The 8 Best Insoles to Buy for Flat Feet in 2018

The orthotic insoles from Physix Gear are excellent inserts for men or women, for sports or work, and for flat feet or other common foot issues, such as bone spurs. These versatile insoles fit inside of men’s shoe sizes 3 through 14.5 and women’s size 5 through 16.5. Designed with thin material throughout and a cradling heel, the insole supports your foot with its semi-rigid arch while also helping enforce proper walking form.

The Physix Gear Orthotic insole is made of “medical-grade dual base layered high-performance” EVA foam and PU material. Additionally, the insert’s design is soft yet supportive and has an anti-bacterial top layer. The insole is designed with anti-slip technology, keeping the insert in place and your heel on the insert. These inserts can be used for everything from manual labor to hiking, rock climbing, or team sports. Customers love Physix orthotics because they don’t need a breaking-in period and they work well, helping reduce foot pain.

There are few sports more painful on flat feet than basketball. From pounding the court up and down the floor to landing every time you grab a rebound, it’s critical to have the right orthotic insoles for flat feet. The Pedag Viva Sport Orthic is the perfect insole for basketball players because it is lightweight, supportive of the arch and cushions the heel.

The Pedag Viva insole is not designed specifically for basketball, but rather an array of sports and works well for basketball. The insert is constructed with five layers and several points of interest. The top-level material is made of elastic, resilient, high-tech material. The heel is significantly cushioned to lessen the blow of every landing. The mid-section of the orthotic insole includes a metatarsal pad for cushioning the ball of the foot, a high and semi-rigid arch section for flat foot support, and a plantar vault support by the heel. This insole will absorb the shock and pain of a basketball game on the hardwood or the playground. Also, it can be hand-washed and air-dried to maintain hygiene.

Shoe insoles aren’t just for foot pain. Often, improving the way you walk and supporting your feet can lead to reductions in other body pains and aches. The Walkfit Platinum foot orthotics insoles are made to help with back pain as well as foot, hip, and leg pain. Walkfit explains that these customizable orthotics help balance your hips, align flat feet, reduce pressure on the knees, and reduce back pain.

Unlike many of the other orthotic insoles on the market, the Walkfit platinum orthotics have multiple arch insert options. Simply insert the low, medium, or high arch support into the insole to fit your foot and your flat-footed needs. There is even a fourth reflexology acupressure insert. There are 11 different unisex sizes that can be used with athletic shoes, work shoes or casual footwear. Made of rubber and thermoplastic, the Walkfit Platinum orthotics absorb shock consistently to help reduce the impact on other parts of your body. Additionally, these insoles are odor-resistant and 100-percent washable.

Sof Sole makes a variety of orthotics for athletics and casual use alike, offering support and improved walking form. The Sof Sole Airr is the perfect option for any soccer star because of its unique construction and athletic focus.

The Airr insole uses a nylon arch plate to support flat feet and improve each step. Additionally, the SKYDEX material in the heel and arch provides added cushion to reduce pain throughout, without adding weight to this lightweight insole. The heel also boasts a gel pad for additional cushion while the ball of the foot gets an extra soft material. The entire top layer of the insole is made of COOLMAX, a moisture-wicking material that is treated to prevent bacteria growth and odor - ideal for soccer cleats.

The Airr insert is also great for running, cycling, cross training, jumping, and walking. The reason it is so well designed for soccer is that it can help your flat feet take the wear and tear of endurance running and jogging by cushioning impact and supporting your arch.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the tissue on the bottom of your foot become inflamed and causes heel pain. This condition can be connected with running, obesity, and sports injuries. People who are flat-footed are more likely to have plantar fasciitis. The Icebug Slim Low Volume Insole can help people deal with the symptoms of both flat footedness and plantar fasciitis.

With a flashy and fun yellow design, you can get the Icebug insole in low, medium, or high arch options and it can be purchased in most adult male shoe sizes. The nylon insert has a rubber sole and a rare “arch flex system” to help retain the energy you release while you walk for a little extra bounce in your step. This insole is designed for low volume shoes with a 2 millimeter thickness and Icebug explains that it targets all of the bones in your foot for added support.

While the flex arch helps flat-footed users, the double-arc heel cup is what assists plantar fasciitis sufferers. The deep heel cup is built with foam on the bottom to protect the plantar fascia and cushion the entire heel, therefore reducing pain. The entire insert also features EVA foam for added shock absorption.

Supination, or underpronation, is the word for when you land too much on the outside of your feet when you’re running, failing to roll inward sufficiently. Common with flat-footed runners and potentially painful, supination can be helped with good sneaker inserts. The Powerstep SlimTech 3/4 Orthopedic insole is a great option for adjusting your supination.

The Powerstep SlimTech 3/4 insole is only three-quarters of an insole. Lacking support under your toe box, this insert focuses on supporting your arch and cushioning your heel and doesn’t crowd your toes. It can be used with another insole with its non-slip bottom or on its own. The insert has a semi-rigid arch support that helps your feet land properly, without rolling outward. Additionally, the “variable cushioning technology” helps reduce pain in the arch and heel even though the insert’s construction stays ultra thin. The top level of the insert is an antimicrobial polyester and HyPUR-cel fabric that also reduces heat and friction. Hand washable and air dryable, the inserts work for a variety of footwear and can easily be switched from pair to pair.

If you have a job where you’re on your feet all day and you have flat feet, you can quickly develop pain, soreness or numbness. Jobsite Therapeutic Massaging Gel Work Insoles are designed to reduce these symptoms by supporting the heel and adding cushion throughout the foot.

Jobsite’s gel insoles use a low arch support, to subtly support your arch over a long period of time. Additionally, the heel cup provided protection from shock and wear throughout the day. The polyurethane gel at the bottom of the insole runs from the heel through the arch for great cushion and “rebound” in a larger area of the foot than many other inserts. It’ll keep your feet active and awake. A polyurethane foam covers the entire insert for added comfort all over. The top-level fabric is friction-reducing, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. The one-size-fits-all insoles can be trimmed to fit your work shoes.

Anyone who works in work boots deserves a little extra love for their feet even if they don’t have flat feet. Long hours of manual labor will make even the healthiest feet exhausted and achey. With flat feet, it’s only more important. If you have flat feet, you may want to consider a pair of the Footminders Comfort Orthotic Arch Support Insoles for your work boots.

These popular insoles have a high arch for optimal support on flat feet, but most of this insert is designed for comfort and cushion—exactly what you need when you’re in work boots all day. The ball of the foot is cushioned with a dual-layer of padding in the front. The rear features a deep heel cup for ankle stability and a “shock pad” underneath for added absorption. The entire insole is made of the cushy EVA foam.

Footminders explains that these insoles are recommended by podiatrists and chiropractors for treating the foot pain that comes from flat feet. These inserts can be washed by hand and air dried so that you don’t get that work boot funk for long. You can purchase these inserts for men or women and a variety of boot sizes.