7 Best Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis in 2023

The Adrenaline GTS 23 is hands down the best overall shoe for people with plantar fasciitis. It has rock-solid support, ample cushioning, and high heel to toe drop that are ideal for runners who need that added bit of protection for their feet.

And it's hard to find shoes that keep feet protected as well as the GTS 23. Its GuideRails system did a great job keeping the foot from rolling too far inwards or outwards during our runs. The shoe's midsole width in the forefoot and heel are also 4.5 mm and 7 mm wider than average, and we appreciated the safe landing platform that the wide base provided.

The GTS 23 has a good amount of cushioning in the heel with 34.1 mm of foam, which we measured to be 20.7% softer than the average shoe. That combination of cushioning and comfort makes the GTS 23 ideal for cruising along in easy runs.

The GTS 23 also has a 12.6 mm heel to toe drop, which is 41.5% taller than the average running shoe. This is great since shoes with a higher drop help to put weight more in the forefoot and away from the plantar in the heel.

However, the GTS 23 doesn't quite hold up in terms of toebox durability. The shoe scored 1 out of 5 as the mesh upper was significantly destroyed in our standardized Dremel test. So those looking for a shoe with a more durable upper better look elsewhere.

Hoka redefines the traditional heavy stability shoe with Arahi 6. A breath of fresh air on our feet, it offers consistent and subtle support through its balanced cushion and vast platform. The lab results show this but it's our actual runs that cemented Arahi 6 as the best lightweight shoe for runners with plantar fasciitis.

While most stability shoes weigh above 10.0 oz (283g) and the average running shoe is 9.5 oz (268g), Arahi 6 boasts a feathery 8.9 oz (252g). With its high-density foam and spacious platform, we’re surprised by how airy it is. 

Zooming into the midsole, Arahi 6 integrates the J-Frame technology — a firmer J-shaped foam outside the midsole for better balance and support. To enhance comfort, Hoka provides enough stack to mute out ground feel. It’s notably higher than average in the forefoot leading to a more leveled 4.1 mm heel drop. We noticed a more even weight distribution and less localized tension.

Further ensuring a steady ride is the platform that runs 2.1/7.4 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel. This gives all types of foot-strikers enough room to land more stably.

We’re not too convinced with the outsole as it lacks the coverage to last long and the soft rubber for reliable grip.

The Glycerin GTS 20 is the stability version of Brooks’ popular and versatile daily trainer and is just as reliable and comfy. This incredibly supportive shoe pampers our feet throughout our daily runs. It’s truly second to none as having the best cushioning for plantar fasciitis.  

With a durometer reading of 23.4 HA, the Glycerin GTS 20’s midsole is about as soft as our current lab average. However, the shoe’s robust stack, which we measured to be 0.9 mm and 3.1 mm higher than average at the forefoot and heel respectively, means we had lots of protective foam underfoot during our test runs. The result is a ride that feels extremely protective and softer than the durometer leads us to believe. 

Additionally, the Glycerin GTS 20 employs Brooks’ GuideRails system, in the form of firm pieces of foam integrated into either side of the midsole, for excellent support and stability. This manifests itself in a high level of torsional rigidity, which we scored 4 out of 5 in our manual assessment. By mitigating how much our foot is able to move laterally, the shoe helps us maintain proper alignment during our stride and, in that way, prevents worsening any foot injuries. 

Tipping the scale at 10.9 oz (309g), the Glycerin GTS 20 is certainly a chunky monkey. This is especially the case for those used to neutral road shoes, which on average weigh 9.42 oz (267g). Even stability shoes tend to weigh in under 10.6 oz (300g).

After our runs and lab tests, we found that Adistar 2.0 is the best daily trainer for athletes with plantar fasciitis because it’s a flexible, neutral shoe with subtle stability elements. It focuses on comfort through its loose build and vast platform, while the dual-density foam provides support without altering our natural form.

Like most daily trainers, Adistar 2.0 is uncomplicated and doesn’t resist our movements. Putting it against our 90-degree bend test, it stands 22.8% more flexible than average. Despite being a supportive shoe, we could stride naturally.

