There are many ways to wear big shoes. And I find using the right pair of insoles to be one of the most effective options on the table. Techniques like wearing a layer of socks and filling the toes with papers may make big shoes fit. But I’m not quite sure they work as best as inserts do.
In fact, the right pair of inner soles can not only reduce foot fatigue but also manage shock from rough, hard floors. Not to mention fix your alignment and provide some relief from chronic foot pain.
So let’s look at some of the well-made pairs of insoles that you can use right now if you have shoes and boots that turned out to be rather too big.
Table of Contents The Best Insoles for Shoes and Boots That Are Too Big1. Mendez Premium Height Increase Insoles2. Superfeet FLEXmax Comfort Insoles for Roomy Shoes3. Powerstep Full Length Orthotic Shoe Insoles4. Superfeet Run Comfort Sports Insoles5. Dr. Scholl’s Running InsolesYou Shouldn’t Wear Big ShoesFinal Thoughts on Making Big Shoes Feel Smaller
The Best Insoles for Shoes and Boots That Are Too Big
1. Mendez Premium Height Increase Insoles
Some shoes are too big going up, and the Mendez Premium Height Increase Insoles are good enough to fill up that space.
The make features a dual-density foam layer, which elevates height and creates a plush landing surface for your feet.
This results in a more flexible footbed that contours to the form of your feet and keeps them in the midline, so every step you take feels a lot more natural than with standard insoles.
I haven’t worn shoe inserts that felt comfortable straight out of the box. And these ones are definitely not an exception. Even with an ergonomically designed height that enhance your feet’s comfort, especially in demanding activities, these still need time to break in. At the very least, they should feel comfortable within seven days.
Unlike the full-length insoles you may have used before, the Mendez take up less space, allowing for some spacious interior, so they shouldn’t feel too long for your feet. While this means it can fit shoes of different styles, you want to use them only on high and mid top shoes for better performance.
In general, if you’re interested in inserts that can give you a better fit and comfort relative to the upper section of your feet, while preventing toe bumps, these are right ones to use.
Pros
- Made of lightweight, high-density PU foam; only weighs 50 grams
- Comfortable shoe inserts that don’t wear out easily
- Ensures better feet alignment, no side to side rolling
- They contour to the shape of your feet and make your steps feel natural.
Cons
- May make your shoes tight, but you can fix this by loosening the laces
- May increase stress on the ball of shoes initially
- Tends to reduce stability, although only to a little degree
- It can take up to a week for your feet to adjust to these insoles
2. Superfeet FLEXmax Comfort Insoles for Roomy Shoes
Designed to fix shoes that are too big, the Superfeet FLEXmax inserts take the comfort of your shoes a level high straight out of the box. As these are popularly sold for sports shoes, you can add them to your sports shoes for jumping exercises for a perfect fit.
The high-density foam in the FLEXmax takes more room, easily filling up the space that would otherwise make your big training shoes hard to walk in. This results in better-fitting footwear, which allows you to get by without worrying about your feet tossing around.
The dynamic shape of the FLEXmax easily contours to your feet, allowing you to walk freely and comfortably while reducing stress on knees, heels, and ankle. Moreover, these insoles can wick away moistures and control odor, allowing your feet to stay cool, dry, and stench free.
With a lasting footbed that provides long-term support without the density wearing out, Superfeet can give you a long-term performance effect, especially from high intensity workouts.
The air vents at the forefoot release heat generated and maintains an ideal climate for walking, running, and cross training.
Pros
- They’ll flex well with your shoes
- Breathable shoe inserts that keep your feet cool, dry, and odor free
- These are good insoles for standing all day
- They break in fast, and they are super comfortable thereafter
- Also good for people who have high arches
Cons
- The thickness of the foam layer could be better
- They don’t provide a lot of arch support
3. Powerstep Full Length Orthotic Shoe Insoles
Doctors and orthopedist recommend these inserts because they’re comfortable and supportive. They’ll give you a superior walking power while alleviating conditions such as arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and ball of foot pain.
Designed to fit any shoes without compromising support and stability, Powerstep full-length inserts are as close to as universal as possible.
You can remove them from your power walking sneakers, insert them in your dress or athletic shoes, and notice that they fit perfectly without trimming.
The construction is up to the standard if you ask me. And I like how the brand has optimized these insoles for performance. They aren’t too soft or too firm, so they’ll easily contour to your feet after a short break in period.
Powerstep feature a polyester fabric that comforts your feet, not to mention keep them dry while minimizing heat and friction. Because these inserts’ dual shell cover provides an additional layer of cushioning, you can add them to your all day walking and standing footwear.
The inserts’ dual layer, powered by the brand’s variable cushioning technology and a low profile EVA foam, provides more comfort for demanding activities such as extended walking.
The top layer of the inserts is an anti-bacterial fabric, which in addition to enhancing breathability shields your feet from bacteria and odor.
