Best Shoe Inserts for Plantar Fasciitis: A Review of Insoles

One of most common reasons people experience heel pain from plantar fasciitis is due to poor footwear. It’s no wonder that one of the most common questions I get as a Physical Therapist is this: what are the best shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis?  I’ll share my top recommendations in this article, and you won’t even need a copay 🙂

Finding the Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis

In my experience as a Physical Therapist, I’ve treated countless patients who suffer from heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis.  While the best treatment for plantar fasciitis involves focused stretches and exercises, I often hear one very common question over and over. What are the best shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis? 

Just to clarify: I use the terms insoles and inserts interchangeably. The term insole, inserts, and arch supports are synonymous terms. 

Personally, I have experienced plantar fasciitis and have remedied it through exercises and stretches, as well as plantar fasciitis inserts. I fully believe that a good shoe insert for plantar fasciitis can be helpful for managing pain in the short term.  

So what are the best plantar fasciitis insoles?

Below are the top recommendations I make in the clinic when I’m asked this all too common question.

4 Best Inserts For Plantar Fasciitis

1. Protalus Reviews: ProTalus M100 Inserts

I have had a lot of success in recommending this insert to patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis.  Many of my patients have ‘tried everything’ and were hesitant about these inserts.

Here’s what I like best out of these inserts: they are well constructed and actually provide good support to the arch. They’re comfortable and provide quite a bit more support than the typical over the counter arch support.

While they are a little more expensive than inserts you’d find at a drugstore, these inserts are getting excellent reviews on Amazon from people seeking relief from plantar fasciitis.  

View the ProTalus Inserts on Amazon.

Tread Labs Insoles

I use the Tread Labs insoles in both my casual boots as well as my athletic shoes.  I like these insoles because they’re supportive, but not overbearing.  (You can read my full Tread Labs Review here)

The top cover is designed to be replaceable and adjustable. In other words, you can actually remove the top cloth portion of the insole and trim it to fit your shoe as well as replace it when it wears down (as all cloth insoles will).

The polyurethane foam insole cover is no joke actually. While it resembles a standard foam insole that you’ll find in most shoes, it’s 5x sturdier than the standard EVA. (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is the typical elastic material found in standard shoe inserts.) Plus, they’re made with Pure™ antimicrobial treatment that kills 99% of bacteria.  

The molded plastic composite that makes up the heel cup and arch support is lined with a Velcro style lining that makes for easy replacement of the top cover. It’s a no frills design that is practical and works. In other words, the arch support might look simplistic, but once you put it in your shoe, you’ll be happily surprised.

I’ve tried quite a few insoles myself and have analyzed dozens of insoles from patients who visit me in the clinic.

I have to say – the Tread Labs insoles rank as one of the most comfortable insoles that I’ve ever tried.

Check out the Tread Labs insoles here.

Powerstep Original Full Length Orthotic Shoe Insoles

At around $25, the Powerstep is a very affordable option for a quality shoe insert.  I like the semi rigid arch support that allows for flexibility while providing a strong cradle for those with high arches.  

Like any insert, it’s possible to experience decreased support over time.  Many reviewers of the Powerstep insert suggested purchasing multiple insoles to rotate on a weekly or daily basis.  

What I find most interesting are the 2,200+ 5 Star review for this insert on Amazon.  People are really finding this insert to be helpful in managing their plantar fasciitis symptoms.

Superfeet Green / Blue Full Length Insole

The Superfeet green insoles are another affordable option for people suffering from plantar fasciitis.  You’ll find multiple options from Superfeet, but the green insoles have the deepest heel cup, which is often more  comfortable for those with plantar fasciitis.

The reviews of this insert are extremely high, receiving over 5,000 4.5 stars on Amazon.  It’s hard to argue with so many people who find this insole to provide relief.

I think the Superfeet inserts can be a great option for someone who has multiple styles of shoes and prefers a slightly different type of support depending on the size and shape of the shoe.

Why Does Plantar Fasciitis Happen?

The plantar fascia is a strong band of fibrous tissue that runs from the heel along the arch of the foot, attaching to the toes.  

This fascial band acts as a support for the foot, providing important tension with each step.  When the foot pushes off the ground, the plantar fascia is most tense, providing crucial support for the longitudinal arch of the foot.  

Unfortunately, when increased stress is placed on the plantar fascia, it can become irritated and inflamed.  Increased stress to the plantar fascia can occur for multiple reasons:

• Prolonged use of footwear with poor arch support
• High impact activities: i.e. running and jumping
• Sitting with your feet pointed downward (bouncing or tapping feet)
• Increased weight (obesity)
• Introduction of new activity (hiking, walking, running, etc)

Will an Insert Cure Plantar Fasciitis?

The short answer is no, and here’s why: Your body has adapted to undue stress that has irritated your heel and the fascia of your foot.  In order to actually resolve the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis, you’ll need to address these key factors:

• Activity modification
• Proper and specific stretching
• Focused exercises for the ankle (and hip!)

Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Choosing one of the above shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis can really help in reducing pain. But if you have horrible shoes, you should really consider upgrading to a better shoe. 

Some of the best brand of shoes for plantar fasciitis include:

• ECCO
• Brooks
• New Balance
• Asics
• Vionic

Are My Shoes Causing Plantar Fasciitis?

It’s quite possible that a new shoe or an ill-fitting shoe may be causing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Even a brand new pair of strong, supportive shoes can be problematic if you don’t give yourself time to adjust appropriately.

I’ve seen so many people run out to buy the newest, most recommended shoes for heel pain and start wearing them immediately the next day for 8 hours. Ouch! Your feet are already unhappy and you’ve just introduced a new environment that may be causing extra stress to areas that aren’t used to it yet.

So what do you do?

Finding the ‘perfect’ shoe for plantar fasciitis is nearly impossible. That’s why I tell my patients to look for the following three items in their footwear:

1. Does the arch feel supportive? Your arch should feel like it’s getting the support it deserves in your shoe. If it’s ill fitting and feels uncomfortable, it’s not for you.
2. Is there heel support on the shoe? Look at the bottom of two pairs of shoes and observe the heels of each shoe. There can be as much of a ½ inch difference between heel height on athletic shoes. From what we know about footwear and heel pain, providing a slightly raised heel can help to ‘give in’ to the calf and relieve some of the strain that is being put on the heel and plantar fascia.
3. A soft cushion and/or a removable insert. Regardless of the brand or style of shoe you decide to buy, it needs to be comfortable. Just because it’s the newest model, or has the latest technology or arch support, doesn’t mean it will be comfortable to you. I like recommending ASICS Gel Nimbus shoes because they provide an unbelievable amount of support that is comfortable for most feet types. If you decide on another brand or style, make sure to see if the inserts can be removed as you may consider adding a plantar fasciitis insert down the road.