7 Best Basketball Insoles – Quality Sports Shoe Inserts

You are a basketball player, and it was an important game you just won today, which gets your team through the next stage of the district or national tournament. You are proud of yourself, partying with your mates, but suddenly start feeling an itching pain in your arch.

The first solution that comes to your mind to relieve this stinging pain is rest. But you have another important basketball game the next day, which doesn’t give you much time for rest and relaxation. Here’s where the best basketball insoles come into play.

Generally, basketball shoes don’t have extra cushioning like running or walking shoes have. The lack of cushioning can restrict you from jumping and making quick movements on the court. Insoles in your basketball shoes provide enough padding to prevent injuries while helping you painlessly land after sky-high jumps.

There are many insoles in the market right now for different purposes and different types of feet with different fits. So, as a basketball player, I will share my experience and opinion on which basketball shoe inserts you should choose for yourself.

Quick Pick Recommendation for the Best Basketball Insoles:

• Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx
• Sof Sole ATHLETE Performance Insoles
• Shock Doctor Active

List of Top 7 Best Basketball Shoe Inserts

Here is the list of basketball shoe insoles that I’m going to review after analyzing different factors:

• Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx
• Sof Sole ATHLETE Performance Insoles
• Superfeet Black Premium Insoles
• Walk Hero Arch Support Orthotic Inserts
• Shock Doctor Active
• Spenco RX
• Superfeet Green

1) Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx – Best Insoles for Flat Feet Basketball Players

Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx is the pro version of the Original Pinnacle and offers more comfort and a deeper heel cup for maximum stability in your sneaker. The insoles are full-length and protect your feet from toe to heel.  The arch support is neutral, which is perfect for a basketball player with flat feet.

Flat-footers usually face overpronation while playing basketball or even during a walk. To provide better mid-foot support for a flat foot, a two-degree medial post decreases the inward tilting of your feet.

It also provides firm arch support with a slightly angled exterior heel platform. These features help in stabilizing and providing extra support to your heels while making quick movements.

It has excellent cushioning in the insole base due to the double layer of EVA foam. The foam can absorb the shock while landing on your feet after a sky-high jump.

Some users say the fabric is not well attached to the insole base. But it’s not a deal-breaker, as you can peel the detached portion of the insole fabric without being worried about cushioning system.

Basketball players or even any kind of sports athlete sometimes face bad-smelling foot problems due to excess sweating. The fabric on the insole base is anti-microbial, preventing bad odor and keeping your feet dry throughout the game.

 

2) Sof sole ATHLETE Performance Insoles- Best Sports Insoles for Casual Use

As the name suggests, these insoles are not just for basketball players but can also be used by other athletes. The comfort and support are perfect for most types of feet as it has neutral arch support and a moderate heel cup.

Unlike rigid support of specialized insoles, these insoles are lightweight and flexible yet provide excellent support for your feet. Gel pads in the heel and forefoot area provide impact protection. Additional comfort comes from the Implus foam in the base.

This full-length insole is treated with a moisture-wicking hydrologic treatment that keeps moisture away from your feet. As it is not rigid like other specialized basketball support insoles, it can be used in day-to-day activities and does not require a break-in period.

I prefer these insoles over those with air bubbles like Sof Sole Airr Insole since the air bubbles wear out quickly compared to foam and gel cushions. Those who do not like the rigid support of specialized basketball insoles love them since they are flexible, provide stability and comfort, and can even help with foot fatigue.

 

3) Superfeet Black Premium Insoles- Best for Slim Basketball Shoe Inserts

Unlike most insoles that occupy more space in basketball shoes, Superfeet Black Premium Insoles take up less space in your basketball sneakers yet provide adequate comfort to your feet. The arch support is more moderate than other Superfeet insole variants due to its unique shape.

Your feet will experience less stress due to the reduced thickness of the insole.

These insoles are suitable for almost all types of feet due to their versatility in size. The base of the entire insole is made of high-density foam that provides comfort and reliability. You can trim off the forefoot area of the insoles easily as per your required size.

A reinforced stabilizer cap beneath the foam provides extra structural support and durability to the rear of the foot. Extra support and stability come from heel cups since they keep your heels in place and stable.

