Achilles tendonitis can be painful and often gets worse as you go about your day.
One of the ways to relieve Achilles tendonitis pain and potentially prevent it from recurring is to use the best insoles for Achilles tendonitis.
We recommend the Tread Labs Pace Pro for our top pick. It offers a deep, supportive heel cup, firm arch support, and cushioning to keep your feet comfortable.
Here are the insoles that we believe will help alleviate your Achilles tendonitis pain.
Top 3 Best and Favorites
Best Overall
| Best Overall |
Tread Labs Pace
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| Check Price |
Top Value
| Top Value |
Dr. Scholl’s Orthotics For Heel Pain
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| Check Price |
BEST ANTIMICROBIAL INSERT
| BEST ANTIMICROBIAL INSERT |
Superfeet COPPER
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| Check Price |
Best Overall
1. Tread Labs Pace
These insoles are full-length with a two-piece design.
The bottom part is tough and firm and forms the molded arch support part of the insole. The top provides cushioning along the length of your feet.
You can choose from four different arch heights—low, medium, high, and extra high—to ensure you’re getting the correct support.
Whichever arch height you choose, it has a deep heel cup that offers both support and shock absorption, reducing the load on the Achilles tendon.
The top cover is 5 mm thick and made from a layer of open-cell polyurethane foam topped with a soft polyester layer.
This cover is replaceable, so when it wears out you can simply add a new top cover onto your existing arch support.
You’ll also find an antimicrobial treatment on the top cover, to keep your feet fresh every day.
The molded arch support comes with a lifetime guarantee. Just note that some people may find that the insole takes time to wear in.
PROS:
- Cushioned full-length inserts
- Firm arch support
- Top cover is treated with antimicrobial
CONS:
- These insoles may take some time to break in
Top Runner-Up
2. Superfeet GREEN
The Superfeet Green insole offers excellent support and shock absorption for your feet.
They have a wide, deep heel cup that helps to keep the heel in alignment, which will help the Achilles stay stable.
As well as shock absorption in the heel, there’s a full-length firm foam layer that cushions the foot and provides comfort. These insoles provide the best support for those with medium arches. People with low or high arches may find that these don’t offer enough support.
A built-in heel stabilizer helps to keep the Achilles stable and offers shock absorption on every step.
The top cover uses Moisturewick antimicrobial technology to wick away sweat and keep your feet dry and fresh throughout the day. It’s also trimmable so it can fit into almost any shoe comfortably.
One downside is that if your shoes don’t have a removable insert, then these insoles may be too high-volume to fit in your shoe.
PROS:
- Firm foam cushioning
- Removable heel stabilizer
- Deep heel cup
- Provides shock absorption
CONS:
- These insoles are may not provide enough support for those with low or high arches
Best Value
3. Dr. Scholl’s Orthotics For Heel Pain
If you’re looking for an insole to support the Achilles and relieve heel pain, we recommend the Dr. Scholl’s Orthotics for Heel Pain.
These are ¾-length insoles that fit comfortably inside most shoes and offer extra support to your heel.
They have Shock Guard technology, which is a cushioned heel pad that absorbs shock and protects the heel and Achilles from excess shock. The heel cup keeps the foot in place and helps to prevent twisting of the tendon.
These insoles also have good arch support, which will assist in keeping the foot in its correct alignment.
Some users have reported that the women’s insole is thinner and less supportive and comfortable than the men’s, so you may want to choose carefully based on your needs.
PROS:
- Will fit in most shoes
- Sturdy arch support
- Thick heel cushioning
- Shock Guard technology
CONS:
- The women’s insoles are thinner than the men’s and may not offer as much support and cushioning
Top Antimicrobial Insert
4. Superfeet COPPER
The Superfeet Copper uses Moisturewick antimicrobial technology on the top cover to prevent the growth of bacteria in your shoes. This keeps your feet fresh and dry for as long as possible.
This insole will mold to the shape of your foot the more you wear it, creating a more comfortable fit. It has 3 layers of foam cushion, which makes it soft but also durable.
As well as cushioning, there’s a reinforced stabilizer cap in the heel which helps to absorb shock and provide support for the Achilles.
They are recommended for those with flat feet or medium arches. They are low-profile insoles so they don’t take up a lot of space within your shoe. You can also trim them to fit your specific shoe.
