The best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

Nothing will put a stop to a bucket list travel adventure faster than a plantar fasciitis flare-up. The chronic foot condition that plagues thousands of Americans is the result of inflammation of a thick tissue band connecting the heels to the toes along the bottom of the foot. 

Generally, treatment includes rest, stretching, and sometimes medical treatments to alleviate inflammation, Dr. Audey Nasser, podiatrist and foot specialist at University Foot Associates in Gurnee, Ill, adds. Supportive footwear is also a must-have on his treatment list. We chose the Hoka Bondi 8 as the best shoe for plantar fasciitis sufferers, though other Hoka shoes made the list as well, thanks to their careful balance of cushioning and support.

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Choosing good shoes for plantar fasciitis is crucial for helping with pain and potentially preventing further irritation of the plantar fascia. Our picks for the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis are:

The best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis overall: Women’s Hoka Bondi 8

Buy it now at Hoka (Women's) (Men's)

Why we like it: The Hoka Bondi 8 is one of the most cushioned shoes in the Hoka line, making it a great option for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. It’s made with lighter foams than previous versions and boasts a new extended heel geometry, giving you a soft and balanced step each time you move. It also has removable insoles so you can use your own orthotics if needed, and received the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance for good foot health. It’s suitable for everyday activities, including walking and running, so it makes it the best overall shoe for plantar fasciitis — even if your condition isn’t letting you run marathons anytime soon.

Keep in mind: These shoes do have a wider heel, so for some consumers, they might not be aesthetically appealing. Some reviews have mentioned that they feel like they’re wearing “clown shoes,” so it might be worth trying them on to see if they meet your personal preferences. On the other hand, bulkier sneakers seem to be trending, and comfort is always trending — especially in painful conditions.

Product details: Materials: Mesh, memory foam, polyester, rubber | Shoe type: Everyday walking/running shoe | Width: Regular and wide | Heel drop: 4.00 mm | Sizes: 5-12 

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Best men’s walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: New Balance 990v6

Buy it now at New Balance

Why we like it: The New Balance 990v6 provides a great combination of cushioning —from its lightweight midsole cushioning with a durable rim to its removable padded footbed. It also has a breathable lining and adjustable laces. These unisex shoes have a plush but supportive feel and might be a great alternative to those who find Hokas to be too bulky — a common complaint for men who don’t want to feel they are walking on platforms to get pain relief.

Keep in mind: There aren’t loads of color options, so if you prefer a brighter color or something beyond black, navy, and gray, the New Balance 990v6 might not be your best fit.

Product details: Materials: Mesh, suede and synthetic overlays | Shoe type: Running shoe | Width: Standard (D) | Heel drop: 10 mm | Sizes: Men’s 4-14, women’s 5.5-15.5 

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Best women’s walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: KURU ROAM Atla

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Why we like it: The Kuru Roam Atla is a slip-on shoe that offers plenty of support. Their heel-hugging design means your heels don’t hurt, and the insole hugs your feet and arches, providing comfort that lasts much longer than other shoes.

Kuru has recently been pushing the orthopedic/comfort shoe industry forward with trendy and stylish options for those with foot conditions. This is a win for people suffering from plantar fasciitis who often have to sacrifice aesthetics for support.

Women who find relief from Kuru’s sneakers might also want to try their other travel-friendly shoes that offer support for the heel, especially some of their sandal options.

Keep in mind: These are wider shoes, so you might consider sizing down. Some consumers mentioned that while the toe area fits fine, the heel part was wide, and they found it more difficult to keep it on.

Product details: Materials: Canvas, rubber | Shoe type: Everyday shoe | Width: Medium | Heel drop: 6 mm | Sizes: 6-11 

Best sneaker for plantar fasciitis for men: Brooks Beast GTS 23

Buy it now at Zappos

Why we like it: The Brooks Beast GTS 23 combines style and functionality in a running shoe. With its wide base and generous fit, the shoe allows space for orthotics if needed. It also provides slightly more cushioning than the Brooks standard cushioning and is made for maximum support, no matter what the road ahead of you looks like.

Keep in mind: This is a pricier shoe, and some customers shared that they didn’t feel the quality was as good as it should be given the price, noting some thread and stitching issues after a couple of months of wear.

Product details: Materials: Mesh | Shoe type: Maximum support running shoe | Width: Medium (1D), wide (2E) and extra wide (4E) | Heel drop: 12 mm | Sizes: 8-15 

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Best sneaker for plantar fasciitis for women: Asics GEL-Kayano

Buy it now at Zappos

Why we like it: The Asics Gel-Kayano is the top for stability and soft cushioning. Asics uses its 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM™ to give the shoe adaptive stability to land softly, absorb shock, and reduce overpronation. This is especially useful during long-distance events, such as training or marathons. While the point of this system is to help runners be more agile and adaptable to changing conditions and fatigue, it works well for those navigating pain conditions, in which the foot tires as well.

The shoe also uses gel technology underneath the heel, giving you smoothness and softness with every step you take. Gel is one of the substances sometimes used to give extra cushiony shoes their forgiving feel.

