Best Hoka Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis, According To Expert Advice (2024)

The best Hoka shoes for plantar fasciitis can’t cure the condition, but they can make it more manageable. Plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition, can usually be remedied by therapies like stretching and icing, but consistently wearing the right shoes can help minimize the pain and prevent it from recurring. Many doctors, including double board-certified podiatrist Dr. Julie Schottenstein, recommend Hoka shoes to patients for their arch support, cushion and meta-rocking sole that allows for a smooth transition as you walk or run. “Cushion is always important to help with shock absorption,” she says. “This is even more the case when you have an already irritated heel and arch when you have plantar fasciitis.”

Ahead, we rounded up the best Hoka shoes for plantar fasciitis based on Dr. Schottenstein’s advice, from the cushy Bondi 8, a sneaker that has topped many of our footwear lists, to the healing Ora Recovery Fip to the minimally stylish Transport X. Here, all the soothing options.

• Best Hoka Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Overall: Hoka Bondi 8
• Best Hoka Running Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Mach 6
• Best Hoka Walking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Clifton 9
• Best Hoka Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Recovery Fip
• Best Hoka Hiking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX
• Best Stylish Hoka Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Transport X
• Best Hoka Workout Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Solimar
• Best Supportive Hoka Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Arahi 7

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team is obsessed with footwear . We are a team of runners, walkers and hikers, so we know firsthand the importance of a supportive, comfortable shoe, especially if you suffer from plantar fasciitis.

• This article was written by Forbes Vetted contributing writer Becky Eaton, who has a painful history of plantar fasciitis and has written several footwear stories on the topic. She has researched the market extensively and tested out many pairs of shoes, keeping in mind unique healing features like cushioning, arch support, heel-t0-toe drop and more.
• We also tapped the expertise of Miami-based, double board-certified podiatrist Dr. Julie Schottenstein for her medical insights into treating plantar fasciitis, why she recommends Hoka shoes to her patients and important features to look for when making your shopping decision.
• We research, test and evaluate countless shoe options to bring you the best of what the market has to offer the market. We spend hours reading customer reviews to ensure real people like you have a positive experience with the shoes we’re recommending. We also constantly update our footwear stories to include new styles and information.

How To Pick The Best Hoka Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis

Many Hoka styles have been awarded the APMA Seal of Acceptance, meaning a group of podiatrists ensures the shoe promotes foot health. This doesn’t mean that all Hokas are created alike when it comes to plantar fasciitis, however. Here’s some factors to consider when shopping for Hoka shoes for plantar fasciitis:

• Cushion: It might seem obvious, but a well-cushioned shoe makes a world of difference when you have plantar fasciitis, says Dr. Schottenstein. “If you happen to have a higher arch with plantar fasciitis, cushion is really the name of the game,” she says. “Not only is the foot more stiff when you have that high arch, but the plantar fascia itself is almost twisted in these cases, making [it] even more painful.”
• Heel-to-toe-drop: Look for a Hoka shoe that’s not too flat, with a high heel-to-toe-drop. “It will help take pressure off the Achilles,” says Dr. Schottenstein. “If you have too flat of a shoe, it makes the Achilles strained and tight, exacerbating the irritation and microtearing that occurs at the origin of the plantar fascia at the heel bone.”
• Stability: Many Hoka styles are designed with stability in the rearfoot to help control pronation, when the foot rolls inward. “Excessive pronation is seen in many cases of plantar fasciitis. Stability shoes help to counter this motion, helping to prevent strain on the plantar fascia origin at the heel and the arch,” says Dr. Schottenstein.

Are Hokas Good For Plantar Fasciitis?

Hoka shoes are an excellent option if you have plantar fasciitis. “The shoe has a great supportive arch, lots of cushion and they are not zero drop, meaning that they are higher in the back than the front,” says Dr. Schottenstein. “Zero drop shoes put a lot of pressure on the Achilles and the plantar fascia.” The early meta rocker sole, an important Hoka feature, helps you roll through gait. “It has less direct impact to the heel and arch, which is good for patients especially when they are already in pain.”

Why Do Podiatrists Recommend Hoka?

“Hokas are one of my favorite picks for patients with plantar fasciitis,” says Dr. Schottenstein. “They have a ton of cushion, an early meta rocker that feels like you are propelling yourself, a flexible toe and an arch that doesn’t bend.” The mesh upper material is breathable and can accommodate other foot conditions like bunions and hammertoes. “The mesh also allows for the foot to expand as opposed to less flexible materials.”

What Shoes Should You Not Wear With Plantar Fasciitis?

Pay attention to the heel-to-toe drop when you’re shopping for shoes. Flat shoes with zero drop “stresses both the Achilles and the plantar fascia,” says Dr. Schottenstein. “It’s almost like walking barefoot, which a big no-no for plantar fasciitis.” Flimsy shoes without arch support should also be avoided. “A shoe that can be folded in half will not support your arch. With plantar fasciitis, we want to support the arch and actually put the plantar fascia on stretch.”

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