Hi members. I have severe pain in my heel whenever I walk over a small distance. I love travelling, and I don't want to be bound to a certain place just because of plantar fasciitis issue. Can you please recommend me some good walking shoes for this purpose? I have found the following source when I googled about it. What kind of shoes would you recommend?
https://www.wearduke.com/best-walking-shoes-for-plantar-fasciitis/
My husband has PF and recently bought Brooks Glycerin GTS 19 and so far he likes them. He hated Vionics with a passion.
Ah, Thanks. Does your husband has high arch or low arch?
Low. Very low.
He's had luck with Saucony shoes in the past, but of course they come out with new styles constantly so as soon as he found one he liked, they changed the design. The good thing about Brooks is you can wear them for 90 days and return them if they don't work out. He also ordered and returned the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21.
Did he find any difference between 19 and 21 version?
I have a high arch, spent years standing on tv and movie location sets for 15-17 hours a day. Developed plantar fasciitis.
Discovered KEEN brand of shoes. Within a week after wearing KEEN Presidio lace ups the plantar fasciitis disappeared. Not cheap but lightweight and durable.
True believer in the brand. Own 8 different pairs. Sandals, lace ups and slip ons.
On a trip to London comfortably walked six miles a day in my low cut Targhee lace ups. For dinners out and theatre wore my KEEN Kaci slip ons.
The first rec is to go to a good foot doctor and cure the PF. It is curable but does require patience and constant, proper exercise. At best shoes will provide some temporary relief. I prefer the ECCO shoes but each situation with PF is different and may require a different approach. AND no one shoe will solve the problem.
Did he find any difference between 19 and 21 version?
Yes, they are different styles. The Adrenaline are supposed to be better for his condition (overpronation and provides stability), but they hurt him. The Glycerin are more of a neutral shoe but they seem to work for him better. The only way to know is to try them and return. It is a frustrating process.
Vionics work best for people like me with high arches. A friend who doesn't have high arches swore by Earth shoes.
One thing that made a big difference for me wasn't the shoes - it was some stretches my physical therapist recommended.
One is a static stretch where I stand at least 3 minutes with the ball of my foot elevated. At home on carpet I use a piece of wood about 1" high. For travel I pack an 18" long piece of a pool noodle.
Another is to use something like an old tennis ball. For this I just sit with my foot on the ball rolling it around and massaging my foot.
I did these a few times a week for a couple of years and now don't have heel pain.
I had it in both feet for a while. It wasn't a particular brand of shoes that helped me, it was the high arch supports that I put in them. I like Eccos too, for example, but some of the models don't have much support and others do. By all means go to a podiatrist.
I had the same trouble with the Saucony shoes that roubrat's husband had. I too developed Plantar Fasciitis wearing a newer pair (new design) of them - got so bad that I needed a steroid shot (I am pretty impervious to pain, so it was that bad).
I've been wearing running shoes the last ten years and have been great with long-distance walking til about eight months ago when my Plantar Fasciitis started up with the newest Saucony design. So I switched a few months ago to some Brooks Ghost running shoes. They made a big difference. The Plantar Fasciitis is mostly gone though my feet still get sore in other ways from the Brooks shoes - I'm going to try something different next time...
Andrew H., whatever they did to the new Saucony's totally ruined them. That was his brand for years. This time he's said when he finds a pair that works he's going to buy several pairs for when they inevitably change the style.
Yeah, I used to buy three pair of the Saucony shoes whenever I found a pair I liked! They've always changed the styles every year, but only recently did the newer ones have such poor arch support. Very disappointing!
I was tempted to buy a second pair of the Brooks shoes I've been wearing but just recently they are making my feet sore just not causing Plantar Fasciitis. Hard to find the perfect shoes...
Check SAS Shoes
PF can be debilitating. The only thing that works for me, and it works well, are a pair of high quality ECCO shoes and inexpensive arch support inserts. It saved me.
I recommend Brooks and Hokas, choosing the styles with more support. The new Hoka Kawanna is really great.
Also, for relaxing, the Oofos brand line is pretty incredible- flip flops that feel like heaven. I know that sounds crazy- comfortable, supportive, arch-support flipflops- but they were made for runners with PF, and I have never spoken to anyone who did not get relief from Oofos. After my foot surgery, I could only wear the Oofos sandals for about six months. Oofos now makes closed toe shoes, but I haven't been able to find any to try.
Good luck!
Superfeet insoles! I've invested a small fortune but can wear whatever shoes I want (that otherwise fit). Dress shoes, hiking boots, sneakers, cycling shoes, muck boots- all of them.
There are only three pairs of shoes I don't put these in: two pairs of Birkenstock clogs (one leather the other plastic- a work shoe), and my well-arched Reef flip-flops. (But they're just for pool or beach. I have strong opinions about wearing flip-flops anywhere else.)
Anecdotes are not diagnoses. We mean well but this is nota good place to get medical (or financial) advice. Perhaps I can help with your glaucoma.
I appreciate bogiesan's remark, but if the shoe solves the issue, go for it. Look at Kuru shoes patented design. They have kept my plantar fasciitis at bay and my feet happy for years. I hope you find something that works for you.
VIONIC is made for plantar fasciitis issues. You can specifically shop for shoes for Planters Fascitis on the website. I swear by these shoes and they have men's and women's.
I had a bout of PF 6 months before my last trip and my previous bout took over a year to heal.
My #1 move was stretching my calf, yup the calf. I hung my heel off steps a few times a day and did the stretch where you face a wall, place one leg in back of you and place both hands on the wall to stretch. I did this about 5x a day for 6 months. 100% healed by the time we headed to Europe. I also wore the Vionic Flip flop every day to work (told them it was medical) and while in Europe I hung my heel off curbs whenever I could to keep it loose.
