This article is part of CNN Underscored’s The Reset, an editorial package featuring all our articles aimed at giving you the information and product recommendations to help achieve any and all New Year’s resolutions.
If you’ve been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, you’re in good company. The condition affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of heel pain in adults. As common as this foot pain is, its causes vary. It could be the cheap sandals you’re wearing with no arch support, a sudden change in your health or fitness routine or even a lack of foot strength exercises throughout your physical therapy.
Whatever the culprit, the podiatrists I spoke with emphasized the importance of proper footwear — and no, your Adidas Sambas don’t count. So,–– give up the cheap sneakers (for now) and try a pair of the following kicks, which experts say are some of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis on the market.
The Hoka Clifton 10 are Dr. Priya Parthasarathy’s top pick for runners with plantar fasciitis. The board-certified podiatrist said the shoes have “generous heel cushioning to reduce stress” on your feet and added that they’re also suitable for a multitude of foot types. Our health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright said these shoes have similar support to orthopedic shoes but are “less clunky and easier to wear, and [they] look a whole lot better.”
Read our review
Board-certified podiatric surgeon Dr. Miguel Cunha points runners with plantar fasciitis to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, which use the brand’s proprietary GuideRails technology to help prevent pronation and shin rotation and ensure proper alignment on the road. Cunha said this is “critical for reducing strain on the plantar fascia.”
The Adrenaline also earned plaudits in our guide to walking shoes for flat feet, with podiatrist Dr. Danny Phan praising their high toe drop (the height distance between where your heels and toes sit), which reduces stress on the calves and Achilles tendon. You can also invest in the pair’s successor, the even cushier Adrenaline GTS 25.
When our testing and updates writer Michelle Rae Uy got her hands on New Balance’s Fresh Foam line, she was impressed by the shoes’ stability, breathability and bouncy insoles, writing that they’ll “be very kind to your knees, lower back and, naturally, feet and legs.” She also tried the 1080v14, which are a great option if you need shoes for standing all day or cushioned running shoes.
Cunha said the cushy midsoles provides “responsive support” while the stiffer EVA stability planes reduce overpronation, which can worsen plantar fasciitis. Cartwright said she relies on these shoes all throughout her marathon training, because even when she’s going on 20-mile runs, they remain comfortable and supportive. Like other shoes on this list, these come with the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
Parthasarathy said these are “casual, cute walking shoes that provide support.” Though they look like an everyday pair of casual shoes, they boast bouncy, breathable footbeds that offer plenty of support. Unfortunately, they’re only available in women’s sizes.
“This is one of the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis because of its ultra-plush cushioning,” Cunha said, adding that they provide “soft, shock‑absorbing heel strike” that keeps stress at a minimum. If you prefer soft cushioning that absorbs shock like a Tempur-Pedic bed, these are an ideal option for you.
The GEL-Nimbus 27 also make great everyday gym shoes, according to CNN Underscored contributor Marissa Miller, who is also a certified personal trainer. According to her, the “heavily cushioned footbeds” reduce impact and fatigue, whether you’re wearing them while running or pumping iron.
With their shock-absorbing midsoles, deep heel cups and contoured arch support, Cunha said the Vionic 23 Walk 2.0 effectively alleviate plantar fascia stress. Unlike more technical running or walking shoes, they also look like laid-back sneakers you can wear for casual outings.
In our guide of the best walking shoes, experts said sneakers should be supportive and cushioned to allow for shock absorption. The Echelon Walker 3 checks those boxes with its PWRRUN midsoles, which Cunha said “cushions every step to absorb impact.” While the shoes have been discontinued, you can still find them in men’s sizes at Amazon.
Want to feel like you’re walking on clouds? Consider the Bondi 9, which Cunha said make great max-cushion running shoes for plantar fasciitis patients. He especially recommends them for people with wide feet, as they’re available in wide and extra‑wide widths, which “allow your foot to splay naturally without feeling jammed,” he said. This is a crucial design feature because when your feet sit naturally, less pressure is placed on your joints and tendons, allowing for a (hopefully) pain-free experience.
Read our review
Cartwright is a Bondi 9 enthusiast too. In her glowing review, the four-time marathoner said they offer tons of support. “Wearing these shoes feels like wearing a swaddle on my feet,” she wrote. “Every part of my foot, from my toes to my heels, is secure.” That’s exactly what you want when you’re dealing with damaged, stressed fascia.
For plantar fasciitis patients with wide feet, Parthasarathy recommends the Glycerin 22, given their wide toe boxes and availability in wide and extra-wide widths. With plush midsoles, they’re tuned for long runs and walks on pavement.
I can confirm the Glycerin 22 are great for wide feet, as they’ve been my go-to men’s running shoes for the past year. The beauty of the Glycerin 22, Parthasarathy said, is that they come in multiple versions. “The GTS model adds stability for patients with overpronation, while the Max version provides enhanced shock absorption for those needing additional cushioning,” she said.
Cunha said the Cloudrunner 2 are supportive stability shoes with plenty of cushioning, making them another top pick for plantar fasciitis patients with wide feet. That’s in large part thanks to the Helion midsoles, which he said “[provide] plush, energy returning cushioning to reduce strain of the plantar fascia.”
The shoes also feature a stiff TPU heel counters, which provide extra support when paired with the reinforced uppers. The Cloudmonster, which our associate testing writer Gareen Puglia tried when testing the best beginner running shoes, are an even cushier option from On.
