It is not easy to walk when you are suffering from plantar fasciitis. It is a common medical condition where you experience severe pain at the bottom of your foot. It causes heel pain that goes to your toes.
According to a research, one in ten people suffer from plantar fasciitis. Also, it is quite common to have a misdiagnosis of plantar fasciitis. Women are more likely to get affected by plantar fasciitis. Moreover, according to a study, 14% of plantar fasciitis patients noticed an improvement in their pain after wearing the supportive footwear for a month.
So, if you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, then it is recommended to buy a new pair of walking shoes for plantar fasciitis. But selecting the right shoes is not easy.
So, in order to save your time, we have created a list of seven best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis and reviewed them. Also, there is a buying guide to help you in getting the best shoes in less time.
Top 7 Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
1: New Balance Men’s Mx608v4 – Best Overall
Suede Upper: This New Balance Men’s Mx608v4 is the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis for men. It is made up of 100% leather. Its suede upper has a dual-density collar and a padded mesh tongue. It is a traditional lace-up sneaker that features double stitching and a logo on the sides.
Textile Lining: The shoe has a textile lining that is breathable to keep your feet and shoes free from moisture and odor.
EVA Footbed: There is an EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) footbed with special cushioning properties that make sure your every step is absorbed gently. It is a rubber-like plastic that can withstand high and low temperatures and is highly durable.
Rubber Outsole: A durable rubber sole with good gripping properties helps you to walk on any surface without a fear of slipping.
ROLLBAR Technology: The shoes also feature a stabilizing Rollbar technology that limits the movement of the rear foot to give full control during demanding foot movements.
Size: This New Balance shoe fits true to size. You can order any style, and surely they will fit.
My Opinion
Pros: It is an extremely comfortable walking shoe that provides decent cushioning and great support to your feet while walking. It absorbs the shock well, has a gripping outsole, and its breathable textile lining keeps the shoes and feet fresh.
Cons: There is no much motion control.
2: ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe – Best Asics Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
GEL Cushioning System: This ASICS Gel-Venture 6 is the best running shoe for men, but they are also ideal for walking for the sufferers of plantar fasciitis. It is a manmade shoe built in the USA that features a gel technology cushioning system. It is responsible for reducing shock during impact and providesa smooth transition.
Removable Sock liner: The removable sock liner gives you a more personalized fit. Even though the soles used can accommodate orthotics, but you can replace them with custom orthotics.
AHAR Outsole: There is a solid rubber outsole with AHAR durability. AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber) is placed in the demanding areas of the outsole to increase its durability.
Trail Specific Outsole: Another appealing feature of this shoe is the trail-specific outsole that means you can use these sneakers for off-road walking as well.
Supportive heel collar: The shoe also features a supportive heel collar that keeps the heel in a central position during impact.
My Opinion
Pros: It is the best walking shoes of the Asics Gel-Venture series. It fits pretty well and is quite comfortable for all-day wear. The most appealing feature of this shoe is the removable sock liner. Also, the AHAR outsole adds durability to the product.
Cons: The stitching done on the upper part of the shoes is not durable.
3: Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max-54601 Sneaker – Best Skechers Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Mesh Upper: Another best walking shoe in our list for plantar fasciitis patients is the Skechers Go Walk Max-54601. It is made up of 100% textile. Its mesh upper is breathable that makes the shoe more comfortable to use in summers.
Goga Max Insole: The insole from Skechers is featured with Goga Max technology that provides maximum cushioning and support.
Fabric Lining: The inner part of the shoes has a soft fabric lining to cover the inside seams of the shoe and to make you feel comfortable all the time.
5Gen Cushioning: The shoe is powered by Skechers 5Gen cushioning technology,where the full-length foam material is used in the midsole and outsole area. This material is quite light in weight and cushions your feet completely, along with providing a good amount of shock absorption.
Synthetic Sole: There is a synthetic outsole that is the best alternative to rubber and leather.
