Best Orthotic Insoles For Plantar Fasciitis, Flat Feet And Overpronation

Your feet are intricately connected to other crucial parts of your body including the knees and back. A problem with your feet, is likely to affect others areas of your body as well. Problems like plantar fasciitis (which causes heel pain), overpronation, foot pain or fallen arches (also called flat feet) will not only affect your feet but also cause pain and discomfort in other areas.

Having proper foot support and cushioning goes a long way in resolving these problems. In addition to wearing the right shoes, consider buying orthotic insoles. They provide direct support for your feet, helping to counter issues like heel pain, knee pain, over-pronation and general discomfort.

We have compared among the many options available in the market and ended up with the following list of the 5 best orthotic insoles.

Best orthotic insoles – Our top 5 selection

1. FootActive Full Length Arch Support Orthotic Insoles

best orthotic insoles

This full length medical grade insole comes with a number of features to increase support and comfort for the feet, which is why it tops our list.

First, there is the deep stabilising heel cup designed to align the foot and ankle, which in turn improves motion and reduces strain.

Second, it provides arch support to ensure that your feet are aligned properly from heel to toe.

Third, it consists of a shock absorbing material and a soft padding, which ensure that your feet are well cushioned and protected.

You can wear the insoles with most types of shoes including boots, trainers and walking shoes. If they do not fit perfectly, use scissors to achieve the right trim.


2. FootActive Comfort Arch Support Orthotic Insoles

best insoles for plantar fasciitis

These FootActive insoles also come with a deep heel cup for added feet stability, a shock absorbing heel, and soft forefoot padding.

The cushioning, which provides shock absorption and comfort, is made from a special lightweight polymer called Durapontex. It is designed to provide heel, arch and metatarsal support for the wearer. It also corrects problems like over-pronation, flat feet and pain especially when you are walking or standing.

You can wear these insoles with walking shoes, trainers or boots. For a perfect trim, feel free to use scissors.


3. Hydrofeet Liquid Massaging Orthotic Insoles

best insoles for flat feet

These insoles feel like walking on water. Instead of the traditional cushioning used by most insoles, they contain vegetable-based medical grade glycerine. This creates quite a unique and immensely relieving experience.

The insoles provide a combination of support, comfort, cushioning and massage all at the same time. You will not get as tired or sore when you are walking or standing up.

Wearing the Hydrofeet insoles reduces pain, improved blood circulation in the feet, helps with back and knee pain and aids with issues like bunions and Plantar Fasciitis.


4. Superfeet Unisex Supportive Insole

best orthotic insoles for women

These insoles are made specifically for use with tighter footwear. This is unlike many other insoles where you have to use a pair of scissors to get the right trim. You can use the insoles with casual shoes, dress shoes and most athletic footwear.

A heavy duty platform provides shock absorption when you are walking or running. This protects your feet from excessive impact.

A deep heel cup adds to your feet’s stability and improves alignment. Other features include a biomechanical shape for natural foot alignment, an anti-microbial coating to reduce odours and a stabiliser cap for added support and structure.


5. Superfeet Men’s Supportive Insole Orange

best orthotic insoles for men

Designed specifically for men, these insoles are especially ideal for men who walk a lot or stand for extended periods. A forefoot shock pad cushions the feet and protects them from impact. They also feature a stabilising heel cup, an anti-microbial top cover and a stabiliser cap for rear foot support.


Orthotic Insoles Buying Guide

There are many different types of designs of orthotic insoles. To buy the right ones for you, here are the key considerations to keep in mind.

i) What are your needs?

Some insoles work best for people with fallen arches while others are geared towards providing additional comfort for those who spend most of their day standing up. First determine what your needs are and then find the specific insoles that meet those needs. A look at manufacturer specifications and customer reviews should tell you what the insoles are best at.

ii) Size

Just like a shoe, you need to make sure that you are buying the right size. Check the size specifications before you make a purchase. If you buy a slight bigger size than you intended, most insoles can be trimmed with scissors. But check seller recommendations first before you do this.

Additionally, check that the insoles will be compatible with your shoes. Some insoles are designed for tight shoes such as trainers while others are perfect for wider footwear such as boots.

iii) Comfort and support

These are the two most important issues when you are buying insoles. A good pair of insoles should provide adequate support from the heel to the toes. Arch support is especially important since it determines the general alignment of your foot.

For comfort, check whether the insole provides proper cushioning. This is important if you spend a lot of time on your feet. A good insole will provide a soft padding for your feet and act as a shock absorber when you are walking or running.

Again, customer reviews can provide an important insight. You should also check manufacturer specifications to see what materials are used for cushioning and shock absorption.

FAQs

  • What are the benefits of orthotic insoles?

They help to increase foot support and comfort especially in people with foot issues such as soreness, pain, flat feet and bunions among others. Orthotic insoles can reduce pain, increase walking stability and aid in a wide variety of feet-related problems.

  • Can I wear orthotic insoles together with normal foot insoles?

Most insoles can be worn alongside the insoles that come with your shoes. But certain insoles require that you remove those in your shoes first to ensure a proper fit.

  • Can I wear orthotic insoles with any shoes?

Check what the seller has to say. Most will specify what type of shoes can be worn together with the insoles. The list often includes dress shoes, athletic shoes and boots.

  • What kind of shoes to buy if i need orthotic insoles?

Look for shoes that offer a wide and deep toe box. This will provide the space you need to fit an orthotic insole and ensure your forefoot is not getting squished.

When choosing a shoe size, go up from your usual size by a half or full size. Again, it’s all about getting extra space to fit your insole and provide lots of room for natural foot movement.

But make sure the heel is not too wide. It needs to be snug to provide proper support to your rear foot and prevent slipping when you are walking or running.

Still on size, you may also need to get shoes with a wider fit.

Finally, look for shoes with a removable foot bed if your orthotic insoles require you to remove the existing insoles in the shoes.

However, most orthotic insoles are designed to go on top of the existing insoles. If that’s the case with your orthotic insoles, a removable foot bed is not essential.

  • How long do orthotic insoles last?

It depends on the quality of the insoles, how often you use them, your body weight and the type of activities you do when wearing your insoles.

If you run, cycle or hike often, your orthotics will wear faster. Same if you have a heavier body.

Generally, orthotic insoles can last anywhere between 1 and 5 years. But a good quality pair of orthotics should last you at least 2 years regardless of weight and lifestyle.

  • How long do orthotic insoles take to work?

Most people will experience a break-in period when they use wear new orthotic insoles. During this time, the orthotics may feel uncomfortable and it may seem like your foot problems are not improving.

But within 1-2 weeks, the insoles should feel more comfortable as they adapt to your body weight, walking or running style and the shape of your feet.

Give them two weeks max. If your symptoms have not improved, or have gotten worse, see a podiatrist or try another pair of orthotics.

If you’ve tried several over the counter orthotics, it may be time to get a custom-made pair.

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