Plantar fasciitis can be debilitating, limiting your ability to run, hike, walk or even stand without foot pain. Drawing on years of firsthand experience managing plantar fasciitis ourselves, we consulted multiple podiatrists to find the insoles that actually provid reliable relief. Based on our findings, the Tread Labs Pace Insoles are our top pick thanks to their extra-firm support and added stability, though there are many other inserts also worth consdering. Read on for a selection of our top picks, along with expert insights.
We found the best insoles for plantar fasciitis that support your arch and cushion each step.
An All-Purpose Insole To Decrease Impact And Improve Stability
Tread Labs
Tread Labs Pace Insoles
Sizes: Men’s 4-14.5, women’s 5-12.5 | Materials: Polypropylene, foam | Arch support: Low, medium, high, extra high | Heel cup: Deep | Odor-resistant: Yes
What you’ll love:
Sturdy, extra-firm support
Great stability, thanks to deep heel cup
Replaceable comfort layer
Keep in mind:
It’s more expensive than other options
It’s nearly impossible to crown one insole as the “best overall” for plantar fasciitis because every pair of feet is unique, but if we had to pick, the Tread Labs Pace Insole would be our top recommendation. It features extra-firm support to absorb repetitive forces, and a deep heel cup secures the back of your foot in place, where plantar fasciitis pain often occurs. We also appreciate the two-part design that includes a solid base and a soft top cover that’s replaceable. Because insoles have a habit of wearing out if you run or stand on your feet all day, the ability to swap out the soft foam is a welcome concept. What’s more, Tread Labs will send you a new pair of insoles if they ever fall apart, no questions asked.
Finally, we like the Pace because it comes in four different arch heights—low, medium, high and extra high—meaning you can invest in the right pair for your feet. Sure, the customizability makes the Pace a little more expensive (it’s the priciest option in this guide at $75), but in our opinion, the long-term comfort and lifetime warranty are worth it.
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It’s not as supportive as other options on our list
Dr. Scholl’s has been around for over a century, becoming the go-to insole brand among doctors and drugstores alike. And while they still make decent insoles, plenty of other brands that offer solid alternatives have caught up. For that reason, we consider the brand’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles a great option if you’re new to insoles or want a budget-friendly pair that might help with plantar fasciitis. They feature Shock Guard technology to keep your heel locked in place, and supportive foam absorbs impact. Dr. Scholl’s also infuses the foam with odor control technology to keep unwanted funk at bay.
While we would like to see Dr. Scholl’s match Tread Labs’ lifetime warranty, they do offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you’ve got plenty of time to decide if these are right for you.
Best For Arch Support
Built-In Low Arch Support That Limits Unwanted Stress
It’s not structured enough for feet with high arches
We’ve heard a lot about PowerStep insoles over the years, and found the Pinnacle Low Insoles a good go-to for anyone with plantar fasciitis who needs a bit of arch support. What we love about them is the way the heel cup fits snugly, giving you that perfect balance of cushioning and support right where the pain usually hits. The low arch is great too—it supports your midfoot but has enough flexibility to move naturally with your step. Granted, they’re not the thickest insoles out there, but that’s what makes them super versatile. They slip easily into sneakers, dress shoes and pretty much anything else.
One thing you should keep in mind is the low arch support that’s better for small arches or flat feet. If you have high arches, consider the Pinnacle High Insoles that feature a more pronounced arch shape to cradle your foot and reduce supination.
Best For Flat Feet
Breathable Insoles For Minimal Support
Amazon
Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles
Sizes: Men’s 5-15, women’s 6-14 | Materials: Polypropylene, foam | Arch support: High | Heel cup: Deep | Odor-resistant: No
What you’ll love:
Ample support to hold foot in natural alignment
Optimal cushioning and comfort
Cooling; limits foot sweat
Keep in mind:
This pair’s sizing may run large
As a runner with flat feet, Vigliotta has spent a lot of time chatting with shoe experts and physical therapists about proper footwear and the steps flat-footed folk should take to reduce injury. The consensus? Arch-strengthening exercises are incredibly important, but insoles that prevent your foot from rolling inward can help too. For that reason, Vigliotta is a big fan of Redi-Thotics’ Flex Orthotic Insoles that offer minimal arch support and lots of cushioning to keep your foot in place. The top cover fabric also delivers a cooling effect to prevent your feet from getting hot and blisters from forming.
Again, this isn’t to say insoles will magically resolve plantar fasciitis if you have flat feet. The relationship between your feet, knees, hips, back and core is incredibly complex, and it only takes one misaligned region of your body to throw everything else out of whack. But if you adopt arch-strengthening exercises and need a little support for runs or hours on your feet, these are worth picking up.
