Best Overall

Spenco PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles

$30

$26 at Amazon View on Target View on Theinsolestore.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-12, Men’s 6-15 Arch Type: Neutral Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Nylon, foam, polyester Breathability: Good Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for neutral runners who need some extra cushioning and shock absorption in their running shoes, for comfort or pain relief.

Why We Love Them

After miles of test runs, Spenco's PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles are our top overall pick because they deliver targeted support and relief at a mid-range price. These have impressive support and shock absorption, with a foam footbed that helped relieve pain in our knees, arches, heels, and lower back during our test runs. We also love how soft and responsive the cushioning is, providing comfortable transitions between each stride. Plus, we've found that they alleviate the pressure that can come with longer runs.

While these insoles come in a fairly wide range of sizes, we found that they're also easy to trim for a more precise fit. The four-way stretch fabric is very breathable, keeping our feet dry and preventing blisters as we ran. We were pleasantly surprised to see that these insoles cost about half of what some of our other favorites do, making them an excellent value for the money.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles are designed for runners with neutral, medium arches and aren’t ideal for those with flat feet or high arches.

Best Running Insoles for Flat Feet

Redi-Thotics Flex Orthotic Insoles

$59 at Amazon View on Redi-thotics.com View on Orthoticshop.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 6-14, Men’s 5-13 Arch Type: Low, neutral, high Anti-Odor: No Materials: Foam Breathability: Good Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners with flat feet who need excellent arch support and stability.

Why We Love Them

For runners with flat feet, we love Redi-Thotics' Flex Orthotic Insoles. During runs, walks, and gym workouts, they provide strong arch support, keeping our flat feet comfortable and stable. The soft cushioning is incredibly responsive, providing a bouncy feel that instantly upgraded our well-loved sneakers.

These insoles are also effective at combating overpronation—our tester, whose ankles tend to roll inward, noticed that they gently aligned her feet and kept them in place. We even noticed that they helped improve our posture while walking or working out. Lightweight and breathable, these insoles also cut down on sweat.

Potential Flaws

• Although these insoles are one of the priciest on this list, we think their stellar support and hefty cushioning are well worth the additional investment.
• The insoles’ rigid support may take some time for flat feet to get used to. However, during testing, once we completed a few trial wears, we were surprised by how comfortable these felt.
  

Best Running Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis

Walk-Hero Comfort and Support Plantar Fasciitis Insoles

$20

$19 at Amazon

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 6-14, Men’s 4-16.5 Arch Type: Low, neutral, high Anti-Odor: No Materials: Foam Breathability: Minimal Our Overall Rating: 4/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners who overpronate, have a history of plantar fasciitis or other foot pain, and need reliable arch support.

Why We Love Them

WalkHero's Comfort and Support Plantar Fasciitis Insoles are our top pick for staving off the pain and stiffness of plantar fasciitis. During test walks and runs, the insoles’ rigid arch support kept our feet comfortable and pain-free. Additionally, they made a huge difference in preventing knee, ankle, and shin pain that we often feel during and after long-distance walks or being on our feet for extended periods.

Thin and low-profile, these insoles easily fit in our sneakers. We found that they made our flat, unsupportive shoes comfortable to wear, even for hours at a time. We also love that they come in a wide range of size options, so it’s easy to get the right fit.

Potential Flaws

• We wish these insoles were more breathable. The thick rubber layers tend to trap moisture rather than wick it away.
  

Best for High Arches

EasyFeet Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles

$30

$27 at Amazon View on Easyfeet.store

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5.5-15.5, Men’s 4.5-14.5 Arch Type: High Anti-Odor: No Materials: Polyester, foam, thermoplastic polyurethane Breathability: Minimal Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners with high arches who need insoles with stiff arch support to help prevent plantar fasciitis and other foot pain.

Why We Love Them

If your high arches often ache after wearing flat shoes, we recommend trying EasyFeet's Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles. The insoles’ stiff arch support allowed us to be on our feet for long periods of time pain-free. When we tested them in running shoes, they cradled our arches and relieved the calf pain we often feel during long-distance runs.

We love the deep heel cup, which helps keep our feet aligned and relieves heel pain and discomfort in our lower back. Even when we wore them in very flat and unsupportive shoes, we didn’t feel any pain after all-day wear. We were also relieved that they helped prevent numbness in our toes.

Potential Flaws

• Although the top layer wicks away moisture well, we wish these insoles were a little more breathable for longer runs in hot weather.
  

