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These insoles help alleviate pain and pressure so you can walk more comfortably with plantar fasciitis. Foot Inserts For Shoes
You probably don’t spend much time thinking about the bottoms of your feet—unless you have plantar fasciitis and that single band of tissue connecting your toes to your heel has become the bane of your daily existence. Using a supportive insole or orthotic is one of the many remedies for plantar fasciitis. These devices help to lift the arches of your feet, taking pressure off the plantar fascia, allowing it to heal and avoid further inflammation.
When shopping for insoles to alleviate plantar fasciitis, remember what type of foot you have and where you experience pain. Also, the kind of support (firm vs. moderate), cushioning, heel design and preferred material will depend on your needs. To simplify shopping, we tested and reviewed 20 insoles in the lab and at home to find the best based on support, comfort, breathability, pain relief, and value. Lastly, an expert from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy.
Not ideal for high arches
Material: Urethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Neutral
The Obōz O Fit Insole Plus II checked all of our boxes for comfort, stability, arch support, pain relief, and breathability. While advertised to fit hiking boots, we found they worked well in our running shoes. The insoles cradled and supported our feet without making them sweat or accumulate extra moisture.
The deep heel cup cushioned the impact of running, leaving us with less overall pain and fatigue in our calves, shins, hips, and lower back. The insoles also fit seamlessly into our sneakers and were more comfortable than the insoles that came with them.
If you have a high arch or prefer firm support, these insoles may not work as well for you.
Great for all shoe types
Multiple layers for cushioning and support
Material: Polypropylene, foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High
If you have flat to low arches and notice your feet turn inwards while walking, Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles are a good choice to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. Although our flat-footed editor who tested these insoles initially felt a bit of soreness, she loved how quickly they molded to her feet and even noticed less lower back pain after wearing them.
These insoles fit easily inside most shoes and get extra points for breathability. After sweaty workouts, we noticed less moisture than usual on our socks, so we especially recommend them for physical activities like hiking, running, walking, or going to the gym.
These insoles could take some getting used to. Diana Valencia, DPM, a podiatrist at NYC Foot & Ankle Center in Manhattan, recommends wearing them for an hour daily until soreness disappears.
Material: Nylon | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Low
During testing, the added cushion in the Spenco Rx Comfort Insoles dramatically reduced pain associated with plantar fasciitis. The extra cushion provided great shock absorption and decent arch support, making walking easier (and more comfortable). They also performed exceedingly well when traveling long distances—we didn’t experience irritation, blisters, or break-in periods even on 10-mile runs.
The insoles are available in seven sizes and are easy to trim for a better fit. They also come with a one-year unconditional guarantee, so deciding to try them is a no-brainer.
The insoles are green and black, so they won’t work in a pair of sandals or open-toed shoes.
Not suitable for non-athletic shoes
Material: Polyester, polysorb polyurethane foam | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Medium
Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles instantly made our running and walking shoes more comfortable. The forefront cushion and extra heel support mitigated the shin and knee pain we sometimes feel from our plantar fasciitis after a long run. The insoles even helped alleviate lower back soreness from a long day on our feet.
Spenco designed these cross-trainer insoles to prevent injury caused by high-impact sports like running, tennis, basketball, and weightlifting. They slip easily into most athletic shoes and are made with a neoprene-like polyester.
The insoles are thicker in the heel than the front and may take some time to adjust. They work best if you remove the insole inside your athletic shoe.
Material: Polyurethane foam, polyurethane gel heel and metatarsal pad | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High
Shoes with poor arch support can contribute to heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Luckily, the EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles had strong arch support and extra cushioning when we wore them. We loved how this pick felt—the gel pads in the toe and heel areas were comfortable, and we appreciated how easy it was to trim the insoles to fit our shoes.
After testing them in flat walking shoes, supportive running shoes, and regular sneakers, our feet felt amazing, and our lower back was pain-free. A nice perk: you don't have to keep them if they don't work for you. The insoles come with a 12-month warranty and a 90-day return policy.
The bottoms of these insoles are made with hard thermoplastic polyurethane, making them less breathable than others we tested.
