13 Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fascitis

Plantar Fasciitis is a common problem for many people, which sometimes causes severe heel pain if not treated as it should be. Runners, in particular, will suffer a lot from this problem unless they wear proper running shoes for plantar fasciitis. While running shoes aren’t a cure for plantar fasciitis, they can relieve a lot of pain and reduce foot fatigue after running.
This review recommends the 13 best women’s and men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. These shoes have enough cushioning and support to eliminate severe pain while running. So, have a look at the shoes and what pros and cons each of them has. Then, don’t forget to check the buying guide and FAQs section to know more about plantar fasciitis and how to deal with it when buying running shoes.

Brooks Men’s Caldera 6 Trail Running Shoe

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Brooks Men’s Caldera 6 Trail Running Shoe is one of Brooks’ innovations for men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. These shoes make a great choice for those looking for style and comfort. The shoes are great for trail running. Most of the buyers who bought these shoes confirmed that these were one of the best purchases they have ever made, as these shoes never failed them on the trails.
The shoes have a rigorous design with a toe cap to protect your toes from any shocks. Plus, the outsoles are very durable and gripping. Thus, running on any terrain is possible with these shoes. Brooks is actually one of the best shoe brands for flat feet and such conditions. Considering the outsoles, insoles, colors, heel-to-toe drop, and everything else, these shoes are top-notch! RoadTrailRun has a great comparison of these shoes with others pointing out the main features of Brooks Caldera 6, don’t miss it.

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Mens Shoes

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The first thing runners look for in their running shoes is cushioning. HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 8 Mens Shoes are one of the best and most cushioned men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis you’ll find on this list. These shoes are so comfortable that you might wear them for the whole day. However, ensure you have the right size as more cushioning means less space for your feet inside.
Similarly, the collars are padded to support your heels. The heel contouring itself is a bit raised to cover more of your heels while not causing any blisters. What we like a lot about these shoes are the offered colors. There are many shiny colors, such as yellow, orange, teal, and blue.

New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 860 V12 Running Shoe

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New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 860 V12 Running Shoe is a very comfortable shoe to consider as well. These shoes feature double cushioning in the midsoles to provide extra comfort for your feet. However, the shoes itself is a bit narrow despite the relatively wide toe box. In other words, it’s better for women with narrow feet, or you might need to size up if you have wider feet.
The upper part of the shoes is very breathable as it has large mesh parts. This is a must for running shoes to eliminate any bad odors, especially on summer days. While New Balance has many designs of running shoes, this one is the best women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. Combining cushioning, breathability, and stability is the key. This YouTube video review by Running Warehouse is very comprehensive, showing all the features of these shoes; watch it before you buy!

HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 Womens Shoes

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HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 7 Womens Shoes are very recommended running shoes for women with plantar fasciitis as they have everything needed to feel comfortable. The heel-to-toe drop is lower than most other Hoka One One models. This lower drop reduces the pain in the heels. Also, the thick cushioning of the shoes adds more comfort, especially when you wear them for long hours.
On the other side, the shoes are totally breathable. Whenever you see mesh shoes, ensure that they are suitable for running and walking while not producing any bad odors, as they allow for suitable airflow. Further, these are easy-to-wear shoes as they have a pull tab to ease slipping your feet inside.

Saucony Men’s Triumph 19 Running Shoe

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Feeling very light today and want to hit the trail with a dreamy, cushioned pair of shoes? Saucony Men’s Triumph 19 Running Shoe is your way to achieve it. The responsive cushioning gives you a personalized fit, as the insoles will automatically take the shape of your feet once you insert them inside the shoes. You’ll feel the ground is very smooth under your feet.
The toe box has enough room as well. There are three width options, and all will fit perfectly with no pressure on your toes or heels. On top of that, the shoes are made of recycled material, thus, not harming the environment or harming you.

Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36

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Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 is our choice from this well-known brand name as the best men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. Although Nike is specialized in running shoes, this one is very suitable for such a condition. The shoes are made with slim collar cushioning and a slimmer tongue as well. Some people didn’t like the slim tongue as it’s harder to lace shoes with such a tongue, yet, this slim design gives enough room for your feet, and the shoes become lighter.
On the same side, the shoes are still comfortable despite the size. The materials used for the insoles and the upper part of the shoes make them extremely comfortable and soft on your feet. However, the cushioning isn’t as much as other models, so you might need to insert your own insoles.

ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 9 Running Shoes

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Best price. ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 9 Running Shoes are the budget-friendly option you’re looking for to run comfortably on any terrain, even with plantar fasciitis. ASICS has many models for both men and women; this model is our top choice for women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. The reason behind our recommendation, aside from the price, is that the shoes include two types of cushioning to reduce the pain; foam and gel.
The gel cushioning is mainly in the heels’ part. This type of cushioning makes hitting the ground softer and smoother. However, the shoes are lightweight; even women with no plantar fasciitis issues love wearing these shoes. They also make great shoes for women with flat feet, but you might need to insert removable arch support.

