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Walk for hours with the support of these comfy shoe inserts. shoe insoles arch support
Nothing is worse than being stuck in an uncomfortable pair of shoes. Whether your walking shoes just don’t feel right or your cute flats lack support, an orthotic insole can help alleviate some of the strain on your feet and add extra cushioning or arch support. Not only are orthotic insoles fairly affordable and super easy to slip into your shoes, but they’re a great choice for those with various conditions such as flat feet, high arches, bunions and more.
The product analysts and fiber scientists at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab test all sorts of gear for your feet, from the most comfortable shoes for women to effective recovery shoes for after a hard workout to dress shoes made for long days at the office. To narrow down the best orthotic insoles, we reviewed each one for materials and specs and partnered with podiatrists and orthopedists to assess the construction of some of the picks below. We also asked consumer testers to try several of the insoles while exercising to evaluate the amount of arch support, comfort, fit and more. Our selections below are based on testing notes of models we've been hands-on with, feedback from consumer testers and our many years of expertise evaluating footwear.
After checking out our top picks, continue reading to learn more about the various insole styles recommended by Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist of City Podiatry in NYC, to help you find the right ones for you.
These orthotic insoles from Walk Hero are Amazon best-sellers with over 58,000 rave reviews. Great for running, hiking, walking and everyday use, these insoles are designed to be very supportive with a deep heel cup and arch support that helps reduce foot fatigue, overpronation and discomfort. Available in a wide range of options, these insoles start at a women's size 6 and go all the way to a men's 16 with three different color choices. We especially like that they're affordable, but we advise changing them regularly (at least every six months) if you participate in high-impact activities.
For less than $10, these orthotic insoles are some of the most affordable you can find. They feature a firm arch plate, which is designed to provide excellent stability and arch support as you move around. Meanwhile, a deep heel cup should keep your feet in proper alignment to prevent end-of-day foot pain. Several reviewers mention they like that their slim design enables you to use them with your shoes' original insoles, but also point out that the 3/4 length can feel too short.
A more controlling insole is best for people with flatter arches, according to Dr. Sutera. These insoles are made with EVA foam and PU material for full foot support. With over 12,000 five-star reviews, Amazon reviewers love how they keep their feet in proper positioning to avoid any additional stress, and many mention how helpful they were with alleviating plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Some reviewers do point out that these run on the wider side and may not be the best choice for narrower shoes.
Dr. Sutera recommends using an orthotic insole that has a deep heel cup when you have plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes heel inflammation and associated pain. Fortunately, Dr. Scholl's designed a specific insole for those who suffer from this condition featuring a deep heel cup, arch support and a full-length cushioning gel footbed. Nearly 30,000 Amazon reviewers have given these insoles a perfect five stars for making uncomfortable shoes wearable again, though some mention that these didn't have quite enough arch support.
Related: The Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes, According to Experts
This 2023 Good Housekeeping Fitness Awards winner stood out for being customizable, meaning that you can trim the insole itself to fit your shoe perfectly. Made for both walking and running, these are a great choice for anyone with lower arches or flat feet that need extra support from their shoes. Our testers were impressed by how much comfort they added, as well as how easily they slid into their shoes. According to the brand, these should last up to a year or 500 miles of use before needing to be replaced.
Dr. Sutera specifically recommends Spenco insoles for those with high arches, as they're known to be supportive and shock-absorbing. She notes that because these insoles are made from foam, they should be great at providing cushioning and much-needed support, though some online reviewers wish they had even more support. Other reviewers love that these insoles last through everyday use while staying in peak condition.
Bunions can be very painful and sensitive. Dr. Sutera recommends using a 3/4 length insole such as this style by Vionic to avoid any irritation. We like that these are easy to insert (just place them on top of your existing insole) and that they're constructed with nylon for durability. They're not intended for running, according to the brand, and Vionic recommends replacing these orthotics only once every year (while most other brands require more frequent changes). GH Textiles Lab analysts love Vionic shoes for being comfy while also stylish, and also highly recommend their recovery sandals.
