I’m a sports medicine doctor living in sunny Florida, so you can be sure I get a lot of questions about like “is it ok if I wear flip-flops with plantar fasciitis?”
The right pair can be! The cheap flip-flops you buy at the store are not going to help your PF. If you find a pair of flip-flops with appropriate support and cushioning, they can help reduce PF pain. Here’s my list of the best sandals for plantar fasciitis.
Like lots of my patients, I’m on my feet all day, and so I also suffer from heel pain. With plantar fasciitis, your plantar fascia, the tissue that runs along the bottom of your feet, becomes inflamed. This is usually due to overuse: standing, walking, running. Overuse leads to foot pain.
Wearing the right shoes can help reduce plantar fasciitis pain. And a pair of comfortable sandals can make your feet feel much better!
I created this website as a resource for my patients. At the office, I’m always going on Amazon to recommend products. I thought it’d be much more convenient if I could send my patients to one place!
Unisex Sandals
Here is my list of the best sandals for plantar fasciitis that can be worn by men or women. All of these sandals have a pretty gender-neutral appearance.
Birkenstock Arizona Unisex Leather Sandal
These Birkenstocks are a bit on the pricier side, but they’re a popular choice for people suffering from PF pain.
Key Features
- Leather and suede upper with a synthetic sole
- Birkenstock footbed molds to foot
- Cushioned footbed provides support, a deep heel cup, and a spacious toe box
- EVA outsole for shock absorption
What People Love
- Solid arch support
- Wide straps distribute weight evenly
- Comfortable upper and footbed
- Easy to slip on and off
What People Hate
- Arch support was too much for some people
- Footbed too narrow for some wearers
- Sizing can be tricky, and the shoes stretch after wear
- Caused blisters and irritation for some wearers
Recommended For
- High arches
- Narrow feet
Not Recommended For
- Wide feet
- People who don’t like strong arch support
OOFOS Unisex Ooahh Slide Sandal
This slide sandal is another very popular choice for both men and women. They are easy to clean and are a relatively inexpensive option for wearing around the house.
Key Features
- Made from 100% synthetic materials
- Shock absorbing design with OOfoam Recovery Technology
- Footbed is designed to cradle arches and reduce stress
- Biomechanical design encourages natural motion
- Machine washable
What People Love
- Great cushioning for PF and heel spurs
- Excellent arch support
- Takes the pressure off the balls of the feet
- Helped a lot of people get relief from PF
What People Hate
- Not very stylish and look very much like a “comfort shoe”
- Sometimes make squeaky sounds when walked in
- They don’t always work well with socks
- The arch support can be uncomfortable for some people
Recommended For
- High arches
- Flat feet
Not Recommended For
- All-day wear
- People requiring additional stability/ankle support
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This simple, unisex slide comes in two neutral color options. A moderately priced option that could be good for wearing around the house.
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What People Love
- The waterproof material is easy to clean
- Good choice for PF and heel spurs
- Arch support is very strong
- Easy to slip on and off
What People Hate
- Arch support is too aggressive for some wearers
- Materials are stiff/inflexible and can take a while to break in
- Footbed too wide for many with narrow feet
- Clunky
Recommended For
- Wide feet
- High arches
Not Recommended For
- Narrow feet
- Long walks
Footminders BALTRA Unisex Orthotic Arch Support Sandals
These unisex flip-flops are available in black or brown. They’re on the lower end of the price range and specifically designed to provide arch support.
Key Features
- Compression-molded EVA midsole for arch support and shock absorption
- Made from EVA with a rubber outsole
- Deep heel cups encourage stability
- Anatomically molded design supports the feet
What People Love
- Comprehensive arch support
- Plenty of toe space
- Easy to clean
- Thick soles absorb impact
- Design helps keep feet and ankles properly aligned
What People Hate
- Arches too high for some wearers
- The sandals wore out too quickly for some people
- The toe post did not align with some people’s toes
- Too stiff with not enough cushioning for some
Recommended For
- High arches
- Wide feet
Not Recommended For
- Narrow feet
- Low arches
Best Women’s Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
A good sandal for women should have appropriate arch support and cushioning. I’ve included a couple of dressier options which can be worn outside of the house.
Vionic Women’s Tide II Toe Post Sandal
This basic flip-flop comes in many colors. These come very highly recommend among plantar fasciitis sufferers.
Key Features
- Made from 100% leather with a nylon upper
- EVA midsole adds comfort
- TPR outsole provides durability
- Orthaheel technology for pain reduction
- Orthotic footbed with deep heel cup to help alignment
What People Love
- Comfortable and supportive enough for all-day wear
- Arch support is substantial
- Contoured footbed melds well to many people’s feet
- They help correct overpronation
- Good quality and lasted a very long time for many wearers
What People Hate
- Support is too much for some
- Caused blisters and irritation for some wearers
- The sole is stiff and inflexible
- Some people complained of the shoe material’s smell
Recommended For
- High arches
- Overpronation
Not Recommended For
- Flat feet
- Sensitive feet
Taos Women’s Trulie Wedge Sandal
This attractive wedge sandal is available in many colors and is a good choice for dressier occasions. It’s on the pricier side, but it comes very highly recommended by many wearers.
Key Features
- 100% leather and synthetic materials with a synthetic sole
- 1.5-inch heel and a half-inch platform
- Soft suede footbed lining and padded cork footbed for comfort
- Straps can be adjusted for a better fit
What People Love
- Really good arch support
- Comfortable enough for all-day wear
- Doesn’t look like a “comfort” shoe
- Good quality and many customers have bought multiple pairs in different colors
What People Hate
- The straps rubbed on some people and caused blisters on the toes
- Support didn’t hit in the right place for some
- Sandals too stiff and clunky for some
- Not enough tread to be worn on slippery surfaces
Recommended For
- High arches
- Narrow feet
Not Recommended For
- Wide feet
- Walking on slippery surfaces
Dansko Women’s Sophie Sandal
Another stylish and highly recommended choice. These shoes are available in five colors and are on the higher end of the price range.
