Podiatrists Say These Top-Rated Shoe Insoles Help Ease Plantar Fasciitis Pain (2024)

These orthotics stand out from others on the list because they fit into virtually any type of shoe. Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy, recommends them. Made with a contoured heel cup and special cushioning that absorbs shock, these insoles also help to stabilize the plantar fascia and prevent it from further stretching.

“They are affordable, easy to access at almost any drug store or online retailer, and come with a trusted name,” says Litzy. “The pricier inserts may offer more support or shock absorption, but if they are out of reach for most people, then it doesn’t do them any good. They are easy to trim to fit into your sneakers or shoes and comfortable to wear...They give enough support to make a small difference, which is oftentimes enough.”

What reviewers say: This best-selling pick boasts over 26,000 ratings on Amazon. “The orthotic provides a nice cushion to help absorb the shock of each step that leads to the intense heel pain,” said one nurse who adds these inserts to her work clogs.

Specifically designed to provide all-day comfort and lessen fatigue for those with arch and heel pain, these top-rated shoe insoles have 4.3 stars overall from over 6,000 ratings. Reviewers write that they’re comfortable and fit shoes well. They offer great arch support, making them ideal for those who are on their feet all day or need to stand for long periods of time. These insoles also feature shock absorption pads in the forefront and heel, as well as deep heel cups that helps stabilize the feet.

What reviewers say: “I am a nurse, working 12-hour shifts often on my feet for the entirety of the time,” wrote one Amazon customer. “I’ve been wearing these shoe inserts for almost a month now, and my plantar fasciitis pain has been non-existent! I’m tempted to get inserts for all of my shoes now!”

Litzy recommends these orthotics from Spenco, noting that they’re more on the rigid side (like the Superfeet Green insoles). Because of this, she advises “breaking them in” with a wear schedule. “They can help to control some overpronation when walking and running, which can lead to plantar fascia pain,” she says. They feature extra support for the arch and heel and improve motion control to help avoid overpronating.

What reviewers say: These affordable insoles have more than 7,000 ratings and nearly five stars overall on Amazon. “These insoles are wonderful for my plantar fasciitis. They help keep my ankles from rolling and give great arch support,” one reviewer wrote. “They are not soft cushiony but are firm and supportive... I now have them in all my sneakers.”

Prefer something a little less squishy? These heel cups are made from a blend of rubber materials, offering firm cushioning. The patented fascia bar also applies pressure to your plantar fascia ligament, providing support for the back part of your arch. Choose from three different types: firm rubber, a hybrid of rubber and gel for semi-firmness, and soft gel. They also come in four sizes from small to extra-large.

What reviewers say: “After eight months suffering with plantar fasciitis in both feet, of spending a ton of money trying various shoes, contraptions, splints, socks, etc., I swear, these heel cups were my savior,” an Amazon shopper raved. “After three months of faithfully wearing them, I was literally pain-free.”

If you love to run or participate in high-intensity workouts, you may be prone to plantar fasciitis. With every step, jump, or skip, your heel feels the impact. These inserts boast a firm yet flexible shell to support and stabilize arches, plus a shock-absorbing heel. As a bonus, the antimicrobial outer fabric staves off odor-causing bacteria.

What reviewers say: “Take it from someone who has firsthand (or first-foot) experience: These insoles are what you want if you have heel pain from plantar fasciitis,” one reviewer said. “They have the right combination of support and cushioning. I still have some discomfort from the plantar fasciitis, but at least I can function while the problem slowly heals.”

Thanks to the three-quarter length along with the thin, lightweight design, these versatile insoles are great for fitting into any type of shoe (including sandals!). But even with their shorter length, the anti-slip material ensures that they stay place in your shoe. Along with high arch support that helps absorb the impact of each step, these insoles also offer a structured deep heel cup, which helps stabilize your feet.

What reviewers say: “These are an amazing game changer for me (for all shoes, but especially for some kinds of sandals),” wrote one satisfied shopper who says that they’re “amazingly comfortable.” They continued: “They are barely noticeable inside of sandals...for me, my gait, and my knee comfort, it is rather life-changing to have my foot correctly positioned in hiking-type sandals.”

Whether you’re wearing sandals or ballet flats, these silicone insoles have a self-adhesive base that stay in place throughout the day. They’re also made of a soft, moldable gel that massages your heels and contours to the shape of your foot. They help provide added cushioning around the heel to absorb pressure and minimize soreness, thereby reducing knee pain. But don’t let this pair’s shockingly low price point concern you: It works.

What reviewers say: “No insoles so cheap should work so well,” wrote one Amazon reviewer, who said they made it possible to walk miles and miles in boots that had previously been painful. “I don’t want to risk anything else being less comfortable. Literal game changer. I wouldn’t have expected this from pretty cheap insoles.”

The arch and heel cup in these insoles are designed to provide moderate support for walking or standing on your feet for extended periods. They also have a contoured footbed that works to help prevent pronation (rolling), bunions, and Achilles tendonitis. A combo of high-density foam and silicone help reduce shock without being too thick, so the inserts can fit into a wide variety of shoes. Not to mention, these best-selling insoles have racked up over 63,000 ratings on Amazon—over 39,000 of them are five-star ratings.

