Summer is a time for your footwear to shine.
Heeled mules, gladiator sandals and dainty ballet pumps begin to tip-toe into our social media feeds. However, for those dealing with plantar fasciitis, the quest to find the perfect summer shoe isn’t so straightforward.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia - a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot. The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain on the heel and arches of feet. It can make everyday activities such as walking and running difficult and is usually worse first thing in the morning.
Can anything be done to help? Some home remedies include icing, stretching and resting. However, you may find a better pair of shoes with heightened support for heels and arches can really help. This applies to sandals for summer as well.
What type of sandals should be worn by those with plantar fasciitis?
Podiatrist Jo Woodin sheds some light on the best features to look out for in sandals for people with plantar fasciitis: “Plantar fasciitis is usually self-limiting, that is, it gets better by itself when the band of fascia stretches, but only if you remain active, so good footwear is essential. For the summer, this means ditching your dainty strappy sandals with their thin, hard soles. Go for something with a thicker, soft, cushioned sole.
A built-in arch support helps reduce pronation and a slightly raised heel (1cm to 4cm, no higher) will help with this, too. A strap passing behind your heel, a fastening over the highest part of the arch of your foot and another strap over your toes are all essential. Flip flops and sliders are best avoided as they have no fastening.”
How can you relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms?
Woodin says: “For some people, good footwear is not enough. If you continue to have pain in your heel after a couple of weeks, it is always safest to see a chiropodist/podiatrist to get a proper diagnosis. This will ensure that any exercises or home remedies are appropriate. A physiotherapist or your GP should be able to help with this too.
They may suggest gel heel cushions, which you can purchase over the counter, or recommend special insoles prescribed specifically for you (also called orthoses). However, both heel cushions and orthoses do need shoes as opposed to sandals if they are to work properly. A course of cold or heat therapy, exercises, topical anti-inflammatory gels or tablets and steroid injections are all weapons in the armoury against plantar fasciitis.”
Step out this summer in comfort with a pair of plantar fasciitis-friendly sandals and browse the edit below.
Shop now
Merrell Women's Kahuna III
Merrell’s Women's Kahuna III are a chunky sandal with the support to match. The brand is renowned for its diverse collection of supportive sandals, all comfy straight out of the box, and these black editions are brimming with handy features.
Foot-conforming, antimicrobial uppers wrap your feet in secure comfort for outdoor adventures, while technical traction guarantees stability no matter the terrain. Merrell’s air cushion technology in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability wherever you go and a hook and loop closure system allows the wearer to tightly strap their feet into the shoes.
Select from three colourways and women’s sizes 3-8.
Buy now £100.00, Merrell
Fitflop Metallic Leather Back-Strap Sandals
Sleek and simple, Fitflop’s sandals are ideal for shoppers wanting to avoid bulky silhouettes. Choose from futuristic silver, beige, tan and other tones to liven up your wardrobe.
The Gracie sandals have plenty of foot-friendly features to discover. Buttery leather that never rubs, Dynamicush cushioning incorporated into the cushioned leather-wrapped soles and anatomical arch contouring boost each step.
Run, skip and walk knowing Fitflop’s sandals have got covered with anti-slip soles and adjustable back straps to keep your foot in place.
Buy now £100.00, Fitflop
Birkenstock Milano Chunky
Birkenstocks are famed for their arch-supporting soles. The Milanos feature supportive strap detailing across the heel and arch of the foot, in addition to the toes.
Also available in narrow sizes for those with slimmer feet, the unisex models showcase a cushioning EVA sole for cloud-like stepping, plus a chunky heel and a soft, Nappa leather construction. A deep moulding heel cup that stabilises the foot and calf muscle is complemented by an arched sole that supports the tarsal bones and offers ample toe grip.
Buy now £170.00, Birkenstock
Ecco Offroad Women's Nubuck Hiking Sandal
A welcome alternative to a classic black colourway, Ecco’s Offroad Women's Nubuck Hiking Sandal will put a spring in your step. Designed for hiking but wearable on a daily basis, the colourful sandals boast a leather upper with one sidebar, three-point adjustability and a stretchy textile lining for a soft, comfortable fit.
Feel secure thanks to the lightweight moulded EVA footbed with soft microfibre cover for supreme cushioning, plus the brand’s incorporation of the ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology which provides ample flexibility.
A durable rubber outsole offers excellent grip and traction to help keep your ankle in place as you stroll, hike or meander.
Buy now £100.00, Ecco
Skechers Foamies Arch Fit Upbeat
Available in wearable black and nude tones, Skechers’ Foamies are an affordable option for those on a shoestring. They feature a breathable Foamies upper with an adjustable slingback strap closure to hold the foot in place and a cushioned Arch Fit footbed. The platform sits at 3.8cm, making for a soft step as you hit the streets. Customers left rave reviews for these supportive stompers, which also happen to be machine washable.
Buy now £40.00, Skechers
Keen Women's Newport H2
Keen is a family-owned footwear brand with a mission to make the outdoors accessible to all. They encourage people to get outside and be original; all whilst committing to making planet-conscious products for both children and adults that will last.
Keen’s Women’s Newport H2 Sandals are the perfect balance of Keen’s core values: with a true to size, comfortable fit, an eco anti-odour footbed and supportive sole, this is a hiking-water sandal that will truly do it all for you this summer. The shock-absorbing foam insole with arch support makes for all-day comfort, as does the foam midsole for lightweight cushioning.
We love that these sandals are machine washable, slip on, toggle fastening and have excellent arch support for all day comfort. Why pack separate walking shoes and water shoes when you can have one shoe that will do it all?
Buy now £120.00, Keen
Vionic Torrence Sandal
Vionic continues to marry fashion-forward silhouettes with ample foot support in its online shoewear collection. The brand’s Torrence Sandal takes the form of a classic black sandal, yet features a lightweight EVA midsole to absorb shock, a supportive contoured footbed and a luxurious leather construction. Exclusive alignment technology and a gently raised heel of 1.9cm help the whole body to balance.
Moreover, the built-in VIO MOTION Technology footbed features contoured arch support with shock-absorbing cushioning paired with a deep heel cup to provide stability with every step.
Buy now £130.00, Amazon
Heydude Collins Sandal Mono Sport Women
Form meets function in Hey Dude’s Collins Sandal Mono Sport for women. Perfect for packing for sun-soaked holidays abroad, these minimalist sandals feature a lightweight, cushioned sole, a two-band upper with a securing heel strap and a foam-backed upper for added comfort. An elevated foam heel of 2.4cm lifts the foot in all the right places, providing both arch support and an air-light touch. Pair yours with a floral summer dress or jeans for the ultimate off-duty, pain-free aesthetic.
Buy now £77.99, Amazon
Strive Aruba Sandals
Strive’s Aruba sandals are ideal everyday walking sandals for those with aching feet. The handy pair comes complete with three fully adjustable straps for a customised fit, an elevated heel and cushioned microfibre lining. As for the midsole, it’s created from soft EVA material which promotes a walking-on-air sensation.
What’s more, all Strive footwear incorporates podiatrist-designed Biomechanical Footbed Technology, which re-designs a classic flat footbed to the natural three-dimensional contours of your feet. The sandals also come in an array of colours ripe for the picking. Select from snazzy snakeskin, cherry red, all-black and more.
Buy now £89.95, Strive
