How we reviewed this: this is a research-based review. We did not buy or test the product ourselves. We checked the official website, policies and independent customer feedback, and every fact below links to its source. Facts checked 2026-10-30. How we review · Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Quick verdict
Soul Insole is a legit, well-reviewed small company, and its Shoe Bubble is a clever little product. It is a small, clear, sticky gel pad that sits only under your arch, so it fits in sandals, flats, heels and snug shoes where a full insole will not go. It is washable, you can move it from shoe to shoe, and buyers give the company 4.7 stars on Trustpilot.
The honest part: the marketing promises far more than any insole can. “Erase foot pain now and for good” and relief for 20+ conditions are not backed by any study of this product. Research on inserts in general says cheap off-the-shelf inserts help heel pain a little, about as much as custom orthotics, and work best alongside stretching. Buy it for arch comfort and support, not as a cure.
Pros
- ✓ Fits sandals, heels and tight shoes where full insoles do not
- ✓ Washable, reusable and movable between shoes; no trimming
- ✓ 4.7 on Trustpilot from 402 reviews, only 3% one-star
- ✓ Real, patented design from a San Diego company founded in 2016
- ✓ Generous refund policy that accepts worn insoles
Cons
- ✗ Foot-pain marketing goes well beyond the evidence
- ✗ No cushioning under the heel, which is where the best-studied pads help
- ✗ Can feel like too much arch in tight shoes and boots
- ✗ The sticky side can lose grip and collects dirt and hair
- ✗ You pay return shipping, and no product warranty is stated
Check Soul Insole’s current offer →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
What is the Soul Insole Shoe Bubble?
It is a pair of small gel arch pads (one left, one right) that stick inside your shoe, on top of or under the shoe’s own liner. The pad lifts the arch and tapers off before the heel and the ball of the foot, which the company says shifts pressure away from those spots.
- Two thicknesses: Max Support ($29.99) and the thinner Pro-Lite ($27.99, about two-thirds the thickness) for lower arches or shoes that already have support.
- Sizes: S, M and L (Pro-Lite adds XS). If you are between sizes, the company says to choose the smaller one.
- Care: rinse with cool water and a little dish soap, never hand soap, and air-dry to refresh the stickiness.
- How long they last: the company says anywhere from 6 months to 10 years depending on care. There is no independent durability data.
- Patent: real. US Patent 10,299,534 for a “midfoot orthotic shoe insert” was granted in 2019 to founder Laina Gossman. A patent shows the design is new, not that it works.
Does it actually help foot pain?
Here is what the research says about shoe inserts in general. There are no studies of the Shoe Bubble itself.
- Cheap inserts do about as well as custom ones. Two 2018 reviews of 19 and 20 trials found no clear difference between off-the-shelf and custom orthotics for heel pain.
- But the benefit is small. Compared with a fake (sham) insert, real inserts gave only a small improvement in pain, and one review found they were not clearly better than sham or other treatment.
- Use them with stretching. The 2023 physical therapy guideline for heel pain says inserts should not be used alone, and puts stronger weight on calf and plantar fascia stretching, taping and night splints.
- Heel pads did best in one big trial. In a 1999 study of 236 people, a silicone heel pad plus stretching helped 95% of patients. The Shoe Bubble is designed to leave the heel uncushioned, so it is a different approach.
- Most heel pain gets better anyway. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says more than 90% of people with plantar fasciitis improve within 10 months of simple treatment.
Bottom line: as a $30 arch support it is a reasonable thing to try, especially if you need something for sandals or snug shoes. If you have ongoing foot pain, numbness, or pain after surgery, see a podiatrist or doctor first.
Check the “podiatrist recommended” claims
- The brand calls Soul Insole “the #1 choice by top Podiatrists.” There is no data behind “#1 choice.”
- Of the named experts on the product page, only one is a podiatrist, Dr. Emily Splichal, who also sells her own insole line. The others include a chiropractor and a physical therapist.
- Some ads quote a “Dr. Karen Anderson.” That quote does not appear anywhere on Soul Insole’s own website, and we could not tie it to any real podiatrist.
- “400,000+ units sold” and “Award Winning” are company statements; no award is named.
- We found no FDA clearance, and the brand does not claim one. Arch supports like this are low-risk products that do not need FDA review.
How much does it cost?
| Option | Price on 2026-10-30 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pair, partner offer page we link to | $29.99 | Same as the brand’s own store |
| 3 pairs, partner offer page | $59.98 | Buy 2, get 1 free (about $20 a pair) |
| 5 pairs, partner offer page | $89.97 | Buy 3, get 2 free (about $18 a pair) |
| Shoe Bubble Max Support, brand store | $29.99 | Free US shipping only on orders over $35 |
| Shoe Bubble Pro-Lite, brand store | $27.99 | Thinner version |
The price has been about $30 for years. Similar gel and arch inserts from big brands such as Dr. Scholl’s start under $20 in stores.
