By Rehan Iqbal
Welcome to the Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis Guide
If you have Plantar Fasciitis, you know that the pain can be excruciating. Luckily, the right footwear can make a big difference in the amount of pain you experience, but many Plantar Fasciitis sufferers unintentionally undo the relief brought by good everyday shoes when they go home and slip into something more comfortable.
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Comforting Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis
Unstructured slippers simply cannot provide the support and stability your heels and arches need. In this article, I’ll provide insight on how to choose the best slippers for plantar fasciitis. I’ll also share seven top picks in supportive, well cushioned slippers and recovery footwear for women and men.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slippers For Plantar Fasciitis
1. Should you wear shoes, slippers , flip flops or go barefoot indoors - for Plantar fasciitis?
You should absolutely not go barefoot indoors or anywhere else (other than the shower, bathtub or swimming pool). A PubMed study on the role of footwear in causing or relieving Plantar Fasciitis pain found that walking barefoot contributes greatly to that pain.
When you have plantar fasciitis, proper support at any time when you are on your feet is of the utmost importance. For this reason, flip-flops are also not usually a good idea unless they are specifically designed to provide support for your heels and your arches. It’s always smart to have a pair of designated indoor footwear to slip into when you enter your home. This provides a change and a rest for your feet and keeps your floors clean.
2. Should You wear slippers with Plantar Fasciitis?
It’s fine to wear slippers when you have plantar fasciitis as long as those slippers are especially designed to provide solid arch support and good heel cushioning and stability. Slippers for plantar fasciitis are far more sturdily constructed than regular, off the rack slippers. You can purchase slippers that have these qualities built in, or you may wish to buy well-made, amply cushioned off-the-rack slippers and add prescription or over-the-counter orthotics or arch cradles.
3. Can you wear Birkenstock sandals indoors?
Many people choose Birkenstocks as their house shoes. These classic sandals are naturally supportive and easy to slip on and off. Models such as Birkenstock Arizona tend to come highly recommended by foot specialists and are good for a wide variety of foot maladies.
Four of the Best Podiatrist Recommended Women’s Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis
I’m going to start with a collection of four types of women’s slippers from Vionic. This is a company that comes highly recommended and has earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance for its exceptional footwear. The APMA is made up of 15,000 US based podiatrists and is a premiere source of information in regards to foot health.
All Vionic shoes feature “Vio Motion Support.” This is a support system that provides full, biomechanical contact to mold to the natural curves of your feet. This provides complete support “from the ground up”.
1. Vionic Women's Indulge Relax Slipper
Vionic Relax
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This comfortable, padded terry-cloth covered slipper is available in twenty colors and reasonably priced. The shoes are super-cushioned, and it’s easy to get a comfortable, secure fit thanks to the hook-and-loop strap closure system.
Reviewers say that the fit is secure and comfortable with great arch support and a sturdy enough sole for brief outdoor chores such as getting the mail, taking out the trash, etc. The only reported downside is that some reviewers say the inner lining is slippery if worn without socks.
2. Vionic Indulge Gracie - Women's Toe Post Slipper
Vionic Gracie
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These women’s cushy “flip-flops” come in eight colors. While the price may seem a bit high for a slipper, these well designed shoes are long-wearing and easy to care for. These machine washable toe-post slippers have a soft terry cloth liner and upper on a sturdy, supportive EVA foam footbed and sole.
Reviewers report that the sturdy footbed provides excellent (even aggressive) arch support and heel stability. Some reviewers say that this can initially cause a bit of arch and heel pain, but your feet should soon become accustomed to this firm support.
Be aware that these slippers tend to run a bit big, so if you wear a half size, you should order the next size down.
3. Vionic Women's Gemma
Vionic Gemma
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If secure footing is a top priority for you, this comfortable, rubber-soled slip-on design mule with a wave patterned tread is the perfect choice. Gemma slippers feature orthaheel technology to naturally align your feet and lower legs. This helps provide relief from the excessive pronation that often leads to plantar fasciitis and flat footedness.
