Can you hear that?
Yep, that’s the sound of my puppies barking.
As soon as the weather warmed up, I started hitting the trails on weekends, and my weekly commute is a beautiful three-mile walk.
With all that time on my feet, I started feeling some serious foot fatigue. So I dug into some research to find a new pair of insoles, and I ended up with four.
Between hikes, runs, and long walks, I tested Superfeet’s GREEN, ORANGE, COPPER, and CARBON insoles. Keep reading to get my thoughts on each.
What Is Superfeet?
Superfeet was founded in 1977 and were the originators of many insole concepts you see today. They’re one of the first brands to build insoles that are meant to mimic custom orthotics, but at a much lower cost (and without needing to visit a podiatrist).
One of the brand’s major breakthroughs is their trim-to-fit sizing: basically, you get your size range,using your shoes existing liner, trace the insole and trim it to fit inside your shoe. Use a pair of scissors to trim the foam down near the toes so your new insoles fit your shoe and you get a custom-feel.
Superfeet insoles are different from many other types of orthotics. Rather than pure gel or foam, Superfeet insoles offer structured support that enhances the way your feet are intended to move, dispersing impact and decreasing stress and strain on your body.
The Signature Superfeet Shape consists of three components: rear foot support, a structured heel cup, and energizing comfort foam.
Superfeet is an excellent brand of insoles if you’re suffering from foot pain but don’t want to book an appointment with a podiatrist. Obviously, if you’re in chronic pain, talking to a doctor is the way to go, but if you’re looking for some quick relief and comfort, I’d try Superfeet first.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The most important consideration to make before buying Superfeet insoles is what activities you do on a weekly basis, and how much discomfort you feel.
Folks with Plantar Fasciitis have different needs than hikers who put in 15 miles on any given weekend.
Superfeet has a huge variety of insoles. Frankly, it can be a bit confusing at first glance. The brand offers an “Insole Finder” quiz, though there isn’t a handy comparison chart to reference.
I picked up four of the brand’s most popular insoles (GREEN, CARBON, COPPER, and ORANGE) so I can hopefully clarify which insoles will give you the most benefit.
Superfeet does carry a few lines that are activity-specific for runners, hikers, and hockey players, so if you’re looking for insoles for those particular uses, Superfeet is a fantastic route to go.
My Hands-On Review
Superfeet has dozens of insoles, and while I couldn’t try them all (I’m not sure how I’d do with the hockey insoles as I can barely stand on flat ground without falling over), I picked up four of the brand’s most popular offerings: GREEN, CARBON, COPPER, and ORANGE.
You can skip to a specific insole review if you’d like, or you can read through them all to decide which one will work best for you.
Superfeet GREEN
The Superfeet GREEN insole is the brand’s first and most popular product. Think of it as a general, all-purpose insole you can use anywhere.
It features a high arch, a wide and deep heel cup, and a high density foam footbed.
The GREEN insole is for high-volume shoes and boots, meaning that the footwear needs to have a removable footbed for your new insoles to fit. Fortunately, most sneakers and hiking boots don’t have sewn-in footbeds for exactly this reason.
Because the heel cup is so deep, I’ve been feeling a lot more stability in my foot. This has made my shoes much more comfortable on my walk to work and to the gym.
As I said, I regularly put in about three miles walking a day (one to the office, one from the office to the gym, and the third from the gym to home). The Superfeet GREEN has definitely kept my feet feeling less achy at the end of the week.
The high density foam footbed on the GREEN is stiffer than any of the other models. Again, this helps with added support, but decreases mobility a bit.
When you combine the high arch, the deep heel, and the firm foam, you get an awesome insole for pain relief. So it makes sense why the GREEN insole is Superfeet’s most popular: usually only people with foot pain look into orthotics.
For general use, I personally prefer the Superfeet ORANGE insole. I get into more specifics later, but in short: the ORANGE is much more flexible, and has a medium arch (rather than high). I have strong arches in my feet, so I don’t need a ton of support on that front.
