Felt insoles: warm feet in house shoes and street shoes

Cold feet are rarely just a question of the shoe itself. Often there is simply a layer missing between foot and sole, one that keeps warmth in and absorbs moisture. That is exactly what felt insoles do. They work in house shoes just as well as in low shoes, boots or work shoes, and they cost only a fraction of a new pair of shoes.

Why felt works so well as a material

Felt is made of compressed wool. This structure traps many small air pockets, and that air is the actual heat store. At the same time, wool can absorb moisture without immediately feeling damp. That is the decisive difference to plastic insoles: the foot stays warm without sweating.

Our insoles are made of five millimetre thick wool felt. They are warming and breathable, yet not so thick that the shoe becomes uncomfortably tight.

Insoles for house shoes

In house shoes, felt insoles do two jobs. First, they restore cushioning: if you have worn your favourite slippers for a long time, you know the feeling of the sole slowly giving way. A fresh felt insole brings back part of the original cushioning and noticeably extends the life of the shoe.

Second, they add warmth on cold floors. On tiles, stone or laminate you will feel the difference immediately in winter. If you already wear a model with a felt sole, the insole reinforces this effect even further.

Insoles for street shoes, boots and work shoes

Felt insoles are not limited to house shoes. They can be used in almost any closed shoe with room for an additional sole. Typical uses are:

• Winter boots and lined boots that lack warmth from below
• Low shoes and sneakers in the cold season
• Work shoes and safety shoes when standing on cold ground for long periods
• Rubber boots, which by nature have no warming sole

Two notes: if your feet sweat heavily, take the insoles out regularly and let them air. And if a shoe already fits snugly, check first whether the additional five millimetres will still fit.

When the shoe is too big: insoles as a size adjuster

One use is often overlooked: insoles can make a shoe that is half a size to almost a full size too big noticeably more comfortable. The volume inside the shoe gets smaller, the foot slips less and the hold improves. That is practical when there is no half size between two sizes, or when a pair was bought as a gift and does not quite fit.

The reverse does not work: if the shoe is actually too small, an insole cannot fix it. It will simply pinch elsewhere.

Finding the right size

Our insoles are available in sizes 36 to 48. If in doubt, choose the size that matches your shoe size. If the insole is slightly too big, it can easily be trimmed with household scissors. The best way is to use the old insole or the inner sole of the shoe as a template and cut in small steps.

The insoles are available in several colours, including grey, anthracite, red and lime green.

Care and lifespan

Felt insoles need very little care. The most important thing is regular airing, ideally overnight outside the shoe. Light dirt is best removed with a brush when the insole is dry. They do not belong in the washing machine, because wool felt shrinks and mats there.

How long an insole lasts depends heavily on use. Someone wearing them daily in work shoes will replace them sooner than someone using them only in winter house shoes. Since a pair costs only a few euros, replacing them is easy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear felt insoles in street shoes?

Yes. Felt insoles can be used in almost any closed shoe with room for an additional sole. They are particularly useful in winter boots, low shoes and work shoes when warmth from below is missing. If a shoe already fits snugly, check first whether the additional five millimetres will fit.

Do insoles help when the shoe is too big?

Yes, within limits. An insole reduces the volume inside the shoe, the foot slips less and the hold improves. This works well for half a size to almost a full size of difference. If the shoe is too small, however, an insole cannot compensate for that.

Can I wash felt insoles?

Please not in the washing machine, wool felt mats and shrinks there. It is enough to air the insoles regularly and remove dry dirt with a brush.

Which size should I choose?

Take the size that matches your shoe size. The insoles are available in sizes 36 to 48 and can be trimmed with scissors if needed.

Are felt insoles suitable for people with sweaty feet?

Yes, wool absorbs moisture without immediately feeling damp. It is important to take the insoles out regularly and let them dry.