10 Best Insoles for Flat Feet

Insoles can be useful for a variety of different reasons, from medical problems and pains to exercise and sporting events. However, they have always been incredibly helpful for people with flat feet, since they can convert an uncomfortable shoe into something that’s not only nice to wear but more protective and supportive than standard footwear.

Unfortunately, finding the best insoles for flat feet can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look, especially if you want specific features or materials that not all manufacturers will offer – and there’s always a chance that you will end up buying something uncomfortable if you make a blind purchase rather than doing your research beforehand.

Below are ten of the best insoles for flat feet we could track down, as well as the in-depth reasons why they stand out on the market.

Related: Insoles for Running 

View the Best Insoles for Flat Feet, Below.

• Superfeet GREEN Insoles
• Samurai Insoles Flat Feet Insoles
• Walk·Hero Comfort and Support Insoles
• Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Insoles
• Spenco Total Support Max Shoe Insoles
• Sof Sole Orthotic Support Insoles
• Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles
• NAZAROO Arch Support Insoles
• Physix Gear Sport Full Length Orthotic Inserts
• Copper Compression Flat Feet Foot Insoles

1. Superfeet GREEN Insoles

These unisex insoles are designed to deal with most common types of foot pain, acting as an extra layer of soft padding that doesn’t have too much of an arch bump and dips down at the front to keep your toes in a natural position. The anti-bacterial and odor-controlling coating drastically reduces how much your feet will smell if you wear them for long periods of time, and can also help deal with any germs that manage to build up while you are not using them. They can easily fit into most athletic footwear and wider shoes, making them ideal for day-to-day use.

Despite their slim appearance, these insoles are surprisingly comfortable and offer a lot of protection from germs and sweat, making them great for daily routines.

2. Samurai Insoles Flat Feet Insoles

The gentle arch support provided by these insoles for flat feet makes them a nice balance between a completely flat design and one that’s too high to be comfortable, adding support without forcing your feet into a certain position or angle. The lightweight, discreet design uses a molded core that adds some extra bounciness to each step, rather than being a solid lump of soft material, and the materials used to produce this are durable enough to take on all kinds of wear and tear without breaking apart from constant use. Each size has been precision-cut to fit into as many types of shoe as possible.

These insoles for flat feet are ideal for adding some extra padding in a simple, efficient manner, making your shoes more comfortable without getting in the way or slowing you down.

3. Walk·Hero Comfort and Support Insoles

These EVA-based insoles are designed for maximum shock absorption and physical protection when you’re on the move, dampening foot pain from long walks or uneven surfaces. The fabric used in its design is comfortable and supportive without being too bulky for smaller shoes, and the extra comfort can help compensate for a flatter arch without feeling uncomfortable or forcing you to stand a certain way.

Not only that, but the top surface uses antimicrobial fabric that will get rid of bad odors and keep your feet dry in warm or humid weather, reducing the chances of annoying smells or skin damage from trapped sweat.

Although they look simple, these insoles use a variety of strong and versatile materials that get rid of the most common problems you will experience while you’re on the move.

4. Powerstep Pinnacle Shoe Insoles

These cushioned insoles use a layered design that combines the durability of EVA foam with the softness of a plush surface, giving you a great balance of protection and comfort without taking up too much room in your shoe. The semi-rigid support it offers can help you keep your feet in an ideal position without forcing them into an uncomfortable angle, and the versatility of their design means that they can fit almost any type of arch, including flat ones. The top surface uses a durable antimicrobial fabric that efficiently deals with sweat and dirt, as well as keeping your feet cool.

The features on these insoles make them ideal for a range of different situations, and they can fit nearly any kind of foot with ease.

5. Spenco Total Support Max Shoe Insoles

The name of these insoles isn’t lying – they offer an excellent level of support for both your arches (no matter how flat) and heels, keeping key areas of your feet in the right positions while absorbing any hard shocks. The rigid supports aren't as comfortable as some standard shoes, but they can provide a much higher level of control and foot correction, making them ideal for people whose flat-footedness causes direct pain when they try to walk around in regular footwear. Even if your feet aren't that flat, this support is still useful for all kinds of athletic exercises.

