The Best Heel Cushion Inserts
If your job or active lifestyle has you on your feet for most hours of the day, your feet can take a real beating. In particular, the heels typically bear the brunt of this constant pressure. Often, our shoes don’t provide us with the support or comfort an active lifestyle desperately requires. Investing in some quality heel cushion inserts can make a world of difference. Heel cushion inserts are typically gel, silicone, or rubber inserts meant to put in the heel end of your shoe to provide more comfort and support. These inserts have been proven to lessen pressure on your heels, relieve foot pain, and make your day a little more comfortable. Read on to discover which heel cushion insert is the right pick for you.
Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushion Inserts
The Doctor is In
You might think that the softer a heel cushion insert is, the better, but science tells us this isn’t the case. The ideal heel cushion insert should occupy a sweet spot between firm and cushioned. This insert from Dr. Scholl’s does exactly that. Dr. Scholl’s may be the most well known and highly regarded heel cushion insert company on the market, and these inserts make it easy to understand why. Available for men and women of all shoe sizes, Dr. Scholl’s inserts provide you with all-day shock absorption and pain-relieving cushioning. You can’t go wrong with Dr. Scholl’s.
Pros:
- A happy medium between soft and firm
- Will fit all shoe sizes
- Premium shock absorption
Cons:
- While firm inserts like these provide more support, softer inserts might feel a little more comfortable
Heel That Pain Heel Seats
Walking on Sunshine
Two of the biggest causes of foot pain are misalignment and lack of even weight distribution. Heel That Pain’s heel cup inserts are meticulously engineered to align your feet in a way that evenly distributes weight throughout, preventing stress and pressure from wearing down your heels. These heel cushion inserts are designed to alleviate symptoms from conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel and bone spurs, flat feet, and tendonitis. If you’re in the market for a corrective heel cushion insert that’ll relieve stress and pain, this pick from Heel That Pain is the one for you.
Pros:
- Evenly distributes weight on your feet
- Available in all sizes for men and women
Cons:
- On the more expensive side
Tuli’s Heel Gel Cups
Little Cup of Heaven
Jogging is one of the healthiest exercise habits that a person can cultivate. Unfortunately, though, jogging can really do a number on our feet and leg joints. For daily joggers, shock-absorbing heel cushion inserts like these from Tuli’s are a must-get item. These inserts feature a multi-layer construction that provides you with the maximum shock absorption you need to match your active lifestyle. These inserts are also known to alleviate symptoms from various foot conditions like tendonitis and Sever’s disease. Not only are these things effective at reducing pain and pressure, but they’re also soft enough to be comfortable to walk in all day. For the movers and shakers out there, we can’t recommend these impressive heel cushion inserts enough.
Pros:
- Provides maximum shock absorption
- Latex-free design
- Comfortable and effective
- Perfect for runners
Cons:
- They might be hard to fit into some shoes
Ballotte Heel Grips For Women’s Shoes
Put Your Best Foot Forward
A girls’ night out on the town just isn’t the same without a pair of show-stopping heels or pumps. While those shoes might look fantastic on you, your feet will be cursing you for dancing in them all night. If you’re tired of sore, blistered feet from wearing high heels, these heel cushion inserts from Ballotte just might be your saving grace.
Designed specifically with women’s comfort in mind, these inserts are an essential buy for your next night out. Ballotte’s inserts can simultaneously prevent chafing and blisters while reducing the impact on your heels. While these things work great in heels and pumps, they’re also ideal for boots, sneakers, and running shoes. For women who want to stay stylish without foot pain, we highly recommend these heel cushion inserts from Ballotte.
Pros:
- Perfect for your next girl’s night out
- They’ll work in other kinds of women’s shoes, too
- Very affordable
Cons:
- The inserts might be a little too sticky for some
Dr. Foot’s Heel Grips
Your Feet Will Thank You
Dress shoes are known for their sharp-looking aesthetic, but not so much for their comfort. If you have an office job, you most likely have to wear them every day. That’s where these heel grips from Dr. Foot’s can help you. These heel grips are ergonomic and firm, providing your feet with maximum protection against chafing and blisters. Many heel cushion inserts have issues with adhesive strength, but Dr. Foot’s heel grips feature ultra-strong double-sided tape that’ll stay put no matter where you’re walking. The microsuede/foam construction makes for an eminently wearable and comfortable design.
Pros:
- Perfect for blister and chafing protection in dress shoes
- Soft, but not too soft
- Strong adhesive grip
Cons:
- Not the greatest choice for shock absorption for exercise
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a soft or firm heel cushion insert?
Soft heel cushion inserts may result in a more comfortable walking experience for a time, but they won’t give you the kind of pain relief that more supportive inserts will. Firmer inserts may help to realign your feet in a way that distributes weight and pressure more evenly across all parts of your feet. With that said, we’re not advocating for heel cushion inserts that are so firm as to be uncomfortable. The ideal heel cushion insert is one that provides a nice balance between cushion and support.
Can I use the same pair of heel cushion inserts in every pair of shoes?
You certainly can do this, and it will result in more comfort than your shoe’s soles in isolation, but ideally, you should dedicate one pair of inserts to one pair of shoes. This allows the inserts to acclimate and settle into the form of that specific pair of shoes, providing the customized alignment that the shoe requires.
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