How Long Do Insoles Last? Signs It’s Time to Replace Them, and How to Make Them Last

Insoles wear out slowly, which is exactly why people keep them too long. One day they feel fine; a few months later you notice your feet are more tired than they used to be. Here is how long insoles typically last, how to tell when a pair is done, and how to get the most out of the one you have.

What decides how long insoles last

• Materials. Soft foam and gel compress fastest. Firmer shells made of plastic or nylon hold their shape longer than the foam on top of them.
• Hours of use. A pair worn eight hours a day, five days a week, ages far faster than a weekend pair.
• Activity and surface. Running, jumping and standing on concrete all load an insole more than walking around the house. AAOS notes that running and jumping create impact forces of three to five times body weight.
• Body weight. More weight means more compression on every step.
• Heat, moisture and care. Sweat, a hot car and machine drying all break materials down faster.

Typical lifespans by use

Treat these as rough, commonly cited ranges rather than promises; they come from insole retailers and podiatry practices, and your own pair may last longer or shorter.

For runners: think in miles

If you run, mileage tells you more than the calendar. AAOS reports that the EVA foam in running shoes starts to show structural damage after about 120 miles, and that by 500 miles a shoe has lost about 45 percent of its initial shock absorption. Its rule of thumb for shoes is to divide 75,000 by your body weight in pounds to estimate how many miles to run before replacing them. For a 150-pound runner, that is about 500 miles.

That guidance is about shoes, not insoles, but foam is foam. A practical habit: every time you replace your running shoes, check your insoles closely, and replace any foam that no longer springs back.

Six signs it’s time to replace your insoles

1. The cushioning stays flat. Press your thumb into the heel area. If the foam doesn’t spring back, it is done.
2. You can see your footprint. A dark, pressed-in outline of your heel and toes means the top layers have compressed.
3. The top cover is worn through or peeling, especially at the heel or under the ball of the foot.
4. The shell is cracked or bent, or the heel cup has lost its shape.
5. The smell won’t go away even after cleaning and airing out.
6. Your feet feel like they did before. If the comfort you noticed in the first weeks has faded, the materials have probably changed.

One more tip: look at the soles of your shoes. Uneven wear, such as one edge wearing down much faster than the other, is a sign the shoe itself may be worn out. A new insole can’t make up for a shoe that has broken down.

Custom insoles: the shell and the top layers age differently

A CustomSole insole is a 3D-printed nylon arch shell with cushioning foams and a fabric top cover. These parts wear at different speeds. The printed shell holds its shape much longer than foam does, while the cushioning and top cover are the parts you feel wearing in. Our manufacturing partner’s general guidance for its PA12 insoles in daily use is replacement every one to two years, sooner for heavy athletic use or heavier wearers. Treat that as a rough guide, and go by the signs above.

When it is time, you don’t need to scan again. Your scan stays on your email, so a new pair is made from the same measurements. If your feet have changed, for example after a big change in weight or activity, a fresh scan is a good idea. You can see how that works on How It Works, and our guide on how to scan your feet with your phone covers the details.

How to clean insoles without ruining them

1. Take the insoles out of your shoes.
2. Wipe the top cover with a damp cloth and a little mild soap. A soft brush helps on stubborn spots.
3. Wipe again with a cloth dampened with clean water.
4. Air dry at room temperature, away from radiators, heaters and direct sunlight.
5. Put them back only when they are completely dry.

Can you put insoles in the washer or dryer?

For most insoles, no. Machine washing soaks the foam and can loosen the glue between layers, and a dryer’s heat can warp shells and shrink foam. Our care instructions are simple: do not machine wash, tumble dry or soak.

Habits that make insoles last longer

• Air them out. Take insoles out of your shoes now and then, especially after a sweaty day, so both can dry.
• Rotate pairs. If you wear the same shoes every day, a second pair of insoles gives each one time to recover and dry.
• Keep them out of hot cars. Heat is hard on foam and adhesives.
• Use the right length. An insole crammed into a shoe that is too tight wears unevenly. Our guide to 3/4 length vs full length insoles explains how to choose.
• Replace worn shoes. A broken-down shoe puts extra stress on everything inside it.

Need a fresh pair? Browse all 16 designs; each one is $69.99 in Full Length or 3/4 Length.