Plantar fasciitis unfortunately is quite a common condition amongst runners. The pain and soreness it causes often is the reason for people to stop and avoid staying active and enjoying their active lifestyle. This can easily be solved, if the person who suffers from this painful condition is able to discover the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis. These shoes offer extra arch and ankle support and they are crafted so as to keep the heel, arch, ankle and feet safe, pain-free and healthy while training or running.
What are the best shoes for plantar fasciitis – Quick overview
The leading features which one should look for when looking for the best shoes for plantar fasciitis are: excellent arch support, heel support, improved toe-to-heel drop, stability and sufficient shock absorption. Usually, the bigger and better known brands are recommended because they have more experience and finances to design and make the best running shoes for this condition.
Based on our own experience and some serious research, plus the recommendations of trusted runners who suffer from plantar fasciitis, we have picked our top choices for best runner shoes for women and men who have plantar fasciitis.
Best shoes for plantar fasciitis for WOMEN
Saucony Women’s Triumph ISO 4 Running Shoe
Saucony’s Women’s Triumph ISO 4 Running Shoes are another pair of shoes which are worth trying on if you have plantar fasciitis and yet want to enjoy your training, running or walking without having to endure the pain, soreness and possible injuries resulting from this health condition. They are possible the top cushioned shoes from Saucony yet. Fitted with patented improved performance cushioning, and have a comfortable sock-like malleable air mesh upper. Their iBR+ midfoot pods and extra traction outsole guarantee stability and safety for the feet while running.
Light and supportive, yet stable and secure, these running shoes are possible one of the most highly recommended shoes for ladies suffering from plantar fasciitis or other painful heel and foot problems. With almost 20% more cushioning than other running shoe, these are ones which you will not want to take off.
New Balance Women’s W1540V2 Optimum Control
New Balance’s Women’s W1540V2 Optimum Control Running Shoes are another excellent model of running shoes for ladies with plantar fasciitis. They have a synthetic and mesh breathable upper with a round toe, and a manmade outsole, which offers excellent traction and durability.
The comfort and stability of the ankles is ensured by the double density foam ankle collar and the plush tongue.
These NB running shoes have an ENCAP midsole for extra arch support, EVA midsole cushioning, plus a removable foam footbed, so you can use your own orthodics for plantar fasciitis if you prefer.
Overall, they provide excellent support and cushioning to the arch and the foot, and are very comfortable to wear, especially for women with narrower feet.
Brooks Women’s Ravenna 10 Running Shoe
The Brooks Women’s Ravenna 10 Running Shoes are great for people who have plantar fasciitis and for overpronators.
They are fitted with a midfoot crash pad and segmented heel to enable smoother heel-to-toe transitions while running, and also have adjustable saddles to allow for an even better and more comfortable fit depending on the foot size and shape.
The upper is mesh and breathable, so these shoes are light and comfortable even during intensive running sessions. Their special omega flex grooves allow for even better fluidity and a natural forefoot motion.
So, supportive and yet flexible, and with enough toe space, these shoes are great for ladies with flat and wider feet who like to stay active and not suffer the usual pain and soreness which the plantar fasciitis condition causes to the feet and limbs.
Saucony Women’s Guide 10 Running Shoe
The Saucony Women’s Guide 10 Running Shoes are an excellent choice for active ladies who have plantar fasciitis. They provide ultimate ankle and foot stability, and yet are flexible, light and breathable to make running easier and less tiring. They are fitted with a special PowerGrid for head-to-toe cushioning, and a SRC impact zone crashpad for extra shock absorption. These shoes provide easy transition to the midfoot when running.
They feature some extra flex grooves and a flared forefoot which makes running more powerful, and yet comfortable. Made by one of the most respected manufacturers of running shoes, these Guide 10 shoes are perfect for women who have plantar fasciitis and overpronation.
Best shoes for plantar fasciitis for MEN
ASICS Men’s GEL-Nimbus 20 Running Shoe
The ASICS Men’s GEL Nimbus 20 SP Running Shoes are highly recommended for men who have plantar fasciitis. They are designed and made by one of the leaders in the production of athletic footwear and running shoes, and are made in a way as to provide extra support via the heel clutching system, and to increase the gait of the foot via their impact guidance system.
These GEL-Nimbus 20 running shoes also have a flex groove for improvement of efficiency. They are lightweight and flexible, and have an excellently crafted seamless upper which not only fits the foot like a sock but also helps prevent blistering. The GEL cushioning in the forefoot, the FluidRide midsole and an extended rear foot of these shoes make the heel-to-toe transition as smooth as possible, which is why never has running been so comfortable and effortless when you have them on.
