We Tested the 13 Best Insoles for Peak Comfort and Pain Relief

Best Overall

Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles

$25 at Amazon $25 at Zappos $25 at Target

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 8 to 15.5, Women’s 5 to 14.5 | Arch Type: Neutral | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Polyurethane foam, nylon, neoprene | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for runners, people with knee pain, and people with heel pain.

Why We Love Them

Spenco’s Polysorb Cross Trainer Insoles are our top overall pick because they offer the best combination of quality and price. We love that the foam cushioning and heel plug feels comfortable all day long, while the thin design is easy to trim to fit most shoes.

We found that the arches of these insoles are tall enough for most people with medium arches. The support helped us run longer and walk farther, effectively combatting our lower back and plantar fasciitis pain. We also like how responsive the Polysorb Insoles are, providing a soft push-off that made our favorite Hoka sneakers easier to wear.

Antimicrobial technology helps prevent odors from building up over time, while the four-way stretch fabric stops blisters before they start. And we love that these insoles are a solid value, at around a third of the cost of some of our other favorites.

Potential Flaws

• These aren't as breathable as other insoles we tested, meaning they didn't excel at keeping our feet cool. However, they also didn't cause our feet to overheat during testing.
  

Best Budget

Dr. Scholl’s Cushioning Insoles

$13 $11 at Amazon $11 at Walmart $11 at Target

Key Specs

Sizes: One size | Arch Type: Not listed | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Terrycloth, foam | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Who They're For

Best for people who wear casual shoes without socks often.

Why We Love Them

Comfort shouldn’t break the bank, which is why we love Dr. Scholl’s Go Sockless Cushioning Insoles. We like how comfortable the plush foam is, offering the same soft feel as other insoles on our list at a fraction of the price. Plus, they're our only top pick that comes in a three-pack, lowering the cost per pair even more.

The thin profile leaves plenty of room in your shoes' toe boxes, and we like that they live up to their name—they are ideal for going sockless in most casual shoes. We also appreciate that the top terrycloth layer wicks away moisture while cooling vents promote airflow, a combination that prevented our feet from getting too hot. And like our top overall pick, these are also anti-odor.

Potential Flaws

• Since these insoles are so thin, they're not very supportive. But we found they make a great replacement insole for well-loved pairs of shoes.
• We noticed that these insoles tend to slip when we remove our shoes. Still, they're easy to readjust as needed.

Best Arch Support

Superfeet All-Purpose Green Insoles

$55 $42 at Amazon $42 at Zappos $42 at Walmart

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s: 5.5 to 17, Women’s 4.5 to 14 | Arch Type: High | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Polyester, foam | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for people with high arches, especially if you experience foot pain after a long day of walking.

Why We Love Them

High-density foam runs through the entire length of Superfeet’s Green Insoles to provide support and stability for high arches. The shape and stiffness of these insoles' arches provided all-day comfort, even after we stood and walked for hours at a time in previously uncomfortable shoes. The deep heel cup helped distribute our weight evenly, improving our posture while reducing our knee, hip, and back pain.

Also worth noting: These insoles have earned the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) Seal of Approval, meaning a group of podiatrists has determined that they help promote better foot health. An anti-odor coating prevents unpleasant smells from building up over time, keeping your shoes fresh. And we like that their slim, low-profile design allows them to fit in most shoes without any extra trimming.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles are pricier than others on our list, but they last for a full year, making them worth the investment.
• We noticed that the adhesive underneath the heel cup tended to crack as the insole bends. However, this didn't seem to make the insoles any less durable.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Plantar Fasciitis Insoles

$20 at Amazon $34 at Walmart View on Walkhero.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 4 to 16.5, Women’s 6 to 14.5 | Arch Type: Neutral, low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: EVA foam, silicone, fabric | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Who They're For

Best for people with plantar fasciitis, especially if you overpronate.

Why We Love Them

For those dealing with plantar fasciitis, or painful irritation in your plantar fascia tissue, we recommend Walk-Hero's Comfort and Support Plantar Fasciitis Insoles. They helped revamp our old shoes, correcting overpronation while reducing the pain and pressure we felt in our arches. We also like the deep heel cup, which offers great stability.

Lightweight foam throughout cushioned our feet on long walks and errands, ultimately relieving pain in our ankles, shins, and knees, too. Available in a wide range of sizes, Walk-Hero's Insoles are our top pick for anyone who's looking for a cost-effective way to manage regular plantar fasciitis pain.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles aren't very breathable, causing our feet to feel warm and sweaty. However, we think the trade-off is worth it, as these insoles allowed us to walk for full days in shoes that were previously too uncomfortable to wear.

