Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition, often affecting people aged 40-60 years old, in around 4-7% of the general population and is associated with 8% of running -related injuries.

Prevalence | Background information | Plantar fasciitis | CKS | NICE, It causes pain in the heel and the centre / inside / arch area on the bottom of the foot, often first thing in the morning or after rest. This pain can sometimes be quite severe, and can become frustrating when it affects the sufferer's usual level of mobility and disrupts their day-to-day activities.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue (Plantar fascia) connecting the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed due to excessive stress and strain. Choosing the wrong shoes can increase the pain, aggravate the situation and prolong your recovery.

Thankfully, wearing the correct supportive footwear and possibly orthopaedic footwear (if required) can help in both relieving symptoms, as well as treat the causes of plantar fasciitis.

The key properties in correct supportive footwear for plantar fasciitis.

Arch Support - Proper arch support helps to distribute pressure evenly across your foot, reducing the strain on the plantar fascia. Look for shoes with builtin orthotic control - e.g. vionic or consider adding an orthotic to your footwear.

Cushioning and shock absorption - Extra cushioning in the heel and midsole of the shoe helps to absorb shock and reduces impact on every step. Thus reducing the pain and discomfort. Memory foam insoles or EVA soles in your shoes can help with cushioning and shock absorption.

Firm heel counter - A supportive and stable heel counter helps to control excessive foot motion and provides stability, which is essential for those with plantar fasciitis.

Deep heel cup - A deep heel cup helps to cradle the foot, providing better alignment and reduces stress on the heel bone.

Proper fit - Shoes that are too tight or too loose can aggravate plantar fasciitis. Ensure a snug but comfortable fit with enough room to move your toes. Ideally a shoe should have a thumbs width between the end of your shoe and the longest toe.

Fastening - A slip on shoe can aggravate the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis due to the overuse of your toes, also this type of footwear is generally tight fitting and not a proper fit as described above. Fastening can be through laces, elastic laces, velcro or buckles.

Our Podiatrist has broken down the top recommended footwear for men and women suffering with plantar fasciitis.

Although according to research there is no difference between Men and Women who get Plantar fasciitis, in clinical practice as a podiatrist you see more Women than men. This is down to a number of factors such as:

Footwear - unsupportive footwear will make your feet overwork. Types of unsupportive footwear are ballet pumps, stilettos, pointed shoes, and slip on type footwear.

Pregnancy - As a pregnancy develops especially into the 3rd trimester, the body’s posture will alter to compensate for the baby. Altering hips, knees and foot position leading to conditions that can preempt plantar fasciitis. Even though it may be a struggle to wear correct supportive footwear it is necessary to reduce shock, stress, strain and to provide cushioning.

Overweight - Weight gain this will alter the body's posture and can lead to plantar fasciitis. Being overweight and having a job spending long periods standing or walking then this adds to the stress and strain of the plantar fascia. The NHS now recommends weight loss as part of the management for Plantar fasciitis, as well as correct supportive footwear suitable for your activities.

Menopause - Loss of the female hormone (oestrogen) during the peri menopause and latterly the menopause affects all tissues - bone, muscle, tendons and ligaments throughout the body. This loss causes the tissues to lose the elasticity, leading to foot structure changes and possibly the flattening of feet leading to plantar fasciitis.

Best everyday shoe Vionic Journey Uptown Mary Jane Casual Shoe

Best activity shoe Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 Big league

Best walking shoe Ecco offroad Waterproof hiking boot

Best Sandal Strive Aruba 

Fastening - Velcro fastening across the front of the ankle to give support and control

Orthotic insert - Powered by Vio.motion technology footbed, this provides stability, arch support, cushioning. The design has been engineered by biomechanists to reduce foot complaints - e.g. plantar fasciitis.

Colours - Black, Gold, Navy blazer

Finish - leather

Pros - Vionic footwear provides a combination of deep heel cup, appropriate fastening, with a supportive cushioning, shock absorbing insole. All of these features help to distribute weight across the sole of the foot, aligning the foot and therefore reducing the risk of Plantar fasciitis.

Cons - Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians

Fastening- Lace Fastened to support the foot and hold the trainer in place.

Orthotic insert - Orthotic style footbed designed by a podiatrist to give support to the arch area, shock absorption and weight distribution across the sole preventing stress and strain on the plantar fascia.

Colours - available in Black, Pewter, White, Navy multi, Plum, Light grey multi, Natural multi.

Finish - Synthetic upper and linings.

Pros - Vegan friendly

Machine washable

Suitable to be worn for athletic type activity (once cleared by a medical health professional) or everyday for support and comfort.

