Martha Sorren is a freelance writer who primarily covers TV, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Seventeen, Mic, Insider, Refinery29, and HelloGiggles. Martha started her career interning at Cosmopolitan, Us Weekly, and Woman's Day. In 2013, she joined Bustle as an entertainment writer and worked there for five years (most recently as an associate TV editor). She still regularly contributes to Bustle, in addition to Refinery29, Insider, and other publications. When she's not writing, she's exploring Brooklyn or hanging out by the ocean with her dog, Pippa. * 5+ years of experience covering TV and entertainment * Literary Fellow at Truthout from 2011 to 2014 * Received a bachelor's degree in writing from Pratt Institute

Emily Belfiore is an experienced commerce writer and editor for Travel + Leisure with a deep passion for travel. She has been covering lifestyle topics spanning across the fashion, beauty, and health and wellness verticals for three years. With an extensive background in e-commerce and shopping trends, she has created in-depth product round-ups and deal guides for InStyle, RealSimple, Health, Shape, Food & Wine, Byrdie and more. Always in pursuit of the best reviewer-vouched products, you can find her testing products for articles, watching YouTube tutorials, or scouring social media for the latest must-have gadget.

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There's no reason why standing, walking, or even running need to be painful. And if your shoes aren't cutting it comfort-wise, instead of upending your entire shoe collection, consider investing in a set of insoles.

An affordable, accessible solution to sore feet and achy arches, insoles are great for a number of reasons. Not only can they help with foot problems like flat feet and plantar fasciitis, but they're also an easy way to add comfort and support to your shoes — and in some cases, they can even extend the wearability of your favorite pair.

Related: The 19 Best Travel Shoes That Reviewers Say You Can Walk All Day In

Luckily, there are several great over-the-counter options available online that don't require a visit to the podiatrist. We tapped Mohammad Rimawi, M.D., a podiatrist in New York City, to ask which shoe insoles he recommends for the most common foot issues.

Here are eight of the best insoles that Dr. Rimawi recommends to make any shoe more comfortable.

Dr. Rimawi encourages people to have a proper foot evaluation if they find "themselves constantly alternating between different insoles" in search of one that works for all of their specifications. "Although over-the-counter insoles may provide symptomatic relief, they are not tailored to meet each individual's needs," he said, adding that a custom doctor-prescribed orthotic may help those with a variety of foot issues.

In the meantime, these podiatrist-approved insoles can help increase comfort and add support, no matter what style of shoe you're wearing. Read on to learn why these are the best insoles for your feet.

Dr. Rimawi says that the right insole for bunions varies depending on why you have bunions in the first place. For example, if you're getting bunions because you have flat feet, you need to address that issue first. According to the Mayo Clinic, bunions commonly form when you're wearing narrow or tight shoes, since that can cause the bones in your toes to shift uncomfortably. For that reason, Dr. Rimawi suggests an insole that has a "wide and padded forefoot sole," like this popular option from Walk-Hero.

The best-selling shoe insoles on Amazon, these add cushioning and shock absorption to your shoes for lasting comfort — and many customers say these have helped relieve foot pain associated with bunions. "I am a bartender and waitress who is running around on my feet for long shifts," one shared. "I have bunions and bad feet… These inserts offered so much relief! I could feel the support immediately. Life-changing."

To buy: amazon.com, from $11

While high heels certainly look great, they're notorious for being a killer on the feet. Fortunately, there are ways to make them a little more comfortable. Dr. Rimawi says these insoles "offload pressure on the front of the foot to provide symptomatic relief." Ball of Foot Forefoot Cushions' medical-grade gel pads sit comfortably at the bottom of your favorite heels to cushion your foot and absorb shock, helping to relieve pain, calluses, and more.

After trying the Ball of Foot Cushions for the first time, a reviewer said, "Instead of pain that made me not even want to wear my favorite shoes, there was this feeling of walking on clouds. It was so soft and cushiony. I then started walking around in them. Not only did that wonderful feeling remain, but I was extremely surprised at how well the cushions stayed in place."

