From the Guidelines
For plantar fasciitis, the best shoes are those with proper arch support, cushioning, and stability, as recommended by recent guidelines 1. When selecting shoes, look for athletic or walking shoes with firm midsoles, deep heel cups, and adequate cushioning in the heel area. Features to prioritize include:
- Rigid shanks
- Orthotic-friendly removable insoles
- Rocker soles that reduce pressure on the plantar fascia Brands like Brooks, New Balance, ASICS, Hoka, and Vionic are often recommended as they offer models specifically designed for plantar fasciitis. Avoid completely flat shoes, high heels, or shoes with minimal support. Consider adding custom or over-the-counter orthotic inserts for additional arch support. When shopping, try shoes later in the day when feet are slightly swollen, and ensure there's enough room in the toe box while maintaining a snug heel fit. Proper footwear helps reduce strain on the plantar fascia during walking and standing, allowing the inflamed tissue to heal while providing stability to prevent overpronation that can worsen symptoms, as supported by recent studies 1. It is essential to educate patients on the importance of wearing appropriate footwear to protect their feet from external stress and to prevent further complications, as emphasized in the guidelines 1. In particular, people with diabetes at risk of foot ulceration should be advised to wear footwear that accommodates the shape of their feet and fits properly, with consideration of extra-depth shoes, custom-made footwear, or custom-made insoles for those with foot deformities or pre-ulcerative lesions 1. Overall, the key to managing plantar fasciitis is to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia and provide adequate support and cushioning, which can be achieved with the right footwear, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
From the Research
Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
- The best shoes for plantar fasciitis are those with a heel height between 0.5-4 cm, thick soles, and arched or cushioned insoles 2
- Wearing inappropriate shoes with minimal heel height, thin sole, and hard insole without any built-in arch support can exacerbate heel pain and limit daily activities 2
- Orthotics, both prefabricated and custom fitted, can reduce pain and improve function in adults with acute plantar fasciitis 3
- Prefabricated orthotics are less costly and provide similar relief to more expensive custom orthotics 3
Features of Recommended Shoes
- Heel height: between 0.5-4 cm
- Sole thickness: thick
- Insole type: arched or cushioned
- These features can help reduce heel pain and improve function in individuals with plantar fasciitis 2
Treatment Options
- Combining corticosteroid injection and physical training (strength training and stretching) has been shown to be an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis 4
- Platelet-rich plasma injection (PRP) has been compared to corticosteroids injection in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis, with PRP showing favorable functional outcome and pain control at intermediate and long-term follow-up 5
- Heavy-slow resistance training has shown potentially positive effects on long-term outcomes for plantar fasciopathy 6