Running With Plantar Fasciitis? Podiatrists *Only* Recommend These Running Shoe Brands

Sizes: 5-13 | Widths: Narrow, Regular, Wide, X-Wide | Weight: 7.7 oz | Toe Drop: 6 mm

One of the best New Balance shoes around is the Fresh Foam X 1080v13. The pair is a favorite among Shape editors and earned rave reviews from our testers. “I could wear them for hours,” said one fan. The shoe’s full-length foam midsole cushions your entire foot without adding excess weight or reducing its flexibility, making it suitable for standing all day, as well. This attention to comfort continues with a breathable, stretchy knit upper that hugs the shoe to the foot without trapping heat. One tester struggling with plantar fasciitis remained perfectly comfortable throughout the testing period while wearing this pair, even helping in the recovery process. The cushioning wasn’t a hindrance to their responsiveness (some cushioning can feel too much like sinking into a pillow); rather, it helped propel them forward.

To avoid a too-big shoe (and the blisters that come with it), note that New Balance suggests ordering a half-size down. Testers echo this advice, claiming they preferred the shoe in a half size down from their typical.

Note: A newer version of this shoe, the Fresh Foam X 1080v14, was just released. Shape editors are currently testing this model.

Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis and Wide Feet

Hoka Bondi 8

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Regular, Wide, X-wide | Weight: 8.9 oz | Toe Drop: 4mm

With ample cushioning and arch support, these Hoka running shoes are a safe option for people who have special foot conditions. They have cushioned bottoms, a cozy plush upper that molds comfortably around your feet, and a variety of width options for your comfort.

“The Bondi 8 is great for those who are dealing with plantar fasciitis, as they have max cushioning, lighter and softer foams, and are designed for a balanced and smooth ride,” says Bekah Broe, Senior Director of Product Performance at Hoka.

Sizes: 5-13 | Widths: Regular | Weight: 8.8 oz | Toe Drop: 12 mm

Brooks’ signature shoe accomplishes the impossible by combining cushioning with unbeatable support. The secret to its success is the GuideRails support system, which prevents excessive movement without taking away from the shoe’s responsiveness — one reason why it’s also a great running shoe for bad knees. You’ll also find unbeatable arch support and built-in pronation control to prevent injury. The firm fit kept testers’ feet secure, and the heel cushioning prevented their heels from sliding up and down as they ran. These also feature a wider toe box to give your toes room to spread, putting your foot in a more natural position to relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

However, a weird quirk of these shoes is that the laces are incredibly short, making tying unnecessarily difficult. You might consider swapping in a new pair of laces.

Sizes: 6-12 | Widths: Regular, Wide | Weight: 8.6 oz | Toe Drop: 12 mm

Mizuno’s lightweight Wave Inspire 19 shoe features the brand’s signature Wave technology, which uses a wave-shaped plate to smooth the toe-to-heel transition of your gait for a better (and more stable) running experience. Testers felt that the sole’s curve helped our stride flow from one step to the next, even when transitioning between surfaces. Even better, they noticed a clean shock absorption with every step, so running didn’t further aggravate any plantar fasciitis symptoms. A constructed, cushioned heel wedge and removable foam midsole work together to keep your feet comfortable throughout your run, while the mesh upper keeps the shoe breathable and lightweight. 

Testers did note that these shoes ran a little small and that the arch support was insufficient for anyone with plantar fasciitis who needs a running shoe for flat feet — one tester with flat feet found the sole felt too flat under the midsole.

Sizes: 5-12 | Widths: Regular, Wide | Weight: 8.4 oz | Toe Drop: 8 mm

Unsupportive shoes can cause plantar fasciitis and invite a host of other foot problems, such as overpronation — when your foot rolls inward toward the arch with each step. To tackle both of these issues at once, opt for a pair of Saucony’s super-structured running shoes (and a Shape Sneaker Awards winner). Their stabilizing design combines a secure upper with an underfoot guidance frame that prevents the shoe from twisting when you step. Of course, they still have plenty of comfy cushioning and offer enhanced energy return. Weight-wise, the shoe is a little heavier than others on this list, so if you prefer a lighter shoe, this may not be for you.

Sizes: 5-11.5 | Widths: Regular | Weight: 8.9 oz | Toe Drop: 8 mm

Bouncy, lightweight foam in the midsole helps propel you forward with every step, while extra gel in the heel maximizes shock absorption. The combo makes the model — a past Shape Sneaker Award winner — great for road runners or anyone needing a comfy pick for longer hours on their feet. Despite the extra cushioning, you’ll still get decent support, thanks to a built-in Trusstic system along the sole that stabilizes your foot and puts it in a neutral position. Thanks to the advanced ventilation, the soft knit fabric gently hugs your foot without stifling it.

While it’s not necessarily a con, it’s worth noting that this shoe was designed for neutral or underpronating (aka supinating) strides. If you overpronate, try the Saucony Guide 16 shoes for plantar fasciitis instead.

Sizes: 5.5-12 | Widths: Regular, Wide | Weight: 8.1 oz | Toe Drop: 0 mm

Super tapered toe boxes can cause inflammation in your arches by disrupting the foot’s natural alignment, meaning the narrow fit of many running shoes could actually be part of your problem. Luckily, the wide toe box on Altra’s Torin 7 running shoes allows your toes to spread evenly, while a zero mm heel-to-toe drop encourages low-impact landings. (In general, Altra offers shoes with a wider toe box, notes Dr. Schnidman.) If you’re new to a zero-drop running shoe, you may be initially surprised by the lack of arch support, but that’s kind of the point. The flatter shape paired with the zero drop (your heel sits at the same height as your toes) allowed our feet to sit flat, giving these shoes a very natural feel.

Sizes: 5-11 | Widths: Regular, Wide | Weight: 8.8 oz | Toe Drop: 10 mm

Powered by Swiss engineering, the On Running Cloudflyer 4 impressed testers with its lightweight (weighing just over 9 ounces) and plush feel, thanks to dual-density cushioning that literally feels like you’re running on clouds. A molded, socklike liner and external rear foot stability lock your foot in place, and the high-tech mesh is breathable and durable. These shoes felt springy and bouncy on our feet, which felt totally cradled and cushioned while wearing them. Best of all, this cushioning held up throughout the duration of the test, which helped us feel confident that these somewhat pricey shoes are among the best sneakers to wear all day long. 

On the con side, we thought the shock absorption starting to fail as we progressed from walking to running, so we’d recommend these shoes be relegated to walking around the house or everyday errands.

Sizes: 6-12 | Widths: Regular | Weight: 12.3 oz | Toe Drop: 8 mm

Shape editors would be remiss not to mention an option from Kuru, a brand making sneakers fine-tuned for those struggling with plantar fasciitis. While many of the brand’s styles are fit for walking only, one standout pair of trail running shoes can provide some sweet relief from your pain. What’s unique about the ATOM Trail Sneakers is the brand’s KURUSOLE technology, which adds another layer underneath your heel pads that move with each step to cushion them. Plus, the shoe’s shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD foam and dense insoles further prevent any plantar fasciitis pain — combine these details with improved traction suitable for trails, and you’ve got yourself a fabulous trial-running sneaker.