The Best Men’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

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I think any guy who suffers from plantar fasciitis will agree with me when I say that it can be a real pain in the… well, heel.

(And I hope every guy, whether they have plantar fasciitis or not, will forgive me for that exceptionally lame pun.)

A common cause of heel pain for men, plantar fasciitis causes sharp stabbing pains in your heel.

Even worse, the pain usually starts as soon as you take your first few steps each morning, which can make it hard to motivate yourself to get out of bed in the morning.

And while the pain tends to decrease after that, it can come back with a vengeance if you spend a lot of time on your feet, or even when you stand up for the first time after sitting for a long stretch.

While this blog is dedicated to helping guys dress better, I also know you can’t look good if you don’t feel good.

For guys who have plantar fasciitis, pain relief and support are primary, and style is (quite understandably) a secondary concern.

So to compile my list of the best men’s shoes for plantar fasciitis I’ve rounded up a list of shoes that should help your heel hurt less, but will still keep you looking as polished as possible.

The (Absolute) Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes for Men

The Best Men’s Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Looking for the best sneakers for plantar fasciitis? Look no further.

Running is a common cause of plantar fasciitis, which makes it especially insidious.

Running can be one of those things that becomes addictive (in a good way).

That means that the guys who develop plantar fasciitis from running are the same guys who are most likely to keep running even after it starts causing them pain.

Whether or not you can continue running after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis is a conversation you need to have your doctor.

But if you do get the green light from your doc, chances are high that he’ll recommend a special pair of shoes that provides extra support to reduce pain and risk of further injury.

I’ve rounded up a few strong options below, but again: definitely check with your doctor before running!


Asics Men’s GEL-Kayano Running Shoes

Asics Men’s GEL-Kayano Running Shoes

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New Balance Men’s 990v5

New Balance Men's 990v5

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Saucony Men’s Cohesion 11 Running Shoe

Saucony Men's Cohesion 11 Running Shoe

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New Balance Men’s Mx608v4

New Balance Men's Mx608v4

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Asics Gel Venture 6

Asics Gel Venture 6

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The Best Men’s Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Whether you’re strolling for exercise or just to go about your daily business, the good news is that walking is a lot less punishing than running.

The bad news is that when you have plantar fasciitis, even walking can be painful.

The shoes below provide more padding than the standard walking shoe, which should make getting around easier, and hopefully a little more comfortable.


Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby

Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby

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Snibbs Spacecloud Work Sneaker

Snibbs Spacecloud Work Snaker

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Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes

Brooks Men's Addiction Walker Walking Shoes

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HOKA ONE ONE Mens Clifton 5 Walking Shoe

HOKA ONE ONE Mens Clifton 5 Walking Shoe

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Saucony Mens Grid Omni Walker Walking Shoe

Saucony Mens Grid Omni Walker Walking Shoe

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Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Men’s G-Defy Mighty Walk

Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Men's G-Defy Mighty Walk
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Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max-54601 Sneaker

Skechers Men's Go Walk Max-54601 Sneaker

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The Best Men’s Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Normally I tend to recommend dress shoes that have a streamlined design and sleek toe shape (similar to Beckett Simonon’s oxfords).

In my opinion, streamlined shoes offer the most stylish and classically masculine silhouette.

But as I mentioned at the top, when you have a condition like plantar fasciitis, pain relief and support come first, and style comes a distant second when it comes to shoes.

Fortunately, you don’t have to forego style entirely.

While you might not achieve quite the same sleekness as with regular dress shoes, there are a number of brands offering comfortable options that will still look right at home when you’re wearing a suit or stylish get-up.


Wolf & Shepherd Crossover™ Wingtip

Wolf and Shepherd Crossover Wingtip Shoes
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AmberJack Original

Amberjack Original
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Johnston & Murphy XC4® Elkins Wingtip

Johnston & Murphy XC4® Elkins Wingtip

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Apex Lexington Strap Loafer

Apex Lexington Strap Loafer

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Cole Haan Men’s Morris Wing Oxfords

Cole Haan Men's Morris Wing Oxford shoes

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Propét Men’s Grady Dress Ankle Boot

Propét Men's Grady Dress Ankle Boot

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Drew Essex – Men’s Dress Shoe

Drew Essex - Men's Dress Shoe

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Dunham Men’s Clyde Plain Toe Oxford

Dunham Men's Clyde Plain Toe Oxford

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Rockport Men’s Shakespeare Circle Penny Loafer

Rockport Men's Shakespeare Circle Penny Loafer

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Rockport Men’s Essential Details Waterproof Wingtip Oxford Shoe

Rockport Men's Essential Details Waterproof Wingtip Oxford Shoe

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Wrapping Up

After scrolling this far (thanks for hanging in there, by the way), now you know which shoes will help your heels the most if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis.

But according to the Mayo Clinic, “Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, including resting, icing the painful area and stretching.”

Which begs the question: what then?

Once you’re done with shoes that help you feel better, what shoes do you wear to help you look better?

The answer is: these ones ↓

We’ve put together a list of the eight most stylish types of men’s shoes that will help you step up your shoe game once you’re free and clear from platnar fasciitis.

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More Resources ↓
More Men’s Shoe Advice and Tips from Irreverent Gent:
More Lists of the Best Men’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis:

About Dave Bowden

Dave Bowden

Irreverent Gent founder Dave Bowden is a style blogger whose advice on how to look good and live well has been featured in some of the world’s most trusted publications, including New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and more.

When not obsessing over style and self-improvement, he can usually be found spending time with his wonderful wife and son, indulging in a hoppy craft beer, or sobbing over the woeful state of Toronto's sports teams.

Check out Dave's Style Story to find out how a chance encounter with his friend's step-dad taught him the value of looking good and living well. (Don't worry—it's less creepy than it sounds!)

2 thoughts on “The Best Men’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis”

  1. Dave- thank you so much for this!! I know only a small % of your readers have plantar fasciitis, but for those who do, we really appreciate you putting this together.

    • My pleasure Eric! I can only imagine how painful and annoying it must be to deal with PF. Thank you for the kind words, I hope you’re doing well!

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