ORANGE still features a deep heel cup for added stability, but the extra cushion in the toe and flexibility ease my foot fatigue without sacrificing too much mobility.
But if you’re experiencing regular foot pain—even Plantar Fasciitis—your best bet is the Superfeet GREEN. Because I don’t struggle much with foot pain (just fatigue), I don’t need all the extra structure and support, but that might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The Superfeet GREEN insole is the brand’s first and most popular product. Think of it as a general, all-purpose insole you can use anywhere.
It features a high arch, a wide and deep heel cup, and a high density foam footbed so it's great for pain relief and support.
Superfeet CARBON
The Superfeet CARBON is the brand’s lightest and thinnest full insole. They do offer a few half-insole options specifically for dress shoes, but I like the extra padding the full footbed provides.
The CARBON uses a proprietary carbon polymer blend called EVOLyte in the stabilizer cap, and it’s much more firm than the other three insoles I’ve tried from Superfeet.
The arch is quite low, so I wouldn’t recommend the CARBON for flat-footed folks. But because of the low arch, perforated footbed, and super-firm stabilizer cap, these have become my go-to for workouts.
Compared to other Superfeet insoles (especially the GREEN and ORANGE), there’s much less of a heel cup. While it still offers support, I get a lot more mobility. And the firmness really allows me to feel the ground underneath my feet when I’m doing heavy compound movements on leg day.
A lot of guys prefer to lift with completely flat shoes like Converse. My workouts usually blend a balance of HIIT and weight lifting, so something like a regular sneaker with the Superfeet COPPER gives me the best balance of firmness and support.
Plus, because the design is thinner and the footbed is perforated, there’s more airflow, which cuts down on foot sweat and the likelihood that I’ll develop a blister.
The Superfeet CARBON is the brand’s lightest and thinnest full insole. They do offer a few half-insole options specifically for dress shoes, but I like the extra padding the full footbed provides.
Superfeet COPPER
The Superfeet COPPER feels like a unique blend between the soft padding of the ORANGE, and the lightweight flexibility of the CARBON.
I’m a big fan of American Heritage boots, and many boot lovers cherish the moment when the leather footbeds break into the shape of their feet for a custom fit.
The only problem is that leather footbeds have almost no shock absorption and can be torture to stand in if you work on your feet all day.
This is exactly where the Superfeet COPPER comes in handy. It features a low arch for a moderate amount of support in the mid-foot, but the real benefit is from the memory foam layer on the footbed.
As you continue to wear your COPPER insoles, your foot will make an imprint, and the insoles will become more and more comfortable.
Because the COPPER has an extra layer of memory foam, they take up more room in your shoes. If your shoes are already fitting a bit snug, these insoles might push you over the limit. However, if your shoes fit a bit loose, the COPPER is a fantastic way to fill in the gap and get some added comfort in the process.
Reading through some reviews, a lot of people said that their COPPER insoles were the longest lasting because of the extra thick footbed. For this reason, I recommend the COPPER if you’re on your feet for long periods of time and put a lot of wear and tear on your shoes (warehouse pickers seem to love them in particular).
With an extra thick footbed, the Superfeet COPPER are some of the longest lasting insoles the brand offers.
Superfeet ORANGE
The last insole I picked up was the Superfeet ORANGE, another all-purpose piece that’s actually become my go-to over the GREEN.
The ORANGE features a mid-height arch and has a softly padded forefoot for extra cushion on the balls of your feet.
While I enjoy the structure and support of the GREEN insole, I don’t struggle with foot pain—my feet just get a bit tired toward the end of the week as I get closer to 15 miles and two heavy leg days at the gym.
To me, the ORANGE is the best balance of support and flexibility. The heel cup is just as deep as on the GREEN, but the forefoot is much more flexible, which allows my foot to move around a bit more in my shoe.
