Best Insoles for Running 2024
Buyer's Guide | Fleet Feet
So you’ve found the best running shoe for you, but are still looking to get a little more out of your footwear?
Insoles for running can be a great way to personalize the fit and comfort of your running shoe, add arch support. Insoles can also help relieve pain from common running injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and shin splints, while also providing relief for your ankles, heels, knees, hips and lower back. When you ask yourself "do I need insoles," the answer is that they can help anyone.
The best insoles for running will replace your running shoe’s two-dimensional liner and add support, shape, extra cushion or a combination of all three. Some insoles use materials like carbon fiber to create a natural curved shape that cradles your heel and supports your arch while others use cork, gel or foam to boost the cushioning and shock absorption of your shoe.
With so many options to choose from, how do you find the best running insoles for you?
Through our personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting process with 3D foot scanning technology that measures foot length, width, arch height and more, we use data from over 5 million foot scans (and counting) to give us unique insights into how today’s top running insoles fit on a wide variety of feet.
So whether you have high arches, flat feet, overpronate or supinate, running insoles can be a great way to upgrade the comfort and performance of your shoes.
To help you find the perfect pair of inserts to match your feet and activity, we compiled our top list of the best insoles for men’s and women’s running shoes:
- Superfeet Run Dynamic Cushion Insoles
- Currex RunPro Insoles
- PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles
- Spenco Comfort Insoles
- Sole Active Insoles
Still unsure? The best way to make sure you are using the correct insole is to go to your local Fleet Feet to get fit for insoles using our 3D foot-scanning technology.
[This is part of our Best Running Accessories Guide 2024. For more expert advice on the best gear for runners, check out our top lists of the best running shoes, best running clothes and best massage tools.]
Superfeet Run Dynamic Cushion Insoles
Whether you’re running a marathon or working on your feet all day, Superfeet Run Dynamic Cushion Insoles make any running shoe instantly more comfortable. They’re made to help your feet move the way they’re naturally designed to by using Adaptive Comfort Technology that flexes with the foot for a more efficient heel-to-toe turnover while running or walking.
Superfeet also uses AeroLyte Dual Comfort Foam to soften each step and an energizing heel cushion to disperse impact and reduce vibration to minimize fatigue when you’re on the go.
Plus, Moisturewick technology controls odor to keep your shoes smelling fresh.
To accommodate different foot and arch shapes, Superfeet has options to choose from: low or high arch support.
Looking for something a bit more firm? Superfeet has plenty of other insole options available like their legendary Superfeet All-Purpose Support High Arch (Green) insoles. Check out our guide on how to choose the best Superfeet insole for you.
Currex RunPro Insoles
Currex RunPro insoles will take the comfort and performance of your running shoes to the next level. These insoles use a deep heel cup, dynamic arch support and high-rebound cushioning to keep your feet feeling fresh, mile after mile.
Currex’s patented Dynamic Arch Technology (DAT) gives your feet flexible arch support with just the right amount of rigidity. The DAT engages the muscles of your foot to give the midfoot guidance as you land and returns stored energy back to the foot as you push off for an energetic ride. This lowers stress on the joints, ligaments and tendons, which may help reduce or avoid injury.
With three different arch profiles to choose from (Low, Medium, and High) it’s easy to find the best Currex RunPro insole for you.
If you need help figuring out which arch profile is right for you, visit a Fleet Feet location to be fitted with our 3D foot scanning technology.
PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles
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The PowerStep Pinnacle insole has the perfect blend of foot control, flexibility and cushioning. This balance of comfort and support stabilizes and aligns the feet to help relieve and prevent pain from mild to moderate pronation, making them great for runners and walkers who overpronate or have low arches.
These insoles have a firm but flexible shell with built-in arch support and a heel cradle to keep your feet secure and supported while you take an evening stroll or train for your next 5k. For an extra soft and supportive feel, PowerStep’s VCT® Variable Cushioning Technology provides targeted and controlled cushioning.
Plus, to keep your feet blister-free and smelling fresh, the Pinnacle insole uses an antimicrobial top fabric that helps reduce heat, friction and perspiration.
Spenco Comfort Insoles
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If you don’t like the idea of adding arch support but would like a little more cushioning, Spenco’s comfort insoles are an easy and inexpensive way to improve the comfort of your running shoes.
Perfect for long runs or long days on your feet, full-length SpenCore® cushioning from heel-to-toe absorbs shock and impact to prevent tired feet while four-way stretch fabric with a Silpure Antimicrobial treatment helps prevent blisters and control odor.
With a thickness of just 4.0 mm they’re also thin enough to layer on top of custom orthotics for even more cushioning.
Sole Active Insoles
The Sole Active Insole has been clinically proven to reduce the plantar fascia strain by 34%, making it a great over-the-counter alternative to custom orthotics. This insole uses a deep heel-cup and sturdy yet flexible support to prevent excessive arch strain while still allowing your foot to move naturally.
