10 Best Insoles for Gym Shoes: Boost Your Workout Performance!
Updated April 13, 2023
The right insoles for your gym shoes can help prevent injuries during training sessions and reduce leg fatigue, ensuring you return to the gym session after session.
Falls, improper positioning, and awkward landings might leave you with leg fatigue and muscle soreness, making the rest of your day uncomfortable and unproductive. However, many gym enthusiasts remain injury-free due to their choice of insoles. Each type of exercise requires a specific kind of insole, with weightlifting and treadmill running demanding different support.
To help you find the ideal insoles for your gym shoes, we've compiled a list of the top 10 options, each with its unique features. These insoles deliver cushioning and support to prevent pain, injuries, irritation, discomfort, and blisters, ensuring an enhanced workout experience.
Our Top Picks for the Best Insoles for Gym Shoes
- Best Overall Gym Shoe Insoles - Upstep Gym Custom Orthotics
- Best Foam Gym Shoe Insoles - FitMyFoot Personalized Insoles
- Best Thin Gym Shoe Insoles - Protalus T-100 Elite
- Best Anti-Odor Insoles for Gym Shoes - SOLE Active Thin
- Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Gym Shoes - URthotics Active
- Best Firm Insoles for Gym Shoes - Tread Labs Dash
- Best Comfort Insoles for Gym Shoes - Protalus T-75
- Best Cushioned Gym Shoe Insoles - SOLE Active Medium with Met Pad
- Best Stability Insoles for Gym Shoes - Superfeet FLEXmax
- Best Gym Shoe Insoles for Balance - Tread Labs Pace Thin
A Closer Look at Our Top 10 Insoles for Gym Shoes
1. Best Overall Gym Shoe Insoles
Footora Score: 9.8
- Intended use - For indoor workouts
- Material - EVA or Polypropylene shell
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Adequate heel-to-toe cushioning
- Sizes - Custom-made
Upstep Gym Custom Orthotics are suitable for various types of workouts, including step, circuit, TRX, CrossFit, weightlifting, and machine workouts. These custom-made orthotics offer support and cushioning to prevent injuries and ensure proper balance. The insoles are fully personalized for ultimate comfort because they're made using an impression kit.
What We Love
- Custom-made
- Personalized comfort
- Absorbent top layer
- Durable materials
- Adequate arch support
What to Consider
- Costlier than some alternatives
- Delivery period can be lengthy
2. Best Foam Gym Shoe Insoles
Footora Score: 9.7
- Intended use - Relieve foot-related conditions
- Material - Foam
- Support - custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep contoured heel cushion
- Sizes - Custom-made
FitMyFoot Personalized Insoles provide an alternative to medical-grade orthotics for gym workouts. With a durable premium footbed, they relieve foot fatigue by supporting the foot, distributing force evenly, and reducing overpronation. The biomechanically optimized heel shape enhances shock absorption during workouts.
What We Love
- Durable premium footbed
- Custom arch support
- Breathable fabric
- Offers improved stability
- Sturdy and flexible
What to Consider
- Not fully custom-made
3. Best Thin Gym Shoe Insoles
Footora Score: 9.3
- Intended use - For regular shoes with removable insoles
- Material - High-rebound polyurethane and Nylon
- Support - Contour-shaped support
- Cushioning - 3mm forefoot and heel cushion
- Sizes - M5.5-15 / W5-12.5 / Youths 3-4
Protalus T-100 Insoles are ideal for preventing foot injuries from falls and awkward landings. With a Tri-Planar alignment system, they guide the body into the proper position, reduce foot pressure, and enhance stability by coming up higher on the foot's sides.
What We Love
- Fits true to size
- Moisture-wicking material
- Comfortable in stiff footbeds
- Proper foot alignment
What to Consider
- Too thick for some shoes
4. Best Anti-Odor Insoles for Gym Shoes
Footora Score: 9.0
- Intended use - Everyday comfort or high-exertion activities.
- Material - Recycled cork plus Polygiene® stays fresh technology
- Support - Sturdy and flexible support
- Cushioning - Moldable orthopedic cushioning
- Sizes - M3-17 / W5-19
SOLE Active Thin Insoles use Polygiene® stays fresh technology to keep your feet cool and healthy during gym sessions. Heat and wear-moldable, these insoles offer a customized fit without bulky foam, making them suitable for slim-fitting footwear.
What We Love
- Suitable for wide feet
- Suitable for any arch height
- Lightweight support
- Improved balance
What to Consider
- Very thin
5. Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Gym Shoes
Footora Score: 9.6
- Intended use - For a more active lifestyle
- Material - Polypropylene
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - Custom-made
URthotics Active Custom Orthotics are medical-grade, impact-absorbing orthotics perfect for gym activities like walking and treadmill running. With a custom-mapped, 3-5mm Polypropylene orthotic base, they provide the necessary support for each individual's foot.
