoles offer both a clinically backed insole that feels good and looks great.
Made out of real, 100% leather on its surface and coupled with their signature massaging gel, every step you take will be like walking on a cloud of comfort and relief. You never have to worry about your feet losing support or being in chronic pain with the level of cushioning you get here.
This is all thanks of course to how these insoles were designed specifically for the dress shoe in mind. Do note though that these aren’t designed as drop-ins. You might have to make trim or two to match your shoes and feet depending on the situation.
Dr. Scholl’s AIR-PILLO Insoles
Another fantastic option by Dr. Scholl for those of you looking for something more versatile and affordable, the AIR-PILLO Insoles will be the ticket for you.
Sure, it may not be designed specifically for dress shoes per se, but you’ll find it more than appropriate for not just dress shoes, but any other kind as well. Featuring a solid double-layer system, it provides the maximum amount of cushioning and comfort possible.
It also contains Sure Grip foam on its lower sections which adds further cushioning while preventing the insole from wrinkling and bunching up together. This simply means that this prolongs the insole’s shelf life.
Of course, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all magic bullet. You’ll still have to do a little trimming to get everything perfect.
Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx
100# US-made, the Pinaccle Maxx may be a little pricer than the average insole in the market but what you pay now in money, your feet receive ten-fold in benefits.
Made out of polyster with anti-microbial properties, these orthotic insoles with its angled heel platform, heel cup, and firm shell give your feet both support and stability. The polyester fabric also ensures your feet are kept comfortable by virtually minimizing the effects of friction over a long day of walking.
Shock-absorbent properties are also plenty here thanks to its EVA foam and double layering and best of all, not only will an insole like this work well with dress shoes but will be appropriate for all sorts of other shoes from running shoes to even work shoes without needing a single inch of trimming.
Powerstep Signature Dress
An alternative take on insoles again by Powerstep but this time specifically designed for the dress shoe in mind, the Signature Dress insole is probably one of our favorite synthetic soles across the entire market.
Made out of pure nylon, these insoles not just soften and comfort your aching feet during the longest of days but will adapt to the shape of your feet with continued usage. In other words, the more you use it, the better it becomes.
It also features a rigid arch that still maintains just the right amount of flexibility to provide adequate support for your heels and with its VCT Cushioning Technology, you’ll even get all the support you need that’ll take away the blunt force of walking.
Apart from this, you’ll still find all the standard features of a good insole such as dual layered cushioning, an EVA foam base, and even a low-profile design.
Sole Lab Insoles for Dress Shoes
Coming in a variety of sizes that will accommodate anyone’s feet, these comfortable insoles will make a great compliment for any set of dress shoes.
With adaptive arches and supportive heel caps, these insoles provide as much comfort and pain relief as the best insoles in the market provide. It also features a layer of memory foam that will adapt perfectly to the unique shape of your feet over time, thereby providing an even more effective product.
Best of all, Sole Lab is so confident in their product that they offer a full money-back guarantee within 30 days if you don’t feel like they’re doing the trick for you!
Markryn Store Leather Heel Grips
Designed specifically to combat heel soreness and pain almost instantly, the Markyrn Leather Heel Grips will be a godsend for anyone seeking heel pain relief.
With its soft cushioning made out of high-grade leather, these grips will ensure your keeps are properly positioned in any dress shoe and will accordingly, prevent blistering, soreness, and excessive friction.
All of that paired with its cloud-like texture ensures that this ergonomically designed product will match the contours of any heel and will fit most dress shoes like a second skin.
And finally, to ensure it sticks and stays in your shoe properly, you’ll find self-adhesive tape on its back to help you lock it in firm place.
Shoeslulu Handcrafted Thin Cushioning Leather Insoles
![Shoeslulu Handcrafted Thin Cushioning Leather Insoles with Activated Carbon Odor Control (Full Size, British Tan [US Men 9~9.5/EU 42])](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FkvUC-1HL.jpg)
Sitting as one of the most aesthetically pleasing insoles on our list, this genuine leather composed insole by Shoeslulu does so much more than meets the eye.
Offering some of the best comfort, cushioning, and moisture absorption we’ve seen in the market, what’ll surprise you lies a little lower. Fitted out with activated carbon filters on its bottom, even if you spent the entire day on your feet you don’t even have to break a sweat on foot odor.
And don’t worry about it clogging up your shoes – at just 10.5 x 3.6 x 0.2-inches, not only will it’s presence go unnoticed (while its benefits remain), it won’t even add extra weight to your shoe thanks to its 0.35-ounce weight!
Mendez™ Premium Height Increase Insole
Providing a premium, a top-of-the-line insole that will lasts for months on end, this intricate insole by Mendez will not just maximize the comfort of your feet in any dress shoe, it’ll also add some height!
With a dual-density foam system that provides cushioning and stability, you’ll be surprised to find that its low-profile design ensures it fits into any dress shoe with ease. The stacker as well (which is included) is totally optional.
The producers even go as far as to say that you should start with the base model first and get used to it before adding the little stacker.
And best of all, despite it promising to do so much, it weighs in at barely 1.7-ounces. They say height and comfort are priceless things – we think Mendez says it’s weightless.
FOOT-CHAIR Slim Dress Shoe Orthotics/Insoles
Foot-Chair produces some of our favorite dress shoe-intended insoles. Boasting a low profile that’ll fit in any shoe that distributes weight evenly throughout while providing the ideal amount of comfort and support that offers pain relief, what really sets this option apart are its arches. They’re fully adjustable!
The most common complaint about insoles is how some find them too short and others, too high but with a pair like this, you can adjust them to your personal preferences thanks to their removable pads.
A Buyer’s Guide to Dress Shoes Insoles
Lifespan
Insoles aren’t designed to be permanent fixtures in your shoes that’ll last as long as your shoes will carry you during your day. They are meant to be used and replaced when the need arises.
Roughly speaking, insoles are usually meant to be replaced after 6 months but this rule of thumb varies greatly on how much you walk, how you walk, and the material your insole is made out of.
So, if you’re ever in doubt, simply examine the state of your insole. If there are holes, worn-out edges, burnt out bottoms, or anything similar along these lines, it’s time to get a new one.
Care
Maintaining insoles is a nice little thing to do if you want to maximize the bang of your buck. By no means necessary, this is an additional step you can take to prolong its life. After using an insole for weeks on end, simply remove them and wash them in a bowl of warm water coupled with very mild soap.
Once done, let it air dry (do not use a machine drier or even a hairdryer) and you’ll be ready to use them the next day.
Trimming
Most insoles are designed to be optimized by you, the wearer. Though you should make sure that they explicitly say this as some are fashioned to be non-trimmable. To trim, simply position the insole along with the sole of your dress shoe, trace a line around your insole, and then proceed to cut along the drawn line with either a razor or pair of scissors.
Don’t rush this step and make sure to make careful cuts as any error made here will last for a very, very long time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I pick the best size for me?
Thankfully this isn’t really a big problem when it comes to insoles. They usually come with a specified range so as long as your feet falls within that range, you should go for it. Better yet, if you still find that it doesn’t fit just right, don’t forget that most are designed to be trimmed by the user to ensure the best fit possible.
Just make sure you use a really sharp pair of scissors to do your cutting!
Do I really need insoles?
Absolutely. Even if you don’t experience any pain or discomfort right now, insoles will benefit your ankles, knees, and feet for the years to come. They reduce the amount of impact your legs take when walking while ensuring the posture of your foot is at optimal angles at all times.
These little things may not seem like much in the short-run, but when the years go by, you’ll really start noticing these things stack up.