Stop Heel Pain With The Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Of 2023, Per Podiatrist Guidelines

This lightweight orthopedic sneaker was designed specifically for people with high arches, and comes in medium and wide widths—so they fit a huge range of foot shapes and sizes. Wear them for walking, running, cross-training, or simply out and about running errands. Whatever activity you're performing, the breathable mesh upper and stable base will keep your feet comfortable. They're also very easy to slip on and off, thanks to the heel finger loop. Plus, your heels will love the cushioning in the midsole.

Kuru has a strong sustainability mission, and encourages you to register each purchase to support a cause or specific charity. Once you select your charity, a portion of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated.

The Atom sneaker gets a lot of love from people with plantar fasciitis. One person writes, “This is my second pair. They really make my legs feel less tired after my very busy 8-hour shift, and my plantar fasciitis pain got much better with these shoes," A few people do say these shoes are not the most durable and that they take a bit longer than others to break in.

This men’s leather shoe is decked out in comfort. It has a midsole that moves with you as you walk, and an impressive insole that custom molds to your feet over time, providing superb support for your heel, arch, and ankle. With a larger (12mm) heel-to-toe drop, you’ll experience better weight distribution from your heel to your forefront. The broader toe box also gives your feet more room, so you’ll feel more comfortable throughout the day. This stylish slip-on features an all-leather outsole that can be worn anywhere.

With over 300 reviews on the Kuru website, this shoe receives a lot of praise. One reviewer says, “I feel so stable when wearing these shoes. They just hug and support the feet.” Another adds, “I have had the Kivi for a few months now. I work in healthcare and have 13 hour shifts, 4 days a week. They are so comfortable; my feet feel great at the end of my shift.” 

Featuring the brand's Arch Plus technology for increased support in the arch and lateral and medium stability in the heel, these sneakers are engineered specifically for walking. They have shock-absorbing heel pads for even more cushioning and comfort (which is key, according to Stephanie Owen, director and owner of SO Podiatry), and they provide a strong push-off from heel to toe. You can easily toss these in your travel bag, too, thanks to the lightweight design. They're also incredibly breathable, with a stain-resistant mesh upper. 

These shoes have nearly 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with many customers raving about pain-free workdays after their purchase. One grateful shopper writes, "I have arthritis in my big toes and plantar fasciitis. I wore these for 6 1/2 hours, and my feet didn't hurt. It was great to be able to get things done without pain in my feet." A few negative reviews mention that the toe box on these shoes is a bit narrow, and wide sizes are not available.

A sneaker we love for both running and walking, these shoes feature a balanced, compression-molded cushioning, with meta-rocker technology. They're designed for a smooth and powerful stride throughout your walk or run—and we've featured them in a ton of our shoe roundups. This shoe has been granted the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance, which is given to products that are beneficial for foot health. 

The elongated heel and extended Achilles pull tab make it easy to put these shoes on and take them off, and the tongue fits comfortably on your foot (without digging into your ankle).

This shoe has thousands of reviews across Nordstrom, Zappos, and the Hoka website. One Amazon shopper says, "I walked 17,000 steps in France after having these one week. No pain!!! Before I got these, I tried several other things, and my feet hurt walking less than 2 miles in my neighborhood every day. Well worth the money!" Some negative comments mention discomfort due to the shoes running a half size larger than expected. Keep this in mind when selecting your size.

When you're on your feet all day for work, the last thing you want is to feel pain in your feet. These orthopedic shoes provide plenty of arch support and cushioning for the heel, along with support for overpronation, which Bruce Pinker, DPM, at Progressive Foot Care, also suggests for those with plantar fasciitis. The wider toe box makes these a great choice for people with bunions, swollen feet, or hammertoes, as well.

If the engineered orthotic insole isn't supportive enough for you, it can be easily removed and replaced with specialized prescription insoles. While these shoes have the supportive features of an orthotic sneaker, their aesthetic will fit into any business-casual workplace.

Amazon customers love these shoes, with feedback that all sounds very similar to this one review: "So far, these shoes are very comfortable. I can tell the difference when I'm working out and doing high-impact exercises. My Plantar Fasciitis started getting better after using these shoes. I inserted a gel heel cup for extra support, and it is helping a lot!" Others comment on the durability and breathability, saying that these shoes stand the test of time (and the test of long days standing).

