10 Best Dr. Scholl’s Insoles – 2024 Buying Guide

Part of the entire reason you are probably even looking for a decent pair of shoe insoles is that you have foot, ankle, or knee pain and are Uncomfortable. Therefore, one of the first comparisons and metrics we used to gauge which insoles were the best in Dr. Scholl’s line of insoles was by comparing the fit and comfort. But first, it is important to touch on who exactly might need or benefit from shoe insoles.

In a nutshell, everyone can pretty much benefit in some way or the other. After all, it is not like something bad would happen or you would be worse off if you were to buy and wear around shoe insoles even if you had no pain, history of pain or foot injuries, or virtually any real reason to do so.

But those of us who have chronic foot, ankle, or knee pain could experience a lot of good from simply wearing insoles. Likewise, if you have plantar fasciitis or general arch pain, overpronation, supination, pain in the forefoot near the ball of the foot, Morton’s Toe, heel spurs, shin splints, or diabetes or arthritis, then a quality orthopedic insole is definitely something you need to think about investing in.

Aside from any doctor-diagnosed standard running and exercise injuries that would require insoles, there are three telltale signs that you might benefit from insoles. The first is quite simple - worn-out shoes. If your shoes are weary, worn, have lost grip or traction, have holes, and just generally are not providing the support that they were when you first purchased them, you might want to think about insoles.

It can be helpful to look at the exact way in which your shoes are worn too – if the soles are worn more on one side than on the other, this might indicate your foot rolls forward (or rather, pronates) or your ankles turn out (supinate). If one shoe is worn more than another, then you might have one leg that is longer than the other.

Taking a look at your old shoes can provide some insight into any potential injuries you have or are at risk for, and can help you identify which Dr. Scholls insoles are best for you. The next way to help you pick an insole would be to conduct a “Wet Test” in which you wet your feet then stand on a piece of paper or paper towel and examine your footprint.

This will outline your natural stance and how your weight is distributed, and help you identify any pronation or supination. Finally, aside from the standard and obvious foot pain and heel pain that might cause you to need insoles, you also might benefit from them if you have sustained or recent injuries to your lower limbs (like your shins, ankles, and knees).

As you recover from these injuries, you want to be sure you are recovering completely, and that begins literally from the ground up, with providing proper support for your feet.

There are 3 main styles of fit to choose from, and they all come in different lengths. They're the heel length which provides a fitted insole around the heel of the foot, a 3/4 length which runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, and full-bodied lengths which cover the entire foot and provide support from the heels through the arch and ball of the foot and extending all the way to the toes.

There are also three different volumes, or thicknesses, of insoles to choose from.

High volume insoles are best for people with high arches and take up more space in the shoes. Thus, these are the best options for thicker and fuller shoes, like hiking boots.

Medium volume insoles are best for shoes worn for everyday activities and running and exercise because they still provide great support while not adding too much bulk.

Low volume insoles are best for thinly lined shoes, like cycle shoes and ladies flats. You need to choose an insole that fits your foot and shoes well.

The Dr. Scholls insoles on our list have received rave reviews because they provide a comfortable feeling of support, but fit your foot snugly – particularly around the heel. An insole that wraps or cups the heal is a great option because it will provide the most support. Part of choosing a good fit is choosing an insole that doesn’t make wearing your shoes uncomfortable.

It's important to pay attention to the above-mentioned insole volume to know which thickness will provide you with the support you need without taking up too much room in your shoe. Finally, speaking of comfort, the insoles should not be overly soft or too firm. Before you buy, do your research to find out exactly WHY you need the Dr. Scholls insoles.

This will make narrowing down your options much easier. Inserts that are designed specifically for relieving pain might run the risk of being too soft while inserts that focus on offering support – especially arch support – might be uncomfortably firm. The best and highest-ranked Dr. Scholl's insoles on our list are the perfect balance of soft and firm and offer both in the way of pain relief and adequate support.

The level of support and cushioning that an insole offers can be the deciding factor in which type of insert is right for you, so it is important to know how different Dr. Scholls inserts on the market vary in their support and cushioning levels. Support systems will provide those individuals with weak arches and an unstable foot strike with stability and reinforcement needed to keep the foot at a right and safe angle.

Cushioning should add an extra layer of comfort and serve well to absorb shock. There are several types of material on the market today that are used to add a layer of cushioning. Traditionally, manufacturers went with a standard foam soft foam cushioning. However, in recent years there has been an increase in cushioning made from gel or memory foam.

