Get In Spring Workouts, Pain-Free, With the Best Podiatrist-Approved Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis (2024)

• Our Picks

• We Also Tested

• Where We Stand

• How We Tested the Best Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis

• What to Look for in Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis

• Our Experts

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

Key Specs:

Material: Knit | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women's 5-12

Why We Recommend It

Orthofeet Coral Stretch shoes are stretchy, breathable, comfortable, and 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 these shoes' versatility. They're stylish enough for everyday wear but supportive enough for long runs or hikes. Several cute colors are 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 and a little style, you won't be disappointed. Orthofeet provides a 60-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the shoes and free shipping, returns, and exchanges on all products purchased on their website.

Keep in Mind

The shoes come with two inserts for extra support. We found them comfortable right out of the box, and adding one of the inserts created a perfect fit.

Key Specs:

Material: Synthetic, mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12

Why We Recommend It

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 molds to your foot for maximum cushioning and wicks away moisture for a more comfortable workout experience.

Keep in Mind

Although the quality of these shoes is great for the price, they might not last as long as more expensive shoes.

Key Specs:

Material: Mesh upper, foam insole | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 6-12

Why We Recommend It

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, who has been diagnosed with 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 are made of dense foam that is both springy and supportive. The shoe's shock absorption is evenly distributed throughout, and the curved sole helps you flow smoothly from one stride to the next. We wore the shoes indoors and on grass, cement, and paved trails and felt stable and supported on all surfaces. Run on a smaller side.

Keep in Mind

It might take a few days to break the shoes in, and they run on the small side.

Key Specs:

Material: Synthetic, mesh | Sole material: Synthetic | Sizes available: Men’s 4-16/Women’s 5-13

Why We Recommend It

Asics Gel-Venture 9 running shoes are form-fitting, comfortable, and supportive. We found our feet felt secure, and the shoes hugged our feet, especially in the arch and heel area. They felt as good as other shoes with orthopedic insoles. The heel cup cradles and keeps your heel snugly and securely in place. The toe box also provides room for your toes to move freely.

The shoes were ready to wear right out of the box and didn't require any breaking-in period. We also didn't experience any uncomfortable rubbing or blisters throughout the entire test.

Keep in Mind

The shoes don't include orthotic insoles, but we didn't need them. Depending on your personal needs, you might need to buy a pair.

Key Specs:

Material: Recycled synthetic | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men’s 7-15/Women’s 5-12

Why We Recommend It

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 shoe's upper is also uniquely designed to mold your foot, maximizing stability customized to your shape and size. It's lightweight, shock-absorbing, and supportive—a trifecta of plantar fasciitis-friendly features built for training.

Keep in Mind

Be sure to have your feet measured before you purchase, since the shoes tend to run on the small side.

Key Specs:

Material: Leather/nubuck | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Unisex 5-12

Why We Recommend It

Whether you have trouble with dexterity due to arthritis or don't have the time and patience to correctly lace up your sneakers before going out, Velcro strap shoes can be handy. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 shoes have all the stability and cushioning you'd expect from the brand, minus the annoying laces.

With a diagonal roll bar built into the shoe's structure, 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.

Keep in Mind

There isn't as much cushioning in these shoes as other pairs we tried.

Key Specs:

Material: Polyester | Sole material: EVA/rubber | Sizes available: Men's 8-13, Women’s 5-12

Why We Recommend It

Right out of the box, WalkHero Hit Road Arch Support non-slip walking shoes fit like a glove. The arch cushioning applied just the right amount of pressure, and walking in them felt like a mini massage with each step. There's ample room to breathe and move your toes; they're supportive and stable, too.

The shoes elevate your heel very slightly, and we found the angle alleviated much of the heel pain and pressure commonly associated with plantar fasciitis. The cushioning is like a springboard that propels you forward with each stride while absorbing impact. One of our editors, a CrossFit coach, especially liked how the shoes took pressure off his knee joints during squats.

Keep in Mind

When we selected these shoes, we weren't thrilled with the color options. However, when we unboxed them, they were much more attractive than we expected.

Key Specs:

Material: Canvas | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12

Why We Recommend It

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: These lace-free shoes' low profile is on trend and come in 40 bright, playful colors and patterns.

Keep in Mind

If you need extra arch support, these shoes might be a bit flat, especially if you plan to be on your feet for long periods of time.

Key Specs:

Material: Mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12

Why We Recommend It

Vionic Tokyo sneakers provide great arch support, which was our favorite part of them. The arch support offers 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 plantar fasciitis and flat feet, found the cushioning to be a perfect balance of firmness and flexibility.

Keep in Mind

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.

Key Specs:

Material: Recycled polyester | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-14, Women's 5-11

Why We Recommend It

On Running Cloudflyer 4 shoes are true to their name, which 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.

Keep in Mind

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.

Key Specs:

Material: Knit upper | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-13, Women's 6-11

Why We Recommend It

Kuru Atom Slip-Ons shoes are great "ready to go" sneakers to have 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 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. These shoes have solid arch support and heel cushioning. We especially liked wearing them while walking longer distances since they're lightweight, breathable, and easy to put on and take off.

Keep in Mind

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.

Key Specs:

Material: Engineered mesh | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 7-15, Women's 5.5-12

Why We Recommend It

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 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.

Keep in Mind

If you have wider arches you might find the arch area to be a bit too snug.

Key Specs:

Material: Synthetic | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women's 5.5-12

Why We Recommend It

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 removable insole 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 from under the arch to around the heel.

Keep in Mind

There's only one small vertical reflective strip on the back of the shoe for higher visibility when walking at night. A wider strip or more for better coverage would be better.

Key Specs:

Material: Canvas | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men's 8-14

Why We Recommend It

Although they weren't our favorite choice for long-term wear, Walk Hero Canvas Arch Support loafers are great if you want a casual shoe that comforts bunions. 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 and 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 clean, and the step-on-heel design makes the shoes easy to slip on and off. Remember that they run on the large side, so be sure to check the manufacturer's sizing recommendations before you purchase.

Keep in Mind

At first glance, we weren't super impressed with the quality of the fabric, but as soon as we put them on, we changed our minds.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are soft or hard shoes better for plantar fasciitis?

  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.

• Are there any sneaker styles to avoid when you have plantar fasciitis?

  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.