My Opinion:
Pros: It is a lightweight, comfortable, and durable shoe. Its excellent cushioning system makes each step like you are walking on a trampoline. Overall, the performance of this shoe is excellent.
Cons: Its upper mesh is not of good quality.
4: Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes – Best Brooks Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Full-Grain Leather Upper: These walking shoes for women from Brooks come with a full-grain comfortable and durable leather upper. It is a 100% manmade shoe that features a traditional lace-up closure and a logo on both sides of the shoe.
MoGo Midsole Cushioning: MoGo is the updated EVA foam midsole that provides additional cushioning, more rebound energy, and decreases fatigue. The HydroFlow technology in the midsole adds dynamic gel units in the forefoot and heel areas for enhanced cushioning.
Low Arch Support: The shoes also offer excellent low arch support. The extended progressive diagonal rollbar provides strong arch support to comfort your irritating tendons. It guides and keeps your entire body in its true path of motion.
Synthetic Sole: A reliable and slip-resistant synthetic outsole ensures that you can easily walk on any surface.
Size: These shoes fit true to size and are very comfortable.
My Opinion:
Pros: Very comfortable and breathable shoes that you can wear for long hours without any discomfort. It is highly durable as well and provides excellent arch support.
Cons: They are expensive shoes. Also, its lining is folded in two places at the heel area that is not normal.
5: Orthofeet Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes – Best Walking Shoe from Orthofeet
60-Day Wear Test: The Company comes with the best offer where you can test the shoes for up to 60 days. If you find the shoes perfect, then it is good; otherwise, you can get back your full money.
Wide Toe Box: These sneakers from Orthofeet feature a wide toe box that is the perfect solution for your sensitive feet, bunions, and hammertoes.
Soft Pliable Upper: The shoe features a soft pliable upper with small holes for easy breathing.
Seam Free Fabric Lining: To provide a superior level of comfort and protection, the shoes offer seam-free fabric lining with extra foam padding.
Orthotic Insoles: These shoes from Orthofeet have orthotic insoles that feature multiple layers of cushioning and anatomical arch support. Your feet will get a premium level of comfort and arch support that will help you in getting rid of your foot and heel pain.
Ergonomic Sole: The ergonomic sole with the cushioning system provides comfort, grip, and support.
My Opinion:
Pros: Available in all sizes, these shoes have a good design and excellent cushioning and arch support. Also, its money-back guarantee is the most appealing feature.
Cons: There is a question mark on the durability of the shoes. Also, their customer service is bad.
6: Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walker Walking Shoe – Best under $65
Materials used: This Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walking shoe is made up of Garment full-grain leather and synthetic material.
EVA Midsole: The compression-molded EVA midsole used in the shoes has a higher durometer. It is responsible for slowing down the pronation rate.
Asymmetrical Outsole: The shoes are featured with an engineered asymmetric rubber outsole that gives a perfect fit. This outsole gives not only a physical fit but also a biomechanical fit. Also, the shoes feature a Walk Trac patented outsole for smooth transitions and to increase the overall comfort.
Cushioning system: The heel and forefoot areas of the shoe are moderately cushioned to provide great level of comfort and support.
Arch support: The sneakers also offer excellent arch support to help improve your posture and balance.
My Opinion:
Pros: These shoes provide a comfortable walking experience. They are roomy enough and supply excellent arch support. Also, the shoes are well-constructed and durable.
Cons: Its leather upper is not breathable, and its heel cup causes chafing in the rear foot.
7: Skechers Men’s Oak Canyon Oxford – Price Range from $33 to $118
Materials used: The last but not the least quality walking shoes in our list is the Skechers Men’s Oak Canyon Oxford. With 100% leather and synthetic material, the shoe offers excellent durability and breathability. Also, rubber is used for the outsole.
Mesh Fabric Upper: The mesh fabric upper of the shoes with lace-up closure system makes the shoes look traditional and classy as well as breathable.