Heel cup positions and cradles the heel
Beveled edge for a snug fit
Material: Carbon fiber and polymer blend, closed-cell foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Light
Superfeet Carbon Insoles are made with a reinforced carbon fiber stabilizer cap in the rear of the insole to cradle and support the heel, where pain and swelling from plantar fasciitis often occur. This design allowed us to walk longer and farther without foot pain during testing.
These insoles felt lightweight, and we loved how our feet sank into the foam, making our shoes more comfortable from the get-go. The thin design also makes them great for low-profile sneakers and daily wear.
You may not like these insoles if you prefer a thicker insole or need more substantial arch support.
Fits well in multiple shoes
Material: High-density foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High
Superfeet Green Insoles are made with high-density foam to support and stabilize high arches. The deep heel cup is reinforced with durable rubber for maximum comfort and support for plantar fasciitis. They were easy to wear, even after being on our feet in previously uncomfortable shoes.
Their slim, low-profile design allowed us to slip the insoles into several types of shoes without trimming them to fit. As a bonus, they come in small and kid sizes. They’re also durable and made to last through everyday wear up to 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first.
Although these insoles provide plenty of support for your arches, they don’t provide as much cushioning as other options.
Fits narrow shoes and heels
Not designed for wide feet
Material: Polyurethane | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Not listed
Finding a supportive and cushioning insole for plantar fasciitis that alleviates foot pain and fits discreetly inside dress shoes and heels can seem impossible, especially if you have narrow feet. However, Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insoles provide exactly those qualities.
Slipping these insoles into our much-loved, worn-out walking shoes made them feel brand new. We also appreciated the thin, flexible design, which made the insoles easily transfer between shoes. We loved that we could wear different shoes to the office daily while still reaping the benefits of these insoles.
These insoles run small and may not fit the length of your shoe. They may also not work for wider feet.
Available in standard and wide width
Need to be broken in
Material: Organic cotton, foam, cork | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Not listed
Fulton's The Athletic Insoles are made of cork and mold to the shape of your foot within about 10 hours of wear. They are comfortable and supportive for people with plantar fasciitis regardless of whether they have flat feet or high arches. Once broken in, these insoles kept our feet and knees pain-free, even after a long night of dancing.
The insoles were durable and long-lasting, and we really loved how they molded to a tailored fit on our feet. We also tested the insoles without socks and liked that our feet stayed fresh and didn't retain odor.
The strong support could take getting used to. If you find them uncomfortable, try wearing the insoles every other day until your feet adjust.
Material: Foam | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Flexible
Dr. Scholl’s Prevent Pain Lower Body Protective Insoles are great for better posture. When we wore them, the extra cushion and support in the heel helped us stand straighter and taller while alleviating the pain associated with our plantar fasciitis. We felt less pressure on the front of our feet, which helped us stand and walk comfortably for longer periods.
These budget-friendly insoles gave our shoes new life and kept our feet nice and cool. They’re FSA and HSA eligible and come with a 90-day warranty; if you don’t love them, it’s easy to find another pick that’s just what you need.
Most of the cushioning is in the heel, so if you need stronger arch support, you should opt for a different insole.
Under Dr. Valencia's guidance, we spent 5,040 hours wearing 20 premade insoles to find the best ones for relieving plantar fasciitis pain. We picked our top insoles based on the following criteria:
We used research and expert guidance throughout every step of creating this roundup. The experts we consulted included:
Suzie Glassman is a seasoned endurance runner with 13 marathon finishes and countless other distances under her belt. She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous research studies, and tested many products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. She is especially interested in helping consumers make informed decisions to help them stay active and healthy.
Umar H, Idrees W, Umar W, Khalil A, Rizvi ZA. Impact of routine footwear on foot health: a study on plantar fasciitis. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022;11(7):3851-3855. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_637_21
By Suzie Glassman Suzie Glassman is a wellness and education writer who loves all things fitness, skincare and beauty-related. She has a tween daughter who is obsessed with skincare products and may or may not appreciate her mom’s advice.
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