Best for Standing All Day

Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insoles

$40 at Amazon $40 at Nordstrom View on Vionicshoes.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women's 4.5 to 12 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Foam | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They're For

Best for people with flat feet or fallen arches who are on their feet all day long.

Why We Love Them

With a slim design that allows them to fit in both casual and heeled shoes, Vionic's Slimfit Orthotic Insoles are our top pick for anyone who needs to be on their feet all day long, for work or for fun. As we wore them, we noticed less back pain after standing for long periods of time. Comfortable and flexible, these insoles are easy to put in and take out, so you can quickly switch one pair between multiple shoes as needed.

While testing, we noticed that these have just the right amount of support for flat feet. Even though they're thin, we appreciate that they feel soft underfoot, protecting our feet from uneven terrain. Plus, the suede-like upper looks and feels luxurious for a simple upgrade that can extend the life of your favorite shoes.

Potential Flaws

• Vionic's insoles may not be supportive enough for people with neutral or high arches. But they're a great solution for people with flat feet or fallen arches.

Best for Heel Pain

EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles

$30 at Amazon $40 at Easyfeet.store

Key Specs

Sizes: Men's 4.5 to 14.5, Women's 5.5 to 15.5 | Arch Type: High | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Polyurethane foam, gel, plastic | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They're For

Best for people with high arches who suffer from heel pain.

Why We Love Them

Heel pain can develop from a number of factors, but we found that EasyFeet's Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles can help combat many of them. For starters, a deep heel cup promotes proper alignment and distributes your weight evenly. Additional gel padding underneath the balls of your feet and your heels adds comfort, for a lighter stride.

After a long day of wear, we were surprised by how well these insoles prevented numbness in our toes, pain in our lower back, and calf pain. We walked longer, stood longer, and generally lived it up in these insoles—everywhere from concerts to the office.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles are thicker and less breathable than others we tested. But they're also absorbent, which we appreciate in warm weather.

Best for Knee Pain

Spenco RX Comfort Insole

$15 $13 at Amazon $25 at Zappos View on Theinsolestore.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 6 to 15.5, Women’s 5 to 12.5 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Nylon, neoprene | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for runners with flat feet who also have knee pain.

Why We Love Them

The cushioning in Spenco’s RX Comfort Insole proved to be just what we needed to alleviate knee pain. The thin neoprene absorbs shock and impact well, while the arch offers gentle support. We also like that the top is covered with four-way stretch fabric to prevent blisters, even during long runs.

Fairly breathable, these insoles didn't attract any unpleasant odors. As we wore them, we also noticed less pain in our shins—another bonus for runners. Like many of our other top picks, they've earned the APMA's Seal of Approval. Whether we walked, ran, or tackled tough CrossFit workouts, these insoles protected our joints so we could go the distance.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles aren't sweat-wicking, although we noticed that they are breathable enough to prevent our feet from overheating.

Best for Overpronation

Dr. Scholl’s Lower Body Protective Insoles

$15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart $16 at Target

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 8 to 14, Women’s 6 to 10 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: No | Materials: Not listed | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They're For

Best for people who overpronate, particularly if you're on a budget.

Why We Love Them

Overpronation occurs when your ankle rolls inward and downward, resulting in a collapsed arch that can be painful. For budget-friendly insoles that correct your arch in the opposite direction, Dr. Scholl's Prevent Pain Lower Body Protective Insoles are our top pick.

We love that, by aligning our feet properly, these insoles help relieve pressure in the balls of our feet and our toes. Excellent shock absorption and a cushioned heel also keep our feet feeling supported and comfortable. They improve our posture and even provide a boost during our workouts. Extra breathable, they also have a noticeable cooling effect inside our shoes—another plus.

Potential Flaws

• We wish these insoles had a little more cushioning. Even so, they enable us to walk farther and spend more time on our feet each day.

Best for Flat Feet

Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles

$59 at Amazon View on Redi-thotics.com $59 at Orthoticshop.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 5 to 13, Women’s 6 to 14 | Arch Type: Low, neutral | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Foam, fabric | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for people with flat feet and fallen arches, especially if you overpronate.

Why We Love Them

Multiple insoles on our list are designed for people with flat feet or low arches. But Redi-Thotics' Flex Orthotic Insoles are our favorite by far for their superior arch support and impressive results. We love that they molded to our feet as we wore them, with responsive cushioning that feels like we're walking on air.

We also like how breathable these are, with a moisture-wicking top layer that cuts down on the amount of sweat in our shoes after tough workouts. And although they can be trimmed, we're pleased to report that they fit into our sneakers perfectly without any adjustments.