Best for Shin Splints

Spenco RX Comfort Insole

$22

$19 at Amazon View on Theinsolestore.com View on Spenco.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 4-15.5, Women’s 5-12.5 Arch Type: Low Anti-Odor: No Materials: Nylon Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners who are prone to shin splints and need insoles with excellent shock absorption.

Why We Love Them

Spenco's RX Comfort Insole is our top pick for runners with shin splints because its soft cushioning and superior shock absorption work together to prevent lower leg pain. We noticed right away how well these insoles protected our joints from the impact of running on hard surfaces. We regularly experience shin pain while running and found that they cut our usual discomfort in half—a marked improvement.

We were also impressed with the insoles’ low-profile design and responsiveness, with springy padding that helps us run further and longer. These insoles have received the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, meaning a panel of podiatrists has determined that they help support foot health. We also love their budget-friendly price.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles are fairly flat, so they may not have enough arch support for some runners.
• We wish they wicked moisture a bit better to keep our feet dry.

Best for Stability

Superfeet Run Support Shoe Inserts

$44

$39 at Amazon View on Insoles.com View on Fleetfeet.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 2.5-15, Women’s 4.5-14 Arch Type: Low Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Carbon fiber, foam Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners who need extra stability to help prevent foot, ankle, and knee pain.

Why We Love Them

With a durable, round heel cup that supports your ankles while still making it easy to pivot on a dime, Superfeet’s Run Support Shoe Inserts are our favorite for runners who need additional stability. The structure underneath the heel cradles our feet, bracing our ankles in a way that sets them apart from other pairs we've tested. We also noticed that wearing these insoles helps us stay on our feet longer, with noticeable pain reduction in our ankles and hips.

Lightweight and low-profile, these insoles have a thin layer of foam that's surprisingly soft underfoot. And we love that they help alleviate pressure, which can reduce irritation and blisters over time. Plus, the materials feel very high-quality and durable, making them a good value for the money.

Potential Flaws

• Although these insoles are pricier than some of our other top picks, their sturdy construction means they'll last a while, so you won't need to replace them often.

Best for Long Distances

Fulton The Athletic Insole

$52

$40 at Amazon $48 at Nordstrom View on Walkfulton.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women's 5-12, Men's 8-14 Arch Type: Low, neutral, high Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Cork, cotton, foam Breathability: Good Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners who need good support and shock absorption for running long distances.

Why We Love Them

Trying to run longer distances? We recommend slipping a pair of Fulton's Athletic Insoles into your sneakers. During testing, we found that these durable cork and foam insoles mold to the shape of the feet for customized fit and support. We love that this feature makes them perfect for runners with all arch types, whether high, low, or neutral.

The exceptional support also helped us avoid the typical heel, calf, and back pain that we feel after wearing flat sneakers for long periods. After wearing them for over seven hours, our lower body felt great—no ice bath or pain relievers were needed. We also noticed that they’re very breathable, keeping feet dry and blister-free as we worked our way up to longer distances.

Also available in men's sizes at Amazon and Nordstrom.

Potential Flaws

• We love that these insoles conform to your foot shape, but we noticed that it takes a few wears (up to 10 hours, according to the brand) before they soften and take shape.
• The multi-layered design makes these insoles difficult to trim for fitting inside narrower sneakers.

Best for Sore Feet

CURREX BIKEPRO Insoles

$65

$60 at Amazon View on Currex.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 5-15, Women’s 4.5-14 Arch Type: Low, neutral, high Anti-Odor: No Materials: Foam Breathability: Good Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners looking for a supportive insole that helps prevent foot pain and fatigue.

Why We Love Them

For extra support and pain relief while running, we like CURREX’s BikePro Insoles. During testing, we used them in running shoes with inadequate support and noticed an immediate difference. The firm arch support keeps our feet comfortable and supported, which helps alleviate foot pain that we often feel after running.

We were also impressed with the insoles’ effective moisture-wicking abilities and breathability, which kept our feet dry and fresh. Plus, they feature a deep heel cup that helps lock the foot in place for added stability. In addition to providing solid support for running, these insoles were comfortable during walks and bike rides, making them a good option for those who want a multi-purpose insole.

Potential Flaws

• Although these insoles are pricier than some others on our list, their quality and durability make them worth the investment.