Refund policy and fine print
- Window: the brand’s refund policy offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. The partner offer page we link to says 60 days, so plan on 60 to be safe.
- Worn insoles are OK: the brand says “Just send us the used inserts” and promises “No Hassle Returns Even After Wearing.”
- Return shipping: you pay it, and original shipping is not refunded.
- Wrong size: you ship them back and the company pays to send the new size.
- Warranty: none is stated; the money-back guarantee is the only protection.
- Real buyer reports: on Trustpilot the company replies to every negative review, usually offering a refund, exchange or smaller size. We found no reviewer saying a refund was refused.
Is Soul Insole legit?
Yes. Soul Insole was founded in San Diego in 2016 by Laina Gossman, who previously ran a San Diego shoe shop specializing in custom orthotics. It launched on Kickstarter, holds a US utility patent and several design patents, and has sold the Shoe Bubble for about 10 years. It is a small company with no BBB profile. We found no FTC action, class action or recall, based on web searches.
What real buyers say
Soul Insole has 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 402 reviews (83% five-star, 3% one-star). Most reviews are from 2020 to 2022, with only 28 in the last 12 months. In a few replies to 2- and 3-star reviews, the company asked buyers to reconsider their rating.
What buyers like: better arch support and less foot fatigue, how small and easy to move they are, and quick, refund-friendly customer service.
What buyers complain about: too much arch for tight shoes or boots, pads that stop sticking or slide, no relief for very flat feet, Morton’s neuroma or pain after surgery, and shipping costs on small orders.
Independent reviewers were positive. RunnerClick rated it 9.5 out of 10 and liked the targeted support and price. Trail Runner magazine found it light and washable but said the sticky side picks up dirt and hair.
How it compares
| Option | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Insole Shoe Bubble | $29.99 | Small gel arch pad; fits sandals and snug shoes; no heel cushion |
| Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis orthotics | $17.96 | Mass-market arch and heel insert, sold in stores |
| Spenco gel heel cups | $16.99 | Heel cushion, similar to the pad that did best in the 1999 trial |
| Superfeet All-Purpose Support | $59.99 | Full-length, firm arch and heel cup; replaces the shoe liner |
| Powerstep Pinnacle | $54.95 | Semi-rigid arch with heel cradle |
| Custom orthotics from a podiatrist | About $300 to $700 | No clear advantage over off-the-shelf inserts for heel pain in studies |
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
A good fit if: you want light arch support in sandals, flats, heels or dress shoes, you like moving one pair between shoes, and you are fine with a modest, comfort-level improvement.
Skip it if: your main pain is in the heel (a heel cup may suit you better), you wear tight boots or narrow shoes, you have very flat feet, or you need treatment after foot surgery. See a professional for pain that does not improve.
See the current Soul Insole offer →
Affiliate link. Prices and offers change, so check the official page.
FAQ
Is Soul Insole legit?
Yes. It is a San Diego company founded in 2016 with a US patent on its design and 4.7 stars on Trustpilot from 402 reviews.
Do Soul Insoles work for plantar fasciitis?
There are no studies of Soul Insole itself. Research on inserts in general shows a small benefit for heel pain, best when combined with stretching. The Shoe Bubble supports the arch but does not cushion the heel.
How much does Soul Insole cost?
$29.99 a pair on 2026-10-30, both on the brand’s store and the partner offer page. The partner page also sold 3 pairs for $59.98 and 5 for $89.97.
Can I return worn Soul Insoles?
The brand says yes. Its refund policy offers 90 days, but the partner offer page says 60 days. You pay return shipping.
Do they work in sandals?
Yes. That is their main advantage. They stick in place and are small enough for sandals, flats and heels.
Max Support or Pro-Lite?
Max Support is thicker for more support. Pro-Lite is about two-thirds the thickness, for lower arches, sensitive feet or shoes that already have support.
Are Soul Insoles FDA approved?
No. We found no FDA clearance, and the brand does not claim one. Simple arch supports do not need FDA review.
Are they really patented?
Yes. US Patent 10,299,534 was granted in 2019 to founder Laina Gossman.
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Sources
- Soul Insole Shoe Bubble product page
- Soul Insole product catalog (prices)
- Soul Insole refund policy
- Soul Insole FAQ
- Soul Insole home page
- US Patent 10,299,534
- HomeCare: Soul Insole founder and history
- Soul Insole on Trustpilot
- RunnerClick Soul Insole review
- Trail Runner: Soul Insoles tested
- Whittaker et al. 2018, orthoses for heel pain
- Rasenberg et al. 2018, orthoses for heel pain
- Pfeffer et al. 1999, heel pads and inserts trial
- JOSPT 2023 heel pain guideline
- AAOS OrthoInfo: plantar fasciitis
- FDA rule for foot orthoses (21 CFR 890.3475)
- Dr. Scholl’s products
- Spenco products
- Superfeet products
- Powerstep products
- Custom orthotic cost