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These Are the 8 Best Insoles for Heel Pain, Recommended by Podiatrists

Millions of people in the United States experience heel pain every year, with symptoms that range from mild and temporary to severe and chronic.

 Heel pain can be linked to plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of your foot, causing a sharp, localized pain in your heel. Overuse and repetitive stress can cause inflammation in the plantar fascia, and you may notice arch pain and swelling in addition to heel pain.

 Heel pain is sometimes induced by exercise or caused by wearing shoes without proper arch support and cushioning, according to Saylee Tulpule, a doctor of podiatric medicine at Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic in Silver Spring, Maryland. It’s also possible that having flat feet or high arches can play a role in developing heel pain, she says.

If you have consistent heel pain, you may find it difficult to do everyday tasks that require you to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Using insoles is one way to manage heel pain. We consulted with podiatrists on the best insoles for heel pain before choosing our top eight picks.

Dr. Landau recommends PowerStep insoles to many of his patients experiencing heel pain. These insoles are well made and closely resemble custom-made orthotics's ability to maintain a healthy foot position. Orthotics work by putting a foot that’s not in an ideal position into a neutral position where the foot isn’t leaning inward (pronated) or outward (supinated), he explains. PowerStep is the off-the-shelf brand he recommends while patients wait for custom orthotics or for patients who don’t require custom insoles, such as those who have mild heel pain or don’t have a notable foot deformity.

PowerStep orthotics balance cushion and support with their multilayered design. The semirigid middle layer provides arch support, the high heel cup cradles the heel and stabilizes the back of the foot, and the top and bottom foam layers cushion the entire foot. Compared with custom orthotics, which can range from $300 to $800 for a pair, PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles are more accessible for people experiencing heel pain.

 Since most insurance carriers don’t cover custom-molded orthotics, PowerStep is an alternative that can give a similar experience without the high out-of-pocket cost.

We chose Dr. Scholl’s Heel & Arch All-Day Pain Relief Orthotics as the best budget-friendly insoles for heel pain because these insoles can be found at most major retailers for less than $20 for a pair, making them the most affordable and accessible option on the list.

“Inserts are a game changer for those with heel pain,” says Brad Schaeffer, a doctor of podiatric medicine, the founder of Central Park Sole in New York City, and a Dr. Scholl’s partner. “They’re paramount to supporting your feet and getting relief for the heel.”

Dr. Schaeffer recommends Dr. Scholl’s Heel & Arch All-Day Pain Relief Orthotics to people with heel pain. The polyethylene pad and foam work together to reduce the shock and force that each step transmits to the heel, according to data provided by the brand. The arch support in these insoles have been shown to help relieve heel pain caused by heel spurs and plantar fasciitis as well as general arch pain, he says, a claim that we confirmed by reviewing clinical testing data provided by Dr. Scholl’s.

We like that these Dr. Scholl’s inserts work well with a wide variety of shoes, with a three-quarters foot length that doesn’t require trimming to accommodate different shoe styles. It’s worth noting that like many off-the-shelf insoles, Dr. Scholl’s typically need to be replaced after six months of wear.

While heel pain is often associated with heel spurs, a growth on the heel bone, heel spurs don’t typically cause pain. Instead, it’s most often a problem in the foot that created the heel spur in the first place that’s the actual source of pain. Often, heel spurs are caused by plantar fasciitis, and treatment can help relieve heel pain.

 These insoles feature arch support, full-foot cushioning, and padding that can help reduce the shock experienced by the heel.

“The foam cushioning provides comfort and protects the foot by absorbing impact,” says Schaeffer. “These are the game changers for me, taking the flimsy insert out of your shoe and inserting these over-the-counter solutions makes my patients happy and provides support in the plantar fascia and heel.” We appreciate the accessibility of these inserts, which can be bought over the counter at most major retailers.

We chose KidSole Orthotics Green Martian as the best insoles for kids because of the brand’s reputation for quality orthotics with flexible sizing for active and growing kids. These insoles have a deep heel cup, which can help prevent overpronation and supination. Heel cups may be effective in reducing heel pain related to plantar fasciitis because they provide extra protection to the tissues of the heel, lessening the impact when the foot comes in contact with the ground.

 These inserts have a firm arch for good arch support. Additionally, they offer a good amount of shock absorption, an important feature for kids who are active, participate in sports, and are generally on the go. Green Martian insoles come in sizes 11 to 2 and 2 to 6. This model specifically provides a moderate arch, but KidSole also offers options for kids requiring higher arch support.
One of the most common causes of heel pain in children ages 8 to 15 is Sever's disease. Sever's disease is inflammation of the growth plate in the heel, and it’s typically triggered by a big growth spurt.