Cons - Man made fibres, although the mesh material allows your foot to breathe.

Fastening - Lace fastening

Orthotic insert - Removable cushioning insert to provide arch support; however can be removed to allow room for prescribed orthotics.

Colours - Black, Coral/nude, Lavender mist

Finish - The upper is a synthetic suede style waterproof material.

Pros - Ideal for walking the dog, going for walks with the family in the outdoors where you may experience rough terrain.

The firm heel counter, laced fastening, ankle fastening and supportive sole  will help to control the foot's movement over rough ground when out walking.

The control of the boot will help to prevent excessive pronation (rolling in) putting extra stress and strain on the plantar fascia.

The cushioning removable insole will support the arch area reducing the overuse of the plantar fascia which can lead to plantar fasciitis.

Cons - Not suitable for everyday use.

Not available in wide fittings.

Fastening - Velcro fastening across  the ankle and the forefoot. With an adjustable strap around the back of the ankle.

Orthotic insert - The foot bed is contoured to give support during walking; assists in the prevention of plantar fasciitis.

Colours Range of colours available - black, teal, dusty pink, ocean, denim, scarlet.

Finish - leather

Pros - Suitable for everyday use, as well as walking the dog during summer

The foot bed assists in reducing the stress and strain on the plantar fascia reducing the risk of plantar fasciitis.

The adjustable straps allow for adjustment in case of foot swelling during the day, as well as keeping the foot supported during your activity.

Cons - Footbed cannot be altered to take a custom made orthotic.

Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

Whilst plantar fasciitis is less common in men than it is in women, it is still important that it is properly identified and treated. Plantar Fasciitis is a significant risk in men who are overweight, spend a lot of time on their feet, or are between the ages of 40 and 60

Everyday shoe Vionic Bowery Bruno Shoe

Activity shoe Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 Idyllic 2 Mens Trainer

Walking shoe Josef Seibel Leroy 51 Waterproof Boot

Sandal Ecco Offroad Andes Trek Sandal

Fastening - Lace fastening across the top of the foot to give support and control.

Orthotic insert - Powered by Vio.motion technology footbed, this provides stability, arch support, cushioning. The design has been engineered by biomechanists to reduce foot complaints - e.g. plantar fasciitis.

Colours - Dark Brown, Black, Grey, Dark Tan.

Finish - Polished leather or suede. With an Oxford brogue style finish.

Pros -

Providing smart everyday office style shoes with the combination of Vionic technology.

Vionic footwear provides a combination of deep heel cup, appropriate fastening, with a supportive cushioning, shock absorbing insole. All of these features help to distribute weight across the sole of the foot, aligning the foot and therefore reducing the risk of Plantar fasciitis.

Cons - Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians

Fastening - Lace fastening

Orthotic insert -Orthotic style footbed designed by a podiatrist to give support to the arch area, shock absorption and weight distribution across the sole preventing stress and strain on the plantar fascia

Colours - Navy, Black/ charcoal

Finish - Synthetic upper and linings.

Pros -Machine washable

Suitable to be worn for athletic type activity (once cleared by a medical health professional) or everyday for support and comfort.

Cons - Man made fibres, although the mesh material allows your foot to breathe.

Fastening - Lace fastening

Orthotic insert - Cushioning insole which is removable.

Colours -Brown

Finish - Leather

Pros - Wide fitting

Removable insole to allow alternative insoles to be fitted

Waterproof

Ideal for walking the dog, going for walks with the family in the outdoors where you may experience rough terrain.

The firm heel counter, laced fastening, ankle fastening and supportive sole  will help to control the foot's movement over rough ground when out walking.

The control of the boot will help to prevent excessive pronation (rolling in) putting extra stress and strain on the plantar fascia.

Cons - Not for everyday use

Fastening -Velcro fastening across  the ankle and the forefoot. With an adjustable strap around the back of the ankle.

Orthotic insert - Contoured cushioned footbed, non removable.

Colours - Black, Nutmeg Brown

Finish - leather

Pros - Lightweight

Wide fitting 

Suitable for everyday use, as well as walking the dog during summer.

The foot bed assists in reducing the stress and strain on the plantar fascia reducing the risk of plantar fasciitis.

The adjustable straps allow for adjustment in case of foot swelling during the day, as well as keeping the foot supported during your activity.

Cons - Footbed cannot be altered to take a custom made orthotic.

Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians

Carnation Pediroller 

OrthoSleeve FS4 Socks

Vionic Relief 3/4 Length Orthotic Insole Unisex

Advice on how to treat plantar fasciitis Plantar fasciitis - NHS Plantar fasciitis exercise sheet.