Wearing supportive shoes is one of the best things you can do to prevent or treat plantar fasciitis pain, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet. For sneakers, this means choosing a pair with firm arch support, deep heel cups, and a lot of extra stability built in; this helps prevent pronation, or excessive rolling, of your feet while you move (a leading cause of plantar fasciitis).
In addition to considering the fit and structure of your sneaker, it’s important to choose the right type of sneaker for the kind of activity you’ll be doing (i.e., running versus walking). We researched more than two dozen popular sneakers with arch support and then assessed them by analyzing the sneakers’ fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value. We put each pair of shoes through hours of rigorous testing to see which ones offer the most comfort to the plantar fascia while you’re running, walking, training, or just going about your busy day. Finally, we asked experts for their input on choosing a supportive sneaker and also had a podiatrist from our Medical Expert Board review this article for how to pick the right shoe to help with plantar fasciitis.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- How plantar fasciitis happens: The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs underneath the center of your foot, from your toes to your heel. When it becomes inflamed, it can cause heel pain. Common causes of plantar fasciitis include new or more intense physical activity, wearing unsupportive shoes, or having feet that roll inward or outward when you walk.
- What to wear: In general, you want your shoes—including sneakers—to have a fairly firm midsole and good arch support, says Michael Fishkin, C-Ped, certified pedorthist with Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists. These features prevent the plantar fascia from stretching too much, he explains, which causes stress and inflammation to the ligament.
- What to avoid: Anything with too much flexibility in the sole. Not only does this usually translate to less arch support, Fishkin says it can create instability, forcing your foot to work harder to stay in place. The extra strain can lead to a tighter, more irritated plantar fascia.
- Consider house shoes: If your plantar fascia pain is severe, you may want to consider wearing some type of supportive shoe even when you’re lounging at home. Fishkin says to skip the squishy, overly-cushioned slippers and focus on supportive slippers with firmer soles and, if possible, a slightly contoured footbed.
- Additional treatment options: There are several options for professional treatment if basic at-home steps don’t relieve your pain, stiffness, or swelling. Patrick McEneaney, DPM, CEO of Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, says orthotics, particularly custom-orthotics fitted by a podiatrist, can help redistribute your weight more evenly and prevent excess stress on the fascia ligament and other nearby tendons. Other treatment options include physical therapy and night splints, which reduce morning plantar fascia pain.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
According to McEneaney, you should see a healthcare provider at the start of any plantar fasciitis issues because the longer you ignore your symptoms, the worse they’ll become. This is especially true if you don’t make basic changes, like switching to shoes with more arch support and cushioning.
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Key Specs
Material: Fabric upper, EVA insole | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
Why We Recommend It
With extra shock absorption and special attention paid to providing support in the heel and arch, Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Feel Nice Lace Up Sneaker is specifically designed to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. Our editor—who has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and experienced severe foot pain in the past—could wear these sneakers all day without any discomfort and found them to be a great option for working, running errands, and light exercise like walking. They fit well right out of the box, were comfortable, and—most importantly—didn’t aggravate her existing plantar fasciitis pain at any point.
One of the most notable benefits was the sneakers’ stability: they kept our editor’s feet properly aligned, took pressure off her heels and arches, and maintained their cushioning, even with heavy use. They weren’t our favorite shoes for intense exercise like running. Still, for everyday activities, they provided solid shock absorption over multiple types of terrain and reduced fatigue when worn for long hours. Plus, they’re stylish!
Keep In Mind
We love these sneakers for casual use and light exercise, like walking, but we found them too flat and bulky to be a good running sneaker.
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Key Specs
Material: Polyurethane upper, foam insole | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 6-13
Why We Recommend It
For shoes that can hit the trails as easily as the grocery store, we love the Kizik Women’s Wasatch Sneakers. They’re versatile, water-resistant, and rugged enough for heavy use but lightweight and stylish enough to wear daily. Our editor was able to wear them for long distances with less pain and discomfort, pointing to the secure, elevated heel cup and moderately springy insole. Fishkin says Kizik shoes typically have a solid structure, and this pair features a removable insert, so you can replace it with additional arch support or orthotics if needed.
