This Foot Problem Can Throw Off Balance As You Age — But A $20 Find Could Help

Our feet are one of the most used parts of our bodies, so it’s no wonder they can incur more issues with age. While plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain, it’s certainly not the only one. According to UCLA Health, having fallen arches (a form of flat feet that can develop with age or different health conditions) is another common cause of foot discomfort, aches and even trouble balancing. If you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, chronic foot pain or balance issues, getting a solid, stabilizing pair of shoe insoles can be a step in the right direction. Lucky for you, we spotted a pair that reviewers say brings “heavenly” relief. Even better? They’re currently on sale for just $20, the lowest price they’ve been in weeks.

As UCLA Health notes, aging, as well as health conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can make you more likely to develop flat feet or fallen arches. Per Cleveland Clinic, this can cause foot pain, of course, but can also potentially mess up your entire body’s alignment and increase your chance of ankle instability, further contributing to issues with balance and stability. While this may sound...intense, we assure you there are things that can help. If you’re dealing with flat feet or fallen arches, both UCLA Health and Cleveland Clinic recommend adding arch-supporting insoles to your shoes. (Note: If you’re experiencing intense pain or have had a history of foot issues, it may be prudent to consult your doctor, too.)

Made to “mimic” the human foot, “life-changing” insoles offer superior support through the arches, intened to improve your foot position to take pressure off your knees and spine.

They support up to 240 pounds and come in size up to 14.5 for me and 15.5 for women! Plus, you can trim them to ensure a perfect fit. Ideal for work and hiking boots, running shoes and sneakers, dress shoes and more, they easily slip into your shoes, offering “immediate relief” for all sorts of foot issues. “The moment you slip them into your shoes, you’ll feel a noticeable difference,” one wrote. “The cushioning is just right – not too soft, not too firm.”

They’re made with shock-absorbing foam and pressure-relieving gel pads, with an enhanced heel cup for stability, a strong base for support and a velvet-like top layer that helps “keep your feet cool and dry, even during extended periods of use.”

Fans celebrate the arch-forward design of the insoles, saying they don’t just help with pain, but they also help “to reduce strain on the feet and promote better posture.” “I can even balance myself better, could feel myself holding my posture better, I loved them so much, that I bought two more the next day,” one said. “...Helps my posture and increased my walk speed,” another wrote.

Reviewers agree these bad boys “helped my fallen arches,” and literally every other foot issue, too.

Because they offer superior arch support and stability, it’s not a surprise these insoles are loved by adults with fallen arches. One reviewer whose job involves lots of walking and standing says their arches have fallen so much, they’ve “begun to make contact with the floor.” “...The arch support with cushioning has kept my feet comfortable,” they wrote, saying the insoles “work well with street shoes.” Another reviewer in their 60’s says the insoles “help keep me on the hard court,” when they play pickleball 5-6 days a week.

“Typical arch supports tend to sag over time, especially if you’re a heavier individual,” Nick said. “These provide firm and consistent support and help me walk more confidently without fear of joint pain caused by fallen arches!”

Yet, they’re not just loved for their arch support. A reviewer with heel spurs “from being on my feet up to 18 hours PLUS per day behind a bar,” calls the insoles “pure foot magic!” “I BREEZE through those doubles/triples like nothing with these bad boys adhered to my shoes. LOVE THEM,” they wrote. Others love the insoles for soothing bunions from “old lady feet,” arthritis, high arches and even supporting “bad knees/bad ankles.”

Those who tried other insoles say these ones have made a remarkable upgrade in their balance and stability.

“I finally have the arch support that I need,” shopper Scarlett said. “I have tried other inserts for high arch from other brands, but this is the only one that has been high enough with support under my foot.”

Scarlett notes that because the arch support is so good, it took her fit a minute to adjust. “...As I walked more and more, I could feel that it was working for me, esp when I leaned over to the side to grab something and didn’t almost lose my balance like I had been with the other brands,” she said. “I could feel this one helping me keep balance because my foot was positioned properly with the orthotic.”

“After a week, I noticed that my gait became easier, and my foot was better fixed in the correct position, which gave a feeling of greater correction and stability,” Anna said. “I am very pleased, I recommend them to everyone who is looking for comfort and cares about the health of their feet!”

If you’re looking to treat your feet, consider grabbing a pair of these beloved insoles. Read more 5-star reviews and order a set while they’re still on sale.

“Provides EXCELLENT support and cushioning for people who need a little extra arch support for bad knees/bad ankles, or have plantar fasciitis. Typical arch supports tend to sag over time, especially if you’re a heavier individual. These provide firm and consistent support and help me walk more confidently without fear of joint pain caused by fallen arches! Great shock absorption and they’re easy to trim to fit any shoes.” — Nick Hall

“I appreciated the construction of these insoles for standing as well as walking. My job involves walking distances and standing for longer durations. The insoles are soft in the area of arch support, which is important to me because I have fallen arches that have begun to make contact with the floor. That’s very uncomfortable, so the arch support with cushioning has kept my feet comfortable.” — Leroy Hurt

“I’m 64 years old n play pickleball 5-6 days a week. The NEUPU heavy duty high arch support orthotic. helps keep me on the hard court. They have held up well also for the amount of time I spend playing.” — donald p zinnel

“I finally have the arch support that I need. I have tried other inserts for high arch from other brands, but this is the only one that has been high enough with support under my foot. I had a wicked case of plantar fasciitis and got a relapse and I can’t believe how much these orthotic inserts have relieved it, because I’ve tried many w/out satisfactory results. I can even balance myself better, could feel myself holding my posture better, I loved them so much, that I bought two more the next day! I wear women’s size 9.5 and got the size small, and it fit my shoe perfect w/out cutting it. I have narrow and thin foot and it helped my shoes fit better. I pulled-out the old footbed support of my shoes and put these in and I’m really glad that I gave this brand a chance, I’m impressed, and I highly recommend if you are having similar problems. I almost thought I wasn’t going to be able to tolerate them the very first few minutes that I wore them, it felt strange, but as I walked more and more, I could feel that it was working for me, esp when I leaned over to the side to grab something and didn’t almost lose my balance like I had been with the other brands, I could feel this one helping me keep balance because my foot was positioned properly with the orthotic.” — Scarlett Walker

Looking for shoes that can help with balance and stability? Check out these podiatrists’ picks, courtesy of HuffPost Shopping.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)