Best womens shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis

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Insoles are footwear heroes. Whenever your favorite pair of shoes start to lose some of their bounce or comfort, you can simply swap out the worn sock liner and drop in a new insole, instantly amping up the support and cushioning you need without shelling out for a new pair of kicks. They’re also great to put in new shoes to start out on the right—you guessed it—foot.

Our top pick, the Superfeet Green Insole, does a fantastic job of improving a shoe’s comfort, bounce-back, energy transfer, and support for most travelers and sports enthusiasts. But some insoles also have condition-specific applications to help align your feet in their proper position and combat foot pain that may originate from flat feet, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, bunions, or other aches in the knees, back, or ankles.

Most of today’s insoles employ high-quality foam cushioning, semi-rigid arch support with the right degree of flex, and antibacterial outer layers that help fend off odors. To find the best insoles, we received guidance from Dr. Alex Kor, DPM, MS, and fellow of both the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons. We also honed in on products tailor-made for people who spend all day on their feet, want to upgrade their go-to hiking footwear, suffer from supination, or have wide feet and high arches.

These are the best insoles of 2022:

Why We Love It: The Green Insoles offer an inexpensive solution for those who want a near-custom orthotic fix. 

What to Consider: The high arch support may not resonate with some users.

Of all the insoles in Superfeet’s extensive line of products, the Green Insoles was one of the first, and it still receives accolades today for good reasons. It boasts a deep heel cup that cradles the back of your feet to work with your body’s natural cushioning for max support, along with a stabilizer cap that extends to the mid-arch to deliver structure and stability to the foam layer at the mid-foot. High-density foam lines the length of insole for durable comfort that’s rated to last for 12 months or up to 500 miles, and a natural odor-control coating cuts down on the creation of stinky bacteria. Just swap out your shoe’s sockliner, and slip it in—it can be trimmed to fit your shoe size and is made for roomy to moderately-fitting footwear. 

Price at time of publish: $55

Sizes available: Little Kids’ 13.5-2; women's 4.5-6/kids’ 2.5-4; women's 6.5-8/men's 5.5-7; women's 8.5-10/men's 7.5-9; women's 10.5–12/men's 9.5-11; women's 12.5-14/men's 11.5-13; men's 13.5-15; men's 15.5-17 | Level of arch support: High

Why We Love It: Reasonably priced and targeted to fit smaller ranges of shoe sizes, the O FIT Insole Plus II is a solid option to upgrade your worn-out outdoor footwear. 

What to Consider: A modest arch support may not be enough for some.

Shoe-maker Oboz generated so many loyal fans of their O FIT Insole Plus II, which comes in most of their shoes and boots, that they decided to sell the product on its own. Ready to make your old footwear feel like new, it employs Adaptive Cushioning Technology in the forefoot to lessen foot strike impacts, with cushioning pods at the heel and forefoot to combat foot fatigue. The new version also comes with Cleansport NXT odor control and a cool new topography-inspired graphic. 

Price at time of publish: $35

Sizes available: Women's 5.5-6.5; women's 7-8; women’s 8.5-9.5/men's 7-8; women's 10-11/men's 8.5-9.5; women's 11.5-12.5/men's 10-11; men's 11.5-12.5; men's 13-14 | Level of arch support: Medium

Why We Love It: The low-friction top cloth in the Polysorb Heavy-duty Insoles helps reduce blister-causing friction, an antimicrobial cuts down on lingering scents, and the price is approachable. 

What to Consider: For casual use, it may be overkill.

Built with polysorb polyurethane foam at the arch and heel, the Polysorb Heavy-duty Insole from Spenco is designed to provide the max shock absorption and energy return for day-long comfort while navigating hard surfaces. A 4-millimeter layer SpenCore Material lines the entire insole for out-of-the-box comfort, while a “drop zone” provides an efficient toe-off to promote a healthier stride, and ample cushioning at the strike zone reduces the pressures at the forefoot to better support your arches. 

Price at time of publish: $24

Sizes available: Women's 5-6.5/men's 4-5.5; women's 7-8.5/men's 6-7.5; women's 9-10.5/men's 8-9.5; women's 11-12.5/men's 10-11.5; women's 13-14.5/men's 12-13.5; men's 14-15.5 | Level of arch support: High

Why We Love It: Designed to provide relief to aching feet plagued with bunions, the Comfort Plus Insoles hit the sweet spot for comfort, support, and breathability. 

What to Consider: The volume of this insole may not be ideal with minimalist shoes.

It’s right there in the name—Redi-thotics’ Comfort Plus Insoles are designed to provide plush relief to tired feet and those with bunions. The integrated “met pad” helps reduce pain associated with metatarsalgia and improve stability without adding bulk. The low-profile design fits most shoes, while a Polypro layer provides support under the arch, metatarsals, and heel. Arch support comes from a polypropylene shell that’s robust and comfortable, while the upper layer utilizes a breathable Barrettex fabric that’s anti-microbial and -bacterial. 

