The Best Women and Men Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

You've probably never heard of plantar fasciitis before, but this painful foot condition affects millions of people each year, particularly runners and walkers. The good news is that you can find relief without surgery or medication with the right pair of shoes. Read on to learn more about the best women's and men's running shoes for plantar fasciitis and to combat it. You may even be able to prevent it altogether!

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Best Overall Running Shoes

Best Overall

ASICS Womens Gel Cumulus 22 AWL

Asics Gel-Cumulus 22 running shoe is an overall solid choice for runners with plantar fasciitis. This shoe is lightweight, flexible, has a great midsole cushioning system, and is reasonably priced at $100. This shoe works well if you have weak ankles or pronate too much while running, but it’s also a great all-around option. Plantar fasciitis sufferers typically experience more pain during their first steps in the morning, so be sure to give your feet time to warm up before striking them on your daily jog. To avoid any extra strain on your feet when starting your run, try slowly increasing your pace over time until you get back to speed.

Short Distances Running Shoes

On Cloud 2.0, the Running shoe is a favorite running shoe for plantar fasciitis; these shoes provide excellent shock absorption to make you run smooth and pleasant on hard or soft surfaces. This shoe is lightweight yet durable; we found that we could go through a long training session before it showed signs of wear and tear. A comfortable fit (it hugs your foot like a glove) combined with great cushioning results in one of our best short-distance running shoes. For athletes with wide feet, these shoes come with removable inserts so you can choose your ideal snugness level.

Long Distances Running Shoes

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 was one of my favorite long-distance running shoes when I had plantar fasciitis because it has a highly flexible outsole that absorbs shock well. I could even run in these during my recovery phase because they are so lightweight. Another benefit is that these provide ample room in the toe box, which is key to relieving plantar fasciitis.

Road Running Shoes

Brooks Mens Adrenaline GTS 21

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 An ideal shoe for long-distance running provides excellent cushioning, stability, and overall comfort. The best part is that it comes with a price tag of $120! This stylish-looking running shoe is undoubtedly worth checking out.

Trail Running Shoes

The ASICS GEL-Venture 7 trail running shoes are incredibly comfortable and provide excellent shock absorption. The construction of these trail running shoes is very durable and flexible enough to allow natural foot movement as you run. Another unique feature of these Asics running shoe is it is designed with a unique offset toe design that prevents overpronation as you run. These shoes come in both men’s and women’s sizes

Lightweight Running Shoe

New Balance 1080 v10 V4 running shoe is a lightweight shoe with a foot-cradling design to keep plantar fasciitis at bay. Although they’re made from synthetic materials, mesh vents are built into these shoes, which help your feet breathe while you run. It is a top-rated shoe with most women who have used it, with most reporting it helped them manage their pain from plantar fasciitis.

Best High Arches Running Shoe

The Brooks Ghost 13 perfects your stride, and you will fall in love with running all over again. What’s not to love about a lightweight running shoe with stability, cushioning, responsiveness, durability, comfort—you name it? The lack of under-the-arch support might be off-putting for those who don’t want to invest in a more specialized product for plantar fasciitis relief.

Flat Feet Running Shoes

Saucony Guide 13 – This is an excellent choice for those with flat feet, as it provides incredible support. While not specifically made for plantar fasciitis sufferers, I wore these shoes to help alleviate my pain from PF – which it did – and I would highly recommend them to anyone suffering from PF or any other sort of running injury. As a bonus, they’re also very comfortable! The only downside of these kicks is that they tend to run a little on the large side – so be sure to buy a half size smaller than your standard shoe size if you want them to fit perfectly. If you have high arches or need even more support from your running shoes, though, you might look elsewhere as this lacks any extra cushioning in that area.

Wide Feet Running Shoes

The New Balance 847 V3 offers a wide toe box suitable for women with plantar fasciitis. The size options run wider than other brands. If you’re used to running in narrow shoes, be prepared to feel like you’re wearing clown shoes when you first put these on.

However, after about one week of getting used to them, you should find yourself craving these shoes—and not just because they can cure your plantar fasciitis! Note: As with most neutral running shoes, I recommend that runners who get these get their standard shoe size. It’s better to leave the room than have your toes crammed in there without much wiggle room.

Most Supportive Running Shoes

If you have plantar fasciitis (or heel pain), I’ll recommend picking up a pair of Hoka One One Bondi 7 Running Shoes. I recommend these running shoes because they have a ton of cushioning to reduce impact forces on your heel and your toes. In other words, this is an ideal shoe for those who have plantar fasciitis. Not only do they offer excellent stability but also great support as well.

FAQ

Have you been wondering what running shoes you need? Searching shoes for any type of running needs and finding it hard to make a decision, here are some questions answered.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which one of your foot’s plantar fascia ligaments becomes inflamed, causing sharp heel pain when you take your first steps after waking up or before taking a break. It can also cause pain during exercise.

 

The plantar fascia is an adamant band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, forming part of both your arch and supporting tendons that run along its length. As you walk or run, pressure on these tendons creates friction that builds up inside them, causing small tears over time; these tears are believed to be at least partially responsible for plantar fasciitis pain.

Does plantar fasciitis go away? The short answer is no. Unlike other foot ailments that cause acute pain, plantar fasciitis can linger—making it hard to pinpoint an exact cause. But thanks to today’s technology, there are ways to effectively manage plantar fasciitis so that it doesn’t keep you off your feet for too long. If you find yourself unable to get back up on your feet after a few days of rest or non-prescription treatments, see a doctor immediately.

Plantar fasciitis can last from a few days to a few months, but on average, it lasts about 4–6 weeks. In most cases, symptoms get better within six months. The pain might stop entirely or come back from time to time.

 

If you have plantar fasciitis, your doctor will probably advise you to rest your foot and apply ice to ease pain and swelling. Some exercises can help prevent a recurrence of plantar fasciitis. But suppose symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks. In that case, your doctor may prescribe one of several treatments: physical therapy, heel-cord stretching, night splints, or injections with steroid medications into your heel bone.

If you’re a runner, it’s important to choose running shoes that fit well and help keep your feet aligned.

To treat plantar fasciitis –

  • avoid wearing worn-out shoes;
  • make sure they fit properly;
  • consider making an appointment with a podiatrist if you suspect you have plantar fasciitis;
  • Ice your feet after exercise or activity.
  • You can also stretch tight muscles by placing one foot on a step and reaching down with your other leg.
  • Place one hand on your thigh and lift your toes toward your shin as far as they will go. Hold for five seconds before lowering again. Repeat five times, then switch legs and repeat three more times.

Tips for finding the running shoes for plantar fasciitis

Many shoes on today’s market can offer relief from heel pain, but finding a pair that fits your budget, style preferences, and needs is essential. The key to finding running shoes that alleviate foot pain is understanding what causes plantar fasciitis.

 

According to WebMD, plantar fasciitis results from repeated stress to your feet—the heel bone presses down onto the thin band of tissue (plantar fascia) that connects it to your toes. If you aren’t already wearing insoles in your sneakers, start with the first! Many people who suffer from plantar fasciitis say they notice an improvement by adding quality inserts into their shoes.

If you have plantar fasciitis, you know how important it is to find a shoe that supports your foot without being too stiff. Start by getting a professional fitting from a running store. They’ll help guide you through all of your options—everything from cushioning to toe spring.

 

In general, women’s shoes tend to have less arch support than men’s shoes, but they may be easier on your feet if you have plantar fasciitis. The most important thing is finding a shoe that matches your needs and makes running pain-free!