by Dr. Tom Lembo | 6 min read
In the United States alone, approximately 2 million Americans suffer from arch or heel pain each year. Heel pain is typically located on the underside of the heel, and occasionally behind it. Bottom of the heel pain is most commonly caused by a strain of the plantar fascia, or the main ligament on the bottom of the foot. This is why it is commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis (ie. inflammation of the plantar fascia).
While plantar fasciitis is rarely a symptom of a serious health condition, it can escalate to the point where normal activity, especially exercise, can be extremely painful. Although mild pain in the heel area can commonly disappear on its own, severe pain can become persistent and chronic if ignored.
From simple physical activities, such as walking and standing, to more strenuous weight-bearing exercises, such as dancing and jogging, the feet are constantly subjected to significant stresses. Due to their strategic location and function, the heel is vulnerable to damage, injury and pain.
One of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis is overuse/ repetitive exertion with inadequately supportive shoes.
The typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis present themselves gradually. In most cases, pain is felt on the bottom of the heel. Discomfort can also extend into the arch. The pain is most intense when resuming activity after rest and tends to decrease with continued motion.
Plantar fasciitis can also worsen at the end of the day after long periods of standing or walking. Swelling, inflammation and stiffness are other symptoms that may be associated with this type of heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis pain can drag on for many months, especially if some of the simplest treatment methods are delayed.
The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society has recommended the use of plantar fasciitis inserts and stretching exercises as a starting point for heel pain treatment.
The vast majority of people with plantar fasciitis do not require surgery for a full recovery.
Many people who wear plantar fasciitis inserts and follow a simple stretching regimen may experience significant relief from heel pain in a matter of weeks.
This illustrates what many have experienced in the past, that plantar fasciitis inserts can be used as a highly effective first line of therapy for heel pain with positive results.
For something that affects so many people, plantar fasciitis isn't talked about often enough.
Plantar fasciitis can be serious enough to make the simple act of walking tough for anyone - regardless of age and fitness.
For many, the answer is plantar fasciitis inserts, sometimes custom-made by a podiatrist. These can cost hundreds of dollars and can often limit the types of shoes you can wear.
However, nearly all cases of plantar fasciitis can be addressed with a pair of over-the-counter plantar fasciitis 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 already in your closet.
It sounds a little too good to be true, but once you understand more about what plantar fasciitis is, and what a good insole needs to be helpful, you'll start to see why the solution doesn't have to break the bank.
#1- Samurai Insoles Ninjas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Never heard of Samurai Insoles? You will! Why are Samurai Insoles our top pick for 2025 for plantar fasciitis?
✔️ 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 plantar fasciitis recently.
✔️ 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 they need to relieve heel and arch pain 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 for plantar fasciitis. For less than 1/10 the price, these can be nearly as good.
✔️ 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.
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 plantar fasciitis pain, choose now!
The longer you allow plantar fasciitis pain to linger, the harder it is to get rid of, and the longer it will take!
Best,
Dr. Tom Lembo
We, Samurai Wellness, LLC, are 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 our company, 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.