When you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, one of the best things you can do is rest. But if you need to be out and about, the right shoes are the key to minimizing pain and preventing your condition from worsening. With that in mind, we asked two podiatrists to help us find the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. After researching their recommendations, we named the Hoka Bondi 9 the top pick overall.
We consulted two podiatrists to find the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Whether you’re looking for an option for walking, running or a slip-on that you can wear around the house, look for a shoe that offers stability and cushioning, as well as ample heel and arch support. “[Wearing] the correct shoe is important in preventing heel pain from worsening and cushioning will decrease pressure on the inflamed tissue,” explains Elvis Danne, D.P.M., an American Board of Podiatric Medicine certified podiatrist and assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Here, the best shoes for plantar fasciitis that work for a variety of activities.
Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Overall: Hoka Bondi 9
Best Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis : Hoka Clifton 9
Best Loafers For Plantar Fasciitis : Vionic Uptown Loafer
Best Slides For Plantar Fasciitis : Oofos Ooahh Black Sandal
Best Everyday Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis : Dansko XP 2.0
Best Flats For Plantar Fasciitis : Vionic Willa Slip On Flat
This model has a thick sole, which some wearers find to be too chunky
The Bondi is Hoka’s most cushioned design, and Dr. Danne recommends it to a variety of his patients who have plantar fasciitis—including those dealing with additional foot problems at the same time. The sneaker also earned the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is granted to products the organization believes promote good foot health.
Thanks to its bouncy cushioning and thick, supportive sole, you’re likely to find relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms while wearing these shoes. That said, you should choose another option if you’re at risk for falls due to its chunky design, says Deena Horn, D.P.M., an American Board of Podiatric Surgery certified podiatrist and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine,
Some wearers say they don’t provide enough support for the ankles and knees
If you’re hoping to still pound the pavement despite your plantar fasciitis, consider the Hoka Clifton 9. It’s similar to the Bondi 9, but much more lightweight—it weighs only 4 grams compared to the Bondi’s 9.3 ounces. That said, the style still provides enough cushioning and stability that it should help with your plantar fasciitis. The Clifton 9 also has an APMA Seal of Acceptance.
Multiple Hoka shoppers say these sneakers are game-changing and relieve their foot pain. “My husband has suffered from plantar fasciitis for years [and] the Clifton model is the only shoe that gives him some relief,” writes one reviewer. “I have plantar fasciitis and these shoes help keep me pain-free,” adds another.
Shoe type: Loafer | Sizes: 5 to 13 (women’s) | Widths: Standard, wide | Materials: Leather or suede upper, rubber outsole | Weight: 17oz | Cushioning: Medium
What you’ll love:
Contoured arch support
26 color and material combinations to choose from
No break in period required
Keep in mind:
Some wearers say they run narrow
Just because you have plantar fasciitis doesn’t mean you have to wear sneakers 24/7. These Vionic loafers are a good option for when you want to look a bit more polished. They have contoured arch support and deep heel cups, both of which should help prevent plantar fasciitis pain. Dr. Danne recommends browsing Vionic’s styles because they’re specifically designed to promote foot health and many of them—including this pair—have that coveted APMA Seal of Acceptance.
Browse the Uptown Loafer’s over 3,600 five-star reviews on Vionic’s site and you’ll find that multiple wearers say it’s a comfortable shoe for those with plantar fasciitis. One woman says they’re great for long days on your feet, and she likes them so much that she owns six pairs. “I bought my first pair about a year ago after I tore my MCL and was dealing with plantar fasciitis. These shoes are some of the most comfortable I own,” she explains.
Shoe type: Slide sandal | Sizes: 5 to 16 (women’s), 3 to 14 (men’s) | Widths: Standard | Materials: Foam | Weight: 11oz | Cushioning: High
What you’ll love:
Proprietary foam reduces impact on your joints
Machine washable
Easy to slip on and off
Keep in mind:
Some say they run small and narrow
When you have plantar fasciitis, it’s important to wear supportive shoes—even around the house. Walking around barefoot can delay healing, explains Dr. Danne. Dr. Horn also recommends wearing Oofos’s Ooahh slides at home to give your feet the support they need. The Ooahh slides have an ergonomic design that cradles your arches and a special footbed that’s meant to distribute pressure for stability and support as you walk around. They also have the APMA Seal of Acceptance. Just keep in mind that Oofos shoes tend to run small, so we recommend sizing up.
Our Forbes Vetted tester says the high cushioning and unique design of these slides feel great. “Then can even relieve pain: After a night of dancing, my sore feet and tight lower back felt better after wearing these slides for a day or two,” she says.