I agree every foot and person is different and consulting a specialist is a very wise first step (pun intended). FWIW, what worked for me is putting supportive insoles in every type of shoe I own (dress shoes, workout shoes, sandals) and rarely if ever going barefoot. I use Birkenstock 1/2 length inserts for dress shoes and Sole heat moldable insoles for everything else, Chaco or Birk sandals (the latter used also as my slippers at home). Patience is also required, it can take a bit for things to work back to comfortable. Best of luck to you, it is no fun.
Podiatrist, physical therapy (streching, foot massages, electro-stimulus) , custom orthodics and 6 to 12 moths of self treatment. It's a slow process.
Oh Yes good point...never ever walk barefoot, not even to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
I had PF, heel pain, and Morton's Neuroma for several years. There were times when I could not even walk from the kitchen to the living room. I had to crawl.
I think seeing a podiatrist, physical therapy, and good orthotics are all needed. As mentioned, it's a slow process.
Shoe brands are important, but so are shoe inserts. Buy shoes that have removable shoe insoles and replace them with good orthotics/shoe inserts with rigid (or at least semi-rigid) arch support. For shoe brands, I like Mizuno, Asics (the high end models for running), Sanita, Arcopedico, and Spenco. I have a pair of Vionic that are pretty good, but their recent models are inconsistent. Do not get gel insoles--they don't provide enough support.
When trying on shoes, be patient and don't try too many pairs at one time. Go to a great shoe store, such as the Walking Company and Footwear etc, that provides good advice. Some professional running shoe stores (like Road Runner Sports) are also great. Avoid general stores like DSW or Sports Authority.
I have had plantar fasciitis in both feet from distance running. What works for one person, and what shoe brand works for one person, may not work for another. I recommend seeing someone who will help you get to the root of the problem, like a sports chiropractor or physical therapist, not someone who will just inject your fascia and send you on your way. My problem was in part from a leg length difference and years of running with a wonky gait caused my PF. My gait also caused major trigger points in my calves that exacerbated my heel pain. That said, if your PF is caused or exacerbated by pronation or supination, the right shoe or right insole (and I also recommend Superfeet) will definitely help. PF is miserable - I hope you get some relief.
Oh Barknpark, I feel your pain! I had to furniture crawl just to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night and do about 10 min of towel stretches in the morning, or any time I needed to get up after long periods of rest, even at work.
I have heard of people developing PF while on vacation by underestimating the amount of walking they will do and wearing a non supportive shoe like converse. My friend had to rent a wheelchair for their grandma who developed it mid trip and wheel her around for the rest of the trip.
I am glad I found my miracle shoe that I have multiple pairs of so I can walk my 10+ miles a day on vacation with confidence. I am in the 5 pair of shoe club per trip just for this purpose (still just a carry on..no problem, they line the inside of my suitcase). My feet get tired and sometimes just a shoe change can make all the difference, but going from one great shoe to another great shoe.
I am in the 5 pair of shoe club per trip just for this purpose (still just a carry on..no problem, they line the inside of my suitcase).
Now this is inspiring packing!
@roubrat which shoe brand you are using
@Andrew H., if this helps, my husband just bought a second pair of Brooks Glycerin GTS 19, so it seems that they are working out for him after his breakup with Saucony. He said it has to be the GTS though because the regular 19 doesn't have the 'guiderails' for support.
@mechperfect921, I have the Brooks Ghost 14, but I don't really have PF. I do have high arches though. I really like them and am going to get a second pair.
I have had plantar fasciitis and it is miserable. Like others, PT was very helpful and I continue to do the same stretches others have described.
Brands that work for me:
Vionic: not only are they comfortable but there are so many stylish options!
Dansko: I absolutely LOVE my Dansko clogs. I know it sounds strange, but I can walk for miles in their clogs and my feet are never tired or sore. I also have flats, sandals, and heels.
Brooks: worked well for me when my PF was at it's worst.
New Balance: my go-to athletic shoe.
I've found that I need to try several different brands and styles to find what works for me (except Dansko - if it's in my size and on sale, I buy). Saucony is terrible for me as is Ecco, but works well for others.
Christy, I have been desperately looking for stylish sandals for my August RS tour. We may walk up to 8 miles a day. It’s going to be HOT so I was hoping to take some very light dresses. I am about to give up and pack shorts and Capri pants that I can wear my comfortable sneakers with. You have given me a glimmer of hope with the Dansko. I have tried Vionics sandals and they just don’t work for me after about 3 or 4 miles. If you don’t mind, would you tell me what sandals you have bought that are Dansko or any brand that you feel, and I know this is your opinion only, that you could walk 6-8 miles a day and your feet wouldn’t be blistered or hurting too badly? I really want to buy something soon and start walking in and get them worn in and make sure that my feet will be happy.
The young European women I saw on my recent trip were all wearing athletic shoes with their skirts and dresses, so I think it's now a style choice. An OP here said they saw the Parisian women wearing the white Stan Smith style tennis shoes with skirts and dresses. Celebrities walk the red carpets in athletic shoes, so I say set your own trends.
If you want sandals because of the heat, I've found some styles from Taos, Earth, and L'Amour Des Pieds with great arch support. Taos are found in comfort shoes stores, pretty pricey. L'Amour Des Pieds are available from Nordy's , Zappos, and their own website. Earth aren't as pricey, and don't last as long, but I have several pairs with great arch support that I've been very happy with on European trips. Earth are available from their own website. Good luck !
The new Hoka Kawana ( in both mens' and ladies' sizes) athletic shoe is magic for me- I'm actually wearing it instead of golf shoes, and I wore it all over Germany and Austria.
Ok- I'm done now!
Thanks very much for all the great ideas!
