Best Insoles For Shoes That Are Too Big or Wide (2022)

After testing out dozens of options with a variety of different shoe types and activities, we conferred with industry experts as well as consumers. 

After all of that, we know for sure that Dr. Scholl’s WORK Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles are the best all-around insoles for correcting shoes that are too big. 

They feature top-of-the-line massaging gel technology that is flexible enough to pad your shoe in all the right places while providing all-day comfort and support. You could just shove toilet paper in your shoe for a tighter fit, but don’t you prefer the sound of “massaging gel inserts” instead?

Comparison Table

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Best Insoles for Shoes that are too Big

Insoles and inserts are a great way to add that extra padding in just the right places, giving your formerly too big shoes a perfect, customized fit. Below are our picks for the Top 10 Best Insoles to help you get a comfortable and safe fit for shoes that are too big. 

1. Dr. Scholl’s WORK Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles – Top Pick

Dr. Scholl’s is probably the top name in shoe inserts and with good reason. The company offers a large line of inserts to help with all sorts of different ailments, from arch support to heel pain and beyond. The Massaging Gel® Advanced technology provides a high-level of comfort regardless of orthopedic function. 

In the WORK insoles, Dr. Scholl’s has made a product that will suit most people’s needs for adding some extra padding to shoes that are too big. They feature a high level of cushioning in the heel that tapers down toward the toe box, provides moderate arch support, and a textured bottom to maintain traction. This means that your insoles won’t slip or move throughout the day, ruining the fit you worked hard to achieve. You can also cut these down to size to ensure they fit your specific shoes. 

While these are marketed for people who work all day on their feet, we found them to be flexible enough for performance sneakers as well as sturdy enough for work boots and dress shoes. 

Features: Gel inserts, Responsive-Wave Cushioning™, reinforced arch support, cooling vents, extra forefoot cushioning

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2. Envelop Gel Insoles – Best for Minimal Padding 

The Envelop Gel Insoles are full-length insoles with a slim profile that can help pad shoes that only need a slight size adjustment. You might use these insoles if an old pair of shoes has just started to stretch out or lost its elasticity, for example. 

These insoles have a lower heel than most of the products we reviewed, while still providing comfort through the contoured gel layer from heel to toes. 

The honeycomb design seen at the heel and ball of the foot provides bonus relief if you also happen to suffer from foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis, high arches, or general foot fatigue. 

These insoles can be trimmed for a custom fit, but be careful not to cut the heel cradle or inner arch as that could affect the stability of the material. 

Features: Honeycomb base design for shock absorption, textured grip base, lightweight silicone gel construction, full-length, added heel and arch support

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3. Amitataha Memory Foam Insoles – Best Value

Most of the products on this list hover around the same price point, but we recommend the Amitataha Memory Foam Insoles for anyone on a tight budget. 

These are good, classic insoles that give you cloud-like memory foam cushioning and a moderate level of padding to fill out any type of shoe. They are at the lowest end of the price range but still deliver a high-quality product that won’t disappoint. 

What we especially like about these insoles is that you can choose from two different types of memory foam: high elastic or soft. The high elastic version makes for a springier step that would serve you well in high-impact activities, while the soft version is extra-cozy for casual daily wear. These are great insoles for flat feet. 

Features: Two types of memory foam inserts, high arch-support, made of medical-grade velvet and polyurethane, three sizes to choose from

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4. Dr. Scholl’s EXTRA SUPPORT Insoles – Best for Joint Pain

If you’re looking for a way to fix shoes that are too big but also suffer from joint pain, we recommend the Dr. Scholl’s EXTRA SUPPORT Insoles. These were designed for “big & tall men” who might experience extra pressure on their feet, causing subsequent joint pain in the knees and back.  

These insoles also have the Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Technology that gives you little gel wave ripples to keep you comfortable all day. The padding level of these is substantial through the heel and arch, so they are best used in shoes that are around ½ size too big. 

Features: Extra support for joint pain, Massaging Gel Technology, reinforced arch support, u-shape design for stability, Dr. Scholl’s Responsive Wave Cushioning, textured base

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5. VoMii PU Memory Foam Insoles – Most Comfortable

This is another set of thick insoles that will help you really fill out shoes that are too big. The memory foam in these insoles is incredibly comfortable and highly elastic, which means it won’t become flat over time. When you use these to fix shoes that are too big, you can be sure they’ll hold their shape over time. 

