13 Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis In 2024, According To Experts

Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis:

With great arch support and cushioning, the sandals are both breathable and comfortable. They also have a plump sole that provides some spring when you’re walking and is indicative of the shoe’s shock absorption capabilities’a real plus for anyone with heel pain. The shoes are easy to take on and off with their unique quick-lace system. One of the best ways to mitigate plantar fasciitis symptoms’especially while wearing sandals’is to keep your feet in place.

The leather upper of the Dansko Reece looks great with dresses, skirts, and trousers’making it a versatile option for work or play. The molded memory foam footbed conforms to the shape of the foot for on-the-go comfort, while the cork insole provides support and absorbs shock. A durable rubber outsole offers traction and stability, whether you’re walking on the street or dancing the night away. If you live in a warm climate, it can be difficult to find sandals that provide enough support for plantar fasciitis. Vionic Reyna Flatform Sandals are designed to provide arch support and cushioning for plantar fasciitis and other conditions that require extra support. The soft leather and suede feel luxurious on your feet, and they were comfortable right out of the box.

While there are a variety of causes for this condition (such as a change in activity or weight gain), wearing the wrong shoes can contribute to the issue. I think the best thing to do is go see a podiatrist about custom orthotics. I got the shots in the heel and was fitted for orthotics and no problems until 2 years ago.

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve extensively written about supportive footwear and Forbes Vetted contributor Becky Eaton, who has plantar fasciitis, tested all the shoes on this list. We also rounded up buying tips for from our panel of podiatrists and answers to commonly asked questions at the end. You can conquer any hill, big or small, with these running shoes, which are a favorite among Prevention editors. The midsole cushions are perfectly springy, which absorbs shock from foot strikes and gives some pep with each stride. ‘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.

Arch support is a crucial factor in ridding yourself of plantar fasciitis pain, Dr. Spector says. There aren’t many water-friendly sandals that also provide the support you need, but the Sanuk Cosmic Waves H2O check all the boxes. There’s no need to worry about losing your footing with these supportive sandals. They’re also quick-drying and adjustable, so you can rest assured you won’t be slipping and sliding or walking around with wet feet any longer than you have to. As an added bonus, there’s a small cushion on the back heel support, which we fell in love with.

And while the rubber soles didn’t give us much spring in our steps, they did keep our feet feeling protected no matter what surface we walked over (including concrete and rocks). In fact, our editor said she felt energized in them and was able to walk for longer distances pain-free than she can in her usual Birkenstocks. Even after 8 straight hours of wearing these sandals, we didn’t experience any blistering or chafing. If you’re someone with narrow feet who’s looking for a sturdy and comfortable yet cute pair of sandals then we highly recommend the Munro Corine Sandals. We realized pretty quickly during testing that these shoes are made for those with narrow feet as even the wider styles still felt narrow. And though they felt firm while we walked in them, that didn’t detract from their level of comfort.

They do a great job keeping your feet in place and allowing you to put in some miles without causing chafing or irritation. We wish they were a little more stylish, but if you’re recovering from plantar fasciitis or have flat feet, it’s worth the trade-off. The sandals also feature a wavy sole that offers a solid grip when walking on different surfaces, while the leather straps are soft and supple next to your skin. Sometimes referred to as ‘heel spur syndrome,’ Dr. Sharkey says people often describe the pain as feeling like a stone bruise on the bottom of their heel.

The Dr. Martens Blaire is a perfect, option for summer, thanks to its breathable and soft lining and open toe design. Lightweight cushion in the footbed gives ample arch support, while the buckle-style straps allow for customizable adjustment. The sandal also has a slight wedge and platform ‘ nothing wrong with adding an extra inch to your gams, right? A great pick, especially if your personal style is on the funky side, we like the idea of wearing these with a flowy maxi skirt or cropped jeans.

The editor who tested these often has a pins-and-needles feeling while walking, but not so when moving around in these supportive everyday sneakers. The Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit shoe is about as close to a custom sneaker as you can buy, thanks to the inserts that allowed us to customize the fit. The insert can act as a kind of booster for your arches, if you need it. We also appreciated the stability of these shoes and how they supported our feet and ankles. Ideally, you’re looking for a cushioned but rigid midsole paired with good arch support.

For those with high arches, these platforms have a raised inner arch to keep your feet supported throughout the day. However, because the arch support design is so significant, the lack of flexibility won’t strain your arches. However, we simply chose a tighter notch on the strap, and that resolved the issue immediately. To take pressure off the fascia, you should avoid going barefoot at all times, Dunn says. That means wearing shoes as often as possible, even when you’re walking around the house. The slip-on style of the slipper also makes it easy to put on when you first step out of bed’just what foot experts recommend.

We also read through countless reviews online to find shoes that met these experts’ criteria and are well-regarded by real users. Similarly, a midsole with ample support and flexibility will help reduce pain throughout the foot. My back doesn’t bother me when I wear these, and I am on my feet all reference day at work besides my workouts,’ wrote one reviewer. These sandals are also expensive and the front strap isn’t great for bunions. On the other hand, these shoes are pricey and not available at most retailers. Plantar fasciitis is commonly an overuse injury, caused by changes to one’s routine.

Your sandals should also be immediately comfortable when you put them on. The thought that you need to break in shoes for comfort is a fallacy, explains Dr. Sharkey. Sandals should feel natural and supportive, with no pressure points pop over to these guys or rubbing. There should also be enough room at the end of the sandals where your toes sit. The sandals have a curved toe box and a higher heel, which creates a U shape when walking and gives you a bit of a push in your stride.

Your foot needs appropriate support in order to alleviate the strain on the plantar fascia. As a result, if you can tolerate wearing shoes all day, then you should, Dr. Spector says. But he acknowledges that most super fast reply people have a hard time doing this, so he recommends a recovery sandal while not wearing shoes. The sole of these sandals is pretty inflexible, and the platform style makes them stable to walk around in.

The shoe also should provide shock absorption, offer comfort, and protect your feet. Because everyone’s feet are different, the type and amount of cushioning will vary. For instance, those with higher arches might need more cushioning than those with a normal arch.