Best Shoes To Buy For Plantar Fasciitis

To determine the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two podiatrists who gave their top shoe picks and the reasoning behind why they recommend them. Star ratings and superlatives were then determined by the Forbes Health editorial team based on price, average user ratings and the amount of available color options.

best shoes to buy for plantar fasciitis

When we go home, our initial reaction is to take our shoes off and relax. However, this tendency can exacerbate plantar fasciitis symptoms. To avoid barefoot walking and prevent pain, slip on some Oofos to wear around the house. Their proprietary footbed reduces pain across multiple joints, including the knee and ankle, and OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional shoes, according to the company. Plus, arch support accommodates your foot with a soft cushion footbed.

While these shoes can be helpful for a variety of foot issues, Susek finds them particularly useful for plantar fasciitis. They have extra heel cushioning compared to other shoes, as well as a deep heel cup with good anatomic arch support that makes them both comfortable and stabilizing. The mild rocker bottom helps reduce pressure at the most painful point of the plantar fascia (where the tissue inserts into the heel bone), and the arch booster system allows for additional insoles to be added as needed. In terms of wearability, these shoes come with the option of straps or laces and offer a wide toe box for extra comfort.

To determine the best shoes for plantar fasciitis of 2023, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of podiatrists who shared their top shoe picks and why they recommend them. Star ratings and superlatives were then determined by the Forbes Health editorial team based on price, average user satisfaction and the number of color options available.

The plantar fascia plays an important role in how you walk, providing arch support throughout the length of the foot while also helping with shock absorption. Repeated stress or overload to this tissue can lead to inflammation at one of its attachment points. The most common site of plantar fasciitis pain is at the heel bone. Pain is usually worse with barefoot walking (especially those first few steps in the morning), walking in flat-soled shoes and with increased activity.

Many factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis, but the main culprits usually include a combination of foot muscle weakness, overtraining and excessive loading due to poor body mechanics and/or genetics (obesity, for example). That said, the wrong shoes can make any of these issues worse.

Icing the painful area, stretching and avoiding intense exercise that involves running, jumping or sharp pivoting can all help facilitate the healing and recovery time for people with plantar fasciitis. Avoiding uncomfortable, unsupportive shoes (or walking barefoot) can help as well.

Picking the right pair of shoes can greatly relieve the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. Choosing shoes with enough support and cushioning can help maximize comfort. Making sure a shoe has a stiff and supportive heel can also help keep the foot in place and reinforce the heel.

The arch of the foot helps bear and distribute the weight of the body while also absorbing shock created by the forces of walking and other weight-bearing activities. Many people with plantar fasciitis also have a low arch, or flat feet. Supporting the arch is important to reduce the stress across the plantar fascia and its attachment points.

Removable soles make shoes more adjustable and can potentially provide extra features that may benefit a person with plantar fasciitis. A rocker sole, for example, is thicker than your normal sole and has a rounded heel. This helps prevent a flat surface for the foot, which can be uncomfortable for someone whose plantar fascia is causing them pain with walking and standing.

Orthotics are shoe inserts that can modify a pair of shoes to fit your feet. Customizable orthotics are prescribed by a medical professional and can be adapted to your foot using scans, impressions and other technology to create a sole that perfectly fits your foot and best corrects or supports any specific issues. Orthotics can decrease heel rise and Achilles tendon force as you walk, reducing pain felt along the plantar fascia.

Sometimes you just need a shoe that you can slip on with little fuss. Finding a slip-on that provides enough locked-in support for plantar fasciitis can be challenging. Without laces, it's hard to achieve a solid fit.

Running with plantar fasciitis requires a shoe that can absorb impact well. Depending on your form, running can significantly impact the heel, making PF-related heel pain even worse. Equipped with a proprietary rear heel crash pad, the Hoka line of running shoes is one of the best at shock absorption and easing the transition from heel strike to the forefoot.

Hoka is one of the few brands to qualify for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which recognizes products that improve foot health after being tested by a team of APMA podiatrists. We poured through hundreds of five-star reviews from real-world runners who battle foot issues, including plantar fasciitis.

