Michael asks us:
What are the best insoles for running, really? Everyone says that their brand is the best, but it's hard to tell what I should really be looking for. Any thoughts?
Hi Michael! Thanks for your question! There are a lot of good running insoles out there, but in terms of what are the best, we're happy to give you our top 3 along with our reasons why they rank so highly.
- Coming in at #1 would have to be the Currex RunPro Insoles. These insoles have been engineered specifically for running, with a few important features: They feature strike padding under the heel and the ball-of-foot, which will help absorb impact shock and pressure as your foot "lands" and "pushes off" with each step you take. They also feature a heel that is detached from the arch support (note the the support stops short of the heel in the product photos), which allows your foot to flex more naturally during running. And these insoles have some cushioning throughout the body of the insole, but remain relatively thin to fit well in even minimalist running shoes. As a bonus, the RunPro insoles also come in high arch, medium arch, and low arch variants to ensure the best support for your arch type.
- Our #2 recommendation would be the Superfeet Run Cushion Insoles. Similar to the Currex insoles, these Superfeet insoles are also designed specifically for running, with a few similarities and differences compared to the Currex: On these insoles, the heel is integrated with the arch support, giving you firm support throughout the heel and arch. They feature very similar strike padding under the heel and the ball-of-foot, giving you that same impact shock absorption during each stride. The cushioning on these is thicker, allowing for more pressure relief overall, but also adding a little extra bulk to your shoes. Similar to the Currex, these also come in high arch, medium arch, and low arch variants to match your foot arch type.
- At #3 on the list would be the PowerStep Bridge Insoles. These insoles are a step away from the "engineered specifically for running" insoles and a step towards a great all-around athletic insole that works well for running, too. These feature a relatively unique "framework" arch support (the solid blue pieces looking at the bottom of the insole in the photos) that provides semi-flexible support without adding too much bulk or weight to the insole. The body of the insole is foam with a memory foam cushioning layer, making it so the entire insole has very nice cushioning and shock absorption throughout. And the entire insole is extremely lightweight and around the same thickness as the Superfeet insole, so it won't take up too much space in most running shoes.
While our #1 recommendation would be the Currex RunPro, all three of these would make for a great running insole. The Superfeet Run Cushion are a great choice especially if you have a little bit of room in your running shoes and would like a little extra cushioning, and the PowerStep Bridge are a great choice if you'd like something that can be more well-rounded for athletics and still perform extremely well.
Let us know if you have any thoughts or questions!