Price at time of publish: $59

Sizes available: Women's 6-7.5/men's 5-6.5; women's 8-8.5/men's 7-7.5; women's 9-9.5/men's 8-8.5; women's 10-10.5/men's 9-9.5; women's 11-11.5/men's 10-10.5; women's 12+/men's 11-13; men's 13.5-15 | Level of arch support: Medium

Why We Love It: Inexpensive and suitable to fit most shoes and work boots, the Orthotics for Arch Pain will help fight foot fatigue endured by those with flat feet. 

What to Consider: The 3/4th-length makes it easy to fit most shoes, but some people may want a full-length insole.

People with flat feet typically endure arch pain due to the excess strain on that body part, and Dr. Scholl’s aptly named Orthotics for Arch Pain focuses specifically on providing relief, with extra arch support to reduce aggravation to the tendons and ligaments. That protection is buoyed by Shock Guard technology to absorb impacts without sacrificing much energy transfer. All that means that your sightseeing days just got a lot more comfortable. 

Price at time of publish: $14

Sizes available: Women's 6-10, men's 8-12 | Level of arch support: High

Why We Love It: The Pinnacle will instantly provide pain relief from plantar fasciitis and other foot pain, and it includes a top odor-control fabric to cut back on heat, friction, and sweat. 

What to Consider: It might be too much support for people who don’t suffer from chronic foot pain.

Created specifically to relieve and prevent pain from plantar fasciitis as well as shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and other foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back pain, PowerSteps Pinnacle Insoles provide a firm-but-flexible contoured neutral arch support with a deep heel cradle. That pairs with two layers of cushioning from heel to toe to lessen impacts and provide constant relief from foot pain. Designed to align the feet to avoid pain from mid to moderate pronation, these insoles are frequently recommended by podiatrists to combat plantar fasciitis, and the exact-fitting, full-length insole means there is no trimming to fit your shoe size required. 

Price at time of publish: $31

Sizes available: Women's 5-12, men's 3-16+ | Level of arch support: High

Why We Love It: Exact sizing and an ample width in the Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics Arch Support Insoles assures an optimal fit, with solid arch support and plenty of EVA cushioning. 

What to Consider: The overall volume is a bit high, so it may not work for small shoes.

Those with wide feet know that finding suitable shoes for day-long explorations can be a challenge, and these insoles can be a game-changer. Built with a wide footprint, the Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics Arch Support Insole from Walk Hero employs a deep stabilizing heel cup to prevent your foot from rolling inward, maintaining the ideal foot position while you’re walking, running, or standing. A semi-rigid anatomical arch support system further reinforces foot alignment and provides the right mix of flex and support. And the EVA foam absorbs shock for optimal cushioning from heel to toe without sapping energy transfer. Bonus: The insole also has a top fabric that’s antibacterial to control odors, and tailored to prevent blisters and reduce friction. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Sizes available: Women's 6-14.5, men's 4-16.5 | Level of arch support: High

Why We Love It: The Workpro-EDS Insoles are the comfortable, pain-free way to be stuck on your feet all day, and the sizing takes both foot size and arch type into account. 

What to Consider: For more casual uses, it may be overkill.

Anyone who has a job that requires them to be on their feet all day knows all too well the fatigue your feet feel when it’s time to call it quits. But if you outfit your footwear with Curex’s Workpro-EDS Insoles, relief can be found. Curex has integrated all the must-haves for a durable set of orthotics, including ample shock protection, anti-static cushioning at the strike points to prevent foot pain, solid arch support, and an anatomical structure that encourages adaptive stability while you’re moving.

Price at time of publish: $50

Sizes available: XS-XXL | Level of arch support: Variable (low, medium, high)

Why We Love It: In addition to providing some much-needed relief while wearing heels, the Airpufs also come in a variety of cool patterns, from Italian marble to houndstooth to Wonder Woman, each one hand-printed in Singapore. 

What to Consider: The adhesive does eventually wear out if you continually swap them from shoe to shoe.

Consider the Airpufs to be your stealthy way to own wearing a pair of high heels without so much as a wince of pain. These soft, ultra-thin insoles are made from a hypoallergenic foam designed to absorb the pressure of impact. The adhesive insole can be trimmed to fit most profiles, and they also stop your feet from sliding forward. They pack in a few key features, including an antibacterial treatment to fend off odors and a bit of breathability to keep your feet cool.  

Price at time of publish: $38

Sizes available: One size | Level of arch support: None

Why We Love It: Built with some of the most performant materials available, the Carbon Insoles max out the comfort and support without adding bulk or weight. 

