The 9 Best Insoles for Heel Pain

Let’s be honest: 

Heel pain can completely ruin your whole mood and destroy your productivity. 

No matter what you do, that stabbing pain just doesn’t seem to go away. 

But what if we told you, that the miracle you’ve been looking for are insoles? And not just any insoles.  

These are designed specially to cushion your heels and take away all that heel pain. Just imagine having to wake up and start running, walking or working without having to worry about suffering from heel pain. 

So, for that exact purpose, we have created a list of some of the best heel pain insoles in the market. And after that, you have access to a special customer’s buying guide that will help you recognize your feet better and pick the perfect insole for you.  

So, if you’re ready, let’s go: 

The Best Insoles For Heel Pain (Updated) – My Top Picks

1.

Dr. Scholl’s PLANTAR FASCIITIS Pain Relief Orthotics

• Shock-absorbing heel cushion brings instant relief in morning plantar fasciitis pain
• Can be trimmed according to your shoe size
• Supports your whole foot including your arches and mid-sole
• Can fit sneakers, casual shoes and different boots as well

Truly one of the best insoles to treat plantar fasciitis pain, Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief orthotics will make a considerable difference from day one. Its special Shock Guard technology prevents the morning plantar fasciitis pain while also supporting your mid-sole and arches for optimal comfort. More so, you also have the option of trimming it according to the perfect size.

2.

Physix Gear Sport Full Length Orthotic Inserts with Arch Support

• Perfect for people suffering from flat feet, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and shin splints
• Dual-layered foam with EVA base with arch supports prevents excess pronation
• Deep heel cradle helps fight all kinds of heel pain
• Great for playing sports, outdoor activities, or even workers who spend lots of time on their feet
• 100% money-back guarantee or replacement for utmost confidence

There’s a reason why Physix Gear Sports Orthotics has a 4.3 rating by almost 3,500 users on Amazon. Whether you’re suffering from flat feet, plantar fasciitis, shin splints or Achilles tendonitis, this insole is the solution. It’s dual base layered EVA foam with a deep heel cradle, anti-microbial top fabric, and ergonomic design make it perfect for almost all biomechanical issues.

3.

Plantar Fasciitis Feet Insoles Arch Supports Orthotics

• Premium EVA foam absorbs shocks and fabric cover keeps your feet cool
• Deep heel cup relieves heel pain and protects it from impact
• Arch support corrects over pronation and improves posture
• Best for hiking, cycling, running and casual shoes
• Rated 4.3 out of 5 by over 6,000 buyers on Amazon

No matter what issue is causing you heel pain or foot pain, Walk Hero Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics are what you need. Its premium EVA foam with built-in silicone material makes it one of the comfiest insoles you can find. More so, its deep heel cup stabilizes your foot, relieves you from heel pain and protects it from heavy impact during exercise or work.

4.

Powerstep Men’s-Adult Pinnacle Shoe Inserts

• Semi-rigid EVA foam construction keeps your feet comfortable
• One insole supports low, medium, high arches, and almost every kind of shoe
• Deep heel cradle with arch support provides your foot stability and comfort
• Anti-microbial top fabric upper keeps your feet cool and clean

One of the most well-rounded insoles on our list, Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Inserts provide a solution to almost every biomechanical issue you might be facing. It’s semi-rigid EVA foam construction with a deep heel cradle mitigates any kind of heel pain no matter what kind of foot you have. Low, medium or high arches? Work, casual or athletic shoes? This insole supports it all.

5.

Heel That Pain Plantar Fasciitis Insoles

• Effectively treats heel pain from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, shin splints, tendonitis, and other defects
• Fascia bar technology applies acupressure to fascia ligament treating pain simultaneously
• Can fit any kind of shoe with back support i.e. work, boots, athletic, dress shoes, and even heels!
• 120-day no questions asked return and refund guarantee

If your primary concern is heel pain, you can trust these insoles to take it away. These heel cups not only cushion and effectively take away any kind of heel pain, but the Fascia bar applies pressure and helps re-align your fascia ligament preventing future discomfort. And the best part, it can fit any kind of shoe which has some backing, even those heels you couldn’t wear! 

6.

Samurai Insoles Instant Relief Orthotics for Flat Feet

• Designed especially for people with flat-feet discomfort and pain
• Podiatrist-designed moulded orthotic core relieves pain and provides comfort
• Fits most shoes including athletic, work, dress shoes and sneakers
• Doesn’t requires cutting and trimming like other insoles due to design
• Risk-free testing by money-back guarantee in case of dissatisfaction

Samurai Insoles is the perfect solution to all kinds of problems and discomfort people with flat feet face. And many people seem to agree too, almost 1,600 others on Amazon have rated it a 4 on average. Its special foam with a gentle mould provides heel support to relieve you from all kinds of discomforts. And you can fit it in any shoe you want too!

7.

