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If you’re suffering with heel pain, you’ll know how much it can impact your day-to-day life — from your ability to exercise and work to enjoying the simple things in life. But what actually causes this, and how can insoles for heel pain help? According to Mayo Clinic, foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, flat feet, and heel spurs can all be a source of pain in the heel.
The best way of diagnosing the root cause of your heel pain is to visit a podiatrist who can make a detailed assessment. A professional can advise on whether an over-the-counter shoe insert for heels will suffice, or whether you need more prescriptive treatment and a custom-made insert. The best insoles can help in a number of ways, such as supporting your arches to relieve pressure on the plantar fascia, helping with shock absorption and alignment issues (which can also help to address stress on the heel), and assist with the redistribution of pressure on the footbed.
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To put together our shortlist of the best shoe inserts for heels, we spoke to experts in the field, including Dr. Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, MD, Principal Investigator, Director of FARIL at Massachusetts General Hospital and Faculty of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School; Dr. Liza Egbogah, one of North America’s leading fascia and posture experts and founder of Dr. Liza shoes; and foot specialist Joanne Atkinson.
We also spent hours researching the top insole brands such as Dr. Scholl’s, New Balance, and Aetrex, while taking into consideration the hundreds of online reviews available and conducting our own product testing. We’ve considered a range of day-to-day needs, too, including insoles for work boots, supination insoles, and insoles for plantar fasciitis. Ahead, find the 12 best shoe inserts for heel pain.
Materials: Not specified
Special features: Supportive heel cup, three-quarter length design
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “They fit great, they’re very comfortable but most of all they work! I have not had any more heel pain since I started walking with them in my shoe.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $12
Materials: Polyester Polyethylene Polypropylene
Special features: Deep, wide heel cup
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
“They also feature great arch support so there’s less tension on the heel and high-density foam for shock absorption,” says Dr. Egbogah. “Many orthotic insoles offer too much cushioning to make the insole feel comfortable, and while all that cushioning and memory foam may feel great, they’re not helpful when it comes to treating plantar fasciitis or heel pain.” Dr. Egbogah notes that they also incorporate therapeutic features similar to what you’d get in a clinic with custom orthotics. “Thanks to these shock absorbing and supportive components these are helpful for all forms of heel pain,” Dr. Egbogah explains.
What testers say: “Worth every penny you pay for them… you think your feet and shoes are worn out but they put new life into both… and they make even old feet feel like new even in new shoes”.
Price upon publish date of this article: $55
Materials: Polypropylene
Special features: Designed to be trimmed, deep heel cup, high-density foam
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I can not rave about this product enough. I started waitressing and very quickly (after 12 hour days) got awful foot pain. Not typical soreness but pain due to lack of arch support as I had high arches. I purchased these and after an initial 2 days to get used to them/break them in when they felt too hard — I have had no soreness like I did before. I am able to be on my feet for hours at a time with no soreness and the size fits perfectly into my trainers. No smell is kept on the insole and it’s easy to give it a quick wash/scrub in the sink. Will absolutely be purchasing again when these wear out.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $55
Materials: CopperGuard® antimicrobial lining, Pro-Shox® polyurethane
Special features: Medial rearfoot post
What testers say: “These are the best orthopedic inserts. I have Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and can’t walk for long distances or stand in place for long. These have helped my endurance enormously and have kept the arches from collapsing.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $65
Materials: Gel
Special features: Cushioning layer, optimal arch support, deep U-cup heel, and shock-absorbing cushioning pads
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “These insoles have been a game changer for my new pair of work shoes. It took a minute for them to conform to my feet but now that they have they are so much more comfortable than the stock insoles. I would purchase them again!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
Materials: Suede top
Special features: Moisturewick, no trimming required, slim fit, slip-resistant edges
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “Great inserts! I bought these for a pair of dress shoes that had very little room for inserts and these fit perfectly. They are super comfortable and provide excellent arch support. They do take some getting used to as there is a break-in period but they are otherwise very comfortable.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $35
Materials: PX1 Shock absorbing material
Special features: Arch support, heel cup, shell feature supports the foot
What testers say: “Can’t recall how I came to know about these insoles but it was like winning the lottery for my legs and feet. Thought I was going to have to stop running until I discovered these insoles. Now…. I run longer. Thank you!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $50
Materials: Silicone gel
Special features: Shock absorbing support heel, contouring fit
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “As a first time buyer of heel cups and no idea of what to expect, these are awesome and easy to wear. Great fit with my sneakers and a great fit with my work boots. Very comfortable.. highly recommend”.
Price upon publish date of this article: $10
Materials: Foam
Special features: Semi-rigid polypropylene support shell, odor control
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “My adult daughter recommended these to me. I was very skeptical that they would help problems I have with walking and knee pain. I was wrong and they really do help. My daughter had gone to “Good Feet Store” and said they were very expensive, she did however look at their products. She went online to Amazon and found these inserts that she thought looked comparable to the ones in the store. She told me how well they worked for her. So I tried as well. Glad I did”.
