5 Best Insoles for Football Players to Help Prevent Field Injuries
Updated December 5, 2024.
Whether you're an amateur or a professional, getting injured on the field is a reality. Sudden movements or changes in direction as well as active running and sprinting take a toll on you physically, especially your feet. Common foot issues footballers experience include damage to the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.
Getting insoles for your football cleats will help prevent injury and manage symptoms of existing foot conditions. While athletes experience different benefits from orthotics, the right insoles will support you by providing stability and relief, aiding in heel elevation, and absorbing excess shock.
Below, we’ve listed the top insoles for football players available on the market to help prevent field injuries.
» Should all athletes wear insoles? Discover which athletes can benefit from wearing orthotics
1. Upstep | Football Custom Orthotics
Pros
- Custom-made
- Sleek design
- Affordable
- FSA and HSA eligible
- 180-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Short waiting period before receiving orthotics
As you twist and turn while playing football, you place pressure on your feet. Not so with Upstep Football Custom Orthotics. These custom insoles are designed by podiatrists using a combination of 56 materials to absorb stud pressure, stabilize the ankle, and prevent damage to your feet.
Following a clear understanding of the nature of your activities, your boot type, and your foot specifications, these orthotics will help to prevent injury on the field by providing the support you need. Their sleek design ensures they're not too bulky in your boot and don't limit your motion.
Upstep football insoles are affordable and payable with your FSA or HSA card or through interest-free installments via Klarna. Shipping and returns are free (including adjustments) on top of a 180-day money-back guarantee.
2. Superfeet | Adapt Run Max Insoles
Pros
- Deep heel cup
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Durable
Cons
- Not custom-made
- May not provide perfect fit or support
Superfeet Adapt Run Max Insoles feature a deeper heel cup, high arch profile, and well-cushioned footbed. While the heel cup stabilizes the ankle and reduces any extra motion, the cushion disperses the impact from the ground while you move.
Superfeet Insoles are great for running and walking, are affordable, and can provide comfort for up to 12 months or 500 miles, depending on which comes first. They also have a moisture wick to limit sweating in the shoe.
While these insoles come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to pick the closest fit, it may not be perfect and provide less support than custom orthotics.
3. SOLE | Thin Sport Insoles
Pros
- Easily fits into cleats
- Top cover reduces friction and slippage
- Odor control
Cons
- Thin insoles may not be durable for football
- Molding process may not produce perfect fit
SOLE Thin Sports Insoles are best suited for people with wide feet or used in cleats and casual shoes. It uses a high-density EVA foam that cradles the foot but provides resilient support to the foot arch. Its thin design fits easily into your shoes, while the top cover is designed to reduce friction and prevent moisture from accumulating on the insole, thereby controlling odor and slippage.
These insoles are available in multiple sizes and are heat and wear moldable. However, there is a risk that the insoles won't fit perfectly after this process. Coupled with a thin design, these insoles may be better suited for a less intense activity than football.
4. Protalus | T-100 Elite Insoles
Pros
- Tri-plantar technology
- Anti-slip ridges
- Top cover controls odor and friction
- Affordable
Cons
- Not custom-made
Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles are full-length semi-rigid orthotics that provide arch support and neutral alignment to your feet. Its patented tri-plantar technology improves stability and anti-slip ridges under the insole help maintain balance.
The top cloth is moisture-wicking and anti-friction with an EVA foam molded body that provides cushioning and comfort, while nylon is contoured on the shoe sole for stability and support. Additional padding helps improve shock absorption. These insoles also come with a 90-day money-back guarantee and can be bought through interest-free installments via Affirm
Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles aren't tailor-made to your needs and may not provide sufficient support.
5. TreadLabs | Dash Insoles
Pros
- Medical grade
- Affordable
- Million mile guarantee
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Predetermined arch heights
- Thin design better suited to other activities
Tread Labs Dash Insoles aim to prevent you from sustaining an injury while simultaneously improving your performance. Thin and ultra-firm, these soles are medical-grade and designed to improve your efficiency in your daily tasks and minimize the impact when your feet hit the ground.
Tread Labs's million mile guarantee allows you to replace your insoles if they crack or lose their shape. The insoles are also payable through interest-free installments via ShopPay.
However, Tread Labs's arch height is predetermined. You can choose between low, medium, high, or extra-high, meaning the fit may not be perfect. Its thin design may also be better suited toward other athletic activities.
For the Long Haul, Choose Custom Orthotics
When used with the right boots, football insoles can help cushion your feet, absorb excess shock, stabilize your ankles, reduce the risk of injury, and boost your performance. With custom orthotics, the results are even more certain because the insoles are designed based on your foot shape and needs, thereby addressing your condition specifically. If you plan to play football for the long haul, then an investment in custom orthotics is a must.
» Want to see more custom orthotics? Browse Upstep's wide range of custom orthotics