Superfeet GREEN Insoles

• High-density foam provides cushioning and comfort all day long
• Heel cup together provide relief from all kinds of heel pain
• Fits all shoes whether work shoes, formal shoes or hiking boots
• Stabilizer cap and mould provides stability to the whole foot and reduces stress on feet

For people that prefer slightly more support, the Superfeet Green Insoles are the way to go. These high-profile insoles are made from high-density foam can easily absorb shock and provide strong support to your feet. Not only this, but the heel cup also provides pain relief and support and the whole insole is coated in an odour-controlling layer.

8.

ViveSole Plantar Fasciitis Insoles

ViveSole

• Designed to alleviate pressure and spread it across foot for greater stability and comfort
• Heel cushioning absorbs impact and provides relief from plantar fasciitis pain
• Can be trimmed according to your preference and will fit most types of shoes
• Made from a premium-quality breathable material that controls odor and is washable

If you’re just looking for a standard insole that’s reliable, long-lasting and relieves pain caused by plantar fasciitis, these insoles are for you. Its shock-absorbent heel pad helps prevent plantar fasciitis pain and while its special design reduces stress from certain points of the foot providing greater comfort.  More so, the material of the insoles makes them breathable, odourless and washable as well.

9.

ViveSole Silicone Gel Heel Cups

• Gel cups absorb shock and redistribute pressure to reduce stress on feet and ankles
• Effectively treats pain from plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, heel spurs, and bone spurs
• Help reduce swelling and alleviates fatigues from back and knees
• Can be fitted in most shoes thanks to the self-adhesive base that sticks to the base

For people that prefer a more subtle and comfortable solution to their heel pain, these heel cups are the way to go. The gel construction makes the cups more shock absorbent and provides amazing comfort while you’re on your feet. More than that, you can fit them in any shoes of your choice and their self-adhesive base will keep them in place.

Buyer’s Guide

Why Should You Buy Insoles?

You might ask yourself; do I really need special insoles for heel pain? What’s the purpose of special insoles? Insoles can actually have a number of benefits on our feet, even if we don’t suffer from heel pain or any other foot defect.

Each day, we spend hours standing or working on our feet. This puts a lot of pressure on our joints and bones, mainly the heel of the foot. If that pressure isn’t distributed properly across the foot, or our posture isn’t correct, it can create problems over time.

Not only this, but shoes are in fact one of the main culprits to blame here for heel pain and other foot defects. Buying the wrong shoes, or wearing one’s with hard soles or material can damage the bones of our feet over time. That’s where insoles come in.

Insoles are built specifically to counter these issues and provide relief to your feet. They are much better at both absorbing shock that we suffer on a daily basis and can distribute the weight of our bodies equally over our foot. This takes away excess pressure away from one specific area, such as the heel, greatly reducing pain and discomfort.

But even if you don’t suffer from heel pain or any other foot defects, you can still choose to buy special insoles. Especially if your job requires standing on your feet for most of the day, purchasing special insoles can greatly enhance comfort and reduce your chances of developing any foot issues.

Causes Of Heel Pain

In order to pick the best insole, you need to identify what’s causing pain in the first place. Although it can be difficult to arrive at the exact reason without seeing an orthopedic, you can still get a rough idea through a few tests. Here are some of the most common causes of heel pain, and how to identify them:

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is perhaps the most common cause of heel pain in the majority of people. This is caused when the plantar fascia ligament experiences excessive wear and tear due to heavy and frequent physical activity. Here are some of the most common symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:

• Sudden pain in the heel area when you take your first steps out of bed
• Pain fades when involved in some activity
• Sharp pain when you stop in between some physical activity

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis is yet another cause of heel pain, most common in athletes. When the Achilles tendon receives too much stress, over time it can become inflamed. One might develop this due to physical exercise without a proper warmup or stretching. If you’re suffering from it, you might notice the following symptoms:

• Swelling and pain in the backside of your heel
• Tight calf muscles and limited range of motion
• Heel becomes warm to touch

Heel Spurs

A heel spur is basically a small piece of protruding bone which can cause pain in the heel. These heel spurs can grow due to tearing and wearing of the foot ligaments (Plantar Fasciitis) and heel membrane. These are most common in athletes who frequently perform rigorous physical activities. Here are the common symptoms of heel spurs:

• Pinprick like pain when standing up after some time of resting
• Sharp pain turns into a dull ache after sometime

How To Choose The Right Insole?

Each person has a different foot with different features, and thus different needs. So, before you buy an insole, you should be completely familiar with your foot profile to choose the best one. There are a few common checkpoints through which you can identify which type of insole would suit you best. Here is a list of some important factors you should check to buy the best insole for heel pain:

Foot Size

Just like shoes, the very first thing we should look for is the right size of the insole. Just like shoes, insoles are also sized as per the length of your foot. This is the distance between the heel of your foot and your longest toe and can be in either US, UK or French size. The right size insole not only provides optimal comfort, but is also necessary to get the full benefit of a special insole.

