by Dr. Tom Lembo
One of the most common questions people ask who suffer with fallen arches is, "Can a pair of arch support insoles really relieve my discomfort?".
It turns out the answer is a little more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no".
First, it's important to note the arch support insoles can not actually "cure" fallen arches.
However, fallen arches can cause a variety of painful symptoms in the feet.
Many of these symptoms have been treated, and often relieved, by fallen arches insoles for decades!
One of the keys to correctly choosing a fallen arches insole is first understanding what "fallen arches" are, and why discomfort often accompanies this condition.
Fallen arches, also known as flat feet, are a common condition seen in both adults and children.
Normally, feet have an upward longitudinal curve in the middle called an arch.
This arch is formed by a group of tendons and ligaments attached to the heel and foot bones.
Tendons in the lower leg , along with ligaments in the foot, work together to pull and form the foot's arch.
However, if the tendons do not pull sufficiently enough, there is a low arch or no arch at all.
This condition of collapsed arches is popularly known as fallen arches.
Fallen arches can affect one or both feet.
The lack of crucial arch support in the foot can cause many complications.
In people with flat feet, the normal pressure of walking shifts to other parts of the feet.
If not treated properly, this can cause prolonged discomfort, pain, and in some cases, serious joint and foot problems.
Fallen arches can be present in newborns or develop during childhood.
In many cases, the condition can be hereditary.
Fallen arches can also be attributed to many other causes such as:
Wearing shoes with poor arch support
Excessive walking or standing on high heels
Muscle damage caused by excessive strain on the feet
Ruptured or over-stretched tendons
Abnormality at birth
The risk of developing flat feet also increases with diabetes, pregnancy, obesity and aging.
The treatment for fallen arches is dependent on the severity of the condition and underlying cause.
In many cases, the symptoms of flat feet can be controlled effectively with conservative care.
Your podiatrist may suggest one or more of the following:
Fallen Arches Insoles
Pain medications
Regular stretching exercises
Ice and compression to reduce pain and swelling
Physical therapy
Wearing orthotic arch supports can be tremendously beneficial in alleviating and preventing flat feet pain and discomfort.
In addition, taking proper care of the feet and following a consistent home exercise regimen, prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist, can be very effective in prevention and management of the symptoms.
It's important to note that orthotic shoe inserts can not actually "cure" flat feet.
However, fallen arches can cause a variety of painful symptoms in the feet.
Many of these symptoms have been treated, and often relieved, by orthotic arch supports for decades!
For something that affects so many people, fallen arches pain isn't talked about often enough.
For many, the answer is arch support shoe inserts, sometimes custom-made by a podiatrist.
These cost hundreds of dollars, and can often end up limiting the types of shoes you can wear.
However, nearly all cases of fallen arches can be addressed with a pair of over-the-counter orthotic shoe inserts.
Not only do they average a tenth of the cost, but they are available in many different shapes and sizes, so you don't have to get rid of what's in your closet.
It sounds a little too good to be true, but once you understand more about what fallen arches are, and how a good orthotic helps, you'll start to see why the solution doesn't have to break the bank.
#1- Samurai Insoles Ninjas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why, in our opinion, are Samurai Insoles the top pick for 2025 forfallen arches discomfort?
✔️ Great Reviews: "They work", "Amazing", "A Miracle", "A must have"; this is just some of the tremendous feedback Samurai Insoles Ninjas are getting from customers with fallen arches.
✔️ Design: Samurai Insoles Ninjas are one of the few products on the market that are an ACTUAL ORTHOTIC that is not super rigid. This gives your feet the support and shock absorption they need to relieveflat feet discomfort while STILL being comfortable!
They also can be worn in nearly ANY shoe with a removable insole, giving you the flexibility of using them in many types of shoes!
And the best part? Because they aren't an insole made of foam and fabric, they last SO LONG! There isn't anything to wear out, just put them under the factory insoles of a new pair of shoes and you're good to go.
✔️ Price: At $39.99 these are an absolute steal! People routinely pay over $500 for custom orthotics forMorton's neuroma. For less than 1/10 the price, Samurai Insoles Ninjas can perform nearly as well for many people. .
✔️ Amazing Return Policy/Warranty: Samurai Insoles Ninjas have a 60 day return policy. You can literally wear them for 59 days, decide they don't work for you, and send them back for a full refund. Ninjas also have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY! No other product we reviewed even comes CLOSE to this type of guarantee.
✔️ Made in the USA: Samurai Insoles are made in an orthotic lab in the USA. The fact that an American-made orthotic can be purchased for under $40 is incredible.
or
or
If you've been on the internet in the last year, you haven't sneezed without seeing a Protalus ad. They are comfy and can be very beneficial for flat feet. Protalus' hefty price tag remains their biggest negative.
✔️ Design:Protalus "kind of" has an orthotic merged with an insole. Protalus took a different approach by combining a thick piece of plastic on the bottom of the insole, instead of inside. This can do the job in some circumstances, but it also makes them thicker than Samurai Insoles, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit in well.
❌Price: Here's the problem with Protalus; they're so expensive! At the time of writing this the current retail is $64.95. Oof. For that kind of money you'd better REALLY love them. It also reduces the chances you'd buy a whole bunch of them to put in all of your shoes.
✔️90 Warranty: Protalus products have a 90 day warranty. It's not one year like the Samurai Insoles Ninjas, but better than nothing...
❌Made in the USA: Protalus insoles are NOT made in the USA unfortunately. For the price we had hoped they were.
Superfeet have been around a LONG time. They got their start being sold in retail sporting goods stores, and have transitioned to selling online in recent years, but this has presented the company with some challenges.
✔️ Design: If you've checked out the Protalus design, just know that the Superfeet did it first. They were one of the first to incorporate an orthotic plastic layer on the outside of the insole. Once again, this does the job, but it also makes them thicker than the Samurai, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit well in.
✔️ Price: Superfeet are borderline in the pricey range, current retail at the time of writing this article is $54.95
✔️ 60 Day Warranty: Superfeet green insoles come with a 60 day warranty, significantly less than Samurai Insoles Ninjas or Protalus products.
❌ Made in the USA: Superfeet are not made in the USA unfortunately. Once again, for this price we had hoped they would be.
✔️ Design: Not a full-length insole, but still designed to be placed on top of your shoe's factory insoles, which may make it difficult for some people to adjust to the feel. Once again, Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit combines a thick piece of plastic to the bottom of the insole, instead of inside the insole itself.
❌ Price: Dr. Scholl's Custom fit Orthotic Inserts currently are our second most expensive selection. At the time of this article they have a retail price of approximately $60
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholls Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's "Custom fit" Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
❌ Design: Regrettably, there is not much to be said. Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis consist of a very thin insole with equally thin piece of plastic attached to the bottom. It is uncertain how much weight they can support before losing their shape, but it appears that their capacity is limited.
✔️ Price: Well, at least they're affordable at $15! You may just get what you pay for however.
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
Whichever you choose to fight your flat feet discomfort, choose now!
The longer you allow your flat feet symptoms to linger, the harder it is to get rid of, and the longer it will take!
Best,
Dr. Tom Lembo
Dr. Lembo is the owner of Samurai Insoles Wellness, LLC, brand owner of Samurai Insoles. Samurai Wellness, LLC, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking toAmazon.com and affiliated sites. Samurai Insoles are branded products made by Samurai Wellness, LLC, and we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! This article is a promotion of the Samurai Insoles branded products that we sell. It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.