Best Running Shoe Inserts by Support Type and Fit

The best running shoe inserts are the ones that match your arch type, the depth of your shoe and the problem you want to prevent. Most runners can start with an off-the-shelf pair, but if you have ongoing heel, arch or foot pain, see a clinician before you buy, because insoles are not a one-size-fits-all fix.

Short answer

Start with the CURREX RunPro Insoles for Running Shoes if you want arch support inside a running shoe. It appears in running-insole roundups and has a large rating count on Amazon. If you want softer, everyday cushioning for daily miles, look at Dr. Scholl's Run Active Comfort Insoles. Both sit in the under $100 price tier. This guide may earn a commission if you buy through the Amazon links, and the price you pay does not change.

How we researched

We compared nine search results on running insoles, two product pages, and eight Amazon listings for running insoles. We used the specifications, brand claims and owner comments those pages contain, and we label brand claims as brand claims. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Arch support that matches your foot. CN Traveler advises choosing by arch type: high arches are described as supinated, flat feet as pronated, and average arches as neutral. Ask a running store or clinician if you are unsure.
2. Cushion versus firmness. Tread Labs draws a line between inserts that mainly add cushion and orthotic-style insoles that tailor arch support. That is the seller's framing, so use it as a guide rather than a rule.
3. Fit with your shoe's depth. SOLE says to choose thickness based on your shoe's volume and how much cushioning you want. A thick insole can crowd a snug running shoe.
4. Owner feedback, read with caution. Rating counts show how many people reviewed a product, not whether it suits your foot.
5. Price tier and return policy.

How we chose

We ranked the picks by the criteria above, in that order. The evidence is manufacturer specifications, Amazon listings with their rating counts, and owner comments in the sources. Expert input comes from a certified pedorthist and a foot and ankle surgeon quoted by CN Traveler. Nothing was tested hands-on. Because products and prices change, check the Amazon listing before you buy and treat this guide as a snapshot.

At-a-glance comparison

CURREX RunPro: arch support first

This is the pick for runners who want structured arch support in a running shoe. The roundup at aideastep names a CURREX RunPro among its best insoles for running and describes the materials as high quality, though that is the site's own description. On Amazon it has 4.5 stars from 3,100 ratings and 900+ bought in the past month. The drawback is that the material here does not list its thickness, so try it in your running shoe before you commit, especially if your shoes are already snug.

Dr. Scholl's Run Active Comfort: cushion for daily miles

Choose this if your main complaint is tired feet after regular runs and you want comfort more than structure. It has 4.4 stars from 8,600 ratings on Amazon and 900+ bought in the past month, which is a large sample. The drawback is that the listing material does not say which arch type it suits. If you overpronate or have had plantar pain, check that before buying, and do not assume soft cushioning alone will correct it.

SOF SOLE ATHLETE Performance: a sport-focused option

This one suits runners who want a performance insole with a large owner base. It has 4.4 stars from 11,000 ratings on Amazon and 2,000+ bought in the past month. The sources here do not list its arch type or thickness, so the same fit check applies. Owner feedback is a useful signal for comfort, but it is not proof that the insole will fix a specific foot problem.

Other evidence to weigh

SOLE says its footbeds are proven to reduce plantar fascia strain by up to 34%. That is the brand's own claim on its page, not an independent study, so weigh it accordingly. A runner on a Reddit thread about running insoles described a thin insole that moved mid-run in a different shoe. That is one anecdote, but it points to a real check: if the insole slides, it will not give you consistent support.

For people with specific conditions, custom orthotics are a different category. CN Traveler reports that custom versions usually cost over $300, and that a doctor or clinician should guide the choice for a specific condition.

How to choose

• If you have a high arch or want firm support, pick a structured arch insole such as the CURREX RunPro, and check that it sits flat in your shoe.
• If you want cushioning for long, easy runs, pick the Dr. Scholl's Run Active Comfort Insoles, and confirm it suits your arch type first.
• If you have ongoing foot or heel pain, see a clinician before buying anything. CN Traveler quotes a pedorthist who says, 'If your insoles hurt, they are not right for you.'
• If your shoes are snug, choose a thinner insole. SOLE says thickness should follow shoe volume.

For budget, mid-range and premium shoes, see Best Walking and Running Shoes by Price Range.

FAQ

What are the best insoles for my feet?

It depends on your arch type and the pain you want to address. Sources group arches as supinated, pronated or neutral, and recommend matching the insole to that type and to your activity. If pain persists, a clinician can tell you whether you need custom orthotics.

Do insoles actually help with running?

Some runners report comfort gains, but the evidence here is mostly brand claims and owner comments. CN Traveler quotes a foot and ankle surgeon who says insoles can help with conditions like plantar fasciitis but may not solve every problem. Treat any insole as a fit test: keep it if it stays put and feels right over several runs.

What's the difference between inserts and insoles?

The terms are used loosely. Tread Labs says inserts without arch support mainly add cushion, while orthotic insoles tailor support. CN Traveler notes that people use the words for anything slid into a shoe, so check the product's description for what it actually does.

Conclusion

For most runners, start with the CURREX RunPro if you need arch support and the Dr. Scholl's Run Active Comfort Insoles if you want everyday cushioning. Check arch type and thickness against your shoe, and see a clinician if pain continues. Whatever you buy, keep the return policy in mind until you know it works in your shoe.

Sources

• CN Traveler: The Best Insoles for Running, Hiking, and Long Travel Days
• Tread Labs: Insoles for Running Shoes
• SOLE: Insoles for Running Shoes
• aideastep: What is best running shoe inserts?
• Reddit: Best insoles for running?