Golfers with plantar fasciitis will appreciate the soft heel pad, which helps keep the foot supported during the full range of your swing and while walking the course. Keep in mind that these golf shoes sport a spikeless outsole to increase versatility. The uppers look like leather but are actually made of 100 percent recycled materials.

Hiking shoes need to deliver a tremendous amount of stability, cushioning, and grip to be effective. The Salomon Outpulse is our choice as the best hiking shoe for plantar fasciitis. In addition to providing a solid level of protection, this hiking shoe has a specially designed midsole that offers enough cushioning to reduce the impact caused by changing terrain.

The best shoes for plantar fasciitis provide superior support. Two of the most important areas are the arch of the foot and the heel. This is where most of the impact and strain take place. Opt for shoes that have a good heel support system that can absorb shock and lock the heel in place. If you are walking a lot, look for a shoe with strong arch support.

Walking has tremendous benefits, including reducing the risk of health issues like cardiovascular disease.(5) Recent studies show that walking just 9,800 steps a day can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.(6) With the proper shoes, people with plantar fasciitis can still enjoy walking and carrying out their daily activities.

The lifespan of different shoes can vary. How much you use them can also play a factor. As a rule of thumb, you should replace your shoes when they no longer provide the support you need to manage plantar fasciitis when you walk.

Sovella sandals are known for their recovery abilities. They are one of the most comfortable recovery sandals, biomechanically engineered to alleviate the foot stress and soreness caused by your daily grind. In addition, Sovella is one of the best Plantar Fasciitis Shoe Brands for their amazing arch support. Compared to traditional flip-flops, Sovella offers the cushioning and arch support you need to reduce plantar fasciitis pain. As a matter of fact, the Sovella ORIGINAL thongs cradle and support your feet; so you can stay on your feet all day long.

Aetrex shoes are great to help reduce the pain caused by plantar fasciitis; an excellent Aetrex sandal is the Lori. This is a comfortable, low wedge sandal with full-grain leather uppers. This sandal is made with adjustable hook and loop straps for a more customized fit. Equally important, this plantar fasciitis sandal offers amazing support and weight distribution.

For more than a century now, New Balance focused on improving its research and development to give their customer the best shoes possible. So much that, New Balance provides an extensive choice of shoes for people suffering from foot conditions such as heel pain and plantar fasciitis. They offer shoes with great arch support, rubber outsole, and most shoes have removable outsoles to accommodate orthotics. Both the New Balance 1540 and 990 deliver a smooth and well-cushioned walking and running experience. They offer decent arch support, which is great for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. In addition, these shoes are shock absorbent and offer great traction for a reliable grip.

HOKA are legendary for their outsoles and footbeds. Their outsoles are made from a unique polyurethane formula that provides exceptional shock absorption and superior energy return to protect your feet legs and back during long hours of standing. Just as important, Hoka comes with removable insoles to allow you to customize the shoes with your own orthotics for extra plantar fasciitis support. Many people with plantar fasciitis pain have found great comfort and pain relief and for their impressive arch support. Its contoured outsole and footbed provide excellent arch support that lasts beyond your 12-hour shift. In addition, its polyurethane outsole is slip-resistant, non-marking, and offers superior shock absorption and energy return.

Many people are not familiar with plantar fasciitis until they experience heel pain or are diagnosed with this foot condition. Therefore, if you are reading this blog you may have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis or believe you may be suffering from pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Presumably, you may be familiar with the nasty pain associated with plantar fasciitis but fear not, we have compiled a list of trusted plantar fasciitis shoe brands that can help you eliminate that pain! Therefore, you have come to the right place! Plantar fasciitis is an annoyance to live with; however, you can improve your life by minimizing the pain with a good pair of supportive shoes.

When searching for reviews on best plantar fasciitis shoe brands, there are five things you should be looking for. As a matter of fact, they are arch support, deep heel cups, contoured footbeds, removable footbeds, and shock absorbance. 041b061a72