The super cushy heel makes you feel a bit springier than you would otherwise, basically energizing your sore and tired feed. Also, the brand carries around 22 colors, so you can actually pick one you love and not just a bland, boring, “supportive” shoe.

Keep in mind: While stability is great, the cushioning might not be as cloud-like as you’re accustomed to or when compared to others on the list. 

Product details: Materials: Stretch knit and cushioning | Shoe type: Running/distance training | Width: Standard | Heel drop: 10 mm | Sizes: 5-13 

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Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis with arch support: Aetrex Laura Arch Support

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Why we like it: Aetrex uses a built-in orthotic system, meaning you’ll have arch support that stabilizes and aligns while also helping to relieve foot pain. The shoes have extra cushioning in their insoles, giving pressure relief. The insole has antimicrobial technology to help prevent foot odors, which can minimize the need for washing them frequently.

This brand also offers numerous orthotics that make any of their already supportive shoes even more comfy, especially if you have a higher arch or need specialized support.

Keep in mind: Larger sizes are hard to come by, and colors are extremely limited.

Product details: Materials: Premium Italian nubuck and rubber | Shoe type: Everyday active shoe | Width: Standard | Heel drop: n/a | Sizes: 5-11 

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Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis with wide feet for men: Birkenstock Arizona softbed

Buy it now at Zappos

Why we like it: Many people love a slip-on sandal, and those with plantar fasciitis deserve one too. The Birkenstock Arizona softbed sandal is a great option for those with a wider footbed, as it has adjustable buckles, allowing you to personalize for your best fit. This sandal has an extra foam layer for added comfort, along with an EVA sole that is lightweight and flexible, made from ethylene vinyl acetate — which basically feels like foam.

Birkenstocks are among the “harder” soled shoes that plantar fasciitis sufferers sometimes gravitate to for their supportive structure, but those who need a softer feel might like this style over traditional Birkenstock sandals with harder soles.

Keep in mind: Pay close attention when ordering to make sure you get the correct width for your foot —that’s important, especially for those with a wider foot, as the medium width of these can fit a bit narrower.

Product details: Materials: Natural leather and cork | Shoe type: Slip on | Width: Regular/Wide and Medium/Narrow | Heel drop: n/a | Sizes: 6-6.5 - 17.17.5 mens

Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis while traveling for women: Kizik Women's Brisbane

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Why we like it: The Kizik Brisbane is a truly hands-free, slip-on shoe —ideal for when you’re on the move while traveling. I’ve tried these and found that they’re extremely comfortable with their cushioned midsoles. The insoles are also removable and washable, helping you keep your shoes smelling fresh no matter what your travel adventures lead you to. This is a key feature for people who are only able to wear a few types of shoes due to this pain issue and might re-wear them many times in a row.

Kiziks are excellent for people with plantar fasciitis because you can slide your own orthotics in. Also, they offer people the chance to wear shoes that look much more like everyday streetwear and much less like an orthotic sneaker for the gym without sacrificing support. 

Keep in mind: Ensure the sizing is correct so you don’t slip out of these shoes if they are too loose.

Product details: Materials: Leather and cushioning | Shoe type: Everyday shoe | Width: Standard or Wide D | Heel drop: n/a | Sizes: 6-13 

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Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis while traveling for men: ECCO Slip on 2.0

Buy it now at Zappos

Why we like it: The ECCO Slip-On 2.0 is super lightweight and flexible. We also like the slip-on style and the fact that it contains a leather upper with a suede accent. The grippy bottoms give a bit of extra security and safety if you aren’t feeling super stable on your feet. These are perfect slides for those who have to go through airport security, or in and out of the car multiple times. The rounded toe bed design also gives plenty of wiggle room.

Keep in mind: Sometimes, leather takes a bit more time to break in and form to your feet than typical sneakers, so be a little more patient with these.

Product details: Materials: Leather and suede | Shoe type: Slip-on | Width: One option (M) | n/a | Sizes: 5-5.5 - 15-15.5

Best max cushion/max support for plantar fasciitis: Women’s HOKA Gaviota 5

Buy it now at Hoka (Women's) (Men's)

Why we like it: The Gaviota and the Clifton are two of Nasser’s favorite choices at Hoka, a brand that has changed my own life as a plantar fasciitis sufferer. The brand is known for “maximalist” styles, with substantial heel padding meant for long-distance runners or, in this case, people who don’t want plantar fasciitis to prevent them from traveling wherever they want. These maximalist styles offer more support and heel cushioning than other types of shoes, which can give people with plantar fasciitis the feeling of walking on a cloud rather than their heel striking the ground in a painful way. 

Compared to other models, the Gaviota 5 is a “wider” and “more accommodating” fit, the brand says. Nasser shared that for this, and other foot conditions, feel shouldn’t be restricted, so this style can help ensure the foot is in the right place and has enough room to be truly supported.

In addition, women tend to overpronate more than men do, research shows, so additional support will help women with plantar fasciitis keep their feet in the correct position for pain reduction.

