We Tested 21 Insoles to Find the Best Pairs for Flat Feet

What to Look for When Shopping for Insoles for Flat Feet

• Arch Support: People with flat feet or those prone to foot issues such as plantar fasciitis need firm arch support. The severity of your flat feet should determine the level of support you need. If you have totally collapsed arches, you might need more corrective arch support. Those with a slight arch can usually get away with low-profile support.
• Heel Cup: Because many people with flat feet overpronate, insoles with a deep heel cup can help keep feet stable and reduce pressure in the heel area. A deep heel cup can also decrease the risk of heel pain and improve balance.
• Materials and Cushioning: Look for insoles that are made of durable materials such as foam, cork, plastic, gel, or a combination of these to provide the right amount of support and cushioning. Plastic insoles tend to be stiffer, so they’re a good choice for those who need rigid arch support. Pairs made of cork and foam offer good shock absorption and will mold to your feet more easily.
• Shoe Compatibility: With most walking and running shoes, you’ll most likely be able to remove the existing insole and replace it, so the thickness of the insole won’t be an issue. However, if you’re wearing dress shoes or low-profile shoes, opt for thinner, more lightweight insoles. For work boots, you may need longer insoles with a tailored shape. Some insoles are half- or three-quarters length, so they work better for shoes that are narrow or shallow.
• Features: Insoles for flat feet should have a contoured footbed that mimics your foot’s natural shape and provides arch support. A deep heel cup will help keep your foot stable and aligned. According to our experts, insoles with a metatarsal pad may also help alleviate and prevent pain by taking pressure off the ball of your foot.

How We Tested the Insoles

To find the best insoles for flat feet, we've tested 21 options from some of the most trusted and popular brands. To select the products on our list that we haven't tested yet, we consulted podiatrists and other experts for their recommendations and key features to look for. When testing insoles, we evaluate the following key aspects for each pair:

• Support: When first trying each pair, we assess the arch support to determine if it hits our feet in the correct spot. As we stand and walk in them, we also note how comfortable they feel. Then, we assess how supportive the insoles are by determining if our feet feel cradled and supported as we wear them. Do they provide stability and gently correct our feet to encourage proper alignment? Or are they too flimsy and soft?
• Comfort: As we wear the insoles for extended periods, we note how they feel. Do they make our shoes more or less comfortable? Does the insole prohibit movement in any way? Do they irritate the balls of our feet, or do they help improve comfort in that area? When walking long distances in the insoles, do our feet feel tired?
• Pain Relief: During testing, we pay attention to how our feet, ankles, knees, and lower back feel, especially after wearing the insoles all day. Do the insoles relieve existing pain or make it worse? And how much do they impact the way our lower body feels?
• Breathability: While wearing the insoles, we note whether our feet feel any warmer or cooler than they typically do. We also consider whether our feet are less sweaty than usual when taking our shoes off after wearing them with the insoles. In general, we pay close attention to any sweat-wicking abilities.
• Overall Value: To assign each pair a value score, we don’t look at the price until the end of the testing period after we have evaluated each insole in all other key categories. After considering the insoles’ performance and cost, we note whether or not we think they are fairly priced. Insoles that receive high-value scores are often priced below what we would consider paying for them.

Our Experts

We consulted experts at every stage while researching and reporting this story. Some, like Valencia, helped us test the insoles. Others, like Jeng and Kor, taught us which key features to look for in each pair. We choose products independently, but expert input influences our decisions. More on our experts:

• Clifford L. Jeng, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon and medical director of The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore
• Alex Kor, DPM, MS, podiatrist in Lebanon, Indiana
• Diana Valencia, DPM, podiatrist at NYC Foot & Ankle Center in New York City

Why Trust Verywell Fit

A certified personal trainer, running coach, gym buff, and fitness writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, spends 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 would be a good investment for her readers.