Best Insoles for Dress Shoes Reviews and Comparison
Wearing dress shoes all day long is a pain – literally – for most people!
If you are like me, and find yourself wearing uncomfortable heels and flats every day, it can really put a damper on your day. I am flat-footed, which makes wearing dress shoes even harder, so it is vital that I have the right support in my shoes if I want to survive wearing them at work or after-hours!
Insoles also allow me to wear shoes that otherwise won’t fit properly, which saves me a lot of time and money over the years. Instead of replacing shoes that lose their support or stretch, a good insole can breathe new life into your old shoes!
Over time, wearing the wrong shoes with bad support can lead to bigger problems like corns, misshapen toes, bone spurs and tendonitis. Adding insoles to your dress shoes can make them more comfortable now and prevent problems in the long run.
Today, I want to share with you 5 options for insoles you can put in your dress shoes to make them more comfortable. I found insoles that are perfect for your heels, flats, boots, sandals, and even sneakers (for Casual Fridays, of course).
Reviews and Comparison of Top Insoles for Dress Shoes
Insoles | Superfeet | Footminders | Bringsine | Dr. Scholl’s | HLYOON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Images |  |  |  |  |  |
Price: | $29.95/pair | $31.95/pair | $39.99/3 pair | $14.99/pair | $18.78/6 pack |
Heels/Flats: | Both | Flats Only | Heels Only | Both | Both |
Support Type: | Heel | Heel & Arch | Heel & Ball of Foot | Heel | Arch |
Removable: | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Customizable: | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Check Price |
1. Superfeet Women’s DELUX High Heel Support Insoles
Superfeet is considered one of the best brands for insoles for all kinds of shoes. Their insoles for high heels keep feet in their proper place, which reduces slipping and jamming your toes. They support the heel, arches, and ankles firmly to make even the most uncomfortable shoes wearable throughout your day.
While $30 seems like a lot to spend on insoles, these are made of high-quality materials that will last for years. The insoles work in both high heels and flats, which is a huge positive. They are also removable, so you will only need one pair to place in whichever pair of shoes you’re wearing.
Things We Liked
- Microsuede interior reduces friction/slipping
- Anti-bacteria & odor-reducing coating
- Vegan-friendly
- Removable
- No need to break in or cut to size
- Work for heels & flats
Things We Didn't Like
- Only offer heel support; no arch support
- Not affordable
- Can slip around if your shoe is too big
2. Footminders Casual Orthotic Arch Support Insoles for Dress Slip-on Shoes
These may look similar to the Superfeet version above, but they offer a bit more support. They were designed by podiatrists for people who are on their feet for prolonged periods of time.
Unlike the Superfeet version, these offer much more arch support, which if you’re flat-footed like me, is incredibly important. They don’t just support the foot – they realign it to alleviate tension and pain in the feet, ankles, and knees.
The only thing to consider is that these aren’t meant for high heels – they were made for slip-on flat and low-heeled shoes. Reviews online say they are perfect for boots, sandals, and sneakers. So if you’re looking for an insole for your flats or boots, check these out!
Things We Liked
- Heel & arch support
- Good for casual & formal shoes
- Removable
Things We Didn't Like
- Not for high heels
- Too bulky for strappy/narrow shoes
- Not affordable
3. Bringsine Velvety Insole for High Heels, 3-Pack
Many people complain about removable insoles because they tend to slip around in their shoes. As an alternative, I thought I’d show you an option that permanently sticks inside your shoe. If you have trouble with insoles slipping, or not being able to get shoes on or off without hassle, these might be better.
The Bringsine insoles come in a pack of 3, and are designed specifically for using in high heels. They provide ample support of the heel and ball of the foot – two areas that are under a lot of stress while wearing heels. They are also easy to trim to create a custom fit for any style of dress shoe. Since they are much flatter than other insoles, they work well in sandals or flats as well.
Things We Liked
- Heel & ball of foot support
- Come in a 3-pack; affordable
- Permanently stick inside shoe
- Easy to trim/customize
- For heels & flats
Things We Didn't Like
- Peel off of shoe over time
- Not removable
- No arch support
4. Dr. Scholl’s Comfort and Energy Ultra Thin Insoles for Women
If you are looking for a good all-around insole, this might be your best bet! The Dr. Scholl’s insoles are made to go in any kind of shoe, from high heels to sneakers. They can be trimmed and adjusted to fit your unique needs!
I have used these insoles before for both my dress shoes and sneakers. They don’t provide any arch support, but they do have a nice gel cushion that keeps my feet happy all day long. They are also thin enough that they won’t affect how your shoes fit, which is a plus! I recommend adding them to flat dress shoes or sneakers that are older and lack support.
Things We Liked
- Affordable
- Gel massaging support
- Proper heel support
- Easy to trim/customize
- Removable
Things We Didn't Like
- No arch support
- Only meant to last 6 months
- Didn’t like them in high heels
- Made more for flats/sneakers
5. HLYOON H12 Silicone Gel Orthotic Arch Pad Insole and Silicone Adhesive Arch Support Gel Insole
If you specifically need arch support, or you want to add arch support to an insole you already have, consider buying this set. HLYOON created a 6-pack of different types of adhesive arch supports to fit your every need.
The set comes with a pair each of regular arch pads, smaller gel arch pads, and flannel arch pads. Instead of slipping an entire insole into your shoe, you merely stick these to wherever your arch naturally sits, and that’s it! I like these because you can customize them to your foot and the shoe itself without extra bulkiness. I also like that they are clear, which makes them much less noticeable!
Things We Liked
- Affordable
- Set of 3 pairs
- Permanently stick inside shoe
- Easy to adjust/customize
- Can add to other insoles
- Clear/easy to hide
Things We Didn't Like
- Only arch support
- Hard to get used to
- Tough to place correctly
Insoles for Dress Shoes: A Guide
Choosing the right insole for your feet is a simple process that will yield amazing results for your feet, ankles, knees, and back!
To start, you need to figure out what kind of support you’ll need:
Heel Support
People with heel pain, often a symptom of plantar fasciitis, will benefit from an insole with more heel support. The insole will not only pad the heel to prevent trauma, it can realign the heel to better support the foot and ankle.
Arch Support
If you suffer from flat-footedness, it is important to find an insole with arch support. It will prevent you from over-rotating your ankles, also known as pronation. One thing to keep in mind is that using arch insoles will take time to adjust to. Start by wearing them only an hour or two each day, until your feet get used to them.
Ball of Feet Support
This is a common feature in insoles for high heels. They provide cushioning for the ball of the foot, and can also help raise the ball of the foot to reduce strain. Using insoles for the ball of the foot also help keep the toes aligned properly, which prevents corns and misshapen toes over time.
Once you’ve figured out what kind of support you need, the rest is simple! Find an insole that provides the right support, and consider the following features you might also want:
- Materials: hard vs. soft support, gel support
- Fabric for comfort or anti-slip
- Removable vs. permanent adhesive
- Customized or trimmed to fit shoes
- Durability
- Work in both dress and casual shoes
- Anti-bacteria or anti-odor coating
- Variety of color / clear options so they’re not visible
Conclusion
Buying insoles can be an overwhelming experience – but it doesn’t have to be! There are great options out there to fit inside your dress shoes, both heels and flats, to keep your feet happy all day long! There is no need to throw away your painful heels anymore – get the right insoles and you can wear them for years to come!