These insoles offer the perfect balance between performance and support. Due to its solid construction, these insoles are a bit higher in price than others.

 

4) Walk Hero Arch Support Orthotic Inserts- Basketball Shoes Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis

The Walk Hero arch support orthotic insert is the best deal for those flat footers suffering from plantar fasciitis. Its firm arch support helps in aligning your flat feet and your leg. Basketball players suffering from plantar fasciitis do not require high arch support, so these orthotic inserts provide exact arch support for better stability.

Additional stability and comfort are provided by the deeper heel cup with inbuilt silicon material. This also helps fight plantar fasciitis and prevents overpronation. These inserts are moisture-wicking and keep your feet dry.

The premium feel of these inserts is due to the EVA foam from which the insole base is made. This feature offers cushioning and impact protection in your basketball shoes whenever you land on your feet from a high jump.

These inserts come in 13 different sizes, so you don’t have to trim your inserts anymore.

 

5) Shock Doctor Active- Insoles NBA Players Use

Shock Doctor Active inserts have unique Adaptive Arch technology that gives an exact fit for almost any type of foot and provides support to important areas. These inserts are best for regular basketball players since they feature heel and forefoot shock pads.

These active inserts by Shock Doctor feature a Mid-foot Shock Dome that relaxes your feet and reduces impact protection. The full foot control bar reduces the chance of injury and stress while running by aligning your foot.

Your toes are protected from injuries due to the extra padding. This extra cushioning also provides more comfort. These inserts provide high arch support.

I want to point out that the overall fit of these inserts might be odd due to the extra cushioning. Other than that, this insert is the best combination of stability and comfort.

 

6) Spenco Rx Comfort Orthotic Shoe Insole

These Spenco RX Comfort Thin lightweight inserts provide the cushioning and comfort you need from heel to toe. The Spencore material features an exclusive cushioning layer that absorbs shock and impact. There are seven sizes to choose from so you can achieve the perfect fit for your basketball shoes.

They have a lightweight and thin low profile while still providing you with an extra layer of cushion for comfort. The foam base of these insoles will also last longer than other stock insole options. They are also ideal for those who tend to get blisters on their toes on the bottom of their feet.

 

7) Superfeet Green High Arch Orthotic Support

These Superfoot Green inserts offer high-arch orthotic support. They are made of a durable, high-density foam material and can be trimmed to fit your exact shoe size. If you are in between sizes, you can size up the inserts and trim them down to fit properly.

The high arch and wide, deep heel cup help stabilize and relieve any stress on the feet, ankles, and even your back. They work with your whole body to offer maximum foot support.

Superfoot Green inserts are durable enough to last for up to a year or 500 miles. They also have a special coating to help with odor control in your basketball shoes.

The stabilizer cap acts as the insole’s base and supports the rearfoot while providing structure and stability with its foam layer. The fabric top minimizes shifting and provides more in-step comfort.

 

Buying Guide – Best Insoles for Basketball Shoes

When purchasing basketball shoe insoles, one must consider the following factors.

Arch And Heel Support

No matter what the shape of your arch is or how intense you play basketball, everybody needs some level of arch support.  Especially those with plantar fasciitis and flat feet need extra arch support.

Be mindful of which shape of arch support would suit you. You should get high arch support if you have high arches. While in the case of plantar fasciitis or flat feet, both neutral and moderate arch support would be best.

Also, the heel area must be supported and well-positioned, which is possible with a deep heel cup.

Insole Thickness

Insole thickness is another factor you should pay attention to. Thickness plays an important role in providing ample cushioning. The insoles you choose should provide padding and support while jumping, running, and making quick movements during basketball.

Some insole models come with extra padding and support that can make them bulky. On the other hand, the lighter ones are not durable enough but fit easily in your basketball shoes.

Durability

The durability of shoe insoles varies greatly with the usage of the product. In my opinion, generally, the duration after which one should replace the insoles is 3 months. However, if you use shoe inserts in your shoes for day-to-day activity and not just when you play basketball, you may require earlier replacement.

You should be careful of the sudden break-up of the insoles while playing, as it could be risky. I would suggest purchasing from known brands, which can reduce the risk of insole breakage.

