Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a layer of tissues that runs underneath the skin of your foot. It usually causes heel pain. The possible causes can be excessive running, walking and an inadequate foot-gear. The athletes are more vulnerable to this condition.
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (Volume 30) published a case study of a patient after he completed a triathlon stating that, “A running shoe manufacturing defect was found that possibly contributed to the development of plantar fasciitis. Assessing athletic shoe construction may prevent lower extremity overuse injuries”.
According to a study conducted by Craig C. Young M.D (Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and his two companion MDs, “A change in shoes was cited by 14 percent of patients with plantar fasciitis as the treatment that worked best for them”.
So, a comfortable pair of shoes can help eliminate or control such a stabbing pain.
Whether you want to take a preventative measure or you are already suffering from it and looking for a treatment, find the best shoe for plantar fasciitis to continue walking, running or doing your daily chores without pain.
In this article, we will discuss a handful of shoes from different brands to help you choose the best shoe for plantar fasciitis. So, to better understand the features of the shoes and how they reduce the inflammation of the fascia, please read the article to its full length.
Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes For Running
1. ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5 Running Shoe
Synthetic: This pair of shoes is 100% synthetic. Synthetic shoes are more comfortable and suitable for a variety of terrains. The synthetic material allows for maximum customization to suit the needs of customers. This pair of shoes is customized for running to provide support while running.
Rubber Sole: This shoe comes with rubber soles that provide more traction while running on a wet or snow-covered track or pavement.
Low-Top: It is a low-top shoe that leaves enough room for breath-ability. Low-top shoes are ideal for running.
Design: This is designed for outdoor running with a mesh which makes it even good for summers.
Gel Cushioning: The rear-foot of this shoe comes cushioned with gel. The use of gel-technology helps to reduce the impact when the heel strikes the ground and allows a smoother transition.
Sockliner: It comes with a removable sock-liner that can be replaced with medical orthotics to prevent knee or lower back pain.
Outsole: The outsole is trail-specific with reversed traction lugs underneath to provide better traction and stability for the forward movement.
AHAR: The AHAR outsole is a rubber outsole that ensures a firm grip on the ground. It is a sponge type cushioned material with excellent abrasion resistance and durability.
Opinion:
This men’s shoe is specifically designed for running and provide excellent traction as well as comfort by absorbing the shocks. It also reduces the impact of heel strikes to ensure a comfortable running experience.
For further relief from plantar fasciitis, it provides room for orthotics suggested by your doctor.
2. ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes
Synthetic: This shoe is also a synthetic shoe which means the material is specifically made from different materials to suit the needs of runners.
Rubber Sole: It features the sole made of rubber which is durable and slip-resistant especially when you are running on wet pavement, etc.
Low-top: It is a low-top shoe that is good for stability and forward movement.
Gel-cushioning: The rear-foot of the shoe is gel-cushioned to absorb shocks and allow for a smoother transition.
Sockliner: It comes with a removable sockliner that can be replaced with medical orthotics to add more comfort.
AHAR: It employs AHAR (ASICS High abrasion Rubber) outsole which is abrasion-resistant and improves the durability of this product exceptionally.
Opinion:
This women’s shoe is designed and manufactured to meet the requirements as well as expectations of a runner. The level of comfort, traction, and stability it delivers, makes it ideal for the people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Best plantar fasciitis Shoes For Tennis
3: NIKE Men’s Court Lite Tennis Shoes
Textile and Synthetic: This shoe is a mixture of textile and synthetic fabrics. The textiles and synthetics allow the manufacturer to deliver the exact quality required for the job.
Textiles and synthetic are available in different deniers (thickness of the fabric) which give options to make a perfect foot-gear for a tennis player. The combination of both materials makes this shoe comfortable and durable.
Rubber Sole: The sole of this shoe is made of rubber which is not only good for traction on wet paths but it is good for all seasons.
Design: It comes with a meshed tongue to improve breathability which can be an ideal choice for summer seasons.
GDR outsole: It employs a GDR outsole which provides excellent traction on hard surfaces of tennis courts.
