The 12 Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, According to a Podiatrist
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If you’ve ever dealt with throbbing pain on your heels—particularly right after you wake up in the morning—you know the true discomfort of plantar fasciitis, essentially inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel bone and metatarsals. And if you're feeling that ache, you're not alone: “This is the most common cause of heel pain and is usually the worst in the morning and after periods of rest,” says Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist at City Podiatry.
It can also make your go-to shoes—particularly if they're worn or too tight—extremely uncomfortable and painful. If you have plantar fasciitis, Dr. Sutera recommends shoes that offer cushion, arch support and a deep-seated heel cup. (Even having cushioned slippers at home can help.)
Using the doctor's recommendations as our guidelines, we scoured the market to find the 12 best shoes for plantar fasciitis, whether you're planning to wear 'em indoors or out. And at the bottom, we're answering some of your FAQ's about shoe shopping, including Dr. Sutera's "tabletop test" to determine when you need a new pair of kicks.
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Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis at a Glance
Meet the Expert
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, is a podiatrist at City Podiatry and is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery. She earned her medical degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in Manhattan and specializes in women’s foot care.
How We Chose the Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
To pick the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, we spoke with podiatrists to get their input on what features to look for in a more comfortable shoe as well as any specific recommendations they had. From there, we narrowed options that fit the specs and chose shoes with a variety of styles and at different price points. Just because you’re dealing with foot pain does not mean you need to be limited to dad shoes!
The 28 Most Comfortable Sneakers for Women
1. On Running Cloudflyer
On Running makes some of the supportive and stylish sneakers on the market, which is what you need if you don’t want to wear something that screams orthopedic shoes. The holes at the sole provide a nice, supportive bounce and have textured grip for stability with each step. This also helps absorb the impact of different surfaces, so your heel won’t face the pain of an uneven step. The interior of the shoe is quite roomy and supports the back of your foot with a molded sock-liner and external heel counter. We also love the split-color design, which adds character without skewing over the top.
2. Vionic Uptown Hybrid Penny Loafer
Dr. Sutera recommends these loafers from Vionic that are created with a deep heel cup and arch support—all things helpful for those with plantar fasciitis. Reviewed by The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) with a Seal of Acceptance, these shoes were designed to protect heels from impact and cushion as you walk. The loafer comes in 10 different styles, so you don’t have to be limited to sneakers to relieve your aching feet.
3. Hoka Bondi 8
Hokas are probably the first shoe that comes to mind when we think of orthopedic shoes—and with good reason. The Bondi 8s, in particular, help relieve heel impact with a memory foam collar and a rear crash pad at the back. They also offer more neutral support for your every day strides but the curved sole keeps your steps from landing flat and being too hard on the heel. They’re a bit bulky, sure, but they have earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance and have been reviewed by podiatrists as an orthopedic shoe, making them a great fit for those with PF.
4. Brooks Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe
Just because you’re dealing with foot pain doesn’t mean it’s impossible to run. The popular Brooks Ghost has been updated with new cushioning that is a mix of rubber, air and light foam that can help lighten the impact of heavy landings. The neutral running shoe has enough support for a smoother ride, and the soft midsole and segmented crash pad help protect the heel with any missteps. These kicks have also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance as running shoes.
6. Merrell Bravada 2 Hiking Shoe
Slippery rocks, bulky roots and muddy bridges are no match for these grippy and supportive hiking shoes from Merrel. The supportive, contoured footbed is great for those with heel pain, and the bouncy sole can help with feeling the impact of various elements on your hikes. The mesh exterior is extremely breathable for long miles uphill and the font rock plate gives some added protection.
7. Olukai Ohana Beach Sandals
Your current worn-down flip flops probably aren’t doing your plantar fasciitis any favors. But the thick soles on Olukai flip flops offer great shock absorption and have good arch support. Made with a compression-molded EVA midsole, this pair has a drop-in footbed for a fit that feels like it's custom-molded to your foot. These sandals are made for the beach: They're water-resistant and quick-drying for the ultimate comfortable summer shoe.
8. Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit Shoe
Available in both wide and extra-wide sizing, these sneakers give your foot (and heel) room to breathe. These orthopedic shoes feature stretchy and breathable fabric for easier movement and ventilation, and they’re designed for plantar fasciitis. Foam padding around pressure points provides relief for sensitive soles, and the arch booster helps realign the foot for better stability. (Not to mention they’re comfortable enough to wear all day.)
9. Dansko Pace Walking Shoe
Arch support is key for those with plantar fasciitis because it helps take some of the pressure off the heel. The extra shock-absorbing cushion in the heel, coupled with a rim around the heel cup, makes these sneakers a supportive hero. The solid arch support is sturdy enough to stay intact during daily wear, so you won’t have to replace them too frequently. They might not be the most stylish shoes, but they offer plenty of comfort and stability.
10. Cole Haan Originalgrand Platform Wing Tip Oxfords
These upgraded Oxfords are so cute you wouldn’t think of them as orthopedic footwear. But thanks to the hidden heavily padded, foam-y midsoles they’ll feel as cushioned as a sneaker. The added bonus of rubber in the heel and forefoot gives plenty of stability while still feeling lightweight on a work commute. However, if you’re going to be on your feet all day, you might want to opt for sneaks with a little more arch support.
11. ERGOfoot Orthotic Slippers
When you’re at home, it’s time to slip into the most comfortable and supportive slippers around. The ERGOfoot Orthotic Slippers are one of the few slippers with build-in arch support for comfort and a deep heel cup for extra support on your heels. It will feel so much better than walking barefoot on your feet. The soft velvet lining makes them cozy enough to want to keep on at all times, and the wave pattern tread on the bottom absorbs shockwaves and helps prevent slips.
12. Vionic Rejuvenate Slides
Whether you’ve logged in several miles or have been on your feet all day, these arched slides should help relieve pressure on achy soles. The slip-on style and square round-toe silhouette feels both stylish and functional as the it provides enough cushioning for plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions that require extra support. It’s a favorite of Dr. Sutera with a textured, massaging EVA footbed with oversized sidewall and deep heel cup for extra support on the rear.
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