What We Love
- Custom-made
- Maximum impact-absorbing Poron
- Pain relief and protection
- Stability and motion control
- Shaped for best fit
What to Consider
- Delivery time can be lengthy
6. Best Firm Insoles for Gym Shoes
Footora Score: 8.9
- Intended use - Performance boost during exercise
- Material - Open-cell polyurethane foam and polyester fabric
- Support - 100% carbon fiber arch support
- Cushioning - Adequate heel cushioning
- Sizes - M4-13.5 / W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
Tread Labs Dash Insoles boast a super-strong, ultra-lightweight, and nearly rigid design that improves biomechanics and delivers superior energy return. Their carbon fiber construction enhances stride and alignment during workouts.
What We Love
- Long-lasting materials
- Antimicrobial
- Four arch heights
- Proper arch support
What to Consider
- Requires a break-in period
- Heel cushioning could be better
7. Best Comfort Insoles for Gym Shoes
Footora Score: 8.8
- Intended use - People needing cushioning and alignment
- Material - Polyurethane and Nylon
- Support - Contour-shaped support
- Cushioning - 3mm heel and forefoot cushioning
- Sizes - M5-15 / W5.5-11 / Youth 13.5-5
Protalus T-75 Insoles offer comfort and support for all gym exercises without exhausting your feet. They prevent misalignment at the heel and ankle, supporting the entire foot and addressing common foot and weight-bearing joint issues.
What We Love
- Boosts performance
- Unmatched foot alignment
- Proper arch support
- Amazing comfort
What to Consider
- Custom sizes not available
- Can be cumbersome
8. Best Cushioned Gym Shoe Insoles
Footora Score: 8.8
- Intended use - Everyday comfort
- Material - EVA
- Support - Sturdy and flexible support
- Cushioning - 1.6mm medium cushioning
- Sizes - M3-16 / W5-18
SOLE Active Medium Insoles feature a 1.6mm medium-level cushioning that absorbs shock and redistributes impact forces. The footbed's metatarsal pad supports natural foot bone movement, promoting circulation and relieving forefoot pain associated with conditions like Morton's neuroma and Metatarsalgia.
What We Love
- Improves balance
- Supports natural spread of foot bones
- Promotes neutral alignment
- Distributes weight and pressure equally
- Zero-drop from heel to forefoot
What to Consider
- Heel cushioning could be better
- Not ideal for high-volume shoes
9. Best Stability Insoles for Gym Shoes
Footora Score: 8.7
- Intended use - For roomy-fitting athletic footwear
- Material - Foam
- Support - Proper arch support
- Cushioning - Adequate heel cushioning
- Sizes - M5.5-13 / W4.5-14 / Kids 2.5-4
Superfeet FLEXmax Insoles ensure stability for weightlifting exercises, preventing ankle twists and other foot-related injuries. The horseshoe-shaped flexible heel cradle and dynamic Superfeet shape provide structure and stability, reducing stress on feet, ankles, and knees.
What We Love
- Trimmable
- Adequate heel cushioning
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
What to Consider
- Not very durable
10. Best Gym Shoe Insoles for Balance
Footora Score: 8.7
- Intended use - For those heavy on their feet
- Material - Polyurethane foam and Polyester fabric
- Support - Medical-grade support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M4-13.5 / W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
Tread Labs Pace Thin Insoles offer a precision arch fit and deep heel cup to reduce impact, improve stability and balance, and alleviate foot pain during gym workouts. Available in four arch heights, they ensure the perfect fit for every individual.
What We Love
- Medical-grade support
- Firm support
- Four arch heights
- Antimicrobial material
What to Consider
- Not enough padding
- Costlier than some alternatives
How We Choose
Drawing upon our extensive experience treating patients and evaluating the benefits of various insoles, our team has established a set of criteria to help identify the most effective solutions for individuals with foot issues. We rate a number of factors on a weighted scale and aggregate them to create a single metric called the Footora Score, which reflects the product's overall usefulness. Do note that the score may vary depending on the specific purpose it's being reviewed for.
Here are the factors we considered for gym shoes:
- Fit
- Support
- Comfort
- Moisture-wicking
- Durability
- Value for money
- Customer Reviews
Unlock Your Full Workout Potential
Selecting the best insoles for your gym shoes can significantly impact your performance, allowing you to enjoy your workout, find comfort, and avoid gym-related injuries. It also brings you one step closer to achieving your workout goals.
