Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis AS RECOMMENDED BY PODIATRISTS
Table of Contents
Plantar Fasciitis is a common foot problem that many suffer from. We’ve asked professional podiatrist Bruce (Podiatry Shetland & Footwear Scotland) for his insider knowledge on plantar fasciitis and his recommendations on the best shoes available for living with this condition.
Our team regularly meets with professional podiatrists like Bruce to discuss case studies and further their knowledge of foot problems such as plantar fasciitis. This attention to detail helps us offer the best possible shoe fitting advice throughout Scotland. However, footwear is only part of the solution in this case. We recommend you consult a local expert podiatrist for more in-depth and personalised advice to address your specific case of foot pain.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
In order to understand why it’s very important to wear the correct footwear when you suffer from plantar fasciitis, it’s best to know what exactly it is. There is a wide band of connective tissue (similar to a tendon or ligament) that goes from your heel bone and attaches to each of the toes and forms a fan-shaped structure. This band forms an important role in the walking motion as well as the mechanics of the foot and lower limb.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
There are a few factors that could contribute to you developing heel pain, such as:
- Spending day after day on your feet (weight-bearing occupation)
- Being overweight
- Flat feet
- High arched feet
- Tight calf muscles
As this can be an overuse syndrome, increasing your training intensity or volume too quickly could also be a risk factor. It is now thought that it is likely a degenerative condition and not an inflammatory one as previously thought.
SyMPTOMS OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Those suffering from plantar fasciitis will often experience pain underneath the foot and heel, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for a period of time. On occasion, this may improve after a few minutes of walking but after prolonged periods of standing, walking and/or running the pain will return.
What to do at home?
Applying an ice pack at the end of your day can work well as a pain reliever and pain control if you have any inflammation, especially after a long day on your feet. However, wearing the correct footwear is an essential part of reducing your aches & pains when you spend long hours on your feet. Incorrect shoes may exacerbate the problem.
When to seek help?
You should always book an appointment with your Podiatrist if your symptoms have not improved after a short period of stretching. It is vitally important to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition before undertaking any further treatment as there are many differential diagnoses that are treated in a different manner.
How To treat Plantar Fasciitis?
Strengthening your foot muscles has been known to help with heel pain as studies show that there is a correlation between the two. A quick daily foot exercise is advised as well as eccentric loading exercises. Bruce from Podiatry Shetland will often strap his patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis as it is a very good method to initially reduce their pain levels to proceed with his treatment plan. Orthotics are generally beneficial in treating heel pain and if more conservative measures fail, then steroids may be considered.
Can footwear help Plantar Fasciitis?
When suffering from plantar fasciitis you should avoid walking barefoot and always try to wear supportive and well-cushioned shoes. You need footwear that offers great arch support, shock absorption and cushioning. Lightweight and comfortable footwear will make each step a more comfortable one and shoes that have removable insoles will allow you to use your own orthotics if necessary.
Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis as Recommended by Podiatrists
Based on expert podiatrist feedback and our own expertise in footwear, we have selected the following examples of some really helpful footwear for sufferers of plantar.
Work Shoes for Heel Pain
If you spending long hours on your feet at work, then it is vital to invest in a good pair of comfy work shoes. We have a wide range of comfortable work shoes, including lace-up options and slip-on styles. A hard-wearing PU sole unit is worth every penny as polyurethane is shock absorbent, helping to protect your feet from impact.
Skechers Go Walk 5 Mesh
IMAC Britney G lace
Best Trainers for Plantar Fasciitis
Whether you are running errands or running races, it is wise to invest in a quality pair of trainers. Direct injection polyurethane sole units absorb shock with each step, helping to protect your feet from repeated impact. They also hold their shape and support you over time. This is especially important for running, where you may want to try a more cushioned style even than this one.
Skechers Max Elite WInd £84

IMAC Alfalace 05 £75
Best Pumps for Plantar Fasciitis
A pair of pumps can be both casual and smart, making it a very versatile style. Avoid anything completely flat, and opt for pumps that have some build-up in the heel area. Shoes with hidden heels are subtle but really effective for support. Check the flexibility of the shoes too as this can greatly improve your comfort. Don’t make your feet work too hard either flexing the shoe or trying to grip your toes and keep it on your foot.
Gabor Sapphire £89.99
Penny Plain 05 £55
Best Walking Shoes
When you are exploring, you don’t want your feet to feel dragged down. Look for walking shoes that are lightweight and flexible, and a direct-injection PU sole unit is one of the best performing sole construction methods for plantar fasciitis. This offers durable support and is not simply soft and squishy underfoot. It may seem counter-intuitive but supportive shoes are very rarely soft.
ECCO Soft 7 Lo GTX £130
Ara Osaka Sport GTX £110
Best Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
If you are looking for boots for plantar fasciitis, we recommend avoiding anything heavy. Lightweight boots from Legero, IMAC and ECCO will feel like you are walking on air, and the PU soles are extremely hard-wearing. Wearing a nice flexible and lightweight boot means your foot works less hard with every step and you benefit from the built-in shock absorption.
Legero Monta Lace GTX £150
ECCO Soft 7 Tred GTX £140
This article was written in collaboration with Bruce from Podiatry Shetland which is based near our Lerwick store.