5 Best Running Insoles for Flat Feet to Increase Comfort
Flat feet pounding the pavement? Step up your run with custom insoles for comfort, stability, and pain relief.
Updated February 27, 2024.
Whether to use foot supports for running or not is a common question that comes into the mind of most runners.
Not everyone necessarily needs an insole for running, such as perfectly healthy individuals who have never experienced foot pain or excessive fatigue. However, orthotic insoles don't have to be reserved for those with debilitating conditions and chronic pain.
Our 5 Best Running Insoles for Flat Feet
- Best Overall Insoles for Flat Feet: Upstep Running Custom Orthotics
- Best for Arch Support: SOLE Performance Medium With Met Pad
- Best Running Insoles for Hard Surfaces: Superfeet Pain Relief
- Best Running Insoles for Proper Foot Alignment: Protalus M-75
- Best Durable Running Insoles: Tread Labs Pace Short
How to Tell if You Need Running Insoles for Flat Feet
To know if you need additional insoles for flat feet or not while running, there are two questions you need to ask yourself:
- Do your feet hurt in the arch area while or after running? This could indicate fatigue or a collapsed arch, leading to the pain you experience and reduced running efficiency over longer distances.
- Have you noticed that your shoes are worn down on the inner side of the sole? You may have pronation or an inward foot roll while running, resulting in a worn-down sole.
If your answer to either of these questions is a yes, you need a pair of insoles. The insoles will support your foot arch while running, lessening the strain placed on the inner aspect of your foot and preventing an inward roll of your foot or ankle.
But, if the answer to both of these questions is a no, then you might not necessarily need to use insoles while running. Though they might still benefit you, they aren't a necessity.
» Discover why you feel pain in the balls of your feet after running
1
Running Custom Orthotics
Custom comfort, every step of the way
Refunds
180-day money-back guarantee
Shipping and returns
Free shipping and returns in the US
Coverage
FSA/HSA eligible
Payment options
Klarna eligible; four interest-free payments
Brief overview
Upstep's custom orthotics are designed to provide you with personalized support and comfort, helping you avoid injuries and improve performance. They use a unique process considering your foot shape, biomechanics, and running style.
Why choose Upstep Running Custom Orthotics
These custom orthotics provide the best arch support for runners through cushioning and impact absorption, restoring your normal foot mechanics. These features makes them particularly beneficial for those running with flat feet.
Pros and cons
Durable materials
Custom-made from the molds of your feet
FSA/HSA eligible
Temporary discomfort during the break-in period
Custom-made means you wait longer to receive the orthotics
2
SOLE Performance Medium
Refunds
90-day guarantee
Shipping and returns
Calculated based on address; free returns
Coverage
Not specified on the website
Payment options
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
Brief overview
The SOLE Performance Medium insoles are orthotics designed to provide support and comfort for your feet. They're made with a combination of ReCORK recycled wine corks and Softec cushioning, which makes them sustainable and comfortable.
Why choose SOLE Performance Medium
These running insoles provide effective support for flat feet and have well-cushioned soles that reduce the shock during running activities. But they're not custom-made. Instead, you must heat them to mold them to your foot shape, increasing your risk of an incorrect fit.
Pros and cons
Eco-friendly base
Odor control
90-day guarantee
Not custom-made
Heating and molding process can cause an incorrect fit
3
Superfeet Run Pain Relief Insoles
Refunds
60-day guarantee
Shipping and returns
Calculated based on address; free returns
Coverage
Not specified on the website
Payment options
All major credit and debit cards, apple and google pay
Brief overview
Superfeet Run Pain Relief Insoles provide support, comfort, and pain relief from standard foot issues. The supportive design helps reduce stress on the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot.
Why choose Superfeet Run Pain Relief Insoles
Superfeet running insoles for flat feet easily fit within an active lifestyle by providing arch support, cushioning, and limiting the impact on your heels while you run. They must be trimmed to fit, so be careful to trim correctly and not compromise the support you need from the insoles.
