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Original poster

Footwear recommendations - plantar fasciitis

37 replies

Wrinklefree · 08/03/2022 23:17

Can anyone recommend any comfortable shoes that will help heal or ease the pain of a plantar fasciitis?

OP posts:
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GertrudeKerfuffle · 09/03/2022 08:40

@Wazzzzzuuuuuuup

Barefoot shoes are worth a try. Vivo barefoot are probably the best known brand

Don't do this unless you've made the situation better first, through stretching and possibly medical interventions. You will be in agony if you try barefoot now!

SartresSoul · 09/03/2022 08:37

I wore Nike running trainers 24/7 and Birkenstocks. Also always wore hard soled slippers in the house, never barefoot.

Proudboomer · 09/03/2022 08:12

Another vote got vionic. These are the only shoes I wear and now I have very little pain if any.
They are expensive so I buy two pairs in the sale to last a year. Simply feet always has good sales with 50% off. I buy my summer sandals in the September sales and my trainers in the Christmas sale.

BettyBag · 09/03/2022 07:51

Go walk skechers. Life changing.

Fifthtimelucky · 09/03/2022 07:47

I second Fit Flops.

My GP recommended them when I had plantar fasciitis about 10 years ago and I haven't worn anything else since.

Phineyj · 09/03/2022 07:45

I've got some Vionic flip flops which are good for summer (I had to go to a specialist shoe shop in Covent Garden for them) and also a pair of Flyflot pull ons, so I second both those brands, also Crocs for walking about, the garden, the beach. I've found Decathlon trainers excellent (and pleasingly cheap) and for work I like Hotter Jewel style (which have got me through 10 years of teaching).

Pilates is good to get more awareness of your body and which bits need stretching.

I've also had some physio and worked on getting my weight a bit further forward when I walk.

Lanareyrey · 09/03/2022 07:05

Also Archie’s flip flops for around the house.

Lanareyrey · 09/03/2022 07:03

I have chronic plantar fasciitis and I first of all recommended getting some orthotics (mine are from the podiatrist not custom) and then buying any of the brands mention.

A couple of Australian brands are Bared and Frankie4.

Unfortunately only thing that has helped was a cortisone shot (for now anyway), looking at potential surgery.

Good luck!

SalsaLove · 09/03/2022 05:21

@FantasticFebruary

Personally I tried a million different shoes/orthotics/exercises, but sketchers go walk4 were what sorted it out for me. Not all sketchers are the same though

Good luck it's a living hell until you find the thing that's right for you!

Same here. I couldn’t be without my gowalk4 Skechers.
PatchworkElmer · 09/03/2022 04:48

Thanks for posting this OP, I’ve got awful plantar fasciitis and have been looking for slippers for ages. I’ve been recommended FitFlops before but they don’t have ‘full’ slippers for sale and I’ve been struggling to find an alternative. Thank you to all those who recommended Vionic! I’ve just ordered a pair of slippers and some work shoes from them. Will update when they arrive.

SarahBellam · 09/03/2022 04:33

Flyflot shoes are absolute heaven to wear when you have plantar fasciitis. They are not in any way fashionable, but the support and comfort are superb.

Original poster
Wrinklefree · 09/03/2022 03:04

@WhereTheWildlingsLive

Crocs as slippers (wear permanently in the house, sooo comfy), Crocs flip flops in summer, gel heel trainers with arch support insole, and removable transferable insoles for any boots. I also swear by rolling a ball under my soles at least once a day.

Due to all this I am now back running again after about 18 months barely able to walk 😊

18 months 😲 I’ve had enough after 2 months, 1 of the things I miss the most is not being able to walk long distance.
OP posts:
PurpleMarie · 09/03/2022 02:48

PF is as much about your calve muscles as it is about your arch. Be sure to stretch your calves regularly, especially in the morning before you get out of bed.

WhereTheWildlingsLive · 09/03/2022 02:45

Crocs as slippers (wear permanently in the house, sooo comfy), Crocs flip flops in summer, gel heel trainers with arch support insole, and removable transferable insoles for any boots. I also swear by rolling a ball under my soles at least once a day.

Due to all this I am now back running again after about 18 months barely able to walk 😊

Original poster
Wrinklefree · 09/03/2022 02:40

Thank you everyone, will look into some of the 1’s you have mentioned.

OP posts:
Foldinthecheese · 09/03/2022 02:33

I went to a store where they specialise in gait analysis. They were able to do a scan of my foot and took a bunch of measurements, as well as analysing my gait. I tried on three pairs of trainers that they recommended based on my feet, and then they gave me a few insoles to try. Since wearing those trainers and insoles, the difference has been remarkable. My plantar fasciitis is gone, and other issues I was having with my feet during workouts have cleared up as well. It was expensive, but absolutely worth it for the change.

Cabbagepie · 09/03/2022 01:19

Another vote for Vionics, together with exercises advised by the physio. I seldom get any pain from PF now.

GibbonsGoatsGibbons · 08/03/2022 23:59

Sketchers with added gel arch insole keep mine at bay but what fixed it was a massage gun on my calf regularly

HeckinMiffed · 08/03/2022 23:56

Following. I've been off running for a year with PF. I did have Brooks fitted for me at a running shop. but I still tie my laces to allow my arch to move. I also wear a supportive insole every day.
They are still sore/tender daily but I wear comfy trainers and stretch carefully.

MrsEricBana · 08/03/2022 23:54

Neighbour was in agony with this and Fitflops were the only thing that worked for her and actually helped.

FantasticFebruary · 08/03/2022 23:44

Personally I tried a million different shoes/orthotics/exercises, but sketchers go walk4 were what sorted it out for me. Not all sketchers are the same though

Good luck it's a living hell until you find the thing that's right for you!

imthesame · 08/03/2022 23:40

Obviously I didn't read the NHS advice re the flip flops!

imthesame · 08/03/2022 23:39

FitFlops - the actual flip flops for around the house. And other FitFlop shoes for outside. I found anything that supported my arch and lifted my heel helped.

TheFoldOx · 08/03/2022 23:35

@Wrinklefree, you may already have visited the NHS website, but it advises that you do "wear shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support; use insoles or heel pads in your shoes" and that you don't "wear high heels or tight pointy shoes; wear flip-flops or backless slippers; walk barefoot on hard surfaces".

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