Phylon Midsole: It comes with Phylon midsole which is a quality material used as cushioning to provide comfort and stability.
Toe-layer: It features an added layer of abrasion-resistant material on the toe area for extra strength and durability.
Opinion:
This shoe is a quality shoe for tennis players. The design and the material used for this product ensure reliability and durability. It is a comfortable shoe to manage the pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Overall, it is a good choice and it is available at a cheaper price.
4: NIKE Women’s Court Lite Tennis Shoe
Leather and Synthetic: This shoe is made of leather and synthetic which means a combination of durability, comfort, and style. This shoe will provide comfort for a longer period of time.
Rubber Sole: It comes with a rubber sole that provides traction on all terrains and reduces the chances of slipping.
Low-top: This shoe is a low-top shoe designed to provide stability while taking irregular steps on the tennis court.
Design: It features a mesh tongue for breathability that keeps your feet cool in summer seasons.
GDR outsole: It comes with a GDR outsole that provides traction that lasts longer.
Phylon Midsole: It is incorporated with a phylon midsole that serves as a lightweight cushioning for added comfort and stability.
Toe-layer: It comes with the abrasion-resistant layer of material fixed on the toe area to ensure durability.
Opinion:
This shoe is both comfortable and durable. It will keep your feet cool in summer and will keep them warm in the winter season because of the design and material used.
Women suffering from plantar fasciitis won’t feel hard-hauling in this shoe rather it will make it more comfortable.
Best plantar fasciitis Shoes For Walking
5: Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walker Walking Shoe
Leather and Synthetic: Saucony Men’s walking shoe is made of leather and synthetic. Leather and synthetic shoes are not just stylish but they provide excellent durability and comfort.
Rubber Sole: It features a rubber sole that provides traction on all terrains and comfort in all seasons.
Low-top: It has a low-top design that makes it easier to move forward with ease and reduce the impact of heel strikes.
EVA Midsole: It comes with a compression-molded EVA midsole with a higher durometer (an instrument to measure the toughness soles). The EVA material is lightweight, soft and tough. It helps to slow down the rate of pronation movement.
Asymmetrical Sole: It features engineered asymmetrical sole which works according to the structure and movement of the foot.
Walk Trac Outsole: It comes with the walk-trac outsole, a patented design. This outsole ensures a smooth transition when you are walking.
Opinion:
The shoe is made of leather and synthetic which means it is comfortable for summer and winter alike. To no doubt, leather is a durable material that will absolutely increase the durability of this product.
The outsole is a bio-mechanical fit to provide a comfortable experience to people suffering from plantar fasciitis. All in all, it is an amazing product.
6: Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes
Manmade: This shoe is a 100% manmade shoe. Manmade refers to the unnatural or inorganic material made by man. The sole is synthetic which means it is made from the combination of different chemicals, etc. Such materials are popular these days as they provide the exact product that best suits the needs.
HydroFlow Technology: This shoe employs HydroFlow Technology that refers to the chambers under the midsole that reduces the impact of the ground on foot. It also serves as a shock absorption mechanism to ensure a comfortable walking experience.
Progressive Diagonal Rollbar: It is incorporated with progressive diagonal rollbar which is bio-mechanically engineered for progressive support and it helps to create smoother transition while walking. It will also control the abnormal movements (overpronation or supination).
Design: It features a cushioned tongue that is partially sewn and textile lining. The removable insert accommodates orthotics for added comfort.
Opinion:
This shoe employs the latest technology biomechanically engineered to provide maximum comfort, durability, and reliability. It is the exact material required to treat plantar fasciitis.
It is comparatively a little bit expensive but it is worth the price.
Best plantar fasciitis Shoes For Work
7: Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Men’s Harrington II Work Shoe
Leather: It is 100% leather made product that delivers optimal comfort during work. Leather is not just a superior quality material for shoes but it is stylish and comfortable as well.
Rubber Sole: It employs a rubber sole to ensure traction and extended use of the product.
Lock Step Outsole: It comes with the patented lock step outsole which meets the standards of a work shoe. The outsole is oil-resistant and slip-resistant.
