Shoes for plantar fasciitis for men: support at work, in the office and at the gym
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- Men's stability running or walking shoe. Best for: Daily wear and exercise with mild arch collapse. See options on Amazon
- Men's rocker-sole walking shoe. Best for: Arch and heel pain on long walking days. See options on Amazon
- Men's work boot with removable cushioned footbed. Best for: Long shifts on concrete. See options on Amazon
- Men's dress shoe with cushioned removable footbed. Best for: Office days in place of thin leather soles. See options on Amazon
Where men's shoes tend to fail
AAOS lists long periods of standing on hard surfaces, tight calves, obesity and new or increased activity among the risk factors for plantar fasciitis. American Family Physician adds spending most of the workday on one's feet and a body mass index greater than 27. Many men tick several of these boxes at once: long shifts on concrete, heavy work boots, and a weekend run or game on top.
The shoes that cause trouble are usually not the trainers. They are flat, thin-soled dress shoes worn all day, stiff work boots with a worn-out liner, and old athletic shoes kept long past their useful life. AAOS advises avoiding shoes that offer little support or are worn out, and replacing athletic shoes before they stop supporting the feet.
What to look for, by shoe type
| Shoe | Look for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Work boots and shoes | Firm heel grip, fastening across the instep, a removable liner, shock-absorbing sole | A packed-down factory liner, boots that are too tight |
| Dress shoes | A modest heel, a cushioned footbed, a removable insole or room for a 3/4 insert | Thin, flat leather soles |
| Running shoes | A type matched to your arch: cushioned, stability or motion control | Shoes past their mileage |
| Gym and court shoes | A stable base for side-to-side movement | Running shoes for court sports |
For work footwear, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety says the shoe must grip the heel firmly, allow the toes to move freely and have a fastening across the instep. It suggests heels no higher than 60 mm, about 2.5 inches, and not lower than the ball of the foot. For boot insoles, see insoles for work boots.
Matching athletic shoes to your foot
AAOS describes three kinds of running shoe:
- Cushioned shoes for high-arched, rigid feet.
- Stability shoes for light to moderate stability when the arch may collapse while running.
- Motion control shoes for severe pronation, flat feet or heavier body weight.
AAOS also says people with arch pain may benefit from a rocker sole that encourages a natural roll of the foot. For a deeper look at trainers, see sneakers for plantar fasciitis.
Body weight and replacement
Cushioning wears out faster under more weight. AAOS notes that EVA foam starts to show structural damage after 120 miles, and that by 500 miles a shoe has lost 45% of its initial shock absorption. Its rule of thumb is to divide 75,000 by your body weight in pounds to estimate how many running miles a shoe will last. For a 150-pound runner, that is about 500 miles. A heavier runner gets fewer.
The same logic applies to work boots and everyday shoes, even without a mileage count. When the heel feels flat, the shoe tilts when you set it on a table, or the midsole is creased deeply, it is time.
Fit tips for men
- Measure both feet. CCOHS notes feet normally differ in size; buy for the bigger one.
- Shop late. AAOS suggests trying shoes at the end of the day or after a workout, when feet are larger.
- Leave toe room. AAOS advises at least a half-inch between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- Check width, not just length. Many men size up in length to get width. A wide fit in your true length fits better.
- Do not count on stretching. CCOHS says shoes that are too tight will not stretch with wear.
- Rotate pairs. CCOHS suggests keeping several pairs and rotating them daily so they can air out.
What to look for when you buy
Men's stability running or walking shoe
Best for: Daily wear and exercise with mild arch collapse
AAOS describes stability shoes as giving light to moderate stability for an arch that may collapse while running.
Watch out: Replace on time; AAOS estimates shoe life as 75,000 divided by body weight in pounds.
See options on AmazonMen's rocker-sole walking shoe
Best for: Arch and heel pain on long walking days
AAOS says a rocker sole may help people with arch pain by encouraging a natural roll of the foot.
Watch out: Can feel unstable at first, especially on uneven ground.
See options on AmazonMen's work boot with removable cushioned footbed
Best for: Long shifts on concrete
CCOHS calls for firm heel grip and a fastening across the instep, and a removable footbed lets you add a supportive insole.
Watch out: Check toe clearance if you add an insole to a safety-toe boot.
See options on AmazonMen's dress shoe with cushioned removable footbed
Best for: Office days in place of thin leather soles
A removable footbed and modest heel let you add a 3/4 orthotic and avoid the unsupported flat soles AAOS warns against.
Watch out: Try them on with the insert in; dress shoes have little spare room.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What kind of shoes are best for men with plantar fasciitis?
- Shoes with a firm heel counter, arch support and a cushioned, slightly raised heel. AAOS suggests matching running shoes to your foot type and a rocker sole for arch pain.
- Are work boots bad for plantar fasciitis?
- Not if they fit and support. Look for firm heel grip and a fastening across the instep, as CCOHS advises, and replace a flattened liner with a supportive insole.
- How often should men replace shoes for plantar fasciitis?
- AAOS estimates running shoe life as 75,000 divided by your body weight in pounds. For a 150-pound runner that is about 500 miles; heavier people should replace sooner.
- Can dress shoes cause heel pain?
- Thin, flat, unsupportive soles can contribute. AAOS advises avoiding shoes with little support. Choose a cushioned dress shoe with room for an insert.
Sources
- Athletic Shoes (orthoinfo.org), AAOS OrthoInfo
- Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs (orthoinfo.org), AAOS OrthoInfo
- Foot Comfort and Safety at Work (ccohs.ca), Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
- Plantar Fasciitis (Trojian and Tucker, 2019) (aafp.org), American Family Physician (AAFP)
- Diabetes - taking care of your feet (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus (NIH)