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Dr. Angela's Approved Shoe List
I'm Dr. Angela and I am "The Plantar Fasciitis Doc". The first step in my plantar fasciitis recovery program is to transition to functional footwear.
The following list includes footwear that meets the criteria for natural foot-positive brands that I approve and recommend.
There are a few design features and shoe terms that you should know to help you better understand what makes a healthy shoe.
Design Features & Shoe Terminology:
Widest at the toe: A healthy shoe should have a wide toe box that supports the natural shape of our feet and toes. The toe box should be wide enough to allow for normal toe splay.
Zero Drop: Drop refers to the height difference between the heel and the forefoot. Zero drop is a shoe that is flat from heel to toe with no elevation of the heel. Elevation of the heel in footwear creates excessive stress on the forefoot, and a chronic shortening of our heel cord, our calf muscle and Achilles tendon.
Toe Spring: Toe spring is an upward angle of the toe of the shoe and should be avoided. A flat sole is ideal for proper foot function.
Stack Height: This refers to the total amount of material or cushioning on the sole of the shoe. I am not opposed to a higher stack height in the earlier phase of plantar fasciitis, but encourage less cushioning as your feet become stronger.
Minimalist Shoe/Barefoot Shoe: These shoes are intended to closely approximate barefoot running or walking. They provide "minimal" interference with the natural movement of the foot. They have minimal stack height, have a highly flexible sole, and are zero drop.
Transitional Shoe: A transitional shoe is a shoe that has all of the characteristics of a barefoot shoe such as zero drop and a wide toe box, but has a thicker sole/higher stack height. This shoe can be a good option for someone new to my program, and who is accustomed to heavily cushioned shoes.
I often recommend a transitional shoe first before you transition completely to a barefoot shoe. As you progress in my program, I encourage a transition to lower stack height or minimalist footwear.
New To The Program?
Are you new to my plantar fasciitis home recovery program? If you are in the early stages of plantar fasciitis where you are experiencing daily pain, the first type of footwear I recommend is a "transitional" shoe.
We defined a transitional shoe above. It has all the characteristics of a barefoot shoe, but has more cushioning, and some varieties have a very slight elevation of the heel.
I recommend this type of footwear initially because transitioning too quickly to minimalist or barefoot shoes may increase your symptoms. As your feet become stronger with the strengthening and mobility protocols in my program, I encourage a full transition to minimalist footwear.
Transitional Footwear For Beginners:
Torin 7: 30mm stack height, 0mm drop
Paradigm 7: 30mm stack height, 0mm drop
Rivera 3: 28mm stack height, 0mm drop
Escalante 3: 24mm stack height, 0mm drop
Solstice XT 2: 23mm stack height, 0mm drop
FWD: 26mm stack height, 4mm drop (PLEASE NOTE: this style has heel elevation)
Adapt Runner: 22mm stack height, 0mm drop
Magnifly: 25mm stack height, 0mm drop
ST-5: 14mm stack height, 0mm drop
Fli-Lyte 5: 23mm stack height, 3mm drop (PLEASE NOTE: this style has heel elevation)
Best Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Road Running:
Transitional Shoes:
Escalante: 22mm stack height, 0mm drop
Rivera 3: 28mm stack height, 0mm drop
Vanish Carbon: 33mm stack height, 0mm drop
Vanish Tempo: 33mm stack height, 0mm drop
FWD: 26mm stack height, 4mm drop (PLEASE NOTE: this style has heel elevation)
Adapt Runner: 22mm stack height, 0mm drop
Magnifly: 25mm stack height, 0mm drop
ST-5: 14mm stack height, 0mm drop
Fli-Lyte 5: 23mm stack height, 3mm drop (PLEASE NOTE: this style has heel elevation)
Minimalist Shoe:
HFS
Born To Run
Speed Force
Prio
Primus
Motus
Primal 2
Primal Zen
Best Trail Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Trail Running:
Transitional:
Lone Peak: 25mm stack height, 0mm drop
Superior: 21mm stack height, 0mm drop
Minimalist:
Scrambler
Mesa Trail
Magna
Hydra
Primus Trail
Trailhead
Mesa
Best Wide Toe Box Hiking Boots
Hiking Boots & Shoes:
Olympus
Lone Peak
Superior
Lone Peak Hiker
Lone Peak All-Weather
Scrambler
Mesa Trail
Ridgeway - Waterproof
Alpine - Insulated Snow Boot
Tracker Decon
Magna
Primus Trail
Telluride Insulated
Chelsea Waterproof
Boulder Waterproof
Outlander
Trailhead
Mesa
Best Tennis & PickleBall Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Tennis & Pickleball Shoes:
Solstice: 23mm stack height, 0mm drop
Rivera: 28mm stack height. 0mm drop
360: 5mm stack, 0mm drop
Kelso: 6mm stack height, 0mm drop
Primal Zen: 11mm stack, 0mm drop (my new favorite pickleball shoes)