Pros and cons
Removable heel stabilizer
60-day guarantee
Targeted pain relief
Requires trimming that can compromise the support
Not a replacement for custom orthotics
4
Protalus M-75 Insoles
Refunds
90-day guarantee
Shipping and returns
Calculated based on address; returns are paid by the buyer
Coverage
FSA/HSA
Payment options
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Amazon, and PayPal
Brief overview
The Protalus M75 insoles are an orthotic insole designed to provide support, comfort, and pain relief for your feet. They're known for their patented Tri-Planar technology, which is claimed to help improve alignment and reduce stress on your joints.
Why choose Protalus M-75 Insoles
They're the best affordable running insoles for high arches. Because they come up higher on the sides—especially the medial— they reduce the pressure on your feet and correct your alignment. But, they're available in limited sizes and reduce your chances of finding the ideal fit.
Pros and cons
Anti-slip ridges
Higher sides
90-day money-back guarantee
May not fit all shoes
Takes time to get used to
5
Tread Labs Pace Insoles
Refunds
90-day guarantee
Shipping and returns
Calculated based on address; free returns
Coverage
FSA/HSA
Payment options
All major credit and debit cards
Brief overview
Tread Labs Pace Insoles are extra firm orthotic inserts designed to provide targeted relief from foot pain, particularly for people with plantar fasciitis
They're made from a high-density foam material that is contoured to the shape of your foot and have a built-in arch support to help keep your feet in proper alignment.
Why choose Tread Labs Pace Insoles
These running insoles for flat feet are durable and effective in preventing overpronation, making them helpful in supporting your foot arch. You can choose between four heights to find the best fit, but they will not be as effective as custom insoles.
Pros and cons
Medical-grade support
Million-mile guarantee
Durable
Limited flexibility
Bulky
What Is the Best Type of Running Insole for Flat Feet?
Depending on the type of exercise you're engaging in and even the running style, the insoles should be specific to adhere to and meet the demands of those activities.
It's also important to understand that using flat feet insoles for a particular activity like running can't be done with a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you need harder or softer materials depends on your specific situation and the type of exercise you're doing.
For instance, running inserts for plantar fasciitis would differ from the best running insoles for pronation or supination, regardless of the running intensity—marathons compared to sprints.
Upstep to Comfort: Optimize Training With Custom Running Insoles
With all the benefits of arch support listed above, buying a pair of custom-made insoles that meet your needs and foot shape is highly recommended. Orthotics are supposed to make your daily living and sports more comfortable and pain-free, in addition to reducing the chance of future injuries.
If you want the best support possible, try Upstep Custom Orthotics. The company collaborates with podiatrists and uses evidence-based practices to design their orthotics, ensuring they effectively address common foot issues like pain, discomfort, and misalignment.
FAQ
Can you use your existing insoles in your running shoes?
If your existing insoles fit comfortably into your shoes and don't slide around, you can use them. If you use arch support insoles for flat feet, you'll probably need them for running.
But, an insole specially made for running would be better as the biomechanics of your body change while running, and the insole needs to meet those demands.
Should you change the insoles on your running shoes?
Different pairs of running shoes have different insoles. Some can be removed, and some cannot. If your exercise shoes have removable insoles, then you should remove them and replace them with your new pair of custom or prefabricated ones instead. But, if your exercise shoes don't have removable insoles, it's important to specify this when buying your new insoles to ensure they can still fit comfortably within your shoe.
Do flat feet runners need arch support?
It depends. While arch support can benefit some flat-footed runners, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider the severity of your conditions, running style, and personal preference before buying running insoles for flat feet.
Why is it harder to run with flat feet?
Flat feet can make running more challenging because the arch acts like a shock absorber, but flat feet lack this, putting more stress on your joints.
Your weight distribution is also altered, increasing pressure on specific areas and potentially causing pain and discomfort.
