Flat feet are one of the most common causes of foot pain in the UK, associated with other conditions such as shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, as well as pain in the ankles, knees, hips and back. Many normal shoes do little to address this, being internally shaped with minimal (if any!) arch support for flat feet, but buying a separate, specialist insole is a great way to transform your everyday footwear into something more comfortable.
There are many such insoles for flat feet available to buy online, both full length and 3/4, and suited to everything from running shoes to work boots. To clear up any confusion, we're going to take you through our guide on what to look for when buying online, as well as taking your though our picks of the 10 best insoles for flat feet available from Amazon and eBay, including offerings from Scholl, Superfeet, and Pedag.
Quick List - Top Insoles for Flat Feet
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Flat feet (also sometimes called fallen arches) refers to when the arch of a person's foot presses flat against the ground when standing, as opposed to there being a gap between the ball of the foot and the heel.
While this is a very common and generally not a serious condition, it can cause foot pain while walking or exercising, and lead to problems further up the body as you try to deal with this discomfort by adjusting your posture. Thankfully, for many people with flat feet, the problem can be alleviated greatly by choosing appropriate footwear and using a pair of insoles specifically designed to tackle this condition.
These insoles work by providing extra support underneath the arch of the foot, raising it to where it would be if you didn't have flat feet. They can also make for a much more comfortable shoe, by providing all-over support and cushioning that is far superior to that supplied by a standard insole.
When looking for insoles for flat feet, the sheer range of products can seem daunting. Luckily, we've done at least some of the work for you, and identified the following features as being the key things to think about and look for when buying insoles online.
When deciding which insoles to buy, one important thing to bear in mind is the type of activity you'll be using them for. For some people, their flat feet may only be an issue during a long walk or run, or other types of exercise. Whereas for others, being on your feet all day at work may be when your feet cause you the most trouble.
Some insoles are specifically tailored to these different uses, for example, sports-oriented insoles may provide better high-impact cushioning against jumps and sudden shocks. Others are not so specific and may be designed to provide comfort in a range of situations. Whatever the case, make sure you seek out the right insole to suit your lifestyle.
As well as the types of activity they are designed for, insoles can differ in the range of footwear they are best suited for. After all, you can hardly expect a thick, hefty insole designed for walking boots to fit into a ballet pump or winklepicker.
Furthermore, you may want to think about whether you want one pair of insoles to fit in a particular pair of shoes you wear day in, day out, or whether you're looking for something you can move between different pairs of shoes with the minimum of fuss.
Most insoles are designed to fit a wide variety of shoes, but should list which in their product description. If still you're unsure whether a full insole will fit your footwear, you could consider a 3/4 length insole. These are generally slimmer as well as shorter, so may not offer the same range of benefits as a full-length insole, but we've included two in our list for you to see for yourself.
The final thing to think about in relation to how well your insoles fit your shoes and your feet is the range of sizes offered. You'll find that some insoles are sold in just three sizes – small, medium and large. The idea here is that the same insole should fit a variety of foot sizes, but if you'd like something more customised, look for those with printed dotted lines, which you can cut to fit as needed.
Other models of insole come in a multitude of sizes, sometimes even one option for every size or half size of shoe. Such insoles could be a better choice if a perfect fit is very important to you, and if you want to avoid the faff of measuring and cutting down your insoles.
Nobody like smelly shoes, and if you spend enough time up and about that your flat feet are bothering you, then you may well also benefit from a pair of insoles that'll be easy on your nose as well as your arches. Special treatments and coatings in the uppermost layer of some insoles can prevent the odour-causing bacteria and microbes from multiplying, ensuring your shoes smell fresher for longer.
Additionally, keeping bad smells at bay can increase the lifespan of your shoes, namely by preventing you from throwing them away just because of their pong. Opting for these insoles also means that you needn't worry about kicking off your shoes in public, or whether your trainers will stink up your gym bag.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Superfeet Green Insole | ![]() | The Benchmark Insole From the Industry Leader | |
2 | Pro 11 WorX Insole | ![]() | Bargain Insoles for Busy Working Feet | |
3 | Physix Gear Sport Insoles | ![]() | Good Value Insoles With Great Reviews | |
4 | Superfeet Unisex Blue Insoles | ![]() | Expertly Engineered Insoles for Well-Structured Support | |
5 | Pedag Viva Sports Insoles | ![]() | Sports-Specific Insoles for Maximum Impact Protection | |
6 | Vionic 3/4 Length Insoles | ![]() | Space Saving 3/4 Length Insoles to Fit Almost Any Shoe | |
7 | Scholl Arch Pain Relief Insoles | ![]() | Insoles From the Big Name in Foot Care | |
8 | Fitfeet 3/4 Length Insoles | ![]() | 3/4 Length Insoles With an Ultra-Thin Design | |
9 | Valsole Winter Warm Insole | ![]() | Insoles With Wool for a Natural, Cosy Feel | |
10 | Pedag Step Leather Arch Support Insert | ![]() | These Discreet Inserts Provide Hidden Support |
A bestselling insole for over 40 years, the Superfeet Green offers professional-grade, reliable support exactly where you need it. As well as the arch support, the deep heel cup keeps you firmly in place while contouring to your foot to provide an excellent fit.
