Plantar Fascia Insole vs Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles: which is safer?

Spenco Plantar Fascia Insole is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Spenco Plantar Fascia Insole

Spenco

Plantar Fascia Insole

PFAS grade

D 65/100

Overall grade

F 53/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Foam cushioning, textile upper, no disclosed coating

Confidence

72%

PossibleVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from foam off-gassing

PossibleMicroplastic shedding from foam degradation

PossibleAdhesive toxicity from foam-to-textile bonding

Spenco Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles

Spenco

Propel + Carbon Performance Insoles

PFAS grade

D 65/100

Overall grade

F 45/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 5

Material

Foam cushioning, carbon layer, textile top

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in textile finishing

PossibleAzo dyes in textile coloring

PossiblePolyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics: see the full ranking