Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that impacts connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, and according to experts, it’s often caused by footwear that lacks proper cushioning and support. With summer on the horizon, we rounded up the best sandals for plantar fasciitis to help mitigate symptoms and provide relief while letting you dress for warm weather. After considering nearly a dozen sandal brands and even more styles, I named the Kuru Moment Sandals the top pick overall. Lightweight and well-cushioned, they feature a broad band that’s easy to adjust for a comfy fit. Read on to learn more about the eight styles I recommend.
The best sandals for plantar fasciitis feature plenty of cushioning and arch support.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Our Top Recommendations
Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis Overall: Kuru Moment
Sizes: Men’s7 to 13; Women’s 5 to 12 | Materials: TPU, EVA foam| Colors available: 3 for men, 3 for women
What you’ll love:
Excellent cushioning
An adjustable band
Lightweight construction
Keep in mind:
Available in a limited range of sizes
Weighing just 9.1 ounces per men’s sandal and 7.4 ounces per women’s, Kuru’s lightweight yet supportive Moment sandal is a crowdpleaser. It features a thick, plush EVA foam footbed that cradles and supports your foot, while a broad, adjustable band atop the sandal keeps it locked in place. The style’s 12mm heel-to-toe drop helps with proper foot positioning and maintains comfort, even if you’re walking or standing for hours.
The Moment’s orthotic insole isn’t a memory foam into which your feet sink and then feel stuck. Instead, it’s more responsive, flexing and adapting with each step or shift of your weight, so the support and comfort are constant. Just keep in mind that sizing is reserved for standard feet, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you run very small, large or have wide feet.
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Best Slides For Plantar Fasciitis
Slip Into Support
HOKA
Hoka ORA Recovery Slide 3
Sizes: Men’s 3 to 14; Women’s 5 to 16 | Materials: Rubber, sugarcane EVA | Colors available: 10
What you’ll love:
Lightweight design
Dual-density foam support
APMA seal of acceptance
Keep in mind:
The sizing sometimes varies between the left and right sandal
As the name implies, your feet will slide right into the ORA Recovery Slide 3 from Hoka, but they won’t slip right back out thanks to the broad band encircling the top of your foot and the raised lip behind the heel. A molded footbed made partially from natural sugarcane-derived foam cradles your foot and supports the arch, reducing foot pain, while the more rugged outsole can handle concrete, gravel, roots, rocks and other terrain.
The supportive design receives the American Pediatric Medical Association’s seal of acceptance, so you can count on it being a good fit for plantar fasciitis relief. Some people have reported a different fit between the left and right sandal, so be sure to try them on in-person if you need more assurance. Ultimately, when you get a pair that fits just right, you’ll love how easily you can slip into comfort.
Best Lightweight Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Light As A Cloud
OOFOS
Oofos OOriginal Sandal
Sizes: Men’s3 to 16; Women’s 5 to 16 | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Colors available: 4 for men, 6 for women
What you’ll love:
Highly cushioned foam
Lightweight design
Machine washable
Keep in mind:
The thong strap may be too thick for some
Sizing can run large
Soft, supportive and lightweight, Oofos Ooriginal Sandals were designed with foot relief in mind. They are purpose-built “recovery sandals” for short-term use after an intense workout at the gym or a long run, or for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. Made entirely of closed cell foam, each sandal weighs a mere 6.5 ounces, and they come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different feet. The foot settles into a layer of foam that acts as a soft cradle, lessening impact over hard surfaces, and ensures every step feels a bit like walking on a cloud.
When not on your feet, these odor-resistant sandals won’t give off unpleasant fragrances, and they can be safely tossed in the washing machine if need be. Some reviews say they run a bit large, and an improper fit can hinder plantar fasciitis relief, so be ready to size down. Also note the wide thong strap can feel awkward between your toes and might take some getting used to, especially if you’re accustomed to slides. All told, these are highly-rated and well-trusted sandals that have brought relief to thousands of feet.