These insoles are geared towards support first and foremost, making them an excellent choice for flat-footed people who need help correcting the way they walk.

6. Sof Sole Orthotic Support Insoles

These athletic insoles are built to support you through a range of different exercises, but can also double as an excellent tool for day-to-day movement if your feet need a little more support and padding to stay comfortable. The COOLMAX fabric on the top layer helps wick away moisture so that your feet can stay dry, and the SKYDEX bubbles in the heel add some extra shock absorption in vulnerable spots. Across the whole of the shoe, a nylon arch support plate helps keep your feet in the right positions while still leaving you free to move around normally.

Although they're designed for exercise, these insoles can double as an excellent tool for casual footwear, especially if you'll be on your feet all day.

7. Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles

These insoles are mainly designed for larger people who put more strain on their feet, but they can also work for people with flat arches thanks to their massaging gel and soft materials. The gel itself helps massage the sensitive spots on the bottom of your feet, maximizing comfort and getting rid of unwanted pain, as well as offering some extra shock absorption in the process.

The small, flexible fit means that they can easily slip into almost any kind of shoe without modifications, even footwear that’s normally too rigid or small to accept standard insoles and padded layers.

The level of protection and support offered by these insoles makes them incredibly versatile, and they can fit into almost any footwear for constant use in a variety of locations and situations.

8. NAZAROO Arch Support Insoles

These medical-grade insoles are built with support in mind, using a range of composite materials to help keep your feet in the right position without feeling painful or forcing you to stand in a strange way. They reduce pressure on key areas of your feet and allow for better stability when moving around, while also using a latex pad for extra cushioning and shock absorption. The fabric on the top surface is designed to wick away or absorb moisture and sweat, leaving you with cool dry feet.

These insoles are great for general use, providing an excellent level of comfort and moisture removal while still being flexible enough for casual shoes.

9. Physix Gear Sport Full Length Orthotic Inserts

These high-quality, professional-looking insoles are incredibly durable and robust, providing an excellent amount of arch support while also enduring a huge amount of damage from long-term use. The non-slip design and foot-friendly shape mean that you won’t need to worry about it slipping out of your shoe, even if it gets wet, and the deep heel cradle provides a greater level of stability while you’re on your feet.

Not only that, but the moisture-wicking top surface and pain-relieving padding help keep your feet safe, dry and comfortable in almost any conditions, all while being flexible enough for jogging, running and other forms of mobile exercise.

These insoles are great for exercise of any kind, but they can also be incredibly helpful in day-to-day life, especially if you need as much support and comfort as possible.

10. Copper Compression Flat Feet Foot Insoles

These trim-friendly insoles for flat feet are designed to be modified, allowing you to cut their size down to fit your preferred type of shoe without losing their functionality or protective power. The comfortable materials ensure that you’ll be able to dampen any natural foot pains and walk around on solid surfaces without feeling as much of an impact, and the supportive nature of their design helps prevent muscles pains and stiffness after long periods of exercise, walking or just standing around. Since there are no bulky areas that can restrict your movement or limit your flexibility, you can wear them for nearly any activity without having to make changes to accommodate them.

The ability to trim down your insoles for flat feet makes these an excellent choice for people with unconventional or uncommon footwear, but they're also versatile enough to work exceptionally well without any modifications.

Insoles for Flat Feet Buyer’s Guide

Buying insoles to help with your flat feet can be trickier than it sounds since you can’t just pick a random brand or style and expect it to work perfectly. There are certain features you will need to prioritize, especially if your feet are causing you pain or interfering with your ability to do certain things properly.

Support

One of the key things to watch out for is arch support – some people need it for medical reasons, but when it comes to being flat-footed, there’s always a chance that it can actually make things worse. On the other hand, there are also certain cases where it might be the single most important thing you can get in terms of foot protection and positioning, and it all varies based on the exact shape of your foot.