Although our editor frequently has heel pain, and the Kizik sneakers didn’t eliminate it, she noted that they definitely didn’t aggravate her pain or make it worse, even when she was wearing them for long hours. In fact, our editor found herself reaching for these sneakers more often than her sneakers with custom orthotics, which says a lot about their comfort as an everyday sneaker (and their ease of use, thanks to their slip-on design). Overall, the Kizik sneakers were stabilizing and supportive, with all-terrain benefits and an easy-to-wear style that can go wherever your day takes you.
Keep In Mind
Our editor didn’t have any issues with this sneaker fitting her foot, but she did note that the sneaker felt a little snug at first, possibly because of the slip-on design and inability to adjust the laces.
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Key Specs:
Material: Mesh upper, foam insole | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 6-12
Why We Recommend It
There are many things to love about Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 sneakers, from the stable heel support to the roomy toe box. Although they’re labeled as running shoes, we loved wearing them for long periods of walking and being on our feet. Our editor, who has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and flat feet, appreciated the snug heel support and excellent shock support.
We especially loved the feel of the shoe’s sole and insole, which are made of dense foam that is both springy and supportive. The shoe’s shock absorption is evenly distributed throughout, and the curved sole helps you flow smoothly from one stride to the next. We wore the shoes indoors and on grass, cement, and paved trails and felt stable and supported on all surfaces, though they do run on the smaller side.
Keep in Mind
It might take a few days to break the shoes in, and they run on the small side.
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![A person walks while wearing the Mizuno Wave Inspire 19]()
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Hildara Araya-Gonzalez
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![A pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire 19]()
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Hildara Araya-Gonzalez
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Key Specs
Material: Leather upper | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 6-11 / Men’s 7-13
Why We Recommend It
With serious traction, the Kuru Ridge Motion Sneaker is designed for hiking but doesn’t neglect the core features needed to be comfortable for people with plantar fasciitis. Fishkin says the Ridge Motion is a durable shoe with excellent traction and the right amount of midsole cushioning, plus it has Kuru’s trademark “Dynamic Heel Support System” that works to cradle and cup your heel.
In testing these sneakers over long hours on multiple types of terrain, we found all of those things to be true: They are stabilizing and supportive in every environment, hug our feet to promote proper foot alignment and posture, and tuck up right beneath our arches for high support.
We also liked the springy feel of the cushioning, which helped propel us forward when walking and maintained its shock-absorbing properties throughout the entire testing period. They were instantly comfortable as soon as we put them on and reduced both fatigue and plantar fasciitis pain during use.
Keep In Mind
These are great sneakers for walking or hiking, but they’re not appropriate for running—you’ll need a separate pair of sneakers if you’re a runner. They also have a fairly high arch, so if you have flat feet, it could be somewhat uncomfortable.
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Key Specs:
Material: Leather upper | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
Why We Recommend It
We’ve talked a lot about sneakers that can help you go places without foot pain, but Orthofeet Women’s Wander Hands-Free Sneakers are great for people who spend long hours on their feet in any capacity, whether it’s walking, exercising, or simply standing still. Our editor wore these sneakers for up to 12 hours at a time and found that they not only reduced her plantar fasciitis pain—especially in her heel—but also the amount of fatigue she felt in her feet and legs.
On top of having a simple-but-stylish design that lets you step into them hands-free, these sneakers improved our editor’s overall posture and gait, preventing foot-rolling (overpronation) and distributing weight evenly throughout the entire sole of the shoe. They took a few wears to be fully broken-in, but then they were stable and shock-absorbing, supported our heels and arches, and made all the time spent on our feet more comfortable.
Keep in Mind
The shoes felt a little tight when we first tried them on, and we had to start out by wearing them for short periods of time to break them in until they were totally comfortable.
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Designed for multiple types of physical activity
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Shock-absorbing heel to toe system
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Smooth transitions while moving
Key Specs
Material: Recycled synthetic | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Men’s 7-15/Women’s 5-13
Why We Recommend It
The best training shoe can roll with all your punches, transitioning from one type of activity to the next without disrupting your flow. That’s why we recommend the Brooks Ghost 14 as our favorite shoe for training: the sole is cushy but ready to absorb shock, protecting your sensitive plantar fascia from impact, and it’s also broken down into “crash pad” segments, which smooth out all those heel-to-toe transitions as you walk, run, or jump.
