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When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Whenever I see someone wearing flat flip-flops, I have to hold myself back from walking right over and explaining how choosing footwear with such a lack of support could come to haunt them. My own experience in years of non-supportive footwear lead to 18 months of a seriously painful condition called Plantar Fasciitis (PF). I'm still preventatively managing mine years later. Plantar Fasciitis happens when your plantar fascia, the ligament that runs from your toes to your heel, tightens. Every step then causes the important ligament to tear a small amount, more and more, which leads to moderate to severe pain. This pain has come to be the bane of my existence. Kenneth Cornell, DPM, podiatrist at Austin Regional Clinic in Texas says this condition is the single most common reason he sees people with heel and arch pain. He adds, "One of the biggest culprits of plantar fasciitis is shoes with not enough support for your arch or heel." You know what that means? It's time to go shoe shopping. Pro tip: I've learned that in addition to finding the best shoes for heel pain, three other things were key to helping me manage the condition: stretching, a few essential medical do-dads and knick-knacks, and a great doctor. Best running shoes for plantar fasciitis: Brooks Glycerin GTS 19, $150 on Brooks Best sneakers for plantar fasciitis: Dansko Pace, $140 on REI Best sandals for plantar fasciitis: Vionic Tide II Toe Post Sandal, $75 on Vionic Shoes Best house shoe for plantar fasciitis: HOKA Recovery Slide, $50 on Hoka Best dress shoe for plantar fasciitis: Naot Oz/5041, $170 on Naot Best winter boot for plantar fasciitis: Dansko Bessie Taupe Burnished Nubuck, $190 on Amazon Best shoes for plantar fasciitis for men: Ecco Soft 7 Men's Street Sneaker, $79 on Amazon
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