Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Expert Advice on Running Shoes,Running Injuries: Foot & Ankle
Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue at the sole of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis represents a third of the most frequent running injuries, behind medial tibial stress syndrome and Achilles tendinopathy – having a bit more incidence in ultra-runners. You may not experience any pain during exercise, but you are more likely to experience pain when you start walking after resting or sleeping.

The most common factors of plantar fasciitis include:

  • Repetitive strain from impact, especially on harder surfaces
  • Increasing your mileage rapidly over a brief period of time (too much too soon)
  • New to exercise

A quite common factor is also using shoes with poor cushioning, structure and/or support (for the arch of the foot). Get some tips here.


How do you know if a shoe is good for plantar fasciitis?

The key features you will need in a technical pair of running shoes are:

  • Cushioning – A sufficiently cushioned shoe will absorb the shock of impact whilst exercising, therefore protecting the joints and especially the heels, which are the main focus when experiencing plantar fasciitis.
  • Support – Having the correct support will give you the required protection whilst doing exercise, especially high impact exercise such as running.
  • Structure – As well as having cushioning and support, it is also important to have good structure. This is not only for the arch, but also for the heel and ankle. A lot of the time, these body parts take the brunt of the strain from exercise – structure can help to stabilise the foot and prevent further injuries.
  • Heel-drop (or offset) – Runners with plantar fasciitis are likely to have limited ankle dorsiflexion. (The amount of dorsiflexion is the range between pointing your foot down and flexing your foot up). Reduced ankle dorsiflexion is also a risk factor to developing plantar fasciitis. Heel-drop is when the height difference between the heel to the toe of the shoe becomes important. A higher heel-drop (at least 7-12mm) will help to put your weight more in the forefoot and away from the plantar fascia in your feet. This will help to adjust to the lack of ankle dorsiflexion.

What are the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis?

So now you know what you should look for in your running shoes, if you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. However, we recommend you come to us for natural gait analysis once a year, to make sure you're getting the correct type of shoes for you. If you already know what your gait is like, check out the best selection for you below!

Neutral ShoesSupport ShoesTrail Shoes / Wide Fitting Shoes / Walking Shoes

Neutral Running Shoes

Best Neutral Road Running Shoes

For Plantar Fasciitis

New Balance 880 / Brooks Ghost Max

New Balance 880

If you're a neutral runner seeking a high level of padding, you'll do superbly with New Balance's super-soft Fresh Foam X cushioning. Take off easily with the perfect blend of responsiveness, lightness, and superior energy return. Available in wide fit.

Men's New Balance 880v14
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Women's New Balance 880v14
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Brooks Ghost Max

This is a great option to start with as it provides you with stable premium cushioning. Its lightness and a very breathable mesh upper make way for a smooth transition. The midsole is built with a 6mm heel drop. This lower offset, combined with the GlideRoll Rocker and soft cushioning, can in some cases benefit metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis and Morton's neuroma injuries.

Men's Brooks Ghost Max
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Women's Brooks Ghost Max
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Men's Saucony Guide 17

BEST SUPPORT ROAD RUNNING SHOES

For Plantar Fasciitis

Saucony Guide / Brooks Adrenaline GTS / Mizuno Wave Inspire

Saucony Guide

Created with softer, more responsive cushioning than the previous version. Experience a spring in every step that's also stable!

Men's Saucony Guide 17
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Women's Saucony Guide 17
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Brooks Adrenaline GTS

This iconic supportive running shoe is like Brooks Ghost, but with the revolutionary GuideRails technology, to stabilise the foot and protect the arch. The improved midsole, with springy, responsive DNA Loft cushioning, provides brilliant shock-absorption and increased comfort. 12mm drop. Available in wide fit.

Men's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Mizuno Wave Inspire

Soothe your plantar pain while minimising the overpronation of your feet with these all-round trainers. Excellent bouncy cushioning and support to maintain your natural running posture. Breathable and soft seamless upper to ensure a plush and comfortable fit. New and sustainable Bio Wave plate. 12mm drop.

Men's Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Women's Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Trail Running Shoes

BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

For Plantar Fasciitis

La Sportiva Akasha 2 / Hoka Challenger

La Sportiva Akasha 2

Tackle any trail terrain without compromising comfort, durability, or stability with La Sportiva Akasha 2, even in high humidity or on dry ground. Sticky rubber FriXion Red outsole and superior cushioning midsole injected with EVA foam – the perfect combination for spring and responsive long and ultra-distance events. 6mm offset.

