If you can slide your hand under your arch while standing, and your heel and the ball of your foot ache or build up hard skin, you may have high arches (pes cavus). The right support can cushion those pressure points and help your feet feel comfortable for longer.
What high & supinated arches are
A high arch is the opposite of a flat foot — the inside arch is raised, so the midfoot barely touches the ground. With so little of the foot in contact, your weight lands almost entirely on the heel and the ball of the foot. High arches often come with supination (also called underpronation), where the foot rolls outward rather than rolling inward to cushion each step.
Some people are simply built this way; for others a high arch develops over time. Either way, it changes how — and where — your feet absorb impact.
Signs & symptoms
High arches don’t always cause trouble, but when they do the signs are fairly consistent:
- Pressure, soreness or burning under the heel and ball of the foot
- A feeling of ankle instability — wobbling or turning the ankle easily
- Calluses or hard skin building up under the heel and forefoot
- Poor shock absorption, so each step feels jarring and tiring
- Shoes wearing down faster on the outer edge of the sole
- Clawing of the toes, or arches that look high even when you stand
Why it happens
High arches are frequently hereditary, but the discomfort comes from the mechanics: a rigid, high arch can’t flatten to absorb shock the way an average foot does, so the impact of every step is funnelled into two small areas. Over time those concentrated pressure points lead to the soreness, hard skin and tired feet that bring people in.
How custom insoles help
This is where a biomechanics-led approach matters. Custom orthopaedic insoles are built to your exact arch height, heel alignment and gait — not a generic shape — so they:
- Cushion the heel and ball of the foot, softening the impact those areas take
- Fill the arch with total-contact support, so the midfoot finally shares the load
- Spread pressure across the whole foot, easing the concentrated sore spots
The aim isn’t to flatten your arch — it’s to give a high, rigid foot the contact and cushioning it’s missing so the load is shared rather than dumped on two points. For many people that’s the difference between jarring, tired feet and getting through the day comfortably. Pairing insoles with supportive orthopaedic footwear helps the support do its job.
Related conditions
Because high arches load the heel so heavily, they often go hand in hand with heel pain. If your heel feels sore or sharp — especially first thing in the morning — read about heel pain too.
Our fitting process
In Pune? Your first fitting is free. Walk into our Budhwar Peth shop and we’ll study your gait, arch type and pressure points hands-on, then capture a precise impression of your feet.
Anywhere else in India? Our online fitting (₹499, fully credited to your insole order) assesses your feet over video and from a few photos, then we craft and courier your custom insoles to your door.
An honest note
We’re a specialist fitting shop, not a medical clinic. Custom insoles are about support and relief — they cushion the pressure points and help your feet load more comfortably. They’re not a medical treatment, and they won’t reshape a high arch. If you have severe pain, numbness, swelling, repeated ankle sprains or a foot that’s changing shape, please see your doctor for a proper diagnosis first; we’re always happy to work alongside their advice.
Frequently asked questions
What are high arches (supination)?
High arches — sometimes called pes cavus — mean the arch sits higher than usual, so very little of the foot touches the ground. This often comes with supination, where the foot rolls outward instead of rolling in to absorb shock. The result is that your weight lands on just the heel and the ball of the foot.
Why do my heel and the ball of my foot hurt?
With a high arch, the midfoot barely makes contact, so your body weight is concentrated on two small areas — the heel and the ball of the foot. Those spots take a pounding with every step. Custom insoles spread that load across more of the foot, which is what relieves the pressure points.
How can insoles help high arches?
Generic insoles rarely fill the gap under a high arch. Custom orthopaedic insoles are built to your exact arch height with total-contact support, so the midfoot finally carries some of the load. Added cushioning under the heel and ball softens impact and spreads pressure away from the sore areas.
Do high arches cause ankle instability?
They can. Because a supinated foot rolls outward and contacts less ground, it’s easier to feel wobbly or to roll an ankle. Custom insoles add a stable, total-contact base that helps the foot feel more planted. For repeated ankle sprains, also see your doctor for a proper assessment.
How long until cushioning insoles feel comfortable?
Most people adjust within 1–2 weeks as the feet get used to fuller support under the arch. We suggest easing them in over a few days rather than all at once. We follow up after you start wearing them to make sure the fit feels right.