Keep in mind: Some find Hokas too bulky and prefer a lighter or more streamlined shoe.

Product details: Materials: Mesh and foam | Shoe type: Everyday running/walking shoes | Width: Regular and wide | Heel drop: 6 mm | Sizes: 5-12

How we chose the best plantar fasciitis walking shoe

Nasser recommends choosing both reputable brands that have a track record of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis while also searching for specific qualities and support features like the following:

• Third party reviews: Nobody knows the best shoes for plantar fasciitis better than those who have the issue themselves. So, I looked to social media groups full of reviews from people who have the condition to determine which shoes they are trying most often and which are helping with pain relief.
• Orthotic brands with removable inserts: Certain brands align themselves with the term “orthotic” because they have substantial support, and often have additional features such as removable foot beds. This helps people with various pain conditions insert their customized orthotics to further customize the shoe to their specific needs.
• Substantial arch support: Plantar fasciitis impacts that long tendon running the length of the foot, right through the arch itself. So, sometimes, pain flares when people wear less supportive shoes, especially around the arch. I chose products with a strong arch support to help with that sensitive area.
• A cushioned heel: People with this foot condition know the pain of their heel striking the ground with each step. Sometimes, the only real solution is to put a nice fluffy barrier between your heel and the ground in the form of shoes with serious cushioning. Sometimes, this means extra layers of cushion, and for other shoes, it means that your heel can sink deep into the cushion and feel “cupped” all around it. Both are helpful for pain relief.

Tips for buying walking shoes when you have plantar fasciitis 

Arch support 

“Shoes with good arch support will help distribute pressure evenly across the foot,” Nasser says. You can also remove the liners or inserts from many types of shoes to replace them with orthotics for better arch support.

Cushioning

Adequate cushioning in the heel and forefoot absorbs shock and provides comfort, Nasser says. Look for shoes that specifically promote extra cushioning in these two areas, and test them out yourself to experiment with which level of cushioning feels the best to you — it’s an individual preference but one that people with plantar fasciitis should consider.

Heel support

“A firm heel counter helps stabilize the heel and provides additional support,” Nasser says, describing the structured part of a shoe that wraps around the back of the heel, providing essential support. So, look to heels that aren’t floppy or unstructured in the back or lower section of the shoe to ensure the heel has substantial support around it.

Shock absorption 

Minimize the impact on the feet during activities like walking or running, Nasser says, such as with shoes that have enough cushion and support in the heel.  

“With plantar fasciitis, effective shock absorption in shoes will help to reduce heel impact and alleviate pain. Look for cushioning materials like EVA foam, PU foam, gel inserts, and memory foam, which provide excellent shock absorption,” Nasser says. “Shoes with additional heel cushioning, dual-density midsoles, and “rocker-bottom” soles also help minimize impact. Check material descriptions, ensure proper padding in heel and forefoot areas, and seek shoes with good arch support.”

In addition, he says terms like "maximal cushioning," "extra cushioning," or "high-impact cushioning" indicate enhanced shock absorption. If you still aren’t sure, try the “pressure test,” Nasser says. “Press your thumb into the heel and forefoot areas of the shoe. Adequate cushioning should compress under pressure but return to its original shape quickly.”

Proper fit

“Shoes should fit well, providing ample room for the toes and not being too tight or too loose,” Nasser says. Move around when testing the shoes to ensure they are the right fit before committing.

Low to moderate heel

A slight heel lift (around 1-2 inches) can relieve tension on the plantar fascia compared to flat shoes. Nasser shares that you can also consider the heel-to-toe “drop” called the “shoe drop” when shopping. Most reputable brands list the heel-to-toe drop in the specifications, either on the shoebox or on the brand’s website, he adds, though you can ask for this information, especially in running shoe stores. 

Stability 

“A well-constructed sole and midsole help maintain proper foot alignment and prevent overpronation or supination,” Nasser says. This will help you feel well-balanced regardless of what type of activity you are trying to do, even with plantar fasciitis. 

Flexibility

“Shoes should have flexibility in the front part where the toes bend while maintaining support in the arch and heel to allow natural foot movement without excessive strain,” Nasser says.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis?

Nasser tends to favor Asics for great arch support and cushioning and Brooks for a wide range of supportive products. He also likes New Balance’s variety of styles with excellent arch support and cushioning, and Hoka’s maximalist cushioning and shock absorptions features, he says.

Are Hokas good for plantar fasciitis?

Hoka is one of the most recommended brands for people who have plantar fasciitis, as they offer extra cushioning in the heel area and support all around the foot. They also have removable soles so you can insert more specific orthotics based on your own needs, such as a higher arch or flatter foot. 

What is the best shoe drop for plantar fasciitis?

The "drop" of a shoe has to do with the angle of the sneaker. “It is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot of the shoe. It can be an important factor to consider, especially for individuals with plantar fasciitis or other foot conditions,” Nasser says. People with severe foot conditions can talk to their doctor about the best shoe drop for them specifically. Some running shoe stores might also have advice based on your needs.