How To Find The Best Insoles For Arch Support
Perhaps your running shoes are giving you a hard time while out on a run. If so, then you might want to consider getting some insoles. Especially if your arches are weak, it might be a good idea to get some comfort and support in order to enjoy your workouts even more.
That said, in this article, we will give you the low-down on how to find the best insoles for arch support. We will also give you a few of our top picks to get you started. Soon enough, you will have more supported arches and feel ready to take on anything for future runs.
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** Below, you'll see more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon"
Reasons for Getting Insoles for Arch Support
You might be asking yourself just how do insoles help with your feet? Although you might have heard that insoles are good for you, you might not know exactly why. That said, here are some reasons for you to reflect on:
1. They prevent injuries.
Essentially, all it comes down to is preventing foot injuries from coming around. Insoles with arch support, more specifically, are able to help you avoid getting ones such as Achilles tendinitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and the dreaded plantar fasciitis.
2. They reduce injury-induced pain.
So even if you take preventive measures to not getting injured, you still might end up getting it anyway. That said, wearing insoles for arch support can ameliorate that pain, so that you can still continue to do the activities that you love.
3. They help fix your posture.
If you in particular have weak arches, then insoles can help you out. They do so by aligning the legs and keeping your ankles and knees straight. By doing so, your body will be more stable and able to handle even the toughest of workouts without any problems.
Types of foot arches
Essentially, you can break down different types of foot arches into three categories. Here they are:
1. High arch.
As the name implies, high arches refer to those in which the center of your foot is raised high above the ground, even at resting point. When applied to the Wet Test (i.e. a paper imprint of your foot), the middle of the foot is barely visible, if visible at all.
2. Medium arch.
Considered the “ideal” kind of arch to have, medium arches strike a balance between high and low arches, in that they leave a decent imprint when placed on a piece of paper towel. They usually do not create a lot of problems for runners and thereby do not require arch support.
3. Low arch.
Also known as “flat foot,” low arches are when your arch is heavily pressed to the paper, thereby leaving a heavy imprint all around. Having low arches comes with some problems since runners with this foot type tend to heel strike, which can cause injuries with the heel, ankle, and even joints.
For flat feet, here is our article on how to cope with it.
How to Find the Right Insoles for Arch Support
While it is true that the process of finding the right fit can be an intimidating process, it is not impossible to do. Granted, there are especially so many opportunities to customize or easily buy them from the local drugstore, but you can also pay that extra money for a more personalized one, especially if your arches are quite a distinctive case.
With that said, here are a few ideas that can help you pick out your insoles for arch support:
1. Talk with your doctor.
Beforehand, it is advisable that you consult with your doctor on getting the right insoles to help with your arches. It is essential to do so, since you may or may not need insoles in the first place, and therefore you would not want to be misdiagnosed for this issue.
Discussing your day-to-day practices such as how much you walk or how long you stand per day, as well as how much you exercise can be crucial to finding the best insoles for you.
2. Get your feet fitted.
In order to ensure that your insoles will be just right for your feet, it helps to get your feet fitted. Ideally, it is best to find one that is exactly your size or smaller, since they will need to fit inside of your shoe; after all, you would not want to cut the insoles out in order to make them fit!
3. Look at the material.
Typically, a good insole is made from material that is firm, but also flexible: it should not be so soft that it does not support you for very long, but also it should not be too rigid in that it does not bend with every stride you take. It also helps to see if you can machine-wash it, so as to keep it clean and comfortable for you to wear over long periods of time.
5 Best Insoles for Flat Feet
Product Name | Image | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | $ | ||
| A | $ | ||
| A | $ | ||
| A | $$$ | ||
| A+ | $$ |
** Below, you'll see more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon"
Dr. Foot’s shoe insole has a neutral arch design, which is geared to fit and accommodate for just about any foot type out there. In addition, its moisture management treatment keeps your feet cool and dry, so there is no problem with sweat and odor. Finally, there are gel pads for heel and forefeet cushioning, which altogether makes it a comfortable cushion insole to have.
Pros
- Consists of a neutral arch design for accommodating any foot type for all people.
- Has a special moisture management treatment feature to keep your feet cool and dry.
- Contains gel pads for heel and forefeet cushioning for maximum comfort.
Cons
- Neutral arch might not necessarily accommodate for all foot types, perhaps not providing enough or too much cushioning depending on the individual.
Opinion
After buying Dr. Foot’s arch support insole, I set about wearing them right away. I found it to be quite comfortable, and I really appreciated the moisture management treatment technology, as I found my feet to stay dry and cool even after being up on my feet the whole day. However, the neutral arch could be improved on, since it cannot quite accommodate for my flat feet.