Memory Foam Insole: If we focus on its insole, then it is padded with memory foam. These memory foam insoles provide plush cushioning comfort and help relieve pressure.
Rubber Sole: Its solid rubber outsole offers excellent grip on any surface so that you can walk easily and freely.
My Opinion:
Pros: A great and comfortable shoe that protects your feet well. Its memory foam insole is the most appealing feature that offers great cushioning.
Cons: Its stitching is not durable. Also, it is hard to get a perfect size; therefore, always buy a half size larger shoe.
Guide to Buy Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Before going to buy and select the best walking shoe for plantar fasciitis, there are various factors that you should consider. So, what are those factors? In this section, we are going to find out.
Measure your foot dimensions
First of all, before ordering or going to buy your best walking shoes, measure your foot dimensions. Not only measure the length of your foot but also its width and depth so that you can find the right shoe according to your foot size. Too tight or too loose sneakers may increase the pain of plantar fasciitis. So, it is necessary to buy those shoes that can perfectly hug your feet.
Try the shoes with socks
It is also necessary to try your shoes with socks to check the comfort level. If your selected size is perfect, then go for it; otherwise, buy a half size larger shoe.
Laced shoe vs. Slip-on
If you don’t know which shoe would be perfect for your heel or foot pain, then we are here to help you.
You should go for a laced shoe as you can adjust the tightness level according to your needs. But a slip-on is often loose and may not give your proper and required support.
Heel Counter
A heel counter offers a maximum amount of cushioning and support to the heel. So a firm, thick, and supportive heel counter is a must that can cradle the heel and arch well and cut down over-pronation.
Elevated Heel
Here elevated heel doesn’t mean that you go for high heel shoes; instead, it means a little elevated heel of about one-inch. In this way, the heel of your foot will get a good support and will remain free from heel pressure during impact.
Insole and Midsole
You should also focus on the insole and midsole of the shoe because these two areas are very important in any shoe.
EVA footbeds are common in New Balance shoes that come with special cushioning features to absorb your every step gently. Goga Max technology of Skechersprovides maximum cushioning and support to your feet. Also, orthotic insoles are the best solution provided by Orthofeet for your plantar fasciitis pain.
Now, if we talk about the midsole,then it must be well-cushioned and supportive. Some Skechers’shoes have midsoles with 5Gen cushioning that cushions your feet completely and absorbs the shock well. Also, Brooks have MoGo midsole cushioning that provides an excellent level of comfort and support.
Outsole
Solid and firm outsoles with the cushioning system should be your choice. Firm soles provide good arch support. Also, their powerful grippingmakes it easy for you to walk on any surface with ease.
Lining
The inner part of the shoe is called lining,which must be of soft material and decently padded to give you comfort all the time.
Is it ok to walk with plantar fasciitis?
Acute plantar fasciitis can make walking very painful. It is ok to walk with plantar fasciitis, but you must need a good support underneath your feet to walk properly and without pain. And for this, a comfortable shoe with excellent cushioning insole and midsole along with a good arch support is required. Also, the outsole of your shoe must be firm and feature excellent gripping. Other than this, a light material upper with soft fabric lining is a must.
Can I use a running shoe for plantar fasciitis for walking?
Yes, you can because a runner also walks when he or she completes the running. So, a running shoe for plantar fasciitis can be used for walking.
What is the best time to replace a walking shoe?
Walking shoes that are designed to treat plantar fasciitis are durable and can work for years to come. If you are an average walker that walks around 30 minutes a day and six days a week, then the ideal time to replace your shoes is 8 to 10 months. But if you walk an hour a day and six days a week, then six months is the ideal time for the replacement of your walking shoes.
But there is no need to replace your walking shoes if they are still in a good condition and perfectly supporting your feet. Use your walking shoes till you feel that the cushioning system and the right support are not there.
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