When you have plantar fasciitis, going out for a walk is a struggle. Rolling out of bed in the morning rewards you with a sharp, stabbing pain that just makes you want to go back to sleep and give up on the day. How are you supposed to get your exercise in while you must endure such agony?
We have some good news for you: with the right trainers, you can continue to go about your day with a dramatic reduction in foot pain. To show you, we’ve created a list of the best walking trainers for plantar fasciitis in the UK.
Quick Recommendation
Want to cut out some of the reading? We’ll give you our quick recommendation for both men’s and women’s trainers below.
For Men
When it comes to men’s trainers, we’d suggest the Columbia Men's Woodburn Ii Walking Shoe without hesitation. Owners have raved about how long-lasting they are, and how well the waterproofing works. Furthermore, the thick sole beneath your ankle helps absorb some shock.
For Women
For women’s trainers, our recommendation is the Skechers Women's D'Lites Biggest Fan Trainers. In addition to amazingly soft, comfortable memory foam insoles, they have a stylish look that you’ll love wearing every day.
What to Remember When Buying Walking Trainers for Plantar Fasciitis
Heel and Arch Support
When you have foot conditions, one of the most important parts of any walking trainer will be the support it provides to your heel and arch. Greater support puts less strain on your feet, resulting in less pain.
Sometimes, you can tell a trainer has excellent arch support simply by looking at it. You might see it has a curved arch, perfect for resting your feet on. Another way to confirm the level of support is by reading the description for the trainers – this will mention whether they were designed for your arches.
Foot Cushioning
Have you ever slipped your feet into trainers that made you feel as if you were resting them on pillows? That kind of cushioning will do wonders for your plantar fasciitis.
This is honestly not something you can tell just by looking at the outside of the trainer. You can read the description to determine what kind of cushioning it has.
Another great place to look at is customer reviews. They’ll often describe how it feels to wear the trainers, including cushioning.
Soft Impact
There are some trainers that almost make your feet feel like hammers striking the ground. That’s far from ideal for those suffering from plantar fasciitis – you’ll need a shoe that absorbs some of the shock.
Again, this is something that isn’t always easy to tell with a glance. It also depends largely on you.
If you have flat feet, for instance, you’ll just look for something with arch support. You could also look for trainers with thicker soles, as they can help absorb some of the shock when your foot hits the ground.
Best Walking Trainers for Plantar Fasciitis
Well-loved by owners, these Skechers trainers aren’t called D’Lites without reason – your feet will be delighted when you slip them on. As you can see, they have thick, grippy soles that will provide your heel with tons of support.
They also have a lovely arch. With the flexibility of the soles, this arch won’t restrict your movement.
We also love that they’re so fashionable. Since they have several colours to choose from, you can get a trainer that looks far from boring.
Pros:
• A memory foam insole will make your feet feel as if they are being lovingly cradled.
• The stitching and overlays give the trainers a fun, interesting look.
• Sold in several popular and gorgeous colours.
• Lace-up design will keep the trainers firmly on your feet.
Cons:
• There are some reports that the memory foam insoles wear down quickly.
Ladies aren’t the only ones who suffer from plantar fasciitus – gentlemen can suffer from it, too. That’s why we think it’s important that there are men’s trainers with support, just like these Columbia Woodburn ones.
The trainers are waterproof, so you won’t soak your feet unpleasantly when you take a walk through dewy grass or puddles. Despite being waterproof, they’re still perfectly breathable, keeping your feet from feeling overly sweaty throughout the day.
Pros:
• Sold in a few colour combinations with different accents.
• Breathable membrane lets your feet stay cool.
• Waterproof components keep you nice and dry.
• Thick heel sole to support your ankles.
Cons:
• The inner soles can wear down over time with regular use.
You can’t get much better arch support than these HKR Women’s Trainers. You can see it just by looking at them: the high, curved arch that’s perfect for anyone with flat feet.
A highly breathable mesh exterior makes them wonderful for workouts, too. There’s plenty of airflow to prevent your feet from getting swampy in the trainers.
And if you’re concerned about looks, there’s no need to be. These trainers are sold in a stunning range of colour combinations and patterns. No matter what your personal aesthetic is, you’ll probably find an HKR Women’s trainer that fits it perfectly.
Pros:
• Tons of colour and pattern options.
• Mesh material allows your feet to breathe in total comfort.
• The laces let you customise and tweak the fit.
• Extreme level of arch support is great for anyone with a flat foot.
• High heel helps absorb the impact of your foot hitting the ground.
Cons:
• Some have noted that the fit runs a little small.
Looking for a trainer that has a classy appearance? These Skechers Men’s Relven Velton Trainers are just the ticket. Their accents make them almost look like dress trainers, as if you could wear them to a meeting without anyone noticing.
