7 Best Walking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis in 2023

Jovana Subic
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Your feet deserve better than the stabbing pain in the heel area. Finding the right shoes is #1 step to stand in the way of this. The purpose of this guide is to go in-depth on which shoes are best for plantar fasciitis, why are they different from other shoes and what science has to say.

We have reviewed over 30 pairs of walking shoes that are recommended for this condition. Some shoes are better suited for people with wide feet, some feel extra light, and some offer extra slip-resistance on smooth surfaces. See our top picks in each of these categories in the carousel below.

Disclaimer: This guide was created for educational purposes and tends in no way to offer medical advice or diagnosis.

How we test walking shoes

We have implemented CoreScore - our systematic approach to shoe reviews. It allows us to remove spam and weigh reviews from true experts more. We gathered reviews from 139,209 users and applied the CoreScore. This way, all the shoes are rated 0-100 based on reviews. That’s how our collection of walking shoes for plantar fasciitis happened!

Best overall walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

Brooks Ghost 14
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The Ghost 14 from Brooks really fits the bill as the shoe for all runners. It's a workhorse that's comfy enough for easy days, responsive for tempo sessions, and is heavy-duty to handle light trails. Overall, a no-fuss daily trainer that will work for all your runs!

Pros

  • All about comfort!
  • True to size
  • Lots of padding
  • Smooth ride
  • Really stable, even on light trails
  • Great out of the box
  • Built for longevity (500 miles, easily)
  • Great grip

Cons

  • Lacks breathability for hot summer days
  • Not the best for long distances
Full review of Brooks Ghost 14

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Red (615)
Primer Grey/Black/Alloy (039)
Titan/Teal/Flame (488)
Grey/Alloy/Oyster (067)
Black/Blackened Pearl/Blue (056)
Black/Blue/Nightlife (069)
Grey/Blue/Red (078)
Green Gecko/Blue/Black (310)
More colors

Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis and flat feet

What makes it the best?

One of Brooks’ most revered and popular stability shoes gets a well-needed modern update for 2022. This daily runner is loved by many because it’s seen as the Jack of all trades running shoe thanks to a bi-directional correction for different over-pronation. With fresher looks, it’s now an even more attractive option.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Promising durability
  • Stability for all directions
  • Improved aesthetics
  • Phenomenal grip
  • A firmer, faster midsole
  • Consistent in all conditions
  • Reliable daily runner

Cons

  • High price point for stability aimed at beginners
  • Midsole is too hard for some
Full review of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/Blue/Orange (034)
Arctic/Red/Titan (004)
Black/Blue/Nightlife (069)
Blue/Light Blue/Orange (404)
Oyster/India Ink/Blue (023)
Peacoat/India Ink/Grenadine (435)
Alloy/Grey/Black (012)
Black/Black/Ebony (020)
More colors

Best slip-resistant shoes for plantar fasciitis

Hoka Bondi SR
87
Good!

What makes it the best?

The Bondi SR is one of Hoka's bestselling models. It is a walking shoe fantastic for individuals working long shifts while on their feet. If you work in environments with constantly wet floors, this is where the shoe hits home. A letdown of this shoe, however, is its bulky design. If you want a similar performance with a simpler look, you might want to check out the New Balance 623 v3.

Pros

  • Exceptional comfort
  • Ample cushioning
  • Alleviates foot discomfort
  • Grippy outsole
  • Superior material quality
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Causes heel chafing
  • Lacks breathability
Full review of Hoka Bondi SR

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (BBLC)
White (WHT)

Best slip-on walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

Skechers Arch Fit - Keep It Up is a cozy slip-on with reputable arch support. The comfort of this walking shoe has helped many people forget about their foot issues and enjoy walking for extended periods of time. The knit upper wraps around the foot nicely, leaving no chance to heel slips.

Pros

  • Incredible arch support
  • Comfortable step-in
  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Helps to relieve pain
  • Sock-like knit upper
  • Secure fit, no heel slips
  • Good-looking style and colors
  • Machine-washable

Cons

  • Hard to put on for some
  • Not many colors
Full review of Skechers Arch Fit - Keep It Up

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Wbk (160)
Black/White (BKW)

Best leather shoe for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

Wearers acknowledged the New Balance 623 v3 as a comfortable and supportive everyday walking and gym workout shoe. It is also regarded as a good companion for people with foot issues. On the other hand, a significant number of reviewers were dismayed about its durability. Still, the shoe is quite recommendable for its other benefits.

Pros

  • Supportive midsole
  • Stylish
  • Good color selection
  • Relieves foot issues
  • Reasonably priced
  • Fits perfectly

Cons

  • Upper and sole durability issues
Full review of New Balance 623 v3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White/Silver (MX623AW3)
Black (MX623AB3)
White/Navy (MX623WN3)

Best value walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

Looking for an uber-comfortable and stable shoe for spending long days on your feet? Your search ends with Skechers Arch Fit. Designed specifically for people with flat feet and overpronation, it is one of the best supportive shoes that you can get for such a low price. Not to mention how light it feels on the foot. From the first step, the shoe's comfort will make you want to wear it for hours.