Best For Heel Support
A Deep Heel Cup To Prevent Lateral Movement
Sole
Sole Active Medium Insoles
Sizes: Men’s 3-14, women’s 5-16 | Materials: Recycled EVA foam | Arch support: High | Heel cup: Deep | Odor-resistant: Yes
What you’ll love:
Excellent stability, thanks to deep heel cups
Ample cushioning underfoot
Built to mold to your foot overtime
Keep in mind:
It’s too thick to fit into more narrow shoes
For those in need of support about the heel, where pain from plantar fasciitis often occurs, we recommend Sole’s Active Medium Insoles. They feature a deep cup around the back to cradle and support your heel, thus preventing lateral movement, and padding under the heel absorbs impact. From there, additional padding around the ball of your foot relieves pressure by naturally aligning your toes, and the entire design is made with durable EVA foam. If the medium foam isn’t quite right, consider the thin or thick foam options that accommodate different footwear.
Best For Knee Pain
Shock-Absorbing Insoles With Additional Heel Padding
Excellent shock absorption; limits pressure placed on feet and knees
Keep in mind:
The heel cup isn’t as rigid as other insoles
The Spenco Polysorb Cross Trainer Insoles can instantly make running and walking shoes feel more comfortable. With cushioned support in the forefoot and heel, they help ease the shin and knee pain you might get from plantar fasciitis after long runs. Plus, they even help relieve that lower back soreness you can get from being on your feet all day. These insoles are designed to prevent injuries from high-impact sports like running, tennis, basketball and weightlifting, and they slide easily into most athletic shoes and are made from a soft polyester that holds up well over time. As with most insoles, the support, durability and fit will vary from person to person, so give them a try to see if they’re right for you.
Best For Running Shoes
Support And Durability For Distances Of Any Length
Some runners say they wear down quicker than advertised
Runners in need of additional support during long-distance efforts, tempo runs and everything in between can benefit from the Currex RunPro Insoles. They feature a deep heel to lock your foot in place, responsive cushioning to propel you forward and a breathable top layer to keep your feet cool as the run heats up. Ultimately, they check all the boxes runners are looking to check, and they don’t cost an arm and a leg like running shoes do nowadays. Like with a pair of running shoes, Currex recommends replacing these insoles after 500 miles or a year of use, whichever comes first.
Insoles are designed to keep your feet comfortable, whether you’re wearing them to reduce the symptoms of plantar fasciitis or support your arches, but some models are better suited for all-day wear than others. For example, the Superfeet All-Purpose Memory Foam Insoles feature pressure-sensitive memory foam that shapes to your foot, and it adds stabilizing features to lock everything in place. As useful as the deep heel and low arch support are, the memory foam is the star of the show here—it relieves pressure and makes it easier to stand on your feet all day, whether you’re standing in place or moving about.
How We Chose The Best Insoles For Plantar Fasciitis
To identify and recommend the best insoles for plantar fasciitis, we relied on personal experience, pored over customer reviews and spoke to multiple experts, seeking both product recommendations as well as general insights.
Research: We assembled a list of more than 15 insoles from a number of brands and analyzed their features, taking into consideration durability, arch support, heel cup depth, lower body pain points and more. That list of 15 was ultimately cut down to the plantar fasciitis insoles featured in this guide.
Expert insight: We spoke to several podiatrists as we considered which insole brands to include in this guide, and we sought insights on how to choose and use insoles as part of a broader treatment plan.
Customer reviews: We read through scores of consumer reviews, determining which insoles offer minimal relief from plantar fasciitis, and which are truly capable when it comes to supporting your feet and reducing pain.
Personal experience: Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta and staff writer Steven John, the authors of this guide, are long-time runners, with thousands of combined miles logged on trails, city streets, treadmills and everywhere in between. Both have experience using supportive footwear, and John has tested several insoles over the years. Meanwhile, Vigliotta has treated plantar fasciitis that emerged as a result of poor footwear.
What To Consider When Shopping For Insoles For Plantar Fasciitis
While the right insoles for you will largely come down to your personal comfort preferences and sizing, there are a few key factors to consider as well.
Arch Support
The right arch support is key, says Dr. Anne Sharkey of Soley Podiatry. “The insole arch should be firm, not flimsy.” Whether you’ve got low, neutral or high arches, you want insoles that help evenly spread out the pressure across your foot. That way, you’re not putting extra strain on the plantar fascia. Look for insoles that specifically target plantar fasciitis and offer solid, structured support.