While Dr. Rimawi's first choice for flat feet would be a custom orthotic, he also likes this over-the-counter option because it helps control heel pronation (which happens when the foot rolls inward after coming in contact with the ground) and provides arch support. Both are necessary features to help correct flat feet and mitigate pain or soreness from the condition.

These cushioned, shock-absorbing inserts have hundreds of positive reviews. "If you need or use inserts for flat feet these are the absolute best and the only ones that I will ever use," one customer said.

To buy: amazon.com, from $8

Plantar fasciitis is when the band of tissue on the bottom of your foot gets inflamed. It's a common reason behind heel pain — especially in people who are on their feet a lot — and can cause a stabbing sensation. Dr. Rimawi says that doctors typically suggest orthotics as part of an overall prevention or treatment plan, and he considers this set from Powerstep "a great over-the-counter orthotic in helping to alleviate symptoms related to plantar fasciitis." With an ultra-cushioned EVA base, ample arch support, and an antimicrobial top layer to prevent sweating and odor, it's no wonder why more than 4,700 Amazon shoppers have given these comfortable insoles a five-star review.

"My four-year-long suffering from plantar fasciitis has come to an end due to the religious use of these great insoles in all my shoes — including slippers," one Amazon shopper wrote. "If there was a way to wear them in the shower, I would."

To buy: amazon.com, from $26

"People with high arches will tend to have increased pressure under the ball of the big toe joint, heel, and on the outside of the foot," Dr. Rimawi said. He recommends getting an insole that can support these areas, touting this arch support cushion from Superfeet as a good over-the-counter choice. Reviewers seem to agree, with more than 860 people leaving them a perfect five-star rating.

"This insole provides real support," a customer wrote. "My feet had been hurting for a solid week. I used them two days and my feet feel so much better. I have high arches and tendinitis. What a relief!"

According to Dr. Rimawi, running orthotics are different from everyday insoles because they should support the foot, help it withstand the force of repeatedly hitting the ground, and accommodate constantly changing positions. He says that most people can use this Currex RunPro insole, which offers shock absorption, fatigue-minimizing support and stability, and a springy rebound push. However, if you're more serious about your running, you may want a podiatrist to examine you and recommend a custom orthotic.

After consulting with an expert, an Amazon reviewer said, "I was having trouble with my heel hurting during my run and this product solved the issue. No more pain. [It's] super comfy in the shoe and helped to stabilize my foot when running on the treadmill. I would recommend to anyone looking to relieve heel pain when running or walking or if you are looking for extra cushion when you walk."

To buy: amazon.com, from $50

For those with wider feet, Dr. Rimawi recommends these Powerstep insoles. Made with dual-layer cushioned EVA foam and deep heel cups, these wide-fit orthotics add ample arch support and comfort to any shoe. The arch shell stabilizes your arch and heel to prevent stress on feet, ankles, joints, and tendons.

They have more than 1,100 five-star ratings on Amazon and hundreds of positive reviews. "I have very wide feet and as a woman, it can make finding shoes and orthotics difficult," one customer shared. "As soon as I put [the insoles] on, I knew this was going to be good. Within a few days of wearing them, the pain subsided greatly. I love these!"

This heavy-duty insole from Spenco, which Dr. Rimawi considers a good brand, helps support the foot while standing or walking on hard surfaces for several hours. It has a special top layer that provides enhanced shock absorption, a foam footbed that cushions and stabilizes the heels and arches, and a protective pressure-relieving crash pad on the forefoot. Plus, it helps you shift your weight to your toes in a healthier way for less fatigue and pain.

Customers seem to agree that these high-quality orthotics are not only supportive and help relieve pain, but also durable enough to last through years of wear. "I am working security 12 hour days, seven days a week," one Zappos shopper said. "I put these in my shoes and it's like a pillow for my feet."

To buy: zappos.com or amazon.com, $25

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