Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot injuries that runners and walkers face. In fact, nearly 10% of the general population will deal with this condition at some point in their life.
This prevalent injury occurs when the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the arch, becomes irritated or inflamed. This inflammation results in pain and discomfort in the heel and bottom of the foot.
When you’re dealing with Plantar Fasciitis, everyday activities can become painful and difficult. Walking and running in particular can aggravate that heel and foot pain, making training and other exercise feel impossible.
Fortunately, there are some simple and easy ways to address this pain and treat Plantar Fasciitis. One of the most common causes of Plantar Fasciitis is repeated stress on your Plantar Fascia through running, walking, or standing for long amounts of time. And without the right shoes for these activities, your heel and arch can quickly become painful and inflamed.
With the right pair of running shoes, you can enjoy some pain relief from Plantar Fasciitis and treat some of the underlying causes of this heel pain. If you’ve been struggling with Plantar Fasciitis, or just want to ensure you’re taking all the necessary steps to prevent impact-related injury to the Plantar Fascia, shoes designed to help with this heel and arch pain may be a great option for you.
Keep reading for some of the best running shoes for Plantar Fasciitis that you can find in the running shoe market today.
What Makes a Shoe a Great Choice for Plantar Fasciitis?
At Marathon Sports, we know that there’s so much to love about any kind of running shoes. From lightweight, low-profile shoes to heavy-duty support shoes, every shoe has its purpose.
So how do you differentiate which shoes are the best option if you’re dealing with Plantar Fasciitis?
While this article will outline some of the best shoes for Plantar Fasciitis you can find, every runner is different and has unique needs and preferences. If you’re shopping around for the best running shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, there are a few distinct features to keep an eye out for:
- Cushioning: Running and walking can put a lot of pressure on your heel and arch. That’s why cushioning is key when it comes to finding a running shoe for Plantar Fasciitis. Extra cushioning throughout the heel and midfoot will help absorb shock and keep your feet feeling more comfortable throughout runs. And while soft cushioning may feel comfortable at first, sinking into the foam causes your feet and arches to work harder and move around more throughout a run. Look for a balanced foam that won’t create too much movement under the foot.
- Support: Arch support can be a great tool while treating Plantar Fasciitis. However, you’ll want to make sure you have the right amount and type of arch support for your needs. If you overpronate, you may want to consider a stability shoe to ensure you’re getting the support you need, while runners who supinate or have a neutral gait should consider a neutral shoe. If you aren’t sure if you need a neutral or stability shoe, your local Marathon Sports will provide a free gait analysis and help you determine what’s right for you.
- Flexibility: Like the softness of the cushioning, you want a shoe that’s balanced when it comes to flexibility. A shoe that’s too soft and flexible will allow excess movement in the foot, while a shoe that’s too stiff will feel uncomfortable. Look for shoes with some rigidity in the midsole. Essentially, runners with Plantar Fasciitis should consider shoes that don’t bend or twist completely in half. Stiff heel counters can also be beneficial in helping prevent excess movement in the heel.
- Fit: With any running shoe, you want to ensure you have plenty of space for your toes to splay out. But if you’re dealing with Plantar Fasciitis, this extra space is especially important. Shoes that are too snug or too narrow in the toe box will cause extra pressure and cramping that may worsen the heel and arch pain.
- Heel-to-toe drop: While every runner is different when it comes to offset preferences, you may want to try out some shoes with a higher heel-to-toe drop if you’re struggling with Plantar Fasciitis. Shoes with a higher drop, typically 8mm and above, will help absorb that pressure in the heel and shift the weight more towards the forefoot.
With so many running shoes out there, it’s hard to know exactly what to look for to help with your needs and injury history. Now that you know what features might be best for Plantar Fasciitis, you can narrow down the search and find the best option for your needs.
The Eight Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Because Plantar Fasciitis is so common among runners and walkers, many running brands are tuned in to the features and aspects of shoes that can help prevent or treat this heel pain.
Luckily, this results in an abundance of running shoe options with effective support, cushioning, and other features to help with Plantar Fasciitis. Here’s your guide to eight of the best running shoe options to consider if you’re dealing with Plantar Fasciitis.
- Asics Gel-Kayano 33
- Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
- Hoka Bondi 9
- New Balance 1080 v15
- Topo Atmos 2
- On Cloudflyer 5
- Nike Structure 26
- Saucony Hurricane 26
Asics Gel-Kayano 33
The Gel-Kayano from Asics is one of the best options out there for runners suffering from heel and arch pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis. The reliable Gel-Kayano series has been a staple Asics running shoe line since 1993, and with plenty of balanced cushioning, adaptive support, and a high heel-to-toe drop, it’s easy to see how the 33rd iteration continues to be a go-to shoe option for Plantar Fasciitis.