Cushioning
Insoles with good cushioning, especially in the heel and under the ball of your foot, can help absorb and disperse the impact of each step. Materials like memory foam or gel do a great job of absorbing shock and taking the pressure off your feet. And yet, “There are also [materials] I’d strongly avoid or at least be careful when considering,” says Dr. Mikel Daniels of We Treat Feet Podiatry. “Pure gel or very squishy inserts feel great when you first step on them, but they don’t provide the structural support that actually offloads the fascia.”
Heel Cup Design
A deep heel cup adds stability by holding your heel in place and keeping it aligned. As podiatrist Dr. Samantha Landau explains, “A deep heel cup controls rearfoot motion.” This helps reduce stress on the plantar fascia, making it less likely that you'll aggravate the pain. It’s all about giving your heel the right kind of support to move comfortably.
Durability
You want insoles that last, especially if you’re on your feet a lot. Look for ones made from durable materials, like high-quality foam or gel, that won’t wear out quickly so you can rely on them to keep your feet feeling good for the long haul.
Fit And Compatibility
“Proper sizing and fit [count],” says Dr. Peter Talisse, DPM. “Insoles should fit comfortably in the shoe without crowding the foot.” Whether you’re wearing sneakers, work boots or dress shoes, make sure the insoles match your shoe size and style so they feel like a natural fit. “It's also important that the shoe itself is supportive,” he adds. “Even the best insole won't work well in a poorly structured shoe.”
Benefits Of Insoles For Plantar Fasciitis
While insoles aren’t a cure-all solution to plantar fasciitis, they can provide relief. Below, we list a few ways insoles for plantar fasciitis can offer relief:
Provides support: These types of insoles come built with reinforced arch support and deep heel cups. Both features help relieve symptoms of inflammation and irritation by cradling your foot’s most sensitive points and limiting the amount of pressure on your fascia when you walk.
Promotes neutral foot alignment: By providing a supportive base, insoles for plantar fasciitis help keep your foot and joints in a more neutral position. They can help address overpronation (a condition where your foot rolls inward) and supination (rolls outward), avoiding excess pressure on your ankles, knees, hips and back.
Reduces risk of injury: Because plantar fasciitis has the potential to change your natural walking pattern, it can lead to injury and further discomfort when left untreated. Supportive insoles can help keep your foot in a neutral position, so you can continue to walk in a comfortable gait, reducing pressure on your other joints.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The gear team at Forbes Vetted has published scores of carefully-researched gear articles covering a range of footwear and foot products designed for training and recovery.
This article was written by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta. He has been covering outdoors and wellness topics for years, and regularly tests and reviews footwear, leveraging his degree in kinesiology. He has also covered other products designed to help with foot and leg pain, including compression socks and insoles for flat feet.
Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John contributed to this piece. John has been a regular runner and hiker for more than 15 years, and regularly covers products related to footwear and foot care, such as trail running shoes and boots for plantar fasciitis.
We also spoke to multiple podiatrists, including: Dr. Samantha Landau, professor at Touro New York College of Podiatric Medicine; Dr. Anne Sharkey, founder of Solely Podiatry; Dr. Peter Talisse, a podiatric foot and ankle surgery specialist at Ankle & Foot Centers of America; and Dr. Mikel Daniels, president and chief medical officer at We Treat Feet Podiatry.
We refresh our guides regularly to ensure our recommendations are accurate and reflect the best options available. This guide was most recently updated in March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After speaking with several podiatrists, the brands highlighted most often include PowerStep Pinnacle, Superfeet, Dr. Scholl’s and Tread Labs. Each brand designs inserts that specifically target plantar fasciitis.
To mitigate pain and even treat the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis, you need proper footwear, inserts or both. “You can absolutely use insoles to calm plantar fasciitis down, but the details matter,” says Dr. Mikels. “Patients need the right structure, in the right shoe, used the right way.” Plantar fasciitis is basically an overuse irritation in which the fascia tissue pulls on its heel attachment and becomes inflamed, he explains. Orthotic footwear and proper insoles help by changing the load placed on that tissue. “The [inserts] that work tend to support the arch so the fascia does less work with each step,” adding on a positive note that “98% of plantar fasciitis gets better with conservative care; this is not usually a surgical problem, so insert management is critical.”
Insoles for plantar fasciitis should be comfortable and supportive, but don’t mistake comfort with softness. “One common mistake is choosing [plantar fasciitis] insoles that are too soft,” says Dr. Talisse. “While cushioning feels comfortable at first, overly soft inserts may not provide enough structural support to control foot mechanics.” Over the course of the day or multiple days of use, those firmer, more supportive inserts will provide more meaningful and lasting relief. Look for immediate comfort, but ensure your insoles also offer long-term support.
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