Plantar fasciitis affects many of my friends and family members. They’re always looking for shoes that can keep up with them and provide reliable support.
I tapped board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Lori Grant to learn more about the condition and get tips on choosing the right shoes if you have plantar fasciitis. Grant explains that heel cushioning and arch support are essential — and says that sneakers aren’t your only options. You can also wear sandals, flip-flops, and dress shoes, provided they’re comfortable, well-fitting, and supportive.
Amazon’s shoe shop has tons of comfortable options suitable for people with plantar fasciitis. Using Grant’s tips, we narrowed down the 10 best styles from Skechers, Brooks, Vionic, and more brands — and prices start at just $30.
Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis at Amazon
- Heel Pillows: Skechers Summits Dazzling Haze Slip-On Sneakers, $53
- No. 1 Best-Seller: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 Running Shoes, $100 (orig. $140)
- High Arch Support: Aerothotic Recovery Flip-Flops, $30 (orig. $50)
- Deep Heel Cups: Vionic Uptown Loafers, $45–$66 (orig. $130)
- Foam-Cushioned Insoles: Easy Spirit Travel Time Slip-On Shoes, $33–$48 (orig. $75)
- Padded Heel Collars: Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 Rosa Linda Shoes, $52 (orig. $95)
- Memory Foam Footbeds: Project Cloud Leather Slide Sandals, $40 (orig. $50)
- Shock-Absorbing Midsoles: Nortiv 8 Walking Shoes, $70
- Extra Arch and Heel Support: Ryka Dash 3 Walking Shoes, $55 (orig. $90)
- Sculpted Cushioning: Anne Klein Wisher Wedge Pump, $50–$75
NEED TO KNOW
Dr. Lori Grant, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, shared insights on how to choose the right shoes if you have plantar fasciitis.
- Support: Shoes have many different kinds of supportive features. Grant says heel support, cushioning, and arch support are most important for plantar fasciitis. The shoes should also have thicker soles to absorb shock, as “extremely flat shoes have minimal cushion.”
- Sizing: Ill-fitting shoes are one of the causes of plantar fasciitis, according to Grant. You need to find a pair that fits you correctly, but keep in mind that sizing may vary across brands. “Some brands run notoriously narrow, as others are known to be wider,” she says. “Also, if the shoe feels tight, that doesn’t necessarily mean [to] go up a half size, but rather you may need a wider width in that particular brand.”
- Timing Matters: The best time to try on shoes is at the end of the day, “as our feet tend to swell,” says Grant. “If you go first thing in the morning, you may not be able to tell if the shoe will be too tight at the end of the day.”
- When to Replace Shoes: Even the most durable shoes need to be replaced “yearly,” according to Grant. “If you are more active and walk/run daily [or] weekly, then maybe every six months.”
Skechers Summits Dazzling Haze Slip-On Sneakers
Amazon
Grant explains that plantar fasciitis “causes severe heel pain” that can worsen with overuse. When it comes to shoe shopping, she says that the “most important [feature] is cushioning in the heel area, as it acts like a shock absorber when your heel first hits the ground, helping to reduce the stress on the heel.”
These popular Skechers walking sneakers have heel pillows as well as shock-absorbing midsoles. Plus, their memory foam insoles give your feet firm yet flexible support. Thanks to their laceless design, they’re also easy to slip on and off (a plus if you have back or knee pain). You can even toss them right into the washing machine for easy cleaning.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 Running Shoes
Amazon
If you have plantar fasciitis, Grant says that “the best types of footwear are something with a thicker sole.” We found these No. 1-selling running shoes with ultra-thick outsoles and supportive cushioning. They also have protective walls that prevent your feet from sliding around inside while you run.
Grant says to also look at the “heel drop of a shoe,” which refers to the height difference between its heel and forefoot. “I prefer a 6mm drop or more for plantar fasciitis, as this gives you some relief in the heel,” says Grant — and the Brooks pair has a 12mm drop. They’ve also earned the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association for “promoting good foot health.”
Aerothotic Recovery Flip-Flops
Amazon
Yes, you can wear flip-flops and sandals with plantar fasciitis. “They are not the enemy,” says Grant. “You just have to have the correct ones,” which need to have “built-in arch support and a thicker sole.”
These recovery flip-flops check all the boxes: arch support, deep heel cups, and cushioned gel soles. Plus, they have sweat-resistant footbeds and nonslip bottoms. Like the Brooks running shoes, these sandals have also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
Find more comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis we found at the Amazon shoe shop below, from loafers to walking sneakers.
Vionic Uptown Loafers
Amazon
Easy Spirit Travel Time Slip-On Shoes
Amazon
Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 Rosa Linda Shoes
Amazon
Project Cloud Leather Slide Sandals
Amazon
Nortiv 8 Walking Shoes
Amazon
Ryka Dash 3 Walking Shoes
Amazon
Anne Klein Wisher Wedge Pump
Amazon
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