Orthotics & Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis

Footlogics insoles for plantar fasciitis

Insole	Best for	Length	Price (CAD)
Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis	Heel pain in lace-up shoes, sneakers and work boots	Full	$37.95
Footlogics Workmate	Long shifts in work and safety boots	Full	[confirm]
Footlogics Sports	Running, walking, gym and hiking	Full	$39.95
Footlogics Performance	High arches	Full	[confirm]
Footlogics Versa	Slimmer shoes and women’s flats	Full, low-profile	$34.95
Footlogics Casual	Dress shoes, loafers and slip-ons	3/4	[confirm]

Our pick for most people: Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis. It combines a firm, medium-to-high arch, a deep stabilizing heel cup, Podflex cushioning pads under the heel and forefoot, and a mild metatarsal raise in a lightweight full-length insole you trim to size with scissors.

Our pick for most people: Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis. It combines a firm, medium-to-high arch, a deep stabilizing heel cup, Podflex cushioning pads under the heel and forefoot, and a mild metatarsal raise in a lightweight full-length insole you trim to size with scissors.

Do insoles and orthotics really help plantar fasciitis?

Yes, for many people, but they work best as one part of a plan, not as a cure on their own. In a trial of 135 people with plantar fasciitis, both ready-made and custom orthotics improved function more than a flat sham insole over three months (Landorf et al., 2006). A 2018 review of 19 trials found that orthotics gave a small to moderate reduction in pain compared with sham insoles. The benefit usually took more than six weeks to show, and ready-made orthotics worked as well as custom ones (Whittaker et al., 2018).

The evidence isn’t all one way. Another 2018 review found orthotics were no better than sham insoles or other treatments over the longer term (Rasenberg et al., 2018). The practical takeaway is that a supportive insole is a low-cost, low-risk way to make every step less painful while the tissue recovers. It works best combined with stretching, strengthening and the right shoes.

What are the best insoles for plantar fasciitis?

The best insoles for plantar fasciitis have four features:

• A firm arch shell. It should hold its shape when you press it with your thumb. A firm arch limits how far the arch drops with each step, which reduces the stretch on the plantar fascia.
• A deep heel cup. It keeps the heel bone upright and gathers the natural fat pad under the heel, so the sore spot is better cushioned.
• Cushioning under the heel. It softens the impact of each heel strike, especially on hard floors.
• The right fit for your shoes. A full-length insole suits lace-up shoes and boots, while a 3/4-length insole suits dress shoes and slip-ons, where space is tight.

Soft gel or foam insoles feel comfortable in the store but flatten under your weight and give little support. For most people with plantar fasciitis, Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis is the place to start. Choose Sports if you run, Workmate for work boots, or Casual for dress shoes.

What’s the difference between orthotics, insoles and heel cups?

The words are often used interchangeably, but they describe different products:

• Insoles or inserts are any removable layer inside a shoe, from a thin foam liner to a structured support.
• Orthotic insoles (ready-made orthotics) are structured insoles with a firm arch and heel cup, designed to change how the foot moves. Footlogics insoles are in this group.
• Custom orthotics are made to a cast or scan of your feet after an assessment by a health professional.
• Heel cups and gel heel pads sit under the heel only. They add cushioning but don’t support the arch. A major review of plantar heel pain found no trials testing heel cups on their own (Morrissey et al., 2021).

For plantar fasciitis, an orthotic insole that supports both the arch and the heel tackles more of the problem than a heel pad alone.

Do I need custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis?

Most people don’t need to start with custom orthotics. Trials that compared the two found that ready-made orthotics reduced heel pain about as well as custom ones, at a fraction of the cost (Landorf et al., 2006; Whittaker et al., 2018). In Canada, custom orthotics usually cost several hundred dollars, take a week or more to make and need an assessment first.

Custom orthotics make more sense if your feet are a very unusual shape, you have inflammatory arthritis or diabetes-related foot problems, or your heel pain hasn’t improved after about three months of supportive insoles, stretching and better shoes. A recent best-practice guide places custom orthotics later in treatment, for people who haven’t improved with the first-line options (Morrissey et al., 2021). Read our full comparison of custom orthotics and ready-made insoles.

How long do plantar fasciitis insoles take to work?

Many people feel more comfortable within the first few days, because the heel is better cushioned and the arch is supported. A real drop in pain usually takes longer: in the research, the benefit of orthotics generally appeared after more than six weeks of regular wear (Whittaker et al., 2018). Wear your insoles in the shoes you spend the most time in, every day, rather than only when the pain flares.

Break new insoles in gradually: an hour or two on the first day, then a little longer each day, until you wear them full time within a week or so. If your pain hasn’t improved after six to eight weeks of insoles, stretching and better shoes, see a professional.

Do insoles work on their own?

Insoles take strain off the heel while you’re on your feet, but they’re one part of recovery, not the whole plan. Stretching, strengthening and easing back on the activities that aggravate your heel all help. Our plantar fasciitis guide covers these treatments and the medical options in detail.

Which plantar fasciitis insole suits which shoe?

