Plantar Fasciitis Shoes
(Minimalistic shoes for plantar fasciitis prevention/foot strengthening are at the bottom of the page)
Most shoes on the market will cause your heel pain to worsen! Stop wasting your money and time on shoes that will make your pain increase! Stick to the shoes below and you will be good to go.
It is no easy task for a shoe to make it on the list below. Each shoe has to pass numerous tests and have a history of helping people with heel pain. This list is updated constantly.
I started this page 4 years ago and the shoes below are the best you will find on the market. Enjoy!
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1. Heel Pain Relief Running Shoes
Quick Notes about Running Shoes:
- Women Running shoes seem to have stiffer soles. I do not know why. If I recommend a men's shoe above, but not the women's version, this is usually the reason why.
- Asics (specifically the older kayano's) used to be the king of plantar fasciitis shoes. In recent times, they have chosen cheaper materials, and more restricting toe box designs. They are absolutely horrible for heel pain. Avoid like the plague.
- Running shoes contribute to heel pain in the long run. They are required if you have severe heel pain, and can help most people, but you need to progress to a "zero heel drop" shoe that has a wide toe box. Scroll down this page to learn more.
2. Heel Pain Relief Walking Shoes
Many folks with heel pain will love the shoes below, mainly because of the stability they provide due to their width. They also have a lot of room inside, so that you can fit any size of orthotic. The downside to these shoes is that they have inflexible toe boxes, and they are heavier than running shoes.
3. Z-coils for Severe Heel Pain
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If you are limping around in non-stop pain and cannot walk very far, the best shoe is z-coil. It is more expensive and some say it looks funny, but it works great!
If you are sick and tired of heel pain, and you need a shoe that will give you results right when you put them on, buy Z-Coils. These were the first shoes I was able to walk in after being in a wheelchair for 5 months due to plantar fasciitis. I owe so much to these shoes, and more people in pain should know about them. use the 10% off coupon code: "heelpainsale" You can check out Z-coil shoes by Clicking Here |
4. Plantar Fasciitis Sandals
- If you have severe heel pain, none of these sandals are a good idea! Wait till the pain subsides
- Chaco's and Crocs RX Relief are the best choice because they have a strap in the back of the sandal.
- Birkenstocks and Orthoheels have great support in the sole, but they are not the best option. Many people with heel pain still love them though, so they may be worth a try.
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Chaco Extra Support Sandals (click here)
Crocs RX Relief (click here)
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Birkenstock Sandals (click here)
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If you need an insole for your sandals (or other specialty shoe, such as high heels), check out "Soul Insole" by clicking here
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5. Plantar Fasciitis Work Boots
A plantar fasciitis work boot needs to be somewhat flexible and extremely wide at the toes. Boots with high heels/toes lifted upwards are bad! Tight fitting boots cause many problems as well.
Below are the highest rated boots for plantar fasciitis:
Below are the highest rated boots for plantar fasciitis:
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Plantar Fasciitis Insole/Orthotic
(required if you have severe heel pain)
Click here to choose an orthotic
Bad News: Supportive shoes cause Plantar Fasciitis!!!
Keep in mind that plantar fasciitis is mainly caused by wearing shoes. Human populations that do not wear shoes do not usually develop plantar fasciitis.
You need a supportive shoe/orthotic when you initially have plantar fasciitis, but you want to develop foot strength so you can fix the root cause of the problem.
Most people find that a supportive shoe or orthotic reduces their pain. It will reduce your pain for now, but there is a good chance that the pain will come back if the underlying causes are not addressed.
The longer you require orthotics/supportive footwear, the weaker your feet will become.
Wearing extremely supportive shoes and orthotics will weaken your feet and cause your plantar fasciitis to come back!
After your pain is resolved, you need to progress to minimalist footwear... slowly. Your progression should follow these steps:
You need a supportive shoe/orthotic when you initially have plantar fasciitis, but you want to develop foot strength so you can fix the root cause of the problem.
Most people find that a supportive shoe or orthotic reduces their pain. It will reduce your pain for now, but there is a good chance that the pain will come back if the underlying causes are not addressed.
The longer you require orthotics/supportive footwear, the weaker your feet will become.
Wearing extremely supportive shoes and orthotics will weaken your feet and cause your plantar fasciitis to come back!
After your pain is resolved, you need to progress to minimalist footwear... slowly. Your progression should follow these steps:
- During severe/constant plantar fasciitis pain, wear a supportive shoe and an orthotic (mentioned in the list above). At this time, you can promote proper foot mechanics by wearing a toe spreader and having a shoe with a wide toe box.