Their thick soles are ideal for supporting aching feet. This will also help limit the shock of your feet striking the ground, so walking won’t exacerbate your plantar fasciitis.
Pros:
• Suave and classy look.
• Sold in a few colours.
• Thick soles provide ample support.
Cons:
• They can feel a little too big during use.
Do you hate having to bend over or sit down to lace up your shoes every single time? Do laces coming undone throughout the day make you want to scream? Then you’ll love these Skecher’s Slip-On trainers.
Rather than stoop to do up your laces, you can just slide your feet right in. This also means, of course, that you won’t need to worry about your laces untying themselves as you walk.
On top of that, the mesh fabric on top is wonderful for overheating feet. Your feet will be able to breathe unimpeded.
Pros:
• Tons of colours to choose from.
• Slip-on design, so you don’t have to deal with tying up laces.
• Mesh fabric allows your feet to breathe all day.
• Flexible soles won’t restrict your movement.
Cons:
• The sizes tend to run a little large.
If what you want is a sporty shoe to hit the gym with, these Get Fit Men’s Mesh Trainers are ideal. Their mesh surface works beautifully for tough workouts because you won’t be soaking in your own sweat.
Plus, their thick rubber soles are excellent at absorbing shock. Stepping around can be done comfortably without heightening your pain.
We also love the slip-on design. No need to fiddle with laces – all you have to do is slip your feet in and go.
Pros:
• Can be slipped into without adjusting laces.
• Available in tons of different colour combinations.
• Rubber soles are low-impact.
• Your feet won’t get too hot because of the perforated mesh exterior.
• Can be quite affordable.
Cons:
• Some owners have reported that the fit is a little tight.
With nothing more than a look, you can see that these Boston Athletics Women’s trainers provide a legendary level of support. Look at how thick those soles are! You’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds when you wear them.
They’re actually designed to help relieve people suffering from plantar fasciitis. The midsole is shock-absorbing, so your pain won’t flare up whenever your foot hits the ground.
Pros:
• Extremely thick soles will prevent pain from worsening whenever your foot strikes the ground.
• Rounded shape in the soles encourages a natural movement as you walk.
• Non-slip bottoms keep you from sliding around.
• Designed to help tone your legs and muscles while you move.
Cons:
• The sizes run slightly small.
These are another great example of trainers with amazing arch support. As you can see, they have a curve in the midsole built for your feet to easily rest on top of.
Speaking of the soles, they’re designed with air cushions. This helps eliminate some of the shock of your feet hitting the floor or ground.
As a bonus, the bottom is slip-resistant. You won’t slide around on slick floors in these trainers.
Pros:
• Your feet won’t get too sweaty in the breathable mesh fabric.
• Over ten colours to choose from.
• Slip-resistant soles will grip to just about any surface.
• Elastic air cushioning in the soles will absorb shock.
Cons:
• The insole can move around when walking or when you take off the trainers.
One thing that can certainly be said about PUMA is that they know how to make trainers. These Cilia Sneakers demonstrate that quality nicely.
The thick soles on the bottom will provide plenty of cushioning between you and the ground. They’re also designed with active women in mind, so you can wear them during just about any physical activity.
Pros:
• Fashionable appearance available in a few different colours.
• Thick soles are great for absorbing shock.
• Traditional lace-up design holds the trainers on your feet.
• Breathable mesh inlays help keep your feet cool.
Cons:
• Some have reported that the fit can be too wide.
The plush collar and tongue of these trainers makes them a real pleasure to slip your feet into. Not to mention the memory foam insole; your feet will be cradled once tied in.
Additionally, the gum rubber soles were created to absorb shock. Stepping on the ground won’t cause your pain to flare up.
Those mesh panels on the sides are more than just stylish, too. Air can flow easily through the trainers, regulating the temperature of your feet as you walk.
Pros:
• Several handsome colour combinations.
• Shock-absorbing soles will minimise your pain.
• Air flows through the mesh panels on the sides, keeping your feet dry.
• The insole is made from soft, comfortable memory foam.
• Padding on the tongue and collar feels plush against your foot.
Cons:
• Some owners noted that the grip could be improved.
Wrap Up
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t have to be a condition that leaves you fearing physical activity. By picking the right trainers, you can go about your day completely normally.
We’re confident the trainers on this list will help relieve some of your pain. Regardless, we do feel that there are a couple winners that outshine the others.
For women, we’d recommend the Skechers Women's D'Lites Biggest Fan Trainers. The memory foam insoles will feel like an absolute dream on your aching feet!
As for men, we’d suggest the Columbia Men's Woodburn Ii Walking Shoe. They’re durable, waterproof, and come with a thick heel that will provide you with ample support.