Orthotics are by far the GREATEST foot care invention! In short, they turn a pair of uncomfortable shoes into comfortable shoes. Podiatrists prescribe custom orthotics and charge anywhere from $400 to $1200 per pair. But, I’ll let you in on a podiatry profession secret–orthotics do not have to be fancy, expensive, or custom-made to help your feet. In my opinion, some Amazon orthotics are just as effective as some custom-made orthotics. Allow me first to explain what a shoe orthotic is, then I will list my favorites found on Amazon.
Shoe orthotics are simply little devices that you slide in your shoes for arch support and cushioning for your feet. They are composed of plastic, foam, leather, or a combination of all three. You may ask–does every shoe need an orthotic? The answer is no. Some shoes already contain arch support, and others do not. For example, many athletic sneakers include built-in arch supports; conversely, ballet flats have zero arch support. However, this depends entirely on the shoe–I own some athletic sneakers and shoes that don’t need arch support but others that do.
Article Overview:
- Best Half-Length Amazon Orthotics for Dress Shoes (Women)
- Best Half-Length Amazon Orthotics for Formal Work Shoes (Men)
- Do you need an arch support?
- Best Amazon Orthotics for Athletic Sneakers (Women & Men)
- How long Do Orthotics Last? & When You Should replace them
- What To Do If Your Orthotics Don’t Fit in Your Shoes
- Fitting Orthotics into Sneakers: Tips
- Tips to Break-in Orthotics
- Does Wearing Shoe Inserts Make You Taller?
- Do Orthotics also help with knee pain?
- Help! My Orthotics are Smelly/Squeaking
- Best Orthotics for Sandals
- Does Insurance Cover Orthotics?
Best Half-Length Amazon Orthotics for Dress Shoes (Women)
This article contains amazon orthotics that I wear/own and recommended to patients, friends, family members, etc. These reviews are honest, unsponsored, and solely based on an opinion from my experience. (This post also contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. These suggestions do not replace an examination by a licensed podiatric physician. See Terms )
Pro: These genuine leather orthotics have adequate arch support and are thin enough to slide into most shoes easily. Also, products made in Europe, in general, tend to be of high quality. (Off-subject: Have you tried German-made eyeliners/makeup? I’m obsessed.) For $19.25, these orthotics should survive long in your shoes for daily pain-free walking.
Con: Because they are made in Germany, they are sized different than US sizes. I recommend to size up. For example if you wear a size 8.5 purchase a 9. ( EU 39)
Pro: You will like these orthotics for flat shoes because they are thin, offer decent arch support, and fit true to US shoe sizes. They contain a relatively durable soft faux suede cover for foot comfort.
Con: Half-sized orthotics will sometimes move around in shoes. It isn’t enjoyable to have to stop and adjust them. If this happens, I suggest adding a light layer of double-sided tape or fashion tape to the bottom, so they don’t slide around.
Pro: Powerstep SlimTech’s are very comfortable in casual canvas flat sneakers such as Converse and Superga’s . They contain a semi-hard shell with an anti-microbial non slippery top fabric. This orthotic fits to shoe size. If you wear a size 10 in target flats, choose the US women’s size 9-10.5.
Con: This orthotic is not ideal for athletic sneakers but works well in flat casual sneakers like Superga or Converse.
PRO TIP: When first wearing half-sized orthotics, they might move around in your shoes. This is not very pleasant because you’ll have to stop what you’re doing and adjust them. If this happens, try applying double-sided tape to the orthotic’s bottom heel so they will lightly stick to your shoes. As your feet adjust to the orthotics, they will stop sliding around in your shoes. Until then, try the tape trick!
Best Half-LengthAmazon Orthotics For Work Formal Shoes (Men)
Pro: Superfeet’s dress shoe orthotics are made from a thin plastic which makes them super easy to slide into any dress shoes. They are covered in a faux suede material to help reduce friction.
Con: The heel portion is wide so they may not fit into all of your dress shoes. It is also a stiffer, less bendable orthotic. If you prefer a softer, more bendable orthotic, these will take you longer to break-in.
Pro: These thin orthotics are very easy to slip into dress shoes. They contain adequate arch support and are made of genuine leather. Priced at $19.25, the cover should survive longer than faux-suede or foam covered orthotics.
Con: European sizing can be tricky, therefore I’d recommended to size up for this orthotic. I don’t recommend to use these in athletic sneakers, they are designed for dress and formal shoes.
Thin Arch Support Shoe Orthotic Inserts for Men by Powerstep, SlimTech 3/4 Length (CLICK TO SHOP)
Pro: These orthotics are designed thin for easy slip-in and slip-out of shoes. The cover is also anti-microbial which helps decrease bacteria and sweat build-up. The semi-rigid material will help support an average foot arch or flat feet.
