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10 Best Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis - A Style for Every Occasion
This article was reviewed and approved by a medical professional.
Dr. Vivek David is a licensed orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and lower limb reconstruction surgeries. With a rich experience of over 10 years in orthopedics, he has an excellent reputation for handling complex lower limb joint reconstruction and robotic surgeries.
If you wake up in the morning with shooting pain in your heels, you are likely suffering from plantar fasciitis. But with summer quickly approaching, you can’t be forced to stay inside or wear sweaty shoes all day – you need a supportive pair of sandals that feel good in the short term and help heal your feet over time.
Here’s a list of the top 10 best sandals for plantar fasciitis that will surely ease your heel pain:
What to Look for in Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
Before browsing through an endless stream of spring and summer sandals, take into account these three factors that will make one pair preferable to another.
Arch Support
When you have plantar fasciitis, it’s essential to wear footwear that offers plenty of extra cushioning and arch support. The right pair of sandals will alleviate acute pressure and spread it evenly across all parts of your foot, rather than letting it focus on your heel.
Proper arch support will help prevent strain on your plantar fascia, which will help eliminate pain and heal any damage caused by plantar fasciitis.
Wide Sizes
If your shoes constrict your feet, it will exacerbate your plantar fasciitis and cause additional pain. When sandal shopping, look for wider silhouettes allowing your toes and the sides of your feet to breathe – check out our Sandal Sizing Guide for more information.
The best sandals for plantar fasciitis will come in wide widths to allow you some wiggle room.
Shock Absorption
One problem you’ll see with a lot of sandals is that the soles are thin and flat, providing no support or shock absorption. This is basically the same as walking barefoot, where the full impact of the ground is felt with every step. Instead, look for sandals with a thick rubber base that can absorb most of the impact while you walk.
Best Plantar Fasciitis Sandals for Every Occasion
To help you in your search for comfy, foot-healthy sandals, we've put together our most popular pairs, sorted by occasion.
For everyday wear, you can try the following:
Big Time
If you're planning to sightsee or hang in your own backyard, you might prefer a back strap sandal, like Big Time. This laid-back sandal is minimal yet stylish, with warm leather straps and a design-forward silhouette.
Our Soft Support™ insole will comfort your feet on those busy days. It comes in multiple earth-tone hues, from Natural to Dark Blue.
Double U
Double U offers complete support for plantar fasciitis. With multiple points of adjustability, these strappy sandals have our exclusive SOFT SUPPORT™ footbed which offers exceptional metatarsal and arch support. They’ll lock your feet into place while giving them plenty of comfort and space to breathe.
Flexible and durable rubber outsoles absorb the shock from all the impact you’ll be making on those busy days.
The Show
Looking for a perfect everyday sandal to support you wherever life takes you? Meet The Show. This t-strap design sandal is all about simplicity, comfort, and support in your day-to-day living.
Perfect for running errands in town and taking the children to the park, The Show will surely support your active feet wherever and whenever!
With two adjustable hook and loop straps and cooling gel padding on polyurethane, The Show is one of the best sandals for plantar fasciitis due to its high shock absorption levels.
The Best Plantar Fasciitis Sandals for Walking
Trulie
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your adventurous side because of your plantar fasciitis or other foot pains. Expand your horizons in Trulie, a lightweight walking sandal that comes in sea, sky, and earth-tone colors.
Made in Spain, this braided sandal is stylish and has features that make it more comfortable than your average shoe. You’ll enjoy the padded, contour cork-polyurethane footbed and the hook and loop straps.
Trophy 2
If you find that your feet constantly feel overheated when you’re walking, you’ll love Trophy 2. This strappy leather sandal features Taos’ Soft Support premium footbed with Cool Recovery Foam® to keep your feet comfortable and cushioned, even on a hot day.
The best part about Trophy 2? The fully adjustable straps will accommodate feet of any width!
Best Dressy Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
Luckie
Casual yet elegant, Luckie is one of the best sandals for plantar fasciitis if you’re looking for versatility. You can dress them up or down, and they’ll always look beautiful with their muted gold medallion accents.
With a cork-latex footbed, your feet will receive plenty of support as you hit the town in style. Wear Luckie with your favorite floral dress as you step into spring!
