To heal from plantar fasciitis, you need flip-flops with excellent cushioning and maximum arch support. Many cheap flip-flops have caused more harm to people’s feet than protecting them. They are flat and lack appropriate support to hold the plantar fascia of their feet.
You wouldn’t want to identify yourself with such a story, would you? So we have researched and found these 12 flip-flops for plantar fasciitis. They are from reliable brands and are recommended by podiatrists for foot pain such as this under review.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation led by the stretching or tears of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.
Plantar fasciitis feels like a stabbing pain under your foot, right at the heel, especially when you stand up from bed in the morning or during a long resting period.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
It is not sure the cause of plantar fasciitis, but these factors are suspected to lead to the foot ailment, such as;
- The long period of jogging, running, or walking for a long distance.
- Poor foot mechanics such as flat feet or fallen arches and high arch
- Diabetes
Mayo Clinic has more details on the causes of Plantar fasciitis.
Should I Wear Flip-Flops for Plantar Fasciitis?
Yes, you can wear flip-flops if you have plantar fasciitis, but you must be careful about the ones you wear. Some flip-flops are flat and lack arch support. As such, they do not offer adequate cushioning to your feet and further strain your plantar fascia.
What to Watch in Flip-Flops for Plantar Fasciitis
A suitable flip-flop for plantar fasciitis must have the following features:
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Optimal arch support
Arch support is the crucial feature of a flip-flop for plantar fasciitis. Without sufficient arch support on your feet, your plantar fascia is exposed to the risk of stretching, leading to pain at the heel.
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Contoured footbed
A contoured footbed is an essential feature to boost your foot’s health. It conforms to the shape of your foot and evenly distributes weight across it.
Maximum cushioned insole: This feature makes provision for a soft and rebounds effect on your feet. Flip-flop without enough foam at the insole causes discomfort and imbalance on your foot.
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Deep heel cup
This feature helps stabilize your foot by aligning your feet with the knee, ankle, and hips. It maintains a correct foot position while protecting your heel during heavy impact of landing.
1. Oofos OOriginal Sandal
The Oofos Ooriginal sandal tops this list of the best flip-flops for plantar fasciitis. It is made with a material called Oofoam and it feels like rubber and foam at the same time.
Meanwhile, the Oofoam footbed raises your foot’s arch and distributes weight across your foot. It has a deep heel cup and a foot contour on the footbed, which makes it perfect for plantar fasciitis. Its arch support is above average and has enough room for your toes.
The flip-flop is well-cushioned with sufficient foam that makes you feel like you are walking on a soft pillow.
Why we like it
- It helps to reduce stress on sore feet, ankles, knees, and lower back
- It is machine washable
- It protects your feet by absorbing impact from the ground
- It has a deep-treaded outsole for non-slip traction on your feet
- The footbed provides arch support and incredible comfort to your feet
- It is unisex and found in different colors
Happy User: “I had suffered from plantar fasciitis, but wearing these Oofos made it go away. If you’ve ever had to deal with plantar fasciitis, you know how painful this can be in your heel. No more! Also, wearing these flip-flops to the beach is great as they clean up easily.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $6 – $220
Related Post: 4 Best Oofos for Plantar Fasciitis
2. Birkenstock Gizeh Thong
The Birkenstock Gizeh Thong is an ideal flip-flop for plantar fasciitis. The cork and latex footbed features a foot contour that evenly distributes weight across your foot and provides optimal support to your feet.
It also features a Birko-flor upper with an adjustable strap for your suitable fit. It also features a shock-absorbing EVA sole and a deep grooved outsole, which creates strong traction on any terrain texture. This flip-flop makes a good fashion statement while encompassing your feet with maximum comfort.
Why we like it
- Extremely comfortable and supportive
- It is durable and features a sturdy sole
- It helps absorb impact from the ground
Happy User: “This particular thong sandal is the best! They are cute and comfortable. I have plantar fasciitis, and these give me the arch support I need. I love how they mold to my feet. They become the perfect fit in a short period.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $90 – $140
Read Also: Birkenstock Regular Footbed vs Soft Footbed: Differences and Comparison
3. Vionic Tide II Sandal
This is a supportive women’s Vionic sandal with a podiatrist-designed footbed that offers maximum comfort and helps relieve your foot from plantar fasciitis and other associated foot pain.
The innovative biomechanics of three-zone comfort provides sufficient stability, maximum cushioning at the forefoot, and incredible arch support. The footbed hugs your foot to its natural contour providing support and natural foot alignment.
However, this Vionic sandal doesn’t come in a narrow fit but in medium and wide.
Why we like it
- It comes with a three-zone comfort delivering stability and support in all parts of the foot.
- It is simple and classy, better to wear indoors.
- It alleviates plantar fasciitis and is suitable for people with fallen arches, high arch, lower back pain, heel spurs, and bunions.
- It is very affordable.