What we like about these insoles is that they are foam all the way through, which makes them nice and flexible in addition to comfortable. We were able to wear these easily in sneakers, dress shoes, and work boots without issue. The gel pad at the heel gives an extra boost of shock absorption during high-impact activities like running. 

The medical-grade memory foam material is also environmentally friendly, super breathable and odor-fighting. 

Features: Arch support, polyurethane and velvet construction, deep heel cradle, shock-absorbing pads, air holes at the ball of the foot, memory foam layering

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6. STASOLE Anti-Fatigue Insoles – Best for Standing All Day

Do you have to stand all day for your job? If so, you definitely know the importance of taking care of your feet. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if you buy your work shoes a bit large just so you can add some extra-supportive insoles. 

The STASOLE Anti-Fatigue Insoles were designed to boost all-day comfort with open-celled polyurethane foam and stabilization pads at the ball and heel. These are also insoles that tend to be comfortable for all arch-types, because of the integrated dynamic arch design. 

The heel cup on these insoles is deeper than most on our list, meaning that it will cradle the heel well while adding a significant amount of support. We’d say this is on the higher end of the padding scale. 

Features: Anti-fatigue design, dual-density polyurethane, contoured biochemical heel cup, shock absorption pad, soft gel pad, forefoot thickness: 3.5 mm, heel thickness: 10 mm, comes in 4 sizes

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7. HYLOON Gel Sports Insoles – Best for Sports Shoes

We keep talking about insoles that would or would not work well in sports shoes. Well, you’ve finally reached our top pick for that category! The HYLOON Gel Sports Insoles offer everything an athlete needs in a shoe insert: odor-reducing and moisture-wicking fabric, anti-slip coating, ventilation holes, and extra heel padding. 

Fixing sports shoes that are too big can be tricky. You want the shoes to fit as well as possible and be flexible enough to allow freedom of motion during different activities. Consequently, you need an insole that bends and adapts instead of a stiff stabilizing insert. 

The HYLOON Gel Sports Insoles focus on triple zone protection to make sure you have impact protection in the heel, ball, and arch at all times. The heel is even further reinforced to help avoid sprains while running.

Features: Sport insoles, ventilation holes, GEL and PU material, honeycomb design, arch support, deep heel cup, anti-slip polyester top layer, triple-zone shock protection

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8. Makryn Heel Grips – Best Heel Liners

By now you might be asking yourself, “Okay but what if I don’t need a full-length insole?” 

That’s a fair question! Often, to fix shoes that are too big, all we need is a little more padding at the back of the shoe. The solution for this can be really simple when you use heel grip liners, like these from Makryn. 

These cowhide leather heel grip liners adhere right to the back of the shoe, near your Achilles tendon, to add about .16 inches of extra padding per liner. You can add multiple to get a custom fit (which is especially helpful if your feet are slightly different sizes). 

What’s great about these liners is that they can really be placed anywhere in the shoe for padding where you need it most. We have used them under the tongue, for example. They are great for preventing chafing and preventing blisters as well. 

Features: Heel grip liner inserts, made of soft flexible leather, self-adhesive, 4 cm wide, 11 cm long, removable

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9. Shoolex Make ‘Em Fit Shoe Filler – Best for Maximum Padding

Some genius at Shoolex took the “wadded-up-toilet-paper” solution we’re all familiar with and decided to make it better. And voila! The Shoolex Make ‘Em Fit Shoe Filler! 

Unlike the other products on this list, this insert goes directly into the toe box of your shoes to provide extra bulk at the front instead of the back. Made of washable, reusable memory foam, these inserts are comfortable and adaptable. They will mold well to your specific shoes so that you can get the best fit possible. 

They are available in 4 sizes and can help adjust fit from ½ size all the way up to two sizes larger. We find these to be most useful for folks who have different sized feet or who suffer from bunions and need to purchase wide shoes.

Features: Toe padding filler insert, memory foam material, molded to fit the front of the shoe, washable, suitable for all shoe types and sizes

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10. Amorva Heel Grips – Best for Flats

Have you been slipping in and out of your dress shoes lately? 

Oftentimes, thickly padded insoles can be a problem in dress shoes because they provide too much height throughout the shoe and end up pushing your heels right out. 