Prize 4
This versatile and elegant three-band sandal is perfect for a dressy occasion. Whether you're heading out for dinner on a summer terrace or attending a party,
Prize 4 is the gift that will keep on giving comfort and support as hours fly by.
An embossed microfiber footbed, treated with an antimicrobial shield, will keep your feet cool and dry, which is essential on those hot summer days.
The Prize 4 sandals come in multiple colorways, from trendy animal prints to shiny metallic shades.
Best Slip-On Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
Gift 2
The Gift 2 is your guide to comfort, a stylish slip-on-and-off sandal with an edge. The hand-stitched leather upper gives this sandal personality, while the extra coverage provides necessary arch support. The outsole is wrapped in lightweight rubber that adds extra durability and movement flexibility.
Best Toe Strap Style Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
Perfect
There are no limits to how far you can walk with the Perfect. These toe loop sandals are sophisticated and stylish and provide maximum support to your feet, including arches.
Crafted in soft, rich leather, the Perfect sandals are equipped with a cork insole that offers plenty of foot support, making them a top sandal for anyone with general foot pain or specific conditions like PF, heel spurs, or bunions.
Loop
The Loop is a dynamic pair of toe-loop wedge sandals made from European leather and lined with soft suede. The cork footbed, which is covered in 7 mm of premium padding, will provide your plantar fascia the support it needs to comfortably stretch, while also minimizing impact.
Can Wearing the Proper Sandals Help Heal Plantar Fasciitis?
While treating the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis is critical, wearing the correct footwear can greatly help. Sandals aren't always the best option due to their lack of support, so picking the appropriate pair is important. The most common pitfall is that flat flip-flops lack sufficient support for long periods of walking & standing, which is true – but not all flat sandals are unhealthy.
Sandals with arch support are beneficial during an acute episode of plantar fasciitis because they reduce the strain on the tissue when walking.
The Takeaway
There are a few crucial elements to consider while buying plantar fasciitis sandals. Regarding comfort, material and fitting are vital considerations, but proper arch support and padding are even more critical for people with the condition.
If you are looking for the perfect sandals for any occasion, shop at Taos and get the best footwear for your plantar fasciitis.
FAQ
What Sandals Can I Wear With Plantar Fasciitis?
You should search for sandals with a thicker, more cushioned sole. The sandal should also offer arch support and some midsole flexibility.
What Shoes Should I Avoid if I Have Plantar Fasciitis?
High heels and other shoes that exert a lot of strain on your feet should be avoided. You should also avoid wearing low-cost flip-flops, which typically lack enough arch support.
What Aggravates Plantar Fasciitis?
You can overstress your plantar fascia by putting weight on your foot without sufficient arch support or cushioning. Shoes that are overly tight or that lift your heel above your toes may further worsen the issue.
What Is the Number One Cause of Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is frequently caused by repeated motion or anything that puts a lot of strain on your foot's arch.
Should You Avoid Walking With Plantar Fasciitis?
Walking for a while may help relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms by stretching the ligament. However, the discomfort will develop progressively during the day, making you quite uncomfortable and interfering with your typical daily activities.
What Is the Fastest Way To Cure Plantar Fasciitis?
Most people with plantar fasciitis get better in a few months if they do things like ice the painful area, stretch, and change or stop doing things that hurt.
Sources:
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Vicenzino, B et al. “Orthosis-Shaped Sandals Are as Efficacious as In-Shoe Orthoses and Better Than Flat Sandals for Plantar Heel Pain: A Randomized Control Trial.” PubMed Central (PMC), 15 Dec. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4686010.
“Los Angeles Foot Problems Caused by Tight Shoes | Foot Pain Relief.” DOCS Spine Orthopedics, www.docshealth.com/tight-shoes-and-foot-problems. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.
Chiu HT, Shiang TY. Effects of insoles and additional shock absorption foam on the cushioning properties of sport shoes. PubMed, 1 May 2007, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17603131.
Haddaya U et al. “Impact of Routine Footwear on Foot Health: A Study on... : Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.” LWW, journals.lww.com/jfmpc/Fulltext/2022/07000/Impact_of_routine_footwear_on_foot_health__A_study.74.aspx. Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.