Plantar Fasciitis is a common foot condition that is known for the tremendous foot pain it causes, most often occurring when a person gets out of bed in the morning. It is widely referred to as joggers’ heel, and tennis heel, but is sometimes miscommunicated as heel spurs.
Plantar fasciitis occurs in approximately 10% of the US population and this number is probably conservative as many people find solutions to treat it on their own without seeking medical advice. And because its symptoms can often be minimized without too much medical intervention, a few lifestyle changes such as wearing the best shoes for plantar fasciitis can make the condition manageable.
Our Top Picks for the Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes for Women in 2022
Best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: Shop Sierra
The Sierra is a fantastic choice for women who suffer from plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions since it boasts many features.
To keep the plantar fasciitis inflammation and pain at bay, a premium orthotic is designed directly in the shoe and offers great comfort for all day wear. The anatomical arch releases the strain from the stretched fascia band, aligns the body and controls overpronation.
Made with flexible wool uppers, Sierra will fit your feet perfectly since the material will conform to the shape of your foot and offer a pressure free fit for bunions, hammertoes, and swollen or wide feet. In addition, the wool blend fiber is an excellent temperature regulator keeping your feet cool and dry in the summer and warm in the winter.
Sierra has a wide and round toe box that provides ample space for maximum toe movement and a comfortable fit for every foot type.
Customer Review:
“I really like this shoe. The wool is flexible enough for my bunions and hammer toes. The arch support is good for my plantar fasciitis. I have worn them walking and on my feet all day and they continue to be comfortable. I have a narrow heel but with the laces I can get them tight enough…I am very happy with this shoe.” Janis H.
Best mary janes for plantar fasciitis: Shop Sanibel
Prefect for when the weather starts to warm up, Sanibel will be your go to shoe for virtually any activity and outfit. You can still look cute despite having plantar fasciitis!
The orthotic insole that is included in this style is made from unique foam that customizes to your specific foot over time. The pad under the heel has a trampoline effect and offsets the initial force when your heel strikes the ground. This minimizes the heel pain associated with fat pad atrophy and plantar fasciitis making them the best shoes for plantar fasciitis for women.
Sanibel allows for a customized fit in the most important places, the instep and heel. Both are padded and won’t irritate the skin or cause blisters. The function of the heel strap is to accommodate different heel widths and shapes. If you have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel, you will be able to tighten the grip and prevent slippage. On the opposite end, you might have swollen feet or need to fit a brace or AFO, so loosening the grip will create plenty of space.
Sanibel is available in black, gray, and turquoise in widths from narrow up to extra extra wide!
Customer Review:
“I badly pulled my Achilles tendon, then developed chronic plantar fasciitis…had made finding shoes that were bearably wearable impossible. I was stuck wearing house slippers because I couldn't afford custom built shoes, and then I was told about OrthoFeet and I did some looking, read tons of reviews, and without exception, they raved over these shoes. So, I bought my first pair, and now own three pair. I can't say enough positive things about these shoes. I can now wear shoes again!” Cherie D.
Best shoes for plantar fasciitis for women: Shop Coral
Our recommendation for the best comfortable plantar fasciitis shoes is Coral. It is a lightweight sneaker that offers a relaxed fit because of the 4 way stretch uppers and ergonomic sole. The flexible material will curve and take the shape of your feet to offer a customized fit. Those of us who have other foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes or wide feet know how hard it is to squeeze into shoes that don’t have any give. Coral will fit like a glove and you’ll never want to take them off!
The signature orthotic insole will prop up the arch under the foot, prevent your feet from rolling inwards and align the body from the ground up. The overworked tendon will be kept in a neutral arch position reducing the stress, scarring and pain experienced.
Two air pockets within the sole, along with the foam padding in the insole and unique rocker bottom design will provide a cloud like feeling when you’re on your feet. These features also make for easier walking. And for days your feet are in full motion, the airy mesh upper will be sure to keep them cool and dry.
Coral is available in black, gray, silver, and turquoise in widths from narrow up to extra wide.
