10 Top-Rated Shoe Insoles, Thoroughly Tested and Evaluated

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At Shape, our efforts have been dedicated towards evaluating top-notch sneakers for various activities - from walking to standing and running and even beyond. However, we recognize the importance of what's in your shoes, which often has as much importance as the foam, cushion, and stability features of the exterior. 

Insoles, also known as orthotics, offer essential arch support, significantly aiding you in daily activities ranging from your day job to personal errands or hot girl walks, eliminating any associated pain. Insoles are common finds in sports stores, drug stores, or supermarkets. Insoles are those inserts put inside shoes to deliver additional comfort, support, cushioning, and stability to the feet," explains Sidney Weiser, podiatrist, DPM. Foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, and bunions could benefit from insoles or custom-made orthotics. Research further suggests that orthotics could potentially alleviate pain in areas like the lower back, hips, and knees. 

Orthotics could be a game-changer for anyone with these conditions. However, anyone could derive benefits from the extra arch support and cushioning provided by these inserts. Given their variety in the market, we embarked on testing 20 pairs for a collective 5,000 hours to facilitate your decision-making for an immediate shoe upgrade.

There's no better tactic in testing the comfort level and cushioning of an insole than putting it on and going for a run. This is exactly what we did. One of our runners experimented with these budget-friendly orthotics in her Hoka running sneakers and had an incredibly pleasing experience. They supported her entire lower body during her run, reducing fatigue in her calves, thighs, hips, and lower back. More importantly, these insoles prevented feet overheating. We confirmed that their use did not raise the temperature inside our shoes – a significant win. 

Although not a negative aspect, these insoles are not suited for those with high or neutral arches. They are designed for low arches, as validated by our testing procedure. 

Sizes: 5 to 12.5 | Materials: Polysorb polyurethane foam | Arch Height: Low

One of our testers, who frequently visits the gym and has extremely low arches causing her feet to roll inward as she walks and visits the gym, was initially skeptical of the generous arch support offered by Redi-Thotics. However, she quickly adapted to the feel of walking with some added support and soon fell in love with them. They gave her less back pain and an overall enhanced feeling of support after her one to two-hour weight training sessions. They also prevented her feet from pronating, which could potentially avoid injuries in the long term. 

The extra arch support positively impacted the gym. However, we felt that the extent of the cushioning and stability furnished by these insoles could be slightly exaggerated for casual home use. If you're in search of a more versatile insole seamlessly transitioning from one shoe to another, you'd possibly prefer to continue looking. 

Sizes: 6 to 12 | Materials: Foam | Arch Height: Flexible

Plantar fasciitis affects up to 15% of adults, extending pain from the heel bone to the toes. It's important to state explicitly that there's no "healing" insole for this complex condition. Still, plantar fasciitis insoles could alleviate some associated pain. We found that these insoles for plantar fasciitis largely mitigated the post-run pain typically experienced by us. The insoles also smoothly transitioned from our walking shoes to running shoes, providing solid support. 

While we had no particular comments on these orthotics, the newer versions of the Obōz O Fit Insole Plus seemed inferior and more flimsy compared with previous models, suggesting the need for more frequent replacements. 

Sizes: 5.5 to 12.5 | Materials: Foam, bamboo, charcoal, green tea extract | Arch Height: High

Let's face it: Sometimes, we want to cautiously approach a new wellness practice before full engagement. That's where these Spenco insoles become useful. At only $15, they offer comfort, support, and cushioning that won't burn a hole in your pocket. We found that using these insoles eased plantar fasciitis-associated pain. A runner noted that her runs typically result in pain at a scale of four or five, but with these shoes, that pain is reduced to a score of two or three. 

That said, these insoles lack sufficient cushioning. Due to their thin nature, they may not be suited to those seeking an ultra-cushy feel.

Sizes: 5 to 14.5 | Materials: SpenCore Material | Arch Height: Low

This pair of insoles is highly rated and bears the official seal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. These insoles have been found to provide excellent support for the foot, while also offering substantial cushioning. The comfort they provided over extended periods of walking was noticeable, with users expressing improved posture, as well as relief from back, hip, and knee discomfort. The insoles easily fit into all types of closed-toe footwear, offering a discomfort-free wearing experience.

Despite these advantages, their quality was found to be not quite as high as other brands, particularly in terms of the adhesive’s resilience. This brought the longevity of the insoles into question, despite the manufacturer's 12-month guarantee.

Available sizes range from 6 to 15.5, while the materials used are polyester. The height of the arch is high.

These versatile insoles are designed to accommodate many physical activities, including running, walking, weight-lifting, and even lounging. They were found to be particularly effective in soothing foot and knee discomfort, and bringing relief to those experiencing plantar fasciitis.

In spite of this, some users wished for a little more padding. This, however, is understandable given their affordability; these are not as layered as some of the more expensive alternatives.

The sizes offered range from 6 to 10. The material is rubber, with a flexible arch height.