Dri-Lex Lining: It features Dri-Lex lining that wicks away moisture. This feature makes it perfect to be used at the worksite.
Aegis Microbe Shield: It comes with an Aegis Microbe Shield which controls the odor to make it pleasant every time you wear it.
Non-marking outsole: It features a non-marking outsole that leaves no marks on the floor.
Opinion:
It is a reliable and comfortable shoe that won’t make you uncomfortable at work if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis. The use of biomechanical engineering makes it ideal for work.
It is good for people working at outdoor sites, restaurants and shops who usually have to stand a lot.
8: Crocs Women’s Neria Pro Ii Clog | Slip-Resistant Work and Nursing Shoe
Manmade: Like Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker shoe, this one is also a manmade shoe which means it is made of inorganic material made by man. The synthetic sole provides durability and comfort.
Platform: The platform or the underneath area of the shoe measures around 1 inch.
Design: The shoe fits easily and the space above the heels allows for easy on and off. The arch support is designed to provide optimal comfort.
Contouring: The arch and the footbed are contoured well for added comfort.
Opinion:
This shoe meets workplace standards. You can wear them for hours while working and you won’t feel uncomfortable. The footbed is equipped with moisture-wicking liner for comfortable usage.
It is good for plantar fasciitis and the best part is that you can clean the shoe with soap and water.
Buying Guide
If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, you must know that the usage of inadequate foot-gear is also an invitation to plantar fasciitis. A shoe designed for plantar fasciitis can help control or alleviate symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
If you are looking for a shoe to treat such severe pain, there are the following factors that you should consider before making a choice.
Usage of the shoe
This is the most important factor that a buyer should consider first of all. Why you are buying a pair of shoes? For work, running, walking or just for casual use?
We are living in the 21st century and the shoe manufacturers have also taken advantage of science and technology equally. We have a wide variety of shoes available on the market, each serving a different purpose.
For example, a tennis player takes side-to-side cuts a lot while playing and a runner makes a heel-to-toe motion for forwarding movement. Both can’t be benefited from the same pair of shoes. Therefore, there are different shoes for both of them based on biomechanical aspects.
So, you must figure out what you need a shoe for and then buy it accordingly.
Shock Absorption
The shoes for plantar fasciitis should have a shock absorption mechanism. Most of the shoes for plantar fasciitis employ pads that absorb the shock created by heel strikes. Therefore, if you are looking for one, you should check if the shoe features shock absorption.
Shock can revive the pain in your heels which can be upsetting if you are at work or you are not in a position to take rest. Your feet need comfort to treat plantar fasciitis so a comfortable pair of shoes will take care of that.
Lightweight
Heavier shoes are not good for people suffering from plantar fasciitis, especially when your job demands walk or standing up for longer periods of time. You would like to wear lightweight shows at work or for your morning walks to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Arch Support
Arch support is very important to treat plantar fasciitis. People suffering from this pain due to overpronation would also like to consider this factor. The proper arch supported incorporated in the shoe would help prevent abnormal landings that can cause serious pain and it will also balance the pronation.
Are fitflops good for plantar fasciitis?
Fitflops are good for plantar fasciitis as they are purposed to fit the human foot. But you would want to use them only indoor or for small activities and not for longer periods of time if you are experiencing plantar fasciitis. Your feet need maximum comfort to help treat the pain which requires additional cushioning and padding available in shoes made of this purpose.
Can shoes cause plantar fasciitis?
There are some possible causes that may invite this pain. The causes include aging, excessive running or running on hard surfaces, biomechanics of the foot, obesity, and nature of your job. Shoes can also be a cause of plantar fasciitis if your foot gets a lot of stress every day for long periods of time and you are not wearing shoes that reduce or handle the pressure well.
Will plantar fasciitis ever go away?
Yes! It can go away but it will require specific exercises involving your foot, calf, and Achilles tendons. Using comfortable shoes and stretching specific parts of your foot along with legs under knees can help recover from it. Some people don’t even take medications for it.
More types of plantar fasciitis Shoes:
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