10 Best Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis – 2024 Buyers Guide

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 18
Test Winner: ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 18
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The Best Shoe For Plantar Fasciitis in 2021 is the Brooks Men's Glycerin 17

We reviewed scores of high-quality shoes and the Brooks Men's Glycerin 17 outperformed other options in all the main categories. What put this shoe ahead of other very good options was the marriage of performance, stability, support, comfort, durability, and overall value.

Read our full reviews below.

Standout Picks

Segmented cushioning for people with high arches.
Perfect for roads and long distances.
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A premium cushioned daily trainer.
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One of the best runners for plantar fasciitis.
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An awesome sneaker with an already strong following.
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Maximizes the amount of soft cushion in a trainer.
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Criteria Used for Evaluation

Support

Support is extremely important whether you're looking for the best men's or best women's running shoes for plantar fasciitis We started with the first line of defense, the heel. For runners that suffer from Plantar Fasciitis or heel pain, barefoot or minimalist shoes have no place in their rotation. It’s crucial that the heel is properly supported and cupped throughout the entire range of motion. This is why we listened to what runners had to say after several miles of wear and daily use in regards to heel cushioning and support.

Equally, important in beginning to tackle and overcome this very common heel condition is strong arch support. When a running shoe possesses all three basic components (heel support, midsole stability, and arch support) runners can benefit from the maximum protection of their Achilles, ankles, heels, and arches. When the key players are well protected, the road to success becomes a more pain-free experience. The ideal running shoe should compliment your natural arch and protect from strenuous activity.

Good arch support is a vital feature for runners with plantar fascia. There are three different foot arches that are commonly known,

  • High Arches
  • Low Arches (Flat Feet)
  • Neutral Arches

You may have different arch types, which means you’ll need to find a shoe that best fits your specific arch.

Customarily, people that are most at risk of plantar fasciitis are people with excessively high or low arches camps. If you find a shoe with a slightly elevated heel area with a firm heel counter area, you will get the best and adequate provision for arch support for your feet. Having a high or low arch does not necessarily mean that you are prone to plantar fasciitis.

Shoes with a firm heel counter area will assist in reducing the stress on the plantar fascia as you walk by aiding in controlling your foot direction when you step while also pushing the foot away from the shin.

Achilles tendon, a tough band of fibrous tissues that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, is attached to the heel bone area. The same applies to your plantar fascia on the other end. Thus, any stress reduction or tension on the Achilles tendon also reduces stress on your plantar fascia.

Stability

Working in conjunction with the overall layout of the shoe, the stability of the midsole is crucial for several reasons. One of them being that Plantar Fasciitis is exacerbated by stretching and flexing the Plantar Fascia, think of it as a bridge between the front and the back of your foot. According to runners from all walks of life, the higher the midsole stability of a shoe, the less pressure is placed on the heel.

Know Your Pronation Type

Pronation is the way in which your foot rolls inwards as you run or walk. The shoes that you choose should ensure compensation for your pronation type. There are three types of pronation types that we may fall into

Under pronation / Supination (often caused by high arches)
Neutral Pronation (regular arches)
Overpronation (low arches / flat feet)

So, with flat arches, you need the best running shoes for flat feet and plantar fasciitis. If you have high arches, you need to be looking for the best running shoes for high arches and plantar fasciitis. There are a few steps that can identify us with our pronation types. For instance, the wettest test, it is conducted by placing your feet in some water then stand on a white sheet, the print on your foot will often tell your pronation type.

Midsole

The shoe midsole should also be stiff. Stiff shoes mean you will need cushioning to complement the stiffness. Midsole stiffness means that you should not be able to bend the shoe in half or even slightly in half, only a little bend is recommended in this feature. A shoe that is too stiff with no cushioning may irritate your condition but then again you do not want a shoe with no

You’ll also want to make sure the shoe midsole is stiff. You should not be able to bend the shoe in half or even slightly in half. If you try to bend both ends of the shoe toward each other, the shoe should only bend a little, but not significantly. This means the sole may be a bit on the thick side. Stiff soles also mean you’ll need cushioning to offset the stiffness. You don’t want a shoe that’s too stiff with no cushioning which may irritate your condition but you don’t want a shoe with no midsole rigidity that may not give adequate arch support either. So, just make sure you find a shoe that fits somewhere in between.

