Trainers for running after plantar fasciitis

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

As per title. I developed plantar fasciitis over Covid 19 but was running/jogging during that time.

My plantar fasciitis has now gone and I’d like to start running/jogging again but I have no idea which trainers to get. I currently can wear New Balance 327 and Nike AF1 without pain.

Anyone have any ideas re trainers for running/jogging please?

I'd suggest you go to a good podiatrist that understands sports and get proper orthotic insoles fitted. They may well do a full gait analysis. Nearly all running shoes have removable insoles that can be replaced with orthotics.

That way you can choose the trainers you prefer and protect your feet from further issues.

I would advise a good cushioned pair of road shoes (Brooks, Asics, Saucony perhaps) and some Enertor insoles to go inside them.

I suffer from it too and for me Brooks Adrenaline have been the best shoe. But ideally go to a store like Runners Needs where they video you running on a treadmill and see what they advise. Once you know, you can then just keep buying the new edition each year online. I usually buy the year before's to save some money, ie buy the 22 in 2023, the 23 in 2024.

Also, I find that the problem isn't my running shoes, it's what I wear (or don't wear) when I'm not running. Two weeks of summer holiday wearing flip flops or totally flat sandals with no arch support and it came back with a vengeance.

Hokas are good if you’re prone to plantar fasciitis

By all means look at these shoes but, if not for your feet, for the sake of your knees and spine as you get older, go to the podiatrist.

Everyone's feet are different. Do not get advice from a store where their only priority is to sell you running shoes.

How do you get rid of PF?

Do exercises on the feet, see a chiropodist and wait (approx 18 months) for it to disappear. I won’t say it’s a complete cure as I have to wear certain styles of shoe, trainer and boot to avoid it flaring up again.

Don't go barefoot ever. Fill up a half litre bottle with water and keep in the freezer then roll your affected foot over it. Invest in some FitFlops. Stand on a stair and “hang” the back of your feet off it to stretch your calves.

I can go barefoot occasionally but only eg to the bathroom when I have a shower. I have Vionics mule slippers though which are great for arch support. You don’t necessarily have to wear Fitflops (I don’t) but the bottle of water and stair hanging with your feet off them do help.

What helped me was exercises, looking into changing footwear and time. After 18 months doing all that it went.

I'm 7 years post PF and wear Brooks Adrenaline without orthotic inserts, they are the comfiest thing ever for me and suit my wide feet too. Away from running I wear orthotics inside boots with hard flat inners but not trainers unless they are fashion types with not much support. I also wear Birkenstocks a lot. I can even manage heels for special occasions again now but mostly I do stick to trainers, Birkies or boots with inserts.

I've been to two podiatrists and they both recommend ASICS, as did my physio so either ASICS have done a deal with feet doctors or they're brilliant.

I second ASICS they were recommended by loads of different articles when I was looking and they are brilliant.

I don't run, but do a lot of walking and love my Hoka Challenger trail running shoes.

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Another vote for Brooks adrenaline.

I haven’t had orthotics, but husband swears by them. I developed pf during covid as well - way too much running (it was my main release during lockdown) and also lots of walking all day without shoes on our tiled floors. I got rid of pf through exercises, night splint, wearing shoes almost always and no running for a couple of years. I am now super cautious and don’t run more than a few times a week - thankfully there are more options now- but first sign of pain and I scale waaay back. No more ‘push through the pain’ mentality here.

Adding that I never got on with ASICS - they get great reviews, know loads of people who swear by them, but they were always a quick route to injury for me having tried them on and off over several decades. Not knocking ASICS, just highlighting that the right shoe can be super individual.

Yes, agree about the individuality, on so many threads about PF there are people who swear by Crocs but they are a fast route to a flare-up for me. I do have some for going out to the garden etc but no extended wear.

I use Karhu metarsi- had gait analysis when PF was bad and they are great!

I had plantar fasciitis for a year and wear New Balance trainers, I run on a treadmill though. I sometimes wear thick socks under. I didn't see a podiatrist I just researched and joined forums ha! but if you do want to see one I think you can self refer via NHS.

Hokas are meant to be good for walking in for plantar fasciitis, but running in them is what caused my husband's PF.

I had PF and was told to wear ASICS- it hasn’t come back and arch support is the main thing

I had PF and got advice here - tried FitFlops and vionics and a podiatry and physio review.

looking back I can see the pattern/ it started after sedentary periods when I was home and mostly walking barefoot at home and then wearing sandals which allowed over pronating.

Switching to FitFlop’s then stretching out the calf and plantar fascia by increasing the step count really cured it and when it flares up I wear vionics. I’m intrigued by the karhu now!

See a podiatrist and they will analyse your gait and recommend a shoe and will advise on orthotics.

Asics and Brooks are both good but you need the right type of shoe.
Beware of fashion shoes with popular brands like Asics.