Editors Say These Sneakers May Help Alleviate Plantar Fasciitis Pain

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For anyone that’s ever had plantar fasciitis, you know just how painful the chronic condition can be. It occurs when the plantar fascia—aka the band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toe—gets inflamed. This puts pressure on the area, and even standing on it can be extremely painful, especially if you have a job or lifestyle that requires you to be walking a lot. That's because the plantar fascia is a key ligament in both shock absorption and in supporting the arch.

“One of the main causes of plantar fasciitis is overuse of the plantar fascia due to poor shoe gear,” says podiatrist Timothy A Karthas, DPM. According to experts we've spoken with, fixing plantar fasciitis requires a combination of treatments like stretching, therapy, and massages. But Karthas says that if you are experiencing symptoms and still plan to be on your feet for hours, your first order of business should be to invest in a quality walking shoe for plantar fasciitis. “The right shoe can help reduce the forces on the plantar fascia and allow it to heal,” he says.

Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

What to Consider

Cushioning

In general, look for sneakers that have a well-cushioned sole that puts a barrier between your arch and a hard surface, helping to reduce the impact on your feet. Whereas with running shoes for plantar fasciitis, you’ll want to look out for a slightly stiffer sole; walking shoes should have more cushioning as well as flex and blend.

Arch Support

Podiatrists we spoke with say that the right shoe will keep your foot in a neutral position. In other words, you want a sneaker that will support both the lateral and medial sides of your feet to keep them from rolling in (overpronation), or rolling out (supination). Keeping your feet locked in and secure will help prevent plantar fasciitis pain. "It is paramount that we all be in neutral alignment [when walking], and that starts with our feet all the way up to our knees, hips, and lower back,” podiatrist Bradley Schaeffer, DPM, previously told WH.

Drop

You also want something with a bit of a raised heel. In sneaker speak, that means a larger heel-to-toe drop. Experts we spoke with recommend around a 10 millimeter drop. "This helps reduce dorsiflexion during running and decrease the load on the Achilles and plantar fascia," personal trainer Melissa Kendter, ACE, previously told WH. Dorsiflexion refers to the position your foot is in when it hits the ground. Also, an increased drop keeps your plantar fascia from overstretching as you step, which can also help prevent pain in that area.

How we selected

Our WH team has collectively tried more than 100 sneakers in the past year. For this story, we combed through our extensive shoe testing notes, and considered the best walking sneakers that were ideal for people with plantar fasciitis. We looked for shoes that had the right balance of cushioning and support, and also had a large heel-to-drop. Our picks aren't all just about function. Our team also considered shoes that looked as great as they performed.

Keep reading for the six best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis.

DMX Comfort +

After testing countless walking sneaks for a year, multiple WH editors say that Reebok's DMX Comfort+ is the best sneaker overall, especially for people with plantar fasciitis. We love the EVA midsole, which is cushioned but not so plush that it affects our stability. In fact, our WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos has dealt with plantar fasciitis, and says that the DMX Comfort + is her "savior walking sneaker."

"They are slightly heavier feeling on my feet than other walking shoes, but that helps me feel really grounded with each step," Andriakos wrote in her review of the best walking shoes. "The thick sole and rocker make me feel supported with every step and propel me forward, so I don't have to overexert myself on long walks." While Reebok sneaks aren't known for stability like Brooks shoes, our testers found that the DMX Comfort + has a firm-but-cushioned midsole that kept our feet in neutral alignment. Plus, we have to commend the value. It's cheaper than a lot of the trendier sneakers on this list, including Hoka, but delivers just as much comfort.

In other words, the DMX Comfort +'s ample cushioning and rocker style helps take pressure off your plantar fascia. That means more walking, and less pain. No wonder it received a 2024 WH Fitness Award.

Read more: Best Running Shoes For Women

GT-2000 12

While the GT-2000 is designed specifically for people with flat feet, Karthas as well as our testers say it works just as well for people with normal arches. That's because the GT-2000 12 is Asics' most stable shoe. We found that its solid-but-cushioned midsole locked our feet in neutral alignment. We also love the shoe's medial arch support, which elevates the underside of the arch and shortens the range of strain.

The sneak's three levels of cushioning provides shock absorption and soft heel strikes, meaning there's less pressure on your fascia with each step. Karthas calls the arch support and cushioning a winning combo for those with plantar fasciitis. In fact, our editors who have suffered from foot pain have walked in the GT-2000 for miles and found that they had minimal to no aches. Just note that if you are accustomed to Asic's Nimbus model, this is a little less plush.

Clifton 9

We've waxed poetic about the Clifton 9's credentials as a great running shoe. But after walking miles in it, we found that it's also a great everyday sneak for getting your steps in. "It features a max stack height for excellent cushioning, and is suitable for long days on your feet," says podiatrist Daniel Geller.

This ninth iteration from the brand comes with a few tweaks. It has a bit more foam to the midsole and a lighter weight. The extra padding around the collar, tongue, and heel as well as engineered mesh breathes and flexes with the foot.

Based on our extensive testing, the cushioned heel paired with the compression foam midsole adds support and takes pressure off your heel and plantar fascia while you stand. Plus, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) gives this sneaker its seal of approval.

Read more: Hoka Clifton 9 Review

Speedgoat 5

If you need a cushioned sneak to get you through rougher terrain, the Speedgoat 5 is your girl. Hoka cuts down on its famed cushioning for a responsive midsole that also provides ample stability. Combined with its grippy sole and redesigned lugs, this sneak kept our feet firmly planted (and free of any aches) during our rugged summer hikes.

This stability helps to avoid the pain in the center of the foot associated with plantar fasciitis. The roomy toe box and protective toe rand is flexible and wraps around the front area of the shoe to keep feet comfortable while power walking.

Read more: Best Hoka Walking Shoes

Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoe

The Adrenaline GTS 23 is Brooks' most stable shoe and is the epitome of comfort with focus on pronation control and plantar fasciitis relief. We love the brand's famed GuardRails technology, which features insoles that are firm on the sides and plush in the middle to help control our feet from rolling during our walks.

The style also offers a big 12mm drop from heel to toe. In our testing, this drop puts more weight on the forefoot and away from our plantar fascia to provide pain relief. Though take note, we found that the Adrenaline GTS is even more solid than the GT-2000, so it might not be the best pick for walkers who prefer a more plush sneaker.

Read more: Best Motion Control Shoes

Fresh Foam X More v4

If you’re going to be walking long distances, recruit this extra cushioned sneak from New Balance. We love the brand's signature foam technology, which is the thickest insole from New Balance. "The cushioning is better than running on a cloud, and it adds buoyancy to every stride," says WH contributor Jennifer Nied in her testing of the best New Balance shoes.

We also like the rocker silhouette, in which the sole is curved like a rocking chair. This helps take away impact from your strides. Combined with the plush insole, our testers with plantar fasciitis say that the Fresh Foam X More provides a smooth ride with minimal foot pain even after walking in it for a mile.

Plus, we like the breathable mesh upper, which kept our feet cool and dry during our hot girl walks. Just note that this style offers a lower heel-to-toe drop, so it may not provide optimal support for people with achilles issues or severe plantar fasciitis.

Meet the experts

• Timothy A Karthas, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon in Peabody, MA.

• Daniel Geller, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist with Kane Footwear.

Shop more of our favorite sneakers

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