If you have plantar fasciitis and are looking for something more dressy than a sneaker, the Naot Women's Innovate heel sandal is an excellent choice. Kshitij Manchanda, foot and ankle specialist and orthopedic surgeon at UT Southwestern Medical Center, recommends avoiding high heels when experiencing acute symptoms—but for an occasional night out or special event, a wedge with a wide heel is your best bet. This shoe is specifically designed to support the foot, with a back and middle strap, and it's fitted with a supportive latex/cork footbed, which molds to the foot and cushions the heel.

Customers love the stylish comfort of this heel. One reviewer says, "I LOVE Naots! I already owned these shoes in a different color, so I didn't hesitate to order the black. Naot is THE BEST ORTHOPEDIC shoe out there that doesn't look like an orthopedic shoe." Another adds, "I love the heel. It sparkles and is comfortable. Also, the straps on the shoe keep your foot in place. Naot are great shoes." Negative reviews note that the footbed tends to run narrow.

Another stylish-yet-functional slip-on option, these shoes are engineered to support your feet while standing for long hours, or while on the go. The wide wedge heel offers excellent arch support and shock-absorbing cushioning, to keep you pain-free throughout your shift. With slip-resistant outsoles, these will ensure a steady step on any surface. The ankle elastic makes it easy to slip them on and off quickly, while helping to provide a comfortable fit for any foot shape. 

These shoes are made for nurses, and they're loved by nurses, too. One Amazon customer writes, “I have had these shoes for about 10 months now, and they are just as supportive and comfortable as the first month. I walk 5 to 10k steps a day around the clinic, and my feet do not feel beaten up in the evening. Amazing! I also get a lot of compliments on them. When I eventually need to replace them, I will definitely get them again!”

A great everyday option for women, this shoe combines a fashionable (leather or suede) outsole with a comfortable orthopedic footbed. The fabric is so breathable, this shoe can actually be worn without socks. It has a wide supportive heel and firm arch support, making it a perfect choice for anyone experiencing plantar fasciitis. It’s also incredibly easy to put on and take off, thanks to the slip-on design, and it comes in a ton of different colors, with half and wide sizes available.

These shoes have 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with over 2,500 five-star ratings. One reviewer raves, “When I started working from home, I needed comfortable shoes that look nice and have good support. Enter Clark's women loafers. I now have five pairs in different colors, and I wear them everywhere.” Negative reviews note a narrow toe box, even in wide sizes.

According to Dr. Manchanda, the design of hiking boots often inherently provides the soft heel and arch support needed to tame plantar fasciitis symptoms—but a firm boot is still the best option. These boots have a breathable waterproof inner bootie to keep your feet dry, without getting sweaty. The midsole molds to your foot, providing stability and support and keeping your feet comfortable, even during long hikes. Plus, the durable outsole will ensure a stable step on any surface (and in any weather).

These boots have mostly positive reviews, with one customer writing, “Love these boots! Water proof, wide toe base, neutral heel rise are my favorite features. I have worn then hiking in the park on a 30 degree day and found them to be warm." Note that a few negative reviews cite early wear and tear after long hikes and that these run narrow.

Looking for a gym shoe that won't leave you limping home in pain? Not only do these give wide feet room to breathe, they feature a zero-drop design which reduces your risk for injury and gives you more power for push-off. The shoe is lightweight and breathable and offers stability and support you need in a gym shoe. And don't worry, there's a sufficient amount of cushioning, too. They're a great pick for any workout, but we particularly like them as a weightlifting shoe. The firm cage gives extra support and the shoe itself was designed specifically for women.

Reviewers rave about how well these shoes perform during weightlifting and other gym activities, with many comments about how versatile they are. Negative feedback mentions a lack of durability.

With a podiatrist-backed design, the Klaw 528 is an excellent choice for golfers suffering from plantar fasciitis. It has firm arch support, plenty of cushioning in the heel, and is equipped with a deep heel cup for added foot stability. The insole is removable, so you can use your own custom orthotics if needed. They’re also incredibly lightweight and provide a ton of buoyancy (thanks to the shock absorption from the midsole). These sneakers will look snazzy out on the green, and the flexible rainproof leather will ensure you will stay comfortable rain or shine. 

There are not a ton of reviews on these shoes yet, but those that are available are incredibly positive. One reviewer says, “From the minute you put the shoes on, they are completely comfortable and help your knees and legs, and even your hips feel better.” Another adds that they are “light as air.”