You don’t need me to tell you skateboarding has the ability to put your body through the wringer. In fact, it’s one of the gnarliest things you can do to your feet, knees, joints—the list goes on. It’s all just part of it. But if you’re trying to keep skating strong into your 30s, 40s, or beyond, you gotta think about longevity. One of the easiest, most overlooked upgrades? Better insoles!
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Stock insoles might get the job done when you’re young and invincible, but they unfortunately do little to protect your body in the long run. The terrain doesn’t matter, either—whether you’re jumping down huge sets, skating transition, or just pushing around the city—your feet are the foundation of everything. Treat them right, and they’ll do the same.
So, with that said, here are five reasons upgrading your insoles can make all the difference in the world:
1. Protecting Your Joints From Long-Term Damage
As skateboarders, our feet absorb a heavy amount of impact when we skate, especially when we’re jumping down who knows what. But that shock doesn’t just stay trapped in our feet. It travels up to our ankles, knees, hips, lower back—again, the list goes on. It all adds up. And that wear and tear often leads to long-term joint pain, arthritis, and plenty of other issues.
Better insoles provide proper impact support. They basically act like suspension for your feet, helping absorb all that force, which ultimately reduces the stress on your joints. Think of them as shock pads for your body. Over the years—shoot, even just a few months—this kind of support can make all the difference between skating pain-free or sitting on the ledge at the park because your knees are toast. Just something to keep in mind!
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2. Reducing the Risk of Overuse Issues
Skateboarding is super repetitive, but not necessarily in a bad way. We try tricks over and over again; we bail, push, roll, slam. We walk back up the stairs and do it all over again. Yeah, it’s repetitive. And that repetition is usually where overuse injuries sneak in.
Shin splints suck. Plantar fasciitis is annoyingly painful. Stress fractures can keep you off your board for months. And again, most of these creep up slowly, usually because we’re lacking proper support.
Most insole brands focus on supporting your arches, stabilizing your feet, and typically provide better alignment. So think about it: The more support your feet have, the less likely you are to deal with constant pain. It really can be that simple. Better insoles help keep everything where it should be so you’re not killing your feet (and yourself) session after session.
Related: Watch: Remind Insoles Welcomes Kanaan and Dalton Dern to the Team
3. More Skating, Less Fatigue
Have your legs ever just started to feel dead toward the end of a session? That slow burn in your arches, the soreness in your calves—it all adds up. And a big part of that has to do with how much strain your feet are under.
Proper insoles help even out all that pressure across your feet. They combat those pesky hot spots, toe pain, heel bruises—all the random pains that make your feet feel cooked during a session. Less wasted energy means more endurance, which typically means a better time on your board!
It’s like switching your old wheels or board with a new one—you can feel the difference almost immediately. Boom!
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4. Combatting Heel Bruises and Arch Pain
Heel bruises suck! You know it’s one of the worst pains in skateboarding. More often than not, you might not even realize how easy it is to do, either. And if you’re skating hard with flimsy stock insoles, well, your heels are basically asking for it.
Quality insoles offer proper padding where you need it most, and the right kind of arch support can also make all the difference. That’s a huge bonus—especially for people with flat feet or high arches—who are commonly dealing with foot pain and imbalance.
Oh, and if you’ve ever experienced plantar fasciitis (that sharp pain in the bottom of your foot, especially in the morning), it usually stems from overworked, unsupported arches. The solution? Upgrade your insoles! When your feet are taken care of, the rest of your body benefits too.
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5. Your Shoes Can (Will) Last Longer
When you’re looking for proper skate shoes, first and foremost, you usually want something that provides good board feel. And while that’s great for skating, it often means they have little padding or support inside. Stock insoles are usually thin, lifeless and are just sort of there. Upgrading your insoles gives you the ability to customize your kicks by adding support and shock absorption without sacrificing board control.
So, yeah—better insoles don’t just protect your feet, you could argue that they actually extend the life of your shoes as well. A major win-win. Because let’s be honest, sometimes your shoes have a little more life in them but the insoles are simply blown out. Better insoles means more life out of your favorite skate shoes, which can probably save you some money in the long run.
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At the end of the day, skating takes a toll. But taking steps to assist with comfort and longevity will always be a wise choice. And honestly, one of the easiest upgrades you can make is right under your feet. I’m speaking from experience, too!
Personally, I prefer Remind Insoles, but there are plenty of options out there. Anything is better than those flimsy stock insoles, though! Don’t be afraid to test the waters and find a pair that works for you. Your feet and body will thank you.