Best Budget Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Flexible Straps That Come In Lots Of Colors
Amazon
Coface Orthopedic Flip Flops
Sizes: Women’s 5 to 11; Men’s 7 to 15 | Materials: Vegan leather, EVA, rubber | Colors available: 5 for men, 13 for women
What you’ll love:
Affordable, sub-$50 price
Multiple color options
Adjustable strap
Keep in mind:
Straps may not be as durable as other options
Sizing can run small
If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis but don’t want to spend a lot on cushioned sandals with good orthopedic arch support, then you’ll be in good company with the many thousands of people who have purchased sandals from Coface. These affordable and actually rather stylish sandals have a thick, soft footbed that’s shaped to support your arches and reduce the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. And as they come in more than a dozen colors, they can support your fashion sense, too.
An adjustable strap lets you dial in a proper, secure fit, but note that a number of confirmed wearers have called that strap rather flimsy. If you’re looking for sandals you can wear daily for months or years to come, this price-conscious style probably won’t cut it, but for relief from acute plantar fasciitis, they’re a smart choice.
These understated, casual sandals look great when paired with a dress, jeans, colorful shorts or whatever else you you have in wardrobe because they come in nearly two dozen colors. And don’t let the casual look fool you: This is purpose-built footwear designed to provide solid foot support and relief from plantar fasciitis pain. The polyurethane footbed is thick, cushioned and molded for proper arch and heel support.
The sandals only come in whole sizes from 6 to 11, which might be an issue for some feet, and they run a bit narrow, but if they fit, you’ll love the support, and the affordability. If they ever get dirty, simply scrub them with soap and water to bring them back to life.
Best Walking Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
For Extended Periods Of Time On Your Feet
MOST POPULAR
Vionic
Vionic Walk Max Wanderer Sandal
Sizes: Women’s5 to 13; Men’s 7 to 14 | Materials: Leather, canvas, rubber, nitrogen-infused foam | Colors available: 3 for men, 6 for women
What you’ll love:
Thick and absorbent midsole
Deep heel cup for stability
Good traction
Keep in mind:
The thicker structure of this sandal requires a longer break-in period than other options
If you are going to be logging many long miles on your feet, then you might consider wearing a pair of Vionic Walk Max Wanderer Sandals. They feature two thick adjustable bands that secure your foot right where it needs to be for plantar fasciitis relief—in close contact with that thick, soft and supportive nitrogen-infused foam insole. Plus, a deep, supportive heel cup also helps keep your foot in place.
These are pricey sandals but they are well-made and will last for years of regular use. Just note that before you can get regular use out of them, you need to break them in with limited wear over the course of several days. Once molded to your feet and with the straps adjusted just right, they will serve as your perfect walking partner, mile after mile.
Best Birkenstocks For Plantar Fasciitis
A Comfortable Classic
Birkenstock
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal
Sizes: Women’s 4 to 12.5; Men’s 6 to 17.5 | Materials: Leather, EVA | Colors available: 5
What you’ll love:
Classic style that goes with any outfit
Heel cup promotes healthy posture
Adjustable straps
Keep in mind:
Longer break-in period
The Arizona sandal from Birkenstock has been around since 1973, and in that five-plus decade span, not much has changed about the look or design of this slide. And why should something that already works well change anyway? Arizonas have a soft and molded EVA footbed designed to support the foot’s arch and allow the toes to spread out comfortably, while the inset heel cup lets you stand or walk with a natural orientation—think barefoot walking in sand or on soft grass.
This Birk has two bands of soft suede leather than can be adjusted to create a secure and comfortable fit, while a raised edge around the front of the footbed protects the toes even as most of your foot is exposed to fresh air. Arizonas are more expensive than most of the other sandals covered in this guide, but they bring with them decades of approval from wearers all over the world.
Best Hiking Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Hit The Trail In Comfort
KURU Footwear
Kuru Tread Sandal
Sizes: Men’s 7 to 14; Women’s 5 to 12 | Materials: Leather, microsuede, rubber | Colors available: 2 for men, 3 for women
What you’ll love:
Sturdy and supportive
Aggressive tread for stability
Durable, rugged outsole
Keep in mind:
The bulkier design makes them heavier
If you suffer from both plantar fasciitis pain and a serious case of wanderlust, the Kuru Tread can help with both. Designed for use on rugged terrain, this tough, capable sandal is surprisingly gentle on your feet. The toughness comes from a thick rubber outsole with deep lugs set into a tread pattern that will grab onto roots, rocks and more, while the soft support comes from a microsuede-lined footbed that properly positions your foot and cradles it in place.