Men's La Sportiva Akasha 2
Men's Trail Running Shoes
£155.00

Women's La Sportiva Akasha 2
Women's Trail Running Shoes
£155.00

Hoka Challenger

Need an all-terrain running shoe? Check out Hoka Challenger with its early-stage Meta-Rocker and improved 4mm deep grip for excellent traction. Perfect for stable, lightweight and super-cushioned runs. 5mm offset.

Men's Hoka Challenger 7
Men's Trail Running Shoes
£130.00

Men's Hoka Challenger 7 Wide
Men's Trail Running Shoes
£130.00

Women's Hoka Challenger 7
Women's Trail Running Shoes
£130.00

Women's Hoka Challenger 7 Wide
Women's Trail Running Shoes
£130.00

BEST WIDE-FITTING RUNNING SHOES

For Plantar Fasciitis

Brooks Adrenaline GTS Wide / New Balance 1080 Wide / New Balance 880 Wide

Brooks Adrenaline GTS Wide

The progressive Guiderail support is gentle but very effective in correcting over-pronation. Alongside the responsive DNA Loft cushioning, this shoe makes for the perfect running or walking experience to alleviate plantar discomfort in wide feet. Available in standard fitting.

Men's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 2E Wide
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Men's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 4E Extra Wide
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 D Wide
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£135.00

New Balance 1080 Wide

Put your everyday running needs and heel soreness at ease with these versatile wide shoes. New lightweight upper meets midsole cushioning that has increased energy return, awaiting your attention.

Men's New Balance 880v14 2E Wide
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Women's New Balance 880v14 D Wide
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

New Balance 880 Wide

Specifically designed for wider feet to provide a comfortable and secured fit for the runner or walker. Featuring cushioning with superior shock absorbtion and upper material that's engineered to the finest to ensure proper airflow. Available in standard fit.

Men's New Balance 880v14 2E Wide
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Women's New Balance 880v14 D Wide
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£140.00

Running Shoes for Walking

BEST SHOES FOR WALKING

For Plantar Fasciitis

Hoka Bondi / Hoka Arahi

Neutral: Hoka Bondi

These lightweight yet highly cushioned trainers will ensure a comfortable walk – whether shorter or longer. They feature an improved heel counter to hold your feet in premium comfort, as well as Hoka’s signature cushioning for better shock absorption. Likewise, Hoka’s Meta-Rocker system evens up the pressure on the feet with its rolling structure. This helps avoid plantar discomfort and enhances recovery. 4mm drop.

Men's Hoka Bondi 8
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£150.00

Men's Hoka Bondi 8 Wide
Men's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£150.00

Women's Hoka Bondi 8
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£150.00

Women's Hoka Bondi 8 Wide
Women's Neutral Road Running Shoes
£150.00

Support: Hoka Arahi

Hoka Arahi has returned with another fantastic shoe we think you'll love. Featured in the upgraded model of the Arahi 7, you'll feel how light and breathable the upper material is – the engineered flat knit upper that allows for excellent airflow. Designed in the midsole is a firmer and denser CMEVA foam, which compared to the predecessor, should provide greater stabilty for logging in longer miles.

Men's Hoka Arahi 7
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£130.00

Men's Hoka Arahi 7 Wide
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£130.00

Women's Hoka Arahi 7
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£130.00

Women's Hoka Arahi 7 Wide
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£130.00

FAQs

Is it okay to jog with plantar fasciitis?

It is not advisable, as any repeated stress could aggravate the small tears already, and cause further damage. Take some time off to assess what may be causing your plantar pain and see what you could do to help your recovery. If it’s treated in the early stages, recovery will be faster than if you leave it untreated for longer. A professional may be able to help with this.

What shoes make plantar fasciitis worse?

Any ill-fitting shoe with insufficient cushioning, stability and/or support. This also applies to old shoes. Sometimes we may think that because they look in perfect condition the cushioning is still good, but this isn’t the case most of the time. As well as wearing shoes that put a lot of pressure on the feet, such as high heels, flip-flops or flat shoes, be aware that new shoes can also cause some discomfort if they’re too rigid, stiff, tight or need breaking in.

Can running shoes give you plantar fasciitis?

Yes, if they don’t provide the correct and/or sufficient support, cushioning and structure. However, plantar fasciitis is commonly caused by overuse while running. It’s usually aggravated when runners overtrain, or increase mileage without progression.

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