Primal 2: 9mm stack, 0mm drop
Haze Trainer: 10mm stack height, 4mm drop
Best Golf Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Golf Shoes:
Lone Peak
Superior 6
Scrambler
Mesa Trail
Best Cycling Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Cycling Shoes:
Lake Road & Mountain bike Shoes
Prio
Prio Neo
Best Gym Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Gym Shoes:
Solstice
Adapt Trainer
Forza
Prio Neo
Best House Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Around The House/House Slipper/Slip-Ons:
Sunrise
Pagosa
Aptos
Mim Felt Slipper
Drifter Fur Lined
Drifter
Slides
Slip-On
Best Casual Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Casual Wear:
Women's Casual Shoes & Boots:
Men's Casual Shoes & Boots :
Best Women's Flats For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Flats For Women:
Cassie
Phoenix
Opanka
Opanka Ballerina
Best Formal Dress Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Dress Shoes For Women:
Cassie
Phoenix
Dress Barefoot Shoes For Men:
Best Ankle Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
Casual Ankle Boots For Women:
Gobi Boot
Gobi Chelsea
Chelsea
Best Work Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Work Boots:
Lone Peak All-Weather Hiking Boot
Lone Peak Hiker 2
Olympus 5 Hike
Tracker Winter
Tracker 2 FG
Waterproof Boulder
Waterproof Outlander
Ridgeway Waterproof Hiker
Best Steel Toe Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
Wide Toe Box Steel Toe Boots:
Best Shoes For Prolonged Standing
Torin
Paradigm
Adapt Runner
Best Shoes For Walking With Plantar Fasciitis
Escalante
Torin
Paradigm
Adapt Runner
Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Best Hiking Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Kids Shoes
Wide Toe Box Kids Shoes:
Earth Runner Minimalist Sandals For Kids
Best Toe Socks For Plantar Fasciitis
Socks can restrict and compress your toes and prevent normal toe splay. Once you begin wearing footwear with a wide toe box, your feet will start to expect more freedom. Some socks can hinder normal foot and toe function just like narrow toe box shoes.
In my program, I recommend wearing toe spacers to realign and stretch your toes back to their normal position. Wearing toe socks is another way to create much needed space between your toes.
I prefer to wear my barefoot shoes without socks, but occasionally, I need socks for those colder months. The following are the toe socks I recommend for optimal comfort and better foot function.
Athletic Toe Socks For Men & Women CoolMax
Shoe Brands That Do Not Meet The Criteria For Functional Footwear:
The following brands are excluded from my approved footwear list. They each have damaging features that can be contributing to your plantar fasciitis pain. Narrow toe boxes and excessive heel elevation are the 2 most common findings.
Hokas
Brooks
Asics
On-Cloud
New Balance
Footwear TO ONLY Wear Occasionally:
The following shoes brands have built-in arch supports, or slightly narrow toe boxes and will not allow your feet to function normally. Many patients enjoy these shoes as comfort or recovery shoes. They will not help strengthen your feet and that is the goal here.
Also, these are typically sandals, flip-flops, or slides and they do not have a back strap. I recommend the back strap to prevent excessive toe gripping. So, I recommend that you only wear this type of footwear on occasion.
Oofos
Birkenstocks
Chacos
Crocs
Vionics
Hey Dudes
Can I Treat Plantar Fasciitis At Home?
I specialize in foot and gait mechanics, and I have seen thousands of cases of plantar fasciitis. If you have this debilitating condition, here are my top 2 recommendations.
Download my free guide. This is the first step on your PF recovery journey. I show you the exact steps to resolve plantar fasciitis at home.
Follow my social media pages. I offer daily tips, exercises, and the latest insights on PF. You can also connect and learn from others with the same struggles. Join us: Facebook page & Instagram
Because there is a so much misinformation out there about plantar fasciitis, I spend most of my time educating people on what NOT to do.
Most rehabilitation efforts fail because they are relying on cortisone shots, night splints, orthotics, ineffective stretching, thick, cushiony shoes, and rolling on a frozen water bottle.
These methods are either ineffective or just short-term band-aids, and do not provide long-term correction.
In my (6) step free guide, I offer solutions through addressing multiple factors. Improving footwear, identifying areas of weakness in the foot and ankle, and restoring proper foot function.
Wishing you health & happiness,
Dr. Angela
The Plantar Fasciitis Doc
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
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