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. A certified personal trainer, running coach, gym buff, and fitness writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPTspends countless hours researching and testing the latest exercise gear and gadgets. She only recommends products that she can genuinely stand behind and that she believes are good investments for her readers. 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 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 But, to understand why good insoles are important, it’s worth knowing just how bad cheap, low-quality insoles can affect you. “The problem with most of the materials we see that are used in over the counter insoles, is that they bottom out and lose their cushioning after a while,” says Andrew Shapiro, D.P.M., a podiatrist based on Long Island. The solution, of course, is to spend a little more on insoles with a premium construction. Splurge on thermoplastic over gel which tends to be more supportive.

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: 4.8/5Currex's RunPro Running Insoles provided a little cushioning but didn’t alleviate our foot pain or have enough support for higher arches. Arch support is usually the biggest deciding factor in how comfortable your insoles are. Without visiting a podiatrist, it can be difficult to self-diagnose your arch height. “A lot of time patients come to me and they say, ‘I have a really flat foot. I’ve always had a flat foot.’ Then I look at their foot and it’s normal or high arch,” says Shapiro. This is best determined by a specialist. But, if you can’t justify a visit to the foot doc right, consider a pair of insoles with “Medium” arch support as a starting point. After a day or two of wear, you should be able to determine whether you need to go lower or higher. As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquistunderstands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who've tried 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. Type: Some insoles are crafted with cushioning in mind, while others provide firm support or foot pain relief—consider your goals and concerns while shopping. For example, if you have conditions like plantar fasciitis or overpronation, it may be helpful to invest in a pair that's built specifically for your feet's needs. In addition, most insoles are designed to fit certain arch types. Whether you have low, medium, or high arches, it's also a good idea to keep your foot type in mind. Since feet are so unique, Valencia prefers heat moldable insoles, which can be customized to fit and support your anatomy.

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. 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. Materials: Insoles often rely on cork, plastic, foam, gel, or a combination of these to provide cushioning and support. Graddon explains that plastic insoles tend to be stiffer, while pairs made of cork and foam will mold to your feet more easily. She adds that foam is the softest and the least supportive, making it a good choice for wearers with diabetes or neuropathy ( loss of feeling in your feet). Sizes: Men’s 8 to 14, Women’s 6 to 10 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: No | Materials: Not listed | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5Best for people who have tried other insoles, but still haven't found a pair that meets their needs. We love that PowerStep's Original Insoles earned the APMA's Seal of Approval. However, the arch support was so high that it made the toe boxes of our shoes feel tight. 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