The 10 Best Insoles for Shoes and Sneakers

Superfeet is a widely recognized manufacturer of some of the best insoles on the market. And the CARBON is maybe their most innovative design. The face of the insole is made of Superfeet’s patented ultralight foam. The base is laced with a carbon fiber and polymer blend, which reinforces the structural integrity of the insole, absorbs impact, and stabilizes the foot.

Whether you stand for long periods, walk, or jog every morning, these insoles lend an extra layer of support and comfort to your feet. They can be inserted into your sneakers, running shoes, brogues, cleats, boots, or high-heels! You can expect to walk at least 500 miles before they need to be replaced, according to Superfeet.

The CARBON accommodates most types of footwear (except for sandals and crocs). The foam is perforated to prevent hot-spots and is covered in an all-natural coating that kills odor-causing bacteria.

After Superfeet, Powerstep is the most acclaimed insole brand. And this is their flagship product. This insole is the picture of simplicity and elegance. But don’t let the subtlety fool you — despite appearances, the design is complex. It does much with very little.

The Powerstep has a full-length shell base. This retains the shape of the EVA foam, which makes the insole more durable. It also minimizes trimming, so the insole is easily transferable from shoe to shoe. On that score, the low profile and ultra-thin design makes it perfect for most athletic, casual, or dress shoes. The shell also ensures the cushion and stability is distributed across the entire length of your foot.

The foam is made of a polypropylene material which resists odor. It is suitable for almost any type of footwear and any type of activity (or stationary inactivity). Of all the insoles on this list, it is the most versatile.

Gel is an increasingly popular material for insoles. It manages to absorb shock much more effectively than cork or foam. It also distributes heat effectively, preventing hot-spots that can form blisters. Despite being heavier than other materials, gel insoles are a rising favorite among athletes. And Dr. Scholl’s is the biggest best-seller.

These Running Insoles by Dr. Scholl’s localize padding for the heel and the balls of the feat, but they also feature reinforced arch support. This makes them ideal for running, standing, or walking on hard, flat surfaces. They fit most sneakers and running shoes. The SweatMax Technology helps resist foot odors.

Dr. Scholl’s is a terrific insole for individuals on a budget or experimenting with insoles for the first time. While less durable than others on this list, they more than make up for it with that alluring price tag and the therapeutic levels of comfort.

Although marketed to active types who spend their free time hiking, running, climbing, and parkour-ing, these insoles by Sof Sole have just as much to offer casual walkers and standers. They are made of 100% patented foam — except for some tactful gel pads at the heel and the balls of the feet.

Together, the foam and gel make a great combo. The foam is molded into a neutral contoured arch design, which is good for most foot types (but not all). This supplies the necessary support and cushion to the wearer. Meanwhile, the gel absorbs shock at key pressure points and keeps the foot cool. Like most athletic insoles, the Sof Sole has antimicrobial technology to fight odor.

These insoles will add more comfort and support to your athletic footwear. They are also easy to trim. However, given that they are designed primarily for athletes and individuals with a neutral foot arch, they probably aren’t the first choice for individuals with a high arch or those with arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, or other foot-related issues.

Just as the Sof Sole is made for neutral arches, the Spenco is the perfect choice for flat-footed individuals, or those with a low-to-medium arch. They are not as discreet as many insoles on this list. These insoles are substantial, and shapely, slices of lightweight polyurethane foam to provide maximum support. In a word, it’s “thicc.”

This makes the Spenco less versatile and less likely to fit all shoes. However, they will fit most types of athletic and dress shoes. Since Spenco is not available in half-sizes, the website recommends purchasing the next size down. For example, if you wear a 10.5, then buy a size 10 insole. But since the Spenco is easy to trim, I’d advise against this and instead recommend purchasing the next size up.

The Spenco is highly reviewed by active users and is particularly good at repelling bad odors. The Spenco is treated with Silpure: a technology that kills odor-causing bacteria with silver nanoparticles. Athletes and runners can use the same insoles every day for years and it will never stink.

