what's the best insole?
January 22, 2024 8:55 AM Subscribe
What is the state of the art of insoles these days?
I haven't really thought much about insoles in years. I used to buy Superfeet green insoles, and they worked well for me, but it's been years since I've thought about them, much less bought any. I find myself in need of some insoles now, though, for a variety of reasons, and when I reflexively went to buy the old standbys, I saw a lot of mixed reviews and a lot of "they're not as good as they used to be" type comments.
I need insoles for a couple reasons. First, because I have on-and-off plantar fasciitis; it's currently off, but even when it's on it's not incapacitatingly bad (I'd say at its worst, it's a 6 out of 10 - not great, but still). I also have wide feet (like, 4E wide) that need extra arch support - my feet aren't flat, so I don't need an intense amount, but I need more than zero-levels of support.
This is all for general use - walking, daily workouts (elliptical, treadmill, weights), that sort of thing. I'm not a distance runner or a serious athlete.
I'm not at all opposed to sticking with the Superfeet green, but as mentioned, it's been several years since I've paid attention to the wonderful world of insoles. If that was my gold standard, what should I be looking at now?
I haven't really thought much about insoles in years. I used to buy Superfeet green insoles, and they worked well for me, but it's been years since I've thought about them, much less bought any. I find myself in need of some insoles now, though, for a variety of reasons, and when I reflexively went to buy the old standbys, I saw a lot of mixed reviews and a lot of "they're not as good as they used to be" type comments.
I need insoles for a couple reasons. First, because I have on-and-off plantar fasciitis; it's currently off, but even when it's on it's not incapacitatingly bad (I'd say at its worst, it's a 6 out of 10 - not great, but still). I also have wide feet (like, 4E wide) that need extra arch support - my feet aren't flat, so I don't need an intense amount, but I need more than zero-levels of support.
This is all for general use - walking, daily workouts (elliptical, treadmill, weights), that sort of thing. I'm not a distance runner or a serious athlete.
I'm not at all opposed to sticking with the Superfeet green, but as mentioned, it's been several years since I've paid attention to the wonderful world of insoles. If that was my gold standard, what should I be looking at now?
I like Sole's Re-Cork insoles a lot (side note about these, the cork part is the same thickness across thick/medium/thin footbeds--only the amount of cushion varies).
If you like cork, I've also recently liked Fulton and Tread & Butter.
posted by box at 9:42 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
If you like cork, I've also recently liked Fulton and Tread & Butter.
posted by box at 9:42 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
I default to Superfeet green and have for almost a decade now. I'd say that Superfeet green are the same as they ever were, but if you bought orange and thought it would be the same, you'd probably come to that same conclusion.
posted by advicepig at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2024
posted by advicepig at 10:07 AM on January 22, 2024
Developed pretty unpleasant PF ~10 years ago from standing on concrete all day in not-great boots. Tried a lot of different insoles but Superfeet green is what made it go away. I have calendar reminders set to replace them annually (I didn't used to, and felt it coming back a little some years back, new insoles chased it away).
I think they're still the same.
posted by booooooze at 10:23 AM on January 22, 2024
I think they're still the same.
posted by booooooze at 10:23 AM on January 22, 2024
The poor reviews you are seeing are likely review poisoning- where brokers are paid to bring down competing products reputation with negative and 1 star reviews.
posted by zenon at 11:26 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by zenon at 11:26 AM on January 22, 2024 [1 favorite]
My PT still recommends green Superfeet. I say keep buying them, unless they turn against you.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:55 PM on January 22, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:55 PM on January 22, 2024 [2 favorites]
I was given Powerstep insoles from a podiatrist and like them. I like Superfeet as well, but the Powerstep insoles for PF are a little cushier, which my feet seem to like.
posted by imalaowai at 2:18 PM on January 22, 2024
posted by imalaowai at 2:18 PM on January 22, 2024
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(Edited to add: I haven't noticed anything has changed with the old Superfeet green. Obviously I can't say for sure, but.)
I also like Sole brand, made of cork and which claim to adapt to your foot shape, and I'm trying out Currex RunPro but haven't had a chance to wear them extensively yet.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:01 AM on January 22, 2024 [2 favorites]