Anyone who has plantar fasciitis knows how painful it can be. (The excruciating sensation of being repeatedly stabbed in the heel or bottom of your foot? Ouch.) But, thanks to the invention of store-bought insoles, you can help ease heel and arch pain by slipping on a supportive pair.
"A shoe insert can externally support the arch, thus reducing the stress or load on the arch," explains Kenneth Jung, M.D., an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. Plantar fasciitis insoles also provide a cushy cup for your heel to relieve pressure. Together, those features can help make your foot feel more comfortable.
Of course, it's important to find insoles that fit like a glove and give your feet the support they need. (And, if you can find a budget-friendly pair or an option specially designed for walks or workouts? Even better.) To help, we're breaking down what to consider with your plantar fasciitis, how to shop for the right insoles, and the best pairs worth adding to your cart.
What to keep in mind before shopping for insoles for plantar fasciitis
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, Dr. Jung says. Just keep in mind that there isn't much research out there on how well store-bought inserts work or which ones are the most effective, says Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago.
That's why personal comfort counts for a lot. "The most important aspect is how they feel to you," Dr. Hamid says. "Some are helpful and some may exacerbate your condition."
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.
Want to get the most of your insoles? Pair them with supportive shoes. Research suggests that insoles and indoor comfort shoes—especially ones with arch support—can improve the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
What to look for in insoles for plantar fasciitis
When shopping for plantar fasciitis insoles, Dr. Jung and Dr. Hamid say you should find one that has cushioning under the arch and heel to provide extra support and redistribute pressure that can cause pain. Another thing to look for? The right material. According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, plastic and graphite-made insoles have plenty of flexible that can keep pain-pumping forces to a minimum, whereas softer textures like neoprene can strike that happy medium between comfort and support. Admittedly, discovering the right balance for your needs might involve a little bit of experimenting, but the search is well worth it.
1
Best Overall
Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles
Dr. Scholl's is a trusted brand that creates insoles and inserts specifically designed for people with plantar fasciitis. These orthotics stand out from others on the list because they fit into virtually any type of shoe. They're easy enough to trim, fitting your shoe size and shape so you can wear them with all kinds of sneakers, boots, heels, or flats. 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.
A nurse who adds these inserts to her work clogs says, "The orthotic provides a nice cushion to help absorb the shock of each step that leads to the intense heel pain."
And, as if you needed more convincing, this pair has over 32,000 positive reviews on Amazon and the site's covetable "#1 Bestseller" badge.
2
Best Value
Silicone Gel Heel Cups
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.
"No insoles so cheap should work so well," writes one Amazon reviewer, who says these things 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."
3
Best Heel Support
Heel Seats
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.
"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 raves. "After three months of faithfully wearing them, I was literally pain-free."
4
Best for Walkers
Plantar Fasciitis 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.
One Amazon reviewer who is a dog walker says these insoles have made being on her feet infinitely more comfortable: "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."
5
Best for Workouts
Pinnacle Breeze Insole
If you love to run or participate in high-intensity workouts, you're probably 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.
"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 explains. "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."
6
Best Lightweight Option
Insoles Arch Support Insoles
Designed by a podiatrist, Samurai insoles are lightweight and offer supportive cushioning for people with all types of foot pain. These insoles feature a springy molded inner core that gives you bounce and support where you need it most.
"I am plagued by flat feet and work eight hours a day on my feet, so at the end of my shift I am feeling unbearable pain from my feet," one reviewer notes. "With these insoles inserted, I can barely feel any fatigue in my feet."
7
Best for Flat Feet
Sport Orthotic Inserts
These insoles are designed with arch support in mind, whether you have flat feet, 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 deliver maximum shock absorption and stabilizes your arches—and they're ultra-lightweight, too, making them ideal for running.
An Amazon customer raves, "I have flat feet, and these help align my feet, ankles, and legs like they should be. After you are used to the correct arch positioning of your foot, it is so comfortable and helps with my foot and knee pain."
8
Best Investment
Green High Arch Insert
Unlike other insoles on this list, this pair has a stabilizer cap that acts as a base to support the rearfoot. 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.
"I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet for over seven months now and have had multiple cortisone shots in each foot. If you are having significant heel pain, these will solve your problem over time," a reviewer says. "It has been pretty much the ONLY thing that has provided me relief."
9
Best Customizable Option
Plantar Fasciitis Insoles
These lightweight foam insoles can be cut to fit any shoe style, making them great for dress shoes and other unique shapes. The padding helps absorb shock with each step and redistributes pressure around the foot, making them great inserts for people who are prone to plantar fasciitis. They're also lined with a material that eliminates odors, are easily washable, and keep their shape (even after many wears).
"These insoles are outstanding," an Amazon customer says. "They have just the right amount of support literally everywhere, and are a very good value."
10
Best Short Insoles
3/4 Length Insoles
The unique three-quarter length of these gel insoles is ideal for squeezing them into almost any style of shoe. Reviewers love them for their super-cushy heels, which minimize heel strikes, and their sturdy arch support, which is especially helpful for anyone with plantar fasciitis.
"I would say I'm going to buy them again but at this point I don't know if I will ever need to," one Amazon shopper raves. "These work. I had bad plantar fasciitis and am a runner. I bought three pairs of these and, combined with physical therapy, these have fixed my PF."
Marygrace Taylor Marygrace Taylor is a health and wellness writer for Prevention, Parade, Women's Health, Redbook, and others.
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