11 Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis In 2023, Per Podiatrists

Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis:

As an avid runner with high arches and chronically tight calves (and now argumentative knees), I’ve been through a few bouts of plantar fasciitis. I’ve tried the majority of the shoes on this list and they all received high marks for comfort, cushion, and support. I also spoke with Parthasarathy to get her recommendations, and read through numerous online reviews to put together this guide.

The arch cushioning had just the right amount of pressure, and walking in the shoes felt like a mini massage with each step. There’s ample room to breathe and move your toes, but they’re also supportive and stable. Asics Gel-Venture 9 running shoes are form-fitting, comfortable, and supportive. We found our feet felt secure and the shoes hugged to our feet, especially in the arch and heel area. In fact, they felt as good as other shoes with orthopedic insoles, and the price is hard to beat considering you probably don’t need to purchase a pair of inserts.

This combination of arch and heel support results in a one-two punch in defeating plantar fasciitis pain. Coming in just 3 solid colors, what the Omni Walker 3 lacks in style, it makes up for in support. It offers moderate arch support, heel stability, and cushioning throughout the footbed and heel. The toe box was designed to offer room to breathe, but if it still feels too narrow for you, the shoe is also available in wide widths. The best shoes for plantar fasciitis support your feet with ample cushioning and sturdy construction.

This slight lift will provide even more support to the part of your foot that needs the most relief. McEneaney loves shoes with a stiff midsole, and these Women’s Health editor-loved shoes feature a full-compression midsole that provides lots of support on long walks. It’s designed to balance your weight throughout the entire foot, and boasts superior cushioning for shock absorption. The shoes fit true to size and felt great on our feet right out of the box. The insole of the shoe is removable and has some unique features, including a little extra foam for cushioning on the ball of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common triggers for heel pain, especially among runners. If you’ve ever felt that stabbing pain in your feet when you take your first steps each morning, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Fortunately, you don’t need to let the condition stop you, even if you love running, but my sources you do need to find a pair of running shoes that provide the right kind of support. “It provides a reliable, smooth, feeling,” our contributor said in her testing of the best Brooks running shoes. That comes through even on hard pavement, roads and streets thanks to its cushioned heel and lightweight, versatile design.”

It only takes one especially uncomfortable flare up of heel and arch pain to realize the importance of proper footwear. Thankfully, the best shoes for plantar fasciitis can relieve the tension in your feet and help you avoid these frustrating days in the first place. We spoke with physical therapists and podiatrists to find the right shoes for anyone who deals with this condition. AVEO MXV Shift Metatarsal sneakers stood out from the rest of the shoes we tried due to their comfortable fit, amazing stability, and excellent arch support. They’re the perfect everyday pair of shoes to prevent flare-ups of plantar fasciitis symptoms. We’ll continue to try shoes for a variety of needs and will keep our list updated with the best of the best.

Not only is it supportive (the footbed is contoured to better fit the shape of your foot), it’s also durable and aesthetically pleasing, he says. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury, and one of the most common causes of heel pain, Dr. Speilfogel says. This occurs when the plantar fascia’which is a thick band of tissue attached to the heel bone that runs along the bottom of the foot to the base of the toes’becomes strained and inflamed. try this While these sandals are extremely comfortable, they are not well-suited for long walks due to the lack of heel support. We also noticed that the design of the toe could lead to some tripping, especially when walking uphill. Because these are boots, they are heavier than other everyday footwear, but they still provide some squishiness and kept our feet and legs from taking a pounding like more traditional boots might have.

‘Not too tight or loose.’ There should be ‘a thumbs-width distance from the tip of the longest toe to the edge of the toe box,’ she continues. You can also look for good cushioning in the arch and make sure you can’t bend the shoe in half. These sandals have an attractive design that can double as casual or dress wear for all-day comfort. try what he says Even though they’re made for plantar fasciitis support, the wood-look platform and suede straps give them a stylish look. Designed by a podiatrist, they offer the lightweight on-and-off ease of a flip flop but provide the extra support you require. Another Asics offering, the GEL-1090′ V2 is both fashionable and functional.

Our editor who has both plantar fasciitis and flat feet found the cushioning to be a perfect balance of firmness and flexibility. Dr. Sims likes the highly cushioned Hoka Ora 3 slide specifically for wearing around the house. He says they’re a great alternative to walking around barefoot, which can be an added strain on your plantar fascia. And we like them because they come in just about every color of the rainbow. The Torhill Penny Loafer is a ‘perfect dress shoe for someone with plantar fasciitis,’ according to Dr. Bhular.

The toe box provided ample wiggle room, and the shock-absorption was superb, resulting in reduced ankle and knee pain. The shoes combine a stretchy, breathable upper with generous toe space for a cool, roomy experience, even during long runs. The supportive heel provided great stability during our testing, although the arch support might be a bit lacking if you need more lift. The fit, fabric, and construction all hit the high level of quality for which Brooks is known. We especially liked wearing these shoes during low-impact activities like treadmill sessions, errands, and walking. Well take a pause, because that aching could be plantar fasciitis’which is a big deal when ignored.

Bui warns that though these shoes are great, they may take some getting used to. After a week, I realized it was because these shoes matched the shape of my foot,’ he notes. One of the major contributors is having tight calves, especially if you wear shoes with a higher heel lift, says Stephen Bui, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a sports medicine and podiatric surgeon. Others include new or increased activity, standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time, and having flat feet or high arches, per the AAOS. Though you’re likely to wear dress shoes less than casual or athletic shoes, you still need to be sure that your plantar fascia is fully supported. You can find a great dressy plantar fasciitis shoe in Dansko, Vionic, Orthofeet, and Naot brands.

Available in enough stylish designs to be considered a dressy plantar fasciitis shoe, the Keli also makes a good work shoe. Worn often by nurses, these shoes are supportive and comfortable enough for extensive walking. These ankle boots are one of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis when it comes to versatility. They’re easy to slide on and off, stylish enough for a dress or work shoe, and comfortable enough for wear in any season. This attractive wedge sandal is a great supportive shoe for dressier occasions. It doesn’t have the look of a ‘comfort’ shoe, though it provides good arch support and comfort for all-day wear.

We also rounded up buying tips for from our panel of podiatrists and answers to commonly asked questions at the end. We love the thick suede footbed, which provides just the right amount of support, cushion, and shock absorption. The arch support is also a welcome feature for anyone who has high arches. Despite the sturdy soles, we didn’t find these sandals required a break-in period, and we wore them comfortably right out of the box. No matter what shoe you’re wearing, these silicone insoles will stay in place all day thanks to their self-adhesive base.

‘Having a removable insole is a big plus so that one can put their own custom or over-the-counter orthotic into the shoe, which is very beneficial for healing from plantar fasciitis,’ Pruthi explains. Better yet, the upper has a padded tongue and collar for additional support and comfort’and runners absolutely love these things. For long-term sufferers, it is recommended that you consider shoe inserts or orthotics designed to alleviate pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Both can protect your feet and speed up the recovery process, meaning you can be out and about in no time.