Con: The most common complaint of half-sized orthotics is when wearing, they move around in shoes. However, as you wear the orthotic, it compresses and molds to your footprint, but this takes time. They also are not meant to last forever. A few reviewers complained of the orthotics not holding up for very long.
Do I Need Arch Support?
If you’ve ever experienced foot pain while walking or standing, then most likely, you’d benefit from arch support. Arch supports help make walking and standing much more tolerable. They distribute our body weight in such a way to provide stability and balance as we walk. Especially as we age, our feet require more support and stability. Plus, there’s nothing worse than suffering from foot pain. Wouldn’t you agree?
In summary, arch support is essential for anyone suffering from plantar fasciitis or painful flat feet. Arch support allows for our arches to feel supported and not collapsed when walking. When the foot arch is collapsed or remains close to the ground while standing (like in the image below), other problems may occur, such as: lower back pain, ankle pain, calf discomfort, knee discomfort, etc.
So how do you know if you need arch support? The bottom line, some feet may benefit from arch support, and some will not. Everyone’s feet are different. Optimally, before choosing an orthotic with arch support, a podiatrist should evaluate your feet and make that determination. However, not all of us have that option. I compiled this list if you want to try an orthotic. There is no guarantee that they will alleviate your pain. You could potentially have an underlying condition that an orthotic may or may not help.
Best Amazon Orthotics for Sneakers
Pro: Great for MEN’s casual sneakers like Van’s and athletic sneakers like Adidas and New Balance. My brother uses them to stop his plantar fasciitis pain.
Cons: The reviews recommend these orthotics for neuromas (pinched nerves) however, the padding is not in the ideal area for this.
Pro: Contains a deep heel cup for maximum control and anti-bacterial surface for odor control.
Cons: Arch support is average, some squeak is present when walking depending on the shoes used.
Pro: These orthotics are adequate for flat feet and plantar fasciitis(heel pain). This is because they are made from a stiffer material, a hard TPU. They are also a very affordable orthotic at $19.99 a pair.
Con: Some feet cannot tolerate walking on a hard orthotics. From my experience certain flexible foot types, arthritis sufferers and patients with lower back issues should avoid hard, less flexible orthotics.
Pro: I have not tried these personally, but with over 32,000 positive reviews on Amazon, these orthotics are sure to help your foot pain. They seem adequate for an average to high arch and may help if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. At $17 a pair, they are the least expensive option on this list.
Con: A few reviewers complain of the orthotics quickly wearing out. Some reviewers with flat feet found them uncomfortable, at first.
Pro: A patient of mine introduced me to this brand of orthotics. She works in the restaurant service industry and experiences chronic pain in her feet. She tried a few Amazon orthotics, but only this brand gave her high arched feet enough support. I like these orthotics because the top cover is remove-able and replaceable.
Con: They are the priciest orthotics on my list at $55 a pair.
When Should I Replace my Orthotics? How Long do Amazon Orthotics Last?
It would help if you replaced your amazon orthotics every 4-6 months. Think of a similar life span to a hairbrush or a pair of athletic running sneakers. They wear out. This timeline also depends on how often you use them. If you use the orthotics only for your kickboxing class once a week, then you can stretch their life out for a year. If you’re using them daily, then I recommend tossing at six months. In all seriousness, once they wear out, used orthotics can cause more harm than good to your body. By worn-out, I mean seeing holes in the fabric, the orthotic cushion is very thin, or they are no longer supporting your arches. Alternatively, a custom-built orthotic at a podiatrist’s office can last much longer (months to years!).
What if the Orthotic Doesn’t Fit in my Shoes?
Most orthotics fit by shoe size and should slide easily into your shoes. There are some exceptions: a full-length athletic or walking orthotic will not fit into a loafer or a low heel. Conversely, a half-length or “dress-shoe” orthotic may move around or feel uncomfortable in a sneaker. If you receive athletic amazon orthotics and are too long for your shoes, either exchange them for a smaller size or trim the long edges with household scissors. (see photos below.) Warning: do not try to trim the arch or heel portion of the orthotic because this part is usually more durable and difficult to cut. Allow me next to explain further on how to cut them to size.
PRO TIP: Most sneaker liners can easily be removed without any tugging or pulling on the shoes. If the liner isn’t removable, place the orthotic over the sneaker liner. Keep in mind, however, you may need to wear looser shoes or a size slightly larger than your normal size.
Fitting Orthotics into Sneakers Tips:
- First, loosen your sneakers’ laces, then pull the tongue of the shoes away from you or towards the toe box.
- Next, remove the liner inside the sneakers. If the liner isn’t removable, don’t sweat it; slide the orthotic into the shoe.
- If the orthotic doesn’t fit into the sneaker, it’s probably too long or too wide. In this case, either measure the size of the sneaker liner up to the orthotic length. Or you can stand on the orthotic and use a pen to trace around the edge of your toes.
