The strap system across the top of the foot and around the back of the heel is adjustable for a secure fit around your ankle, even after walking longer distances, Dr. Marko says. Unlike a standard flip-flop—which can exacerbate plantar fasciitis by requiring you to grip your toes in order to keep the shoe on—the backstrap on the Teva Verra keeps your foot comfortably in place, she says.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 11 | Widths available: regular | Heel-to-toe drop: 9 millimeters | Weight: 7 ounces | Materials: polyester, nylon, EVA foam, and rubber | Colors available: 8 options
Best Dress Shoes: Clarks Torhill Penny Loafer
Clarks
Torhill Penny Loafer
Pros
- Supportive footbed
Cons
- Somewhat clunky
The Torhill Penny Loafer is a “perfect dress shoe for someone with plantar fasciitis,” according to Dr. Bhular. Not only is it supportive (the footbed is contoured to better fit the shape of your foot), it’s also durable and aesthetically pleasing, he says. To his last point, this is definitely a shoe you can dress up or down.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 11 | Widths available: regular | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A | Weight: N/A | Materials: Nubuck leather, synthetic fabric and materials, and rubber | Colors available: 3 options
Best Slipper: OrthoFeet Charlotte
OrthoFeet
Charlotte Slippers
Pros
- Warm and fuzzy lining
- Ample width options
Cons
- Not particularly stylish
If you have wide feet, this may be the slipper for you. The OrthoFeet comes in three widths, and the orthotic-like inserts provide arch support and foam heel cushioning. “The suede uppers are lined for comfort, and the low heel counter allows for use of alternate insoles or orthotics, and gives some heel stability while still allowing you to slide in and out of the slipper,” Susan Eby, PT, MS, owner of Eby Physical Therapy in New York City, tells SELF. “The toe box is also extra deep to accommodate any toe issues, with Velcro adjustment to fit this slipper snug to your feet.”
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 12 | Widths available: regular, wide, and x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 13 millimeters | Weight: 9.03 ounces | Materials: suede, faux fur, foam, and polyurethane | Colors available: 2 options
Best Insole: Powerstep Pinnacle
Powerstep
Pinnacle Insoles
Pros
- Heel-hugging design
Cons
- Somewhat pricey for insoles
Dr. Bhular recommends the cushioned Pinnacle from Powerstep as the best insole for plantar fasciitis, in no small part for its supportive heel, which is made to cradle the back of your foot so it stays in place. Its arch is sturdy yet flexible, so it’ll pair well with both your favorite workout sneakers and work shoes.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5–5.5 to 13–13.5 | Widths available: N/A | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A | Weight: N/A | Materials: polyester and EVA
More footwear and insoles to consider
The following options were also recommended to us by podiatrists, but might not be as universally appealing as the options featured above. Some address additional foot issues like overpronation (when your feet roll inward while you stand or walk), while others don’t meet all of the criteria we took into account (but are still great options if you mainly deal with mild or occasional plantar faciitis flare-ups).
Saucony Echelon 9 Running Shoe
Saucony
Echelon 9 Running Shoe
Dr. Sims commonly recommends the Saucony Echelon 9 to people with plantar fasciitis because of its solid support. It’s presented as one of the brand’s “comfort shoes,” meaning it has a thick foam footbed and a snug midfoot to keep your foot well-cushioned and stable. Dr. Sims points out that it’s also compatible with inserts, including bulkier custom orthotics. However, people with narrower feet may find the Echelon too wide.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 12 | Widths available: regular, wide, and x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 9.50 ounces | Materials: mesh, synthetic fabric, and rubber | Colors available: 8 options
Asics Gel-Excite 10
Dr. Bhular recommends Asics’s Gel-Excite line of running shoes because of their cushioning: Though they’re less padded than the Gel-Nimbus featured above, they have a good amount of foam throughout the sole, and additional gel padding in the middle and rear of the foot, to further soften the impact of your steps.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 12 | Widths available: regular and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 9.20 ounces | Materials: mesh, polyester, foam, and rubber | Colors available: 13 options
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoe
Brooks
Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoe
Dr. Japs says that the Adrenaline GTS is another popular Brooks shoe for plantar fasciitis. Its sizable heel-to-toe drop helps shift your weight away from your heel, which should help relieve some pressure and pain, he explains. It also has solid cushioning and support overall.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 12 | Widths available: narrow, regular, wide, and x-wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 9.10 ounces | Materials: mesh, synthetic fabric, foam, and rubber | Colors available: 26 options
Oofos Original Sandals
This cushiony, cloudlike Oofos sandal is a SELF Fave for workout recovery (and just wearing around the house, honestly), thanks to its thick soles and fun range of colors. According to Dr. Marko, it checks some plantar fasciitis boxes, too, like good arch support and heel cushioning. It should be noted, though, that slip-on style shoes can cause you to subconsciously grip your feet, which can lead to foot pain and aggravate plantar fasciitis. For a slimmer profile, try the OOlala sandal (a recommendation from Dr. Sims).
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 16 | Widths available: regular | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 5.60 ounces | Materials: foam | Colors available: 8 options
Hoka Ora Recovery 3 Slides
Hoka
Ora Recovery 3 Slides
Dr. Sims likes the highly cushioned Hoka Ora 3 slide specifically for wearing around the house. He says they’re a great alternative to walking around barefoot, which can be an added strain on your plantar fascia. And we like them because they come in just about every color of the rainbow.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 6 to 15 | Widths available: regular | Heel-to-toe drop: 6 millimeters | Weight: 8 ounces | Materials: foam and EVA | Colors available: 19 options
Vivaia AdaptAll Kiara Sport Sandal
Vivaia
AdaptAll Kiara Sport Sandal
With a rocker sole, grippy outsole, soft, stretchy, adjustable straps, and a thick, contoured footbed, these sandals are perfect for warm-weather outings when you want something casual that’s still cute. Thanks to 33 millimeters of lightweight foam, you’ll have plenty of buffer between you and the ground.
Product specs
Sizes available: US 5 to 11 | Widths available: regular | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A | Weight: 7 ounces | Materials: recycled plastic, EVA foam, rubber | Colors available: 7 options
Dr. Scholl’s Nice Day Max Mary Jane Platform Loafer
Dr. Scholl’s Shoes
Nice Day Max Mary Jane Platform Loafer
Most classic Mary Janes have flat soles and no arch support—a double whammy for folks with plantar fasciitis. But thanks to this sweet pair of platforms from Dr. Scholl’s, you don’t need to sit out the style’s resurgence because of your heel pain. All shoes in the Dr. Scholl’s “Nice Day” line—which includes loafers, Oxfords, and boots alongside the Mary Janes—feature a squishy foam insole that cups your heel and supports your arch.
