How We Selected and Tested the Best Women’s Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
To choose the best women’s running shoes for plantar fasciitis, we drew on insights from our previous sneaker tests in The Verywell Testing Lab and in the real world. For this story, we made sure to gather a group of runners who all have plantar fasciitis and who deal with its symptoms daily.
When evaluating running shoes, we first try each pair on and assess how they fit. While going for a short walk, we note how they feel and whether they’re causing any irritation or blisters. Then, we go for runs on treadmills, roads, and trails, depending on the type of sneaker we’re testing. We consider how each shoe’s cushioning feels underfoot and whether our feet, ankles, and knees feel supported while we run.
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We run in each sneaker for dozens of miles over four weeks and evaluate them for their fit, cushioning, heel and arch support, comfort, responsiveness, stability, and overall quality and value. We also perform a “bend test” on each shoe, noting whether the shoe bends at the toe and resists twisting. If the shoe successfully completes this test, it offers good stability—a crucial component of any running shoe for plantar fasciitis.
When doing research for this piece, we also spoke with Dr. Ami Sheth, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Diana Levin Valencia, DPM, both podiatrists, to get their expert opinions on which features every pair of running sneakers for plantar fasciitis should have. Their advice and input, combined with our experience in the Lab and at home, helped guide our final list of recommendations.
What to Look for in Women’s Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Comfort
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Cushioning and support are two important factors that contribute to comfort. Ideally, you want something that feels comfortable right out of the box, eliminating any need for a break-in period, though you can also add some insoles for flat feet or any other specific concern. When your foot strikes the ground, you should have enough padding to eliminate shock, but you also want something that’s flexible and nimble. Weight can also contribute to comfort.
“For some people, it’s a big deal and it affects their running,” says Dr. Ami Sheth, DPM, FACFAS. She says that having a lightweight running shoe may be important, but the more important factor is stability and durability.
Support
People with plantar fasciitis feel strain when they bear weight on their feet, so a shoe with proper support is essential to avoid injury or pain.
“Sometimes, people really focus on the arch support and their foot may not need that much. So, for example, they feel ‘arch support,’ but they are actually walking on the outsides of their feet,” says Dr. Sheth. Since support is difficult to define, she recommends finding a shoe that only flexes in the toe area and one that can’t twist. The heel counter should also hold your heel firm so that it doesn’t move around when you’re walking or running.
Fit
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“It’s good to have a professional fit you,” notes Dr. Sheth. “Often, sizes can vary as can the width of the shoe, so not every size 7.5 will fit the same in each brand.” She says that your feet should have a little more than half an inch of space between your longest toe and the edge of the interior of the shoe, allowing you to wiggle your toes in the toe box. If you have wide or narrow feet, make sure to focus on the width of the shoe before committing. (Or look for one that comes in multiple widths so you can try a few sizes, like New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 860v12.)
Style
Even if a shoe is designed for support and performance, it can accommodate your style as well. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of running shoes in multiple colors and styles that still provide good durability and support, like our top overall pick, Hoka’s Bondi 8. Fit and comfort should still be priorities, but if you’re looking for great-looking shoes to motivate you to get moving, a shoe should also be able to hit the marks with style.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
As a running coach, marathon runner, and fitness writer, Christine Luff has spent years researching and recommending running and walking shoes. To walk in comfort and reduce injury risk, she suggests getting properly fitted for walking shoes and replacing them regularly.
Additional reporting by Sarah Felbin
With over two decades of dance experience, Sarah Felbin loves diving into the latest wellness research. As a health and fitness writer, she’s passionate about finding products that offer great value and make life easier.
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Category: WHICH
