Sunday, June 8, 2025

6 Finest Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis in 2025


When a full footwear overhaul isn’t within the playing cards, strive one of the best insoles for plantar fasciitis as an alternative. That throbbing sensation in your heel could make you wish to burn all of your pinchy, stabby sneakers and decide to a lifetime of buying at orthopedic specialty shops (if that’s the case, we’ve got a number of strategies which might be cute and supportive). However a easy insert is likely to be all it takes to assist your ft really feel a little bit higher.

Insoles that’ll relieve plantar fasciitis ache are inflexible and durable. They need to have a deep heel cup and a form that matches the arch of your foot, Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at St. Vincent’s Medical Middle in Hartford, Connecticut, tells SELF. We requested podiatrists which of them may give new life to the less-than-supportive sneakers which were gathering mud at the back of your closet—discover their favorites beneath.

Our prime picks

  1. Finest General: Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles, $45
  2. Finest for Knee Ache: OrthoFeet OFG Ladies’s Orthodic Insoles, $50
  3. Finest for Excessive Arches: Superfeet Inexperienced Skilled-Grade Orthotic Inserts, $55
  4. Finest Finances Decide: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Sized to Match Ache Aid Insoles, $25
  5. Finest for Working Sneakers: Fulton The Athletic Insole, $52
  6. Finest Heel Cup: Armstrong America Gel Heel Cups Plantar Fasciitis Inserts, $20

On this article

Store one of the best insoles for plantar fasciitis

In search of some foot ache reduction? It doesn’t get a lot simpler than slipping some new orthotics into your sneakers. Take a look at our favourite insoles for plantar fasciitis beneath.

Finest General: PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles

Powerstep

Pinnacle Insoles

A number of podiatrists have really helpful PowerStep insoles to SELF. In addition they have a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA), which means consultants agree they help the well being of your ft. We just like the Pinnacle Insole particularly for plantar fasciitis as a result of it has a comfortable, well-cushioned heel cup, for some further padding the place plantar fasciitis ache most frequently crops up. There’s additionally a foot-cradling arch that also has some give, so the only real will comply with your foot’s motion with each step.

This model is supposed for impartial arches. However PowerStep additionally makes insoles for excessive arches and low arches, so you’ll be able to select your greatest match. For the reason that Pinnacle isn’t the thickest insole on our checklist, it’s extra versatile—it ought to simply match into your sneakers, costume sneakers, and extra.

Sizes: US 5–5.5 to 13–13.5 | Supplies: Polyester, plastic, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) | Odor-resistant: Sure

Finest for Knee Ache: OrthoFeet OFG Ladies’s Orthodic Insoles

OrthoFeet

OFG Ladies’s Orthotic Insoles

“Our ft expertise 5 instances your physique weight with each step, and this could influence different joints as nicely,” Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist primarily based in North Carolina, beforehand instructed SELF. “With out correct alignment, help, and shock absorption, added stress might be placed on the knee joint, resulting in ache, damage, or added put on and tear.”

Due to their cloudlike cushioning and adjustable help, these insoles ought to assist ease knee ache. Should you’re in search of a extra vital curve in your insoles, simply add the included arch booster below the orthotic for a better profile. When your shoe sufficiently helps your arches and absorbs the influence of your steps, you’ll discover much less stress in your knees and heels.

Sizes: US 5–12, medium, broad, extra-wide | Supplies: Foam | Odor-resistant: Sure

Finest for Excessive Arches: Superfeet Inexperienced Skilled-Grade Orthotic Inserts

Superfeet

Inexperienced Skilled-Grade Orthotic Inserts

Superfeet’s common insoles are additionally APMA-accepted, and we’ve heard in regards to the model’s Inexperienced inserts from a number of podiatrists firsthand. They’re thick and agency, however nonetheless have some cushioning—you’ll get a pleasant stability of construction and luxury. This type is made for increased arches, so in case you discover that almost all insoles lack the construction and peak that your midfoot wants, they’re positively price a strive.

Sizes: US 4.5–6 to 12.5–14 | Supplies: Plastic, foam, polyester | Odor-resistant: Sure

Finest Finances Decide: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Sized to Match Ache Aid Insoles

Dr. Scholl’s

Plantar Fasciitis Sized to Match Ache Aid Insoles

This pair from Dr. Scholl’s is a superb starter choice—or if you wish to buy a number of pairs and nonetheless have money leftover for a little bit deal with. Nicholas Japs, DPT, a bodily therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Middle in Bridgeport, Connecticut, beforehand really helpful them to SELF due to their shock-absorbing design. He defined that they might help cut back pressure in your ft, for all-day consolation.

One factor to notice is that these inserts aren’t very stiff, since they’re solely made of froth and rubber (in line with Dr. Piekarska, this combo gained’t present sufficient construction for everybody). After we examined them out, we seen that they have been extra inflexible below the arch, however fairly versatile within the forefoot and heel. Which means, in case your physician or podiatrist recommends a sturdy insole with a number of help, this may not be the suitable pair for you.

