Different basketball insoles offer varying features and benefits. If you’re still looking for the best basketball insoles on the market, we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, we’ll show you:
- Know the best insoles for basketball
- A basketball insole buying guide
- How to clean your basketball insoles
And many more!
Remember, it’s important to buy and use the right insoles whenever you’re playing basketball. Otherwise, you’re going to run into issues and increase your risk of injury.
With that said, here’s a quick list of the top products we researched and compared so you no longer have to deal with these tasks.
IMAGE
PRODUCT
OUR TOP PICK
#1 – Sof Sole
- Excellent for different physical activities
- Water-resistant technology
- Broad size range
#2 - Walk Hero Comfort & Support
- Optimal comfort
- Fit for tight budgets
- Superb construction and design
BEST HIGH END
#3 – Shock Doctor Active Ultra Insole
- Premium comfort
- Adjusts to the shape of the feet
- Provides optimal support during play
#4 - Superfeet Professional-Grade Shoe Inserts
- Lasts a long time
- Reduces heel pain
- Reduces stress from different movements
#5 - Superfeet Carbon Pain Relief Insoles
- Inconspicuous design
- Provides great comfort and stability
- Optimal support for the feet
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Sof Sole
Our top pick out of all the basketball insoles we tested is the Sof Sole.
This product is a great option for basketball players that want superior comfort and support while playing the game. The pair also provide first-rate durability, and they come with gel pads to keep the feet protected while running and jumping around the court.
Additionally, there’s the insole’s Hydrolic Moisture Management System, which our team found to be quite effective for sweaty feet. It wicks moisture away efficiently, keeping the feet as dry as possible. Therefore, not only is this product sturdy and comfortable, but it also prevents harmful bacteria from thriving because of sweat. In turn, it prevents problems like smelly feet and mold growth.
Our Top 5 Best Basketball Insoles to Use
You found this place because you’re looking for the top insoles to use during basketball. So here’s a list of five of the best-rated basketball insoles we found and tested for you:
Who Should Wear Basketball Insoles?
Aside from basketball players, relatively any individual can wear insoles in their shoes. Wearing insoles can help prevent injuries and strains to the lower body. These products can also help maintain a level of comfort and prevent muscle fatigue.
But what if the insoles you bought are larger than your shoe?
If you have that issue, one option is to buy another pair. Otherwise, you can DIY a large basketball insole to fit your footwear.
Here’s a quick video to help you out in that regard:
What to Look for When Buying Basketball Insoles?
- Support
Above every other essential factor, you need to consider the insole’s support the most. An arched support that mimics your foot’s contour will help minimize pain and provide optimal shock absorption.
The material should also be firm enough to provide adequate cushioning. It should also not allow the stresses of movement to increase rapidly.
- Sturdiness
Although basketball insoles don’t last forever, it’s still important to use options that will last for a reasonably long time. You should expect to see normal wear and tear when using the insoles, especially when you’re playing basketball frequently. Generally, a good pair of insoles should last around 3 months.
- Fit
Get the correct size based on feedback from other customers. Otherwise, you can read the product’s description, particularly when you’re shopping from an online retailer. Ensuring that you’re using an appropriately fitting basketball insole will provide comfort to your foot, as well as preventing a high risk of injury.
- Type
You can find three primary types of basketball insoles on the market: molded insoles, comfort insoles, and custom orthotics. Molded insoles, also called heat-moldable insoles, are variants that provide optimal comfort and support for athletes with low or flat arches. Comfort insoles are excellent for long-distance running. Finally, you can get custom orthotics from a specialist or doctor, but these options are generally the most expensive out of the three selections.
How to Clean Basketball Insoles?
It doesn’t require you to have a rocket science degree to clean basketball insoles properly. Nonetheless, splashing water over the product isn’t the best solution for a deep clean. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you eliminate the dirt, grime, and other filthy substances that latched onto the material:
- Remove the insole from the shoe
- Use a soft brush to remove visible dirt and debris
- Put a small amount of lukewarm or room temperature water in a shallow dish
- Mix a few drops of mild detergent to form a soapy solution
- Place the insole in the detergent mixture and swish the product around the dish
- Remove the insole after a few minutes of swishing
- Wring out the excess moisture
- Throw the now dirty mixture and put fresh, clean water into the shallow dish
- Swish the insole once more in the dish and wring out the excess moisture once finished
- Put the damp insole on top of a dry towel and let it air dry
Do Basketball Insoles Work?
