Overview of Heel Pain
About 58% of Americans experience heel pain at some point in their life.
However, it takes months to resolve heel pain with proper medical care. In the meantime, a good insole provides arch support and softens the impact of every step. In choosing the best insoles for heel pain, we paid attention to the materials, the rigidity of the insole, and more factors that you, too, should take into consideration.
How We Chose the 7 Best Orthotics for Heel Pain - Selection Criteria
In choosing the best orthotics, we paid attention to several factors. First of all is the rigidity, as a good insole should provide support to the sole of your foot and its arch. We also paid attention to their durability, as a good insole should be able to last you for at least 6 months with everyday use. On top of this, we looked at insoles that can be molded to your food or cut out to work with your shoe size - to ensure you get the best possible fit.
Our Top Picks
Best Orthotics for Feet and Knee Issues - Dr. Scholl’s Lower Body Protective Insoles
Rating:
Looks 5/5 Price ⅘ Comfort 5/5 Overall Value 4.5/5
Why We Like It
This is a high-quality insole that is also one of the cheapest insoles for heel pain treatment. The insole improves your posture and brings long-term relief, which is not something many of them do. The product has a 90-day warranty and keeps your feet cool.
It’s Worth Noting
Dr. Scholl’s Lower Body Protective Insoles work by putting your foot in the best possible position and taking extra weight off your knees. The change is reflected further up the pelvis and the spinal column, bringing instant relief and less pain within the first three days. They are flexible and made of foam and rubber, so they are perfect insoles for boots.
Product Details
- Available Sizes: Men’s 8-14 and Women’s 6-10
- Flexible arch support
- Shock-absorption
- Low price
- FSA and HSA-eligible
Best for Narrow Feet - Vionic Slimfit Orthotics
Rating:
Looks 3/5 Price 4/5 Comfort 5/5 Overall Value 4/5
Why We Like It
These insoles are very flexible and discreet and are perfect for closed, summer footwear or any kind of low-profile shoes. They are made specifically with narrow feet in mind and can be easily transferred to different shoe types. This is the best choice if heavy footwear tires your feet after a few hours.
It’s Worth Noting
Vionic Slimfit Insoles are the best insoles for women and men with narrow feet. These insoles address the problem at its root: by providing proper support to the entire foot, they reduce pain over time. The insoles are narrow and slim and have a rubberized base to prevent slipping in footwear. They are the best insole for shoes and runner’s shoes as well.
Product Details
- Available Sizes: Men’s 3.5-11 and Women’s 4.5-12
- Polyurethane material - easy to wash
- Low profile - made for flat shoes, runner’s shoes, and summer footwear
- Flexible design
- Rubberized base - no slipping
Best Insoles for High Arches - Superfeet All-Purpose Green Insoles
Rating:
Looks 4/5 Price 4/5 Comfort 5/5 Overall Value 4.3/5
Why We Like It
These insoles provide comfort and rigidity for everyday use. They can help with heel pain, and their slim design means that there is ample room left in the shoe for your foot. They can be cut, but they come with no perforation and the green color that they come in may not be the best solution for everybody. They are intended for closed footwear.
It’s Worth Noting
Superfeet All-Purpose Green Insoles are insoles developed by professionals. They offer strong and rigid support that is sure to last for more than 6 months of everyday use. You can trim them to fit your shoe size and the company makes regular, 1% donations to volunteer organizations.
Product Details
- Deep heel cup
- Hugh arch
- Helps reduce odors
- High-density foam for shock absorption and reduced wear over time
Best for Flat Feet - Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles
Rating:
Looks 3/5 Price 4/5 Comfort 4/5 Overall Value 3.7/5
Why We Like It
These insoles are slim, so they can fit into most of your footwear. They are good for both sporting activities and general, everyday use. The insoles are firm and absorb shock during walking and running. The bottom layer is not rigid but rather made of foam which helps with improving comfort.
It’s Worth Noting
Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles are very affordable, but they do have their shortcomings. The lower layer is made of foam for increased comfort, but the wear and tear adds up over time - these insoles can be cut to fit your footwear and we like that the most rigid point is right under the arch of the sole - meaning extra protection against heel pain.
