After Hours of Research, We Found the Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis, Bunions, Flat Feet, and Every Kind of Foot Pain Imaginable (2024)

Sizes: 5 to 12.5 | Materials: Polysorb polyurethane foam | Arch Height: Low

What made these our pick for the best insoles out there? One of our runners slid these bargain-buy orthotics into a pair of Hoka running sneakers and couldn’t rave enough about the experience. She found that they supported her entire lower body as the miles went on and even prevented her from developing as much fatigue in her calves, thighs, hips, and lower back. Best of all, perhaps, these insoles won’t cause your feet to overheat. We noted that they didn’t add any additional degrees to our shoe situation. A huge win.

Sizes: 6 to 12 | Materials: Foam | Arch Height: Flexible

One of our testers has extremely low arches that often cause her feet to pronate (or roll inward) as she walks and works out at the gym. While she was originally wary of the sizable arch support provided by Redi-Thotics, she soon got used to the feel of walking with a little bit more support—and fell in love. She experienced less back pain and felt more supported overall after her weight training sessions, which lasted one to two hours each. They also kept her feet from pronating, which could lead to injury prevention in the long run.

Sizes: 5.5 to 12.5 | Materials: Foam, bamboo, charcoal, green tea extract | Arch Height: High

Plantar fasciitis plagues up to 15 percent of adults and manifests as pain that stretches from the heel bone to the toes. While it’s worth noting that no insole can “heal” this tricky condition, plantar fasciitis insoles may help relieve some of the pain. Those of us suffering from plantar found that these insoles for plantar fasciitis significantly diminished the pain we usually feel post-run. They also seamlessly shape-shifted from our walking shoes to our running shoes for a smooth ride that just felt supportive.

Sizes: 5 to 14.5 | Materials: SpenCore Material | Arch Height: Low

At $15, these budget-friendly insoles deliver comfort, support, and cushioning without breaking the bank. We found that wearing these insoles alleviated some of the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. In fact, one runner noted that her runs usually leave her at about a four or five on the pain scale, but with the addition of these shoes, she experienced more of a two or a three.That said, these insoles don’t provide much cushioning. They’re extremely thin and thus not suitable for those in search of that ultra-cushy feel.

Sizes: 6 to 15.5 | Materials: Polyester | Arch Height: High

We totally get why this pair of insoles is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association’s official seal. They cradle and hug the foot for a super cushiony feel. Not only did this feel fantastic over the course of miles and miles on foot, but we also found that they improved our posture while relieving back, knee, and hip pain. Another A+ feature is that these orthotics really fit into any type of closed-toe shoe you have on hand. Meaning, any uncomfortable shoe can be transformed Cinderella-style into something you actually look forward to wearing.On the downside, we found that these orthotics didn’t feel as high quality as some of the other ones we tried. The adhesive didn’t seem super sturdy, which made us doubt that the insoles would hold up for the full 12 months the brand promises.

Sizes: 6 to 10 | Materials: Rubber | Arch Height: Flexible

No matter whether we were running, walking, lifting weights, or just loafing around the house, we found these cooling insoles eased foot and knee pain and alleviated soreness associated with plantar fasciitis.While we loved, loved, loved these, we did find ourselves wishing for a little bit more cushioning. However, for the low price point, it makes sense that these insoles wouldn’t be as multi-layered as some other options.

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Materials: Foam, cotton, cork | Arch Height: Flexible

One of Shape’s editors took these orthotics to the cardio event of the summer, aka the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, and reported that when it comes to waiting in long lines and dancing for hours, this pair of orthotics will pretty much never go out of style. “Let's just say I was in physical and emotional pain after that concert (who knew screaming ‘All Too Well (10-Minute Version)’ was an ab workout) but had zero pain in my lower body, which I had greatly anticipated,” she wrote. If these insoles can achieve such a feat during a seven-hour musical experience, they can definitely tackle a 9 to 5, no problem.

It’s not all lavender haze, however. We did find that these insoles were particularly hard to cut to size due to their cork material. However, this is a small inconvenience for such a fantastic pair of insoles.

Sizes: 4.5 to 14 | Materials: Foam, plastic | Arch Height: Low

For those looking for the leggings equivalent of insoles (supportive, comfy, soft), Superfeet Carbon Insoles are pretty much It. We selected these are the best insoles for the stabilizing category because they wrap around the foot, providing 360-degree cushioning that somehow still feels buoyant and breathable. Superfeet Carbon Insoles are also extremely high-quality. As we checked them out in the lab and at home, we found that both the layer of hard plastic at the base of the insole and the foam seemed plush and high-quality.

Sizes: 5.5 to 15.5 | Materials: Foam | Arch Height: Flexible, high

Research shows that nurses walk an average of five miles per 12-hour shift. So, needless to say, arch support (whether in shoes for nurses or insoles) is absolutely necessary during these long, physically-challenging shifts. One of our testers who's on her feet constantly noted that these insoles made her normal lower back fatigue a thing of the past. She also said that because she has extremely high arches, she often experiences pain from non-supportive shoes. These high arch-supporting insoles are meant for plantar fasciitis, and they totally changed the game for her, especially because she spends full days on her feet. One thing of note: These orthotics aren’t super breathable, so every wearer should consider pairing them with mesh-topped shoes that will let the air in during long, physically exhausting shifts.

Sizes: 4.5 to 12| Materials: Polyurethane | Arch Height: Flexible

This super-thin, super-versatile insole goes undercover in your fanciest heels, wedges, and flats so you can feel (somewhat) cozy at the bar. They also run a little bit slimmer than some of the other insoles we tried, a great feature for those with narrow feet.Because these insoles aren’t necessarily designed for working out and walking long distances, some may feel bummed by the minimalist cushioning.