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These shoe insoles for plantar fasciitis are designed to relieve heel pressure and provide arch support. Neutral Color Shoe Polish

We updated this article in December 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

Experiencing discomfort in your feet? One reason why your feet hurt so much may be because of plantar fasciitis—a condition that involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Anyone who has this condition knows how painful that stabbing sensation near your heel can be—but, thanks to the invention of store-bought plantar fasciitis inserts, you can help ease heel and arch pain by slipping on a supportive pair.

“A shoe insert can externally support the arch, thus reducing the stress or load on the arch,” explains Kenneth Jung, M.D., an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. In addition to having arch support, plantar fasciitis insoles also provide a cushy cup for your heel to relieve pressure. Together, those features can help make your foot feel more comfortable—especially when paired with the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Meet the Experts: Kenneth Jung, M.D., an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago.

Of course, it’s important to find insoles for plantar fasciitis that fit like a glove into your walking shoes and give your feet the support they need. (And, if you can find a budget-friendly pair or an option specially designed for walks or workouts? Even better.) To help, we’re breaking down what to consider with your plantar fasciitis, how to shop for the right insoles, and the best pairs worth adding to your cart.

Dr. Scholl’s is a trusted brand that creates insoles and inserts specifically designed for people with plantar fasciitis. These orthotics stand out from others on the list because they fit into virtually any type of shoe. They’re easy enough to trim, fitting your shoe size and shape so you can wear them with all kinds of sneakers, boots, heels, or flats. Made with a contoured heel cup and special cushioning that absorbs shock, these insoles also help to stabilize the plantar fascia and prevent it from further stretching.

A nurse who adds these inserts to her work clogs says, “The orthotic provides a nice cushion to help absorb the shock of each step that leads to the intense heel pain.”

And, as if you needed more convincing, this pair has nearly 4.5 stars with over 22,000 positive reviews on Amazon and the site’s covetable “#1 Bestseller” badge.

Whether you’re wearing sandals or ballet flats, these silicone insoles have a self-adhesive base that stay in place throughout the day. They’re also made of a soft, moldable gel that massages your heels and contours to the shape of your foot. They help provide added cushioning around the heel to absorb pressure and minimize soreness, thereby reducing knee pain. But, don’t let this pair’s shockingly low price point concern you: it works.

“No insoles so cheap should work so well,” writes one Amazon reviewer, who says these things made it possible to walk miles and miles in boots that had previously been painful. “I don’t want to risk anything else being less comfortable. Literal game-changer. I wouldn’t have expected this from pretty cheap insoles.”

The arch and heel cup in these insoles are designed to provide moderate support for walking or standing on your feet for extended periods. They also have a contoured footbed that works to help prevent pronation (rolling), bunions, and Achilles tendonitis. A combo of high-density foam and silicone help reduce shock without being too thick, so the inserts can fit into a wide variety of shoes.

One Amazon reviewer who is a dog walker says these insoles have made being on her feet infinitely more comfortable: “I really love the support and they were true to size for me. I don’t even feel them anymore, and my feet are still happy after hours of walking.”

Prefer something a little less squishy? These heel cups are made from a blend of rubber materials, offering firm cushioning. The patented fascia bar also applies pressure to your plantar fascia ligament, providing support for the back part of your arch. Choose from three different types: firm rubber, a hybrid of rubber and gel for semi-firmness, and soft gel. They also come in four sizes from small to extra-large.

“After eight months suffering with plantar fasciitis in both feet, of spending a ton of money trying various shoes, contraptions, splints, socks, etc., I swear, these heel cups were my savior,” an Amazon shopper raves. “After three months of faithfully wearing them, I was literally pain-free.”

The unique three-quarter length of these gel insoles is ideal for squeezing them into almost any style of shoe. Reviewers love them for their super-cushy heels, which minimize heel strikes, and their sturdy arch support, which is especially helpful for anyone with plantar fasciitis.

“I would say I’m going to buy them again but at this point I don’t know if I will ever need to,” one Amazon shopper raves. “These work. I had bad plantar fasciitis and am a runner. I bought three pairs of these and, combined with physical therapy, these have fixed my PF.”

Unlike other insoles on this list, this pair has a stabilizer cap that acts as a base to support the rearfoot. They also provide stability to the foam layer and have a deep heel cup that cradles your foot to prevent it from rolling. It has a high volume profile, which means it takes up a lot of space in your shoe, but you can trim it to your level of comfort and fit.

“I’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet for over seven months now and have had multiple cortisone shots in each foot. If you are having significant heel pain, these will solve your problem over time,” a reviewer says. “It has been pretty much the ONLY thing that has provided me relief.”

These insoles are designed with arch support in mind, whether you have flat feet, knee pain, or achilles tendinitis. They work to correct abnormal walking patterns and balance pressure on your feet by evenly distributing weight. The medical-grade foam in these inserts also deliver maximum shock absorption and stabilizes your arches—and they’re ultra-lightweight, too, making them ideal for running.

An Amazon customer raves, “I have flat feet, and these help align my feet, ankles, and legs like they should be. After you are used to the correct arch positioning of your foot, it is so comfortable and helps with my foot and knee pain.”

If you love to run or participate in high-intensity workouts, you’re probably prone to plantar fasciitis. With every step, jump, or skip, your heel feels the impact. These inserts boast a firm yet flexible shell to support and stabilize arches, plus a shock-absorbing heel. As a bonus, the antimicrobial outer fabric staves off odor-causing bacteria.

“Take it from someone who has firsthand (or first-foot) experience: These insoles are what you want if you have heel pain from plantar fasciitis,” one reviewer explains. “They have the right combination of support and cushioning. I still have some discomfort from the plantar fasciitis, but at least I can function while the problem slowly heals.”

Look for the right cushioning. When shopping for plantar fasciitis insoles, Dr. Jung and Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago, say you should find one that has cushioning under the arch and heel to provide extra support and redistribute pressure that can cause pain.

Consider the material. According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, plastic and graphite-made insoles have plenty of flexiblility that can keep pain-pumping forces to a minimum, whereas softer textures like neoprene can strike that happy medium between comfort and support.

Prioritize your personal comfort. “The most important aspect is how they feel to you,” says Dr. Hamid, M.D., M.P.H. “Some are helpful and some may exacerbate your condition.” Admittedly, discovering the right fit and balance for your needs might involve a little bit of experimenting, but the search is well worth it.

There isn’t much research out there on how well store-bought inserts work or which ones are the most effective, says Dr. Hamid. That being said, over-the-counter insoles are a good first option to try before considering getting fitted for custom orthotics, which usually require a doctor’s prescription, notes Dr. Jung.

It’s also important to note that store-bought inserts are just one option for managing plantar fasciitis pain. Shoes for plantar fasciitis are also worth looking into, as well as a night splint. So even though you can buy inserts without a prescription, you should still see your doctor before self-treating your foot pain. “It’s a good idea to confirm your diagnosis before spending a fortune on inserts,” Dr. Hamid says.

Want to get the most of your insoles? Pair them with supportive shoes. Research suggests that insoles and indoor comfort shoes—especially ones with arch support—can improve the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Our team consulted Kenneth Jung, M.D., an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, and Kamran Hamid, M.D., M.P.H., a foot and ankle surgeon at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush University in Chicago, and evaluated dozens of customer reviews to narrow down the best plantar fasciitis inserts for various needs and preferences.

Shoe Shine Brush For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.