The 10 Best Apex Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Posted by Apex Foot Health on 1st Jun 2023
Each morning, one in ten Americans wakes up, steps out of bed, and experiences burning or aching in their feet. They suffer from plantar fasciitis, a painful condition that makes walking uncomfortable.
If you're struggling with similar pain, you'll need to remove pressure from the delicate arch of the foot.
One way to reduce irritation is with a new pair of plantar fasciitis shoes for women or men. We've created this list of the best therapeutic footwear to make finding the pair that suits your lifestyle easier.
Continue reading to learn more about this condition and find your perfect pair of shoes.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis and How Does It Affect Feet?
The thick tissue on the bottom of your foot, between your heel and toes, is the plantar fascia (or the arch). If this delicate structure sustains damage, it may swell or grow irritated, causing plantar fasciitis.
This condition generally causes pain and irritation while walking, standing, and exercising.
Firm arch support is essential to an individual's recovery. If your case is mild, your doctor may "prescribe" a new pair of shoes to help reduce pressure. Luckily, there are many options for stylish, attractive, and supportive men's and women's shoes.
Top Apex Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
We've selected the top ten pairs of Apex shoes for plantar fasciitis. Our experts have included ten categories, so there is a stylish shoe for every function. You can learn more about each winning shoe below.
Best Overall Men's Shoes: Men's Lace Walking Shoe - Black
Best Overall Women's Shoes: Women's Lace Walking Shoe - V-Last - White/Periwinkle
Best Men's Walking Shoes: Men's Lace Walking Shoe V Last - White/Blue
Best Women's Walking Shoes: Women's Lace Walking Shoe - X Last – White
Best Men's Dress Shoes: Men's Conform Classic Oxford Dress Shoe - Black
Best Women's Dress Shoes: Women's Dress Shoe Petals Linda - Black
Best Men's Active Shoes: Men's Trail Runner Active Shoe - Sierra Brown
Best Women's Active Shoes: Women's Trail Runner Active Shoe - Sierra Grey/Purple
Best Insoles: A-Wave Orthotic Support Insole Unisex
Best Slippers: Unisex Orthopedic Moccasin Slipper Caramel
1. Men's Lace Walking Shoe - Black
Best Overall Men's Shoes
Sizes: men: 6.5-15
Width: Medium (D), Wide (2E), and X-Wide (4E)
This padded, breathable walking shoe provides extra support for overpronation. The design is ideal for pain relief, with removable depth for additional fit flexibility. The sleek black color makes them the most versatile choice, as you can dress these plantar fasciitis shoes for men up or down.
2. Women's Lace Walking Shoe - V-Last - White/Periwinkle
Best Overall Women's Shoes
Sizes: women: 4.5-13
Width: Medium (B), Wide (D), and X-Wide (2E)
A great midsole is an essential element in plantar fasciitis shoes for women. This stylish pair features superior stability with a playful pop of periwinkle that you'll love.
3. Men's Lace Walking Shoe V Last - White/Blue
Best Men's Walking Shoes
Sizes: men: 6.5-15
Width: Medium (D), Wide (2E), and X-Wide (4E)
This shoe offers all the comfort of our V Last sneaker with the aesthetic appeal of the most popular walking shoes on the market. The supporting EGX footbridge is a game-changer for men on the go.
4. Women's Lace Walking Shoe - X Last – White
Best Women's Walking Shoes
Sizes: women: 4.5-13
Width: Medium (B), Wide (D), and X-Wide (2E)
We created our X Last line to offer extreme stability to active women. This all-white walking shoe is simple, comfortable, and offers optimal rear foot control.
5. Men's Conform Classic Oxford Dress Shoe - Black
Best Men's Dress Shoes
Sizes: men: 6.5-15
Width: Medium (D), Wide (2E), and X-Wide (4E)
Now men can look great and feel great, even at the office. This classic Oxford-style dress shoe offers the same support as our sneakers for plantar fasciitis.
6. Women's Dress Shoe Petals Linda - Black
Best Women's Dress Shoes
Sizes: women: 5-13
Width: Medium (B), Wide (D), and X-Wide (2E)
Having plantar fasciitis doesn't mean that you can't get dressy! The Petals Linda dress shoe in black is an elegant, padded shoe with plenty of support.
7. Men's Trail Runner Active Shoe - Sierra Brown
Best Men's Active Shoes
Sizes: men: 6.5-15
Width: Medium (D), Wide (2E), and X-Wide (4E)
If you're active, you don't have to let plantar fasciitis slow you down. The Trail Runner Active Shoe offers the support you need for a pain-free adventure.
8. Women's Trail Runner Active Shoe – Sierra Gray/Purple
Best Women's Active Shoes
Sizes: women: 4.5-13
Width: Medium (B), Wide (D), and X-Wide (2E)
This all-purpose active shoe features a fun pop of purple, so you'll look great on the trail. You'll enjoy pain-free hikes, walks, and runs, even with plantar fasciitis.
9. A-Wave Orthotic Support Insole Unisex
Best Insoles
Sizes: men: 5.5 - 14, women: 6.5 - 15
Type: Flex, Firm, and X-Firm
Now any shoe can become a plantar fasciitis-friendly shoe. These versatile, unisex insoles offer premium comfort for individuals experiencing all types of foot pain.
10. Unisex Orthopedic Moccasin Slipper Caramel
Best Slippers
Sizes: women: 6-15, men: 5-15
Width: Medium (B/D), Wide (D/2E)
With plantar fasciitis, even walking around the house can be a pain. Allow this trendy moccasin-style slipper to offer relief as you lounge and relax.
What to Look For in Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
All of the shoes above feature premium arch support. Here are the other features to look for in shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Flexibility
To ensure equal parts comfort and support, you want a flexible shoe. Shoes that are too stiff or too flimsy won't offer adequate protection.
Twist the shoe to test its flexibility. The shoe you choose should bend at the ball of the foot with some resistance.
Arch Support
Arch support is essential in any shoe you buy, but it's necessary when choosing shoes for plantar fasciitis. Choose shoes with arch support directly under the arch of your foot. This provides overall support for the entire foot, reducing tension on the fascia and preventing overpronation.
Customizable Cushioning
When you think of finding comfortable shoes, cushioning likely comes to mind. You want shoes with plenty of cushioning to absorb the weight of your activities and the impact of your heel hitting the ground.
What to Avoid in Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Some types of shoes should remain off-limits until you've achieved recovery. Avoid the following:
- High-heels – if you must wear heels, look for round-toe styles below 2 inches in height
- Cheap flip-flops – usually lack sufficient arch support
- Not using orthotic inserts or insoles – orthotic insoles and insoles can help in lessening flare-ups and pain
- Shoes that are too tight or raise your heels significantly higher than your toes can also exacerbate your plantar fasciitis
If you stay off your feet, you may be able to return to these styles in the future. In the meantime, the shoes on our list will offer everything you need to achieve optimal comfort and style.
Find the Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes for Women and Men at Apex
You don't have to compromise on style when purchasing new shoes to support your plantar fasciitis. The above plantar fasciitis shoes for women and men offer all the support, flexibility, and style you need to get through your day.
Comfort and healing begin at Apex Shoes. You can find all of the styles above, including additional colors and silhouettes, in our online store. Browse our plantar fasciitis shoes to find the perfect new pair for your lifestyle.