The Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, from Running Shoes to Stylish Loafers (2024)

The TL;DR on the Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Sizes: 5-12 | Widths: Standard

Make room for another pair of sneakers in your closet, because these are about to become your new go-to shoes for plantar fasciitis. Thanks to the arch support and extra cushioning in the heel, we have not felt an ounce of pain or discomfort with our plantar fasciitis while wearing these shoes. The heel support is really where this shoe stands out. It holds your foot in place and does not allow any slipping or rubbing at all, giving you a super secure feeling mile in and mile out. And don’t worry about it feeling too snug–the slightly wider toe box gives your toes plenty of room to move. In fact, they’ll make you feel like you could just keep walking without your feet ever getting tired. This is the first pair we’ve worn that felt just as good as our other shoes–without the need for orthopedic insoles.

Sizes: 5-11 | Widths: Normal

These smart-casual leather loafers combine sleek minimal style with excellent comfort. Two levels of targeted cushioning deliver true, all-day comfort: firm cushioning in the heel reduces impact, while soft cushioning in the forefoot diffuses pressure. Unlike almost every casual shoe we’ve worn before, we did not notice any pain or instability when walking around in these shoes. For maybe the first time ever, we were able to spend all day on our feet without wearing our special inserts, and we did not experience any pain when we took the shoes off at the end of the day.

Sizes: 6-12 | Widths: Normal

By far, our favorite part about this shoe is the cushioning and shock support. No matter how far we walked, these sneakers felt like they were propelling us into our next step. But most importantly, they were absorbing the impact–we did not feel the usual stinging shock anywhere from heel strike to toe-off. We found that these shoes needed a few days to break in (we felt the heel tab and heel collar hurt our ankle), and we recommend going up at least a half-size up for a more comfortable fit. Note: When you have flat feet and plantar fasciitis, you’ll find relief through arch support. We did not find these to be the best in that regard, but if that’s not a concern for your feet then consider these an excellent pair of walking shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Sizes: 5-13 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide

For active women looking for a great walking and jogging shoe that will keep plantar fasciitis at bay, look no further. The first time we put on these running shoes for plantar fasciitis, we felt like they were specially designed for our feet. These shoes do an amazing job of supporting high arches and cradling your foot, and they seemed to take pressure off of the balls of our feet. It felt like we were walking on air no matter how many miles we tackled.

Sizes: 5-11 | Widths: Normal

The first thing you’ll notice when you put these shoes on is their bubbly spring. You’ll find an energizing and more bouncy feel than many sneakers, giving you not only a pep but pop in your step. With no break-in period needed, our heel felt completely cradled and cushioned from the very first try on. In fact, we really noticed that these shoes for plantar fasciitis helped calm the usual stinging in our feet. We would wear these all day if we could – but maybe not for more than walking or casual wear. Unfortunately, our arches weren't as protected as expected while running. We found that we weren’t able to run more than a half mile before feeling arch pain.

Sizes: 5-12 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra Wide

Pounding the pavement or standing for hours is no problem when you’re wearing these shoes. Right out of the box, we could feel the major upgrade in comfort and support compared to other shoes we’ve worn. The curve of the heel combined with their gentle stability made it feel like we were walking on soft carpet. The stretchable knitted upper forms and contours your foot, making it feel like it was truly made for you. If they feel a little too loose? You can adjust them to find your perfect fit with two removable spacers that come with the shoes. The one thing you won’t need to adjust is the comfort. Even after long shifts and endless hours on our feet, we did not experience the pain in our heel that we have become used to in other sneakers.

Sizes: 6-11 | Widths: Normal

When it comes to travel, you need a lightweight shoe that won’t add bulk to your suitcase but will add comfort and support for long days on your feet. For those needs, we’re sold on these sneakers. (In fact, we’re already thinking about wearing them on our next trip to Europe, where most streets are cobblestone and our feet take a beating when we walk around.) They're extremely light and comfy but hold our heel in place without causing blisters. We felt so stable and secure in these sneakers that we even wore them to dance class. We didn’t stumble once or feel any typical plantar fasciitis pain even after an hour and a half of intense, high-impact choreography. From the mall to grocery store, cement to hardwood floors, we were more than satisfied with the performance of these shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Sizes: 5.5-12 | Widths: Normal

The first thing we said when we put these shoes for plantar fasciitis on: "It feels like we’re walking on clouds." Thanks to the midsole foam, our feet, heels, ankles, and knees felt incredibly supported while walking and running. Due to the shoe’s unique anatomical design, your arch and heel will feel snug and secure while you’ll still be able to wiggle your toes. Even after wearing these shoes for long periods of time (over 8 hours), we felt none of our usual plantar fasciitis pain. The podiatrist approval gives us an extra boost of confidence too; these shoes for plantar fasciitis boast an American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, awarded to products found by the Association to promote good foot health.