Shoe type: Clog | Sizes: 5 to 12 (women’s), 9 to 14 (men’s) | Widths: Standard | Materials: Leather upper, EVA plastic midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: 13oz | Cushioning: Medium
What you’ll love:
Waterproof upper
Slip-resistant outsole
Removable footbed
Keep in mind:
Only comes in standard width
If you want a shoe that’ll go with most outfits and prevent your feet from hurting after a long day of standing or walking tens of thousands of steps, we recommend checking out the Dansko XP 2.0. Dr. Danne says Dansko is a good brand for plantar fasciitis sufferers, and we named this particular pair the best clogs for standing all day. The heel counter allows for lateral movement while still stabilizing your foot, and the removable footbed offers arch support and memory foam for cushioning. Like all of the options on this list, this shoe has an APMA Seal of Acceptance.
My mom spends all day on her feet as a Pilates instructor, and these clogs have helped minimize her plantar fasciitis pain. She also appreciates the easy slip-on silhouette, which allows her to quickly throw them on on her way out the door.
Shoe type: Flat | Sizes: 5 to 13 (women’s) | Widths: Standard, wide | Materials: Leather, suede or textile upper, rubber outsole | Weight: 8oz | Cushioning: Medium
What you’ll love:
Sophisticated look
Eight color and material combinations
Keep in mind:
Here’s another elevated style from Vionic. Similar to the Uptown Loafers listed above, the Willa Slip On Flat is ideal for those who want to look put together without sacrificing important arch and heel support. The shoe comes with the APMA Seal of Acceptance and features built-in arch support and a deep heel cup to promote foot alignment. That said, it’s less cushioned than most of the other options on this list, so it may not be the best choice for days where you’re planning on doing a lot of walking.
According to reviewers, the Willa Flat is worth checking out if you have plantar fasciitis. “I’ve been plagued by plantar fasciitis for a long time, and thought I would never get to wear stylish shoes for walking and commuting ever again. Cue: [these],” says one woman.
Our writers and editors meticulously research the best shoes for a variety of concerns, consulting experts, testing out new models and reviewing customer feedback to find the absolute best designs. Over the years, we’ve covered everything from the best walking shoes for women to the most comfortable dress shoes for men.
Author and Forbes Vetted senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone has over seven years of experience writing product reviews and shopping guides across all categories. She has been a member of the Forbes Vetted editorial team for four years.
We consulted board-certified podiatrists Elvis Danne, D.P.M. and Deena Horn, D.P.M. in order to better understand plantar fasciitis, what causes flare ups and which features are most important to look for when shopping for shoes for plantar fasciitis.
All of the shoes included in this list have an American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, meaning the organization believes that they promote good foot health.
Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar oversees this guide and our full library of footwear content. She has worked in the fashion industry for over a decade and has extensively tested shoes in just about every category you can think of.
How We Chose The Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
We started by interviewing two board-certified podiatrists about what causes plantar fasciitis, and how the right shoes can improve symptoms. They shared which features are important for preventing plantar fasciitis pain, as well as some specific brands and models that are good for folks with the condition.
Based on the experts’ recommendations, we researched multiple designs from brands including Hoka, Vionic, Oofos and Dansko to narrow down the best designs for a variety of concerns. We also gathered insights from a pool of people who have plantar fasciitis including Forbes Vetted product testers, our own family members and product reviewers on the brands’ sites.
In addition to ensuring that each pair of shoes offered adequate arch support, cushioning, heel support and the APMA Seal of Acceptance, we consciously considered the variety of settings readers need shoes for. We also focused on durability, since as shoes wear down they provide less support.
What To Consider When Shopping Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis happens when the band of tissues that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed, creating a stabbing sensation in the bottom of the foot, explains Dr. Danne. To minimize that inflammation and allow your foot time to heal, you should look for a shoe with the following features:
Cushioning
Cushioning can ease plantar fasciitis symptoms by decreasing the amount of pressure you’re putting on the inflamed tissue, says Dr. Danne. Avoid shoes that are flat or have flimsy looking insoles. If you’ve got your heart set on a pair that doesn’t have much cushioning, Dr. Horn recommends investing in special inserts from a brand like PowerStep or Superfeet for additional support.
Heel And Arch Support
Since your plantar fascia (that band of tissues we mentioned above) run from your heel, through your arch, and up to your toes, having support in both the heel and arch of your shoe is key to minimizing pain. If a shoe doesn’t explicitly have both of these features, you’re better off skipping it.
Sturdiness
Another aspect that’s important to consider is how sturdy the shoe is. “Support is the most important thing to look for when looking for shoes for fasciitis. If you can bend them, they are not good,” explains Dr. Horn. You want something with a stiff midsole. Buying shoes that are too flexible can prolong the healing process and worsen your pain, Dr. Danne adds.
Durability
Because cushioning and support are so vital to preventing plantar fasciitis pain, you want to choose a shoe that’s durable. Once a shoe’s treads wear down you’ll lose shock absorption, which means there will be more reactive force placed on your plantar fascia—likely leading to an increase in pain, says Dr. Horn.
