Suffering From Plantar Fasciitis? These Shoes Can Help

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If you’ve ever felt pain in the heel or arch of your foot during exercise — or even while taking those first steps out of bed in the morning — plantar fasciitis could be the culprit. About 10% of adults will experience plantar fasciitis, with most of the cases occurring in people ages 40 to 60. The condition is characterized by pain in the heel, sole or both, and it develops when the ligaments in the heel and sole — plus the band of tissue covering the muscles on the bottom of the feet (called the plantar fascia — become strained and inflamed.

Treating plantar fasciitis can be tricky. “Unfortunately, it’s not a quick thing to resolve plantar fasciitis,” says Claire Morrow, DPT, a San Francisco–based orthopedic clinical specialist and physical-therapy consultant for Hinge Health. “Part of it is it’s just really hard to rest your feet.” This means it can be “a nasty, nagging kind of condition that can last several months, sometimes. It is also the sort of thing that will feel better and then can flare up again,” Morrow says.

Wearing the right footwear is key to kicking plantar fasciitis to the curb. “When you’re treating plantar fasciitis, it’s better to have something perfectly enclosed that hugs the foot and arch to give it that extra boost of support,” says Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist at U.S. Foot & Ankle Specialists in North Carolina. You also want something with a bit of a raised heel “A flat shoe is going to make the ligament and your Achilles tendon in the back of the heel pull too much,” adds Dr. Daughtry.

To help you find the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, we asked doctors, consulted with experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute and scoured reviews. Read on to see our top picks, as well as our FAQ section that answers some of your biggest questions about plantar fasciitis.

Clifton 9

Dr. Daughtry is a fan of Hoka’s shock absorption. “It takes pressure off the leg and the Achilles tendon, and it has more of what’s called a rocker bottom,” she says. That rounded heel takes the stress off the heel when it strikes the ground while cushioning the middle part of the foot. Anecdotally, one Good Housekeeping staff member swears wearing Hoka shoes cured her plantar fasciitis. Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab recommend the Hoka Clifton 9 and the Hoka Bondi 8, both of which are made with soft, ultra-light foam that some reviewers said feels like “walking on a cloud.” Like most shoes on this list, they also bear the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance — which means they're beloved by foot and ankle specialists, too.

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Adrenaline GTS 22 Supportive Running Shoe

The popular running shoe comes in a ton of different colors, and boasts tens of thousands of positive reviews on Amazon. It's got just the right amount of cushioning and support to make it ideal for running, walking and cross-training in comfort — without a lot of excess bulk.

Although different styles, in our experts' tests, Brooks has come out on top for the best walking shoes for men, and earned high marks for the best running shoes for women. A big reason for that is due to soft cushioning found across styles.

GT 2000

In our experts' tests, the GT-2000 came out on top for the best workout shoe for walking, running and other types of exercises. Not only that, due to the support of the shoe (a wider base and gel technology for better shock absorption), one tester even said they felt it even improved their posture. The shoe also comes in fun colors, like the one featured here, as well as more muted versions.

Knit Kita Hands-Free Sneaker

Orthofeet shoes are all about ease. They’re made to slip on, without the need to bend over or even tie and untie the laces — which is especially great for people with back pain or mobility issues. They also come with an orthotic insole and added arch support. "This is my 3rd pair in 6 years of Orthofeet. They're all I wear to the gym and walking, and the only shoes that keep my plantar fasciitis from flaring up," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe

Lots of runners think the Ghost is the GOAT. Our experts think so, too. In their tests, they named the Ghost 14 (the previous model) the best running shoe for plantar fasciitis.

At just 1.12 pounds per pair, these sneakers are super lightweight, and yet they have plenty of soft cushioning to help keep that spring in your step. Testers gave them top marks for comfort and fit, stating they felt great while walking, standing and exercising.

Fresh Foam X 1080

Finding fashionable sneakers in wide widths can be tricky. Thankfully, two types of foam in the midsole make these shoes super-comfy. They earned positive reviews from runners, as well as retail workers and nurses, who spend long hours on their feet.

In fact, when we surveyed nurses and other healthcare professionals about their favorite sneakers for work, New Balance came out on top. For this particular style in other tests, testers gave it gave perfect scores for fit, comfort and cushioning.

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OOahh Slide

Whether you’re looking for post-exercise footwear or just something comfy to wear around the house, tens of thousands of Amazon reviewers love the bouncy ease of OOFOS slides. They’re designed to absorb impact to reduce strain on the ankles, feet, knees and back. Plus, they won’t trap foot stink like other slides can.

