I wore barefoot shoes because they were good for my bunion, but they've caused plantar fasciitis

[floorchid]

Could this possibly get any more glamorous?

I had very wide feet anyway, and the bunion makes them practically square shaped (slight exaggeration).

I found wide toe-box, barefoot sole shoes helped the bunion - especially because I could comfortably wear my toe separators in them.

Started to develop heel pain and googling suggests it's very likely to be plantar fasciitis. Also, I'm a runner. The flat ('barefoot') shoes are terrible for plantar fasciitis.

I'm at a loss as to my next move. I need good heel cushioning and arch support, but also a very wide toe box. If I can find such a thing, they'll be hideous and eye wateringly expensive. Am I supposed to just wear this one pair of shoes with every outfit?

Oh OP! This sounds like quite the feet dilemma.

Unfortunately I don’t have shoe recommendations for both. However, calf strengthening exercises really help planter fasciitis.

Basically stand on the edge of a stair and slowly rise up onto tip toes, hold for 10 second and then slowly back down - repeat in sets of 10 x3. You can do this without the stairs and do it whenever you brush your teeth etc. That might help with it aside from finding the dream shoes!

Try Skechers? They helped my plantar fasciitis immediately. There are also special balls for rolling under your foot that help. I’m so sorry you’re suffering. I’ve had it and it’s immensely painful. 😣

Plantar fasciitis is just horrible, you have my sympathy! The only thing that helped mine was some shockwave from the physio and then special insoles, but I’m not sure if they would work in barefoot shoes.

I also never walk barefoot anymore, I’m always in slippers at home as barefoot makes it much worse.

it took about a year for mine to settle down after the first symptoms as I kind of ignored it, so get to the physio asap!

Hoka One trainers were the only thing I could
comfortably wear with PF. They are popular with runners so may have a wide fit.

I have bunions and wear Saucony men's trainers now - one specific model which unfortunately I've forgotten the name of. I had a bad experience with men's trainers in the past but after trying on a few in a specialist shop there was this one option. The toe box is one of the few Ive come across that really allows for the bunions and they are very supportive. I pronate horribly so they are the type that corrects for that.

Men’s shoes are wider so if you can get a men’s wide fit that’s like a women’s extra wide

Topo trainers are very well padded but have a very wide barefoot style toe box. I also wear Sole Bliss Sprint trainers which are similar.

A night splint cured my plantar fasciitis.

Thank you for the exercise recommendations. I will get right on those, and probably also go and see the physio just to check I'm doing it all right.

Thank you also for the brand recommendations. Will Google them all now. Unfortunately I'm not in UK and we don't have much in the shops here, but I might be able to order online.

Will also investigate night splints.

I can't suggest what you could run in but Crocs, the original fugly ones, cured my plantar fasciitis. Don't get cheap knock offs and don't get the crocs with a lining. I have got short wide feet and (yeah I know cringe) I find Cosyfeet shoes fit me comfortably. Can't get into any of the wide shoes that are usually suggested.

Birkenstocks are like barefoot shoes but with arch support. They do fully enclosed styles and some lovely boots as well as sandals and clogs.

I had plantar fasciitis earlier this year - it was agony and had tried different shoes, different exercises and everything. It was getting expensive and frustrating that nothing had worked.

In one of my middle of the night trawls of the internet in search of a solution, I came across this. It’s a small vibrator that you strap to your foot and use it a couple of times a day for 10 minutes. I figured I had nothing to lose for £40 so bought one and within a couple of days, the pain had eased and I haven’t had any issues in months.

https://plantarcure.com

Appreciate this sounds very ad-like, but promise I’m just a very happy customer and recommend this to anyone who’s suffering from plantar fasciitis.

I buy PF insoles off Amazon and put them in my normal shoes. They provide the instep and heel support that’s needed, but wouldn’t affect your wide toe box. I find them very good!