Read also about best mud run shoes.

After you’ve done everything you can to match your running shoes with your heel type, if you still feel that your arches are not one hundred percent supported, you should consider using an orthotic in conjunction with your shoes. There’s really no need make a doctors appointment in most cases, over the counter options have made significant leaps in their quality. In fact, most runners found that orthotics found in most drug stores are far superior to their prescribed counterparts. We cannot stress enough the importance of arch support, make sure you never compromise in this department.

Comfort

The goal when selecting running shoes for Plantar Fasciitis is to reduce excessive toe extension, which has been found to increase the load on the Plantar Fascia. So make sure you look for a fairly firm toe section. You know those running sneakers that you can bend the toe box all the way back with your hand? Those are the ones to avoid. While you should be able to wiggle your toes slightly while wearing the shoes, you don’t want that ultra flexible pair of running shoes that are all over your social media accounts or non-athletes are wearing to their trendy coffee shops.

The front of your forefoot should be accommodated comfortably by a fine fitting toe box area. Basically, you will require a toe box that provides adequate motion for your stride as you move around but also with a firm forefront area that prevents your foot from extending too much. The front of your shoes needs to control your stride by limiting the upward movement of your foot as you walk or run around. This will help you in reduction of the windlass mechanism as you go about your activities,

Therefore, go out and find a shoe that bends to the occasion of the pressure applied by your toes in movement. It shouldn’t also bend too much. Remember that all movement should be limited to the toe box area as you move around. The rest of the shoe should be fairly inflexible.

Shock Absorption

The most up to date and advanced research continues to point to shock absorption as another key to success when dealing with foot conditions in both best women's and best men's running shoes for plantar fasciitis. In this case, dispersing as much force as possible helps to take the stress away from heel striking, which is essential. We took a look at the shoe’s ability to dampen the impact as runners came down with their weight.

As we age or increase our activity level, the actual shape of our fee can change. Pregnant women may experience a widening of the foot after each birth, and as you gain weight your feet may also experience a certain amount of spreading. This means that the same pair of shoes that you had and loved in your early 20s may not be quite as appropriate in your late 30s. As we said above, one of the easiest ways to treat plantar fasciitis is to make sure that you’re only running in shoes that are completely supportive. If you find a more suitable pair of shoes early in the process, you may be able to avoid additional treatment for the disorder. If you wait too long, you may need the help of a trained podiatrist to figure out exactly how to go from there. Extensive scar tissue or irreversible damage can completely offset your ability to run.

10 Running Sneakers For Plantar Fasciitis

1. Brooks Men's Glycerin 17

Where to buy
Brooks Men's Glycerin 17
Brooks Men's Glycerin 17
Brooks Men's Glycerin 17
Brooks Men's Glycerin 17
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Segmented cushioning for people with high arches.

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The first useful feature is the segmented cushioning which works for runners with high arches. A common result of high arches is under-pronation while running. This shoe is packed with DNA loft foam for very impressive cushioning which adds to the shoe's supportive features.

For comfort, the uppers are made with soft breathable mesh, you get a combination of ventilation and support. The lace-up system works well to secure the shoe upper which shapes to your foot. The toe has a steep upturn to allow you a consistent role in your running stride.

The Midsole shoe area offers good gel cushioning and flyte foam which also absorbs shock. The Outsole is blown rubber and gives grippy traction on multiple surfaces. This is a top-of-the-line stability shoe known for exceptional flexibility, responsiveness, stability, support, comfort, and durability.

2. Saucony Men's Omni 19

Where to buy
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Saucony Men's Omni 19
Saucony Men's Omni 19
Saucony Men's Omni 19
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Perfect for roads and long distances.

