Best Orthofeet Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

I wrote a general guide to shoes for plantar fasciitis that covers several brands. This one is only about Orthofeet, because that is what most people ask me about by name, and because the brand happens to get the two things right that a sore fascia needs most.

Why extra depth and a removable insole matter

Plantar fasciitis is the band under your foot getting overstretched. The fix in a shoe is to hold the arch up so the band does less work, and to cushion the heel where it attaches. Orthofeet does that with its Ortho-Cushion sole and an anatomical insole with an arch that actually meets the foot. But the insole is only half of it. Every Orthofeet is cut on an extra-depth last, and the insole comes out. That means when the stock insole is not enough, you can drop in a firmer over-the-counter insole or a custom orthotic without the shoe getting tight over the top of the foot. Most sneakers do not have that room. You put an orthotic in and your toes hit the roof. With Orthofeet you have somewhere to go if the pain does not settle.

The mild rocker on the sole helps too. It rolls you through the step so the toes bend back less, and toe bend is what tugs the fascia. Add the hands-free heel, which matters more than it sounds when your first steps of the morning are the painful ones and bending to tie a shoe is the last thing you want to do.

The picks

Women's

The Wander is the one I suggest first. It is a leather sneaker in Navy, White or Black, 10.4 ounces in a size 7 by Orthofeet's figure, and it looks like a normal shoe. The leather holds its shape, which keeps the arch where it belongs. If your feet swell through the day, or you have a bunion that leather rubs, the Nira has a water-repellent stretch upper that gives instead of pressing, and it comes in nine colors. I compare the two in detail in Wander vs Nira. For the house, the Lorin is a suede slipper-shoe on the same supportive sole. The worst plantar fasciitis pain is those first steps out of bed on a hard floor, and a slipper with a real arch beside the bed does more than most people expect.

Men's

The Yari in Blue or White is the everyday pick, a stretch sneaker that goes on without bending and takes an orthotic. If you want leather, the Navigate in White or Black does the same job and runs to a size 15, which almost nothing else does. The Vito is the men's slipper-shoe for the house. For work, the Onyx shoe at $149 or the Graphite boot at $199 put the same sole under a composite toe. I wrote up Onyx vs Graphite separately.

Who should not buy these

Orthofeet is built roomy, with a wide toe box and extra depth. If you want a low, snug athletic shoe that hugs the foot, you will find these boxy, and no width choice fixes that. The rocker sole bothers some people for the first week and a few never get used to it. And shoes will not cure plantar fasciitis on their own. If you have had heel pain for months, or it is getting worse, see a podiatrist or a pedorthist. Buying a fourth pair of shoes is not the answer to a problem that needs stretching, an orthotic or a night splint.

Questions people ask

Which Orthofeet is best for plantar fasciitis?

There is not one. The sole and insole are the same idea across the line. Pick by upper and use: Wander or Yari for every day, Nira for swelling, Lorin or Vito indoors, Graphite or Quartz for work.

Do I need the arch booster?

Orthofeet includes an arch booster pad that goes under the insole to raise the arch. Try the shoe without it first. If the arch feels low, add it. If you use your own orthotic, leave it out.

Can I put my custom orthotics in an Orthofeet?

Yes. Take the factory insole out and drop yours in. The extra-depth last is the reason it works. If your device is thick, order one width up.

Should I size up for plantar fasciitis?

No. Keep your length and get the width right. A shoe that is too long flexes in the wrong place and lets the heel slide, which is worse for the fascia. The width guide explains how to measure.

What if they do not help?

Orthofeet orders ship free direct from Orthofeet and we email tracking. Wear them indoors first. If the fit is wrong, call (704) 846-0301 and we exchange or refund under our Comfort Guarantee. If the fit is right and the heel still hurts after a few weeks, call anyway and we will talk about an insole or a custom orthotic. The full range is in our Orthofeet collection.