Basketball is a fun, exciting sport, but it can really take a toll on your body if you aren’t careful.
The high impact of constantly running and jumping can do damage if you don’t have the right gear and aren’t using the right mechanics.
That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the quality of your shoes and to maintain them on a regular basis.
A great shoe alone might not be enough for you, however.
Many basketball players have inherent problems with their feet that require them to get additional support in the form of insoles.
You might be suffering from plantar fasciitis or simply an inflamed tendon, but there are products on the market that can fit in any basketball shoe and make gameplay far more comfortable for you.
There’s no shame in using an insole – many professional basketball players have custom insoles designed for them so that they can continue to play at an elite level, day in and day out, without sacrificing comfort or ability.
If you are in the market for an insole for your basketball shoes, there are a few things to look out for.
Make sure to research your insoles thoroughly and to choose the one that best fits your needs and style of play.
What To Look For:
Arch Support
Flat footedness is a problem that many people suffer from, and it can lead to a lot of aches and pains if your shoes aren’t supporting your feet.
Most basketball shoes offer some form of arch support, but often, it is not enough for those who have pre-existing arch issues.
This is true for those with especially high arches as well. You may find that the default insoles are far too low and that your feet are cramping up during the game.
No matter what type of arch you have, you need to make sure that your insole matches up with it and provides plenty of support in any situation.
This will help prevent costly injuries and aching down the line.
Thickness
The thickness of an insole is quite important, but maybe not as much as you think.
A very think insole might have a whole lot of cushioning that makes it feel like you’re walking on a cloud, but it might not fit into your shoe, or it might not offer the kind of support that you need.
Don’t discount an insole just because it’s thinner than others.
Many new technologies have allowed manufacturers to produce thin insoles that provide all the support you need to play basketball on a regular basis.
The material and shape is often more important than the thickness, but you should always check to make sure that the insole will fit comfortably into your shoe.
Cushioning Properties
Cushioning can help your feet feel more comfortable as you run, jump, and pivot all over the basketball court.
The right amount of cushioning can really help with absorbing impact and reducing the shock absorbed by your feet and legs.
While excessive cushioning might feel nice at first, it can actually have a detrimental effect.
With too much cushioning, you may not actually be protected from impact and shock. If it feels too soft to be true, then it probably is.
You need to find the right balance of cushioning, absorption, and support.
Protection from Moisture
Let’s face it, your feet are going to get sweaty if you are playing any high-intensity game of basketball.
This can quickly become uncomfortable and have a negative impact on your game and ability to play.
You’ll want to look for an insole that has moisture-wicking properties so that your feet can stay dry from beginning to end.
Washable Insoles
Even if you succeed in keeping your insoles dry, there’s a good chance that they are going to carry some strong odors after a long practice session or game.
In this case, you will want to be able to wash them quickly and easily.
Hand washing is the best, as it is usually the fastest route to take and will allow them to dry more easily.
Shock Absorption
This might be the most important part for a basketball player, as you are constantly jumping up and down, running around, and making sharp turns.
All of these motions can put a lot of stress on your feet and even on other joints like your knees and hips.
An insole with superior shock absorption is powerful enough to alleviate these effects throughout your entire body.
These insoles also help mightily when you land in an awkward position. Make sure that the insoles that you buy provide the right level of absorption for your needs.
Why you might need insoles
In addition to just adding comfort to your shoes, there are several conditions that require players to wear inserts if they are going to have a long career.
Ankle injuries – If you’ve ever sprained or broken your ankle, you know how painful and debilitating it can be.
Insoles can help alleviate the pain from previous injuries and can keep your foot in the right position to protect you from future injuries based on impact.
Plantar Fasciitis – This is one of the most common conditions among basketball players and many other athletes.
It doesn’t just happen all of the sudden – generally it is a buildup of bad habits and improper footwear.
If you already have plantar fasciitis, it is vital to find an insole that minimizes your pain and prevents your feet from getting worse.
If you are a young player, you should consider inserts that will promote proper use and prevent you from getting it in the first place.
Flat Feet – This was mentioned earlier but many people suffer from flat arches.
They could be naturally flat, or they might be flattening out because of your style of play.
Without inserts that address the problem, it will only get worse and could cause some serious pain.
In the worst cases, you might even end up with alignment problems in your legs. While insoles are very helpful, there are also special sneakers for flat feet.
Toe injuries – You might not think much about your toes, but they are just as important as the rest of your foot.
Breaking your toe can keep you off the court for a long time, so you should always find the right insert to minimize the chance of this happening.