Footwear	Recommended Footlogics insole
Sneakers, walking shoes, lace-up casual shoes	Plantar Fasciitis
Work and safety boots	Workmate or Plantar Fasciitis
Running shoes, gym shoes, hiking boots	Sports
Pickleball and tennis shoes	Active
Winter boots with a removable liner	Plantar Fasciitis or Workmate
Hockey skates and cleats	Football (slim enough for skates)
Women’s flats and slimmer shoes	Versa
Dress shoes, loafers, slip-ons	Casual

 

With full-length insoles, remove the shoe’s original liner and use it as a template to trim the new insole. Check your size in our sizing guide.

Plantar fasciitis and everyday life in Canada

Shoes-off homes. Many Canadians take their shoes off at the door, then spend evenings and weekends barefoot on hardwood, tile or laminate. That’s hard on a sore heel, and going barefoot is one of the things to avoid while plantar fasciitis settles. Keep a pair of supportive indoor shoes or slippers by the door, ideally with a removable footbed for your insole.

Winter boots. Many winter boots are warm and waterproof but flat inside, and slipping on snow and ice adds strain to the heel. Fit your insoles with the socks you’ll wear, and dry them away from heaters after slushy days. See our winter boot insoles.

Long shifts on hard floors. Nurses, retail staff, teachers and trades workers spend hours on concrete and tile. Supportive work shoes or boots with an insole make every shift easier on a sore heel. See our insoles for standing all day.

The spring return to running and pickleball. If you’re heading back outside after a quiet winter, put insoles in your running or court shoes from your first session, not after your heel starts to complain.

Try Footlogics plantar fasciitis insoles risk-free

Footlogics insoles are designed by podiatrists to take the strain off a painful heel, in the shoes you actually wear. Every pair is priced in Canadian dollars, ships across Canada and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Not sure which model suits you? Use our insole finder or contact us. For causes, other treatments and when to see a professional, read our plantar fasciitis guide.

Frequently asked questions about plantar fasciitis insoles

What should I wear at home if I have plantar fasciitis?

Wear supportive indoor shoes or slippers rather than going barefoot, especially on hard floors. Look for a firm sole, a contoured footbed and a removable liner so you can add your insole. This matters most first thing in the morning, when heel pain is usually at its worst, so keep them beside the bed.

Do I need to take out my shoe’s original insole?

Yes, for full-length insoles. Remove the factory liner and use it as a template to trim the new insole to the same length. If you place a full-length insole on top of the old liner, the shoe can feel tight and your heel can sit too high in the heel cup. Three-quarter-length insoles such as Casual sit on top of the existing liner.

Can new insoles make heel pain feel worse at first?

Mild arch soreness in the first few days is common while your feet adjust to firm support. It should fade within a week or two if you build up your wearing time gradually. If the pain gets sharper, you develop blisters, or new pain appears in your knees or hips, reduce your wearing time, check the insole is the right size and sits flat, and contact us if it doesn’t settle.

Do gel heel cups work for plantar fasciitis?

Gel heel cups add cushioning under the heel, and some people find them comfortable. But they don’t support the arch, and a major review of plantar heel pain found no trials that tested heel cups on their own (Morrissey et al., 2021). An orthotic insole with both a deep heel cup and arch support addresses more of the strain on the plantar fascia.

Can I move one pair of insoles between different shoes?

Yes, as long as each pair of shoes has a removable liner and similar room inside. Many people move one pair between their sneakers and work shoes. If you wear very different footwear, such as work boots on weekdays and dress shoes on the weekend, a second pair in the right style (for example Workmate and Casual) is more convenient and fits better.

Which insole should I choose if I have high arches and plantar fasciitis?

High arches tend to put more pressure on the heel and the ball of the foot. Choose Footlogics Performance, which has a higher arch contour that fills the space under the foot. If your arches are normal or low, Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis is the better fit.

Are plantar fasciitis insoles covered by extended health benefits in Canada?

Usually not under the orthotics benefit. Most Canadian extended health plans only cover custom orthotics that are prescribed and made from a cast or scan of your feet. Some plans let you claim ready-made insoles through a health spending account, so check your plan and keep your receipt.

Should I keep wearing insoles after the heel pain is gone?

Many people do, especially if they spend long hours on their feet, have flat feet or run regularly. Plantar fasciitis can come back if the same strain returns, and supportive insoles help keep the load down. If you stop, do it gradually, and start wearing them again at the first sign of morning heel pain.

How long do plantar fasciitis insoles last?

With daily wear, Footlogics insoles typically last about 9 to 18 months. Running, long shifts and heavier body weight wear them out sooner. Replace them when the arch no longer springs back when pressed, the heel cup has flattened, or the top cover has worn through.

Do these insoles help flat feet as well as heel pain?

Yes. Flat feet and plantar fasciitis often go together, because a collapsing arch stretches the plantar fascia further with each step. Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis supports the arch and the heel at the same time. For flat feet without heel pain, see our insoles for flat feet.

References

• Landorf KB, Keenan AM, Herbert RD. Effectiveness of foot orthoses to treat plantar fasciitis: a randomized trial. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(12):1305–1310. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.12.1305
• Morrissey D, Cotchett M, Said J’Bari A, et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;55(19):1106–1118. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101970
• Rasenberg N, Riel H, Rathleff MS, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, van Middelkoop M. Efficacy of foot orthoses for the treatment of plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018;52(16):1040–1046. Full text
• Whittaker GA, Munteanu SE, Menz HB, Tan JM, Rabusin CL, Landorf KB. Foot orthoses for plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018;52(5):322–328. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-097355

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have ongoing heel pain, see a qualified health professional.