The Gel-Kayano 33 boasts a 39/31 mm stack height for men’s shoes and 38/30 mm for women’s, offering plenty of plush yet balanced cushioning underfoot on runs or walks. The layered FF Blast Max and FF Blast Plus foam makes the midsole soft and responsive, while the PureGEL technology infused in the heel adds some well-balanced softness and protection with every landing.
While the Gel-Kayano 33 works best as a stability shoe for long-distance runs, the adaptive and subtle stability makes this a versatile shoe option that works for nearly every runner. Asics incorporated a new FLUIDSUPPORT guidance system with subtle stability features that adapt to your needs and biomechanics. The mild support features and stable geometry offer guidance on runs without feeling too stiff, obtrusive, or over-corrective.
The Gel-Kayano 33 is all about comfort, and the upper of the shoe is no exception. The mesh upper is light, breathable, and stretchy, offering plenty of ventilation and lots of space for your toes. The sock-like knit collar and extra cushioning around the heel and tongue create even more guaranteed comfort with every step.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
Soft cushioning is usually the first thing runners with plantar fasciitis look for, and that’s where Brooks leaned in with the Glycerin GTS 23. DNA TUNED foam runs the full length of the midsole, giving it a plush landing that takes some of the sting out of pavement miles. It’s nitrogen-infused, so the cushioning compresses easily as well.
The other key piece here is the GuideRails support system,which is one of our favorite pieces of stability technology. The rails sit along the side of the midfoot and heel, and work to keep your stride from collapsing inward.
It’s a pretty substantial shoe overall. The stack height is about 38 mm in the heel with a 10 mm drop, which our reviewers who like a bit of extra cushioning under the heel really love.
Up top, the engineered knit upper wraps the foot comfortably and locks things down without any pressure points. There’s a lot of padding around the collar, which adds to that plush step-in feel.
Hoka Bondi 9
Hoka has never been one to shy away from extra cushioning, making their high-cushioned neutral shoe, the Bondi 9, a fantastic shoe option for runners with Plantar Fasciitis.
The Bondi 9 features 43/42mm of plush EVA foam in the heel and 38/37mm in the forefoot for their men’s and women’s options respectively. The Bondi’s 5mm drop is lower than other shoes on this list, which in turn may place more stress on the heel and ankle. However, with a huge variety of other features designed to help Plantar Fasciitis pain, the Bondi 9 is still one of the best options out there.
Hoka uses a meta-rocker design to roll you through each stride and encourage smooth transitions. The rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame and zonal rubber along the outsole also help reduce pressure and protect your heel and arch as you pound the pavement.
While the Bondi is technically a neutral shoe, the design offers some inherent stability features that all runners can benefit from, including the flared heel geometry and wider platform. It’s even available in a wide and extra wide to accommodate all foot shapes and ensure no one has to feel cramped in their running shoes.
With the excess midsole cushioning – along with padding and memory foam throughout the mesh upper – the Bondi 9 is heavier than some other daily trainers, coming in at 10.5 oz for men’s and 9.3 oz for women. But if you value that cushioning and support, the extra comfort is likely worth the additional ounces.
New Balance 1080 v15
What stands out here isn’t just the cushioning. It’s that New Balance finally moved on from Fresh Foam X. What a time to be alive.
The new Infinion midsole keeps the 1080 in the soft daily-trainer lane, but the ride feels a little different now. We would say it’s a bit more responsive than the older setup and a lot more resilient.
For runners with plantar fasciitis, it’s nice to have something forgiving underfoot. The 39.9 mm heel stack and 6 mm drop give you a lot of protection without making the shoe feel overly harsh at landing.
The upper got reworked too. Our reviewers praised the double-layer mesh and gusseted tongue as upgrades, as they have a more premium feel than the last version. It’s just a bit narrower and longer than the previous 1080s, so it may not be as easygoing for wider feet. Luckily, it is available in a wide width for those that need a bit more room throughout the shoe.
Topo Atmos 2
When it comes to treating Plantar Fasciitis, leaving plenty of room for your toes to splay out is crucial. And with a wide, natural foot-shaped design, the Topo Atmos 2 is one of the best options to prevent cramped feet and toes.
This plush, high-cushion running and walking shoe features Topo’s rounded, anatomical toe box for a more comfortable and natural fit. It’s also one of the brand’s highest cushion shoes, offering 40 mm of soft yet responsive ZipFoam cushioning under the heel and 35 mm under the forefoot.
Despite the high stack height and plush underfoot feel, the Topo Atmos is rigid in the arch to prevent excess movement and stretching and ensure your feet are supported and comfortable. The rocker geometry is designed to roll you through every stride while lessening pressure on the heel and sole of the foot.
The breathable recycled mesh upper is another key highlight of the Atmos. This upper is lightweight and breathable, comfortably and securely wrapping the foot while guaranteeing plenty of ventilation.
On Cloudflyer 5
If you’re looking for a running shoe that combines premium protective cushioning with effective support for overpronation and Plantar Fasciitis, you may want to give the On Cloudflyer 5 a try. With a stack height of 31mm/21mm and a midsole made of responsive double-density Helion foam, this cushioned stability shoe is made to absorb shock and impact with every step.