What reviewers say: One Amazon shopper who is a dog walker shared that these insoles have made being on her feet more comfortable, writing: “I really love the support, and they were true to size for me. I don’t even feel them anymore, and my feet are still happy after hours of walking.”

Unlike other insoles on this list, this pair has a stabilizer cap that acts as a base to support the rear foot. They also provide stability to the foam layer and have a deep heel cup that cradles your foot to prevent it from rolling. It has a high volume profile, which means it takes up a lot of space in your shoe, but you can trim it to your level of comfort and fit.

Litzy usually recommends these to patients for wearing in sneakers and other flat shoes—just not heels. “They can easily be trimmed to fit your shoes for a comfortable fit. They are a more stable or rigid orthotic, so you must break them in with a wear schedule,” she says. Litzy recommends one hour of walking time the first day you use them, then increasing to two hours the second day, three hours the third day, and so on until you’re wearing them full time.

What reviewers say: “I have bought a lot of insoles for my plantar fasciitis. This was like gold to me,” wrote one Amazon customer. “I work at a hospital and are on my feet for the majority of my day. These insoles have worked wonders for my pain.”

These inserts don’t give rigid support like the SuperFeet or Spenco, says Litzy, but she recommends them if you’re just trying out orthotics. “If you have never worn orthotics before, this might be a good starter pair to see how you react to wearing orthotics versus going with a very rigid pair right off the bat,” she says. “They are also easy to trim to fit your sneakers, and you don’t have to go through the breaking-in period like rigid orthotics. So this is a suitable starter orthotics.”

These insoles are designed with great arch support, making them especially good for flat feet (as well as those knee pain or Achilles tendinitis). They work to correct abnormal walking patterns and balance pressure on your feet by evenly distributing weight. The medical-grade foam in these inserts also delivers maximum shock absorption and stabilizes your arches—and they’re ultra-lightweight, too, making them ideal for running.

What reviewers say: One shopper with plantar fasciitis and “very flat feet” called these inserts “life-changing.” They wrote, “I work 8-10 hours a day and always have pain in my feet, but once I tried these inserts, I had no pain. I was so happy!”

✔️ Consider the level of arch support. Whether you have high arches or flat feet, arch support is crucial. Research suggests that insoles and indoor comfort shoes—especially ones with arch support—can improve the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

✔️ Look for the right cushioning. When shopping for plantar fasciitis insoles, Dr. Jung and Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago, say you should find one that has cushioning under the arch and heel to provide extra support and redistribute the pressure that can cause pain.

✔️ Think of the material. According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), plastic and graphite-made insoles have plenty of flexibility that can keep pain-pumping forces to a minimum, whereas softer textures like neoprene can strike that happy medium between comfort and support.

✔️ Prioritize your personal comfort. “The most important aspect is how they feel to you,” says Dr. Hamid, M.D., M.P.H. “Some are helpful and some may exacerbate your condition.”

✔️ Find the right fit. Admittedly, discovering the right fit and balance for your needs might involve a little bit of experimenting, but the search is well worth it.

There isn’t much research out there on how well store-bought inserts work or which ones are the most effective, says Dr. Hamid. That being said, over-the-counter insoles are a good first option to try before considering getting fitted for custom orthotics, which usually require a doctor’s prescription, notes Dr. Jung.

It’s also important to note that store-bought inserts are just one option for managing plantar fasciitis pain. Shoes for plantar fasciitis are also worth looking into, as well as a night splint. So even though you can buy inserts without a prescription, you should still see your doctor before self-treating your foot pain. “It’s a good idea to confirm your diagnosis before spending a fortune on inserts,” Dr. Hamid says.

The best plantar fasciitis inserts control the position of the foot and prevent abnormal movement, Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatric surgeon practicing in New York City, explains. “The best materials for this type of orthotics need to be a hard material, such as polypropylene or carbon graphite.”

Softer materials like neoprene may also be used, according to the AAPSM. However, you should consult a podiatrist to learn what the best type of insole might be for you.

For those with persistent plantar fasciitis, Brenner recommends wearing orthotics every day. “Orthotics are like glasses in the sense that they correct the way we walk, and glasses correct the way we see,” she explains. “Unless you have a major reconstructive surgery, you will always need them.”

When first starting out, you should ease into using insoles. “Your body has to adjust to being in a proper alignment,” Brenner says. She suggests wearing a pair for an hour the first day, two hours the second day, and three hours the third day. Then, start using them all the time.

Because you’ll be getting a lot of use out of insoles for plantar fasciitis, Brenner recommends buying new ones every four to five years.

We consulted ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and a physical therapist to find the best plantar fasciitis insoles. They offered insight into what to look for, emphasizing arch support, insole rigidity, and more. They offered specific insole recommendations. These experts include:

• Kenneth Jung, M.D., an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in LA
• Karen Litzy, P.T., D.P.T., owner of Karen Litzy Physical Therapy
• Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago
• Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatric surgeon practicing in New York City

We also evaluated dozens of customer reviews to narrow down the best plantar fasciitis inserts for various needs and preferences.