The materials used on the insoles define the level of cushioning and comfort.
Some materials can be incredibly soft or very hard when talking about insoles for cushioning and comfort the best are the ones made mainly of foams.
Foams also can range from mild to the stiff ones with little cushioning, doing combinations of soft and medium soft or semi-hard material can make insoles feel comfortable. The disadvantage of foam insoles is that they tend to flatten relatively easy, it depends mainly on the weight and activity level of the person wearing the insoles and the materials used.
For example, our insoles for diabetic type is a combination of a medium to soft blue bottom foam and a pink foam that is softer on top. The top is easy to compress, and it helps to accommodate a bit the plantar surface of the foot. This material is known to be toxic free and anti-allergenic – two features that are important on sore foot prone to ulceration, blisters, and calluses.
Another type of insoles is the ones made of neoprene and cloth tissue, our neoprene material is very soft (blue, pink, black) and the gray is a bit stronger recommended for heavy persons or very active persons.
Neoprene insoles tend to feel warmer than other types of insoles and should be combined with other foams to make them thicker, adding a blue foam bottom will provide more cushioning depending on the thickness added.
If there is no much room to fit insoles thicker than 1/4? ( 6 mm) and want them to be a bit stronger,
then combine it with an EVA foam.
EVA foams are a bit stiffer than the blue foam used on our insoles, either EVA foam or blue foams can have a top material made of cow-hide (real leather) or leatherette ( vinyl ) for added durability,
the cushioning level will depend on the thickness of the foam applied.
Always have in mind the maximum thickness of the insole that will fit in your shoes without being to tight-fitting or cramped making them uncomfortable.