10 Best Heel Cups And Pads To Buy In 2023
Top selection of heel cups and pads that support your heels and help alleviate pain.
Aditi Naskar Diploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Health & Wellness
Experience: 4 years
Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She i... more
Image: Shutterstock
Most of us suffer from foot pain because of ill-fitting shoes that put a lot of strain on our heels while standing and walking. An ideal remedy to bid goodbye to this persistent pain is to use the best heel cups. Your heels help balance and maintain the right body posture. However, the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes can get inflamed, causing foot pain. Heel cups and pads are a simple and easy fix for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. They can help alleviate achy feet. In this article, we have reviewed the 10 best heel cups. Read on!
In This Article
Top 10 Heels Cups And Pads For Pain Relief
1.Best Clinically Proven: Heel That Pain Heel Seats
Heel That Pain Heel Seats is ideal for people with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, heel inserts, bone spurs, flat feet, tendonitis, and other heel conditions. They apply therapeutic acupressure on the targeted areas and reduce pain instantly. This product claims to deliver 100% pain relief within 8 days of regular use by realigning the plantar ligament into a healthy position. The best thing about this heel cup is that it provides 360-degree motion control. More importantly, its hybrid blend of gel offers a cushiony feel to your heels.
Pros
- Clinically proven
- Fits into most shoes easily
- Available in 4 sizes
Cons
None
2. Best Breathable:Dr. Pedi Silicone Heel Protectors
The heel protectors from Dr. Pedi help get relief from blisters and cracked feet. They are made from a silicone gel cushion that relieves heel spurs and Achilles tendonitis by minimizing the impact on each step. They are also supportive while walking, running, or standing throughout the day and can be worn while sleeping. The ergonomic design makes them more comfortable and flexible to wear. The cups are highly elastic and can be worn beneath socks and hosiery or over top of them. These heel cups are easy to clean and wash as well.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- High elasticity
- BPA-free
- Latex-free
- Excellent for cracked heels
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable
Cons
- May not stay in place
3. Best For Long Wear: ViveSole Silicone Gel Heel Cups
These gel heel cups provide support to your heels and ankles. They cushion your heels while walking, running, and standing and absorb the shock to reduce the tension and pressure on your heels. This gel heel inserts product is the perfect pick for people who are on their feet all day or who have heel spurs, bone spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
Pros
- Comfortable for long wear
- Can be worn with or without socks
- Available in 2 sizes
Cons
- Don’t stay in place.
4. Best Shock Absorbing:Tuli’s Cheetah Heel Cup
Tuli’s Cheetah Heel Cup is a 2-part heel support product. It is a combination of a heel cup and a sleeve that absorbs shock and relieves pain while providing 100% comfort. This product is ideal for gymnasts and dancers who want to protect their heels from possible wounds. It also provides immediate relief from heel pain by cushioning the targeted pain area. These are the best heel inserts with cushion support.
Pros
- Elevates the heel bone
- Stays in place
- Supports your feet while walking
- Delivers noticeable results in just one use
Cons
- Mediocre quality
5. Best Low Maintainance:M-F Heel Protector
This plastic heel cup is designed to provide extra support to your heel when you wear shoes. It is lightweight, very thin, and fits perfectly around your heel. It can also be worn under a sock. This product can be of great help to athletes and walkers as it effectively relieves tension on the feet.