Designed for athletic shoes and sneakers, this 2023 Good Housekeeping Fitness Awards Winner (and 2022 Winner, too) is a great choice for fitness enthusiasts seeking a bit more cushioning, increased comfort and impact absorption during their workouts. “They added extra support to the arch of my foot while I was running as well as working out,” said one tester, while others described the insoles as “cloudlike.” Some reviewers mention that the insoles, however, squeak while walking or running in them.
If you train frequently or participate in high-intensity sports like soccer, chances are you've burned through the insoles that came with your sneakers. To maintain proper form and support, update your insoles to a pair that can withstand the abuse like these thin yet strong orthotics by Superfeet. Because of their thinness, reviewers love how well they fit in all athletic shoes. Their design is, however, best suited for slim-fitting athletic shoes such as spin shoes or cleats.
Heels will never be as comfy as a pair of walking shoes since they’re not designed to keep your feet in proper alignment, but these insoles can help make them more tolerable. Created specifically for high heels and made from a soft foam material, these orthotic insoles help take some of the pressure off your forefoot while providing arch support. Just attach them inside your favorite pair of heels, but be aware that the cushioning does take up some space inside the shoe so these may not be suited for pairs that are already very tight-fitting.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have been testing footwear for decades. To test orthotic insoles, we evaluate each pair for materials, specs and design. We've partnered with podiatrists and orthopedists to review the construction of insoles, and we send our consumer testers home with orthotic insoles to evaluate each pair for comfort, arch support, fit and other feedback while exercising. Our selections above are based on our years of Lab expertise as well as testing notes for insoles we've gotten hands-on with.
The difference between insoles, orthotics and orthotic insoles can be confusing. While insoles are a general term for the entire category, orthotics typically refer to medically prescribed devices by a podiatrist tailored to an individual's specific foot needs. Today, the term orthotic insole is used to more broadly describe products designed to help alleviate a certain foot issue or pain.
“Different people, feet, shoes and activities require different materials,” says Dr. Sutera. What works for one person may not work for another. Because there isn’t a one type fits all insole, consider your foot shape, medical history and end use before purchasing, as these factors can dictate which material is best.
Here are Dr. Sutera's shopping tips to find the most comfortable pair for your feet:
• For high arches, look for a softer insole made with foam or gels.
• For bunions, shop for 3/4 length insoles to give the forefoot more space.
• For flat feet, consider a more structured insole made with neoprene or EVA.
• For plantar fasciitis & heel spurs, look for an insole with a cupped heel and arch support.
• For metatarsalgia, a full-length insole with lots of gel cushioning in the forefoot is best.
Yes! Dr. Sutera recommends removing the insole that comes with the shoe and fully replacing it with the orthotic insole. Putting the insoles on top of each other can make the shoes ill-fitting, uncomfortable and possibly even morepainful than before.
The only exception to this rule is if the specific insoles state that you can use them with your existing insoles, which may be the case with ultra-thin insoles or ones that are a shorter length.
✔️ Sizing: Before walking around in your insole, make sure that it fits properly inside your shoe. Insoles that are too long or too wide will bunch, which can be extremely uncomfortable. If you want a custom fit that's tailored to your shoe, consider trimmable insoles.
✔️ Arch support: Whether you have flat feet or high arches, make sure that your insoles properly support your arches. Though a perfect fit (i.e., when the insole arch lines up with your foot's arch) is never guaranteed with over-the-counter orthotic insoles, your insoles should ultimately feel both supportive and comfortable while being worn.
✔️ Cushioning: Orthotic insoles typically provide extra cushioning for your feet thanks to foam or gel material. For the most comfortable fit, look for cushioning that's located at the ball of your foot.
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been a leading expert on footwear. Senior Textiles Product Analyst, Emma Seymour, oversees Lab and consumer tests for a variety of footwear and fitness products, including orthotic insoles, walking shoes, running shoes, hiking shoes and more. With a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience, particularly focused on athletic wear.
GH Institute analyst Olivia Lipski closely collaborated with Seymour to update this guide based on the Textiles Lab's most recent testing data. As someone who suffered from bunions on both feet for years, she’s a huge advocate for supportive insoles and finding the best footwear to reduce pain and increase comfort.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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