Shock Absorption

As I mentioned, your feet are prone to injuries due to the continuous running and stress on your arches. The best insoles for basketball that we reviewed above are great and can take the brunt of the impact while also supporting your arches. Shock absorption is essential no matter what type of game you play, hard or moderate.

Some models provide extra cushioning that supports your arches when jumping. Also, these insoles are beneficial for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Fit For Purpose

Inserts made for athletic shoes are good, but specialized basketball insoles are even better. These inserts are designed for quick movements and the intense pace required for basketball.

Specialized insoles for athletes can be used daily; however, generally used insoles for your walking shoes can’t be used for basketball shoes because they won’t provide enough support. You need more support when playing basketball than you do when you walk.

Custom-made insoles are also available if you have special orthotic conditions. They provide the exact support you are looking for but might come with a higher price.

Size And Fit

I would recommend looking at the feedback from customers regarding the size of the insoles. It can help you select the exact size you need. The right size insole is very important to accurately position your foot along the contours of shoe inserts.

Also, consider the shoes’ size and shape to ensure enough space for your foot. So your foot can rest comfortably inside the shoe after putting in the inserts.

For better comfort, remove the existing insole of your basketball shoes. It provides enough space for basketball shoe inserts without constricting your feet.

There are some trim-off insoles. I suggest you go with the ones that don’t require adjustments. Full-length insoles provide better arch and heel support compared to half-length inserts.

Flexible And Lightweight

These two features of a basketball insole greatly affect your performance. Lighter insoles allow you to execute those thrilling moves in basketball without weighing you down. EVA and some other lightweight materials are being used in making lighter insoles.

Firm insoles can provide better support, but they must be flexible enough to move freely with your feet movement.

Moisture Wicking And Odor Prevention

The best basketball insole has a moisture-wicking treatment, and odor-prevention material is desirable. If a pair of perfectly good insoles are smelly, I would surely replace them with new ones.

Break-In Period

The firmer insoles require a longer break-in period than others. I would suggest not wearing new basketball insoles before a game. Wear insoles for a few hours to break them in and shift to full-time when they are comfortable.

Custom vs Over-the-Counter Orthotics

If you aren’t worried about price and don’t have a small budget to work with, you might want to consider custom orthotics instead of the over-the-counter options.

Custom orthotics can provide slightly better performance because they are built and designed with your exact specifications in mind. Keep in mind that custom orthotics like this have a much higher price tag and can be anywhere between $200 and $800.

A lot of the over-the-counter options are sold as one size fits all. So, you will have to trim them down to fit your foot and shapewear. Some people find this a hassle, but it is not hard to do.

FAQ’s

Can you wear insoles while playing basketball?

You can wear athletic insoles or specialized orthotic insoles in your basketball shoes while playing basketball. Avoid wearing everyday inserts while playing basketball since they don’t provide enough support for your arches and heel. However, you can wear specialized basketball or athletic inserts in everyday activities.

What insoles do pro basketball players use?

Here are a few examples of the basketball insoles you might see a pro basketball player use while on the court.

• Shock Doctor Active- Insoles NBA Players Use
• Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx – Best for Flat Feet
• Sof sole ATHLETE Performance Insoles- Best for Casual Use
• Superfeet Black Premium Insoles- Best Basketball Shoe Inserts
• Walk Hero Arch Support Orthotic Inserts- Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Can I play basketball with plantar fasciitis?

If you play with plantar fasciitis, it will make your heel pain worse. Physiotherapists recommend resting between games if you have plantar fasciitis to provide your arches and feet with some relief.

However, you can play basketball with plantar fasciitis since specialized orthotic inserts are now on the market. These inserts are lightweight and provide ample support and cushioning for your arches.

My Verdict

Sof Sole ATHLETE Performance Insoles are the perfect all-around choice for the best basketball insoles because they combine durability, support, and comfort. The insole base’s material is moisture-resisting, eventually preventing odor from developing. The Sof Sole insoles have gel pads that provide extra cushioning and support for your arches, ankle, and heels.

Generally, a basketball insole will be firm, providing ample support. The Sof Sole inserts provide comfort, support your feet, and take the impact while landing after jumps on game day.

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