If you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis then you should get rid of your old shoes right away. Instead you should buy shoes that offer extra cushioning and support to your feet.
Proper walking shoes made for plantar fasciitis will not only reduce and heal your plantar fasciitis pain but they will also help you in the longer run by preventing plantar fasciitis from occurring again.
In order to pick the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis, you should remember a few things:
- Buy shoes that offer a proper fit – not too tight or too lose. You should ask your podiatrist for your right shoe size including both width and length which you can give to the sales person while buying the right shoes. You should also tell about the condition of your feet whether they are healthy or swollen.
- Consider the features of the shoes, whether they offer pronation correction or not. Either you under pronate or over pronate, in both the cases you require shoes that will correct your pronation and will assist you in maintaining a proper stride.
- For individuals who are looking to eliminate the plantar fasciitis pain, they must look for shoes that provide cushioning, heel and arch support and shock absorption. Extra protection will surely relieve you from plantar fasciitis pain.
As the pain is severe when you place your feet first time in the morning, we recommend that you practice some stretching exercise 6-10 times in order to tone down the pain.
Enlisted below are my top 10 best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis for women and men. We hope that these will help you in reducing your plantar fasciitis while you walk.
Top 5 Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis for Women
1. Vionic Orthaheel Walker
Vionic is given the credit and appreciation of making the best shoes for plantar fasciitis by including one of its kind breakthrough technologies known as Orthaheel. The Orthaheel footbed keeps motion control, flexible midsole provides extra support and heel cup offers feet grip.
Pros – Highly recommended shoe for relieving plantar fasciitis pain, extremely comfortable and supportive
Cons – Tight in the toe area
In short, this shoe has excellent features due to which they have received an overwhelming response from its users. We suggest that you also keep a pair for yourself if plantar fasciitis pain relief is what you want.
2. Dr. Weil Rhythm Women’s Lace-Up
Women’s Lace-Up walking shoe has aided motion system and includes a CME midsole which provide excellent shock absorption.
This shoe is designed especially for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis pain. It has a Footbed made from biomechanical orthotic which prevents as much pressure on feet and ankle as possible.
Pros – Alleviates plantar fasciitis pain, comfortable and light in weight
Cons – Inconsistent sizing, not long-lasting
By keeping in mind the appreciation and love this shoe receives, we recommend that you should give it a try; it might help you as well in getting rid of plantar fasciitis in a much better way.
3. Skechers Women’s Shape Ups
This walking sneaker from skechers is great both in looks wise as well as in comfort ability. From toe to heel these shoes are padded throughout providing adequate cushioning.
The thick midsole keeps you comfort able and the sculpted rubber sole offers firm grip that helps in achieving smooth walking experience.
Pros – Provides relief from plantar fasciitis pain, comfortable, proper fit
Cons – Suitable for walking only, not suitable for over pronation
Overall, if you want to reduce your plantar fasciitis pain then these are surely a good option, but in case you expect these shoes to complete remove plantar fasciitis, then that might not happen.
4. Saucony Women’s ProGrid Integrity ST2
Saucony has made a lot of its name through its ProGrid Integrity walking show that offers great cushioning and flexibility in the front toe area.
This shoe features a forefoot Stretch Zone, Walk-Trac comfort outsole for durability and an insole which provides protection to your feet while you walk.
Pros – Excellent for high arches, heals plantar fasciitis pain, comfortable
Cons – Not attractive, not suitable for everyone
If you know your condition and cause behind plantar fasciitis and if it is similar to what these shoes are made for, then this shoe is your pick. If not, then there are others in this list which will help you.
5. SPIRA Women’s Classic Leather
This walking shoe from SPIRA has dual spring technology. With this technology, you feel comfortable and a spring like impact is experienced during each step.
It includes leather upper and traditional lace-up closure that makes it suitable for everyday use.
Pros – Great for everyday use, relieves plantar fasciitis pain, comfortable
Cons – Inflexible, Not a top quality shoe
We hope that you will be able to decide on the right shoe for your feet from our top 5 best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis for women. Here are a few more suggestions for you
- New Balance Women’s WW928
- Vionic Zen – Women’s Walking Shoes
- Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker
- Saucony Women’s Grid Omni Walker
Top 5 Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis for Men
1. Orthaheel Men’s Walker
Orthaheel is the top class walking shoe which has a huge fan following. It comes with an EVA midsole which provides cushioning and shock absorption.
It is manufactured with top quality water-resistant leather. A biomechanical orthotic developed by podiatrist is also placed inside this shoe that prevents foot odor.
Pros – Heals plantar fasciitis pain, podiatrist recommended shoe, comfortable, provides excellent arch and heel support
Cons – Usually runs in smaller size as compared to regular shoes
Many people have found the solution to their plantar fasciitis problem only by wearing this shoe. You should give these shoes a try as well.
2. New Balance Men’s MW928
Whether you are an athlete, a professional or a common person, New Balance shoes are made to fulfill all your relaxed walking needs.
New Balance focuses on keeping your feet healthy and that’s why it’s MW928 has Rollbar and ABZORB midfoot technology for greater stability and cushioning.
Complimentary features like Seamless Phantom Liner with odor-resistance and Walking Strike Path outsole deliver a smooth and cushiony feel while walking.
Pros – Relieves plantar fasciitis pain, comfy, fits perfectly
Cons – Quality issues
If you are over-pronated then this might be the answer to your prayers. We suggest that you buy these shoes, we are sure that you will not regret your decision
3. Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker
Brooks Addiction is a top-notch walking shoe that includes some innovative features like MoGo midsole for superior cushioning, rear to front Hydroflow for shock absorption and S-257 Cushsole acting as an extra cushioning agent.
This shoe is a complete package offering exceptional shock absorption combined with higher stability.
Pros – Recovers plantar fasciitis, comfortable and supportive
Cons – Slippery, Expensive
Addiction has truly become an addiction for all its customers out there. They feel as if they are floating in air while wearing these shoes at work, for long hours or for plain walking. We advise that you should purchase these shoes for once.
4. Vionic with Orthaheel Technology Men’s Endurance
Vionic is designed by podiatrists and it features Vionic’s Orthaheel Supportive Technology that reduces over-pronation. It comprises of a removable biomechanical orthotic insole that is designed by podiatrists.
This insole has deep heel cup which supports the feet and improves your overall posture. It also contains an EVA midsole which absorbs shock.
Pros – Helps in escaping plantar fasciitis, stylish and comfortable
Cons – Expensive, Not a good quality shoe
As it reduces over-pronation, so if your symptoms are similar, then we advise you to go for these shoes.
5. Saucony Men’s Grid Omni
Men’s Grid Omni by Saucony is at number 5 in our list of the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis for men. It consists of a compression molded EVA midsole with a higher durometer which reduces the speed of pronation.
You are able to achieve a smooth gait when you wear these shows with the help of Saucony Walk Trac patented outsole design.
Pros – Mends plantar fasciitis, durable and provides good arch support
Cons – Not flexible
Some of the other walking shoes that helped individuals in healing their plantar fasciitis those are worth noting are:
- ASICS Men’s GEL-Foundation
- New Balance Men’s MW847
- Propet Men’s Commuterlite
While these shoes will assist you in a smooth walk, we have a few other recommendations for you as well. In order to make the most of your daily walking routine without hurting your feet any further,
- You must take shorter steps,
- Walk slowly preferably for 20-30 minutes,
- Obviously wear highly cushioned shoes and
- Finally try to prevent walking on uneven terrains.