Best Arch Support for Plantar Fasciitis
The right arch support for plantar fasciitis must balance firmness (enough to offload the fascia) with comfort (enough that you'll actually wear it). We measured the arch height in millimetres before and after 6 weeks of use for each pick below.
Superfeet Green
✓ Wear-tested 42 days with digital calipers — see our testing protocol
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Category | insole |
| Price (RRP) | $54.9 |
| Arch Height | 19.5 mm |
| Heel Cup Depth | 5.4 mm |
| Weight | 98 g |
| Days Tested | 42 days |
| Shape Retention | Excellent — retained rigid shape, no measurable compression |
✅ Pros
- Very firm and rigid support
- Retains its shape perfectly
- Great for standing all day
❌ Cons
- Painful adaptation period (first 3 days)
- Takes up too much volume in dress shoes
PowerStep Pinnacle
✓ Wear-tested 42 days with digital calipers — see our testing protocol
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Category | insole |
| Price (RRP) | $49.9 |
| Arch Height | 18 mm |
| Heel Cup Depth | 12 mm |
| Weight | 95 g |
| Days Tested | 42 days |
| Shape Retention | Excellent — no visible deformation after 42 days |
✅ Pros
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Excellent durability (held its shape perfectly)
- Noticeably reduced morning first-step pain
❌ Cons
- Mild arch pressure for the first 2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
How much arch support do you need for plantar fasciitis?
The two firmest supports we measured were Superfeet Green (19.5 mm arch height) and PowerStep Pinnacle (18 mm). Both held their shape with no measurable compression after 42 days. More height isn't automatically better: Superfeet's rigidity caused a painful 3-day break-in and won't fit low-volume dress shoes, while the PowerStep's 18 mm offloaded the fascia with only mild pressure for the first 2 days.
Superfeet Green vs PowerStep Pinnacle for plantar fasciitis?
PowerStep Pinnacle for most people: nearly the same support (18 vs 19.5 mm) with an easier break-in and it fits more shoes. Choose Superfeet Green only if you have high arches, want maximum rigidity, and wear deep shoes: it was the firmer of the two and best for all-day standing.
Can too much arch support make plantar fasciitis worse?
It can cause days to a couple of weeks of arch soreness during break-in (we logged 3 days with Superfeet Green, 2 with PowerStep). That adaptation pain is normal. Pain that keeps increasing past two weeks means the arch profile is wrong for your foot: reduce the support height or see a podiatrist.