Thee podiatrist-approved shoes will support and comfort your feet
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Hands down, one of the best things you can do to prevent or treat plantar fasciitis is wear supportive shoes. This means choosing sneakers with firm arch support, deep heel cups, and a lot of extra stability built in to prevent pronation, or excessive rolling, of your feet while you move (a type of strain that can cause plantar fasciitis ).
It’s also important to consider the fit and structure of your sneaker, as well as choose the right type of sneaker for the kind of activity you’ll be doing (i.e. running versus walking). We researched more than two dozen popular sneakers with arch support to see which ones offer the most comfort to the plantar fascia while you’re running, walking, training, or just going about your busy day. We also had a podiatrist from our Medical Expert Board review this article for how to pick the right shoe to help with plantar fasciitis as well as features that can aggravate plantar fasciitis. And to top it all off, we put each pair of shoes through hours of rigorous testing to bring you our top picks.
Material: Knit | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women's 5-12
Good for everyday running and walking
Only available in women's sizes
Orthofeet Coral Stretch shoes are stretchy, breathable, and comfortable as well as fashionable. Instead of one fixed degree of support, these sneakers come with lower built-in arch support (for flat feet or neutral arches). One of our editors who struggles with plantar fasciitis experienced no symptoms during the testing period, noting that the shoes provided great stability and cushioning.
We also love the versatility of these shoes. They're stylish enough for everyday wear but supportive enough to use on long runs or hikes. There are several cute colors available, as well as more basic options like white or black. The shoes are sold in standard, wide, and extra-wide sizes. If you're looking for all-day comfort as well as a little style, you won't be disappointed.
Orthofeet provides a 60-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the shoes, as well as free shipping, returns, and exchanges on all products purchased on their website.
The shoes come with two inserts for extra support. We found they were comfortable right out of the box and adding one of the inserts created a perfect fit.
Price at time of publication: $145
Not for long-distance or long hours of wear
Not available in men’s sizes
Material: Synthetic, mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
If you can’t swing the cost of high-end sneakers, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something less comfortable. The ASICS Gel-Venture 7 sneaker is a comparable alternative that doesn’t compromise on support even at a lower price point—and since it’s made for outdoor running, it can hit the hiking trails as easily as the office.
As far as specs, the Gel-Venture shoe focuses on heel and midsole support; the heel keeps your foot in place while boosting your shock absorption, and the midsole conforms to your foot without being overly flexible. We also love that the sneaker features an Ortholite sock liner, which not only molds to your foot for max cushioning but also wicks away moisture for a more comfortable workout experience.
Although the quality of these shoes is great for the price, they might not last as long as more expensive shoes.
Price at time of publication: $45
Narrow heel support for stability
Extra room in the toe box
They run a bit small
Material: Mesh upper, foam insole | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 6-12
There are many things to love about Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 sneakers, from the stable heel support to the roomy toe box. Although they're labeled as running shoes, we loved wearing them for long periods of walking and being on our feet. Our editor with diagnosed plantar fasciitis and flat feet appreciated the snug heel support and excellent shock support.
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. The shock absorption is evenly distributed throughout the shoe, and the curved sole helps you flow smoothly from one stride to the next. We wore the shoes indoors as well as on grass, cement, and paved trails, and felt stable and supported on all surfaces. run on a smaller side.
It might take a few days to break the shoes in, and they run on the small side.
Price at time of publication: $140
Material: Synthetic, mesh | Sole material: Synthetic | Sizes available: Men’s 4-16/Women’s 5-13
Asics Gel-Venture 9 running shoes are form-fitting, comfortable, and supportive. We found our feet felt secure and the shoes hugged to our feet, especially in the arch and heel area. In fact, they felt as good as other shoes with orthopedic insoles, and the price is hard to beat considering you probably don't need to purchase a pair of $40 inserts.
Although the shoes do a great job hugging your feet, the toe box also provides adequate room to allow your toes to move freely. The heel cup hugs your heel and doesn't allow any slipping at all, keeping your heel secure the entire time. The shoes were ready to wear right out of the box and didn't require any breaking-in period, and we didn't experience any uncomfortable rubbing or blisters throughout the entire test.
There aren't any orthotic insoles included with the shoes, but we didn't need them. Depending on your personal needs, you might need to buy a pair. Price at time of publication: $75
Designed for multiple types of physical activity
Shock-absorbing heel to toe system
Material: Recycled synthetic | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men’s 7-15/Women’s 5-12
The best training shoe can roll with all your punches, transitioning from one type of activity to the next without disrupting your flow. That’s why we recommend the Brooks Ghost 14 as our favorite shoe for training: the sole is cushy but ready to absorb shock, protecting your sensitive plantar fascia from impact, and it's also broken down into “crash pad” segments, which smooth out all those heel-to-toe transitions as you walk (or run…or jump…or whatever).
