The Best Insoles for Flat Feet Meet Your Arches Where They Are

When your feet have little to no arch, you might feel limited to wearing clunky, old-school orthopedic shoes to get the support you need. In reality, you just need to upgrade to the best insoles for flat feet. A simple over-the-counter (OTC) insert can add some much-needed structure to your shoes and relieve the discomfort that comes with having flat feet.

High-quality insoles should act as “shock absorbers for our whole body,” board-certified foot surgeon Brad Schaeffer, DPM, of Central Park SOLE in New York City, tells SELF. “Insoles are going to support the arch of our foot, cup our heel, and offload the front of our foot,” he says.

The benefits? Less pain and a lower risk of injuring yourself, Suzanne Fuchs, DPM, a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon at LuxePodiatry in Florida, tells SELF. And it’s not just your feet that’ll feel it—since insoles can also improve your alignment and distribute your weight more evenly, they can help take pressure off your knees, hips, and lower back too, she adds.

To help you find the best insoles for flat feet, we asked several podiatrists for their best shopping tips. Here’s what to know if you’re on the hunt for truly worth-your-while inserts.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Superfeet All-Purpose Support Medium Arch Support Insoles, $55
2. Runner-Up: PowerStep Pinnacle Maxx Support Insoles, $53
3. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles, $25
4. Best for Narrow Feet: Fulton The Athletic Insole, $52
5. Best for Lower Back Pain: Spenco Gel Comfort Insoles, $25
6. Best for Very Low Arches: PowerStep Low Arch Support Insoles, $45
7. Best for Running: Superfeet Run Cushion Medium Arch, $60
8. Best OTC Custom Insoles: Custom FiT Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts (3/4 Length), $50

Shop the best insoles for flat feet

Check out all of our top picks below, selected according to recommendations from experts and SELF editors.

Best Overall: Superfeet Medium Arch Support Foam Insoles

Erik Sims, DPM, a podiatrist and managing partner at Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, recommends Superfeet’s insoles for their semi-rigid design and deep heel cup, which will keep you stable and comfy all day long. This popular pair has a mid-height arch and is made with firm, dense foam that doesn’t feel too squishy underfoot. Another bonus? They’ve been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) seal of approval, meaning a panel of podiatrists confirms that their design can help keep your feet healthy over time.

SELF’s senior commerce writer has some of the flattest feet around, and she says these insoles make a huge difference when she swaps them into her less-than-supportive shoes. “I am so aware that my feet have more structure underneath them, yet I don’t feel like they’re hoisted up by an obtrusive insole that obviously wasn’t made for my exact, individual feet,” she says. “The medium arch height feels perfect—my feet can just be, without splatting on the ground like pancakes.”

Runner-Up: PowerStep Pinnacle Maxx Support Insoles

If you want a little extra structure, the Pinnacle Maxx Support Insoles from PowerStep are seriously sturdy. They have a firm, mid-height arch and a deep, angled heel cup to prevent your foot from slipping around or rolling inward. But they’re still comfortable and padded, so you can easily wear them in your everyday sneakers or work boots. Dr. Fuchs is also a fan: “PowerStep offers a good balance of cushioning and support,” she says.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles

Plantar fasciitis often causes pain through your heel, arch, and Achilles tendon—and having flat feet can make it worse. Luckily, wearing insoles with moderate arch support and plenty of shock absorption can help alleviate some of that discomfort. Consider Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Insoles, which Nicholas Japs, DPT, a physical therapist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously recommended to SELF.

Our senior commerce writer loved their cushy heel. She was also pleasantly surprised by how supportive they felt, considering they’re only made of rubber and foam (and not a rigid material, like plastic). “If I’m wearing poorly padded shoes while walking on pavement, I can feel my left foot flinch internally with every step,” she says. “While there are definitely stiffer insoles out there, these made my strolls much easier—and gave me a reason to hold onto my fashion sneakers.”

Best for Narrow Feet: Fulton The Athletic Insole

Fulton’s Athletic Insole comes with expert-recommended rigidity, a large heel cup, and a very enthusiastic recommendation from one SELF staffer. “After a couple months of wearing the insoles, I found that my feet, shins, knees, and hips no longer screamed in pain,” she wrote in her review. “The insoles seemed to support my flat feet with just the right amount of curve under my arches, and my ankles and heels felt secure.”