“Home shoe gear is just as important as outdoor shoe gear when battling plantar fasciitis,” Parthasarathy said. The podiatrist recommends the Ora Recovery 3 and their supportive footbeds and plush cushions for at-home use. CNN Underscored contributing writer Dana Zepeda also loves these recovery sandals, calling them a “revelation” for sore feet in her review.
Read our review
Vionic’s Relax 2 slippers are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice coziness for comfort, even if you have plantar fasciitis. The APMA-approved slippers, which come recommended by Parthasarathy, combine peak-cozy, faux-shearling uppers with shock-absorbing, supportive midsoles.
Chelsea Stone, CNN Underscored’s editorial director, has flat feet prone to plantar fasciitis, but she’s found relief with the Ooahh sandals, which she calls the most comfortable shoes she’s ever worn. “While I can’t say the Oofos have cured all my foot ailments — my flat feet, after all, are a structural issue — I can report that pain associated with my plantar fasciitis has never been triggered by the Ooahh slides,” she said in her review.
Read our review
The Ooahh sandals, another Parthasarathy pick, are also helpful for plantar fasciitis on account of their shock-absorbent soles. Not to mention, their specialty footbeds are designed to reduce knee pain.
Parthasarathy tells her patients that the three ingredients for recovery are stretching the plantar fascia, reducing inflammation and supporting the feet. Finding supportive shoes is, therefore, paramount to treating plantar fasciitis, especially since Parthasarathy said flexible, nonsupportive shoes “increase load on your plantar fascia.”
To find the right shoes, it’s always recommended to see a health care provider for their insights, as well as visiting a specialty shoe store like Fleet Feet for an in-depth foot analysis. Parthasarathy and Cunha recommend looking for the following criteria:
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Appropriate size and fit: For the best fit, shop for shoes later in the day when feet are most swollen, Cunha said. “If they are comfortable then, when your feet are swollen, they’re likely to remain comfortable throughout the day,” he said. If you’re planning to run a lot in these shoes, make sure you go a half-size up, Cartwright added, who’s also an RRCA-certified running coach. “This accounts for the swelling that occurs while running.”
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Strong arch support: “Proper arch support helps support and promote natural foot alignment and reduce fatigue and strain on your feet, knees and lower back,” Cunha said. Look for built-in arch support, he added, or think about utilizing custom orthotics if support is lacking.
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Removable insoles: Parthasarathy recommends finding shoes with removable insoles, as this will allow you to add your own inserts.
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Spacious toe boxes: “If your toes feel restricted and can’t wiggle at all, the shoes are too tight and could become uncomfortable over time,” Cunha said. Shoes with wide toe boxes allow for better foot alignment and can take pressure off your knees, hips and other pain-prone joints.
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Firm, supportive heel counters and deep heel cups: Parthasarathy said to look for stiff heel counters for the best fit. Heel counters are internal U-shaped pieces that add structure to the back of shoes. Deep heel cups are also optimal, Cunha said, as they “support the joints of the foot, enhance stability and promote proper joint alignment.”
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Tailored to your activity and gait: Since being in the wrong shoes can cause plantar fasciitis, Parthasarathy said it’s important to find a pair that matches your foot type. A podiatrist can help you identify your foot type, though she said you’re likely a pronator if you have flat feet. Finally, she said you’ll want to match the shoes you buy to the activity you’ll be doing, whether that’s running, walking or lounging at home.
The following FAQs have been answered by podiatrists Dr. Miguel Cunha, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy and Dr. Naomi Shields.
What is plantar fasciitis?
“Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot,” Parthasarathy said.
Anything that irritates or damages this tissue can cause plantar fasciitis, she added, including changes in weight, pregnancy, the shoes you wear or your activity level.
How do you know if you have plantar fasciitis?
“The most common sign of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot when you get out of bed in the morning, after standing for prolonged periods of time or when you stand up after sitting for a while,” Cunha said. That said, you should always consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis.
Can shoe inserts help with plantar fasciitis?
Shields said shoe inserts can help especially if you have flat feet, which tend to put more stress on the plantar fascia.
That said, Parthasarathy stressed that inserts need to match your foot type or else they could worsen your condition. “I recommend starting with a supportive shoe and seeing a podiatrist for guidance,” she said.
What types of shoes should you avoid if you have plantar fasciitis?
Proper support is crucial to increasing stability, reducing arch collapse and preventing foot fatigue, Cunha said. Consequently, you should avoid shoes with the following qualities:
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Poor arch and heel support
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Poor cushioning
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Flimsy heel cups and soft shoes
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Narrow toe boxes
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High heels
Are barefoot shoes good for plantar fasciitis?
All three podiatrists said that you should generally avoid barefoot shoes while dealing with plantar fasciitis because they don’t offer enough support. If you want to try them when your feet have recovered, Parthasarathy advises consulting a podiatrist for recommendations and only wearing them for short periods of time during low-impact activities.
Is walking barefoot better than wearing shoes for plantar fasciitis?
Like barefoot shoes, Cunha said that “walking barefoot, especially on hard floors, can result in overstretching of the plantar fascia, leading to tiny tears, inflammation and an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.” Instead, opt for shoes with proper arch support.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this piece, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya interviewed three leading podiatrists to learn more about the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. Alongside their product recommendations, Shukuya pulled insights from CNN Underscored’s long list of hands-on reviews, including our guides to the best orthopedic shoes for foot pain and the best arch-support shoes.