Pros
- Universal insoles that fit into any shoes without trimming
- Recommended for their support and cushioning
- The EVA foam is dense enough to absorb shock, particularly from shoes for big people
- Easily takes the extra space in your shoes to give you a better fit
- They’re unisex, so they’ll look good in women and men’s shoes
Cons
- These inserts tend to stink after some time, but you can use the best shoe sanitizer to get rid of the smell
- The arch support may be too much for some people
- I wish the cushioning lasted longer
4. Superfeet Run Comfort Sports Insoles
While the name of these inserts suggest that they’re ideal only for sports, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In testing, the Superfeet Run Insoles provides comfort to running gurus and long-distance walkers alike. So whether you want to upgrade the insert of your heel striker running shoes or you need to level up the comfort of your concrete shoes, these ones should suffice.
Superfeet Run Comfort Insoles are some of the most durable makes on sale. A pair lets you log up to 500 miles of walking or running before they completely give in. And the level of comfort they provide over that period, and what you get is a well-built pair of inserts that should have cost more than the current price point.
I love how this brand blends different footwear technologies to make your feet love these inserts.
To begin with, the Heel Impact Gel Pad absorbs impact and pressure from every heel strike. The EVOLyte stabilizer takes the form of your foot while providing support, especially when running. And the MOISTUREWICK improves foot breathability while enhancing long-term moisture control.
This brand is very specific about who can get the most out of these insoles and who shouldn’t use them at all. In other words, this model only suits people that have medium or raised arches. You’ll have to look elsewhere if you have flat feet.
Pros
- Good for running and walking
- Easily eases foot fatigue and enhances your performance
- Has a deep heel cup for cushioning and shock absorption
- Includes Heel Impact tech for pressure dispersion from every heel strike
- MOISTUREWICK technology helps to control odor
- They’re durable; guarantees up to 500 miles of walking or running before giving up
Cons
- Not ideal for people with flat feet
5. Dr. Scholl’s Running Insoles
Dr. Scholl’s insoles are the cheapest you’ll ever come across, but they’re cushioned and comfortable enough for running shoes.
Choose these inserts if you have knee pain, plantar fasciitis, or shin splints. Because they’re flexible, you can even stuff them in your walking or cross training shoes.
The inserts’ Triple Zone Protection absorbs as much a 40% shock with every step you take. With that come flexibility, stability, and comfort, so short walks and long runs don’t feel entirely exhausting.
The Triple Zone Protection consists of three parts spread out across the insole.
The heel zone has a deep cup, which absorbs as much impact as possible.
With its well-built arch zone, these insoles make for a smooth transition of weight from the heels to the forefoot.
And the ball of foot zone has a decent padding, which not only provides cushioning for comfort but also ensure even pressure distribution as you run as walk.
Thanks to the Triple Zone Protection, these insoles even make a good fit for shoes used by heavy persons. So you definitely should try them out if you’re a big, heavy person.
Pros
- Triple Zone Protection offers better weight distribution and cushioning for feet
- Relieves common foot injuries like shin splints and plantar fasciitis
- Built to absorb and reduce shock by up to 40%
Cons
- You have to trim them to fit the size of your shoes
You Shouldn’t Wear Big Shoes
So you’ve seen a new pair of shoes, you’ve loved them because they’d look good on you, and you’re more than willing to pay for the pair.
However, when you try them out, you realize that they’re too big to fit you. And you’re probably wondering if there’s any problem buying them.
Well, don’t.
There are many reasons why wearing ill-fitting shoes is straight out a bad idea.
More often than not, wearing shoes that are too big can cause blisters and chaffing, which can be a hell lot more annoying than the big shoes themselves.
To think that big shoes place stress on the wrong part of your feet is a reason not to wear them in the first place. Here, your feet are trying to accommodate the empty space in an effort to hold on with each step. But you’ll end up more fatigued and possibly in pain.
What’s worse?
Well, tripping hazards.
Think of it like this:
Would you seriously walk comfortably if you wore shoes that simply don’t fit straight out of the box? No you can’t. That’s because your feet keep slipping in and out of the shoes, making it difficult for you to move around.
So the bottom line is this:
The best way to deal with big shoes is not wear them in the first place. But if you’ve seen a pair that you love and wouldn’t want to pass them by, you can at least fill up the space with the right pair of insoles. And the ones that we’ve discussed in this guide are more than good enough for the job.
Final Thoughts on Making Big Shoes Feel Smaller
Using insoles is a great way to fix shoes that are too big. But this approach may not be nearly as foolproof as buying shoes that fit straight out of the box.
If you’ve seen a pair of shoes that you love but they don’t fit as expected, you can simply use the right pair of insoles to make them feel smaller and you’ll be good to go.
However, style and taste for a particular shoes considered, going for shoes that fit straight out is, in my strongest opinion, the only way to dress up right.