Best for Arch Support

EasyFeet Black Onyx Pain Relief Premium Orthotic

$40

$36 at Amazon View on Easyfeet.store

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 4.5-14.5, Women’s 5.5-15.5 Arch Type: Low Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Polyester, polyurethane foam, thermoplastic polyurethane Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners with flat feet who need strong arch support and stability for short or long runs.

Why We Love Them

If you need strong arch support, we recommend EasyFeet’s Black Onyx Insoles. We found that the insoles’ rigid arch supported our flat feet, helping reduce the arch and ankle pain we typically feel after running. The insole also effectively absorbs shock, especially during long runs and walks on pavement and sidewalks.

The deep heel cup cradles our feet and keeps them stable. When we wore the insoles for gym workouts, we noticed a reduction in our usual knee and lower back pain, which elevated our performance. Plus, their materials and construction feel very high-quality and durable.

Potential Flaws

• During testing, we found that they’re best suited for flexible shoes, since they felt too rigid in tighter footwear, such as trail shoes.
• We had to wear the insoles a few times for our feet to adjust to them, as is often the case with new pairs.

Best Custom

Remind Insoles REMEDY IMPACT Insoles

$70 at Amazon View on Remindinsoles.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 4-14.5, Women’s 6-10.5 Arch Type: Neutral Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Not listed Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners who want custom-molded arch support and good cushioning for impact protection.

Why We Love Them

If you want insoles that feel like they’re made specifically for your feet, we recommend Remind Insoles’ Remedy Insoles. During test runs, their solid arch support prevented our feet from getting tired and sore, allowing us to safely increase our usual long run distance. With four layers of foam, the insoles absorb shock very well, keeping our feet protected from impact.

The insoles’ heat molding technology allows for a customized fit that feels more supportive and comfortable than other insoles we’ve used. We love that they feel lightweight and responsive, yet are still durable and sturdy enough for extended mileage. We were also impressed with their moisture-wicking and odor-control abilities, which kept our feet dry and fresh.

Potential Flaws

• The insoles are somewhat bulky, so they may not work for shoes that don’t have removable insoles or laces to adjust the fit.
  

Best for Women

Superfeet All-Purpose Women's Insoles

$60 at Amazon View on Superfeet.com View on Fleetfeet.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 4.5-12 Arch Type: High Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Polyester, foam Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for women with high arches who need strong support.

Why We Love Them

With a stiff arch and ample cushioning, Superfeet’s All-Purpose Women's High Impact Support Insoles deliver the support and protection that runners need. Engineered for running and other high-impact activities, the insoles’ slim design is made for the shape of women’s feet and easily fits into most shoes. During testing, the insoles effectively absorbed shock when we ran outside.

When we used them in our running shoes, our steps felt more supported and responsive. We also noticed less cramping and soreness in the midfoot area, even after spending hours on our feet and running up to 20 miles. These APMA-approved insoles feature a deep heel cup, which cradles our feet and helps improve our form as we run.

Potential Flaws

• We appreciate that these insoles can be trimmed to get the right fit, but we’d prefer more detailed instructions on how to cut them.
• We like the insoles’ firm support, but they take some getting used to. During testing, we noticed some slight heel pain during the first few wears, but this quickly resolved.

Best Investment

Tread Labs Dash Insoles

$120 at Amazon View on Treadlabs.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 4.5-14, Women’s 5-12.5 Arch Type: Low, neutral, high Anti-Odor: Yes Materials: Polyurethane foam, carbon fiber, recycled polyester Breathability: Moderate Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for runners looking for high-quality, durable insoles with customized support to boost their performance.

Why We Love Them

For high-quality, durable insoles that can boost your running efficiency and performance, we recommend Tread Labs’ Dash Insoles. During testing, we found that they provided exceptional shock absorption and support for high arches, helping to alleviate foot fatigue during longer and more intense runs. The firm, ultra-light insole puts more bounce in our strides and allows for excellent energy return.

We tested these insoles for high arches, but they’re also available in four different heights to accommodate all types of arches. The carbon fiber insert is guaranteed for life, so you can replace the inexpensive cover to make them as good as new again. Like some of our other top picks, they've earned the APMA's Seal of Approval.

Potential Flaws

• These insoles caused some mild Achilles and arch discomfort during the first wear, but it quickly went away as we got used to them.
• Although these insoles are pricier than most of our other picks, we think they're worth the cost. They’re durable and come with a lifetime guarantee.