The upper part of the shoe is also uniquely designed to mold to your foot, giving you maximum stability that’s customized to your own foot shape and size. It’s lightweight, shock absorbing, and supportive—a trifecta of plantar fasciitis-friendly features built for training.
Be sure to have your feet measured before you purchase, since the shoes tend to run on the small side.
Price at time of publication: $100
Removable insole for custom orthotics
Material: Leather/nubuck | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Unisex 5-12
Whether you have trouble with dexterity because of arthritis or just don’t have the time and patience to correctly lace up your sneakers before going out, velcro strap shoes can come in handy—and Brooks Addiction Walker 2 shoes come with all the stability and cushioning you’d expect from the brand, minus the annoying laces.
With a diagonal roll bar built into the structure of the shoe, the Brooks Addiction walkers help maintain stability while preserving your natural stride; in other words, they’ll keep your foot from rolling in and out, but they’re still super flexible, not stiff. (No sore, aching feet here.) The sneakers are perfect for walking or running in all situations: they’re slip-resistant, plus their cushioning is adaptive to your weight and reduces stress on your joints. And, of course, they’re easy to put on and securely fit to your feet thanks to the double velcro straps.
There isn't as much cushioning in these shoes as other pairs we tried.
Price at time of publication: $130
Built-in and adjustable arch support
Material: Polyester | Sole material: EVA/rubber | Sizes available: Men's 8-13, Women’s 5-12
Right out of the box, WalkHero Hit Road Arch Support non-slip walking shoes fit like a glove. The arch cushioning had just the right amount of pressure, and walking in the shoes felt like a mini massage with each step. There's ample room to breathe and move your toes, but they're also supportive and stable.
The shoes elevate your heel very slightly, and we found the angle alleviated a lot of the heel pain and pressure that is commonly associated with plantar fasciitis. Additionally, the cushioning is like a springboard that propels you forward with each stride while also absorbing impact. One of our editors, who is also a CrossFit coach, especially liked how the shoes took pressure off his knee joints during squats.
We weren't thrilled with the color options when we selected these shoes. However, when we unboxed them they were much more attractive than we expected.
Price at time of publication: $74
Multiple colors and patterns available
Three-zone orthotic support built into shoe
Not for running or physical activity
Not available in men’s sizes
Material: Canvas | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
Every other shoe on this list is made to help you exercise in a way that doesn’t aggravate plantar fasciitis, but what if you want to protect your fascia while just looking cute while running errands? In that case, the Vionic Beach Malibu slip-on sneakers are the way to go.
They don’t skimp on comfort, offering three zones of support along the entire length of your foot (the heel, midsole, and toe) so your arches get all the cushioning they need. But they also don’t skimp on style: the low profile of these lace-free shoes is on trend and they come in 40 bright, playful colors and patterns.
If you need extra arch support, these shoes might be a little on the flat side, especially if you plan to be on your feet for long periods of time.
Price at time of publication: $42
Structured upper for added stability
Toe box is very wide
Material: Mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
Vionic Tokyo sneakers provide great arch support, which was our favorite part about them. The arch support provides counter pressure to ease plantar fasciitis pain, and the heel cup provides plenty of support. The soles of the shoes also provided great shock absorption during long walks and Zumba classes.
We loved that the heel is slightly elevated, allowing you to maintain great motion with each stride. Our editor who has both plantar fasciitis and flat feet found the cushioning to be a perfect balance of firmness and flexibility.
The shoes feature a very wide toe box. It was a bit too wide for our editor, who felt it caused a feeling of instability during more rigorous activity. However, if you have wide feet or a wide toe box, you'll love the extra space to let your toes be free.
Price at time of publication: $130
Great fit in the toe box and heel
Sufficient arch support for daily wear
Not the best choice for running
Material: Recycled polyester | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-14, Women's 5-11
On Running Cloudflyer 4 shoes are true to their name, and they definitely put a spring in our step. They fit well right out of the box and didn't require a break-in period.
The shoes feature extra cushioning in the tongue, as well as a molded sock liner inside the shoe. We thought they had just the right amount of cushioning and support, and were impressed with how they minimized plantar fasciitis pain. The mesh outer is breathable and flexible, while the supportive soles provide stability for long days on your feet. We also love that the shoes are made with recycled materials.
Although they weren't our editor's favorite shoe for running, they're an excellent choice if you're looking for a shoe you can basically live in.