Sizes: 4.5-13 | Widths: Medium

Now we know why nurses, doctors, chefs, and tons of on-your-feet professionals wear these shoes for plantar fasciitis! These clogs are rock-solid when you try to twist them, but oh-so-comfortable when you slip into them. While they were a bit awkward at first (we’re not used to wearing clogs!), the lightweight midsole and padded instep collar make these incredibly easy to walk in for hours on end. Our feet, heels, ankles, and knees feel stable and supported, and we especially felt their shock-absorbing power in the heel. With plenty of cushioning and arch support, these shoes were so soothing; we never felt any stabbing pain in the heel or ankle area like we’re used to.

Sizes: 5.5-12 | Widths: Medium

The power of these shoes is all in the details. We noticed a unique heel cup rim around the edge of the heel, with a small oval cushion in the center of the heel for extra comfort. The actual insole was removable and after further inspection, we found that it had some unique features–including extra foam on the balls of the foot and a hard plastic support system that runs from under the arch through the entire heel. The result? A heel cup that hugs and supports while the extra cushion gives plenty of softness with each footfall. The shoe is light, breathable, and easy to walk in; they don't weigh your foot down or feel heavy and clunky in the slightest. After walking for a while, we sometimes found we needed to tighten the laces as we felt our feet were sliding a bit. But that was the only downside we could find in this shoe for plantar fasciitis, which felt absolutely idyllic wearing from morning to night.

Sizes: 5-11 | Widths: Normal

Plantar fasciitis doesn’t just go away on recovery days. In fact, when you’re not actively exercising is often the time you need a supportive house shoe the most. We were already hooked on OOFOS sandals, and now we’re obsessed with these sneakers. The slip-on design is incredibly convenient, particularly during warmer-weather months when you don't want to wear socks. These are as easy to put on as a pair of sandals, but more secure and supportive. The foam is said to absorb 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear, while their patented footbed is designed to reduce stress on your knees, ankles, and other joints. We felt almost immediate plantar fasciitis relief, and we noticed less back pain on the days we wore these shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Sizes: 6-12 | Widths: Medium

We never realized how bad our plantar fasciitis pain was until we realized how walking should feel thanks to these shoes for plantar fasciitis. While the heel was slightly elevated compared to shoes we have used in the past (ensuring that we did not feel any excess pressure on the balls of our feet), where these sneakers really stood out was in their arch support. From the moment we put them on, we immediately felt like the insole was applying gentle, supportive pressure in a way that would massage the arch of our foot as we pressed into the ground with each step. It didn’t matter how long we were on our feet, the support never let down. These absolutely made our walking experience better and helped us deal with pains that we thought were normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is plantar fasciitis?

  Think of your plantar fascia like a thick, stretchy rubber band. It connects the bones in your foot together and forms the arch on the bottom of your foot. Anything that irritates or damages it can cause plantar fasciitis, including: being on your feet all day, working on a hard surface, wearing shoes that don’t support your feet well enough (like flip flops), and even walking around barefoot while you’re at home.

• How long does plantar fasciitis last?

  There is no set time frame for how long plantar fasciitis typically lasts, says Levin Valencia. “Most people coming to my office have had it for at least a few weeks but some are more chronic with months and years of pain. I’m going to assume others only have pain for a few days and don’t seek treatment or research it on the internet.”

• Are there other possible causes of heel pain other than plantar fasciitis?

  A common misconception is that all foot pain is plantar fasciitis. “I also wish people realized that there is chronic and acute heel pain and the treatment varies significantly,” says Levin Valencia. If you’re suffering from foot pain for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider who can help you pinpoint the cause and develop a specific treatment plan just for you.