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For people with diabetes, choosing the right insoles is about much more than everyday comfort. The best insoles for people with diabetes are designed to cushion the foot, redistribute pressure, minimise friction and accommodate the foot comfortably inside appropriate footwear. These characteristics can become particularly important for people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, reduced protective sensation or areas of increased plantar pressure.
Diabetes can affect both the nerves and circulation in the feet. Peripheral neuropathy may cause numbness or reduced sensation, meaning a person may not notice excessive pressure, rubbing, a blister or a small injury. Reduced blood flow can also make some foot problems more difficult to heal. (NIDDK)
For this reason, diabetic foot care should combine suitable footwear and insoles with regular foot checks and appropriate medical or podiatric care.
One of the main objectives of a diabetic-friendly insole is pressure redistribution.
When walking, considerable pressure can develop beneath areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads and big toe. Foot deformities, altered gait and limited joint mobility can further concentrate these forces in particular areas.
This matters because people with peripheral neuropathy may have loss of protective sensation (LOPS) and therefore may not receive the normal warning signals of pain or discomfort.
The American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care recommend specialised therapeutic footwear for people with diabetes who are at high risk of ulceration, including those with loss of protective sensation, foot deformities, calluses, poor peripheral circulation, previous ulcers or amputation. The ADA also notes that customised pressure-relieving orthoses may be appropriate for people with increased plantar pressures. (Diabetes Journals)
Importantly, insoles should not be presented as a guarantee against diabetic foot ulcers. The evidence is stronger for reducing plantar pressure than for preventing a person’s first ulcer. (Diabetes Journals)
There isn’t one insole that is best for everybody. The appropriate design depends on foot shape, sensation, circulation, pressure distribution, previous ulceration and whether deformities such as bunions or hammertoes are present.
However, there are several important features to look for.
A diabetic-friendly insole should provide effective cushioning without creating excessive bulk inside the shoe.
Soft cushioning materials can help absorb impact and distribute forces over a larger surface area. This may be particularly useful beneath high-pressure regions such as the heel and forefoot.
The goal isn’t simply to make an insole feel “soft.” An insole should provide cushioning and pressure redistribution while remaining stable and appropriately fitted.
For someone with neuropathy, reducing concentrated pressure is particularly important.
A well-designed insole can increase the contact area between the foot and the insole so that body weight isn’t concentrated on a few small regions.
Research and clinical guidelines therefore frequently focus on plantar-pressure reduction when assessing therapeutic footwear and orthoses. (Diabetes Journals)
Because rubbing may cause irritation or skin damage, the upper surface of an insole should ideally be smooth and comfortable.
Check for prominent seams, hard edges or other areas that could irritate the foot. The same principle applies to footwear: the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends checking inside shoes for rough areas, pebbles or other objects before putting them on. (NIDDK)
Arch support can help stabilise the foot and spread load over a greater area, but more arch support isn’t automatically better for a person with diabetes.
An excessively prominent or poorly positioned arch can itself become a pressure point. The insole should match the individual’s foot shape and should not cause redness, rubbing or discomfort.
For people with significant neuropathy, deformity or a history of ulceration, professional assessment is particularly important.
Even an excellent insole can cause problems if it makes the shoe too tight.
There should be sufficient space for the foot and insole without excessive pressure across the toes or upper surface of the foot. People with bunions or hammertoes may require extra-wide or extra-depth footwear. (NIDDK)
An over-the-counter cushioned insole may be appropriate for some people with diabetes who have normal sensation, no significant deformity and no history of diabetic foot ulceration. However, diabetes alone doesn’t tell you which insole is appropriate—the person’s individual foot-risk status matters.
People with neuropathy, loss of protective sensation, substantial callusing, deformity, poor circulation or previous ulceration should seek advice from a podiatrist or other qualified foot-care professional.
For people with increased plantar pressure, the ADA specifically discusses well-fitting athletic or walking footwear combined with customised pressure-relieving orthoses. (Diabetes Journals)
Extra caution is appropriate if you have numbness or reduced sensation, peripheral arterial disease, significant calluses, bunions or hammertoes, previous foot ulceration, previous amputation or Charcot foot.
An open wound, unexplained swelling, redness or increased foot temperature requires prompt professional assessment rather than simply changing insoles. The ADA recommends urgent referral for these signs because they can indicate potentially serious diabetic foot complications. (Diabetes Journals)
Good insoles cannot replace daily foot care.
People with diabetes should inspect their feet regularly for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling and other changes. The ADA recommends at least an annual comprehensive foot evaluation, with more frequent assessment for people at higher risk. (Diabetes Journals)
People who have reduced sensation should also avoid walking barefoot. Appropriate socks and well-fitting shoes can provide additional protection against friction and unnoticed injury. (NIDDK)
What type of insole is best for diabetic feet?
Generally, look for an insole that provides cushioning, pressure redistribution, a comfortable smooth surface and an appropriate fit inside the shoe. People with neuropathy, deformity or previous ulcers may require customised pressure-relieving orthoses.
Are soft insoles good for people with diabetes?
Soft cushioning can be beneficial, but softness alone isn’t enough. The insole should also redistribute pressure effectively and should not create new areas of concentrated pressure.
Can people with diabetic neuropathy use orthotic insoles?
Yes, orthotic devices can be used, but people with loss of protective sensation should be particularly careful about fit and pressure points. Professional assessment is advisable because the person may not feel excessive pressure normally.
Can insoles prevent diabetic foot ulcers?
Insoles and therapeutic footwear can reduce plantar pressure, which is an important part of managing an at-risk foot. However, they should not be described as guaranteeing ulcer prevention, and current evidence for preventing a first ulcer is limited. (Diabetes Journals)
Should people with diabetes wear memory-foam insoles?
Memory foam can provide cushioning, but the material itself does not determine whether an insole is suitable. Pressure redistribution, durability, shoe fit, foot shape and the person’s diabetic foot-risk status are more important considerations.
How often should diabetic insoles be replaced?
There is no universal replacement interval. Replace or professionally review an insole when cushioning becomes compressed, the material deteriorates or the shape changes. High-risk users should have their footwear and orthoses checked regularly.
Should I see a podiatrist before buying diabetic insoles?
If you have numbness, loss of protective sensation, circulation problems, significant calluses, foot deformity, previous ulceration or amputation, professional assessment is strongly advisable. The ADA recommends specialist involvement for moderate- and high-risk feet. (Diabetes Journals)
The best insoles for people with diabetes should do more than provide comfort. They should help cushion the feet, redistribute plantar pressure and fit correctly without creating friction or additional pressure points.
For people at low risk, an appropriately designed OTC insole may be suitable. For those with diabetic neuropathy, loss of protective sensation, foot deformity, poor circulation or a history of ulceration, professionally selected or customised pressure-relieving orthoses may be more appropriate.
Most importantly, insoles should form part of a broader diabetic foot-care strategy that includes properly fitted footwear, daily foot inspection and regular professional foot assessments.
For further information, please read the articles below:
American Diabetes Association Standards of Care and the NIDDK guide to diabetes and foot problems.