According to the brand, the slide absorbs "37% more impact" than other styles on the market, helping to "reduce stress on your feet, joints and back."

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Tide Rhinestone Toe-Post Sandal

Although they haven't tested this exact style, our experts are fans of Vionic. Morrow also recommends Vionic sandals — and she even wears them herself.

It’s no wonder: Vionic is a brand developed by podiatrists. It even has a special category of shoes solely for plantar fasciitis, including sandals, slingbacks, sneakers and slides for recovery. The Tide sandal is a take on the classic flip-flop, but with more style and more arch support. "This Vionic is a staple in my summer wardrobe for easy slip-on and go, with enough support for my plantar fasciitis-prone feet," one Amazon reviewer said.

Kayla Wedge Sandal

Dr. Daughtry is a big fan of NAOT shoes. The slight wedge adds a bit of height. The footbed, made of cork and latex, molds to your feet over time, according to the brand. As a bonus, it has three straps for added stability.

Reviewers with both plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis praise the sandal for letting them walk, work and shop in comfort. " I have had mild plantar fasciitis, and wearing the sandals relieves the symptoms," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

TREAD

The footbeds of KURU shoes are shaped like actual feet, and built to relieve pain, according to the brand. The patented design hugs the heel, reduces impact and anchors the arch.

The rugged, durable TREAD sandals are a great option for all kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking, gardening and camping. Many reviewers specifically mentioned how the shoe helped alleviate their heel pain.

What shoes should you not wear for plantar fasciitis?

You might want to keep those cute strappy sandals or sky-high stilettos in the closet until your plantar fasciitis has subsided. “Avoid shoes with minimal arch support, thin soles or inadequate cushioning, such as flip-flops, ballet flats or high heels,” says Nicole Brouyette, DPM, FACFAS, a specialist in foot and ankle surgery at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. “These can exacerbate plantar-fasciitis symptoms by placing excess strain on the feet and altering biomechanics.” Be sure to put on supportive shoes when working from home, rather than wearing bedroom slippers or going barefoot, which Dr. Daughtry says she sees more often as more people are working remotely.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

It is most often caused by strain to the plantar fascia — the soft tissue that covers the muscles on the bottom of the foot. “Plantar fasciitis tends to go along with an impairment of shock absorption,” Morrow says. Simply put, the more load placed on the foot, the more likely you are to develop plantar fasciitis. If you’ve recently increased your walking or running mileage or started wearing shoes that don’t absorb shock as well (or old shoes that are on their last legs), you could be at risk for plantar fasciitis. People who are heavier are also more likely to develop the condition.

What are some other ways to help plantar fasciitis?

Morrow recommends these stretches, done 2 to 3 times, holding for 20 to 30 seconds each time:

• Standing calf stretch: Face a wall and place both hands on the wall, with one leg back. Lean forward while keeping the back knee straight and your heel on the ground.

• Soleus stretch: Bring the foot a little closer to the wall, bend the knee instead of keeping it straight, with both heels on the ground. It can make the stretch feel closer to the Achilles.

• Kneeling foot stretch: Kneel on the floor, with your toes on the ground and your heels up. Slowly sit back on your ankles. This can be an intense stretch and may be too much, depending on your level of pain, Morrow cautions.

Why does stretching the calf help the bottom of the foot feel better? It’s all about connections. The calf muscles connect to the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the bottom of the foot, so stretching them soothes all the way down to the tips of the toes.

• To help an ouch in the arch, try rolling a cylindrical object under the bottom of the foot, Dr. Daughtry says. She likes using a reusable water bottle, as it can comfortably fit under the arch. Fill up the water bottle, place the bottle on the floor, and roll it back and forth under the arch while seated until you feel some relief.

• Morrow also recommends wearing a nighttime splint brace or splint sock to bed. It holds your toes in a slightly flexed position so your foot gets a gentle stretch all night as you sleep. Try the BraceAbility Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint Sock.

• Lastly, an orthotic insole may help ease pain when inserted into a shoe. The best ones are custom-fitted to your foot by a podiatrist, Dr. Daughtry says. But you can try “OTC” orthotics, like the highly rated Walk-Hero Plantar Fasciitis insoles.

• Some severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require more medical treatment from a podiatrist or other healthcare provider, Dr. Brouyette says. The condition can linger for a long time, so seeing a specialist early on is a good idea. “It’s essential to address plantar fasciitis early to prevent chronic pain and potential complications,” she says.

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