Plantar fasciitis can be extremely uncomfortable, painful, and debilitating. The condition is essentially a mild to severe level of heel pain caused by an inflamed plantar fascia (AKA, the tissue connecting the front of your foot to your heel). When this foot tissue is stretched or strained, it can lead to micro-tears, ultimately resulting in inflammation, swelling, and foot pain.
There are a few plantar fasciitis home remedies, but one of the best things you can do is get a supportive, comfortable stability shoe. Or better yet, you can find shoes for plantar fasciitis. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with this foot condition or think you may have it, you might be wondering about the best men and womens sneakers for plantar fasciitis.
Founded by Phillip Vasyli, renowned podiatrist and innovator in lower‑limb biomechanics, Vionic is committed to providing people with effective, accessible solutions for foot‑related ailments, including plantar fasciitis. Needless to say, we know a thing or two about which shoe styles offer the most relief for plantar fasciitis symptoms. Vionic has what you need from men’s casual sneakers and women’s casual sneakers to active sneakers. Keep reading for a rundown of our top picks.
What Are the Best Casual Sneakers for Plantar Fasciitis?
A tennis shoe is comfortable, versatile, and seasonless. The right orthotic pair can promote natural alignment while relieving pain and discomfort. So, what are the most comfortable sneakers for plantar fasciitis? We recommend lace-up active sneakers, laceless active sneakers, slip-resistant sneakers, Mary Jane sneakers, slip-on casual sneakers, or walking shoes.
1. Lace-Up Active Sneakers
Lace-up active sneakers aren’t just for athletes. Whether you play sports, work on your feet, or live an active lifestyle, a pair of custom orthotic trainers is crucial. We recommend getting a plantar fasciitis running shoe or a cross-trainer with built-in orthotics, like the podiatrist-designed styles from Vionic.
Vionic’s lightweight custom orthotic active sneakers for men and women have mesh and neoprene uppers for a breathable, glove-like fit. The comfortable shoe is designed to minimize plantar fasciitis pain. Our designs also have removable textile-wrapped footbeds, excellent arch support, and durable yet flexible rubber outsoles designed for shock absorption. The plantar fasciitis sneakers from our collection aren’t just practical, either. With flattering silhouettes and fashion-forward designs, you’ll be glad to wear the comfortable shoe daily. You may be wondering, are sneakers business casual? With this style, you can be sure to impress not only at the gym, but also at the office.
2. Laceless Active Sneakers
The right athletic shoe with an orthotic insole can be beneficial in relieving plantar fasciitis pain. If you’re not big on lace-up trainers, you might consider getting a pair of laceless active sneakers, like the biomechanically engineered styles from Vionic.
When you shop our laceless active plantar fasciitis shoes for men and women, you’ll find slip-on designs with crossover straps, adjustable hook-and-loop straps, stretchy neoprene around the ankles, and pull-tabs for getting them on and off easily. They also make a great cross training shoe. With reliable rubber soles, comfy cushioning, orthotic arch support, and flexible uppers made of mesh, neoprene, or leather, our performance slip-ons pull out all the stops.
3. Slip-Resistant Sneakers
If you’re a nurse, physician, dental hygienist, restaurant worker, barista, hairstylist, or work another job where you’re on your feet all day, slip-resistant sneakers are the way to go. With proper arch support and cushioning, they can also help relieve and prevent symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Check out the orthotic slip-resistant shoe line from Vionic. We carry both lace-ups and slip-ons with neoprene, mesh, or leather uppers. Designed to accommodate long, busy days, each style has a roomy toe box, a removable EVA orthotic footbed, and a professional-grade, high-traction outsole that passes ASTM F1677 (MARK II) performance testing for slip-resistance.
4. Mary Jane Sneakers
For a more feminine silhouette, how about a pair of Mary Jane sneakers? Inspired by the timeless women’s flat, Mary Jane tennis shoes are a laceless style with a single strap over the instep. As long as they have adequate support and cushioning, they’re some of the best fashion sneakers for plantar fasciitis.
If your personal vibe is sporty and chic, we think you’ll love the Mary Janes from Vionic. With breathable mesh uppers, twin-gore panels, built-in orthotics, a removable insole, and a sturdy rubber outsole, this supportive shoe covers all the bases and can bring plantar fasciitis relief. And they’re cute, too! Wearing a pair of our Mary Jane sneakers, you can remain cool, comfortable, and pain-free throughout the day without sacrificing style.