Its midsole is the main star — with two layers of foam balancing comfort and stability. The top layer feels very comfy and our durometer confirms it’s 7.1% softer than average. The second REPETITOR+ foam feels much firmer, especially in the heel area. Measuring 30.6% firmer than average, it keeps us centered and steady.

Further promoting stability is the wide platform with extra allowance in the heel and forefoot areas. Locking down our foot in place is the stiff heel counter that scored 4/5 in our manual assessment. On average, heel counters are less rigid (2.7/5). 

Landing on our heels feels pretty harsh because of the firm cushion in this area. We recommend extreme heel-strikers to look elsewhere.

Saucony Guide 16 claims the best with wide toebox spot among plantar fasciitis running shoes with its accommodating and comfortable fit. It includes a spacious toebox, while the cushion and heel hug our feet in place. As a modern stability shoe, it still promotes our natural foot movement despite its supportive features.

Those with wide feet will be pleased to hear that the toebox measures 100.1 mm, 2.0 mm wider than average. This is partnered with a landing platform that’s 1.1 mm more spacious as well, allowing our toes to splay naturally with every stride.

We cut the shoe open to find the main support of Guide 16 — the HOLLOW-TECH frame. It effectively supports the arch as our feet sit inside the carved-out cushion (not on top). The firm cushion distributes our weight evenly, reducing localized tension. Adding to our steadiness is the rigid heel counter that keeps our runs balanced and centered. 

Despite the stabilizing elements, the ride feels smooth because of the flexible midsole that adapts to our movement instead of resisting it. Our 90-degree bend test validates it’s 32.8% more flexible than average.

We warn caution about some mild rubbing in the upper when worn sockless. We recommend wearing socks with this pair.

When it comes to conquering the trails, those suffering from or prone to plantar fasciitis need to be sure to choose the right shoe, as traversing uneven terrains and hills is likely to aggravate their injury. Therefore, a supportive and protective shoe is what’s needed, and the absolute tank that is the Salomon XA Pro 3D v8 fits that bill like no other, making it our #1 pick for the best trail shoe for plantar fasciitis. 

We were barely able to bend or twist the shoe in our manual assessment, earning the XA Pro 3D v8 a torsional rigidity score of 5 out of 5. This is thanks to the eponymous 3D chassis found at the bottom of the shoe, which had us feeling extremely surefooted and stable as we scampered along the uneven trails. It also acts as a rock plate, effectively shielding us from hard objects underfoot that might exacerbate injuries. 

The 3D chassis also lends the shoe a high level of longitudinal stiffness, as demonstrated in our 90-degree flex test where a whopping 44.7N of force was needed to bend the shoe. This is 45.1% stiffer than average and means that the shoe puts up a lot of resistance to our natural foot flexion as we run. In preventing our foot from bending excessively, the shoe mitigates the amount of stress put on our ligaments for a comfy and supportive ride. 

Pressing our durometer against the midsole gives us a reading of 36.9 HA, which is 36.7% firmer than the average trail shoe. While this plays a role in the shoe’s tank-like feeling underfoot, it didn’t provide us with nearly enough cushioning for longer runs where our feet felt like they were being battered by the latter mile markers.

The ASICS GT 2000 11 is an easy choice for our top value shoe for people with plantar fasciitis. This lightweight stability shoe delivers a lot for just $140, as it has the right combination of gentle support and comfortable cushioning that can ably protect plantar fasciitis-afflicted runners. 

At 9.95 oz (282g), the GT 2000 11 doesn't weigh as much as other stability shoes (10.5 oz or 298.3g on average) due to its less robust stability elements. But its LITETRUSS system is still more than capable of providing that added support. We didn't feel it as much during our runs, but it was certainly there when needed.

The overall comfort of the GT 2000 11 was hard to miss, though. We measured the softness of the dual-density midsole at 29.3 HA, which was 17.7% harder than the average running shoe. But we felt that it had a nice balanced cushioning that was neither too soft nor too firm.

And while the GT 2000 11 is far from the stiffest stability shoe — our 90-degree bend test showed it was 24.8% more flexible than average — it still has a good amount of spring from the FF Blast in the forefoot.

However, the GT 2000 11 runs a bit narrow in the forefoot area. We measured it at 95.6 mm, 2.3 mm narrower than the average. However, ASICS does offer the shoe in wide and extra-wide options.