While these heel liners are well-cushioned, they add enough grip to the back to keep your feet firmly in place while walking. The hollow cylinder design means they can adapt to your movements and shift the available space when needed. 

Depending on your shoe size, you can generally expect these to reduce the fit by about ¼ size. The gel used is BPA-free medical-grade silicone that is highly durable and responsive. Each order comes with 3 pairs of heel inserts and a bonus pair of heel liners. 

Features: Hit-and- absorb shock technology, extra-thick top edge, self-adhesive back, medical-grade silicone, BPA-free, hollow cylinder design to adjust the space

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How do you fix shoes that are too big?

There are a number of ways you can fix shoes that are too big. Some are much worse than others (we’re looking at you, Wadded Up Toilet Paper). 

Let’s take a closer look at the most effective ways, so you don’t waste time on the internet’s bad advice. We also recommend reading this detailed guide on how shoes should fit. 

Use Insoles or Inserts

We obviously think that insoles and inserts are the best way to correct shoes that are too big. It’s common sense really. If the shoes are too big, you need to add more material that reduces the open space for your foot. 

While you can add any kind of material to accomplish this, insoles are preferred because they add a level of comfort that you don’t find elsewhere. Socks are commonly recommended as “inserts” to pad your shoes, but that doesn’t work for every type of shoe, and it can make your feet overheat. 

Filling out extra space in your shoes doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Why not improve your comfort or address other foot concerns at the same time? 

Insoles come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can find one that provides support and cushioning in exactly the places you need it. You can even find inserts that are only for one part of the foot (the heel, for example). This is important because you don’t want your insole to fix a problem in one area but cause trouble elsewhere. 

You May Also Like: Best Kids Shoes for Flat Feet

To properly use insoles, first consider the areas where you need extra cushioning. Usually, this is the heel, because heel slippage is what makes big shoes the most uncomfortable. 

If you need to fix running shoes, you want to pay close attention to the toe box as well though, because you want to avoid having your toes crammed into something. This could result in ingrown toenails or much worse. If you think heel slippage is the only issue, you might be able to just use the adhesive heel liners instead of a full-length insole. We have an article on the best insoles for running that you may want to check out.

Once you have a good idea of the type of insole you need, find ones that offer a variety of sizes or can be trimmed to fit your shoes. You do not want to force an insole that doesn’t fit into a shoe that already doesn’t fit. Two wrongs definitely don’t make a right in this situation! 

Once you’ve ordered and received your insoles, remove the existing insoles in your shoes and replace them with your new ones. Make sure they fit perfectly and then try them out for a few hours. 

Make sure you are wearing whatever socks you intend to wear with these specific shoes and engage in your normal activities. You want to check to make sure they don’t slide around in the shoe or cause the fit to be too tight. 

The great thing about insoles is that they aren’t permanent. You can take them out, swap them, and even have multiple different types for the same pair of shoes (to wear with different types of socks or activities, for example). 

You may also like: Best Running Shoes for Orthotics

Shrink Them Down to Size

If you have the right kind of shoes, like canvas or other cotton shoes, you might be able to shrink them. This only works if they are about 1/4 a size too large though, so it won’t work for all situations. 

You can shrink shoes either by spraying them with water and heating them with a blow dryer or by actually running them through the washer and dryer. You may also like our recommendations on the best shoes for standing all day guide here. 

Be very careful before you try either of those methods though because they could ruin shoes that aren’t made for it. Check any tags or labels to see if there are washing instructions. If you don’t have labels, look online for the manufacturer’s website. 

We don’t want you to fix your shoes by destroying them completely!

You may also like: Best Socks for Plantar Fasciitis

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Which is the Best Insole For Shoes That Are Too Big? – Final Thoughts

If you’ve found yourself with shoes that are too big (but you can’t or don’t want to return them), we hope you got some useful information from our reviews. 

There are different insoles to fit every type of shoe and every type of need. But if you just want a good, supportive insole that can take your shoe down about 1/4 to 1/2 a size, we’d go with the Dr. Scholl’s WORK Massaging Gel Advanced Insole. 

It provides great padding that is concentrated in the heel to focus on the most common complaint with big shoes – heel slippage. But as an added bonus, they are incredibly comfortable and will improve the experience of wearing your shoes overall.