Drugstore inserts vs prefab orthotics vs custom — here is which one your foot type actually needs.
You are in the right place. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — board-certified foot & ankle surgeon with 3,000+ surgeries — explains exactly what shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis means and what works. Call (810) 206-1402 for same-day appointment at Howell or Bloomfield Hills.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Last reviewed: April 2026
Quick answer: The best shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis provide firm heel cushioning, medial arch support, and slight heel elevation (6-10mm) to reduce tension on the plantar fascia. Top-rated OTC options include PowerStep Pinnacle, Superfeet Green, CURREX RunPro, and Tread Labs Stride. Custom orthotics are more effective than OTC for moderate-to-severe cases. Use inserts in combination with calf stretching and proper footwear for maximum relief.
Shoe inserts are one of the cornerstones of plantar fasciitis treatment — properly chosen, they can provide dramatic pain relief within days. The key is choosing the right insert for your foot type and understanding what features actually matter for plantar fascia tension reduction.
Dr. Biernacki’s Top Insole Picks for Plantar Fasciitis
Insole Comparison: Which One Is Right For You?
| Insole | Best For | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| PowerStep Pinnacle ★ Dr. Top Pick |
Plantar fasciitis, flat feet, everyday use | ~$45 | View → |
| PowerStep Pinnacle Maxx | Severe overpronation, larger patients | ~$55 | View → |
| CURREX RunPro | Runners with PF, high-mileage training | ~$60 | View → |
| Custom Orthotics | Persistent PF, structural deformities | $400+ | Learn More → |
Watch: Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis — Dr. Tom Explains
What Shoe Inserts Do for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis pain comes from inflammation at the heel attachment of the plantar fascia, caused by excessive strain on the tissue. Shoe inserts help in three ways: 1. Heel cushioning — reduces the impact peak that occurs at heel strike, which compresses the inflamed tissue against the ground. 2. Arch support — reduces the windlass tension that stretches the plantar fascia during push-off. When the arch is supported, the fascia is less stressed throughout the gait cycle. 3. Heel lift — a slight elevation (6-10mm) shortens the gastrocnemius-Achilles-fascia chain, reducing the tension pulling on the heel attachment. This is why many plantar fasciitis sufferers find temporary relief in high heels but get worse in flat shoes.
PowerStep Pinnacle — Top Podiatrist-Recommended OTC
PowerStep Pinnacle is the most widely recommended OTC insert for plantar fasciitis by podiatrists, and it’s one we regularly suggest in our practice. It features a semi-rigid arch support in a full-length design, firm dual-layer foam for heel cushioning, and a built-in heel cup that cradles the heel fat pad. Available in multiple widths. Excellent in everyday shoes and running shoes with removable insoles. The Pinnacle Maxx (high arch version) is better for higher arches; the standard Pinnacle for average arches.
Superfeet Green — Best for High Arches
Superfeet Green is a full-length insert with a deep heel cup and high-profile arch support. It’s firmer than most OTC options and better suited for higher-arched feet. The rigid carbon fiber shell provides excellent biomechanical support, though some patients find it takes 1-2 weeks to break in. Superfeet Blue (lower arch profile) is a better choice for medium arches; Superfeet Green is optimal for high-arched, supinating feet with plantar fasciitis.
CURREX RunPro — Best for Runners
CURREX RunPro insoles come in three profiles (low, medium, high) corresponding to arch height, with a thin design optimized for running shoes. They provide excellent dynamic arch support during the loading phase without excessive rigidity during push-off. The low profile fits slim running shoes without displacement; the high profile matches high-arch runners’ needs. CURREX is particularly effective for runners with plantar fasciitis whose regular Superfeet or PowerStep inserts create too much bulk in performance shoes.
Custom Orthotics vs. OTC Inserts
OTC inserts work well for mild-to-moderate plantar fasciitis and are a reasonable first step. However, they’re made from average arch dimensions — not your specific foot. If you’ve tried high-quality OTC inserts for 6-8 weeks without adequate relief, custom orthotics offer significantly more precise support. Our 3D digital custom orthotics incorporate a specific rearfoot post angle, arch fill height, and forefoot modifications calibrated to your exact foot biomechanics. Insurance often covers custom orthotics when plantar fasciitis is documented. Full comparison in our best insoles guide.
Bottom line: PowerStep Pinnacle, Superfeet Green, and CURREX RunPro are the top OTC inserts for plantar fasciitis. Semi-rigid design with arch support and heel cup is more effective than pure cushioning. Start with a quality OTC insert; if no improvement in 6-8 weeks, custom orthotics provide more precise correction and are often insurance-covered.
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
We provide custom orthotic fabrication, gait analysis, and plantar fasciitis treatment including corticosteroid injection and shockwave therapy for resistant cases. If OTC inserts haven’t resolved your morning heel pain after 6-8 weeks, book a consultation — custom orthotics combined with targeted treatment typically resolve plantar fasciitis within 3 months.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402 | Book online
Frequently Asked Questions
Do shoe inserts actually help plantar fasciitis?
Yes — multiple randomized controlled trials show that arch-supportive inserts (both OTC and custom) reduce plantar fasciitis pain significantly compared to no inserts or sham insoles. A 2023 Cochrane review found orthoses (all types) significantly improved plantar fasciitis pain in the short-to-medium term. Custom orthotics show stronger evidence than OTC for moderate-to-severe cases, but quality OTC inserts are a reasonable first step for mild plantar fasciitis. Inserts work best when combined with calf stretching and appropriate footwear.
How long do I need to wear inserts for plantar fasciitis?
Most patients need inserts for 6-12 months until the plantar fascia heals and symptoms fully resolve. Some patients use inserts permanently because their foot mechanics predispose them to plantar fasciitis without support. A key test: if you’re pain-free for 3+ months, try going without inserts for a week. If pain returns within days, you need long-term orthotic support. If you remain pain-free, your plantar fascia has healed and good footwear without extra inserts may be sufficient.
Should I use hard or soft inserts for plantar fasciitis?
Semi-rigid inserts — firm enough to provide arch support but with cushioned heel and forefoot — outperform both purely soft cushioning inserts and fully rigid orthotics for plantar fasciitis. Pure gel or soft foam inserts feel comfortable but lack the structural support needed to unload the plantar fascia attachment. Fully rigid carbon fiber orthotics can be effective but are less comfortable. The sweet spot is semi-rigid construction: firm polypropylene or similar shell with EVA or memory foam top cover. PowerStep Pinnacle and Superfeet Green both meet this design criteria.
Ready for Custom Orthotics That Actually Work?
3D digital custom orthotics in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Or call: (810) 206-1402
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.