- When the pain is at 1 out of 10 on the pain scale (a ghost of a pain), progress to a less supportive orthotic (one with less arch support typically). This can cause pain, so progress slowly. Start out with wearing the less supportive orthotic for an hour the first day, two hours the next day and so on. Slow progression is very important!
- Eventually, you want to progress to not wearing an orthotic at all. You also at some point need to try wearing less supportive shoes (no cushioning or arch support) that allow the toes to spread (wide toe box). You need to use pain as your guide and slowly progress to being able to walk around barefoot without pain.
Below are my recommendations for developing foot strength
First you will need to fix your toes. You need to make them spread. Wearing shoes your whole life has caused them to be forced into a bad position. This position is what causes bunions and other issues. The way you fix this problem is with toe spreaders. You can wear them while you sleep, or whenever you are sitting down (you can wear some of them while walking).
My favorite toe spreaders can be found by clicking here
You should start wearing the toes spreaders ASAP.
Next, you need to progress to an orthotic with less arch support. If you have a high arch, progress to a medium arch orthotic, then to a small arch orthotic. If you have a small arch or are flat footed, then focus on progressing to no orthotic.
Click here to find an orthotic
At some point during your progression, you will need to find shoes that are less supportive. A minimalist shoe has these characteristics:
Note: If you want a step-by-step guide to fixing weak feet, check out my latest book:
"The Ultimate Guide to Strong Healthy Feet" by clicking here
My favorite toe spreaders can be found by clicking here
You should start wearing the toes spreaders ASAP.
Next, you need to progress to an orthotic with less arch support. If you have a high arch, progress to a medium arch orthotic, then to a small arch orthotic. If you have a small arch or are flat footed, then focus on progressing to no orthotic.
Click here to find an orthotic
At some point during your progression, you will need to find shoes that are less supportive. A minimalist shoe has these characteristics:
- Flexible sole. The shoe must be able to fold in half anywhere in the length of the shoe.
- Zero Heel Drop (the heel is not raised)
- Wide toe box. Your toes should be free to move outward.
- No arch support.
Note: If you want a step-by-step guide to fixing weak feet, check out my latest book:
"The Ultimate Guide to Strong Healthy Feet" by clicking here
Before progressing to minimal shoes or barefoot walking, it will help to use a zero heel drop, "semi-supportive", wide toe box shoe to make the transition to minimal footwear pain free:
6. Foot Strengthening Shoes
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Men's
My current favorite!
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Women's
(Click Here for a cheap price)
Altra Superior 3.0
Bare Access
Altra Provision 2
Topo Fly Lyte |
Most people will do well with a "semi-minimal shoe" in the long run. Some argue that minimal shoes will cause excessive strain for most people.
Walking barefoot is natural and healthy, if done on the right surface. Excessive walking in minimal shoes can cause problems for some.
If you want extremely strong feet, you can progress to the minimal shoes below, but do so with caution! A slow and gradual progression is required. Do not wear minimal shoes on concrete for prolonged duration.
The best minimal shoe available is your own feet! Walk barefoot on sand and grass as much as possible. The shoes below can help, but walking barefoot is the real goal.
In the long run, the "semi-supportive shoes" above should be used for day-to-day use. Altra's are the best shoes for healthy feet in the long run. Check them out!
The minimal shoes below cannot fit most orthotics. If you want a insole that does fit, check out Soul Insole by clicking here. This orthotic can fit in a minimal shoe and give you some needed support. Wearing this orthotic can prevent the development of problems that minimal shoes can cause.
Walking barefoot is natural and healthy, if done on the right surface. Excessive walking in minimal shoes can cause problems for some.
If you want extremely strong feet, you can progress to the minimal shoes below, but do so with caution! A slow and gradual progression is required. Do not wear minimal shoes on concrete for prolonged duration.
The best minimal shoe available is your own feet! Walk barefoot on sand and grass as much as possible. The shoes below can help, but walking barefoot is the real goal.
In the long run, the "semi-supportive shoes" above should be used for day-to-day use. Altra's are the best shoes for healthy feet in the long run. Check them out!
The minimal shoes below cannot fit most orthotics. If you want a insole that does fit, check out Soul Insole by clicking here. This orthotic can fit in a minimal shoe and give you some needed support. Wearing this orthotic can prevent the development of problems that minimal shoes can cause.
7. Minimal Shoes
After wearing a recommended "foot strengthening shoe" for a few months,
you can transition to a true minimal support shoe as listed below (or walk barefoot)
you can transition to a true minimal support shoe as listed below (or walk barefoot)
Men's Sandals
Sazzi Decimal Motion 
Sazzi Digit Motion |
Women's Sandals
Sazzi Decimal Motion 
VI-B Fitness Yoga Shoe |
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