Overall, it is in your best interest to use orthotics if you want to prevent yourself from getting injured or if you are nursing a previous injury.
Your feet will thank you after years of intense basketball games.
If you are in the market for a good pair of insoles for basketball shoes, consider these which have proven to be some of the best on the market.
Top 10 Recommended Insoles
1. Shock Doctor Active Ultra Insole
Shock Doctor is an excellent name in foot care, and the Active Ultra Insole is a wonderful product that is sure to keep your feet comfortable and safe.
These are worn all over the world by professional and amateur athletes alike, and almost all of them have great things to say about them.
With adaptive arch technology, these insoles will adjust to your foot shape as you break them in, providing you with amazing comfort and movability.
It also has a heel shock pad and a shock dome that helps to absorb some of the nastiest shocks that you may encounter while playing an aggressive game of basketball.
These are great for those who have plantar fasciitis, as the mid-foot shock dome relaxes you and allows you to play naturally without adding extra stress to your already injured foot.
With a foot control bar and an entire range of motion, your entire body will be feeling great after you play – not just your foot.
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2. SuperFeet Carbon Insoles for Pain Relief, Unisex, Gray
Carbon is becoming big in the insole game thanks to its durability and comfort.
These also contain warp-knit polyester, which is lightweight and helps to keep them cool and comfortable.
The thin profile ensures that they will fit in virtually any basketball shoe, so these are extremely versatile.
Despite providing more than enough support for even the most mangled feet, these insoles hardly even feel like you are wearing them.
You may even wonder if you ever put them inside your shoes.
With so much support, however, you are sure to feel way better after a game of basketball than if you weren’t wearing them.
These are especially good for those with flat feet who require a lower arch support.
If you have really high arches, they may not be right for you.
Because they are equipped with EVOLYTE, they are structurally sound while maintaining enough flex for you to go on playing your game in your own way.
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3. Sof Sole Insoles Men’s Airr Orthotic Insole
With a choice of four different sizes, you are bound to find one of these that works for you.
Another insole that is beneficial for those with flat feet or low arches, the Sof Sole Orthotic offers a support plate that has a nylon arch, helping you to have better alignment and a wider range of motion.
The air bubbles, known as propriety SHYDEX, are in the hell and arch and do a wonderful job of keeping shock away from your foot when you have impact.
These are long-lasting insoles that are extremely comfort and even look pretty cool.
That might not matter as they are inside your shoes, but it might be something that you notice.
The unique look and design may make it seem as though they aren’t functionally sound, but they will do a great job of keeping your feet safe and comfortable during any physical activity.
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4. SuperFeet Green Insole
This brightly colored orthotic is ideal for those with high arches.
It may seem as though they are rather clunky, but people who have high arches know that this type of profile is required in order to provide the support that they need.
Unlike many high-arch orthotics, however, these inserts focus on the entire foot rather than leaving all the support in the arch itself.
Wearing these means that you’ll have protection for your toes, ankles, heels, and arches so that you can utilize your full range of motion and perform at your very best without injuring yourself or suffering from aches and pains.
The stabilizer cap is just the icing on the cake as it helps to keep you on steady ground and prevent such injuries as rolled ankles.
These are high-quality inserts that are sure to keep your arches comfortable and intact.
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5. Powerstep Original Full-Length Orthotic Shoe Insoles
Full-length insoles are the way to go these days, as they provide the most support and prevent injury at the highest rate.
You’ll have a nice structure around your toes, heels, ankles, and middle of your feet so that you benefit from comfort on every part of your feet.
This means that you can run and jump with ease without worrying about absorbing too much shock as you come down.
The Powerstep Insoles offer dual-layer cushioning which will make it feel like you’re walking on a cloud, but it is strong enough to take on the absorption of impact and prevent it from spreading across your foot and into the rest of your body.
They are incredibly thin, which is even more impressive considering how soft and comfortable they feel when you are wearing them.
Many customers who suffer from plantar fasciitis have said that these are the only insoles that have relieved the pain that they have been in for a long time.
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6. Sof Sole Men’s Arch Insole
Available in 3 sizes, the Sof Sol Men’s Arch Insole is one of the most popular on the market for good reason.
It has an exaggerated arch height, making it a wonderful insert for men who have high arches in their feet.
There’s also a gel drop in the heels that provides a cushion and helps absorb even more impact, spreading the shock throughout the insole rather than allowing it to affect your body negatively.
These are also very safe to wear thanks to the heel cup which will prevent your foot from slipping inside of the shoe.
