Synthetic Athletic Insoles & Orthotics, ranked by PFAS safety
30 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
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The best non-toxic synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Powerstep
Pulse Performance Insoles
EVA foam, gel, fabric blend
Azo dyes in fabric blend
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
These insoles likely skip PFAS, but the brand says nothing about it.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
PULSE E
foam insoles, textile upper
Azo dyes in textile coloring
Limited concern
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
No PFAS risk data exists; products like this usually pose lower concern if untreated.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
PULSE Maxx Orthotic Running Shoe Insert
Foam, fabric, and elastomer blend
Polyurethane foam degradation and volatile release
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from uncertified materials
Limited concern
PFAS concern is unlikely, though brand silence limits certainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pulse Thin Insoles
Foam, fabric, gel components
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
Limited concern
Gel cushioning degradation and microleaching
Limited concern
Fabric coating or adhesive residues
Limited concern
No known PFAS risk, but the brand discloses nothing about materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles
EVA foam, nylon mesh, leather, fiberglass arch support
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Allergens from leather tanning byproducts
Limited concern
Lower concern; core materials are inherently PFAS-free with no chemical treatment revealed.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Archmolds Maximum Orthotic Insoles
EVA foam, neoprene, fabric backing
Neoprene manufacturing residue
Limited concern
Adhesive degradation under moisture
Moderate concern
Azo dyes in colored fabric backing
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; no known high-risk treatments in this product type.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pinnacle Low Insoles
Foam, fabric, leather
Azo dyes in fabric covering
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from dyes or leather finishing chemicals
Limited concern
Lower concern insole, but confirm materials with the brand if PFAS matters to you.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Propel Performance Insoles
foam cushioning, gel, fabric blend
Azo dyes in topsheet fabric
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation over time
Moderate concern
Gel layer contamination if damaged
Limited concern
Insoles use standard foam and gel; no known PFAS triggers found.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Trim To Fit Sport Cushion Insole
Foam cushioning, textile upper cover
Foam off-gassing and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Limited concern
Degradation and microparticle shedding from foam
Limited concern
Lower concern; sport insole has no known PFAS-prone features.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Polysorb Cross Trainer Insole
Polysorb foam cushioning, composition not fully disclosed
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in fabric
Limited concern
Foam degradation and microparticle release
Moderate concern
Chemical off-gassing (VOCs) from adhesives
Limited concern
Insole foam likely avoids PFAS, but no brand transparency exists.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Bridge Insoles
foam, gel, textile layers
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and mold in gel or foam layers
Limited concern
Limited PFAS risk is likely, but the brand says nothing about it.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles
Foam cushioning, carbon layer, textile top
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in textile coloring
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester textile backing
Limited concern
Lower concern; insole design lacks PFAS-typical coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Plantar Fascia Insole
Foam cushioning, textile upper, no disclosed coating
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from foam off-gassing
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from foam degradation
Limited concern
Adhesive toxicity from foam-to-textile bonding
Limited concern
Lower concern with no PFAS-typical features; brand stays silent on composition.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Medical RX Insole | Green
Foam, rubber, textile composite insole
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Adhesive or bonding agent residues
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth if not maintained
Limited concern
Lower concern; standard insole materials aren't typical PFAS risks.
⚠Risky category by default
Spenco
Gel Comfort Insoles
Gel cushioning with foam/textile upper
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Allergic sensitization from materials
Limited concern
Lower concern; gel and foam bases are unlikely PFAS sources.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Women's Slim Fit Insole
foam, gel, or textile insole construction
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in top fabric
Limited concern
Microbial and fungal growth in foam
High concern
Insole material is inherently lower PFAS risk; no brand disclosure found.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Active Full Insole
Foam cushioning, textile upper
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
High concern
Adhesive residues between foam and textile
Limited concern
Azo dyes in textile coloring
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical insole without known PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Unisex Active Orthotic Full Length Insole
EVA foam, fabric backing, polyurethane adhesive
Polyurethane adhesive degradation and skin contact
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Lower concern insole; common foam materials without waterproofing treatment indicated.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Relief 3QTR Insole
foam, gel, or fabric cushioning
Azo dyes in fabric topcoat
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Insole materials unlikely to contain PFAS, but Vionic provides no disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Women's Active Full Length Insole
EVA foam, arch support structure
Phthalates
Limited concern
Lower concern for typical EVA insole; no PFAS disclosure needed.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Orthotic
Foam insoles, synthetic upper, textile lining
Foam degradation and particulate release
Limited concern
Orthotic footwear poses lower concern absent waterproof treatment disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Women's Slim Fit Insoles
foam cushioning, fabric topcover
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from foam off-gassing
Limited concern
Degradation and microparticle shedding over time
Limited concern
Bacterial or fungal growth if moisture retained
Limited concern
Lower concern, but no public PFAS disclosure from brand.
⚠Risky category by default
Vionic
Relief 3/4 Orthotic Insoles
Foam, gel, and textile insole base
Foam degradation and microparticles
Limited concern
Gel leaching or hardening
Limited concern
Azo dyes in textile layer
Limited concern
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone materials in insole design.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Men's K-10 Outdoor Replacement Insole
EVA foam, textile mesh, rubber base
EVA degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Rubber base adhesive leachables
Limited concern
Lower concern; standard insole materials without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
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