Vbiger’s shoe inserts strive to make the best, affordable quality insoles out there. They’re known to help those not only reduce pain from running-induced injuries, but also to be worn versatilely with other shoes for various occasions.
Pros
- This particular brand has a heel cradle, which cushions that area with every strike.
- It contains great cushioning technology, which helps you stay comfortable during physical activities and when standing or walking.
- Besides having a dramatic arch to mold your feet into, it also has a soft, balanced texture.
- Has been able to alleviate long-term knee pain.
Cons
- It can tend to squeak a bit, which users might find distracting when going about day-to-day activities.
- The insole tends to wear out pretty quickly, within 2 to 3 months of use.
- The high arch might be too stiff and uncomfortable for some users to wear, especially for an entire day.
- Some sizes might be slightly too small when fitted into the shoe, which as a result causes them to slide around during physical activity.
Opinion
Overall, I found Vbiger’s shoe inserts to be quite comfortable, since it provides lovely heel cradle support and molds to the shape of your feet. However, I did not find it very durable, since after three months it was all worn out.
Containing a shock absorption foam and an anti-blister top cover, Dr. Foot’s arch insoles consists of many features that complement the overall comfort of what the product itself has to offer for relieving you of foot and heel pain.
Pros
- Has lightweight cushioning for comfort and convenience.
- Contains soft side edges that will not rub abrasively against your foot.
- Can be worn with just about any type of shoes (running, formal, boots).
Cons
- The arch area might not be as comfortable and as supportive as other brands’.
Opinion
Overall, I found Vbiger’s shoe inserts to be quite comfortable, since it provides lovely heel cradle support and molds to the shape of your feet. However, I did not find it very durable, since after three months it was all worn out.
As one of the leading manufacturers in foot-engineering technology, Powerstep Pinnacle’s shoe insoles have been used by many people with foot issues for many years. From the heel to the ball of the foot, these insoles provide all-around padding for the user to wear at any time of the day.
Pros
- With its trademark anti-odor technology, these particular insoles can help reduce sweat odor from the inside of the shoe.
- Powerstep’s shoe insoles are able to reduce shock impact by as much as 40 percent.
- Another feature is that the insoles have triple zone protection: padding for the ball of the foot, a reinforced arch support, and a deep heel cup- all to improve cushioning!
- They are also versatile to be worn for other types of shoes (sneakers, combat boots, etc.).
Cons
- They might not be as soft and comfortable to wear compared with other insole brands.
- Powerstep’s shoe insoles are able to reduce shock impact by as much as 40 percent.
- Another feature is that the insoles have triple zone protection: padding for the ball of the foot, a reinforced arch support, and a deep heel cup- all to improve cushioning!
- The size can be too bulky, thereby making it a tight squeeze for the inside of your shoes.
Opinion
Powerstep Pinnacle’s shoe insoles were a pleasure to put on, and to get out of the house with for running. My only issue was that it could have been a bit more comfortable than it actually was, since my arches were aching a bit afterwards.
With a four-way stretch fabric and blister and odor-controlling features, Spenco’s shoe insoles have leveled up the way technology is taken to create a new and improved cushion insole for the dedicated runner. Its lightweight, polyurethane foam provides arch and heel support, and they also come with a heel plug for that extra cushion that you might need.
Pros
- Consists of a four-way stretch fabric for extra flexibility when your foot arches with each step.
- Has blister-prevention and odor-controlling features to keep your feet healthy and clean.
- Is made from a lightweight, polyurethane foam for arch and heel support to keep your heels supported and comfortable.
Cons
- The arch might be pushed too back for it to actually take full effect in supporting your foot’s arches.
Opinion
Spenco’s shoe insoles were wonderfully flexible when I first tried them on. Even after running for several days, I was happy to see that I received no blisters from all of that exercise. They are lightweight, too, so I had no problem inserting and removing them when switching between shoes. However, I would say that the arch design is pushed too far back, so that my actual arches are not as supported as I want them to be.
Winner of the Roundup
Now that we’ve seen all of the top 5 best insoles, the winner of the roundup would have to be Spenco Rx Orthotic Arch Support Full Length Shoe Insoles (#5).
What made this particular insole stand out from the rest was its ability to be used constantly in day-to-day activities, as well as physical exercises. Not wearing out as quickly as other brands, while also being affordable, was a plus as well. Its ankle support also demonstrates that it can protect from (as well as also prevent) injuries to the lower extremities from happening, even worsening.
Overall, when it comes to picking the best insoles for flat feet, choosing one that’s durable and with decent support is the way to go!
References:
http://www.feetgenius.com/buyers-guide/best-insoles-for-flat-feet/