These solidly structured slippers are available in nineteen colors. The lining and footbed are constructed using an anti-bacterial, odor reducing material, and you can toss them in the washer (cold, gentle cycle) as needed to keep them fresh. Don’t tumble-dry them. Just let them air overnight. They may be a little tight when you put them on after washing, but they’ll soon be back to normal.
Reviewers say that these are super long-wearing house shoes, often lasting two or three years with regular use. The only reported downsides seem to be that they run slightly large, and you cannot tip-toe quietly around your house in the nighttime. The soles of these slippers are solid.
4. Vionic Women's Indulge Pauline Slipper
Vionic Indulge Pauline
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Pauline slippers feature excellent arch support, an ultra-deep heel cup and superb ball-of-foot cushioning. These machine washable slippers boast a slip resistant rubber sole and can be worn for light outdoor use.
These slippers are available in three colors and a vast array of sizes. Unlike most others, Pauline slippers come in whole and half sizes from women’s size 5-11.
These very comfy padded terry slippers are cushiony and supportive. Although these slippers tend to run a bit wide, it’s easy to get a secure fit thanks to the adjustable Velcro straps.
Reviewers are mostly pleased with these slippers but do say that they are bit heavy and bulky and that the inner lining tends to wear out quickly.
Three of the Best Men’s Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Orthofeet Asheville Orthopedic Slippers for Men - Ideal for Plantar fasciitis
Orthofeet Asheville
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These high quality, suede leather slippers come in brown and black and feature a solid rubber sole and cozy faux fur lining. At this price, these shoes are a bit of an investment, but they have all the bells and whistles to make the price worthwhile for men with Plantar Fasciitis as well as those with a number of other foot maladies.
In addition to an adjustable strap that allows a perfect fit, these slippers have premium orthotic soles with removable arch supports, along with a mild rocker sole for greater stability. A roomy toe box and seam free lining make these slippers comfortable and safe for men with diabetes and/or bunions.
Reviewers report that these slippers provide relief from foot pain as well as knee pain. The only slight caveat is that these slippers run big, so it’s wise to order a full size down.
2. Walk-Hero Men’s Slippers with Arch Support
Walk Hero Slippers
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Walk-Hero clog slippers offer a lot of options and features. Choose from six colors with either moisture wicking suede or fleece insoles. The casual fabric upper mounted on a solid, non-slip rubber sole makes these comfortable slip-on shoes an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor wear.
Orthotic insoles provide a deep heel cup and contoured footbed with excellent arch support to control foot motion and align your feet. This design can provide relief from problems such as Plantar Fasciitis, flat feet, Achilles tendonitis and ball-of-foot pain.
Reviewers say that these fabric clogs are comfortable, durable and convenient. The only downside is that the lining may tend to wear down quickly if you do not wear socks with your slippers.
3. Spenco Supreme Slipper – Men’s
Spenco Supreme
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Long-wearing Spenco men’s slippers are available in five colors. This is an entirely synthetic shoe with a breathable fabric upper and non-marking, non-slip rubber sole which provides orthotic grade arch support and deep heel cupping. The inside of the shoe is lined with a synthetic shearling lining which helps with odor control.
Reviewers report having owned and worn Spenco Supreme Slippers for over a decade without complaint, though they do say that the older models may be a bit sturdier than the new replacements.
Well-Made Slippers are an Essential Part of Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
When you wear sturdy, well-made slippers that have the right orthotic support and a good, deep heel cup, you can be sure that your feet are in the right position to allow your feet, ankles and legs to support your weight equally and provide good shock absorption as you walk around your house.
Extra support also helps keep your joints in alignment to reduce pain in your ankles, knees, hips and lower back. While it may seem that extra soft, cushiony, memory foam style slippers would help with plantar fasciitis, the fact is you really need the firm, sturdy support that is built into slippers made specifically to address this malady. Soft, shapeless shoes will only make matters worse.
If you are serious about treating your plantar fasciitis and remedying your pain, you’ll need to pay attention to foot comfort 24/7. This is why podiatrists strongly recommend wearing comfortable, supportive house slippers when you’re at home. Refer to the information presented here to choose the best slippers for plantar fasciitis.