Potential Flaws

• Since these insoles have so much arch support, it can take some time for flat feet to adjust to them. As a result, Valencia recommends wearing these for an hour a day at first until you're used to them. We did notice that they gradually felt more comfortable throughout the duration of the testing period.
• These are more expensive than most of our other picks, but we think they're well worth the investment if you suffer from painful, fallen arches.

Best for Running

Superfeet Run Support Shoe Inserts

$60 $45 at Amazon $60 at REI View on Superfeet.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 5.5 to 15, Women’s 4.5 to 14 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Carbon fiber, polymer | Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Who They're For

Best for runners with low arches or flat feet.

Why We Love Them

What stood out to us about Superfeet’s Run Support Low Arch Shoe Inserts was the deep, rounded heel cup because it supported our feet and ankles well. We also noticed less irritation in our heels and toes, even after spending long hours on our feet.

Lightweight, high-density foam provides soft cushioning and absorbs shock well, helping us pivot quickly. Although they're low-profile, the insoles' bases are made from a strong carbon fiber and polymer blend that helps stabilize the foam layer on top. They reinvigorated our old sneakers—even the anti-odor coating seems made to last.

Potential Flaws

• We wish these insoles were higher-profile, although their slim design makes it easy to slide them into most shoes.

Best for Work Boots

Timberland Pro Anti-Fatigue Technology Insoles

$35 $33 at Amazon $32 at Walmart View on Tractor Supply Co.

Key Specs

Sizes: 5 to 15 (Unisex) | Arch Type: High, neutral, low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Recycled plastic, foam, synthetic | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Who They're For

Best for people who wear boots to work, especially if your boots have a hard, flat midsole.

Why We Love Them

Designed for people who have to stand on their feet all day, Timberland's Pro Anti-Fatigue Technology Insoles combine comfort and excellent arch support. The thick cushioning feels soft underfoot, and we love that the inverted cone design uses less material for a lighter insole that won't weigh down your (already) heavy boots.

An antimicrobial coating cuts down on unwanted odors, while the pain-free miles we walked speak for themselves. Plus, we love that they've earned the APMA's Seal of Approval, like some of our other top picks. Just note that they come in unisex sizes 5 to 15.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles may be too narrow if you have wide feet. However, this means you likely won't have to trim them to get them to fit in your boots.
• Since they're so thin, we also found that these insoles may not be supportive enough for some people. But we like that the cushioning is thick enough to absorb some additional shock while you walk.

Best for Hiking

Obōz O Fit Plus II Insoles

$35 at Amazon $20 at REI $35 $26 at Gearx.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men's 7-14, Women's 5.5-12.5 | Arch Type: Neutral | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: EVA foam | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for hikers with neutral arches, especially if you overpronate or have plantar fasciitis.

Why We Love Them

When you're hitting the trails, adequate support and cushioning are key. Oboz’s O Fit Insole Plus II has both, offering arch support while cradling our feet and correcting our overpronation. The cushioning comes from pods in the forefoot and heel that also absorb shock well. But our favorite feature is the deep heel cup for its superior stability—plus, it even reduced symptoms for our tester with plantar fasciitis.

Since these insoles are on the thinner side, we like that they don't take up too much space in your shoes, leaving plenty of room for toes to spread. They also didn't dig into our arch—two features that are critical as you wander through uneven fields and rocky shores.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles don't have any sweat-wicking technology, making them less breathable than others we tested. Even so, we didn't notice too much extra warmth or sweat in our shoes after a long day.

Best Custom

Fulton The Athletic Insole

$52 at Amazon $48 at Nordstrom View on REI

Key Specs

Sizes: Men's 8 to 14, Women's 5 to 12 | Arch Type: High, neutral, low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Cork, cotton, foam | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They're For

Best for people who have tried other insoles, but still haven't found a pair that meets their needs.

Why We Love Them

Searching for custom insoles that don't cost a fortune? We highly recommend Fulton's The Athletic Insoles. As you wear them, these durable cork and foam insoles mold to the shape of your feet to provide support exactly where you need it the most. We love that this feature makes them suitable for people with all arch types, whether yours are high, low, or neutral.

They were exceptional at relieving pain throughout our entire lower body—even after standing and walking for seven hours straight at a concert. And the top layer is made with breathable cotton that keeps our feet cool and dry. If you've had bad luck with pre-formed pairs in the past, Fulton's The Athletic could be the insoles you've been looking for.

Potential Flaws

• While we love that these insoles conform to your specific foot shape, we noticed that it takes a few wears (up to 10 hours, according to the brand) before they soften and change shape.
• Part of these insoles' superior support lies in their stiff cork construction, which can be difficult to trim to fit your shoes.