New Balance Men’s 990V4 Running Shoe
The New Balance Men’s 990V4 Running Shoes are US-made and especially tailored for people who have plantar fasciitis and other problems with the feet.
They have a double density foam collar which provides both a cushioning effect and support for the foot while running. The ENCAP midsole cushioning will provide comfort and prevent the soreness which is often the case for runners with problematic feet.
They have a lightweight cushioning, a blown rubber forefoot and a 10mm heel-to-toe drop. They are light and yet supportive and stable, and they are perfect for men with wider feet, since they provide more toe space than many of the other running shoes available.
Saucony Men’s Kinvara 9 Running Shoe
Saucony’s Men’s Kinvara 9 Running Shoes are another pair of shoes which are lightweight and at the same time cushioned and comfortable for running with plantar fasciitis.
Their collar and tongue are padded for support and cushioning, and their unique pro-lock lacing system of the mesh upper keeps the foot secured and “locked” in place.
The power grid cushioning offers sufficient shock absorption, and their 4mm heel-to-toe drop offer a great transition between them while running or walking.
Even though they are very lightweight, these shoes are made of highest-quality materials, and thus are quite durable and are definitely worth the investment.
Saucony Men’s Triumph ISO 4 Running Shoe
The Saucony Men’s Triumph ISO 4 Running Shoes have a revolutionary “intelligent” conforming upper design which is made to fit the biomechanical movements of the foot while running or walking, and to adapt to any foot shape.
With an amazing 8mm heel-to-toe offset, improved power grid cushioning and durable iBR+ midsole pods, these running shoes will provide the ultimate comfort and stability to the feet and ankles even during intensive running.
They are light and they will fit you like socks, and yet, you can be sure that they will provide that stability, support and comfort even when running a marathon.
Which are the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis?
Vionic Action Emerald Lace up – Women’s Walking Shoes
The Vionic Action Emerald are one of the best available sneakers for women with plantar fasciitis. Made with premium man-made material and rubber soles for improve stability during workouts. These shoes have special biomechanical orthotics designed with Orthaheel technology. The feet are kept cool by the breathable mesh uppers.
Their deep heel cups allow the heels and feet to align and maintain a natural position. The nice lightweight molded EVA midsoles help absorb the shock and reduce the soreness and pressure in the feet and limbs. Great for correcting pronation and for people who have plantar fasciitis, flat feet or other painful foot conditions, these sneakers are light, comfortable, cushioned and stable. They are true to size so you can confidently order the size you usually wear.
VIONIC with Orthaheel Technology Men’s Walker
The VIONIC with Orthaheel Technology Men’s Walker shoes are designed and made to provide maximum support and comfort to the feet, ankles and legs while you stay active.
The upper is made of high-quality full-grain leather and the soles are manmade. These Vionic walkers are fitted with built-in removable orthaheel footbeds with motion control, deep heel cups and extra arch support, which helps improve the foot alignment. The molded EVA midsole and the 0.5 heel-to-toe transition of these shoes make them perfect for people with painful conditions in their feet and legs.
They have a breathable mesh sock lining for added comfort and for prevention of blistering even during the most strenuous runs and training sessions.
Symptoms and common causes of plantar fasciitis. Benefits of using good shoes for plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the ligament which connects the heel and the toes (the plantar fascia) and provides support the arch gets damaged, weak and inflamed. This condition can lead to periodic or constant pain in the feet even when simply standing or walking.
Usually, plantar fasciitis occurs in people who are middle aged, but it also affects athletes and younger people do a lot of running or training, which can cause the plantar fascia to get strained.
It also commonly affects people who have overpronation, those who are overweight or others who wear uncomfortable shoes and spend a lot of time standing up on hard surfaces. We highly recommend that people with demanding professions get appropriate footwear early on, before such problems start to appear. If you are a nurse or medical professional, get a pair of comfortable nursing shoes so you can focus solely on doing your job well.
If you are one of these unfortunate people who have this health condition, you probably know how painful and uncomfortable the situation can get, and often it causes us to give up on running, sports or other activities in order to alleviate the pain.
But today, this is no longer necessary, because the modern biomechanical designs of the shoes for plantar fasciitis, as well as the highest quality materials used to make them, can save you from ruining your quality of life.
By purchasing the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis, you will be able to continue with your normal daily routine, your running or other activities, without the fear of that awful pain in the heel which occurs when not wearing the appropriate shoes, with sufficient arch support, stability and cushioning.