Anyone who has ever felt the sharp, stinging pain near their heel due to plantar fasciitis knows how much it can impact the enjoyment of one’s life. It's hard to believe, yet 80% of heel pain situations are caused by plantar fasciitis.
But we have some good news for you!
Putting the top plantar fasciitis insoles into your favorite shoes can help relieve that horrible morning pain. The right product will elevate your foot's arch, reducing strain on the plantar fascia and facilitating its healing while preventing more inflammation.
Given the wide variety of insoles available, we put the top 7 pairs through our rigorous testing and analysis process to determine which ones work best for various foot types. Below are the selection criteria, essential product details, and pros and cons of each insole.
Overview of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a very common medical condition in which the plantar fascia, an essential tissue in your foot, gets inflamed. The inflammation causes sharp heel pain. Usually, this pain is unbearable in the morning, especially when you take your first morning steps.
There are many causes of plantar fasciitis, including:
- Your foot structure
- Shoe type you use regularly
- Type of surface you walk on
- Excessive running
- Intense sports activities
- Overuse of certain wrong foot positions, etc.
Selection Criteria
For someone suffering from plantar fasciitis, selecting insoles is not a piece of cake. You cannot randomly scroll and choose the best-looking insoles.
To make things easy for you, we have created in-depth selection criteria to come up with the best products available. Our selection of plantar fasciitis insoles is based on the following:
- Cushioning: A critical factor in preventing stress and reducing the impact on plantar fascia.
- Arch support: It is vital to check the product can bear your weight and offers the best support to your foot arch structure.
- Comfort level: Insoles are meant to take your pain and stress away. Hence, if the product itself is discomforting, it fails.
- Ideal shoe fit: Dealing with plantar fasciitis is about ideal fitting and support. The product is useless if the insoles do not fit inside the show perfectly.
- Stability: Stability in your footwear is critical. Whether it is about the shoes or insoles, a stable product will provide the best care.
- Overall quality
- Value for money
Our Top 7 Picks - Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, these are the top 7 insoles that we recommend most:
- Best Overall: Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles
- Best Budget Friendly: Sof Sole Plantar Fascia 3/4 Insole
- Best Cushioning: Spenco RX Comfort Insole
- Best Arch Support: EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles
- Best Podiatrist-Approved Insoles: Superfeet All-Purpose Green Insoles
- Best For Body Posture: Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotics
- Best Fitting: Fulton Athletic Insoles Women's
1. Best Overall Orthotic for Plantar Fasciitis:
Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles
Rating
- Comfort 5/5
- Support 5/5
- Pain Relief 5/5
- Value 5/5
- Quality 5/5
Why We Like It
As soon as you place the Polysorb Cross Trainer Insole in your shoes you’ll feel the instant relief. They passed our testing in all challenging activities and proved to be the best option with cushioning, support, stability, fit, arch support, and overall quality.
Along with soft, comfy support, they help by reducing discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis in the feet, knees, and back.
The best thing about these insoles is that the user can customize the fit by cutting them to their shoe size. Finally, the insoles come with additional heel padding at the heel.
With Polysorb Cross Trainer Insole, you can comfortably stand, walk, stroll, or train for longer periods. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about excessive sweating or overheating.
Product Details
- Sizes for Women: 5-14.5
- Sizes for Men: 4-15.5
- Materials: Nylon
- Cushioning and arch support: High
- Price: Less than $30
2. Best Budget Friendly Orthotic for Plantar Fasciitis:
Sof Sole Plantar Fascia 3/4 Insole
Our Rating
- Comfort 4.5/5
- Support 4.5/5
- Pain Relief 5/5
- Value 4/5
- Quality 4.5/5
Why We Like It
What we like the most about these insoles is their affordability. In this price bracket you have an ideal comfort, arch support, stability, firmness, and pain relief from plantar fasciitis. The gel heel cup provides soothing comfort and stability while you walk and run.
If you are someone who spends a longer period on foot, Sof Sole insoles will provide ideal arch support while stretching plantar fascia exactly the way it wants!
They will go with your boots, sneakers, and nearly a variety of athletic shoes.
Product Details
- Sizes for Men: 7-13
- Materials: Nylon
- Cushioning and arch support: Medium to high
- Price: Less than $30
3. Best Cushioning Orthotic for Plantar Fasciitis
Spenco RX Comfort Insole
Our Rating
- Comfort 4/5
- Support 4.5/5
- Pain Relief 4.5/5
- Value 4.5/5
- Quality 4/5
Why We Like It
This product instantly provide pain relief by exactly supporting fascia tissue with the help of ideal cushioning. You get an extra supportive cushion which works ideally for shock absorption. With this pair of insoles in your daily wear or running shoes, walking and running get pain-free.
The best part is you don’t have to worry about blisters even if you plan to go on a 10-mile walk. The breathability is just amazing!
You enjoy a 12-month unconditional guarantee and 7 sizes to pick the ideal one. The only thing to remember is that they lack heel cups and the color might not look great in open-toed shoes or sandals.