If your feet are completely flat in the sense that you have no arch, it’s often a bad idea to get any supports, since it will put you in a less comfortable position and try to support something that isn’t actually there – in these cases, you should try getting a completely flat insole instead, or at least looking at models that don’t provide any permanent support in the arch area.

However, if you have still got a slight arch or have a medical reason for needing extra supports, it may be worth trying to find something with a subtle bump to ensure that your feet are kept in the right shape.

Durability

Insoles are designed to endure a lot of force and impacts, with many designs not being fully equipped to handle sweat, water, sharp surfaces, or other common hazards that can slowly wear them out. If a key part of an insole is damaged to the point where it doesn’t provide the same support, cushioning or protection, it can lead to problems later on if you forget to compensate for it.

For example, if your insoles wear out in a way that gets rid of its ability to absorb shocks on one foot, you could end up causing unnecessary damage to that foot while exercising. The more durable your insole is, the longer you’ll be able to use it before you need to replace it.

Width

Foot width can be a massive problem for flat-footed customers since it can make an otherwise perfect insole slightly too thin or wide to use correctly. Many companies try to compensate for this by making their insoles larger and expecting you to cut them down to the ideal size, but there can still be cases where they will move around in your shoe or scrunch up in an uncomfortable way.

While ill-fitting shoes are a much worse problem, an insole that doesn’t fit properly can still lead to unexpected pain or friction burns if it tries to support the wrong parts of your feet, so make sure you know the general measurements of your feet before committing to a purchase – it could save you a lot of unnecessary foot pain.

Which Insoles Should I get for Flat Feet?

Not all flat feet are the same, so something that works for one person may not necessarily work for you. However, there are still certain guidelines that you can follow if you’re trying to solve specific pains, posture problems, or comfort issues.

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If your feet are flat enough to lack any real arch, then anything with arch support will actually harm you more than it helps you – you can’t ‘force’ your feet to conform to regular shoes by using arch supports, and you’re much more likely to end up with irritating foot pains after long periods of use.

However, orthotic insoles that are specifically designed for flat-footed users are a huge exception, since they’re deliberately designed to keep your feet at a safe and comfortable angle without putting them under any unnecessary pressure.

You can also sometimes find shoes that have a completely flat insole – while these won’t do anything in terms of support, and won’t help fix any temporary problems, they’ll still be more comfortable than a standard shoe that’s meant for people with arched feet.

Ideally, you’ll want them to be soft or semi-rigid, rather than fully rigid: rigid insoles are usually intended for feet that need to be corrected, so they should only be used if you’ve been told that there’s a medical or physical reason for doing so.

How do I make Insoles for Flat Feet?

There’s always a chance that your feet will be shaped in a way that most commercial and prescribed insoles won’t help properly. In these cases, you can usually make your own, although it can take a little bit of trial-and-error to get right. Your starting point should be an existing insole (or at least the outline of one) that you can use as a guideline – you’ll need something that you can trace on another material, whether that’s a spare insole from an old shoe or a removable one that you can put back in later on.

Then, you need to choose the material. Foam is one of the most common since it’s easy to cut and will mold itself to your foot shape, but you should be able to use anything as long as it’s comfortable and works properly. Mark the outline on the material, then use the most precise tool you have to cut out the shape: you should end up with a thick block of it in the shape of a sole.

To get it ready to test, all you need to do is cut it down to a thinner shape so that it fits into your shoe correctly and doesn’t make them feel cramped while you’re wearing them. It’s essential to get this right since too-tight-fitting shoes can cause even more pain than loose ones. Once the insole layer itself it complete, you can either use it as-is or sow on a second, thinner layer as an extra surface using the same method.

Expert Tip

Most insoles are listed in the size of the shoe they’ll fit into, but some will still expect you to trim off excess material if it doesn’t quite fit – this often varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, rather than on a product-to-product level.

Did you know?

Most removable insoles can be hand-washed to clean them faster, saving time compared to using a washing machine or dryer.