Happy User: “I have extreme plantar heel/medial arch pain due to being on my feet all day in the healthcare field for eight years. These sandals let my feet get some air. I can dress them up if I want to and break in super quickly. My posterior tibia tendonitis has significantly improved. They are worth every penny and are highly recommended by podiatrists.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $52 – $96
Related: Oofos vs Vionic: Which is Better?
4. Vionic Lucia Flip-Flop
You don’t only get maximum comfort and arch support from this flip-flop, but a fashionable look with the rhinestones featured on the strap.
Vionic Lucia features a microfiber-covered footbed and a flexible EVA midsole that helps to absorb shock and reduce stress on your feet, ankle, and knee. The vio-motion support also features three-zone comfort with excellent arch support for healthy feet.
Its durability is with the deep-treaded rubber outsole, which also ensures a steady step on any terrain.
Why we like it
- It has a contoured footbed with a deep heel cup, which enhances comfort and maximum support on your feet.
- It has a roomy toe box to accommodate your toes.
- It creates an impressive look on your feet as it is stylish.
- It is fairly priced
Happy User: “Of the arch support sandals I’ve tried, Vionic Lucia is my go-to flip-flop. They are the best for my plantar fasciitis. When I saw this color (aqua snake) was half the price of the colors, I just had to snatch them up! I’ve already received several compliments.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $60 – $130
5. Crocs Capri V Flip-Flop
The Capri V is a Crocs flip-flop with an elevated heel, deep heel cup, and contoured footbed to create enough room for comfort and relieve you of plantar fasciitis. It features Croslite foam, which promotes support and maximum cushioning to your feet.
It is very flexible and lightweight and embraces your feet to comfort while keeping you stable on slippery terrain. It cushions every step and still gives a stylish vibe on your feet.
Why we like it
- Its cushioning is epic, and its comfort is magnificent
- It keeps you right on track while supporting your arch and evenly distributing weight across your feet
- It features massage dots at the footbed to help in the circulation of blood on your feet
- It is flexible and offers a soft feel on your feet
Happy User: “So it’s been about a year since I originally bought them, and I have not had plantar fasciitis for a long time. I honestly can’t tell you when it went away because I was just busy living my life and being able to walk without pain.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $31 -$78
Related: Best 8 Crocs for Plantar Fasciitis
6. Gravity Defyer Mary Sandals
The Mary sandals are nothing but perfect sandals for plantar fasciitis. It features a patented VersoShock technology which consists of a deep heel cup, wide toe area, water-resistant leather upper, and an ultra-soft footbed.
This feature delivers comfort and supports all around your foot. The ultra-soft footbed features a foot contour that cradles your feet to comfort and arch support. It has a water-friendly lining with padded foam to enhance maximum comfort on your feet.
The sandals ensure stability and balance with the deep heel cup on the footbed. It also creates enough room for your toes as it has a wide toe area for your comfort.
Why we like it
- It is water-resistant and easy to clean.
- It provides enough protection and absorbs shock from the ground with its patented VersoShock technology.
- It provides maximum stability, comfort, and support to your feet
- It is very affordable
Happy User: “These sandals are so supportive. I will never wear another pair of flip-flops. They help correct plantar fasciitis, and even though they take some time to get used to, I feel better all over after wearing them.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $40
Read Also: Are Sanuk Shoes Good for Plantar Fasciitis?
7. Megnya Orthotic Flip-Flops
Here is another stylish flip-flop with orthotic features. It has high arch support design functions to create a good balance on your feet. The deep heel cup establishes stability and protection against the heavy impact on your feet.
It features a well-cushioned and flexible midsole that makes you feel comfortable and light on your feet. It also features an ergonomic and biomechanical footbed.
The contoured footbed makes it more convenient for people with plantar fasciitis or poor foot mechanics. It has stylish leather straps lined with cushion-soft material to enhance comfort and support.
Why we like it
- It is versatile as it is stylish and suitable for any outdoor event, such as hiking, walking on beaches, pool parties, or summer boating trips.
- It has a U-shaped hollow outsole, which creates a strong traction impact on any terrain.
- It is perfect for those with plantar fasciitis, flat feet, low back pain, ball foot pain, and knee pain.
- It is not expensive
Happy User: “I love these sandals. My plantar fasciitis has been acting up, and the discomfort is 100% relieved as long as I wear these sandals. They are super cute and fashionable, with lots of cushioning and arch support. Another brilliant feature is the lining that touches your foot.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $30 – $40
8. Skechers On-The-Go 600 Flip-Flops
Skechers does not go wrong in making comfortable footwear for plantar fasciitis. It features a lightweight and responsive 5Gen cushioning midsole that makes you feel like you are walking on air.
The Skechers Goga mat footbed offers super energy on every step while supporting the arch of your foot. The deep heel cup creates alignment while ensuring a good posture on your foot. It features a knit upper bringing an incredibly soft feeling to your feet.