This happens to many players who wear sub-par insoles, and it can lead to some brutal injuries.
The stabilizing properties of these insoles alone make them worth buying as a preventative measure, but they are also a great option to relieve the pain of any conditions that you might already have.
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7. Sof Sole Insoles – Flat Feet
Sof Sole leaves no stone unturned as they offer not only high-arch and standard support, but also insoles that are perfect for people with flat feet.
These ones come in 5 sizes and contain a neutral arch that will adapt to the nuances of your feet.
The Implus foam is amazingly comfortable and will provide support whether you are simply walking around town or if you are balling out on the court for hours.
With heel and forefoot gel pads, your entire foot is swaddled in comfort, and a deep heel cup allows you to remain stable even through the most volatile of motions.
You can play for hours on end thanks to the drying technology of Hydrologix – no matter how much you sweat, these will come out of the game perfectly dry.
These are some of the best deals on the market, and people are raving about their comfort and functionality.
Unlike many other insoles on the market, these are made with 4-way stretch fabric.
This means that you can kiss any foot blisters goodbye, as these will not stick to your feet or dig into any part of them.
The fabric adjusts to your movements and keep you comfortable AND dry.
If you are constantly jumping up and down and running around your opponents, you will benefit from the extra cushioning in these insoles.
Despite all the cushioning, these provide a thin profile that should fit in most basketball shoes.
They also contain polyurethane foam that is ideal for those who need extra support when they are playing.
Between the shock absorption, comfort, and functionality, these are some of the best inserts on the market.
If you want to feel snug and secure whether you are playing ball or sitting down, these might just be the right insoles for you.
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9. Physix Gear Sport Full Length Orthotic Inserts with Arch Support
This is another full length insert that will protect your entire foot for a long time.
For those suffering from plantar fasciitis or other foot conditions, these are strong, sturdy, and stable enough to force your foot into the right position so that you aren’t putting yourself at risk for further injury.
These medical grade orthotic inserts are perfect for those who have been experiencing pain and need to take the step to the next level of insoles.
They are made from EVA foam which is extremely versatile and strong and can be used in a variety of different shoes.
For basketball, it may seem like overkill, but they are actually extremely comfortable and will go a long way in preventing and treating injury.
There are many professional athletes who swear by these because they help to reduce pain and have extended their careers.
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10. Walk Hero Plantar Fasciitis Feet Insoles
You don’t have to have plantar fasciitis to benefit from these insoles, but they are made specifically for those who do.
With a deep heel and a solid structure throughout, these will keep your feet in the right position to allow you to play basketball for years to come.
Made out of high-quality EVA foam, you’ll get plenty of support and shock absorption from these low-profile inserts.
Best of all, they come in 13 sizes, so whether you are petite or giant you will be able to find an insole to fit into your shoes.
People rave about the stability of these insoles as they allow you to play ball without worrying about rolling your ankle or suffering from the effects of too much shock.
It won’t just be your feet that benefit from these shoes – your legs, hips, and even torso may be thanking you after a long day of practice!
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Conclusion
If you are a basketball player, your feet are of utmost importance to you.
You need to be sure to take very good care of them, and that starts with providing them with the right equipment to keep them stable and safe.
Whether you have perfectly healthy feet or if you have suffered from multiple injuries, you must do your due diligence in finding the right insole that will keep you comfortable and prevent injury down the line.
It is especially true if you suffer from a condition such as plantar fasciitis, as this will only get worse if you don’t take the steps to protect your feet during every game that you play.
There are a lot of insoles on the market, so you must find the one that is right for you needs. Study your arches and your movements.
You will know whether you need an insert for flat feet or high arches, and it is vital that you choose the right one.
They will adapt to your feet and continue to feel better as you play every game. By getting the right insole, you’ll ensure that you can play basketball for years to come.
2 thoughts on “The 10 Best Insoles for Basketball Shoes”
DarmiMaddie
I never knew there was such a thing as insoles for basketball shoes. Honestly, I thought the normal ones would work just as good but I guess I was wrong. Kudos to you, you left no stone unturned with this review.
Glad you enjoyed it and yeah all of that jumping and running can wear out regular insoles so these types are made to withstand all of that intense movement.
DarmiMaddie
I never knew there was such a thing as insoles for basketball shoes. Honestly, I thought the normal ones would work just as good but I guess I was wrong. Kudos to you, you left no stone unturned with this review.
James E.
Glad you enjoyed it and yeah all of that jumping and running can wear out regular insoles so these types are made to withstand all of that intense movement.
Best,
James