Pros
- Easy to carry
- Fits snugly inside shoes and socks
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Fragile
6.Best Comfortable:Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushions
Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushion absorbs shock and relieves discomfort instantly. Its tapered design is built with massaging gel technology to provide cushioning to your heel. It can be transferred easily from shoe to shoe. This product is ideal for relieving heel sensitivity.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Reasonably priced
- Durable
Cons
- Very slippery
7. Best Cushioning:ARMSTRONG AMERIKA Gel Heel Cups
Relieve heel pain and discomfort with the Armstrong Amerika Gel Heel Cups. These soft gel cups relieve sore feet, heels, and provide relief from bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, edema, and sprained feet. They are durable and make you feel comfortable while walking, playing sports, and running. These gel pads won’t slip in your shoes or boots and are compatible with all types of men’s and women’s footwear. They reduce the impact on joints and muscles while providing you the ideal cushioning to go about your day.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fits all shoe types
- Comfortable for long wear
- Silicone gel
Cons
- Weak adhesion
8. Best Resuable:SMATIS Heel Protectors
The SMATIS Heel Protectors are specially designed to relieve heel pain and discomfort from bone spurs, stress fractures, and sprains. These fabric protectors are embedded with gel pads that offer instant relief to perform all your daily activities comfortably. The premium fabric is breathable, quick-drying, and adjustable. Moreover, they claim to absorb 90% of the impact while you are walking and come in a unisex size of US 5-11.
Pros
- Breathable
- Comfortable
- Reusable
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Some may find the cushioning to be thin
- Fitting issues
9. Best Versatile Fit:Heel Defender Foot Orthotics
The patented design of these heel pads absorbs 94.7% of the shock produced while walking. They protect your feet from the force exerted on them while walking or running. They disperse the pain quickly by distributing the pressure across the feet. Their extra cushioning provides comfortable bedding for your heels. These heel pads provide relief from a number of common heel conditions like Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs. Heel Defender Foot Orthotics is the best shoe pads for heels.
Pros
- Provide lasting comfort
- Versatile fit
- Durable material
Cons
- Expensive
10. Best For High-Impact Activities:Sof Sole Gel Heel Cup
This lightweight polymer gel heel cup is designed to provide outrageous comfort to your heel during high-impact activities like running, jumping, and exercising. It is built to relieve imbalanced pressure applied to your heel. Its flexible edges allow it to fit into any shoe effortlessly. The best thing about this product is that the dual-density cushioning adds extra stability to your heel. It is the best heel cup for heel pain.
Pros
- Durable
- Very flexible
- Stays in place
Cons
- The texture is a bit slimy.
Most heel cups and pads may look quite similar, but they all have a ton of different features that may or may not work for your heels. Here are some important features to consider before purchasing a heel cup.
Features To Look For In A Heel Cup
- Comfort
Not all heel cups offer the same comfort or support. Some common features to look out for in terms of comfort are cushioning and material.
- Fit
Look for a heel cup that can easily mold to your heel. A few products are meant to fit most shoes, and these come with soft, flexible, and elastic edges.
- Non-Slip
A heel cup is of no use if it moves around inside your shoe. Hence, look for a product that supports your heel with every step. Some heel cups feature a waffle design on the bottom that adds stability and grip to the cup
The best heel cups and pads provide all-day comfort by reducing the impact on your heels. They offer the right amount of cushioning to help with conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, heel spurs, or other heel-related problems. The ergonomic construction of these pads keeps you comfortably on your feet and is soft enough for wearing all day. These are available in various designs and sizes. Some of the listed products are extremely lightweight and thin but offer great support.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Aditi Naskar has a health and wellness diploma, making her an expert in finding the right products for pain relief. She has explored hundreds of reviews online to curate this list of the top-rated heel cups. Additionally, she consulted with physiotherapists and physicians to verify the authenticity of these products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are heel cups used for?
Heel cups help patients of plantar fasciitis balance and walk comfortably.
Do plantar fasciitis heel cups work?
Yes, by wearing heel cups, you can reduce the tension from your ankles and get relief from the painful symptoms of plantar fasciitis. They will also prevent bone spurs caused by plantar fasciitis.
Do heel cups help flat feet?
Yes, heel cups can help flat feet by providing the correct balance and support to the feet.
How long do heel cups last?
Heel cups can last for around 6 months, depending on the frequency of use.
Can you run wearing heel cups?
Yes, wearing a heel cup will reduce your foot pain and help you perform better on your legs while standing, walking, and running.
How long should you wear heel cups?
You can wear heel cups all day long when walking or going out.
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