What to Consider: It’s designed to integrate with slim-fitting athletic footwear like running shoes, cleats, and bike shoes.

Built with a carbon fiber stabilizer cap that runs underneath, Superfeet’s Carbon Insole provides some of the strongest support you can find for the rear foot, which helps keep your feet properly aligned to combat supination. This works with a modest heel cup that optimizes shock absorption, while lightweight, high-density, closed-cell foam throughout the length of the insole amps the comfort without adding volume. It also has a wider-than-average forefoot with a beveled edge, so it works well with all types of footwear, including shoes with wide toe boxes. Perforations at the forefoot aid with circulation, and an all-natural odor-controlling coating cuts back on bacteria. 

Price at time of publish: $60

Sizes available: Women's 4.5-6/Kids 2.5-4; women's 6.5-8/men's 5.5-7; women's 8.5-10/men's 7.5-9; women's 10.5-12/men's 9.5-11; women's 12.5-14/men's 11.5-13; men's 13.5-15 | Level of arch support: Low

Tips for Buying Insoles

Understand what insoles are

This is how Kor explains it: “The word ‘insole’ means something different to healthcare providers versus the lay public. To me, as a podiatrist, the word ‘insole’ means an over-the-counter, spongy, rubbery, cushioned, [and] relatively inexpensive insole that fits on top of the shoe's sock-liner. The best advice to purchase this type of insole is to make sure that it is comfortable, fits full-length within the shoe and it is not too thin or too thick.”

For this round-up, we focused on another type of insoles, over-the-counter orthotics and inserts, because it has the widest applications, a more approachable price point, and enough variations to accommodate a range of uses and pain-prevention from existing conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and other foot, ankle, and knee issues. “These types of ‘insoles’ are generally more supportive, slightly more rigid than the cushioned insoles, but should be comfortable,” Kor says. “A majority of these over-the counter inserts will fit well in an athletic or gym shoe after removing the shoe's original insole."

“The third type of ‘insoles’ are the custom-made orthotics made from a cast or a computer scan of a patient's foot. Because they are custom made, they can be made of any material, any size, any thickness, any length, etc.,” he added.

Decide what kind of support you need

If you’re looking to upgrade the comfort and support of an old pair of shoes or boots and don’t suffer from something like flat feet, high arches, or plantar fasciitis, you can go with a general insole, which provides an even mixture of arch support and more cushioning throughout the insole.

But if you’re on your feet all day, go with one that provides lots of arch support and plenty of cushioning to help combat foot fatigue. And if you suffer from an existing physical condition (flat feet, high arches, supination, bunions, plantar fasciitis), look for an insole that’s designed to help alleviate any pain you may experience. These also typically align the feet to stand in the optimal position, have a bit more rigid arch support, and can provide serious relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I clean insoles?

  Most insoles come with a top layer that’s treated with antibacterial fabric to help cut back on any sort of lingering odor, so you don’t need to clean insoles that often. But if they get dirty, you can wash them by hand with a bit of soapy water, and then rinse with water and let them dry thoroughly before putting them back in your shoes or boots.

• How long do insoles last?

  Just like with shoes, the half life of a pair of insoles will be largely be dictated by the quality of the materials. Carbon fiber, for example, will provide more support for longer than lesser materials, but, in general, you should consider replacing your insoles when you start to feel that the cushioning has compressed considerably, which means you’ll feel the impact of foot strikes. You also want to swap out your insoles when the arch support starts to sag. Some brands, like Superfeet, indicate that their insoles are rated to last for 12 months or up to 500 miles, but that might vary depending on your weight (the heavier you are, the quicker the materials degrade from a performance perspective) and the types of activities you engage in (runners will need to swap out their insoles sooner than a casual traveler).

• How should insoles fit?

  Most insoles run the full length of your feet and slide into your shoes once you’ve removed the existing sock liner, though a few models provide support only to the balls of your feet to avoid adding extra volume. In general, you want the insole to fit flush against the bottom of the inside of the shoe, with no gap or hot spots at the toe. The heel should be cradled comfortably, and nothing should slip, slide, or move about. Sizing varies by manufacturer, but most fit a range of styles (sized for men's and women’s shoe sizes), and some can be trimmed down to fit if your shoe size falls between two options.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Nathan Borchelt has been writing, reviewing, and testing outdoor products for decades, with a special focus on outdoor and travel footwear. He tested several products and evaluated all of them on the key features of an insole—the level and flex of the support, the arch volume, level of cushioning, breathability, ease of application, and whether or not it had features like anti-odor treatments. The materials were also considered to account for how long the products would last, and the sizing structure of each insole evaluated, especially on insoles that help with a particular medical condition like bunions and plantar fasciitis. Expert recommendations and verified customer input was also taken into account.

Up Next: The Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Travel

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