So how do you know your foot size? You must already have an idea of your shoe size, but this is not the one you should be using. In order to accurately measure your foot, follow these steps:

1. From all of your shoes, choose the one you know fits you perfectly and the one you’re most comfortable in.
2. Take a flexible measuring tape which you can easily fit inside of your shoe.
3. Place the measuring tape inside of the shoe that you previously chose. Insert it from the zero-mark and push it in so that it reaches the tip of the shoe.
4. Once the zero-mark is at the tip, push the measuring tape towards the bottom in such a way that it’s lying flat along the sole of your shoe.
5. Mark the measuring tape at the heel area where the shoe is ending. This is your accurate insole size. If you come upon a measurement such as 10.4, 10.3 or even 10.25, round it off to 10.5.

Now that you’re familiar with your foot size, you can choose to buy either a full-length or a 3/4^th length insole. Both of these are equally effective, and the choice really comes down to your personal preference. Read on below about both of these types of insoles in-depth:

Full-Length Insoles

These are basically meant to cover the entire span of your shoe and provide support to multiple areas of your foot. Most manufacturers provide the option of trimming with full-length insoles. They’re also better suited to those who walk or run long distances wearing one pair of shoes on a regular basis.

3/4^th Length Insoles

3/4^th length insoles are exactly what the name portrays, they’re three-fourth the size of full-length insoles. Because they’re smaller, they can be easily taken out and fitted into another pair while still providing the same level of support to your foot. Therefore, they work best for people who frequently switch between different pairs of shoes. However, the downside is that these insoles usually cannot be trimmed.

Type of Arch

A foot arch is the area between the ball and heel of your feet and can impact the type of insole you need. Although you can have both low and high arches, most people tend to have medium arches. Before you decide which insole to buy, you need to first determine your arch type.

To do this, wet your foot and place it on a piece of paper or cardboard for a moment, then lift it off. Now if you pay attention to your footprint, it can look like either of the three shapes shown below:

If the middle part of your footprint (the area between the heel and ball) is wide and filled, you might have a flat arch. If the middle section is narrow which widens towards the heel, you might have a medium arch. And if the middle section is very narrow or missing, chances are that you probably have high arches. Now let’s study each of these types in detail:

Low Arches

If you’ve got low arches, the whole bottom part of your foot will touch the floor, including the midsection. This arch shape can cause pain in the midsection of your foot as well as lead to Plantar Fasciitis. People with low arches usually tend to suffer from Overpronation too.

Medium Arches

These are typically the best-shaped arches and the most common ones as well. They prevent both over and under pronation as well as pain in the arch as your weight is distributed more evenly across your foot. However, people with medium arches can still suffer from heel pain due to strenuous physical activities.

High Arches

Foot with a high arch usually causes the whole weight of the body to be placed only on the heel and the ball. This can cause Plantar Fasciitis as well as under pronation due to the absence of midsection support. People with high arches require insoles that can take the pressure off the heel and ball of the foot so their weight is distributed more equally.

Types Of Insoles

Insoles come in lots of different varieties, but most can be classified into three main sections. They are categorized based on the level of support they provide and how rigid or comfortable they are. These are the three main categories:

Rigid Support Insoles

Rigid support insoles are usually prescribed to people with serious foot abnormalities that interfere in their daily life. These insoles are meant to significantly control the movement of the foot and improve your posture. Mostly, they are custom made to the specific needs of each person and are usually meant to help overcome problems like over or under pronation. They’re also best for people with differences in leg length or people who are significantly overweight.

Semi-Rigid Support Insoles

These kinds of insoles are best for athletes and sportspersons. They provide support to your whole foot and lessen the impact of jerks while playing sports thus helping prevent injuries. People who play intense sports like squash, tennis, or basketball where the tendons and heel face harsh treatment can benefit from semi-rigid support insoles which can provide shock absorption as well as comfort.

Soft Insoles

Soft insoles are best at providing comfort as well as shock absorption. Thus, they’re best for people who walk or stand for long periods of time. Soft insoles also help relieve your foot of light pain caused by either heel spurs, calluses, or a minor level of Plantar Fasciitis. If your priority is comfort over support, soft insoles are the way to go.

Material Of Insoles

As far as material goes, insoles can be made completely out of one kind of material, or a mix of two. The two most common materials used in insoles are foam and gel. Choosing what material is right for you depends on your personal requirements and needs.

Foam

Almost every other insole uses some sort of foam in it. Foam is rigid and provides stability, while also being capable of keeping its shape with use over time. These days, EVA foam is more commonly used to create insoles, as its softer and better at absorbing pressure. Most insole manufacturers combine a plastic base with a foam surface to provide additional stability, which is especially useful for people suffering from under or overpronation.

Gel

For people who prefer softer support, gel-based insoles are the best option. Although gel doesn’t provide as much stability, it’s much softer and comfortable than foam insoles. More than that, gel insoles are much more shock absorbent and great for easing pressure points on your foot. If you’re someone who’s on their feet for most of the day, without having any other issues, these are the best insoles for you.

Conclusion

Heel pain can really be a nuisance, and most people don’t recognize it as an issue until it really starts to interfere in their daily life. But because complete treatment can take time, it makes no sense to go through unnecessary pain when a solution is available. Investing in a good pair of insoles can go a long way into significantly reducing heel pain and improving both your productivity and mood.

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