While previous Cloudflyer iterations featured a stiff speedboard embedded in the midsole foam, the Cloudflyer 5 did away with this speedboard in the shoe’s superfoam, creating a softer and more plush underfoot feel.
The Cloudflyer 5 also features several design features guaranteed to create a stable and supportive ride. The molded heel counter and padded heel collar and upper cradle your foot and keep it feeling secure and locked down. The wide platform and slight rocker provide stable landings and smooth transitions, making this shoe a terrific option for long runs and daily training.
While the Cloudflyer 5 does feel softer and more plush than its predecessors, keep in mind that the shoe does still feel relatively stiff and rigid compared to other high-cushion shoes. Runners who prefer a softer underfoot feel may want to consider other options for their daily trainer.
Nike Structure 26
Stability shoes used to feel clunky. The Nike Structure doesn’t completely escape that reputation, but it’s a lot smoother than older models in the line. The big change is Nike’s full-length ReactX midsole, which replaces the firmer setups from previous versions and adds a bit more cushioning underfoot. It’s still on the structured side, though comfortably cushioned.
Our reviewers are mostly fans of the support system, which has plenty of foam around the midfoot and heel. The stability is moderate compared to the typical heavy-handedness of the old Structure models, which makes the ride feel more natural.
Stack height lands around 38 mm in the heel with a 10 mm drop, so heel strikers get a lot of protection on impact. The platform itself is fairly stable, helped by a sidewall design that wraps up around the arch and keeps landings secure.
Overall, it’s a comfortable, albeit predictable, shoe that’s great for daily training.
Saucony Hurricane 26
The Saucony Hurricane 26 leans pretty hard into the max cushioning thing. This new version has a dual-density setup with soft IncrediLUX foam underfoot and a PWRRUN midsole frame. The primary midsole cushion gives you that plush, sink-in feel on landing, while the firmer frame keeps things from getting sloppy after a few miles. Overall, runners get a surprising amount of control for how much foam the shoe has.
It’s not a traditional stability shoe, at least not in the old sense. There’s no rigid post or aggressive correction. Instead, it has a wide platform, raised sidewalls, and an asymmetrical design, and for runners dealing with plantar fasciitis, this support is a good addition to the softness.
At around 41 mm in the heel with a 6 mm drop, it’s built for protection more than anything else. If you’re looking for a mellow shoe with a subtle rocker for slower miles, the Hurricane 26 is a win.
Other Tips and Tricks for Runners with Plantar Fasciitis
If you’re struggling with Plantar Fasciitis pain, finding the right running shoe for you is a great first step. However, Plantar Fasciitis can be stubborn, and there’s nothing more frustrating than lingering pain and injury interrupting your training.
Along with finding the right shoes for you, there are some other steps you can take to address this inflammation and ensure you’re back running at 100% in no time. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind if you’re dealing with persistent Plantar Fasciitis.
- Take time to rest: We know that having to sit out some training days can feel discouraging. But with some rest and time off from running, your Plantar Fascia will recover faster and your feet and body will be thanking you. If you don’t want to completely stop activity, try cycling or swimming as a lower-impact option.
- Get fit for some inserts: Inserts are a great resource for those dealing with Plantar Fasciitis, particularly for those who want to alleviate pain while still getting some runs or walks in. These insoles are designed to hug your arch, provide additional support, and take pressure off the heel and forefoot with some extra cushioning. And if you’re not sure of your arch profile or which insole to get, the footwear experts at Marathon Sports can fit you for an insole and help you find the best option for you.
- Don’t skip out on stretching and rolling: Sticking to a stretching routine is crucial when you’re struggling with foot and heel injuries. There are also plenty of recovery tools such as rollers and massage balls that can relieve the pain and help reduce inflammation in the foot.
- Incorporate ice and compression into your daily routine: Targeted ice and compression can go a long way in treating Plantar Fasciitis and soothing foot pain. Icing your heel, or even rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle for an ice massage, applies pressure to the foot while reducing pain and inflammation. Compression is another great tool to use throughout your day. Try replacing usual running socks with a compression sock for some targeted compression and stretching.
With these tools and tricks for dealing with Plantar Fasciitis, along with the right pair of shoes for your feet, you’ll be ready to continue your training with less pain and happier feet.
Final Thoughts
At Marathon Sports, we know that dealing with foot pain and injuries such as Plantar Fasciitis can be frustrating. Not only does it get in the way of training, but it can make everyday tasks and even just walking around feel daunting and painful.
One of the best ways to target Plantar Fasciitis is with the right pair of shoes, an effective insert, and recovery tools that work for you. And at Marathon Sports, our team is determined to help you find all these resources. Stop by your local store today to talk to our experts and find the best running shoes and tools to get back on your feet and keep running pain and injury-free!
