By Dr. Sarah Crawford, PT, DPT, COMT, CMTPT
If you’ve ever experienced a sharp, nagging pain in your heel—especially with those first few steps out of bed—you’re likely familiar with plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the most common causes of foot pain and can interfere with everything from walking to working out. So, it’s no surprise that the footwear industry has exploded with options marketed as “the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.” But do these shoes actually solve the problem, or are they just a short-term fix?
At WAVE Physical Therapy + Pilates, we’re not here for band-aid solutions. We want you to understand why you’re in pain—and how to make smarter choices that support your body in the long run.
Our own Dr. Sarah Crawford, PT, DPT, COMT, CMTPT was recently featured in this Glamour Magazine article about the best shoes for plantar fasciitis so we thought we’d expound a bit more on the topic.
First: What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the insertion of the plantar fascia—essentially where the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot attaches to your heel. It usually shows up after a change in shoe wear or a spike in activity. Think: a new pair of sneakers, a vacation with tons of walking, or a fresh commitment to daily workouts.
This inflammation occurs because the fascia is stressed beyond its current capacity. What many people don’t realize is that the plantar fascia doesn’t operate in isolation—it’s part of your Posterior Chain, a system of muscles and fascia that runs along the entire back side of your body, including the calves, hamstrings, and glutes.
When your plantar fascia isn’t activated correctly, it often leads to weakness in the glutes, which play a major role in walking, stair climbing, and other daily movements.
What Makes a “Plantar Fasciitis Shoe” Different?
Most plantar fasciitis shoes on the market emphasize arch support and heel cushioning. While these features may provide short-term relief, they may not address the root cause.
Shoes with heavy arch support can actually inhibit the function of the plantar fascia. They essentially turn that system off. This means the rest of the posterior chain isn’t activated properly either, and that can lead to further dysfunction and even chronic pain.
In other words, the more we try to “protect” the foot by bracing or cushioning it, the more we may be preventing it from getting stronger and more resilient.
So What Should You Wear?
The answer depends on where you are in your healing journey.
If you’re in the thick of plantar fasciitis pain:
Start with a supportive shoe that reduces load on the heel and provides cushioning—this can ease symptoms and help you tolerate walking. Dr. Crawford often recommends Hoka shoes for this stage. They offer substantial heel padding without being overly rigid. You can check them out at hokashoes.com.
If you’re working on long-term prevention and strength:
Once the pain is under control, the goal is to reactivate the foot muscles and the rest of the posterior chain. That’s where minimalist shoes come in. They have less structure and allow the foot to move more naturally, which improves activation of the muscles that support healthy gait mechanics.
For everyday wear or non-impact exercise, I usually recommend Xero shoes, which you can find at xeroshoes.com. They promote proper foot mechanics and support long-term recovery by allowing the plantar fascia to do its job.
Takeaway
When it comes to plantar fasciitis, the solution isn’t as simple as slipping on a heavily cushioned shoe. Pain relief is important—but so is function. Whether you’re looking for short-term comfort or long-term resilience, your shoe choice should match your healing phase.
At WAVE, we help you get to the root of your pain—not just cover it up. Our goal is to empower you with tools, movement strategies, and education that help you get out of pain and stay that way.
Still battling heel pain?
Book a comprehensive evaluation with one of our physical therapists and get a plan tailored specifically to your needs. We’ll help you map out exactly why the pain started and what you can do to stop it for good.
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