Pick #1 - Sof Sole
To say that this basketball insole is a top performer might be an understatement.
Our team purchased this insole a few years ago, and it still provides excellent comfort to this day. Some of our team members use this basketball insole for more than playing the sport. We tried it on other physical activities, such as field exercises and casual walks downtown.
The Hydrolic Moisture Management System also works wonders for some of our staff’s sweaty feet. After a quick basketball session, we noticed that the insole removes most of the excess moisture from our sweat. Finally, it’s available in different sizes.
Perhaps our only main concern is that it retains some of the stenches from the sweat. Not to worry because a quick cleaning session removes most of the foul odor.
- Cons
- Retains some of the stenches from sweat
Pick #2 – Walk Hero Comfort & Support
Feeling the Walk Hero Insole is unlike other basketball inserts we experienced in a while, especially after seeing its price tag. This product has a reasonably inexpensive price point, which makes it an ideal choice for interested buyers on a tight budget.
The lush EVA material promotes maximum comfort. Plus, it efficiently supports the feet during high-intensity movements in the court. Our feet didn’t hurt after an hour of using this pair of insoles in the court.
The firm arch support and deep heel cup design are also top-notch. With these features, we achieved a neutral and stable gait, protecting our knees during rapid turns and erratic movements.
However, it’s worth mentioning that this basketball insole needs a bit of breaking into. We had a slight issue with the material being stiff during the first few days of use. But that concern disappeared over time.
- Cons
- It needs to be broken into
Pick #3 – Shock Doctor Active Ultra Insole
A premium price for a basketball insole should offer the finest features and experience, right? That’s what we got from this product. We had to pay a little more money than intended to purchase this item. However, the experience speaks for itself as it’s tough to find faults in this basketball insert.
First, there’s the brand’s patented Adaptive Arch technology, which, as its name implies, adapts to the shape of the foot and its arch. In other words, we only need to select a size range, and the insole conformed to the member’s in the team with foot sizes within the array.
Next, we thoroughly enjoyed the forefoot, heel shock pad, and shock dome. With these features, the insole handled relatively any erratic movement we did in the court. Our feet remained supported, and we didn’t feel any significant discomfort from long basketball sessions.
One gripe that I have to mention is its design because it’s not going to be for everyone. The combination of colors will take some getting used to. Then again, it’s a basketball insole that won’t be seen by the public’s eye frequently.
- Cons
- Pricey
- Colors can take some getting used to
Pick #4 – Superfeet Professional-Grade Shoe Inserts
This pair of basketball insoles has been around for decades, and our team didn’t find that thought surprising after putting them in our shoes.
These inserts are made from a medical-grade composition. The material feels sturdy and should last for a long time. It even has a stabilizer cap to ensure that the rear areas of our feet stay stable for every physical activity.
We also liked the deep heel cup, which is quite effective at reducing the risk of heel pain. Then, there’s the orthotic shape as it helped our feet to remain stress-free during jumps and sudden movements.
However, we can’t get around the squeakiness of the material. The insoles squeaked whenever we walked or run. Although the sound isn’t a bother for some of our team members, it’s might be a different story for some users.
- Cons
- The material squeaks
Pick #5 – Superfeet Carbon Pain Relief Insoles
Some of our team members wanted basketball insoles that don’t protrude from their shoes. Enter this product, which is one of the shoe inserts we’ve seen with the lowest profiles.
It’s reasonably thinner than most basketball inserts we reviewed, so far. However, this low-profile design doesn’t reduce the comfort and stability it supplies. Instead, it still provides one of the best comfortable and stable experiences we encountered in basketball insoles.
Additionally, we admired the carbon fiber stabilizer cap. This feature allowed us to enjoy better-than-average support for our feet.
Still, we don’t think that it’s more durable than other competing products. After about two weeks of strenuous use, signs of wear and tear started to appear on the fabric.
- Cons
- Not as durable as others
Our Top Pick – Sof Sole
The Sof Sole is our top pick for players that are looking for a great shoe that provides support and comfort while playing basketball.
It has enjoyable features like the Hydrolic Moisture Management System, which helps keep the feet dry and odor-free. This product also works by preventing harmful bacteria from growing on the feet’s surface.
Check out the lowest price on Amazon here.