PROS:
- Low-profile arch support
- 3 layers of foam mold to your feet
- Reinforced stabilizer cap
- Trimmable insert
CONS:
- These insoles may not be supportive enough for those with high arches
Most Cushioned
5. PowerStep Pinnacle
The Powerstep Pinnacle is a comfortable and well-cushioned insole. It features dual-layer padding and VCT Variable Cushioning Technology, which provides protection and comfort.
The base of the insole is made from EVA foam, which offers excellent shock absorption. This features built-in arch support and a deep heel cradle to provide the best possible support to the foot.
You’ll find an added semi-rigid shell in the heel, to reduce movement of the foot that could aggravate the Achilles tendon. This is situated between the two layers of EVA foam to provide extra support.
Under the foot, the top cover is soft, antimicrobial, and reduces both heat and friction, providing a higher level of in-shoe comfort.
These insoles may take some time to wear in and it’s recommended to wear them for just a few hours at a time until you’re used to them.
PROS:
- Built-in foot support
- Dual-layer cushioning
- Antimicrobial top fabric
- Hardwearing EVA foam base
CONS:
- These insoles may take some time to wear in
Most Comfortable
6. Protalus M100
The Protalus M100 insole is both supportive and very comfortable. It’s designed to align the foot so that there’s no strain on the ankle joint or bones of the feet.
One of their interesting features is underfoot ridges, which anchor the insole to the shoe and prevent it from moving around your shoe.
Full-length EVA foam provides shock absorption and padding. There are also two smaller layers underneath—3 mm in the forefoot and 4 mm in the heel—to maximize cushioning.
The heel is raised by about 10 mm, which is effective at reducing pressure on the Achilles tendon. A molded heel cup keeps the foot in place and there’s also a rigid shank in the heel that provides lateral support.
This works together with the built-in arch support and is effective for both those with low arches—flat feet—and high arches.
Lastly, a soft, moisture-wicking top cloth helps to keep the foot dry and fresh, while providing a bit more comfort.
You can find the Protalus M100 in both regular and wide sizes, so whatever size and shape your feet are, you should be able to find a perfect fit.
PROS:
- Dual-layer cushioning
- Contoured nylon shank
- Molded heel cup
- Moisture-wicking top cloth
CONS:
- They may not fit comfortably inside shoes without removable insoles
FAQs
What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?
The pain of Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon is placed under too much strain. This is usually due to overuse and often has a combination of factors that contribute to it.
Achilles tendonitis can happen when you increase the frequency or volume of your exercise too quickly, or if you don’t warm up properly before beginning your exercise.
Achilles tendonitis may also be caused by heel spurs or tight calf muscles that cause the tendon to pull painfully. Your calf muscles can tighten when you exercise on uneven surfaces, run up hills, or climb stairs often.
Those who are active may develop Achilles tendonitis by wearing shoes that are worn out and don’t offer enough support. This can place unnecessary stress on the Achilles tendon.
Also, stiff shoes can cause an overload on the tendon as they don’t allow the foot to move as freely during the gait cycle.
Women who wear high heels often may be at higher risk of developing Achilles tendonitis, as these shoes prevent the tendon from fully extending. Over time, the tendon can shorten and cause a limited range of movement and pain.
Can Insoles Help Achilles Tendonitis?
Yes, wearing insoles that raise the heel slightly can help to reduce the pain of Achilles tendonitis by reducing the strain on the tendon.
Will Arch Supports Help Achilles Tendonitis?
Arch support can play a role in reducing the pain of Achilles tendonitis, especially if your shoes aren’t supportive enough in the arch. However, it won’t help as much as extra heel support and a raised heel.
How Can Achilles Tendonitis Be Treated?
You should begin treating Achilles tendonitis as soon as you notice the symptoms. The first step you take should be to use the RICE principle.
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
As much as possible, you should rest and avoid doing your usual exercise or any activity that places strain on the tendon. This may be frustrating, but pushing through the pain and continuing to exercise may cause worse damage and take longer to heal.
You should also apply ice to the Achilles tendon regularly throughout the day. This will help to reduce inflammation. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day.
A compression sock or brace can help to reduce the pain and swelling of Achilles tendonitis. Applying compression regularly throughout the day will help improve circulation in the area, allowing it to heal faster.
Elevating the painful foot can reduce swelling by draining excess fluid build-up. This can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
You should also consider adding heel lifts to your shoes to reduce the load that’s placed on the tendon when you walk or run. Taping the tendon can also help to alleviate the pain.
If these measures don’t help to reduce the pain to a manageable level, then you may consider taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or pain medication.