And because I don’t have flat feet, I don’t need the high arch support: the medium arch does just fine.
A lot of reviewers for the ORANGE mentioned it helping out a lot with their Plantar Fasciitis, and while I’m sure it works well for that condition, I’d still recommend the GREEN insoles for any serious pain.
But if you’re like me and you spend a lot of time moving around and would like some added support with a healthy dose of cushion, ORANGE is a great option.
To me, the ORANGE is the best balance of support and flexibility. The heel cup is just as deep as on the GREEN, but the forefoot is much more flexible, which allows my foot to move around a bit more in my shoe.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Many reviewers swear by Superfeet. Especially folks who’ve tried other insoles made entirely with gels and foams. The polymer stabilizer caps are a game changer, and they do a much better job of mimicking what you might get from a podiatrist. Several folks with Plantar Fasciitis routinely pick up new Superfeet insoles for all their shoes.
The only downside I saw repeated in reviews was confusion around which insole to get to help with certain difficulties. I hope my review was able to clarify which of the top Superfeet insoles are best for your needs. The easiest way to find the best insole for you is to use their insole finder.
My Thoughts Overall
What I Like
Superfeet has a variety of insoles for different purposes. You can even find case-specific insoles for hockey, hiking, and running.
The hard plastic stabilizer caps are so much more effective than the gel and memory foam alternatives I’ve tried.
Styles like the Carbon are super thin, which make them easy to add into boots and dress shoes.
Free 60-day returns, even if you’ve worn them for a month straight.
What I Don’t Like
Superfeet recommends their insoles for a year or 500 miles, whichever comes first. Often, you’re left with the polymer stabilizer cap, which is still perfectly usable, so it seems like a bit of a waste to get new ones just for the foam top pad.
Who is Superfeet for?
Superfeet is an excellent brand of insoles if you’re suffering from foot pain but don’t want to book an appointment with a podiatrist. Obviously, if you’re in chronic pain, talking to a doctor is the way to go, but if you’re looking for some quick relief and comfort, I’d try Superfeet first.
The Verdict
Can you hear that?
Nope, my dogs have stopped barking.
After trying Superfeet insoles, my feet felt better (and my back, too) using all four. But here’s what I’d pick if I were to do it all over again:
The ORANGE insole is my favorite all-purpose. It’s the one I use for my daily three-mile walks. I love the deep heel cup for the added support it gives, but I prefer the added cushion and flexibility I get with the ORANGE when compared with the GREEN.
The GREEN worked well for support, but I felt the high arch and firm foam would work better for folks who experience regular foot pain and need the highest level of support. I’m not quite there—my feet only get fatigued after a long week, but I wouldn’t say they hurt.
For my workouts, I opt for the CARBON. I like the thin and lightweight design, and the low arch helps keep my feet flatter, which is safer for heavy lifts. The stabilizer cap is more firm, so it can take the heavy impact.
Overall, I’m really pleased with all four insoles I tried from Superfeet. They’ve been around for over 40 years and I can see how the brand has kept up due to their innovative designs.
Superfeet is an excellent brand of insoles if you’re suffering from foot pain but don’t want to book an appointment with a podiatrist. Obviously, if you’re in chronic pain, talking to a doctor is the way to go, but if you’re looking for some quick relief and comfort, I’d try Superfeet first.
FAQs
Which Superfeet insoles should I get?
What are the best Superfeet insoles for Plantar Fasciitis?
All Superfeet insoles can help with pain associated with Plantar Fasciiitis. However, I found that the GREEN were the best for alleviating pain. Superfeet also makes special insoles for pain relief, which work very well for people who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis.
What’s the difference between Superfeet GREEN and ORANGE?
Superfeet ORANGE offers more cushion and flexibility than GREEN, so it’s better for high impact activities. GREEN offers more support than ORANGE, so it’s a great option to relieve foot pain.