 Sever’s disease is diagnosed by a doctor, who may recommend rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and a heel pad to treat the symptoms.

For heel pain in teens, we chose the KidSole Neon Fix Orthotic Max Arch Support as the best insoles for heel pain in teens because it provides high arch support while enhancing comfort using KidSole’s unique soft-step material made of medical-grade foam. This foam is paired with a firm arch to provide cushioning and absorb shock to help prevent pain. We also like the deep heel cup, which keeps the heel in a neutral position, and the extra cushioning for the heel.

While we chose this insert for teens, it would work well for kids of all ages, since it’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting with toddlers' size 5 and extending up to kids’ size 9. For kids and teens, sizing runs a bit differently. For these inserts, you can expect the kids’ sizes 4 to 6 to fit like an adult 4 to 7, while sizes 7 to 9 fit like an 8 to 10. These inserts come with a trim-to-fit guide to get the right fit for a growing and active teen.

We chose Superfeet’s All-Purpose Women’s High Impact Support insoles as the best insoles for women because this full-foot option features a slim heel and arch, which is more suited to the foot shape of most women. We love that Superfeet insoles are available in four sizes to suit a women’s 4.5 to 12, and can be trimmed to perfectly fit your shoe. These are thick insoles, with a medium-high arch, so they aren’t suited for use with dress shoes or flats, and they work best with shoes that have removable insoles.

According to Superfeet, these insoles are specifically designed for activity, so they’re great for hitting the gym, taking long walks, or keeping you comfortable at an active job. Combining foam with a structured heel and arch, Superfeet insoles balance support with cushioning to stabilize the foot while taking some pressure off the heel at impact.

We chose the Superfeet All-Purpose Support Medium Arch insoles as the best insoles for heel pain in men because of the extended sizing available. These insoles are available up to a size 15 and feature a uniquely designed heel that combines a stabilizer cap for support with a sculpted heel cap that helps absorb shock. These insoles have a medium profile and medium arch support, so they could work in a wide variety of shoes and may not require you to remove the existing insoles in your shoes for a good fit.

Superfeet’s All-Purpose insoles have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of approval, which means they’ve been evaluated by a group of podiatrists selected by the APMA to determine if the insoles promote foot health and align with safety and quality standards.

 This brand has more sizes than most trim-to-fit brands, with five sizes ranging from size 5.5 to 15. As a trim-to-fit, full-foot design, these insoles provide cushioning for your entire foot. Each pair is protected by a 60-day warranty and includes free shipping.
PowerStep Pulse Performance Insoles were designed with runners in mind. The top layer helps reduce heat and odor while also preventing friction. Under this top layer is PowerStep’s ShockAbsorb foam, which provides cushioning for feet in motion. The semirigid support below that cradles the heel and maintains a neutral arch, helping correct mild overpronation, which can contribute to inflammation of the plantar fascia.

For people with heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, arch support and a heel cup with added cushioning are recommended.

 Powerstep Pulse Performance insoles provide just that with a semirigid arch combined with foam to help the foot bounce back each time it hits the ground.
  • Brand Reputation We chose brands that have established reputations for creating high-quality and effective products with the help of podiatrists in product development and design.
  • Expert-Backed Research Before choosing the best insoles for heel pain, we consulted with podiatrists on what to look for in an insole. These experts advised on our choices and recommended some of the brands on this list.
  • Materials Used We looked for products that were thoughtfully made with quality materials known to improve the durability of the insoles while both cushioning and supporting the foot, such as polyethylene padding and foam.
  • Affordability Knowing that custom orthotics typically have a high out-of-pocket cost, we chose off-the-shelf options that are budget-friendly without sacrificing quality.

Treatment for heel pain typically begins with pain management using ice, oral medicine, and modified activity, according to Dr. Tulpule. “I also strongly emphasize shoe modification, such as wearing a pair of supportive house sandals or slippers and wearing athletic shoes more often, physical therapy, and biomechanical control in the form of orthotics,” she says.

While some individuals may require custom orthotics, others can find off-the-shelf options that help them manage their heel pain. Either way, Tulpule says that you should look for the same thing in both over-the-counter and custom orthotics: “They should be firm, have a deep heel cup for better motion control, and a moderate degree of arch support to protect the plantar fascia.” She adds that it’s a good idea to look for insoles that can be customized to fit athletic and dress shoes. Additionally, Tulpule recommends wearing athletic shoes the majority of the time, since these shoes provide more arch support and cushion.

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