- If the orthotic edge is longer than the sneaker liner, or if the orthotic is much longer than where your toes end–use a pair of scissors to trim the edges of the orthotic.
- The orthotics should fit snugly in your sneakers without any wrinkles. If you’re having difficulty fitting them into your shoes, fold the orthotic in half and place in the heel portion, then slowly unfold the orthotic as it’s in the shoe. Use your fingers and hand to push it into your shoes.
- Once they fit and you can’t feel any wrinkles with your hands, then try them on. Up next is how to break-in your orthotics.
How to Break-in Amazon Orthotics:
After you’ve made it through the fitting process, start to walk around in your shoes with your new orthotics. Ask yourself, “How do they feel on my feet?”. Similar to trying on a shoe–you will immediately know if they feel comfortable or uncomfortable. If they are uncomfortable, try wearing them in another pair of shoes, such as a loafer or a boot. If they feel comfortable, then walk around in them. I always suggest my patients wear their new orthotics for 1 hour the first initial day, 2-3 hours the second day and 4+ the third day, and so on. This adjustment time frame allows your feet and body to align to the orthotics properly.
Does Wearing Shoe Inserts Increase Your Height?
Shoe inserts increase your height, especially custom-made orthotics, up to 1/2 an inch (roughly 1.3 centimeters). Amazon orthotics tend to be thinner; however, they will increase your height ever so slightly. I do not recommend orthotics solely to make yourself taller, but it’s an added bonus!
Do Orthotics Help with Knee Pain?
Orthotics may help with knee pain. Allow me to explain. If you suffer from flat feet or a collapsable arch, your ankles will and knees will start to feel added pressure without proper arch support. You might feel this added pressure on the inside of your knees and the outside of your ankle joints. Think of a tree trunk that has branches all hanging over to one side. The tree’s side with all the leaves and stems may get tired and eventually weaken vs. the side with nothing hanging.
Orthotics help connect your shoes to the ground. As we walk, our body makes contact with the floor. In turn, the floor imposes ground-reactive forces against our bodies. Our joints tend to absorb those ground-reactive forces the most. Orthotics absorb those forces and help with impact as we walk. If you’d like more explanation, check out this medical journal article for more info on reactive ground forces.
How Do I Prevent my orthotics from getting smelly or squeaking/making noise?
Firstly, I’d recommend wearing orthotics with socks or stockings to help minimize skin irritation. Socks will also wick away moisture from your feet to the orthotics. Occasionally wipe your orthotics with a Lysol wipe (or any disinfectant wipe) and allow them to “rest” outside your shoes for a day or two. The Lysol will kill bacteria on the surface of the orthotic. Please do not put them in the washer, as the glue and materials will lose their durability, and you risk having them fall apart. If your amazon orthotics are smelly, then it’s an indication for a replacement.
If your orthotics are making noises or squeaking when you walk, try to sprinkle some foot powder on the surface of them. I like this one, but any baby powder does the trick.
Best Amazon orthotics for Sandals
Traditional orthotics aren’t meant to be worn in sandals because they fall out. However, there are a few options on Amazon for adding arch support in flat uncomfortable sandals.
Pro: This set of 6 comes with cushions to tack into your summer sandals for added arch support. They are both washable and re-useable for extended wear.
Con: Some reviewers complained that the arches have subpar sticking ability. The arch offers minimal support so I would not recommend these for flat feet or high arched feet.
Pro: Designed to wear in ballet flats or sandals lacking support.
Con: With self-stick arch supports, it can be tricky deciding where to stick them. Before peeling the sticky part off, I suggest sliding the arch supports into your shoes under your foot arches. Your feet will adjust to where they feel the most comfortable. Once adjusted, peel the sticky back off and apply it to your shoes.
Pro: These inexpensive arch supports are made of soft gel and offer basic support for inside a pair of flat sandals. The clear silicone won’t be noticeable in sandals. They cost $5.88 a pair on Amazon.
Con: One side contains sticky glue to apply inside the arches of the sandals. The downside is that they are not interchangeable between shoes. In this case, I suggest applying them to your most worn sandals.
Does Insurance Cover Orthotics?
Some health insurances cover the cost of orthotics. The only way to know if yours are covered is by calling your health insurance carrier. Ask if they cover a custom orthotics code, also known as an L3000 medical dispense code. If they do reimburse for this code, the next step is to visit a podiatric Physician and have her or him prescribe your custom orthotics. A second alternative option is to find out if your health insurance provider or job provides you with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA). Some podiatric physicians sell lower-priced pre-fabricated orthotics in the office as well. Others will suggest a pair of amazon orthotics that are compatible with your foot type.
Have you worn orthotics? Which one is your favorite?