Product Details
- Sizes for Men and Women: comes in 7 different sizes
- Materials: Nylon
- Cushioning and arch support: Medium and low
- Price: Less than $15
4. Best Arch Support Orthotic for Plantar Fasciitis:
EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles
Our Rating
- Comfort 5/5
- Support 5/5
- Pain Relief 5/5
- Value 4.5/5
- Quality 4/5
Why We Like It
If you are looking for the best arch support along with comfort and cushioning, EasyFeet insoles are the best!
The product comes with gel pads placed at the toes and the heel area for maximum support. Whether you work out daily, enjoy long-running or walking sessions, or do an 8-hour outdoor shift, this product will provide excellent support, comfort, and breathability; especially if you have high arches.
The deep heel cup adds an extra layer of support and comfort. Though they are on the expensive side of our list, the price is totally worth it!
The only concerning thing is that EasyFeet Insoles are not for flat feet or low arches. The design of the product will become uncomfortable as it is built for high arches.
Product Details
- Sizes for Men and Women: Comes in 6 different sizes
- Materials: Polyurethane, Polyurethane Foam, Polyester, Thermoplastic Polyurethane
- Cushioning and arch support: High
- Price: Less than $40
5. Best Podiatrist-Approved Orthotics:
Superfeet All-Purpose Green Insoles
Our Rating
- Comfort 5/5
- Support 4.7/5
- Pain Relief 4.3/5
- Value 4/5
- Quality 4/5
Why We Like It
Superfeet Green Insoles offer stability, shock absorption, and support to high arches along with a deep heel cup for comfort. It is a good product for medium to high arches and fits in any type of shoe. The high-density foam is the key component of these insoles followed by a variety of sizes, even for kids.
Overall, it is a great pick for stability, support, and comfort if you are a regular runner. However, it is on the higher side when it comes to price brackets.
Product Details
- Sizes for Men and Women: Comes in 8 different sizes
- Materials: Polyester, Foam
- Cushioning and arch support: Low and Medium
- Price: Less than $60
6. Best For Body Posture:
Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotics
Our Rating
- Comfort 4.8/5
- Support 4/5
- Pain Relief 5/5
- Value 5/5
- Quality 4.8/5
Why We Like It
Dr. Scholl’s Insoles for plantar fasciitis are another great option if you are looking for posture improvement along with pain relief and comfort. During the testing period, the insoles provided amazing cushioning and stability to the heel area in various shoes. The product helped in standing taller and straighter along with support during prolonged walking or running sessions.
Being one of the best affordable options on the list, Dr. Scholl’s Insoles will keep your feet cool and comfortable without trapping any odor or moisture. The best part is that this product is FSA and HSA-eligible and comes with a 3-month warranty.
Just keep in mind that these insoles are built for maximum cushioning and not maximum arch support.
Product Details
- Sizes for Women: 6-11
- Sizes for Men: 8-14
- Materials: Foam
- Cushioning and arch support: High and low
- Price: Less than $20
7. Best Fitting:
Fulton Athletic Insoles Women's
Our Rating
- Comfort 4.9/5
- Support 5/5
- Pain Relief 5/5
- Value 4.8/5
- Quality 4.5/5
Why We Like It
What we liked about this product is that Fulton's The Athletic Insoles will adjust according to your foot structure within 10 hours of wearing. At first, it might feel uncomfortable but with time, these insoles will hug your feet like they both were meant to be together!
No matter if you have flat feet or arched, these insoles are ideal for any kind of discomfort due to plantar fasciitis. They offer ideal support and comfort, and the material is durable. Even without socks, your feet will stay fresh and odor-free.
Product Details
- Sizes for Women: Comes in 15 different sizes
- Materials: Cork, organic cotton, foam
- Cushioning and arch support: Low
- Price: Less than $60
Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis - What to Know
When you are choosing a pair of insoles to treat plantar fasciitis pain, there are some important points to remember. Below you will find the list of vital points that will help you choose the best products:
- Size: The insoles will go into your shoes so ensure the size is ideal as per your shoe size or the product comes with a trimming option to fix it better.
- Foot Type: Before you buy any insoles, take a look at your feet and determine what type of feet you have. Are they flat? High arched? Choose the product accordingly to avoid any future discomfort.
- Material: Insoles are made to fit in your shoes ideally. That is why, synthetic material is used majorly to provide the ideal flexibility. But make sure the material is breathable and does not trap any moisture.
- Heel Cup: Choose a product that comes with a deep heel cup. Because the only support that will prevent further plantar fasciitis inflammation is the one provided to the heel area.
- Cushioning: Another important factor is to look for ideal and balanced cushioning. If it is too soft, you will not get the desired comfort and relief, but if it is too hard, the pain will increase, rather than decrease.
- Arch Support: Plantar fasciitis insoles are meant to support your arch for utmost comfort during walking, standing, or running sessions. If there’s no such support, your plantar fasciitis will get worse.