5. Slip-On Casual Sneakers
If you’re looking for an everyday plantar fasciitis shoe, we suggest getting a pair of slip-on casual sneakers. At Vionic, we prioritize foot health, but we never forget about fashion. That’s why we’re proud to offer casual shoe collections for men and women that nod to current streetwear trends.
When you browse our inventory of casual sneakers, you’ll find lots of effortlessly cool slip-on styles you can wear while hanging out, going out, running errands, working, and everything in between. Slip-ons can be the best running shoes or walking shoe depending on what your goal is. Each style has removable EVA footbeds, an orthotic midsole, a light yet stable outsole, and flexible uppers—the perfect recipe for relieving heel pain. Whether you want to make a statement with a bold fashion sneaker or are looking for a minimalist shoe to go with any outfit, we’re confident you’ll find the right pair.
6. Walking Sneakers
If you’re a plantar fasciitis sufferer who loves to take walks, hike, or count your steps, a supportive walking shoe or an orthotic hiking shoe might be just what you need. Look for a pair of tennis shoes with a firm heel counter, which will provide support and stability when you’re on the move so that you don’t have to worry about plantar fasciitis pain.
Vionic’s line of women’s and men’s tennis shoes with arch support are some of the best plantar fasciitis shoes. Aside from firm, thermoplastic heel counters, our styles have deep heel cups, removable orthotics with an odor-control top cloth, and sturdy rubber soles built for traction. For added comfort, we engineer our best walking shoes with moisture-wicking mesh liners and PU foam bases to prevent friction on your skin.
Why Supportive Footwear Is Essential for Plantar Fasciitis
If you experience chronic or sharp foot pain right around your heel bone, plantar fasciitis may be the culprit. Sometimes, the pain might be so severe that putting even an ounce of weight on your feet can be excruciating. When it gets this bad, walking around or even just standing upright might be totally out of the question, which can be devastating for anyone living an even remotely busy lifestyle.
Even if you’re only experiencing dull pain, the condition can lead to shin splints, alignment issues, back pain, and pain in your Achilles tendon if you don’t stay on top of it. Unsupportive and poorly fitting footwear can make the problem worse or result in other foot-related issues. That’s why getting an orthopedic shoe or orthotic shoe inserts is crucial.
Virtually everyone can benefit from wearing comfortable shoes with good arch support and cushioning. This includes those prone to plantar fasciitis, overpronation, heel spurs, Morton’s neuroma, Achilles tendonitis, and other foot conditions, as well as athletes and anyone who spends several hours a day on their feet. Whether it’s athletic trainers, casual tennis shoes, or walking sneakers, the right shoe can make all the difference. Orthotic footwear is designed for stability and support, and it can aid in natural realignment while alleviating heel pain.
Podiatrist-Designed Shoes for Men and Women from Vionic
What are the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis for men? How about for women? As long as you select a pair with good arch support, deep heel cups, underfoot cushioning, and stability, you’re on the right track. Orthotic inserts can also be helpful, as they’re designed to enhance stabilization especially for the plantar ligament, absorb shock, and support alignment.
Vionic proudly carries a variety of sneaker styles specifically designed to relieve heel pain and other foot-related ailments. If you’re looking for an orthotic dress shoe, loafer, boot, slipper, ballet flat, mule, heeled shoe, sandal, or a neutral shoe for work, we have those, too.
Each pair of shoes from Vionic features Vio-Motion Support technology with biomechanical footbeds that promote proper alignment from the ground up. With three-zone comfort, including heel stability, arch support, and cushioned toe boxes, our innovative footwear is designed for long-term foot health and short-term pain relief. In fact, a peer-reviewed study showed that our contoured sandals can effectively alleviate moderate heel pain.
When your feet feel good, you feel good. And with Vionic footwear, you can really feel the difference. Check out our inventory of men’s and women’s shoes for plantar fasciitis today!
Sources:
1. “Plantar Fasciitis”. UOFM health.https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw114458
2. “Plantar fasciitis”. Mayo Clinic.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354851
3. Tiffany Ayuda. “12 Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, According to Podiatrists”. Prevention.https://www.prevention.com/beauty/a20497385/best-shoes-for-plantar-fasciitis/