Price at time of publication: $170
Supportive enough to walk long distances
Easy to put on and take off
Not secure enough for working out
Might cause blisters during the breaking-in period
Material: Knit upper | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-13, Women's 6-11
Kuru Atom Slip-Ons are the shoes to have ready to go by the door for long walks, errands, and long days on your feet. One of our editors who has struggled with plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions for 13 years experienced no pain after wearing the shoes on a 6-mile walk over concrete, asphalt, and through a grassy field. The shoes were supportive in all the right places while still being lightweight.
The stretchy material is also very durable and holds up well with regular use, despite being breathable and light. The arch support is solid in these shoes, as is the heel cushioning, and we especially liked wearing them while walking longer distances since they're lightweight, breathable, and easy to put on and take off.
Although they weren't our editor's favorite shoe for running, they're an excellent choice if you're looking for a shoe you can basically live in.
Price at time of publication: $145
Great cushioning in the heel and tongue
Material: Engineered mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-15, Women's 5.5-12
The American Podiatric Medical Association, or APMA, provides its seal of acceptance to footwear products that have been shown to promote healthy feet. Altra Paradigm 6 shoes are our top APMA-approved shoes on our list due to their incredible support, stability, and responsiveness, especially for anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis.
We gave the cushioning on these shoes a perfect score of 5 and especially liked the comfortable heel. The tongue provides additional cushioning that feels like a pillow on your foot. It took us about 30 minutes to break in the sturdy midsole, but other than that the fit was great out of the box, and we never experienced any pain or blisters while wearing the shoes.
If you have wider arches you might find the arch area to be a bit too snug.
Price at time of publication: $170
Only available in women's sizes
Material: Synthetic | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women's 5.5-12
Dansko Pace walking shoes are light, breathable, and easy to walk in. They don't weigh your foot down or feel heavy and clunky, but they still provide amazing support. We were especially impressed by the soft but supportive heel cup, which stayed in place without causing any rubbing or blisters.
The shoes fit true to size and felt great on our feet right out of the box. The insole of the shoe is removable and has some unique features, including a little extra foam for cushioning on the ball of the foot. The center of the heel has an oval disk made of dense foam, and a hard plastic support system runs all the way from under the arch to around the heel.
There's only one small vertical reflective strip in the back of the shoe for higher visibility when walking at night. A wider strip or more for better coverage would be better.
Price at time of publication: $120
Material: Canvas | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 8-14
Although they weren't our favorite choice for long-term wear, Walk Hero Canvas Arch Support loafers are a great choice if you want a casual shoe that keeps bunions under control. The wide toe box provides plenty of space to spread your toes, and the supportive arch keeps your feet aligned. We also love the high-quality rubber soles for added traction, as well as the comfortable canvas material to keep sweaty feet dry.
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 off. Keep in mind that they do run on the large side, so be sure to check manufacturer sizing recommendations before you purchase.
At first sight, we weren't super impressed with the quality of the fabric, but as soon as we put them on we changed our mind.
Price at time of publication: $69
Some of the shoes we tested had stand-out qualities but didn't make our final list. Here are a few more options to consider:
The competition was stiff, but when it was all said and done, Orthofeet Coral Stretch shoes topped our list of the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis. We loved the breathable mesh material, flexible but supportive soles, and extra arch support. We'll keep testing new shoes as they catch our eye, so be sure to check back for updates!
To find the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis, we asked podiatrists to tell us what to look for and avoid when choosing a pair that could support your foot during many types of physical activity. Then we searched for popular sneakers designed with arch support and extra stability, meant to make your active life easier.
Once we had our list of shoes to try, we put each pair through weeks of regular, consistent testing, Starting with the unboxing, we took careful notes about each shoe's initial appearance and how it stacked up to its online images. We performed the bend test to assess how supportive the shoes were, and then we took a 30-minute walk to gauge how they fit right out of the box.
After our initial test, we wore the shoes at least two days per week for at least three hours at a time, rating each shoe for the following qualities:
According to Weiser, soft shoes are best. Soft, flexible sneakers are typically wide and deep enough, he says, to accommodate a custom-made orthotic if you choose to add one; this can give you the correct arch support, which will limit tension and strain on the plantar fascia.
You want to avoid backless sneakers, said Weiser, since the back of the sneaker has to be stable enough to support your heel and keep it in place during physical activity. Backless sneakers can’t really do that.
You should also avoid sneakers with insoles that can’t be removed or sneakers that run too tight, since this will limit your ability to customize your shoe to your needs.
Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends, including several pieces on footwear for plantar fasciitis. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Accessed July 29, 2022.
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