Pros

  • Arch support for flat feet
  • Plush underfoot
  • Firm and stable platform
  • Smooth heel-to-toes
  • Excellent fit
  • Exceptional durability
  • Surprisingly light
  • Great traction
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Flimsy heel counter (use a shoehorn)
  • Laces need a double knot
  • Warm for summer
Full review of Skechers Arch Fit

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Grey (GYNV)
Blu Navy Arancione (NVOR)
Charcoal/Orange (CCOR)
Black (298)
Charcoal (CHAR)
Grey Leather Black Mesh Blue Trim (BKGY)
Blue (417)
Beige (TPE)
Black Textile Synthetic White Trim (149)

Comparison of the 7 best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

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CoreScore
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Experts
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# of colorways

Do you need shoes for plantar fasciitis 

Yes, if you have plantar fasciitis. It is well known for the pain that happens in the heel area and might even spread to the midfoot area. The pain is present because the fascia that connects your heel to your toes becomes inflamed, usually because of the overuse. The best thing to do is to see a specialist about it - better than trying to self-diagnose. There are numerous possible causes for heel pain.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis 

In this review of the most current scientific literature on plantar fasciitis, the symptoms are listed as follows: 

  • A severe heel pain in the morning or after a rest period
  • The heel pain that gets worse with weight bearing 
  • Pain might spread from heel to the midfoot 
  • Soreness when palpating plantar fascia 
  • Discomfort when you bend your big toe by hand (passively)

7 features of walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

If you’re experiencing plantar heel pain you might experience difficulty with footwear comfort, fit and choice, as this research has shown. Don’t be discouraged, here’s the list of shoe features to help with the pain. 

Features-of-plantar-fasciitis-walking-shoes.png

These are the things you should look for in a shoe in case you have plantar fasciitis. The idea behind these features is to find a shoe that minimizes impacts when your foot hits a hard surface. 

  1. Comfort: shoe should be comfortable overall! 
  2. Wider forefoot area so your toes don’t feel pressure (avoid shoes that are snug in the forefoot) 
  3. Cushioning: appropriate amount of cushioning which decreases the impact forces while walking. Pay special attention to the heel area, it should have additional padding which takes the strain off the plantar fascia ligament.
  4. Arch support: in case you have flat feet. 
  5. Sturdy sole: offers highly needed stability features 
  6. Firm heel counter: keeping the heel steady minimizes additional stretching of the plantar fascia
  7. Removable insoles: you might need this option in case you go for special insoles for plantar fasciitis.

Not all these features are a must. Comfort comes first. Everything else is there to eliminate/lessen the pain and make your walking a comfortable experience. 

You should definitely avoid barefoot type of shoes, because they lack in majority of the features mentioned above.

Average price of walking shoes for plantar fasciitis 

For comparison, we’ve shown average prices of shoes for flat feet, for plantar fasciitis, and all walking shoes. Keep in mind that this is the manufacturer's suggested retail price - you can always look for discounts.

average-msrp-of-walking-shoes-flat-feet-plantar-fasciitis-all-shoes.png

Also, per our database, 28% of walking shoes are for plantar fasciitis. 

walking-shoes-market-breakdown-flat-feet-plantar-fasciitis-other.png

Treatment of plantar fasciitis 

It’s important to consult your specialist about possible treatments for your condition. The treatments that should likely be attempted first are those that are low-cost and low-risk such as stretching of the plantar fascia and/or Achilles tendon, education about the condition, and prefabricated orthotics (as explained here). 

This, however, is a general overview of how the treatment algorithm looks like: 

Treatment-for-plantar-fasciitis-timeline.png

If you’re dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis, this research offers an in-depth comparison between different inserts and insoles.

Don’ts for people with plantar fasciitis 

1. What happens if you ignore plantar fasciitis?

It will go from acute to chronic pain. It might even lead to pain in other body parts, because you’ll start walking differently in order to lessen the paint by changing the impact in the feet. This way, compensation will happen and other body parts will light up. In order to avoid new discomfort and pain, it’s important to treat plantar fasciitis while it’s in the acute phase.

2. Can I walk on the treadmill if I have plantar fasciitis?

Walking on a treadmill might make your plantar fasciitis worse. Basically, you’re doing more steps in a shorter period of time. The best suggestion for plantar fasciitis is to stop repetitive motion with impact forces in the heel. 

Some even advise activities such as elliptical machine or stationary cycling until the symptoms resolve, as shown in this study

3. Can I wear running shoes for walking if I have plantar fasciitis? 

Depends on the purpose. If you’re doing quick power walks, running shoes might do. Pay attention to how your feet feel. However, if you’re looking for shoes for casual walks, you should look for models made especially for walking. To read more on the differences between running and walking shoes, read our in-depth guide on walking shoes

4. Can I walk barefoot if I have plantar fasciitis? 

You should not walk barefoot. Plantar fasciitis means your plantar tendon is under too much pressure and you need stability features that shoes offer to help decrease both pain and pressure.

5. What causes plantar fasciitis?

The main cause hasn’t been discovered scientifically. However, there are numerous risk factors

Intrinsic risk factors: 

  • Obesity
  • Pes planus (flat feet)
  • Pes cavus (high-arched feet)
  • Shortened Achilles tendon
  • Overpronation (inward roll)
  • Limited ankle dorsiflexion
  • Weak intrinsic muscles of the foot
  • Weak plantar flexor muscles

Extrinsic risk factors: 

  • Poor biomechanics or alignment 
  • Deconditioning
  • Hard surface
  • Walking barefoot
  • Prolonged weight bearing
  • Inadequate stretching
  • Poor footwear
Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic

Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.