If you’re not familiar with plantar fasciitis, know this: It is painful! “Plantar Fasciitis can cause extreme pain in the center of the heel and also radiate into the arch,” says Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., FACFAS, a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle.
Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common foot condition. “It’s caused by repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, and footwear plays a major role in both symptom relief and long term recovery,” says Bobby Pourziaee, D.P.M., ‘The High Heel Doctor’ and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon.
That said, Mikel Daniels, D.P.M., President and Chief Medical Officer at We Treat Feet Podiatry, points out: “The right pair won’t ‘cure’ plantar fasciitis by itself, but the wrong pair will quietly undo a lot of good treatments.”
So what shoes are best for plantar fasciitis? Every podiatrist I interviewed emphasized the importance of selecting a shoe that can help reduce pressure on the heel, support the arch and has shock-absorbing soles.
I also asked them for their recommendations. Here’s what they said. And, interestingly, two pairs—the Hoka Bondi and Brooks Adrenaline GTS—were recommended by multiple podiatrists.
Hoka Bondi 9
Amazon
“One of the workhorse shoes is the Hoka Bondi 9. This shoe delivers peak shock absorption and has been designed with increased stack height and features a new premium foam midsole,” says Daniels. Pourziaee also recommended this shoe.
Asics Gel-Kayano 32
Amazon
“For everyday walking and casual wear, one shoe I feel comfortable recommending for many people with plantar fasciitis is the Asics Gel Kayano line,” says Daniels. “It has a firmer midsole on the inside (medial) aspect of the shoe, which limits overpronation and reduces the amount of stretch and torque on the plantar fascia with every step. It has a great heel cushion to absorb impact when your heel strikes, taking some of the load off that tender fascia attachment. Plus, the ‘cup’ around the back of your heel is relatively stiff, which keeps the heel from wobbling side to side, which results in less strain on the fascia.”
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
Amazon
“The Brooks Adrenaline 25 is built for people who want stability without feeling like they’re wearing a brick—something they can put on in the morning and forget about for the rest of the day because it just feels right,” says Daniels. The built-in GuideRails system gently keeps your foot and ankle from drifting too far out of your natural motion path, so you’re not fighting excess movement with every step. “It’s a stability shoe that helps control overpronation, which can aggravate plantar fasciitis,” explains Pourziaee, who also recommends this shoe.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
Amazon
“This is a neutral shoe with plush cushioning that softens heel impact and supports long-distance walking,” says Pourziaee. This shoe seems to be designed to have a lot of cushion, thanks to the combination of FF Blast Plus cushioning and PureGEL technology. It also has a slight rocker sole. “A rocker bottom shoe is an excellent choice because it offers a smooth, rolling motion from heel to toe that can offer both foot comfort and stability,” says Oldani.
MBT Colorado X
MBT
“The APMA-approved MBT Colorado X rocker bottom shoe provides ample cushioning. Its sole contains a heel sensor for softer landings and a pivot axis that offers a natural stride to keep you moving,” says Oldani.
Commbi Woolie Burro Mules
Commbi
Wearing structured slides or mules around the house can significantly reduce plantar fasciitis flare-ups. “Unlike typical house shoes, Commbi mules are built with removable, podiatrist-designed contoured footbeds that support the arch and cradle the heel. They also have a deep heel cup and layered cushioning for indoor-to-outdoor support,” says Pourziaee.
