10 Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, According to Podiatrists and Physical Therapists

Here’s what the experts say you should consider in a shoe if you suffer from the condition:

• A strong arch and midfoot support can absorb shock as you move and reduce pressure put on strained plantar fascia.
• Cushioned soles also absorb shock (and are comfy).
• A slight heel may also help ease pain — but too high could worsen pain as it puts more weight on the forefoot when running or walking. A 2022 study found a height of 5 to 40 mm is best for people with plantar fasciitis.
• Shoes with more stability can reduce overpronation (the rolling inward of the foot when it hits the ground) to lessen or prevent foot pain and Achilles tendinitis.
• Shoes included on the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance list have been tested and evaluated by podiatrists.

You might want to keep those cute strappy sandals or sky-high stilettos in the closet until your plantar fasciitis has subsided. “Avoid shoes with minimal arch support, thin soles or inadequate cushioning, such as flip-flops, ballet flats or high heels,” says Nicole Brouyette, DPM, FACFAS, a specialist in foot and ankle surgery at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. “These can exacerbate plantar-fasciitis symptoms by placing excess strain on the feet and altering biomechanics.” Be sure to put on supportive shoes when working from home, rather than wearing bedroom slippers or going barefoot, which Dr. Daughtry says she sees more often as more people are working remotely.

It is most often caused by strain to the plantar fascia — the soft tissue that covers the muscles on the bottom of the foot. “Plantar fasciitis tends to go along with an impairment of shock absorption,” Morrow says. Simply put, the more load placed on the foot, the more likely you are to develop plantar fasciitis. If you’ve recently increased your walking or running mileage or started wearing shoes that don’t absorb shock as well (or old shoes that are on their last legs), you could be at risk for plantar fasciitis. People who are heavier are also more likely to develop the condition.

Morrow recommends these stretches, done 2 to 3 times, holding for 20 to 30 seconds each time:

• Standing calf stretch: Face a wall and place both hands on the wall, with one leg back. Lean forward while keeping the back knee straight and your heel on the ground.
• Soleus stretch: Bring the foot a little closer to the wall, bend the knee instead of keeping it straight, with both heels on the ground. It can make the stretch feel closer to the Achilles.
• Kneeling foot stretch: Kneel on the floor, with your toes on the ground and your heels up. Slowly sit back on your ankles. This can be an intense stretch and may be too much, depending on your level of pain, Morrow cautions.

Why does stretching the calf help the bottom of the foot feel better? It’s all about connections. The calf muscles connect to the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the bottom of the foot, so stretching them soothes all the way down to the tips of the toes.

• To help an ouch in the arch, try rolling a cylindrical object under the bottom of the foot, Dr. Daughtry says. She likes using a reusable water bottle, as it can comfortably fit under the arch. Fill up the water bottle, place the bottle on the floor, and roll it back and forth under the arch while seated until you feel some relief.
• Morrow also recommends wearing a nighttime splint brace or splint sock to bed. It holds your toes in a slightly flexed position so your foot gets a gentle stretch all night as you sleep. Try the BraceAbility Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint Sock.
• Lastly, an orthotic insole may help ease pain when inserted into a shoe. The best ones are custom-fitted to your foot by a podiatrist, Dr. Daughtry says. But you can try “OTC” orthotics, like the highly rated Walk-Hero Plantar Fasciitis insoles.
• Some severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require more medical treatment from a podiatrist or other healthcare provider, Dr. Brouyette says. The condition can linger for a long time, so seeing a specialist early on is a good idea. “It’s essential to address plantar fasciitis early to prevent chronic pain and potential complications,” she says.

For this article, author Stephanie Anderson Witmer interviewed two podiatrists and one orthopedic specialist. On top of that, she read research about plantar fasciitis, reviewed scores and feedback from shoes tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and scoured the internet for products with the best shoe reviews from real people with plantar fasciitis and other foot pain.

Stephanie Anderson Witmer, the author of this article, has written about health for Good Housekeeping, Prevention and other magazines and digital brands for more than 25 years. She conducted interviews with experts and read through tons of product reviews. In addition, the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab put most of the shoes on this list to the test by having real people wear a pair to measure their comfort, stability, support, durability and style. Others were worn and recommended by the experts who were interviewed for this article or real people who suffer from plantar fasciitis pain.