People trust big-name brands like Superfeet and Powerstep. There’s a reason they are the big-name brands. They didn’t get there by manufacturing disappointing products. But now and then, a great product emerges, carried on the waves of high reviews and massive sales. The people have spoken: Walk-Hero is one of those brands.

This insole by Walk-Hero is one of Amazon’s best-selling and highest-reviewed insoles. Few insoles have as much arch support — credit to the “deep cup” design which stabilizes the foot, prevents friction, and absorbs impact. Though results are best for individuals with a neutral arch, the Walk-Hero promises to support all arch types.

The Walk-Hero is designed for individuals who are active on hard, flat surfaces. It fits best to boots, hiking shoes, and dress shoes. It is intended for daily use, not athletics. If you are looking for an affordable pair of insoles that will prevent injury and maybe even relieve conditions like  Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis, you can’t do better.

For over 100 years, New Balance has marketed to athletes, helping them achieve excellence without foot injury. While they are best known for their athletic shoes, they also manufacture insoles with the same degree of thoughtfulness and quality. These insoles are for individuals with flexible arches. And they’re good for regular daily use or athletic feets (…get it?).

The New Balance insoles can fit into most boots, athletic shoes, or casual shoes — basically, anything with a removable footbed. Gel pads are positioned at the heel and forefoot to absorb the most impact shock and promote cooling. However, the synthetic cover is the real cooling feature. Not only is it antimicrobial, but it distributes heat, preventing friction and blisters.

The New Balance is a high quality item, but there are others just as good at a more affordable price. The arch is regularly reported to be too high, so only individuals with a particularly high arch should consider this product.

Insoles can be made of many materials, with foam and gel being the most popular. But for many years, cork was king. The brains at Sole have reinvented this traditional material to manufacture the world’s one and only vegan insole. No latex, no harmful chemicals, no eco-unfriendly manufacturing processes. Just 100% recycled cork base.

On top of the cork is a patented Polygiene antimicrobial fabric cover. But if you think cork can’t perform as well as foam or gel, think again. This particular insole was designed in collaboration with Dean Karnazes, an ultramarathon runner. This insole can fit into most boots, athletic shoes, and casual sneakers.

Cork has a few drawbacks. It is brittle and usually firmer than foam or gel. As the material molds to your feet over time, it tends to crack in the process. But if you were wondering what the greenest insole on the market might be, here it is. Plus, for every purchase, Sole donates $1 to its GIVE BACK charity program.

I tend to be suspicious of small products with long, flashy titles full of unnecessary descriptors (why call it “Technology”?). But this is a case where over-marketing fits the product. Timberland is well-known for their stylish urban boots, but you probably didn’t know they manufactured insoles, too. And they’re just as good!

This Timberland insole is good old-fashioned foam. It has a “dynamic” arch feature which adapts to all arch types. The foam is lightweight, antimicrobial, and features “anti-fatigue technology” — which is a flashy way of saying the honeycomb-like inverted cone design of the foam not only absorbs impact, but naturally returns it. This gives the insole a springiness that slights fatigue.

The Timberland PRO can be fitted to most athletic and casual shoes, as well as boots. It lacks the low-profile and economy of other designs which makes them more versatile. And, like all Timberland merchandise, returning your insoles is free and easy to do.

Don’t let their user-unfriendly website fool you. The minds at Red-Thotics know their stuff. Their products are thoughtfully-designed and strive for the most comfortable and healing insoles on the market. Though not a widely recognized brand (for now), they have the loyalty of many professional podiatrists.

The Flex ranks among Red-Thotics’ best insoles. The Flex has two goals: maximize comfort and alleviate metatarsalgia, a common injury that results from over-using the ball of the foot. This condition has multiple causes that result from systematically putting most of your body weight on the ball of your foot. One need not be frequently participating in high-impact activities like sports in order to contract metatarsalgia.

The Flex won’t only alleviate the symptoms of metatarsalgia but it can help prevent it. Not only that, but the insole features a plush barratex cover which keeps the foot cool by reducing friction. This prevents hot-spots from forming, which could lead to blisters.