A glowing endorsement was made by a Shape editor, who wore these insoles at a large-scale musical event. Despite the physical demands of such an event, she reportedly experienced no discomfort in her lower body. Her conclusion was that these insoles would be well suited to a typical workday.

The major downside was the difficulty in trimming these insoles to fit, due to their cork composition. However, this was seen as a minor inconvenience when compared to their overall performance.

Size availability runs from 5 to 12. The materials used are foam, cotton, and cork. The arch has flexible height.

The Superfeet Carbon Insoles are exceptionally supportive and comfortable, providing all-around cushioning, while maintaining breathability. They scored high in our quality evaluation, with the base layer of hard plastic and the foam feeling both luxurious and substantial.

A minor drawback, however, is their notable lack of height, giving them less bounce than other tried and tested insoles.

They are available in sizes from 4.5 to 14. The materials used are foam and plastic. The arch height is low.

Based on research, it is apparent that nursing professionals can walk as much as five miles in a 12-hour shift, which demands a high level of arch support. One of our testers, a nursing professional herself, evaluated these insoles on comfort, support, and pain relief. She reported a noticeable reduction in her chronic lower back fatigue, and a significant improvement in foot pain, associated with her high arches.

The only potential downside to note is that these inserts are not particularly breathable. For those seeking to use these insoles for extensive periods, it’s recommended to pair them with shoes that are mesh-topped to improve airflow.

These are accessible in sizes from 5.5 to 15.5, and are crafted from foam. The arch height is flexible and high.

We all yearn for the same level of comfort whether we're dancing with friends in heels or doing groceries in our casual attire—surely this isn't too much of a request? According to Vionic, it isn't. Their slim and adaptable insole seamlessly fits into your high heels, wedges and flats, ensuring you stay reasonably comfortable at parties or social gatherings. They are slightly slimmer than other tried insoles, making them an ideal choice for those with narrow feet.

However, these insoles are not principally designed for heavy workouts or long-distance strolls, and the limited cushioning might disappoint some users.

Available sizes: 4.5 to 12| Material: Polyurethane | Arch Height: Flexible

We put the insoles to test both in a controlled laboratory and real-world setting under the expert guidance of podiatrist Dr. Valencia. She walked us through an orthotic quality protocol involving a twist test for determining the insoles' flexibility, stability, and cushioning. Insoles that are highly flexible are best for cushioning while the ones that bend only at the toes provide the best overall stability and support.

Post the twist test, we inserted the insoles into our shoes and went for a relaxed treadmill walk to evaluate their feel, support, and cushion. Some even performed fitness exercises, like squats and jumps. Our assessment included a detailed anatomy review of the insoles by having carpenter Lory Henning dissect them, following which we completed a feedback survey and tested the insoles in a real-world scenario.

In our daily lives, we spent a combined total of 5,040 hours walking on these insoles. Our challenge involved walking in the insoles for a consecutive eight hours for five days, during which we observed if the orthotics increased our comfort, stability, and support. We made particular note of the ones that lived up to their promises of providing pain relief, cushioning, and shock absorption.

We gathered our observations after extensive walking and compiled this list.

The same attention and care you give when choosing your shoes should be extended to your insole purchase decision as well. To ease the process, we sought advice from Dr. Weiser on how to buy insoles.

Many might wonder if there's a difference between custom made and over-the-counter (OTC) insoles. Explaining the differences, Dr. Weiser says, "OTC insoles are mass-produced and intended to offer comfort and support to a wide range of foot shapes and sizes, while custom insoles are tailored to an individual's unique foot shape and support needs."

Although almost everyone could profit from the added arch support, cushion, and stability provided by insoles, orthotics significantly benefit those who are frequently on their feet like people in the medical, retail, and service industries. Dr. Weiser also suggests that people suffering from conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and heel or arch pain might find slipping orthotics into their daily footwear beneficial.

The term "arch support" has become trendy, but it infers providing balance, safeguarding bones, ligaments, and tendons, and limiting fatigue and pain in the entire lower body. Dr. Weiser clarifies that "[OTC] insoles are usually made of gel pads or foam. They do provide some degree of cushioning but don’t provide the lasting support that custom orthotics provide. Orthotics, on the other hand, are made of polyurethane material along with a cushion top cover to provide comfort and stability".

Keep in mind: The "bend test" can help establish the right insoles for your feet if you're opting for OTC ones. Insoles made from flexible materials provide ample cushioning, while an orthotic that bends at the toes is best for stability and support.

Kells McPhillips is a health and wellness writer based in Los Angeles. Her works have featured in revered publications like The New York Times, Well+Good, Shape, Fortune, Runner’s World, Outside, Yoga Journal, among others.

Sidney Weiser, DPM, is a podiatrist as well as the founder and president of Quality Podiatry Group in Boca Raton, Florida. 

Diana Levin Valencia, DPM, works at NYC Foot & Ankle. She is a podiatric surgeon focusing on both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for people with bunions, tendon dysfunction, flat foot, ingrown nails, and other podiatric conditions.