Key Features
- 100% leather upper with a synthetic sole
- 2.25-inch heel and 1.25-inch platform
- Padded footbed for optimal comfort
- Adjustable straps for a better fit
- Slide-design for easy-on, easy-off wear
What People Love
- Raised support is very good
- Not too clunky
- Good stability
- Nice alternative to high-heeled shoes
- Well-cushioned footbed and soft straps
What People Hate
- Sizing can be tricky
- Heel too high for some people to wear in daily settings
- Not enough arch support for those with very high arches
- Straps caused toe blisters for some wearers
Recommended For
- Flat feet or low arches
- Narrow feet
Not Recommended For
- Wide feet
- Very high arches
Best Men’s Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
A good pair of men’s sandals should be durable and provide appropriate arch and heel support. I’ve included a few pairs of nicer looking sandals that you can feel confident wearing outside of the house.
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These midrange flip flop sandals are lightweight and have a classic low-key look.
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What People Love
- Significant support for your arches
- Comfortable for overweight wearers and those with knee issues
- Great for wearing around the house and on hard surfaces
- Helped alleviate PF pain and heel pain in many wearers
- Adjustable design fits many kinds of feet (wide and narrow)
What People Hate
- Strap causes irritation for some
- Arch support can take some getting used to
- The toe posts rub between the toes for some wearers
- Sizing can be tricky
Recommended For
- High arches
- Wide & narrow feet
- People with knee issues
Not Recommended For
- Sensitive feet
- Flat feet
SOLE Men’s Sport Flip-Flop
These sporty flip-flops are available in red or black. They’re on the pricier side, but many people recommend them for PF pain.
Key Features
- Synthetic with a rubber sole
- Wide straps
- Contoured footbed
- Grooved outsole for traction
What People Love
- Good for knee pain and PF pain
- Cupped heel bed keeps the heel in place
- Comfortable straight out of the box for many
- Nice support
What People Hate
- The straps irritated some wearers
- Straps too tight and inflexible for many wearers
- For some people, these shoes were too stiff and uncomfortable
- Footbed is relatively narrow
Recommended For
- Flat feet
- Narrow feet
Not Recommended For
- Wide feet
- Those wanting extra cushioning
Olukai Men’s Ohana
A very good-looking sandal. These can run on the pricier side, depending on the size and color. However, they come very highly recommend among PF sufferers.
Key Features
- Synthetic upper with rubber sole
- Non-marking outsole encourages grip/traction
- EVA midsole with ICEVA drop-in footbed
- Water-friendly, with quick-drying materials
What People Love
- Soles mold to feet over time
- They break in very quickly
- Soft and comfortable footbed
- Full arch support
- Good tread on the bottom
- Many people own multiple pairs; many repeat buyers
What People Hate
- Footpad gets slippery when wet
- Some durability issues
- Arch support too high for some
- Material caused sweaty feet for some wearers
- Design too wide for some people with very narrow feet
Recommended For
- High arches
- All-day wear
Not Recommended For
- Flat feet
- Narrow feet
Need Plantar Fasciitis Sandals?
When you’re fighting PF, barefoot walking is a big no-no! I always tell my clients they should wear shoes at all times, even around the house.
Sandals are a great anytime footwear option! They’re also excellent for summertime and year-round in warmer clients.
Benefits of Wearing Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
When you’re barefoot, your feet receive zero support. Sandals can provide support and cushioning and help you walk more comfortably.
Sandals are often more supportive than slippers for wearing around the house. They’re also more breathable and easy to take on and off.
Of course, shoes alone won’t fix everything. For more PF tips, check out my list of home remedies here.
Downsides of Wearing Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
Sandals won’t provide the same level of support and stability as athletic shoes, especially through the ankle. If you want more support, check out my recommendations for plantar fasciitis running shoes. I also have a list of the best overall shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Some people experience irritation or discomfort when first wearing sandals. With flip-flops the toe post can rub uncomfortably between the toes. If you have sensitive feet, you might look for a slide sandal.
How to Choose A Good Pair of Orthotic Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis
There are lots of factors to consider when looking for a pair of sandals:
Comfort
Always the number-one consideration. Some shoes do have a break-in period. However, if you give it time and a shoe still doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right!
Arch Support
A good shoe should support your feet, and especially your arches. If you have a high arch, look for something sturdier. If you have a lower arch, look for something slightly less intense.
Heel Support
Deep heel cupping will help ease heel pain. It’ll also keep your foot in place.
Sizing
It’s important that you always check the manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure you get the best fit.
Popular Sandal Brands
- Birkenstock
- Vionic
- OOFOS
- Footminders
- Taos
- Dansko
- SOLE
- Olukai
Choose The Best Sandal For You
Finding exactly the right pair of sandals can be a challenge. If you’re still uncertain, I’d say that my top unisex pick is the Birkenstock Arizona. Yes, they’re a little pricey, but they offer great arch support and they’re comfortable to walk around in.
My top women’s pick is the Vionic Women’s Tide II. Vionic sandals aren’t the most stylish shoes, but they’re functional. The support is excellent and they’re comfortable and supportive enough for all-day wear.
My top men’s pick is the Olukai Men’s Ohana. This is a very popular choice among men suffering from PF. They feature good support, they break in quickly, and they have a good tread.
I hope this list has helped you find the perfect pair of sandals!