Customer Review:
“These shoes have been a lifesaver. I work 8 hours on hard concrete floors in retail and have plantar fasciitis issues. I would come home to aching feet and couldn’t hardly stand at the end of the day. Since wearing these shoes I don’t have that problem! No more pain! They are roomy and have great arch support as well. I highly recommend them!” Stephanie C.
Most comfortable boots for plantar fasciitis: Shop Delta
For the ultimate support, especially good for feet with ankle instability, Delta offers the best motion control with its solid heel counter, sturdy outsole, and high shaft design.
The new release of the Delta (black leather) is an upgraded version for more adventures activities that require increased protection. The uppers are designed with waterproof leathers and a sealed seam construction that prevents any water from seeping though. A special rubber and unique tread design in the outsole provides traction and grip, even on wet surfaces.
Engineered with the Ortho-Cushion System, they work wonders to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. The orthotic insole includes multiple cushioning layers to support and cradle the foot in comfort and alleviate strain on the plantar fascia and heel. Moreover, the lightweight ergonomic soles feature a mild rocker bottom to facilitate foot motion and evenly distribute shock forces to substantially reduce heel pain.
Delta is made with extra depth that spans the whole length of the shoe. Thicker socks, or custom orthotics will fit comfortably. These boots will keep your feet supported and pain free no matter where your adventures take you!
Customer Review:
“Received my shoes a few weeks ago and I love them. I have struggled for years with plantar fasciitis and slipping my feet into these shoes, was like wrapping them in a big hug. The support is fantastic! Most definitely will purchase more shoes from OrthoFeet!” Lynn H.
Best slippers for plantar fasciitis: Shop Louise
Unfortunately, plantar fasciitis doesn’t disappear when you are sitting around in your house. If you are wearing shoes for plantar fasciitis but take them off when you get home and don’t replace them with other supportive shoes or if you wear just ordinary slippers, all the pain will come right back. This is why its really important to get yourself a pair of slippers that have orthotic support to help minimize plantar fasciitis discomfort.
Fortunately, we found the Louise slipper to be an excellent choice that has eliminates the heel pain, nerve pain and inflammation. It features a real orthotic with lots of supportive cushioning, stretch uppers so regardless of your foot shape or whether you have a bunion or edema, your feet will experience the best when at home.
They are also designed with a durable sole that is characterized with a minimal heel to toe drop to propel the foot forward, facilitate joint motion and absorb shock forces. This means you can wear them even outside of the house!
Louise is available in widths from narrow to extra wide.
Customer Review:
“Instant relief. I have had plantar fasciitis in both feet and other knee, hip, and back pains from years of running and high-impact sports…I was in desperate need of arch support and relief from my daily discomfort. I did a lot of research and decided to try Orthofeet...Back pain...gone, foot aches and pains...gone!” Tracy R.
Best sandals for plantar fasciitis: Shop Malibu
A classic warm weather staple, this quarter strap sandal will fit almost any foot thanks to the multiple adjustability straps in its design. The Malibu has a forefoot strap across the instep, an elastic strap across the forefoot area to accommodate bunions and hammertoes and a heel strap to accommodate different shape heels for a perfect fit. And of course, they are all padded with foam for gentle contact against the skin to create a comfortable fit.
The built-in orthotic insole will provide excellent relief from plantar fasciitis pain, supporting the arch and plantar fascia. It is made with several thick layers of advanced foam to cushion the feet from heel to toe and disperse shock forces while you are enjoying the outdoors.
Malibu is designed with a two-way strap system that features hook and loop tabs on both side of the sandal. This allows for easy access and allows you to open and close them from either the inside or outside of the foot which is helpful for those who have difficulty bending down.
You can customize the arch support to your needs by using the included Arch Booster. When you place it under the orthotic insole, it enhances arch support and reduces pressure at the ball-of-foot.
Malibu is available in pewter and black in widths from medium up to extra wide.