The shoe’s upper is also uniquely designed to mold your foot, maximizing stability customized to your shape and size. It’s lightweight, shock-absorbing, and supportive—a trifecta of plantar fasciitis-friendly features built for training.
Keep in Mind
Be sure to measure your feet before you purchase, since these shoes tend to run on the small side.
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Key Specs
Material: Synthetic, mesh | Sole material: Synthetic | Sizes available: Men’s 4-16/Women’s 5-12
Why We Recommend It
Fishkin calls the Asics Gel-Venture 9 an entry-level running shoe that provides ample cushioning and shock absorbency, and in our testing, we found them to be form-fitting, comfortable, and supportive.
In testing, our feet felt secure, especially in the arch and heel area. They felt as good as other shoes with orthopedic insoles. The heel cup cradles and keeps your heel snugly and securely in place. The toe box also provides room for your toes to move freely. The shoes were ready to wear right out of the box and didn’t require any breaking-in period. We also didn’t experience any uncomfortable rubbing or blisters throughout the entire test.
Keep in Mind
The shoes don’t include orthotic insoles, but we didn’t need them. Depending on your personal needs, you might need to buy a pair.
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![Feet wearing ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 9 Running Shoes while walking outside]()
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Hildara Araya-Gonzalez
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![Feet wearing ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 9 Running Shoes outside on stone path]()
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Hildara Araya-Gonzalez
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Key Specs
Material: Leather/nubuck | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Unisex 5-12
Why We Recommend It
Whether you have trouble with dexterity due to arthritis or don’t have the time and patience to correctly lace up your sneakers before going out, Velcro strap shoes can be handy. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 shoes have all the stability and cushioning you’d expect from the brand, minus the laces.
With a diagonal roll bar built into the shoe’s structure, the Brooks Addiction walkers help maintain stability while preserving your natural stride; in other words, they’ll keep your foot from rolling in and out, but they’re still super flexible, not stiff. (No sore, aching feet here.) The sneakers are perfect for walking or running in all situations: They’re slip-resistant, plus their cushioning is adaptive to your weight and reduces stress on your joints. And, of course, they’re easy to put on and securely fit to your feet thanks to the double velcro straps.
Keep in Mind
There isn’t as much cushioning in these shoes as other pairs we tried.
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Key Specs
Material: Polyester | Sole material: EVA/rubber | Sizes available: Men’s 8-13, Women’s 5-12
Why We Recommend It
The WalkHero Hit Road Arch Support non-slip walking shoes have a good amount of arch support, says Fishkin, plus shock absorbency in the midsole to reduce excessive force placed on the foot. Right out of the box, these shoes fit like a glove: the arch cushioning applied just the right amount of pressure, and walking in them felt like a mini massage with each step. There’s ample room to breathe and move your toes; they’re supportive and stable, too.
The shoes elevate your heel very slightly, and we found the angle alleviated much of the heel pain and pressure commonly associated with plantar fasciitis. The cushioning is like a springboard that propels you forward with each stride while absorbing impact. One of our editors, a CrossFit coach, especially liked how the shoes took pressure off his knee joints during squats.
Keep in Mind
When we selected these shoes, we weren’t thrilled with the color options. However, when we unboxed them, they were much more attractive than we expected.
Verywell Health / Michael Navarro
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Key Specs
Material: Canvas | Sole material: Rubber | Sizes available: Women’s 5-12
Why We Recommend It
Every other shoe on this list is made to help you exercise in a way that doesn’t aggravate plantar fasciitis, but what if you want to protect your fascia while looking good and running errands? In that case, the Vionic Beach Malibu slip-on sneakers are the way to go.
They don’t skimp on comfort, offering three zones of support along the entire length of your foot (the heel, midsole, and toe) so your arches get all the cushioning they need. But they also don’t skimp on style: These lace-free shoes’ low profile is on trend and comes in 40 bright, playful colors and patterns.
We also tested the Naot Koru Toma, which we liked as a casual, lightweight option for hot weather, but they’re pretty pricey (especially since the no-tie shoelace design—while convenient—doesn’t allow for tightening if needed).