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This shoe is good for hard surfaces such as roads/sidewalks and long distances. Runners with Plantar Fasciitis problems will benefit from good arch support and stability due to strategic cushioning for a supportive shock-absorbing touch-down and spring. A built-in Extended medial post ensures the body posture has a natural alignment.

The shoe's FORMFIT feature encases the foot in 3D support to give comfort and deter foot rolling. For even more stability, a PU heel counter promotes consistent gait guidance. The TRIFLEX outsole works to optimize flexibility to the shoe platform.

The uppers are synthetic materials with perforated mesh panels for breathability. This shoe gives a secure lock-down, a generous cushioned soft fill, and very comfortable secure uppers. Durability: User feedback points out that this shoe has good durability and is tried and tested. The weight of the shoes is 1.72 Pounds.

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3. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080V8

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New Balance Fresh Foam 1080V8
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A premium cushioned daily trainer.

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Stability is one of the most important factors to consider for runners with Plantar fasciitis. While these aren't super responsive, their Fresh Foam midsole ensures that they are well-cushioned, providing your feet with stability. These are good for Plantar Fasciitis symptoms.

The updated midsole is much more flexible and supportive, Additional cushioning is also added to the midsole portion of the shoe in order to provide runners with optimal arch support and increased shock absorption.

The uppers are synthetic and designed to allow breathability, and the sole is a durable rubber compound with good traction/grip. Durability; The shoe has gained a following of users and satisfaction with durability and performance is consistent.

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4. Asics Gel Noosa Tri 9

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Ascis Gel Noosa Tri 9
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One of the best runners for plantar fasciitis.

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These shoes employ a gel cushioning system along with the Dynamic Duomax for arch stability. For breathability and comfort runners will appreciate the upper's open mesh design.

The Outsole features a combination of organic and non-organic components in its structure for a sticky grip, enhancing traction. This shoe uses gel technology in its midsole to provide you with support, stability, and flexibility

Asics have incorporated the latest high-performing tech into these Plantar Fasciitis running shoes. The shoe features an Impact-Guidance-System which works via linked components to enable a very natural running gait. The right level and amounts of strategically fitted cushion for seriously good shock absorbing.

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5. Saucony Guide 10

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Saucony Guide 10
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The cushioning is extremely balanced in this option. Spread smoothly throughout between the heel and forefoot along with an 8MM offset. You get extra support and relief with each and every footstrike.

The shoes do have a break-in period. Keep in mind that these do have a narrow fit, so if you have a wide foot you are going to want to try before you buy. The Uppers are synthetics with perforated panels to provide breathability.

The Tri-flex outsole is heavy-duty rubber and chevron-shaped for good ground contact. The midsole has Saucony’s SSL EVA foam for support. For confidence in durability, the makers say durability is good for 350 daily running miles.

6. Saucony Kinvara 7

Where to buy
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Saucony Kinvara 7
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An awesome sneaker with an already strong following.

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The shoelaces have a locking model that is new to ensure overall fit, comfort, and stability are maintained. There were questions about the previous shoe versions' durability, the brand has updated the quality of materials for more durability.

The midsole on these shoes features EverRun cushioning as well as a wedge underneath the heel of the shoe. The new and improved midsole on this model allows the shoes to optimally absorb shock.

The uppers are synthetic and do allow breathability. The outsole is a durable rubber compound that gives good surface grip and flexion for the shoe.

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7. ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 18

Where to buy
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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 18
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Maximizes the amount of soft cushion in a trainer.

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Perfect for any athletic activity or sport, it's a good option for extreme or modest under-pronators. Reformulated cushioning and support keep this shoe at the top for performance and technology.

Rear and forefoot gel cushioning systems allow movement as the foot transitions through the gait cycle. The uppers are multi-directional stretch mesh which gives a combination of support, secure fit, and breathability. A designed-in heel clutch system works to provide more support.

Fluid ride shoe tech provides great cushioning and enhances the shoe's overall durability. The rubber outsole tapers frontwards up to a toe guard, The sole gives a good grip on multiple surfaces. Weighing in at 14.08 Ounces. A mid-range price tag.

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