Product Details
- Cooling effect
- Pedura-HD foam
- Rigid heel support
- Unisex design
Best Insoles for Running - Superfeet Run Support High Arch Shoe Inserts
Rating:
Looks 4/5 Price 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Overall Value 4.7/5
Why We Like It
This is a decent product. We love the rubberized lower layer of the insole, as it provides anti-slip properties. This is not something many models offer. The model can be trimmed, but there is no perforation. They come in a variety of sizes. The height of the arch may take some time to get used to, but it provides good comfort. Due to the height of the arch and the rigidity, we do not recommend them for prolonged running sessions.
It’s Worth Noting
Superfeet Run Support High Arch Shoe Inserts offer added stability to the wearer. They used to be known as RUN comfort, so different websites may display different names. The model can be trimmed, as there is very little rigid plastic. They come in a wide variety of sizes and advanced materials were used in their making - resulting in moisture-wick properties and reduced odor.
Product Details
- Available Sizes: Men’s 2.5-15, Women’s 4.5-14
- Moisture wick
- EVOLyte carbon fiber cap
- H.I.T. Pod disperses
- Trim to Fit
Best for Walking All Day - Superfeet Casual Pain Relief Insoles
Rating:
Looks 4/5 Price 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Overall Value 4.7/5
Why We Like It
These insoles are perfect for everyday use and prolonged standing. They offer additional protection for your heel that is removable so that you can enjoy different heights of the insole depending on the footwear you choose for that day. When it comes to rigidity, the model outperforms the majority of others we have reviewed.
It’s Worth Noting
Superfeet Casual Pain Relief Insoles are the perfect solution for your everyday needs. The orthotic support for all arches and arch sizes means that some adjusting may be necessary, but the model comes with three different arch sizes. If you are starting with flat feet or arches, you will need to upgrade gradually and give your feet time to get adjusted.
Product Details
- Available Sizes: Men’s 2.5-13, Women’s 4.5-14
- Forms to your foot
- Reduces friction
- No hot spots
- Added heel stabilizer
Best Moldable Insoles - PowerStep Pinnacle Heat Moldable Insoles
Rating:
Looks 5/5, Price 5/5, Comfort 4/5 Overall Value 4.7/5
Why We Like It
This is the only moldable model we actually liked. It is intended for hikers and those seeking extra strong arch support. The model is unisex and provides great comfort. It is made of polyester, so some users may experience extra warmth in the area, but they are also very easy to wash and provide great sole support.
It’s Worth Noting
PowerStep Pinnacle Heat Moldable Insoles is intended for those who are on the move - hikers and similar sportsmen. They offer neutral arch support and good rigidity. The lower layer may be a bit slim, so we do not advise those with wide feet to purchase these insoles.
Product Details
- Available Sizes: Men’s 4.5-15, Women’s 6-12
- Pain Relief Features
- Neutral Arch Support
- Rigid Shell
- Improved Heel Stability
- Narrow-Foot Design
What Makes the Best Insoles for Heel Pain
Choosing the best insoles for heel pain does not only depend on the size, the reviews, and the materials. All these factors should be taken into consideration, but also some of your personal factors. Let’s consider the sole, arch support, and some things that you should avoid.
The Sole
The perfect sole of an insole or a shoe insert should be thin and have some shock-absorbing features. Usually, it is foam materials and rubbery bases that are a good solution. Thick soles provide extra support but may make your feet cramp in the shoe and cause other issues over time.
Arch Support
Good arch support is essential in the insoles. With good arch support, you can walk and stand for longer without your foot getting too tired. However, too high of support may cause some pain and discomfort, especially if your foot is not used to insoles, so we recommend starting slowly and building up.
Things to Avoid
When looking at insoles, always approach them with caution. Headings that are too flashy may be untrue and prices that are too low may indicate very short-lasting products. All-plastic or all-polyester insoles may be easy to wash but pose risks to odor formation and yeast infection development. Rubbery, foam, and cotton materials are always the best.
Final Considerations
As most Americans experience heel pain at least once in their life, the importance of taking good care of your feet cannot be overstressed. As it takes months to resolve the issues with heel pain, we also recommend you wear extra support insoles even when you are feeling well and have healthy feet. Always choose insoles based on your needs and general condition and do not opt for the cheapest product you can find.
META DESCRIPTION:
Switch out the worn-out insoles in your shoes for a new pair - and take a step into life with no heel pain
