Did you know that your shoes come with a removable shoe liner?

You might only realize that they’re even there if you use special insoles or on hot days when you wear shoes without socks and you remove the liner unintentionally. 

Some people may want to consider removing the liner from various shoes. Removing the liner provides additional space to allow the toes to spread out and can reduce the stack height, among other reasons. 

Some people don’t even notice them, but for those with wider feet or foot problems, or who are often in between shoe sizes, removing the shoe liner can make a big difference in fit.

Understanding their purpose and some common problems associated with keeping them in place may help the wearer choose to keep them in their shoes or not.

What are Shoe Liners for?

Shoe liners come in most shoes, but few people ever really think much about them or why they exist. They’re not necessary, but they do serve a purpose.

The microfiber liners found in modern shoes work to insulate the foot by wicking moisture and keeping the foot warm in cool weather. Sometimes, shoe liners can cause chafing and lead to sweating, depending on the material used. 

Lems uses shoe liners that are made from a 100% moisture-wicking polyester or cork. Our shoes are already designed to accommodate the foot’s natural shape, but some people may find the fit more comfortable without the shoe liner.

While the liners can help regulate temperature, they’re also designed to be removed. So if you prefer wearing your shoes without them, then go ahead and take them out! 

Common Problems Linked to Shoe Liners

Removing the shoe liner has generally no effect on the performance of the shoe, but removing them can enhance the fit or comfort for others.

Liners can result in foot slippage, blisters, and can move out of place each time you take off your shoes.

Some common issues shoe liners can cause include:

• Reduces amount of space in shoe, particularly the toe box
• Can limit traction on varied surfaces due to increased stack height
• May cause blisters and discomfort due to bunching
• Do not encourage building natural foot strength

Removing them from your shoe may reduce the problems mentioned above. Before discarding the shoe entirely, it may be a good idea to remove the liner and see if the problem persists.

Why You Might Want to Consider Removing the Shoe Liner

In addition to removing a shoe liner to address the common problems listed above, there are other reasons that you might want to consider removing them, including:

If You’re in between Sizes

If shoes feel a little tight, removing the insole can help create more space for the feet. Removing the liner from the shoe that feels too small when you’re trying it on can make a difference if you’re in between sizes.

If You Have Wide Feet

Removing the shoe liner can add a surprising amount of space, especially for those with wide feet or who suffer from bunions and hammertoes. 

Removing the liner allows the foot to sit a little bit lower in the shoe bed, taking advantage of the concave shape of the toe box. 

Increased Traction

The benefit of wearing minimalist shoes is that your feet are closer to the ground. When your feet feel the ground, they have better traction against falls, particularly on uneven surfaces, like trails.

Added cushion between the ground and your foot inhibits the foot’s ability to register different textures and terrain and can lead to falls and injury. A better ground feel provides tactile feedback that allows your foot to respond more naturally and effectively to different terrain.

Create Space for Corrective Footwear

Removing the foot liner can create more space that can better accommodate tools like Correct Toes that aid with bunion correction. 

Depending on the size of the bunion, wearing Correct Toes inside minimalist shoes can be tight, but removing the liner creates that additional space that may enable the wearer to wear them for longer periods of time.