Plantar fasciitis is a chronic condition that causes millions of people around the world excruciating pain and discomfort. There is no sure fire fix for plantar fasciitis, but there are quite a few options that can help speed you on your way to recovery. One highly recommended method for preventing and alleviating your pain is insoles for plantar fasciitis.

The 7 best insoles for plantar fasciitis:

1. Superfeet Blue Premium Insoles

Our number one choice for insoles for plantar fasciitis are the Superfeet Blue Premium Insoles. These insoles are one of the most popular of all time and extremely highly regarded by plantar fasciitis sufferers. This handmade insole boasts high performance and reliability. Superfeet Blue Premium Insoles are perfect for people that have a wide variety of footwear or just a single pair of shoes. Because of their sleek design, these insoles are made to fit most shoe volumes. So if you don’t have too much extra wiggle room this insole is perfect for you!

2. Powerstep Protech Orthotic Supports

Another favorite amongst those diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, the Powerstep Protech insoles tout dual layers of shock absorbing cushioning to cradle your arches. These insoles have a deep heel cup for stronger and deeper arch support. Made with a tough polyester covering and antimicrobial protection, these insoles will last longer and stay fresh through constant usage.

3. SOLE Custom Footbeds Ultra

Walk or run long distances in extreme comfort with these premium insoles from SOLE. The SOLE Footbeds are designed with action sports in mind and will keep your feet comfortable and pain-free whether you’re walking, hiking or running. Many people who used these insoles reported that they were pain-free within just a few days of placing them in their shoes.

5. Orthotics for Flat Feet by Samurai Insoles

Samurai Insoles were made with arch support in mind by an actual doctor! Podiatrist Dr. Tom Lembo is the mastermind behind these supportive, sleek and affordable insoles. Claiming a “biomechanic design to optimize the function of your feet and legs” these are definitely among the best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis.

6. New Balance Insoles IUSA3810 Supportive Cushioning Insole

These unisex New Balance insoles are another great insole for added arch support. This insole is made with not only a heel cushion but a forefront cushion that will leave you walking on clouds. The deep heel cup on this insole is perfect for relieving plantar fasciitis pain. This insole also features an antimicrobial coating to keep your feet dry and odor-free throughout your busy day.

7. Corefit Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics

Corefit claims these insoles ‘ have been used by podiatrists exclusively since 1932’, which is quite the claim. With over 80 years in the business, these orthotic insoles have withstood the test of time and come out on top. These insoles are made out of a firm yet moldable material for EXTREME foot support. These Corefit insoles are not made of foam or gel and must be heated to mold to your foot.

Why should I wear insoles for plantar fasciitis?

One of the main causes of plantar fasciitis is cheap, poorly constructed or worn shoes. The plantar fascia is the broad muscle that runs the length of the bottom of your foot. This muscle aids in the support of the arch of your foot. When poorly constructed shoes with little arch support are worn for an extended period of time, this can cause small tears or degradation of the plantar fascia muscle. Wearing the proper insoles for plantar fasciitis will greatly reduce the strain put on the muscle, allowing it to heal or preventing plantar fasciitis from ever occurring. Here are some added benefits of wearing orthotic insoles:

• Cheap and easy to insert into most pairs of shoes and boots
• Recommended by doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists everywhere
• Helps to alleviate leg, hip, and lower back pain
• Cushion and absorb shock while walking or running
• Helps to give arch support and increase circulation all over your body
• Helps with posture

As you can see the real question here is: “Why shouldn’t I be wearing insoles?” With so many researched and proven benefits, it makes sense why so many doctors recommend a good pair of orthotic insoles.

How do I know what insole is right for me?

With so many different insoles on the market we understand how stressful and confusing picking out the right insole for plantar fasciitis can be. Here are a few things to look for when making your decision:

• A deep heel cup. Because of the nature of the injury, having a deep heel cup provides more cushion and support for the arches of your feet. This factor is essential to look for when choosing an insole.
• Read the reviews! If other plantar fasciitis sufferers are raving about an insole, chances are that you will share in their approval. Heeding the advice of other people that have gone through what you are and found a solution is usually a good idea.
• Price point. Just because an insole costs more does not mean it is the best! Alternatively be aware that a cheap insole might save you few dollars but that doesn’t mean that they will save your feet. Sometimes a cheap insole can actually make things worse for you. Just be careful when making your selection.
• When all else fails, go with a well known brand. In the case of orthotic insoles, buying from a brand name with a solid fanbase is probably a safe bet. In an industry revolving around relieving people’s pain and discomfort if a brand cannot stand up to the task than you probably have never heard of them.

Are there any downsides to insoles?

Although using insoles for Plantar Fasciitis is usually a win win situation, there are a few of what some people may consider “negatives” that need to be addressed:

• Insole Volume. Some insoles can be a bit thick which results in your shoes feeling a bit tighter around your foot. Be sure to make sure the insole volume matches the type of shoe you will be wearing or there may be some foot discomfort. High volume insoles are made with roomy shoes in mind such as boots or sports shoes. Low volume insoles are best suited to be used in snug fitting shoes such as cycling or dress shoes.
• Cleaning and maintenance. Because your insoles spend a lot of time in with your stinky feet, frequent care of your insoles is necessary to prolong their life and prevent unpleasant odor. Taking your insoles out to air them and rinse them periodically is highly recommended by us and the people around you.
• Wear over time. Like shoes, insoles DO wear out over time. Insoles generally last about 12 months with proper care before they need to be replaced.
• Fit problems. Insoles are sized according to standard shoe sizes which leaves little margin for error. However sometimes sizing issues do happen. If your size 9 insole just won’t fit in your size 9 shoe, sometimes trimming a little bit off the toe area can solve the problem.

Wrapping it up

In conclusion insoles are one of the top recommended solutions to relieve pain caused by your injured plantar muscle. There are many shapes, sizes and brands of orthotics on the market but these 7 are the ones we feel are the best insoles for plantar fasciitis.

We hope this article was able to help you in your quest to find the insole that is right for you. As always if you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to leave a comment below. Also, if you know of any other plantar fasciitis insoles that helped you conquer your pain, please let us know!

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