Price upon publish date of this article: $40
Materials: Polypropylene
Special features: Low profile, available in larger sizes
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I have very flat feet, and these help a ton. I have tried a bunch of different ones and these have provided me with the best support. On my third pair now. However they are thin and hard, so if you’re looking for something soft to add cushion these aren’t it”.
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
Materials: Plastic
Special features: Adhesive backing, fits all shoes, raised foam cushioning, shock guard technology
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I got into running about a year ago, and a few months ago I really started to push myself, and I pushed so hard that I did something to the ball of my foot. For the past few months I haven’t been able to run, and it’s been painful to even walk… after taking my dogs for a walk around the block, my feet are on fire. Not anymore, though!!!! I don’t know why it took me so long to find these things, they are complete and total life savers! I was on my feet all day yesterday, and I was fine. Took my dogs on a super long walk today, didn’t hurt at all. They are simple and work very very well”.
Price upon publish date of this article: $10
Materials: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Special features: Deep heel cupping, semi rigid arch support, max cushioning, full-length footbed
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I’m on concrete between 8 to 12 hours a day and these inserts have been a foot saver! Several times before, I would have flare-ups of plantar fasciitis… Since wearing these has made my day alot more comfortable. No tired or sore feet anymore. Usually last about 6 to 8 months and well worth the low price compared to many that are over $29.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $11
What to Look for in the Best Insoles for Heel Pain
- Cushioning: If you have a foot condition such as plantar fasciitis, look for insoles that have padding at the heel. This will help to reduce the pain you feel in your heel as the impact will be reduced. However it won’t necessarily cure the root cause of the problem (particularly for overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, which also requires plantar fasciitis stretches and plenty of rest).
- Fit: “The insole should be specific to your foot condition, shape, and form,” explains Dr. Ashkani-Esfahani. “The insole should support the arch of your foot while distributing the load appropriately and offload and support the vulnerable areas of the foot.”
- Over the counter vs. custom insoles: “Insoles should be patient-specific and chosen based on every patient’s foot condition including shape, form, any pathologies in the feet, stance, and also type of activity,” says Dr Ashkani-Esfahani. The best way of getting to the root cause of your pain is by visiting a podiatrist who can examine your feet properly and advise on whether you need an over-the-counter or custom insole.
- Rigid vs. flexible insoles: A rigid insole is generally made from a material such as carbon fiber or hard plastic. These types of insoles are usually less comfortable than a flexible one, but they are designed to offer extra support and stability for those with more severe foot problems. Flexible insoles, however, are designed to bend and move with your feet, so they’re suitable for a wider range of foot conditions.
How Do You Know if You Need Shoe Inserts for Heel Pain?
We’ll say it again — if you’re suffering with heel pain, you should make an appointment with a podiatrist. These foot specialists will be able to examine your feet in detail and get to the bottom of what’s causing your pain. “Other than natural fatigue, heel pain can be caused by the abnormal position of the foot, malalignment, and abnormal position of the ankle and the foot,” says Dr. Ashkani-Esfahani. If you already know the cause of your heel pain, you should buy an insole suited to your condition.
How Often Should You Wear Insoles for Heel Pain?
In short, you’re cleared to wear your insoles on a daily basis to manage your heel pain and to help correct the underlying cause of it.
Dr. Ashkani-Esfahani says that appropriate insoles should always be worn when walking, jogging, running, and during any activity that puts weight on the feet. “Appropriate insoles can keep the feet in anatomical and natural form and support the feet and ankle against malposition-caused injuries, ankle sprains, stress-induced injuries and fractures, and also wounds and traumas, particularly in patients with reduced sensations.”
How We Selected the Best Insoles for Heel Pain
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To create this round-up of the best insoles for heel pain we spoke to three experts, including a podiatrist and two foot specialists. We also spent hours researching into the market to find out which brands were the most popular and effective, while taking into consideration hundreds of online reviews. As our writer also suffers with heels pain and plantar fasciitis, we also have included brands she’s tested herself. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, MD, is a Principal Investigator, Director of FARIL at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Faculty of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Liza Egbogah is one of North America’s leading fascia and posture experts. She is also the designer and founder of Dr. Liza shoes, a fashionable line of orthopedic shoes. She’s also a manual osteopath, chiropractor, myofascial release therapist, and guest lecturer at OCAD university. She has a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and clinic honors from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, a diploma in manual osteopathic practice and also holds a Pharmacology degree with distinction from the University of Alberta. Dr. Liza is an award winning manual therapy expert, media contributor, speaker, human centered designer and a member of Harvard’s post graduate association.
Joanne Atkinson is a foot specialist owner of ifoothealthcare, who has over 30 years of experience in the foot care industry.
Meet the Author
Cat Hufton is a London-based journalist who has written for some of the world’s best luxury e-commerce companies and publications, including WWD, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie. Hufton is an avid online shopper and has tested hundreds of products during her career giving her a keen eye for what’s worth your hard-earned dollars and what’s not. Hufton wrote this story on the best insoles for heel pain using her extensive knowledge in the space.
