So far, I've tested:
1. Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Extra Support
2. Aetrex Copper Medium Arch
3. Spenco Polysorb Total Support
4. Superfeet Copper DMP
5. Powerstep Pinnacle
each for two hours' total walking time over a few days in two pairs of my favorite shoes: New Balance 606 hikers and Cole Haan loafers with Nike Air.
I was naturally curious about Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Extra Support, advertised for big & tall men. They didn't do much for me. While the extra cushioning helped at first, it helped less and less the longer I walked on them. I mentioned this to my orthopod and he told me the key to managing PF is not cushioning, it's support. Grade: D
Next I tried the Spenco Polysorb Total Support. Remembering my doc's advice, I chose these for the rigid heel cup and arch support. Though quite comfortable overall, the arch support was a bit too low for my medium-high arches and the heel cup was insufficient support for weight. While they worked reasonably well for me, I believe they would a be better choice for lighter individuals with lower arches. Grade: B
I chose Aetrex Copper Medium Arch to get better arch support. After wearing these in both pairs of shoes for a while, I could hardly tell a difference from the Spenco insoles. Eventually, I popped one of the insoles out and swapped it for the Spenco and walked around the block. Only by walking on one of each could I tell them apart. I found the Spenco offered a little better support for the midand fore-parts of my foot while the Aetrex offered a little better support for my arch. Grade: B
Coincidentally, I was in an Allen Edmonds store and noticed Superfeet insoles. I asked the clerk about them and she raved how many men my size have good success with them. I tried the Orange and the Copper DMP versions in the store. Finding the Orange too high for my arches, I later ordered a pair of the Superfeet Copper DMP. These are easily the most rigid of the insoles I've tried...and easily the best. Superfeet arch support sits farther back on the insole than other brands. This made a real difference in the support I felt walking long distances. I also found the medial post support in the heel did a better job than other insoles in combatting overpronation. Grade: A
Most recently, I tried the Powerstep Pinnacle insole. While it seems well-made and offered good support, it simply did not work for me. The gel-based arch support sits too far forward and in the middle of the insole. The insoles felt like I had lumps of soft clay underfoot. After a few blocks of brisk walking, my feet began to fatigue as if I were walking barefoot in sand. Again, these may work for some people but they didn't for me. Grade: C
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I developed a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis on my left foot during a run in Japan in October. I bought my first pair of Spenco inserts from a mall shoe repair store and they worked so well, that I wanted to get some more pairs, but at a better price. Amazon was the ticket for that. These insoles are really good quality in material and they fit without any trimming into my pair of size 10.5 Docker business casual shoes and also into my size 11 Nike Bowerman series running shoes (I took out the inserts in the running shoes and put in the Spenco's without any issues). After two months of continuous usage they are still feeling like new. These inserts are really helping the pain when walking and running, so my foot is gradually coming around. I will probably be using these for the foreseeable future to prevent a reoccurrence once my foot is completely better.Best Deals on Spenco 39313 Adult's PolySorb Total Support Premium Insole
Not recommended if you have wide feet/shoes. The toe is very narrow on this insole.Honest reviews on Spenco 39313 Adult's PolySorb Total Support Premium Insole
First, I did not have any problems with squeakiness or loud sounds that a few other reviewers mentioned. Maybe it depends on what brand shoes/sneakers you are putting them in? In any case, I had pain in my feet, ankles, knees, and hips regularly before I started using these. With the inserts I can walk or jog MUCH farther without any discomfort. In the past, I struggled with plantar fasciitis, pain in the ball of my foot, sesamoiditis, ankle pain, knee pain, and hip pain (in part because I'm carrying extra weight and am an overpronator). I simply do not have these problems anymore since using the inserts. I simply took the insoles out of my Asics running shoes and put these in instead. At first, I was annoyed at having to modify hundred plus buck running shoes, but it was so worth it!My podiatrist had made it sound like there wasn't much I could do besides stop training (or cut way down) or spend hundreds on custom inserts. I did neither (other than slowing down or taking a break and icing if I had pain), but bought these and they have been a godsend. Of course, your mileage may vary. I'm not suggesting that all foot problems and sports injuries will just go away with these, but for the price they are worth a shot!!
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Spenco 39313 Adult's PolySorb Total Support Premium Insole
I have literally tried dozens of insoles from just about every major brand that sells insoles under $45 (Spenco, Dr. Scholls, Profoot, Superfeet, Powerstep, Sof Sole, Sole), and usually several different lines within the same brand.*In the lower-end, Dr. Scholls is generally the WORST, while I find Profoot is EXCELLENT
*In the middle-end, Superfeet tends to offer very firm/stiff insoles while Powerstep Pinnacle is a very soft/mushy insole (Powerstep Pinnacle has a very prominent arch and is best for high arch feet)
*Sof Sole has two very good products (Sof Sole Sole Fit Series and Sof Sole Airr Lightweight Insole) but the rest of their lines aren't highly regarded.
Out of all the insoles I have tried Spenco Total Support is the best.
PROS for Spenco Total Support:
-It offers a lot shock absorption in the heel area
-It has very good arch support
-It has a rigid plastic base/frame (the light gray in the picture). This is a feature found on more expensive insoles like Superfeet and offers more support overall
-It is medium stiffness, just right, not too firm and not too soft
-It has a matte black color and matches almost any shoe
-Overall Spenco Total Support is best insole I have tried out of at least a dozen. It provides total support (heel, arch, etc.), has all the bases covered. It is not deficient in any one area and the best all-around insole. Some insoles are better in the heel, others in the arch, this one is excellent all-around.
CONS:
-Can't think of any, maybe price, but it beat out more expensive insoles like Superfeet so this a minor issue.
CONCLUSION: I painstakingly tried Spenco Total Support against every insole I own (one insole brand in the left shoe, another one in the right shoe, and went for a walk); every time Spenco Total Support was the best one, often by a wide margin. A close runner-up was the Sof Sole Fit Series (which come in Low Sole, Neutral Sole, or High Sole corresponding to feet with Low, Medium, or High Arches, respectively). The Sof Sole Fit Series is a bit thinner and might work better in shoes were there isn't a lot of space for an insole.
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