Insoles for plantar fasciitis quick picks
Expert-favorite insoles: PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles
Budget-friendly insoles: Airplus Plantar Fasciitis Orthotic 3/4-Length Shoe Insoles
Heavy-duty insoles: Spenco Polysorb Insoles
Insoles with arch support: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Orthotic Insoles
Size-inclusive insoles: Valsole Heavy-Duty Support Pain Relief Orthotics
You thought you were doing all the right things for your podiatric wellness, like investing in comfortable and well-fitting footwear, giving yourself ample rest days and treating your feet to massage therapy every so often, but when that all-too-familiar twinge on the bottom of your foot hits, it’s time to invest in some insoles for plantar fasciitis.
Before you start shopping, though, Paul Macaulay, a senior podiatrist in private practice in Singapore and creator of @paulthepodiatrist, says it’s best to determine which kind of plantar fasciitis you have: tensile or compressive. He says tensile plantar fasciitis “benefits from stiffer support to offload strain on the plantar fascia,” while compressive plantar fasciitis “requires treatment similar to a bruise, using heel cushioning or gel heel cups for relief.”
To determine which category you fall under, he recommends scheduling an assessment with a podiatrist. “Using a softer insole or a shoe for tensile plantar fasciitis could worsen the condition,” Macaulay says.
Now that we’re ready to rock, let’s look at what to consider and what your options are when it comes to the best insoles for plantar fasciitis.
The best insoles for plantar fasciitis
Saylee Tulpule, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist at Foot & Ankle, recommends PowerStep Pinnacle insoles for their unmatched support, cushioning, shock absorption, firmness and durable materials that help them mitigate pain from the likes of plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and knee pain. They’re designed to be easy to transfer from shoe to shoe, allowing you to experience foot relief no matter the pair you’re choosing for the day.
While these three-quarter-length insoles for plantar fasciitis won’t cost much more than a cup of fancy coffee, they will get the job done at a fraction of the price of other models. Elements like arch support, a gel insert at the heel and a cushioned foam shell help reduce strain along the plantar fascia for more pep in your step and less overall daily pain.
Need some serious assistance in alleviating plantar fasciitis pain? Tulpule calls out Spenco for making some of the best insoles around. This pair is best suited for making the act of standing on hard surfaces more tolerable, thanks to its shock-absorbing heel pads and crash pads made of cushioning EVA foam at the forefeet m.
Optimize the alignment of your foot and ankle with Tulpule’s other top pick, these Revitalign insoles. With their 360-degree heel cups and gel heel pads designed to reduce shock and optimize comfort and gait, these are a solid choice in your quest toward pain management when you have compressive plantar fasciitis.
Boasting the stiff support you’ll need to help manage tensile plantar fasciitis, these durable and space-friendly insoles are a walker’s dream. Not only do they boast firm arch support to cradle the plantar fascia but they’ve got deep heel cups loaded with gel to absorb shock. You’ll love that their half design won’t overcrowd your shoes either, leading to overall happier feet with more room to roam.
Instead of waiting for your exact size to become available in stock, grab these Tulpule-approved trim-to-fit insoles in a slightly larger size than your usual that you can then easily trim to your desired fit. You can’t ask for much more when it comes to proper insole for managing plantar fasciitis pain, like heel cups and stabilizers to reduce impact, moderate arch height to suit a range of foot types and moisture-wicking materials for odor control.
If there’s one brand worth trusting with your foot pain, it’s Dr. Scholl’s. Step into these orthotic insoles for ultimate plantar fasciitis relief, thanks to arch support to alleviate pressure on the plantar fascia, shock-absorbing heel cups and a full length of foam cushioning for maximum all-day comfort.
It’s no secret insoles tend to add yet another layer of bulk to your footwear, something your sweaty feet might not need. This expert-approved pick has you covered with its ethically sourced Portuguese cork material, which feels breathable against bare feet. “For off-the-shelf options, my top recommendation is Stryda Soles,” Macaulay says. “These insoles mold nicely to the foot and are stiff enough to provide the necessary support for the plantar fascia.”
Wedge
“Addressing overpronation with a supination wedge in a custom insole can significantly reduce strain on the plantar fascia and achieve excellent results,” Macaulay says. This three-pack features both medial and lateral heel wedges to address not just plantar fasciitis but Achilles tendonitis, pinched nerves, heel pad syndrome and even knee and hip deformities.
Thanks to their strong arch support and shock-absorbing technology, these heavy-duty insoles work wonders preventing your plantar fascia from overstretching, leading to nagging pains with each step. They’re designed specifically to reduce pain and fatigue for folks weighing over 220 pounds.
What to look for in insoles for plantar fasciitis
Arch support
Macaulay says you want your insoles to boast proper arch support in order to redistribute pressure across the foot. This helps correct biomechanical issues like overpronation (inward rolling of the foot and ankle), which can worsen the condition.
Firm design
When we think of insoles, we typically think of adding pillow-like structures to our shoes for added comfort. In the case of plantar fasciitis, it’s best to opt for an alternate route, Tulpule says. “To provide structure and support to the midfoot and control overpronation,” she recommends looking for firmer insoles.
Deep heel cups
Tulpule says insoles with deep heel cups help promote shock absorption while providing cushioning, which can all assist with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.
Compatibility
Not all insoles are compatible with all shoes. Tulpule recommends opting for full-length sport orthotics to pair with your athletic shoes and thinner designs for dress shoes. She also recommends looking for shoes that feature removable insoles so you can easily swap them out for those that are better suited for your unique condition.
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by podiatrists Dr. Paul Macaulay and Dr. Saylee Tulpule.
Shoes play an important role in supporting the plantar fascia. Athletic shoes with proper arch support, cushion, a firm midsole, a deep heel cup and adequate shock absorption are some of the best types of shoes to wear to treat plantar fasciitis. Brands to look for include Brooks, Asics, New Balance, Hoka, On and Altra.
Insoles stabilize the plantar fascia by offering adequate arch support, which can prevent overpronation, control the biomechanics of the foot and gait, offer cushioning to reduce inflammation to the ligament at the heel insertion point and promote shock absorption to reduce stress and microtrauma.
Yes, it’s generally recommended to remove the existing insoles and replace them with your plantar fasciitis insoles to free up space and ensure a proper fit.
Meet our experts
We consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on the best insoles for plantar fasciitis.
- Paul Macaulay, a senior podiatrist in private practice in Singapore and creator of @paulthepodiatrist
- Saylee Tulpule, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
The writer of this article, contributing editor Marissa Miller, has 15 years of experience testing and reporting on all things health and wellness, while also serving as a certified personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise with a specialization in orthopedic exercise. For this article, she spoke to two podiatrists to gain their professional insights on how to choose the best insoles for plantar fasciitis.