Why we like it
- It is lightweight and offers enough cushioning with the 5Gen midsole
- It delivers durability and stability with the rugged rubber outsole
- It is suitable for those with plantar fasciitis and other foot problems
Happy User: “I have been with plantar fasciitis-related pain for several months. I tried several shoe inserts, but none gave me any relief. I bought these on the recommendation of a friend. This flip-flop is the only footwear that is helping with the pain in my feet.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $25 – $95
Related: 12 Best Skechers for Plantar Fasciitis
9. Aerothotic Thong Flip-Flop
With the orthotic comfort thong style flip-flop, maximum arch support is undoubtedly guaranteed. It features an orthopedic insole that helps to relieve back and heel pain. It alleviates plantar fasciitis and other foot problems from your feet by raising the arch of your foot.
It is highly cushioned and features a strap upper lined with cushion-soft material for a gentle and soft feel on your feet. The flip-flop makes walking easy on any surface with the U-shaped hollow outsole that holds your foot firmly on the ground.
Why we like it
- It is true to size
- It is water-resistant, making it better for beach or pool time
- It offers excellent arch support to your feet
- It is very affordable that you can get two flip-flops at once
Happy User: “Good fit and quite comfortable. Since going barefoot is a big no-no, I needed something to wear around the house. These flip-flops fit the bill wonderfully. I am still in disbelief how this type of footwear can decrease the pain/discomfort to something tolerable. Highly recommend it for those with plantar fasciitis.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $34 – $53
10. Olukai Ulele Sandal
The Olukai Ulele is the perfect footwear to slip on your feet to comfort and experience no pain at the heel. It features a non-slip EVA footbed and compression EVA midsole to establish comfort and balance in your feet.
The footbed is anatomically contoured and has a deep heel cup for optimal arch support on your feet. It also features a synthetic leather upper strap with the Olukai logo and laser-cutout details for a stylish look. The upper is lined with microfiber for a soft and gentle feel on your feet.
Why we like it
- It is lightweight and provides sufficient comfort to the feet
- It is water-resistant and quick to dry
- It is durable and boosts your confidence in walking on slippery terrain as it features a firm grip outsole.
- It is suitable for those with plantar fasciitis and other associated foot problem.
- It has extreme soft heel cushioning for your feet
Happy User: “I’ve been recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and the process of wiggling my foot into the sandal and the very comfortable soft heel-cushioning make this flip-flop an instant favorite. I believe that my walking motion with the sandals flexes my toes to propel myself forward in a fashion that is not gotten when wearing a stiff-soled boot.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $70 – $140
Read Also: 10 Best Women’s Office Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
11. Olukai Ohana Sandals
Olukai Ohana is the ultimate beach sandals that also ensure maximum arch support to your feet. It features a smooth drop-in ICEVA footbed with an anatomical fit to maintain healthy feet by cushioning every step you take.
The compression-molded EVA midsole enhances comfort and maximum cushioning to your feet. You don’t have to worry about your traction on wet surfaces as it features a non-marking rubber outsole with a unique coral reef lug design.
It is stylish, durable, and water-resistant as it features the synthetic straps upper featuring an ultra-soft, quick-drying jersey knit lining.
Why we like it
- It offers comfort with the soft nylon toe post and the EVA midsole.
- It alleviates plantar fasciitis with the anatomically shaped footbed while creating enough balance on your feet.
- It is stylish and durable. A perfect pair for a beach time
- It is true to size
Happy User: “I have had arch problems (plantar fasciitis), and these are the most supportive and comfortable flip-flops ever. They fit like a glove. The soles are a tad bit worn, but five years? The material is water-resistant, so you can wear them to the beach, pool, or washing the car.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $65 – $101
12. Birkenstock EVA Flip-Flop
With Birkenstock EVA flip-flop, your days of struggling with foot pain may be a story of the past. It massages your feet while creating alignment and evenly distributing weight across your feet.
The anatomically contoured cork and latex footbed supports your foot arch and encourages stability on your feet. The rigid outsole makes walking on the slippery ground easier as it creates enough traction on your feet. The upper is synthetic leather straps with buckles for adjusting the fit.
Why we like it
- It is stylish and versatile.
- It is suitable for plantar fasciitis and other foot pains.
- It is lightweight and easy to clean.
Happy User: “I have plantar fasciitis that makes it hard to wear anything other than trainers for a long period. But this Birk sandal is ridiculously comfortable. I took this Birk everywhere, and it is perfect for travel. It is light, easy to clean, and casually stylish.”
Price on Amazon: Approx. $43 – $109
Related: Birkenstock EVA Review: Pros & Cons
Takeaway…
If the goal is to help you find the right flip-flop which you can wear around the house and outside to help alleviate the pains of plantar fasciitis, then you might want to check out the above recommendations.
Thousands of users say something similar and your story would probably not be a different one.