Broad adjustable bands near the ankle and over the bridge of the foot ensure a secure fit, while soft padding within those bands reduces friction to help prevent blisters. This is an expensive sandal, and it’s on the heavier side, but if you want your feet properly supported while you’re far afield, it’s a smart buy.
How We Chose The Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Your footwear plays a critical role in keeping you comfortable from the ground up. To find supportive, comfortable, durable sandals for plantar fasciitis, we took the following steps:
Research: We looked into the qualities a sandal needs to possess in order to offer proper support, cushioning and comfort for people with plantar fasciitis. Key features include a deep, secure heel cup, modest cushioning and a proper fit.
Top Brands: Many brands are well-known for making recovery footwear and, specifically, footwear suitable for plantar fasciitis relief. We carefully evaluated the top styles for support and comfort, leaning on our experience with footwear.
Expert Insights: We spoke with podiatric specialists who explained the signs, symptoms and causes of plantar fasciitis and recommended a number of sandals. Their recommendations aligned with many of the top brands we identified during our research.
Customer Reviews: We read dozens of reviews posted by verified buyers, cross-referencing their highlights and lowlights against our research and expert recommendations.
What To Look For In The Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
“Footwear and supportive products play a critical role in managing plantar fasciitis, particularly by reducing load on the fascia and encouraging optimal foot mechanics,” says Dr. Rogers. Here are three key factors to keep in mind as you shop:
Arch Support
Start by looking for sandals that promote arch support. This is of critical importance because a well-established arch helps distribute pressure across the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia. The sandals should have a raised, cushioned arch that fits your foot well, and it shouldn’t feel forced or obtrusive. If you normally wear shoes that don’t have an arch, look for sandals with a gentle arch for basic support.
Heel Cushioning
“A deep heel cup will help to absorb shock as well as cradle and support the heel, which will reduce strain on the plantar fascia," says Dr. Sharkey. A deep heel cup isn’t going to force the back of your foot into a mold, but it will feel as if the back of the sandal is raised slightly above the base of your heel. This added support keeps your foot in place and helps evenly distribute forces.
Outsole, Midsole and Insole
A thick, sturdy outsole, supportive midsole and cushioned insole are all critical in sandals used to treat plantar fasciitis. “Sandals [need to] absorb impact and reduce stress on the plantar fascia thanks to deep cushioning, which helps reduce heel impact during walking,” explains Dr. Rogers.
While all of the sandals in this guide feature thick, cushy bases, some are simpler than others. For example, the Oofos Ooriginal Sandal is made purely of closed-cell foam, while the Kuru Tread features an outer layer for grip and internal layers for support. What’s right for you comes down to pure comfort and where you intend to wear your sandals.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The gear team at Forbes Vetted has extensive experience researching and writing about fitness, health and wellness products, including many products designed to promote foot health, like the best insoles for plantar fasciitis and the best walking shoes for men.
Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John has covered tech and gear for over a decade. When he isn’t writing about the best footwear, he can often be found testing it in the real world.
Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta oversees this guide and its updates. Vigliotta has reviewed and recommended products in the outdoor space for over six years, and he tests dozens of shoes each year for walking, running and pain relief.
As new versions of these sandals become available—or as we find new recommendations that help ameliorate plantar fasciitis pain—we update this guide to provide the best buying advice possible. It was last updated in April 2026 by staff writer Steven John.
Our Experts
Dr. Saylee Tulpule is a board-certified podiatrist with Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic.
Dr. Anne Sharkey is a double-board-certified podiatrist and owner of Soley Podiatry.
Dr. Eli Rogers is a physical therapist and KT Sports medicine advisory board member.
Dr. Tek Fish is a board-certified podiatrist and owner of Clover Podiatry.
More Footwear For Plantar Fasciitis
It may not always be practical—or even possible—to wear sandals for plantar fasciitis relief, which is why our gear team has covered this topic from many angles. Our reporting includes:
We refreshed this guide for 2026 by adding new selections, checking links and adding new expert input. We also updated the formatting to make it more accessible and actionable.
We answered two new frequently asked questions and added more insights to our top picks.