Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions in the UK. With 1 in 10 of us suffering from its painful symptoms and nuisances, we thought it was about time we unlocked the secrets of how to ease plantar fasciitis pain with a guide on how to choose the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
The shoes for plantar fasciitis
Ready to meet the gloriously comfortable shoes that are perfect for plantar fasciitis? Our extra wide fit shoe collections are made with the essential comfort support you need, from lightweight and flexible soles, supportive cushioned insoles and adjustable fits.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis (pronounced plan-tar fashy-eye-tis) is a common foot condition that can cause pain across the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the toe.
The plantar fascia is a fibrous band of tissue that attaches the heel bone to the base of the toe, it plays an important role in bending and flexing your feet while providing support to the arch of the foot.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia tissue becomes torn, damaged, or inflamed, causing pain that can be felt in the heel or the arch of the foot when pressure is applied through standing and walking.
The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually experienced within the first few steps in the morning and can subside with more movement, however overuse of the tissue can cause further damage, loosening its elasticity and causing inflammation.
How to choose the best shoes for plantar fasciitis
There’s plenty of support features to consider when buying shoes for plantar fasciitis, from the fit to the fastenings, the sole to the footbed. We’ve broken down the key features to help you find the best supportive and comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis.
1. Firm and flexible sole
Having a shoe with a firm sole is essential for relieving the pressure of painful points caused by plantar fasciitis across the heel and arch of your foot, its supportive base will help to evenly redistribute your weight across your feet.
As the symptoms of plantar fasciitis can lessen with more movement, it’s beneficial to choose shoes with a firm and flexible base to ensure the natural movements of your feet are not restricted.
2. Raised heel
Shoes with a low heel will help to relieve the pressure off painful heels by redistributing your weight across your feet. A low wedge heel will provide more support to the arches of your feet, giving maximum comfort and stability.
3. Cushioned insoles
The best shoes for plantar fasciitis need plenty of cushioned support under the foot, particularly across the heels and arches. Not only will they cradle your feet in cosy comfort, shoes with spring-like cushioning will provide effective shock-absorption when your foot strikes and pushes off the ground through the motions of walking.
Specialist plantar fasciitis insoles are a great option for modifying your favourite shoes, they can be bought separately and placed into the shoe. Ideal for modifying flat shoes, plantar fasciitis insoles are designed to cradle the heel while providing plenty of support to the arch of your foot.
4. Adjustable fastenings
The saying goes ‘if the shoe fits, wear it’ and this adage can be applied on your quest to find the most comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis. Shoes that are too tight can pinch your feet and can even effect how you walk, aggravating foot conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Everyone is different and our feet can be too! That’s why adjustable shoes are perfect for providing a comfortable fit that is as individual as you. Plantar fasciitis can cause swelling across the heel, so if your feet tend to fluctuate in size, shoes with several fastening points will provide an optimised fit every time you put them on.