What Are Insoles?
Insoles are inserts that sit inside your shoes to provide cushioning, support or both. If you have flat feet that cause pain or discomfort, a supportive insole may help make walking and standing more comfortable.
I’ve tried different insoles myself over the years because of my own foot and joint problems, and one thing I’ve learned is that more support isn’t automatically better. The insole has to feel comfortable, fit your foot and, just as importantly, fit properly inside the shoe.
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What are Orthotics then?
You’ll often see the terms insoles and orthotics used interchangeably, although not every simple cushioned insole is an orthotic. Foot orthoses are inserts designed to support the foot, redistribute pressure or influence the way the foot functions. They can be bought off the shelf or prescribed and made specifically for you.
They come in two main forms:
- Custom orthotics: Made or adapted for your individual needs, usually following an assessment by a podiatrist, orthotist or other appropriate healthcare professional.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics: Ready-made inserts available in different sizes and designs for people who want additional cushioning or support.
Orthotics and Wide-Fitting Shoes
If you wear orthotics and have wide feet, the important thing is making sure the shoe has enough width and depth for both your foot and the insert. Adding an orthotic takes up space inside the shoe, and a shoe that fitted comfortably without one may feel tighter once it’s added. A removable original insole can make it easier to create enough room.
If foot pain is one of the reasons you’re looking at insoles, my Complete Foot Pain Relief Guide covers some of the common causes of foot discomfort and when it’s worth getting professional advice.
Types of Orthotics
- Rigid orthotics
Made from firm materials such as plastic or carbon fibre and designed to influence or control foot movement. Because they’re relatively firm, comfort and shoe fit are particularly important.
- Soft orthotics
Made from softer materials such as foam or gel and generally used to provide cushioning or redistribute pressure. They can be bulkier than firmer inserts, so may need a shoe with additional depth.
- Semi-rigid orthotics
Combine firmer and softer materials to provide a mixture of support and cushioning. As with any orthotic, whether they suit you depends on what you need from the insert and how well it fits inside your footwear.
- Accommodative orthotics
Designed primarily to cushion or relieve pressure on particular areas of the foot rather than control movement. They can be relatively bulky, so footwear with enough width and depth is important.
How Insoles or Orthotics May Help
Depending on why you’re using them, a suitable insole or orthotic may help by:
- providing additional cushioning or support
- redistributing pressure under the foot
- making some shoes more comfortable for walking or standing
- supporting the foot in a way recommended for your individual needs
They won’t be necessary for everyone with flat feet, and they’re not a guaranteed treatment for foot, knee or back pain.
If heel pain is your main problem, my plantar fasciitis pain-relief guide explains more about plantar fasciitis and the options commonly used to manage it.
What I’d Actually Look For
If you have flat feet and want to try an over-the-counter insole for additional support, one option worth looking at is Dr. Scholl’s Stability Support Insoles.
The manufacturer describes them as designed for flat feet, low arches and overpronation, with extra arch support, a shock-absorbing heel cup and a motion-control stabilising shell.
Fit tip: These are trim-to-fit insoles. If your shoe has a removable insole, take that out first rather than simply stacking the new insole on top. Make sure the replacement lies flat without bunching, and remember that any supportive insole will take up some room inside the shoe.
Check Dr. Scholl’s Stability Support Insoles on Amazon
For Very Wide Shoes: PowerStep Pinnacle Wide Fit
If your main problem is finding an insole that’s wide enough for genuinely wide footwear, PowerStep’s Pinnacle Wide Fit is worth considering. The manufacturer says it’s designed for shoes in widths 3E–6E, with a wider profile than its standard insoles. That’s particularly useful because putting a standard-width insole into a very wide shoe can leave it poorly matched to the shape of the footwear.
This isn’t specifically a “flat feet cure”, and having flat feet doesn’t automatically mean you need a wide orthotic. I’m including it because it’s one of the relatively unusual supportive insoles designed specifically for very wide footwear.
For Shoes With Less Room: Superfeet All-Purpose Support Low Arch
If you have low arches but struggle to fit a bulky insole inside your shoes, Superfeet’s All-Purpose Support Low Arch is a thinner option. The manufacturer describes it as a low-arch, firm-support insole designed for moderate to tighter-fitting footwear, including some shoes without removable insoles.
That makes it worth considering where shoe volume is the problem, although you should still make sure there’s enough room for your foot once the insole is fitted.
How to Choose Shoes for Orthotics
When selecting wide shoes for orthotics, keep the following in mind:
- Removable insoles: Taking out the shoe’s original insole can create more room for your orthotic.
- Enough depth: An orthotic raises your foot inside the shoe, so make sure there’s still enough room over your toes and instep.
- Adjustable fastening: Laces or adjustable straps can help you get a secure fit once the orthotic is inside.
- A secure heel fit: Check that adding the orthotic doesn’t lift your heel so high that it slips or feels unstable.
One more thing worth knowing: if you’re wearing wide fit shoes, it’s worth checking whether your insole is actually shaped for that width too. A standard insole inside a wide shoe can leave gaps at the sides rather than properly supporting your whole foot — I’ve written more about this in Do You Need Wide Fit Insoles not Just Wide Fit Shoes?
Wearing Orthotics With Wide-Fit Shoes
If you use orthotics or supportive insoles, the right footwear matters just as much as the insert itself. A wide-fitting shoe can provide the extra room you need, but check that there’s enough width and depth once the orthotic is actually inside the shoe. If you’d prefer a shoe with built-in support rather than adding a separate insole, you can also read my guide to the best shoes for arch support.
If you’re looking for actual footwear rather than another insole, I’ve also put together a guide to the best wide fit shoes for flat feet. It includes five women’s styles with different fittings, adjustable fastenings and removable insoles that may be useful if you wear orthotics.
I’ve found from experience that a new insole or orthotic can feel strange at first, particularly if you’re not used to having firm support under your arch. I prefer to build up the time I wear a new pair rather than putting them in and wearing them all day straight away. If an orthotic has been prescribed for you, follow the wearing-in advice you’ve been given, and don’t simply push through significant pain.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you have persistent foot pain, new or worsening symptoms, or you’re unsure whether insoles or orthotics are suitable for you, speak to your GP, podiatrist or physiotherapist.
About Sue Holland
Sue writes WiderFittingShoes.com from first-hand experience of finding footwear for wide and difficult-to-fit feet. After two hip replacements, two ankle replacements and years of dealing with arthritis, swelling and feet that don’t always behave the same from one day to the next, she shares the practical things she’s learned about shoe fit, width and comfort.
Sources and further reading
Superfeet – All-Purpose Support Low Arch Insoles