Best for people with high arches, especially if you experience foot pain after a long day of walking. While testing, we noticed that these have just the right amount of support for flat feet. Even though they're thin, we appreciate that they feel soft underfoot, protecting our feet from uneven terrain. Plus, the suede-like upper looks and feels luxurious for a simple upgrade that can extend the life of your favorite shoes. Arch support is usually the biggest deciding factor in how comfortable your insoles are. Without visiting a podiatrist, it can be difficult to self-diagnose your arch height. “A lot of time patients come to me and they say, ‘I have a really flat foot. I’ve always had a flat foot.’ Then I look at their foot and it’s normal or high arch,” says Shapiro. This is best determined by a specialist. But, if you can’t justify a visit to the foot doc right, consider a pair of insoles with “Medium” arch support as a starting point. After a day or two of wear, you should be able to determine whether you need to go lower or higher. Most insoles last about one year, Sutera says. Your insoles may need to be replaced sooner if they're flattening or peeling, if they have holes in them, or if they look generally worn out.

We love that PowerStep's Original Insoles earned the APMA's Seal of Approval. However, the arch support was so high that it made the toe boxes of our shoes feel tight.

Shoe Lifts for Men

Sizes: Men's 8 to 14, Women's 5 to 12 | Arch Type: High, neutral, low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Cork, cotton, foam | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 Sizes: Men’s 4 to 16.5, Women’s 6 to 14.5 | Arch Type: Neutral, low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: EVA foam, silicone, fabric | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5 Heel pain can develop from a number of factors, but we found that EasyFeet's Plantar Fasciitis Arch Support Insoles can help combat many of them. For starters, a deep heel cup promotes proper alignment and distributes your weight evenly. Additional gel padding underneath the balls of your feet and your heels adds comfort, for a lighter stride.

Arch Support: The amount of arch support you need in an insole depends on your foot type and any conditions you might have. The right arch support can help relieve pain from flat feet, fallen arches, and high arches. Hummer says it can even reduce knee pain by gently correcting your feet and promoting proper alignment. Look for insoles with arch support that's firm enough, so they don't flatten out when you step on them, says Valencia, but not so firm that they're uncomfortable or cause your feet to cramp. Sizes: One size | Arch Type: Not listed | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Terrycloth, foam | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5

1. Mendez Premium Height Increase Insole

These insoles are pricier than others on our list, but they last for a full year, making them worth the investment. Materials: Insoles often rely on cork, plastic, foam, gel, or a combination of these to provide cushioning and support. Graddon explains that plastic insoles tend to be stiffer, while pairs made of cork and foam will mold to your feet more easily. She adds that foam is the softest and the least supportive, making it a good choice for wearers with diabetes or neuropathy ( loss of feeling in your feet). These insoles aren't very breathable, causing our feet to feel warm and sweaty. However, we think the trade-off is worth it, as these insoles allowed us to walk for full days in shoes that were previously too uncomfortable to wear. Sizes: Men’s 5 to 13, Women’s 6 to 14 | Arch Type: Low, neutral | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Foam, fabric | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquistunderstands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who've tried them. Sizes: Women's 4.5 to 12 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Foam | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5 Sizes: Men’s 6 to 15.5, Women’s 5 to 12.5 | Arch Type: Low | Anti-Odor: Yes | Materials: Nylon, neoprene | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 Antimicrobial technology helps prevent odors from building up over time, while the four-way stretch fabric stops blisters before they start. And we love that these insoles are a solid value, at around a third of the cost of some of our other favorites. While we love that these insoles conform to your specific foot shape, we noticed that it takes a few wears (up to 10 hours, according to the brand) before they soften and change shape.

We had to take Dr. Scholl’s Athletic Series Running Shoe Insoles off after just a few minutes. The arch was made from hard, uncomfortable plastic and didn't hit the right spot on our feet, causing cramping.