Customer Review:
“I have chronic heel pain from plantar fasciitis so finding the right shoes is impossible in regular stores. These sandals are very well made and are adjustable in many ways. I'm a true size 7 with a narrow foot and they fit perfectly with the straps in the shortest positions. There are additional arch support inserts provided which are wonderful…super comfortable sandals perfect for everyday wear.” Julianne P.
Whichever style you decide to go with, just make sure to it has some or all of the features mentioned above so that you indeed get the best womens shoes for plantar fasciitis to help you eliminate the pain and start feeling great on your feet again.
What causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot supporting the arch, connecting the heel area to the toes.
This band of fibers is also made up of collagen, that over time and due to years of activity, degenerates and tears causing it to become irritated, inflamed and stiff. The area under the heel is usually the place where the most pain is experienced. There is no underlying cause to developing plantar fasciitis, however your risk to developing it may be greater if you fall into one of the categories below:
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If you are overweight
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If you have a very high arch
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If you recently started a new physical regimen or intensified a current activity
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If you have difficulty flexing your feet and bringing your toes upwards due to stiff calf muscles
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If you engage in physical activities that use repetitive motion such as running
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If you wear inappropriate footwear
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If you are above 40 years old and active
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If you have a certain disease such as Arthritis that can cause plantar fasciitis
What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis are easy to identify and can include any of the following in the heel area or along the longitudinal arch:
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Sharp pain
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Burning sensation
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Stiffness
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Swelling
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Tenderness
These symptoms are most prominent when your foot first steps on the ground after a period of rest, such as a night’s sleep or prolonged sitting.
How can I minimize Plantar Fasciitis pain?
The encouraging aspect of having plantar fasciitis is that you can live with it and
be pain free! As the foot experts, below are our recommendations that will have you up and running in no time.
One of the first and most effective treatment options doctors suggest is wearing the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. Footwear can be directly related to foot pain and plantar fasciitis which means that the right footwear can greatly affect your pain level as well as your speed of recovery. But what exactly is the right footwear? To answer that question, we’ve made a list of what to look for in a shoe if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. One such brand that specializes in designing the best shoes for plantar fasciitis is Orthofeet.
Arch support - Shoes with anatomical arch support located at the correct position under the arch helps relieve pain by supporting the foot, reducing overpronation, and thus reducing the tension on the fascia.
A deep heel cup - The right heel cup should hug your heel to protect the heel bone and control pronation and supination.
Customizable cushioning – Make sure the shoes have an excellent cushioning system to absorb the impact when the heel hits the ground. Memory foam or other materials that conform to the contours of the foot offer the best comfort.
Flexibility -The best plantar fasciitis shoes should bend gradually at the ball-of-foot and offer some resistance. Shoes that are either too stiff or too unstructured cannot protect the feet. To test the shoes, trying twisting and bending them.
Ergonomic sole - Plantar fasciitis shoes should be designed with an ergonomic sole that propels the foot forward, facilitating foot motion to minimize impact.
Roomy toe box – More often than not, the shoes we buy are too small and too tight for our feet. A wide toe box design ensures our toes are not cramped that can exacerbate foot pain.
Extra depth design – Shoes with extra depth can accommodate custom orthotics.
So where can you find the best shoes for plantar fasciitis? A good place to start is by looking at Orthofeet’s selection of plantar fasciitis shoes. Orthofeet plantar fasciitis shoes are designed with the unique Ortho-Cushion System™ engineered with built-in orthotic insoles to support and cushion the feet. The shoes promote comfort and allow sufferers to continue being active all day. To view Orthofeet’s shoes for plantar fasciitis and learn about the technology, click here.
Stretching – it is highly recommended to perform daily stretches if you have plantar fasciitis. Loosening the stiff calf and feet muscles will help ease the pain in the heel and along the bottom of the foot.
Orthotics – Supporting the arch along the plantar fascia can minimize the stress and stretching, mitigate the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis.
Anti-inflammatory – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as aspirin, and ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Icing the sore area is another alternative. Icing should be performed for at least 15 minutes following stretching.