Sizes: US 5.5–6 to 13.5–14 | Supplies: Rubber, foam | Odor-resistant: Sure

Finest for Working Sneakers: Fulton The Athletic Insole

Fulton

The Athletic Insole

Fulton’s Athletic Insoles have tons of footwear inexperienced flags. Their supportive arches and deep heel cups assist stabilize your ft and forestall your heels from shifting.

In addition they have a sturdy cork layer for shock absorption and a wider forefoot, to make your run extra comfy (and extra enjoyable!). Plus, our reviewer famous they match seamlessly into her go-to Asics sneakers.

Sizes: US 5–14 | Supplies: Cork, foam, cotton | Odor-resistant: Sure

Finest Heel Cup: Armstrong America Gel Heel Cups Plantar Fasciitis Inserts

Armstrong America

Gel Heel Cups

Carla Gamez, DPM, a podiatrist at Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, beforehand instructed SELF that gel heel pads might be helpful for plantar fasciitis in case you’re in search of reduction from acute ache in that space. (Simply remember that they gained’t add any arch help, which Dr. Piekarska says is important if you need a long-term answer.)

These are designed to suit into most sneakers, together with excessive heels, and are available in packs of three pairs, so you’ll be able to follow your Oprah impression whereas doling them out to your sneakers. (You get an insert! And you get an insert!).

Sizes: Small/medium and huge | Supplies: Silicone | Odor-resistant: No

FAQs about plantar fasciitis and insoles

What’s plantar fasciitis, and what causes it?

As SELF has beforehand reported, plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs alongside the underside of your foot, turns into infected. It usually appears like a stabbing ache in your heel, however it will possibly additionally trigger arch ache and discomfort in your Achilles tendon.

Plantar fasciitis is often brought on by doing high-impact actions, standing or strolling for lengthy intervals of time, or carrying unsupportive sneakers, Dr. Piekarska says. Tight calf muscle mass, flat ft, and fallen arches will also be contributing elements, Jared Gremillion, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at Holston Medical Group in Bristol, Tennessee, tells SELF. These situations might put extra pressure in your plantar fascia, which may trigger irritation.

Can insoles assist alleviate plantar fasciitis ache?

Insoles might be extremely useful for folks with plantar fasciitis, Dr. Piekarska says. “Good inserts work by supporting the structure and basis of your foot, and meaning your plantar fascia too,” she says. She provides that correct help might help tackle among the stress and irritation that causes plantar fasciitis.

Dr. Gremillion recommends attempting an insole earlier than shopping for a complete new shoe. Sneakers made with plantar fasciitis reduction in thoughts are typically fairly expensive, whereas inserts with related options are much less of an funding.

How do you break in an insole?

As soon as you discover the suitable insoles, Dr. Gremillion says it is best to take your time breaking them in. “Orthotics will alter how your foot absorbs shock, in addition to the vary of movement of a number of joints throughout the foot. Should you instantly put them in your sneakers and proceed with regular exercise, your ft will seemingly be extra painful within the quick time period,” he says. He recommends you begin by carrying them for a pair hours. After the primary few days, you’ll be able to regularly enhance your put on time. In about two weeks, it ought to really feel comfy to put on your new insoles all day lengthy.

What do you have to search for when shopping for insoles for plantar fasciitis?

Dr. Piekarska says that customized insoles made by your podiatrist are one of the best route for actually customized consolation—however you’ll be able to definitely purchase some off the rack. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” method to insole buying, Dr. Gremillion says, since everybody has completely different wants relying on their foot form and shoe preferences. However there are nonetheless some key options that can set a high-quality OTC insert other than the remainder.

First, it must be considerably inflexible. That can present sufficient construction to stop your plantar fascia from straining or overstretching, Dr. Piekarska says. And, in line with the Mayo Clinic, good arch help might help distribute the stress of your physique weight extra evenly throughout the underside of your foot, to present your heel some reduction.

Keep away from insoles which might be solely manufactured from gel or foam, or ones that declare to have a “cushioned arch.” These will likely be too flimsy or squishy to correctly help your foot, Dr. Gremillion says. He recommends squeezing the insole’s arch to see if it collapses below stress. If it does, it would in all probability additionally shrink below the load of your physique. Search for one which stays agency whenever you do the squeeze check.

Each Dr. Piekarska and Dr. Gremillion emphasize the significance of a deep heel cup. When paired with an arch peak that matches the form of your foot, it will possibly make the insole extra supportive by controlling your foot’s vary of movement. That helps forestall overpronation (a.ok.a. when your ankles roll inward as you stroll), which may pressure your plantar fascia if it isn’t addressed.

Dr. Gremillion provides that that is the a part of the insole that ought to have further gel and cushioning. Simply remember that whereas cushioning within the heel might be good for fast, gentle reduction, inflexible arch help must be your precedence in case your ache is power.

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