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10 Best Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis

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

Best Unisex Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis

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.

Birkenstock

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.

OOFOS OOahh Slide - Lightweight Recovery Footwear - Reduces Stress on Feet, Joints & Back - Machine Washable

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

Vionic Kiwi Slide Sandal

This simple, unisex slide comes in two neutral color options. A moderately priced option that could be good for wearing around the house.

Vionic Unisex Kiwi Slide Sandal

Key Features

  • Padded upper for comfort
  • Hook-and-loop closure for an adjustable fit
  • TPR outsole for durability
  • The wave-patterned tread provides traction
  • Orthaheel Technology gives arch support

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.

Footminders BALTRA Unisex Orthotic Arch Support Sandals (Pair) - Relieve Foot Pain Due to Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis

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

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.

Vionic Women's Tide II Toe Post Sandal - Supportive Ladies Flip Flops That Include Three-Zone Comfort with Orthotic Insole Arch Support

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.

Taos Women's Trulie Limited Edition Sandal

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.

Dansko Women's Sophie Sandals

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

Best Mens 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.

Vionic with Orthaheel Technology Men’s Ryder Thong Sandals

These midrange flip flop sandals are lightweight and have a classic low-key look.

Orthaheel Men's Ryder Thong Sandal

Key Features

  • Synthetic materials with a rubber sole
  • Lightweight EVA midsole for shock absorption
  • TPR outsole for durability
  • Wave-patterned tread for traction

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.

SOLE Men's Sport Flip-Flop

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.

OluKai Ohana Men's Beach Sandals, Quick-Dry Flip-Flop Slides, Water Resistant & Lightweight, Compression Molded Footbed & Ultra-Soft Comfort Fit

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!

Photo of author

Dr. Kristina DeMatas

Dr. DeMatas practices holistic, evidence-based family medicine that focuses on treating injuries and transforming lives through prevention, rehabilitation, and diet. She is a licensed, practicing Physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Read bio.

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