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Just when I optimize one element of my backpacking, another element presents itself for optimization.

I was watching an Influencer recently (a Polar Explorer) who said to wear sock liners inside your normal hiking socks. (To prevent blisters, hot spots, etc.)

Although I haven't had a blister (so far), I have had hot spots.

So I tried silk liners on my last two backpack trips.

Yes, they're lower friction. That's good. OTOH, the friction is so low that I can feel my feet sliding in my shoes.

That should be easy to fix. I haven’t been taking time to tighten my shoes. Now I’ll have to.

But another thing that I discovered was that the best system, for me, is silk liners and medium cushion socks. (Thicker then the thin cushions that I've been wearing.)

But that combination of liner and medium cushion sock is too tight for my shoes.

So I took the insoles out of my shoes.

Perfect! Seems to work. Am I missing something?

(The insoles that came with my Salomon's look like they're a quality product. They crush/cushion without permanently deforming. Updated: About 3/16" thick. They tend to keep the inside of my shoes clean, taking the dirt themselves, but are easily washable. I’ve seen other Influencers recommend buying $50 insoles (Superfeet). Whereas I’m going in the opposite direction. Does one need insoles?)

Your shoes are too small if a liner and medium cushion sock feels tight. Go up a half size. I wouldn’t hike more than a mile without a decent insole.

@LindaAnn
So then thicker cushioned socks aren't a suitable replacment for a flexible fabric insole?

@TooOld2Hike_EP
If you like it, then go for it, but I would not consider removing insoles from most, or any, shoes to be desirable. Socks aren’t going to give much arch support, or protect from feeling rocks underfoot.

I’d also like to see a pic of standard Salomon insoles that are 3/8” thick. I’ve bought dozens of pairs of Salomons over the years, and the insoles all seem to be about 1/8” thick, and I promptly replace them with better insoles since they are pretty mediocre.

LindaAnn wrote:I wouldn’t hike more than a mile without a decent insole

I unfortunately forget my insoles, and did R2R; I was sure that I would end up with a sore knee or hip. Fortunately I was fine. Yet, still I don't want to do that again.

@LindaAnn
My mistake. 3/16" thick.

@Pivo
Interesting. I was fine for the 14 miles I did without them in the Superstitions. I'm not a connoisseur enough to feel that they were missing.

@TooOld2Hike_EP
I am not Bio-mechanically efficient, and struggled with knee, hip and foot pain, until I started using a Birkenstock Sport insert in my hiking footwear. I use them now in any footwear I now wear.

If ANY type of footgear comes with insoles, wouldn't that lead one to believe that they were DESIGNED for insoles?
That said, not all insoles work well with all types of feet.

So, in my experience, if I'm not comfortable on the first hike or two, I remove the insoles and replace them with PowerStep insoles.
And whenever they lose their effectiveness, the VA provides free replacements. (may need ortho appt if it's been a while)

While I may try different thickness/material socks or a thin sock inside another depending on which of a half-dozen boots I am wearing (yup, different boots for different types of trails/terrain), but I don't obsess about it and try a hundred different variations. I just get out and HIKE!

Feet are funny business; everyone is absolutely different. My feet are flatter than my countertop and wide as hell. When I joined the military, they have 3 boxes with the latin names for flat, normal, high arch. The doc doing mine literally created a new box with his own narrative on how flat mine were

All that is to say, is that the shoes my wife absolutely loves, destroy my feet. I also just can't wear "control" shoes at all without tons of pain. Before minimal shoes starting getting popular, taking the insoles out of my new balances was how I made them comfortable. Most salomon's have fairly thick soles, so it may be more comfortable than a minimal altra shoe, for example, where you might feel every rock. A standard in-sole is really just there for comfort purposes, to provide just that little extra cushion and protection, so if you're happy without it then all good

I think that over time, not having an insole could potentially wreck your feet. While it may seem fine for the short term, your feet may slowly, subtly, change due to no support and it probably will not be for the better. And lack of support in the feet doesn't just wreak havok on the feet. Ankles, knees, hips and back all come into play eventually. First thing I do with a new shoe is replace the insole. I have found the stock insoles on La Sportivas to not be very desirable. I would experiment if I was you. Lose the liner and the thicker socks, go back to the socks you were using and try one of those more expensive insoles. Because it will take up more room in the shoe, you may find you lose the slipperiness of the liner and the hotspots too. Just my 2 cents.