As a slightly more substantial insole than the Superfeet Blue and some others on our list, they're certainly going to survive many a step. Whether used alongside sports shoes, walking boots, or anything with a bit more room, they're our top pick for effective relief from flat feet conditions.
The first thing you might notice about these insoles is the low price, so it's no surprise to learn that they are often supplied to the NHS. Designed by leading podiatrists, these insoles are built to withstand the abuse your feet suffer from a hard day's work.
As well as arch support, there's structured positioning and stabilising throughout the entire length of the insole, with a good level of shock absorption to help reduce impacts on the heel and ball of your feet. And at under £7, you really can't go wrong!
Coming replete with a host of glowing reviews on Amazon, these insoles are brilliant value for the price. The two compounds in the base layer work together to provide a great combination of support and comfort.
There's also an antimicrobial top layer to keep bad smells at bay, even after a long day. They may have the word 'sport' printed on them, but these multipurpose insoles would be as good in trainers as in work shoes or hiking boots.
The first of two insoles on our list from industry leader Superfeet, the Blue is a great all-round insole and the company's most versatile model. Highly structured, yet thin and flexible, they should fit into most pairs of shoes.
Like the Green insoles from Superfeet, these are latex-free and vegan friendly, and feature an odour-combating antimicrobial top layer. An excellent quality, versatile insole that's built to last.
These high-performance insoles from Pedag are specifically tailored for people with flat feet who require top-quality arch support during sport and exercise. As you'd expect, a lot of attention is paid to providing excellent shock absorption, and there's a series of tiny air chambers in this insole help reduce impact.
The insoles are available in 13 sizes, allowing you to get the best fit first time. And as you can expect to get sweaty while wearing them, it's good to know that they are hand washable.
The 3/4 length design of these insoles features a unique cutaway section, making them even more compact and low profile. This also allows them to slide straight into most types of low-heeled men's and women's footwear.
There's a 'shock dot' in the heel to take the edge off a day on your feet, and the well-contoured form provides excellent foot contact to support and to avoid rubbing. There's seven sizes to choose from, from XXS to XXL.
Scholl is the household name in foot care, and as a big brand it's perhaps not unsurprising that their insoles come up pricier than most of the others on our list. The insoles include gentle arch support and aim to relieve pain by providing shock absorption, pressure redistribution and stabilisation for your feet.
They are are available in only three sizes, S, M and L, meaning there's a lower degree of customisation than you get with some other insoles, but as they only extend to the balls of the foot, they should have no problem fitting most shoes.
It's impressive how such small insoles can make such a big different to your shoes, but these super-thin insoles do just that. They focus on what's most important – firm heel support and a high arch section to raise flat feet.
There's also a breathable microfibre top layer to wick sweat away from your foot and keep you dry and comfortable. On the down side, there are only three sizes to choose from, so getting that perfect fit could be tricky.
Give your feet a fuzzy treat with these insoles from Valsole. The top layer of soft felted wool provides excellent thermal insulation during colder months, but is also breathable enough to keep feet comfortable and cool. Of course, they'll only be suitable for winter, so you'll need to buy another pair for warmer weather.
Available in 10 sizes and suitable for any full shoe type, there's hard-wearing yet soft EVA foam under that wool layer, along with a natural cork arch support.
These small leather inserts are a great alternative to a full-sized insole. If the fitted insole in your shoes cannot be removed, and there's not enough room to insert a whole extra layer, then these wedges can still be placed in your shoe to provide a decent basic level of support.
The inserts stay in place thanks to an adhesive layer, although you might find that over time you need to re-secure them with glue or tape. As they don't provide any additional support to the rest of your foot, these are not best suited to strenuous activity, but could be just the ticket for more formal shoes that you wear only occasionally.
Our feet work hard for us, and whether you suffer from painful or uncomfortable conditions or just require some extra support throughout your daily life, taking the time to choose the correct footwear can really make a difference to their health. Check out our related articles for further advice and product recommendations to treat your feet to the care and attention they deserve!
So that was our run through of the top ten insoles for flat feet to buy online in the UK. We really hope you've found something that stands out for you, and that whichever product you go for it provides you with many miles of comfortable, pain-free support.
No. 1: Superfeet|Green Insole
No. 2: Pro 11|WorX Insole
No. 3: Physix|Gear Sport Insoles
No. 4: Superfeet|Unisex Blue Insoles
No. 5: Pedag|Viva Sports Insoles
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