The benefits of gel and memory foam are that they are extra malleable to your feet, provide a sort of “massaging” feel, and really move with you – i.e., as you walk or run and shift weight from your heels through your arches to your toes, the gel, and memory foam will glide and shift with your changing weight distribution.

Some runners and exercisers might not like the feel of the extra cushioning as they run though, because it can feel a bit heavier, hotter on your feet, and not as breathable. If you are experiencing pain from standing too much, then a gel or memory foam cushioning is a great option.

Supportive Dr. Scholls inserts focus on providing stability to your aching feet. Different supportive insoles are created to focus on different support needs. The most common are insoles specific to providing arch support (which will help those with plantar fasciitis, overpronation, and supination).

Other forms of support Dr. Scholls insoles are specific to cupping the heels and created to help with issues like heel pain and heel spurs. Unfortunately, some brands (other than Dr. Scholl’s of course!) of inserts focus more on one than the other -they are either supportive but very firm and almost hard and thus do not absorb shock well.

Or they are so soft and cushioned to the point where they completely give under your body weight and run the risk of the wearer suffering from flat feet. The best Dr. Scholls insoles on the market (and those that topped our list) will give you the best of both worlds – a cushioned, comfortable insole that offers support and stability to your arches and heels.

Finding out if you have overpronation on your feet will really help you figure out if insoles are a good choice for you. Pronation itself refers to the motion of the pounding of the food made during walking and running when the outside edge of your heel hits the ground to absorb shock and then naturally rolls a bit in as your heel moves forward.

However, if your foot rolls to far inward, then you overpronate which can send a shock into your legs, hips, and back and cause intense pain.
Those people with flat feet, low arches, or overly flexible arches tend to overpronate more than others. Fortunately, the right Dr. Scholls insoles can really help ease the pain that pronation causes.

If you suspect you might have overpronation, ask yourself a couple of questions – do you have pain in your feet, legs, knees, hips, or back after walking or running? Are you experiencing unusual tightness in your leg muscles? Do you have flat feet or low arches? Can you see wear and tear in one of your good walking shoes that are indicative of overpronation?

If the answer is yes to any of these, then you might have overpronation and need special Dr. Scholls insoles.

Insoles might seem like one of those cheap solutions to foot and ankle pain – and they certainly are when you consider the medical bills associated with doctors and specialists appointments, surgeries, and physical therapy. Yet, they might be more expensive than you are anticipating. Most full length and three quarter length insoles range from $15 to $20.

However, the more expensive ones, like Dr. Scholl’s Tri-Comfort Orthotics Inserts which are designed for comfort, support, flexibility, to fit any shoe and to be long-lasting, are almost $30. The insoles that are sold in shorter lengths – generally heel inserts – range from $5 to $10 per pair. Therefore, these will not stretch your budget as much but they also will not offer you full-foot cushioning and support.

Monetary cost is definitely important, and a major factor we take into consideration when comparing each of Dr. Scholl’s insoles, but aside from cost we also focused on value. In the case of shoe inserts, value compares price against other factors and gauges exactly WHAT you are getting for your money and how far your dollar is stretched.

Factors like how long they last or do not last, do you get more than one pair per package, do they come with any special ‘bells and whistles,’ (think odor defense, etc) are these insoles specifically designed with one gender in mind, are they created using special Dr. Scholl’s well known foot mapping technology, etc.

Most insoles should last you anywhere from nine months to a year, but that also depends on how often you wear them and the activities and wear and tear you are putting on them when you do have them on your feet. Some of the ones on this list – specifically the Dr. Scholl’s Air Pillo insoles and the Dr. Scholl’s Odor X Odor Fighting Insoles – do not last as long as other options because they are much thinner.

Your initial thought might be that these would then have less value than purchasing another pair, and you might be right in some cases. However, if you travel frequently and actually are looking for a pair of Dr. Scholls inserts that can be worn comfortably and then discarded after only a few uses for convenience sake, then they might be exactly what you need.

If you are a woman, than choosing an insole specifically designed for a female‘s foot, how a female carries her weight when she walks, sits, and stands, and one that fits into most female shoes might serve you better (but obviously, if you are a man, these kinds of insoles do not have much value to you).

Dr. Scholls’ foot mapping technology is an advanced way to know exactly how you distribute weight, how hard or soft you pound the ground when you walk or run and where on your foot you land first and hardest. Obviously, the options of insoles that are created using this technology are going to be a bit pricier but depending on your pain level and needs, it could definitely be worth the money.

And of course, the Dr. Scholls inserts with special shock-absorbing gel or memory foam are going to have more value than thinner and flimsier ones offering less cushioning, comfort and support.