The Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

The Bondi 9 is the plushest shoe on this list on paper, with a published stack of 43 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot and a new supercritical EVA midsole. Reviewers describe easy step-in comfort and a stable platform for its height, and lab testers rated its heel padding as durable. Narrow, Regular, Wide and X-Wide widths are offered in the men's shoe, and HOKA's Fly for 30 guarantee gives you 30 days to try it. At about $175 at full price, it is costly. It is also heavy at 297 g in the men's and clunky at faster paces, and the standard toebox is narrow. Skip it if you want a light, quick shoe or have a tight budget. Our HOKA Bondi 9 review covers fit.

The Nimbus 28 combines a tall, soft midsole with PureGEL and a stable, secure fit. Reviewers praise its step-in comfort, high shock absorption and strong lockdown, and it weighs 281 g in the men's, lighter than the Nimbus 27. The outsole is grippy, which helps on slick pavement. It costs about $170 at full price, and this is the second consecutive US price increase. Energy return is poor, and breathability could be better. Skip it if you want a bouncy, fast shoe, or you are shopping for a lower price. Reviewers also say it holds up well in cold weather. RunRepeat lists wide options, and ASICS accepts returns within 90 days, which gives you time to see whether the shape feels right for your feet. Owners call the fit true to size.

The Glycerin 23 is a comfort-first shoe with a dual-density midsole and a premium knit upper with strong heel lockdown. Testers rate its soft ride highly and found it durable and grippy in wet and dry conditions. Regular, Wide and X-Wide widths are offered, and Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial is the longest window on this page. It costs about $175 at full price. The trade-offs: it is heavy at 303 g in the men's, has low energy return, no gusseted tongue and owners say it runs slightly small. Skip it if you want a light, fast shoe or are watching your budget. Our Brooks Glycerin 23 review covers sizing in more detail. It is also tagged for walking, recovery runs and standing all day in our data, which fits the way many people with sore feet actually use a shoe: for long stretches on hard floors, not only for runs.

If you prefer a shoe that guides your stride, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is a classic. GuideRails provide subtle support rather than a stiff feel, and the DNA Loft v3 foam is softer than the previous version. It comes in four widths from Narrow to X-Wide and costs about $155 at full price, with Brooks' 90-day trial. The cushion is balanced rather than ultra-soft, so it may feel firmer than the Bondi or Nimbus. It is also heavy at 300 g in the men's, and its energy return is modest. Skip it if you want a soft, pillowy ride or you prefer a snappy, light shoe. Whether stability suits sore feet is individual, and a podiatrist can advise. It is also tagged for walking and standing all day, and testers praise its durability and traction, so it is a practical daily shoe as much as a running shoe. Our stability shoe guide has more.

The Triumph 24 has a 43 mm heel stack and a soft incrediLUX foam that delivered very high energy return for a cushioned shoe in lab tests. It weighs only 250 g in the men's, so it does not feel as heavy as the Bondi or Glycerin, and testers say it has great traction and a smooth rocker. It costs about $170 at full price and comes in Regular and Wide. The trade-offs are that it is less stable than the Triumph 23, the fit is snug for some people and the wide footprint feels less agile. Skip it if you want a roomy toebox or a very stable shoe. Saucony allows unworn returns within 30 days of shipping, so try it indoors first. It is also tagged for recovery runs, walking and standing all day in our data, and our Saucony Triumph 24 review explains who it fits best.

The 1080v15 has Infinion foam that RunRepeat measured about 29% softer than the v14, a premium knit upper and four widths (B, D, 2E and 4E). It is much lighter than before at 261 g in the men's, and owners call the fit true to size. It lists at $169.99, and NB excludes it from promotions, so plan to pay full price. The downsides are that the ultra-plush foam will not suit everyone, stability is limited and breathability is below average. Skip it if you run hot or want a stable platform. It is also tagged for standing-all-day wear and recovery runs in our data, so it suits people who want one soft shoe for daily life. New Balance accepts returns within 45 days, though non-members pay a $5 restocking fee on online returns.

The Clifton 11 is soft, rockered and easy to live in, and at about $155 at full price it is the cheapest of the plush options here. It is lighter than the Clifton 10 at 258 g in the men's, and offers Regular, Wide and X-Wide in some colorways. Lab testers praised its outsole wear. The downsides: it feels soft rather than lively, the stack can feel bulky and lab measurements found a narrow, tapered toebox in the standard width. Skip it if you want a bouncy ride or lots of toe room without ordering the Wide. It is also tagged for walking and recovery runs in our data, and HOKA's 30-day Fly for 30 guarantee helps if the fit is off. Our HOKA Clifton 11 review has more on sizing, which matters when your feet are sensitive.