These 10 Podiatrist-Approved Insoles Help Relieve Plantar Fasciitis (2024)

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Key Specs

Material: Urethane foam, ethylene vinyl acetate | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Neutral

Why We Recommend It

The Obōz O Fit Insole Plus II checked all of our boxes for comfort, stability, arch support, pain relief, and breathability. While advertised to fit hiking boots, we found they worked well in our running shoes. The insoles cradled and supported our feet without making them sweat or accumulate extra moisture.

The deep heel cup cushioned the impact of running, leaving us with less overall pain and fatigue in our calves, shins, hips, and lower back. The insoles also fit seamlessly into our sneakers and were more comfortable than the insoles that came with them.

Keep In Mind

If you have a high arch or prefer firm support, these insoles may not work as well for you.

Key Specs

Material: Polypropylene, foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High

Why We Recommend It

If you have flat to low arches and notice your feet turn inwards while walking, Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles are a good choice to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. Although our flat-footed editor who tested these insoles initially felt a bit of soreness, she loved how quickly they molded to her feet and even noticed less lower back pain after wearing them.

These insoles fit easily inside most shoes and get extra points for breathability. After sweaty workouts, we noticed less moisture than usual on our socks, so we especially recommend them for physical activities like hiking, running, walking, or going to the gym.

Keep In Mind

These insoles could take some getting used to. Diana Valencia, DPM, a podiatrist at NYC Foot & Ankle Center in Manhattan, recommends wearing them for an hour daily until soreness disappears.

Key Specs

Material: Nylon | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Low

Why We Recommend It

During testing, the added cushion in the Spenco Rx Comfort Insoles dramatically reduced pain associated with plantar fasciitis. The extra cushion provided great shock absorption and decent arch support, making walking easier (and more comfortable). They also performed exceedingly well when traveling long distances—we didn’t experience irritation, blisters, or break-in periods even on 10-mile runs.

The insoles are available in seven sizes and are easy to trim for a better fit. They also come with a one-year unconditional guarantee, so deciding to try them is a no-brainer.

Keep In Mind

The insoles are green and black, so they won’t work in a pair of sandals or open-toed shoes.

Key Specs

Material: Polyester, polysorb polyurethane foam | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Medium

Why We Recommend It

Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles instantly made our running and walking shoes more comfortable. The forefront cushion and extra heel support mitigated the shin and knee pain we sometimes feel from our plantar fasciitis after a long run. The insoles even helped alleviate lower back soreness from a long day on our feet.

Spenco designed these cross-trainer insoles to prevent injury caused by high-impact sports like running, tennis, basketball, and weightlifting. They slip easily into most athletic shoes and are made with a neoprene-like polyester.

Keep In Mind

The insoles are thicker in the heel than the front and may take some time to adjust. They work best if you remove the insole inside your athletic shoe.

Key Specs

Material: Polyurethane foam, polyurethane gel heel and metatarsal pad | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High

Why We Recommend It

Shoes with poor arch support can contribute to heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Luckily, the EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles had strong arch support and extra cushioning when we wore them. We loved how this pick felt—the gel pads in the toe and heel areas were comfortable, and we appreciated how easy it was to trim the insoles to fit our shoes.

After testing them in flat walking shoes, supportive running shoes, and regular sneakers, our feet felt amazing, and our lower back was pain-free. A nice perk: you don't have to keep them if they don't work for you. The insoles come with a 12-month warranty and a 90-day return policy.

Keep In Mind

The bottoms of these insoles are made with hard thermoplastic polyurethane, making them less breathable than others we tested.

Key Specs

Material: Carbon fiber and polymer blend, closed-cell foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Light

Why We Recommend It

Superfeet Carbon Insoles are made with a reinforced carbon fiber stabilizer cap in the rear of the insole to cradle and support the heel, where pain and swelling from plantar fasciitis often occur. This design allowed us to walk longer and farther without foot pain during testing.

These insoles felt lightweight, and we loved how our feet sank into the foam, making our shoes more comfortable from the get-go. The thin design also makes them great for low-profile sneakers and daily wear.

Keep In Mind

You may not like these insoles if you prefer a thicker insole or need more substantial arch support.

Key Specs

Material: High-density foam | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: High

Why We Recommend It

Superfeet Green Insoles are made with high-density foam to support and stabilize high arches. The deep heel cup is reinforced with durable rubber for maximum comfort and support for plantar fasciitis. They were easy to wear, even after being on our feet in previously uncomfortable shoes.

Their slim, low-profile design allowed us to slip the insoles into several types of shoes without trimming them to fit. As a bonus, they come in small and kid sizes. They’re also durable and made to last through everyday wear up to 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first.

Keep In Mind

Although these insoles provide plenty of support for your arches, they don’t provide as much cushioning as other options.

Key Specs

Material: Polyurethane | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Not listed

Why We Recommend It

Finding a supportive and cushioning insole for plantar fasciitis that alleviates foot pain and fits discreetly inside dress shoes and heels can seem impossible, especially if you have narrow feet. However, Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insoles provide exactly those qualities.

Slipping these insoles into our much-loved, worn-out walking shoes made them feel brand new. We also appreciated the thin, flexible design, which made the insoles easily transfer between shoes. We loved that we could wear different shoes to the office daily while still reaping the benefits of these insoles.

Keep In Mind

These insoles run small and may not fit the length of your shoe. They may also not work for wider feet.

Key Specs

Material: Organic cotton, foam, cork | Heel cup: Deep | Arch support: Not listed

Why We Recommend It

Fulton's The Athletic Insoles are made of cork and mold to the shape of your foot within about 10 hours of wear. They are comfortable and supportive for people with plantar fasciitis regardless of whether they have flat feet or high arches. Once broken in, these insoles kept our feet and knees pain-free, even after a long night of dancing.

The insoles were durable and long-lasting, and we really loved how they molded to a tailored fit on our feet. We also tested the insoles without socks and liked that our feet stayed fresh and didn't retain odor.

Keep In Mind

The strong support could take getting used to. If you find them uncomfortable, try wearing the insoles every other day until your feet adjust.

Key Specs

Material: Foam | Heel cup: None | Arch support: Flexible

Why We Recommend It

Dr. Scholl’s Prevent Pain Lower Body Protective Insoles are great for better posture. When we wore them, the extra cushion and support in the heel helped us stand straighter and taller while alleviating the pain associated with our plantar fasciitis. We felt less pressure on the front of our feet, which helped us stand and walk comfortably for longer periods.

These budget-friendly insoles gave our shoes new life and kept our feet nice and cool. They’re FSA and HSA eligible and come with a 90-day warranty; if you don’t love them, it’s easy to find another pick that’s just what you need.

Keep In Mind

Most of the cushioning is in the heel, so if you need stronger arch support, you should opt for a different insole.