New Balance Women’s 990 V5 Sneaker

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Best sizes. New Balance Women’s 990 V5 Sneaker is the best women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis when it comes to sizes. These shoes are available in five widths for each size, i.e. there are x-narrow, narrow, normal, wide, and x-wide options from each size. So, women with narrow or wide feet will surely find their size from this New Balance model.
Aside from the sizes, as a New Balance model, the shoes offer great stability and support while running. It’s also very comfy with a removable midsole and cushioned collars for extra comfort. Although the shoes are more expensive than their counterparts, even other New Balance models, they have many features worth considering.

ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 28 Running Shoes

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ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 28 Running Shoes come with an upgraded support system for more stability on the running trails; this is the new Dynamic DuoMax support system. The shoes are lighter weight whilst the platform (or the outsoles) are still large for more stability. Inside, the shoes have the same gel and foam cushioning as the women’s ASICS model we mentioned above.
We also loved the breathable mesh construction of the shoes. The heel contouring is also redesigned to keep your heels comfortable. Some people found these shoes are smaller than usual. We believe this is a result of the increased cushioning of the shoes, which is also a reason for the increased comfort.

Brooks Men’s Beast ’20 Supportive Running Shoe

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Brooks Men’s Beast ’20 Supportive Running Shoe is one of those shoes that people can use for different purposes. The shoes are great men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. Besides, they’ve certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoes. So, comfort isn’t questioned here with these shoes.
The reason for this comfort is, first of all, the soft cushioning these shoes enjoy. They feature DNA LOFT cushioning, known for its high quality and responsiveness. Moreover, the GuideRails support system is a great addition to this model as it keeps the movement stable without much pressure on the knees. More to know about this GuideRails system in the Beast 20 model is here in this YouTube video review.

Orthofeet Coral Women’s Sneakers

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Best arch support. Orthofeet Coral Women’s Sneakers are, without a doubt, one of the best athletic shoes for plantar fasciitis and other foot problems as well. These shoes are designed for this reason particularly. They have premium orthotic insoles, which are also removable for a customized fit. In addition, the shoes come with an arch booster for better arch support. This arch booster can be added or removed when needed.
Moreover, the midsoles are made of microfibers. This material is great when it comes to bad odors that might result from wearing them for long hours. As for the outsoles, they’re made of durable rubber with good traction on the ground.  

Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22

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Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22 is definitely one of our favorites for women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis. Brooks is one of our favorite brands, which might explain why we’re recommending many of their shoes here. This model has the innovative GuideRails support system we talked about before. Your heels get nice support with this system, whereas your toes will enjoy enough room in the toe box.
Furthermore, the shoes are extremely durable and long-lasting. They are shoes that you can wear every day with no worries about tear or wear. On top of all, the color options are too many. There are patterns and color choices to match all running outfits.

Brooks Men’s Ghost 14 Neutral

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Best for comfort. Nothing is compared to Brooks Men’s Ghost 14 Neutral when it comes to comfort. The shoes have padding and cushioning everywhere. The insoles, midsoles, collars, and everywhere else around your feet. The cushioning is super soft yet, still offers the required protection and shock absorption.
The upper part is made with breathability in mind. The mesh parts are so air-letting with Fit Print technology that allows for customizable stretch while maintaining good quality and durability at the same time. Generally, the shoes are built for long service. They can last for years of wearing every day. Want to see a real-life test of these shoes? Check out this Runrepeat review.

Our Verdict!

Running shoes for plantar fasciitis are known for their comfort, perfect fit, arch support, and other features. Below we have picked our favorites in some of these categories in case you’re looking for something special.

• Best price: ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 9 Running Shoes
• Best sizes: New Balance Women’s 990 V5 Sneaker
• Best arch support: Orthofeet Coral Women’s Sneakers
• Best for comfort: Brooks Men’s Ghost 14 Neutral

How To Choose The Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis?

While there aren’t special women’s or men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis, you should look for features for this condition. Many people think that getting wide shoes is the only thing needed to run comfortably, even with plantar fasciitis, yet, this isn’t always the case. Check out the top three features you must ensure when buying running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Cushioning

The main thing to look for is your comfort. This is determined by many factors where cushioning is on top of all. The more cushioned the shoes are, the better for plantar fasciitis. Yet, sometimes very thick cushioning makes the shoes too tight. So, go for responsive cushioning or foam cushioning for more comfort.

Heel-to-toe drop

The heel-to-toe drop is the height between the highest part of the heels and the lowest part of the toes. The lower this height is, the better. Simply, this won’t lead to any pressure on the toes and will aid in distributing the balance all over your feet. A good heel-to-toe drop is usually less than eight millimeters.

Support system

The support system is the arch support that is usually found in the midsoles. The arch in the feet is supported with extra padding so as not to allow for extreme flexibility in this area that might lead to the tear of the plantar fascia tissue. Sometimes this arch support comes detachable to add or remove according to your needs.

Should I get larger sizes of running shoes for plantar fasciitis?

If the running shoes have a roomy toe box, then there is no need for sizing up. Just make sure the shoes are a perfect fit for your feet and don’t cause any pain.

Are running shoes for flat feet suitable for plantar fasciitis?

Some people with plantar fasciitis already have flat feet, so they can use the same shoes for both conditions. The key is to find comfortable, well-cushioned, supportive, and perfectly fitting shoes.

What are the best men’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis?

Some options are already mentioned above, but you need to avoid uncushioned shoes or those with flat midsoles and no arch support.