Appreciate you’re in a different country so a link won’t work, so here’s a screenshot of the ones I’ve bought twice - though brand doesn’t matter, there are loads on there

New balance 530... they are material so will stretch around your bunion

My feet hate me and although I don't have bunions these trainers are the comfiest shoes I've ever bought

Skechers? They do a wide foot fit for several of their trainer styles. They are the most comfortable workout/summer/everyday shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Fitflop boots are also great. They last forever. I bought mine when I had PF in 2018. I've worn them pretty much every day for six months of the year ever since and they are only now starting to wear out.

FWIW, I got rid of my bunions by gently massaging and tugging the big toe every time I watched TV. One day I realised they had gone completely. I can even wear heels now, occasionally.

I have had PF in the past and have very wide feet, I also need a very wide toe box. Soft shoes like skechers and Crocs are the fastest way of setting off another flare-up of the PF, I was told by the podiatrist to avoid them.

I wear Brooks running shoes which come in a wide fitting. At the time of the PF I was given off the shelf inserts by the podiatrist to wear in my trainers, I no longer need them in the Brooks (in fact they give me cramp if I run with them) but I do wear them in any boots that have a harder shiny type insole still. Also Birkenstocks, the arch support is brilliant and they are wide, the clogs are great and I wear the sandals all summer.

I had to do lots of stretching, massage, ice-rolling and PT taping as well as the inserts to shift the PF though.

I was also going to suggest brooks. They're what my podiatrist friend wears too!

I have a slightly buniony right foot, flat feet, one leg slightly longer than the other and wonky hips. All biomechanics, not down to bad shoes. The podiatrist said I'd probably need foot surgery in my 40s. I got plantar fasciitis though a few years ago after wearing some Nike trainers someone recommended to me which were nowhere springy or supportive enough for a high impact exercise class.

I got £8 Amazon insoles for all my shoes and Fitflops as sandals and stopped doing any high impact exercise for several months and definitely did not wear any very flat shoes (ballet flats the absolute worst for me) or walk barefoot for long periods of time. I also took up yoga where we always do some foot strengthening exercises.

I've had no issues since then and if anything my feet are much better than before the pf as I really look after them. Yoga has got rid of any pain I used to take for granted as part and parcel of having a bunion. And I still put the insoles in all my shoes and only wear shoes which are comfortable and a good fit. I massage Avon overnight foot cream into my feet nearly every night and have no painful hard skin either. With running shoes, I just buy a neutral shoe and swap the insoles for the pf ones. It gives far more arch support than stability shoes and are much cheaper. I always get Brooks too but look for last season's styles.

Oh and I'm 49 now. No foot surgery on the horizon!

The exercises didn't work for me unfortunately but changing my footwear did.

I recommend Sketchers Arch Support, Birkenstocks and Oofas.
I now only wear these brands or at a push an arch support insole in a normal shoe occasionally.

I never ever go barefoot, not even to walk from my bed to the bathroom.

The pain of plantar fasciitis and the memory of that is enough to make me stick to this regime religiously.

I have bad feet (bunions, pain etc) and saw a good foot physio who said that barefoot shoes and Skechers are both very bad - too soft and not enough support.

I currently like OnRunning who have great shoes with a big toe box. And add insoles as needed.

There are lots of threads on here about PF, I know, I've searched! So you'll find lots of advice. But Skechers are supposed to be really bad. For running, Brooks and Hoka get recommended. I have wide fit Brooks. For normal wear, Vionics trainers have been amazing for me, and I wear Birkenstock slippers in the house.

Go and see a podiatrist. The treatment for PF depends on the cause and there are several. Mine is caused by over pronation so inserts and support work for me. A friend’s was caused by tight calf muscles so she was given stretching exercises.

You could waste a lot of money on shoes and gadgets if you don’t get a proper diagnosis

Seconding Skechers and also Crocs. Hotter shoes are good for marginally less ugliness (and last ages) and they have a wide fitting. Pavers can be good. I've been quite impressed with Decathlon too and they're much cheaper than the rest.

All these except Crocs have stores where you can try a bunch of styles on.

I'd see a podiatrist as well as a physio.

It's not glamorous but walking is important! Good luck!