For a personalized fit, a moldable orthopedic base forms to the shape of your foot without compromising orthopedic support—you can choose to use a heat molding process that can be done in a conventional oven, or simply wear the footbeds and they will adapt to your feet over a few days.
Great for long hours on your feet and repetitive high-impact activities, the Sole Active Thick Insole will add cushioning and comfort to your favorite running shoes, hiking boots, work boots and more.
What to Know About Insoles for Running Shoes
Insoles are a surprisingly important part of running-shoe anatomy. The insole is a lightweight, foam footbed that rests inside the bottom of the shoe to offer extra cushion and comfort for the foot.
All running shoes come with stock insoles—you can see yours by peeling them out of your shoes—that typically add another millimeter or two of cushioning.
You can buy running insoles separately for your shoes to give you different attributes than the stock insole. Some shoe inserts are rigid and supportive, and they’re shaped to influence your foot by providing arch support or other structure. Other insoles give you more cushioning in high-impact areas, like your heel and forefoot.
There isn't one best pair of insoles for every runner—it's all about preference. Some runners and walkers will find the standard insoles that come with their shoes deliver the right amount of cushion and support, but others will like the more customizable experience of a third-party insole.
Your arch height, foot shape, instep and lifestyle can be helpful indicators, but ultimately, your comfort and intended use will be the best way to choose which insoles you need. Whatever you choose, make sure it's comfortable for you.
Still unsure? The best way to make sure you are using the correct insole is to go to your local Fleet Feet to get fit for insoles using our 3D foot-scanning technology.
While durability varies from brand to brand as well as from runner to runner, insoles generally last up to 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first.
If you are unsure of when you should replace your insoles, here are a few signs that can tell you it’s time to buy a new pair of inserts for your running shoes:
1. White marks from bending on the plastic heel cup, similar to how a credit card looks when damaged.
2. The medial arch support shape is rubbed away or worn down.
3. The shape of your foot is clearly imprinted over the entire insole or has worn through the fabric.
How to Trim Your Insoles
How We Tested the Best Insoles
With more than 250 stores in communities across the country, Fleet Feet is the largest running store in the U.S. with more than four decades of experience outfitting runners with the best running insoles, shoes, apparel and gear. We focus solely on running and walking gear so that we can be the experts to bring you the best running and walking advice possible.
Through our personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting process with 3D foot scanning technology, we use data from over 4 million foot scans (and counting) to give us unique insights into how today’s top running insoles fit on a wide variety of feet.
Additionally, thanks to 100,000+ runners participating in our local running clubs and training programs each year, we can see firsthand how insoles perform in the best running shoes for all different types of runners, each with different goals in mind.
Collectively, our experienced team of Fleet Feet editors has tried, tested and fallen in love with a variety of insoles from the top running and footwear brands. With this knowledge, we meticulously pour over the smallest details like support, comfort, materials, durability and weight, to decide which insoles and running gear are the best. From running shoe and gear reviews to workout tips and inspiration, we are your go-to source for running knowledge and motivation.
With this expertise, we’ve tested the best over-the-counter insoles based on:
- Purpose. Comparing apples to apples
- Performance. How well does it do its job?
- Real-world testing. We put them to the test on real runs
- Price. Is it affordable? Does its performance justify its cost?
- Sales. Best-selling models are best-sellers for a reason
- fit id® data. Our 4 million+ foot scans show how insoles fit for different feet
- Availability. It won’t be good for you if it’s not in stock
- Designer interviews. We ask the people who made it
Standing Behind Our Picks
Fleet Feet knows running.
We picked the best insoles for running based on over four decades of experience outfitting runners of all abilities, ages and sizes. If you buy gear from us and you don’t like the way it looks, fits or performs, bring it back within 60 days for a full refund.
Plus, we offer free shipping & returns on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.
fit id® & Dynamic Pressure Mapping
Buying online isn’t for everyone. To try on your gear before you buy it, visit a local Fleet Feet store for an in-person fitting experience.
We fit you for running shoes and insoles through our proprietary fit id® outfitting process. The one-on-one process uses a state-of-the-art digital scanning system that uses a set of specialized cameras to capture 12 precise data points to construct a 3D profile of your feet. That digital information, combined with Fleet Feet’s dynamic pressure mapping system* helps the store’s highly trained Outfitters assess your natural stride pattern and recommend shoes, socks, and insoles that will provide an optimal fit for the specific length, width, volume and arch height of your feet.
Want to try it for yourself? Find a Fleet Feet location near you.
*Pressure plates are available at select Fleet Feet stores
Free Shipping & Returns
Not sure about buying a new pair of running shoe insoles? Don't sweat it. Get free shipping on orders over $99 when you shop on fleetfeet.com.
If you don't like how your new inserts for running shoes look, fit or feel, we'll take them back within 60 days. That's our Happy Fit Guarantee. Don't know where to start? Check out our guides for the best running shoes, the best running clothes and the best massage tools to get you going.