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5 Best Insoles for Football Players to Help Prevent Field Injuries

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By Babafemi Adebajo
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Edited by Nerissa K. Naidoo

Updated November 17, 2025

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Whether you're an amateur or a professional, getting injured on the field is a reality. Sudden movements or changes in direction as well as active running and sprinting take a toll on you physically, especially your feet. Common foot issues footballers experience include damage to the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.

Getting insoles for your football cleats will help prevent injury and manage symptoms of existing foot conditions. While athletes experience different benefits from orthotics, the right insoles will support you by providing stability and relief, aiding in heel elevation, and absorbing excess shock.

Below, we’ve listed the top insoles for football players available on the market to help prevent field injuries.

» Should all athletes wear insoles? Discover which athletes can benefit from wearing orthotics

1. Upstep | Football Custom Orthotics

Grey and black insoles on a box with the front and back on display


Pros


  • Custom-made by experienced podiatrists for your foot structure
  • Designed specifically for football biomechanics
  • A blend of 56 materials that absorb stud pressure
  • Stabilizes the ankle and protects against foot injuries
  • Sleek design fits in cleats without bulk
  • Affordable with FSA and HSA eligibility
  • 180-day money-back guarantee with free remakes

Cons


  • Short waiting period before receiving orthotics

Football puts constant pressure on your feet with every twist and turn. Upstep Football Custom Orthotics are designed by experienced podiatrists to address these specific demands, using a blend of 56 materials that absorb stud pressure, stabilize your ankle, and protect against foot injuries common to football players.

Each pair is made to fit your foot, your boots, and the way you play—providing support where it's needed without adding bulk or restricting movement. Generic insoles cannot account for your individual foot structure, playing position, or the specific stresses football places on your feet.

Custom orthotics engineered for your biomechanics prevent injuries by maintaining proper alignment during rapid directional changes, distributing stud pressure evenly across your foot, and absorbing impact forces that would otherwise stress your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.

Football players report improved stability during cuts and pivots, reduced foot fatigue during matches, and prevention of common injuries like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. The orthotics work by supporting your arch through dynamic movements, preventing excessive pronation that increases injury risk, and protecting pressure points from stud contact.

Upstep is trusted by the largest customer base among online orthotic brands, with over 14,000 five-star reviews. It offers the fastest turnaround time and backs every order with a 180-day money-back guarantee.

If you need adjustments, remakes are free. Payment is flexible through FSA, HSA, or Klarna, with free shipping and returns.

Football Custom Insoles

4,346 Reviews)



2. Superfeet | Adapt Run Max Insoles

Blue and orange insoles on display, showing the front and back


Pros


  • Deep heel cup
  • Comfortable
  • Affordable
  • Durable

Cons


  • Not custom-made
  • May not provide perfect fit or support

Superfeet Adapt Run Max Insoles feature a deeper heel cup, high arch profile, and cushioned footbed for running and walking. They provide comfort for up to 12 months or 500 miles with moisture-wicking properties.

However, while available in various sizes, they may not fit perfectly or provide the support necessary for football's dynamic movements. Unlike custom orthotics engineered for your foot structure and playing style, these offer generic support that cannot prevent the specific injuries football players face.

3. SOLE | Thin Sport Insoles

Grey and red insoles from SOLE


Pros


  • Easily fits into cleats
  • Top cover reduces friction and slippage
  • Odor control

Cons


  • Thin insoles may not be durable for football
  • Molding process may not produce perfect fit

SOLE Thin Sports Insoles use high-density EVA foam for arch support with a thin design that fits easily into cleats. The top cover reduces friction and controls moisture.

However, these insoles are heat and wear moldable rather than truly custom, risking imperfect fit. The thin design may not withstand football's intensity. Unlike custom orthotics designed specifically for football demands, these provide generic support better suited for less intense activities.

4. Protalus | T-100 Elite Insoles

Green and grey insoles from Protalus


Pros


  • Tri-plantar technology
  • Anti-slip ridges
  • Top cover controls odor and friction
  • Affordable

Cons


  • Not custom-made

Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles are semi-rigid orthotics with arch support and tri-plantar technology for stability. Anti-slip ridges maintain balance, and the moisture-wicking top cloth provides comfort. They include a 90-day money-back guarantee.

However, these aren't tailor-made to your needs and may not provide sufficient support for football's demands. Generic alignment cannot address the specific biomechanical stresses football places on your feet, unlike custom orthotics engineered for your playing style.

5. TreadLabs | Dash Insoles

Yellow and black insoles from Tread Labs seen from the side and beneath


Pros


  • Medical grade
  • Affordable
  • Million mile guarantee
  • 90-day money-back guarantee

Cons


  • Predetermined arch heights
  • Thin design better suited to other activities

Tread Labs Dash Insoles are thin, ultra-firm medical-grade insoles designed to minimize impact. The million-mile guarantee allows replacement if they crack or lose shape.

However, arch height is predetermined (low, medium, high, or extra-high), meaning the fit may not be perfect. The thin design may be better suited to other athletic activities than football's intense demands.

Unlike custom orthotics that provide precise support for your biomechanics, these require guessing which arch height matches your needs.

For the Long Haul, Choose Custom Orthotics

Football injuries stem from biomechanical stress that generic insoles cannot address. Custom orthotics engineered specifically for your foot structure and playing style prevent injuries by correcting alignment issues, absorbing stud pressure, and maintaining stability during dynamic movements.

Upstep Football Custom Orthotics provide the precise correction football players need to stay injury-free. With a blend of 56 materials designed for football's specific demands, these orthotics protect your feet without compromising performance. For the long haul, custom orthotics aren't just recommended, they're essential.

» Want to see more custom orthotics? Browse Upstep's wide range of custom orthotics

FAQs

How do custom orthotics prevent football injuries?

Custom orthotics prevent football injuries by correcting the biomechanical dysfunction that causes stress on your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and ankles. Football's rapid directional changes create forces that generic insoles cannot properly address. Custom orthotics engineered for your foot structure maintain proper alignment during cuts and pivots, distribute stud pressure evenly, and absorb impact forces that would otherwise cause injury. This precision prevention beats treating injuries after they develop.

Will football orthotics fit in my cleats?

Yes. Upstep Football Custom Orthotics are specifically designed to fit football cleats without adding bulk or restricting movement. The sleek design provides necessary support while maintaining the tight fit cleats require. Specify your cleat type when ordering so podiatrists can design appropriate thickness. Unlike generic insoles that often require trimming or add uncomfortable bulk, custom orthotics fit your cleats precisely.

Can I use the same orthotics for football and training?

Upstep Football Custom Orthotics work well for both match play and training sessions since both involve similar movements and stresses. However, if you also participate in significantly different sports or activities, you may benefit from sport-specific orthotics for those activities. The 180-day guarantee lets you test them across your entire training and competition schedule to ensure they meet all your needs.