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Plantar fasciitis—a condition involving pain near the heel—can be a challenging condition that causes discomfort in everyday life. Finding the right shoes can help, though it requires understanding what causes plantar fasciitis in the first place and getting to know your own feet. The best shoe recommendations come from a podiatrist or physical therapist assessment of your movement patterns and your feet, but if you’re unable to book an appointment right now, we’ve narrowed down a list of expert-recommended options to help get you started.

To determine the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two podiatrists who shared their top shoe picks and why they recommend them. Star ratings and superlatives were then determined by the Forbes Health editorial team based on price, average user ratings and the number of color options available. Note: All prices are accurate as of publication.

New Balance 410 Trail Running Shoe

New Balance 410 Trail Running Shoe

At just under $65, these New Balance shoes may be worth a try if you’re a runner prone to plantar fasciitis. The shoes boast an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole for comfort and enhanced shock absorbency where the plantar fascia spreads across the foot as well as a round toe box for extra wiggle room. With an AT TREAD rubber sole, they’re great for both on- and off-road traction, which is beneficial for a person with foot pain.

3D Sootheez Extremely Comfy/Thick Slippers

3D Sootheez Extremely Comfy/Thick Slippers

If comfort is your main concern, 3D Sootheez Extremely Comfy/Thick Slippers with stripes offer a cloud-like cushion using EVA. Noted specifically for providing a gentle sole and pain relief for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, they’re designed to help ease pressure, support arches, improve circulation and decrease swelling and cramping.

“[The] thick sole with soft, supportive material gives your arch and heel relief from plantar fasciitis,” says Mehgan Susek, a podiatrist, wound care specialist and Forbes Health Advisory Board Member based in Pennsylvania. However, due to their EVA makeup, these slippers aren’t meant for the great outdoors, as the plastic has a low temperature tolerance.

When we go home, our initial reaction is to take our shoes off and relax. However, this tendency can exacerbate plantar fasciitis symptoms. To avoid barefoot walking and prevent pain, slip on some Oofos to wear around the house. Their proprietary footbed reduces pain across multiple joints, including the knee and ankle, and OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional shoes, according to the company. Plus, arch support accommodates your foot with a soft cushion footbed.

Crocs Unisex-Adult Literide Flip Flops Sandals

Crocs Unisex-Adult Literide Flip Flops Sandals

Thanks to an EVA sole, these Croc flip-flop sandals are ultra lightweight, cushioned and comfortable. Styled for all genders, they come in a range of neutral color options and sizes. What’s more, their resilience makes them durable enough to wear all day—indoors and outdoors—and doesn’t sacrifice flexibility or support. “The foam is super soft but has nice built-in arch support to help alleviate heel pain,” adds Susek.

Made with a responsive midsole, Hoka’s Clifton 8 is a favorite among walkers and runners alike, according to the company. Because they are so supportive, “Hoka has become quite popular among runners, walkers and patients suffering from heel pain,” says John Tolli, a podiatrist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member based in Pennsylvania. “The material is high quality, and they’re very well cushioned.” Using a combination of a rocker sole and a lightweight, soft EVA sole, these shoes keep a lightweight but supportive feel, he adds. Plus, they come in several width options for a tailored fit.

Runners who are prone to plantar fasciitis love these shoes, according to Susek. She describes them as “reliable” with consistent stability and a neutral arch, which is essential for preventing overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis. “They have a soft but well-cushioned heel,” adds Tolli. “They also have built-in support at the inside and outside of the heel to prevent excess motion.”

Considered soft and supportive shoes, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 running shoes are good for soft landings and come with a 90-day run-in guarantee so you can make sure they’re the right shoe for you.

Vionic Kalina Braided Slide Sandal

Vionic Kalina Braided Slide Sandal

Support can be hard to find in a sandal, but the Vionix Kalina Braided Slide Sandal offers a solution. For those looking for a more formal sandal option, the Kalina offers bright and neutral color options and a modern design all while hugging your arch for added comfort. “This trendy option with built-in arch support helps relieve plantar fascia pain,” says Susek.

Unlike most walking flats, this stylish, simple slip-on shoe provides good heel control and stability. The outsole is made of durable rubber, and the 0.57-inch heel height helps offload the plantar fascia insertion point ever so slightly for a “flat.” Inside the shoe, a removable footbed lining keeps these flats feeling fresh. Meanwhile, Vio-Motion technology is designed to support your arch alongside built-in orthotics for additional heel pain relief.

While these shoes can be helpful for a variety of foot issues, Susek finds them particularly useful for plantar fasciitis. They have extra heel cushioning compared to other shoes, as well as a deep heel cup with good anatomic arch support that makes them both comfortable and stabilizing. The mild rocker bottom helps reduce pressure at the most painful point of the plantar fascia (where the tissue inserts into the heel bone), and the arch booster system allows for additional insoles to be added as needed. In terms of wearability, these shoes come with the option of straps or laces and offer a wide toe box for extra comfort.

