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.

By Aditi NaskarAditi Naskar, Diploma In Health & Wellness  • 
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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!

Top PicksCheck Price
Best Clinically Proven:Heel That Pain Heel SeatsPrice on Amazon
Best Breathable:Dr. Pedi Silicone Heel Protectors
Price on Amazon
Best For Long Wear:ViveSole Silicone Gel Heel Cups
Price on Amazon
Best Shock Absorbing:Tuli’s Cheetah Heel Cup
Price on Amazon
Best Low Maintainance:M-F Heel ProtectorPrice on Amazon
Best Comfortable:Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushions
Price on Amazon
Best Cushioning:ARMSTRONG AMERIKA Gel Heel CupsPrice on Amazon
Best Resuable:SMATIS Heel ProtectorsPrice on Amazon
Best Versatile Fit:Heel Defender Foot Orthotics
Price on Amazon
Best For High-Impact Activities:Sof Sole Gel Heel Cup
Price on Amazon

Top 10 Heels Cups And Pads For Pain Relief

1.Best Clinically Proven: Heel That Pain Heel Seats

3.8
Heel That Pain Heel Seats Image: Heel That Pain

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

Price at the time of publication: $29.95

2. Best Breathable:Dr. Pedi Silicone Heel Protectors

3.9
Dr. Pedi Silicone Heel Protectors Image: Dr.pedi

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
Quick Tip
Make sure the heel cup is properly positioned in your shoes. Place it on the back inner side of the shoe for easy and smooth walking or running.
Price at the time of publication: $8.99

3. Best For Long Wear: ViveSole Silicone Gel Heel Cups

3.9
 ViveSole Silicone Gel Heel Cups Image: Vivesole Silicone

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.
Price at the time of publication: $9.99

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
Quick Tip
Take the insoles out of your shoes every night to allow the air dry them on both sides.
Price at the time of publication: $25.24

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
Price at the time of publication: $7.99

6.Best Comfortable:Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushions

4.1
Dr. Scholl’s Comfort Heel Cushions Image: Dr. Scholl’s

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
Price at the time of publication: $6.47

7. Best Cushioning:ARMSTRONG AMERIKA Gel Heel Cups

3.9
ARMSTRONG AMERIKA Gel Heel Cups Image: Armstrong Amerika

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
Price at the time of publication: $19.95

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
Price at the time of publication: $13.99

9. Best Versatile Fit:Heel Defender Foot Orthotics

3.6
Heel Defender Foot Orthotics Image: Heel Defender

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
Price at the time of publication: $34.99

10. Best For High-Impact Activities:Sof Sole Gel Heel Cup

3.8
Sof Sole Gel Heel Cup Image: Sof Sole

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.
Price at the time of publication: $11.99

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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