17 Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis, According To Podiatrists

Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Women:

The shoe also has foot-conforming footbed cushioning and specialized shock-absorbent heel support to minimize plantar fasciitis stress. Some reviewers note that the extra-cushioned heel construction has helped relieve their plantar fasciitis pain. These feature the legendary Birkenstock two-strap design, each adjustable via a metal pin buckle. They’re also a pair recommended by Parthasarathy, ‘The cork footbed provides shock absorption and arch support,’ she says. Also recommended by Parthasarathy, these slip-ons from Dansko feature the company’s natural arch technology for a molded arch shape that feels supportive through hours of wear.

He says an unsupportive pair of shoes can force the plantar fascia tissue to stretch beyond normal limits, which can lead to micro tearing and even become an injury over time. According to podiatrist Dr. Patrick McEneaney, DPM, you’ll know you have plantar fasciitis if you experience heel pain in your first step in the morning, after a long period of driving, or after a workout. The Brooks Addiction Walker is a doctor-recommended, patient-endorsed walking shoe for people of all ages, particularly those with diabetes-related foot issues. While the shoe is incredibly simple in appearance, the construction of the highly-rated walking shoe is more complex. It features midsole HydroFlow technology, which adds extra cushioning with dynamic gel units in the heel and forefoot.

They have a springy Vibram sole as well as a removable triple-density foam insole making them perfect for travel or city walking. We documented every detail of the shoes we tried, from the cushioning and the construction to the advice responsiveness and the arch support. We also paid close attention to the shoe’s fit and toe box and considered how comfortable the shoes were on our feet as well as how our plantar fasciitis responded to wearing the shoes.

We were able to push into the next step with minimal effort, as the cushion of the arch acted like a springboard. Unfortunately, we did not have the same experience when running, as you can try these out our editor’s arches were less supported than we would like. Still, these are great shoes and provide the support needed while walking, running errands, or playing with the kids.

As an internationally recognized health writer and product guru, Leah Groth understands that nobody wants to waste their time or money on products that fail to rear results. As with most insoles, the shape of these might not perfectly match your foot, but it’s easy to trim the insoles to get a better fit. Available in both wide and narrow sizes, this shoe also ensures you’ll get a perfect fit no matter your foot shape. Our editors noted that this shoe was incredibly stable though not the most responsive, so look to something like the Brooks Ariel GTS 23 if you have a need for more speed. These shoes are also very breathable, so you might want to wear thicker socks while running in cold weather. One of our editors experienced some achilles pain but noted that it decreased while running in these shoes.

The breathable mesh upper, plush tongue, and extended heel pull deliver superb functionality. The snug fit (see note around sizing below) held every part of our feet firmly in place. Although the additional cushioning definitely reduced space for our toes, the trade-off is extra stability, which will appeal to anyone carrying knee or ankle injuries. The shoes come in medium, wide, and extra-wide sizings, so we’d recommend trying on a few variations before settling on the right fit. While we found these shoes difficult to fault, it’s worth noting that the medium arch support might be lacking for runners with higher arches.

If you’re looking for an expert-approved flat to wear daily, this one is a great bet for those with plantar fasciitis. In fact, all of Vionic’s shoes are made with podiatrist-designed footbeds that can help with plantar fasciitis in addition to bunions, heel spurs, and lower back pain, according to the brand. Finding the right heel drop of plantar fasciitis is ‘a delicate balance,’ says Dr. Lobkova. ‘A zero drop shoe would be detrimental because of the excessive stress on the heel.

The Fresh Foam midsole feels thick and bouncy without adding heft, and gives your foot plenty of protection from the impact of the pavement. There are a number of factors to consider when shopping for a good shoe to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain, and most will vary by individual. But choosing a well-fitting shoe is essential, no matter what brand or model you purchase. Mendeszoon recommends getting a professional fit at a running store’while both sitting and standing’at least once a year. We loved that the heel is slightly elevated, allowing you to maintain great motion with each stride.

If someone has a high-arched foot, then they would be placed into a neutral shoe. We especially like the added cushioning in the arch and tongue of the shoe. The removable insoles are easy to keep clean, and the step-on heel design makes the shoes easy to slip on and the advantage off. Keep in mind that they do run on the large side, so be sure to check manufacturer sizing recommendations before you purchase. We especially loved the feel of the shoe’s sole and insole, which is made of a dense foam material that is both springy and supportive.

Go from smart-casual to straight up casual with these extra-cushioned shoes. Specifically designed for those suffering with Plantar Fasciitis, you’ll be looking stylish and feeling comfortable. Nike uses the React foam in this shoe’s midsole in its basketball shoes, as well’with good reason. That thick slab of energetic foam can handle some serious pounding, and dampens the force of your foot against the pavement with every stride. The effect is that your soles feel more protected with each bouncy and well-cushioned impact.

But that was the only downside we could find in this shoe for plantar fasciitis, which felt absolutely idyllic wearing from morning to night. These New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers have a dual-layer foam midsole that cushioned our feet when we were walking around’which was exactly what we want to alleviate the pain and pressure caused by plantar fasciitis. Plus, these shoes offer excellent support and stability, particularly for people with high arches. With their supportive cushioning, a pair of Dansko Pace walking shoes provides both arch support and solid security for people with plantar fasciitis.

If you find a shoe that checks all the boxes except for this one, you can add a heel-only insert (like this one from Dr. Scholl’s) and get a similar effect. This version of the Kayano helps stabilize your foot, to avoid rolling inward while running. But medically speaking it’s the inflammation of and trauma to a specific ligament in your foot. If you have wider arches you might find the arch area to be a bit too snug. However, when we unboxed them they were much more attractive than we expected.

The secure heel cup keeps our feet firmly in place, while the wide toe box provides plenty of room for our toes to spread out. And during all kinds of activities’from walking to Zumba’we’ve noticed this sneaker kept our pain at bay. If you have high arches, you’re especially prone to plantar fasciitis, Daughtry confirms’which means finding a walking shoe with the right amount of arch support is even more important. Our favorite is New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 880v13 because of its removable insoles’ meaning you can customize the level of support by adding your own orthotics if the design doesn’t quite work for you. As a health and fitness editor who has been regularly testing all categories of activewear since 2009, Jen Ator has nearly 15 years of pinpointing the highs and lows of footwear.