While these casual sneakers might be slimmer than other Kuru classics, KURUSOLE technology and custom molded soles hug your heels and offer built-in arch support just the same. “The Kuru sole has natural cushioning that works with the contour of your heel, helping to alleviate pain and pressure [caused by] plantar fasciitis,” says Susek. To ensure all-around support, an elastic midfoot holds your foot in place while maintaining a lightweight feel.

Our Forbes Health advisory board members shared their extensive podiatric knowledge and product recommendations to support our Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis of 2022 ranking.

To determine the best shoes for plantar fasciitis of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of podiatrists who shared their top shoe picks and why they recommend them. Star ratings and superlatives were then determined by the Forbes Health editorial team based on price, average user satisfaction and the number of color options available.

Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative irritation at the origin of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that spans from the calcaneus (heel bone) of the foot out toward the bases of the toes. It affects 1% of Americans and 10% of runners[1]National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health. Analysis of Data on the Prevalence and Pharmacologic Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis Pain . Accessed 09/25/2021. . What’s more, it’s the leading cause of chronic heel pain in adults. For the many people affected by plantar fasciitis, it can be challenging to find a pair of shoes that provide some relief.

The plantar fascia plays an important role in how you walk, providing arch support throughout the length of the foot while also helping with shock absorption. Repeated stress or overload to this tissue can lead to inflammation at one of its attachment points. The most common site of plantar fasciitis pain is at the heel bone. Pain is usually worse with barefoot walking (especially those first few steps in the morning), walking in flat-soled shoes and with increased activity.

Many factors can contribute to plantar fasciitis, but the main culprits usually include a combination of foot muscle weakness, overtraining and excessive loading due to poor body mechanics and/or genetics (obesity, for example). That said, the wrong shoes can make any of these issues worse.

You May Also Be Interested In Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis From Our Featured Partner

When shopping for the perfect shoe to help relieve your plantar fasciitis pain, it’s important to pick a shoe that provides both comfort and support. But it’s also about finding a shoe that fits your foot and feels comfortable to you, not just with standing but with the activities you like to do.

The arch of the foot helps bear and distribute the weight of the body while also absorbing shock created by the forces of walking and other weight-bearing activities. Many people with plantar fasciitis also have a low arch, or flat feet. Supporting the arch is important to reduce the stress across the plantar fascia and its attachment points.

Cushioning at the heel where plantar fasciitis pain is felt most can help reduce pain and soften the impact caused by ground reaction forces during every step of the gait cycle.

Stability is important in the sole and heel cup to prevent overpronation (when your foot rolls inward) and excessive movement at the heel. A shoe that hugs the heel can help encourage better alignment of the foot within the shoe. This alignment can benefit joints above the ankle as well.

Removable soles make shoes more adjustable and can potentially provide extra features that may benefit a person with plantar fasciitis. A rocker sole, for example, is thicker than your normal sole and has a rounded heel. This helps prevent a flat surface for the foot, which can be uncomfortable for someone whose plantar fascia is causing them pain with walking and standing.

Superior Support For Plantar Fasciitis

Looking for shoes that provide the ideal amount of cushion with each step alongside reliable arch support, a lightweight feel, and a stylish look?

For the best shoes for plantar fasciitis of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of experts consisting of three podiatrists who shared their top shoe picks and why they recommend them. Star ratings were then determined by the Forbes Health editorial team based on price, average user satisfaction and the number of color options available.

Picking the right pair of shoes can greatly relieve the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. But, unfortunately, sometimes changing your footwear just isn’t enough to help your plantar fasciitis symptoms go away.

Shoes can have a great impact on your comfort level, and the wrong pair can be a major contributing factor to your pain, but shoes alone are not the solution to plantar fasciitis. If you’re experiencing what you believe is plantar fasciitis, see an orthopedist or doctor of physical therapy to get a proper diagnosis and a personalized exercise plan to make sure that the cause of your pain is being addressed appropriately.

Avoid flat, hard-soled shoes or shoes that simply don’t fit because they are either too spacious at the toe or heel, or too snug.

Orthotics are shoe inserts that can modify a pair of shoes to fit your feet. Customizable orthotics are prescribed by a medical professional and can be adapted to your foot using scans, impressions and other technology to create a sole that perfectly fits your foot and best corrects or supports any specific issues. Orthotics can decrease heel rise and Achilles tendon force as you walk, reducing pain felt along the plantar fascia.

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Rachel Tavel is a doctor of physical therapy, certified strength and conditioning specialist and writer. She works as a physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy setting and as a freelance writer. Tavel is a regular contributor to Men's Health, for which she has a recurring series called "Your Personal PT." Her writing has also appeared in Runner's World, SELF, Bustle, HuffPost and Bicycling magazine. She recently co-wrote a book, Stretch Yourself Healthy. Tavel is passionate about sharing her expertise with others so that people can gain a better understanding of their bodies while learning how to treat and prevent pain.

Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.