Keep in Mind
If you need extra arch support, these shoes might be a bit flat, especially if you plan to be on your feet for long periods of time.
How We Tested Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis
To find the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis, we asked podiatrists what to look for and avoid when choosing a pair to support your foot during many types of physical activity. Then, we searched for popular sneakers designed with arch support and extra stability. Finally, we tested the sneakers in real-world settings, wearing them as often as possible for long hours of working, exercising, and simply going about our day while evaluating them for the following qualities:
- Fit: We paid close attention to the shoes’ fit, focusing on a few important factors, such as the initial fit, whether the shoes were wide or narrow, and how our heels felt during the initial try-on experience.
- Stability: We took careful notes about shoe stability, noting if the shoes felt even slightly wobbly in the ankles or if they tended to shift during activity. We also noticed how the shoes performed on different surfaces, such as grass, cement, and rocky trails.
- Responsiveness: We rated each shoe based on how well it propelled us from one stride to the next to gauge responsiveness. We noted whether our feet felt energized with each stride and how well the cushioning absorbed shock.
- Cushioning: We tested each pair of shoes and noted whether the cushioning comfortably cradled our foot, particularly in the heel area, and looked for any signs of compression or loss of support after hours of wear. We also noted if the cushioning seemed to distribute our weight evenly across the entire foot.
- Comfort: We noted how the shoes fit right out of the box and whether they required a break-in period. As we wore each pair, we paid close attention to how our plantar fasciitis symptoms responded, and we also noted whether we felt any excess pressure on the ball of the foot.
- Quality: We performed the bend and twist test on each shoe pair to determine the soles’ durability. We also noted the quality of each pair of shoes and how quickly it showed wear and tear.
- Value: Once the testing process was complete, we checked the price of each pair of shoes and rated them based on how they compared to our real-life testing process.
What to Look for in Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis
- Arch support: Arch support and plantar fasciitis are closely related, with arch support helping to keep your feet properly aligned as you move. Good arch support can also reduce symptoms associated with flat feet or high arches, as well as problems related to pronation or the normal movement of your feet and ankles when you walk.
- Heel cup: Ideally, a sneaker for someone with plantar fasciitis will have a slightly elevated heel; this helps take pressure off the part of your plantar fascia connected to your heel bone. A firm heel cup that cradles your heel also helps with plantar fascia pain, keeping your foot stable as you move.
- Cushioned midsole: A shoe with a thick, springy midsole is a must-have for people with plantar fasciitis, but this is especially true for sneakers—whatever activity you’re doing, you’ll be putting extra stress and pressure on your plantar fascia, so you need extra shock absorption and support along the midsole.
- Structure: Sneakers should be flexible enough to move with your foot, accommodating your natural stride, but when you have plantar fasciitis, you also need firm support. McEneaney says to avoid shoes that bend too much in the midfoot and to make sure your toes aren’t scrunching inside your shoe since this can cause your ligaments, tendons, and musculature to get too tight and will exacerbate plantar fasciitis.
- Proper sizing: Think like Goldilocks: not too big or small. Too-large shoes won’t give you the stability you need, worsening your plantar fasciitis and increasing your risk of sports injury, and squeezing your foot into a sneaker that’s too tight can cause soreness, even injury, and blisters. For optimal results, always ensure you have about a half thumbnail to a full thumbnail of space between the tip of the shoe and the end of your longest toe, says McEneaney.
Our Experts
To help us understand what to look for in sneakers for people with plantar fasciitis, we consulted with several experts before, during, and after the testing process, including:
- Sidney Weiser, DPM, Founder of Quality Podiatry Group
- Patrick McEneaney, DPM, CEO of Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists
- Diana Valencia, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at NYC Foot and Ankle Center
- Michael Fishkin, certified pedorthist with Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists
Why Trust Verywell Health
Sarah Bradley is a freelance journalist specializing in health commerce articles, product reviews, and shopping guides. Homeschooling three boys keeps her on her feet all day; if she doesn’t wear good, supportive shoes her plantar fasciitis flares up, so she understands the importance of having comfortable footwear.
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