Plantar fasciitis is among the most annoying conditions. Feeling that sharp pinch every single morning can discourage you from carrying out your daily activities. So, seems fitting to start your day with slippers for plantar fasciitis specifically.
Luckily, we currently have access to a lot of corrective orthotics that instantly relieve pain. But people tend to focus on shoes and completely forget about the equally-important slippers.
That’s why I’m reviewing the best slippers for plantar fasciitis. I tried to vary my picks to fit most of your needs. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best foot massagers for plantar fasciitis and pick your favorite.
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The Best Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis
In each of the following reviews, I’ll dive deep in each pair to discuss performance, features, and possible shortcomings.
Crocs Men’s and Women’s LiteRide Clog – Best Overall
The medical staff wears them for a reason! Crocs slippers are well known for being super comfy, especially for people who stand for long periods.
Although they’re not lined by fabric, these slippers still feel amazingly soft. You still have put on socks to avoid building up a bad odor, though.
It’s worth noting that the arch support in a Crocs pair is arguably the least you can find. It’s quite expectable since they’re not exclusively meant for people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Still, there’s no right height for arch support. This depends on your unique anatomy. You might actually end up feeling comfortable with this pair more than anything else.
Pros
- High-end, durable materials
- Affordable
- Offers unmatched breathability through their small holes
- Lots of fun colors
Cons
- Their arch support might be too short for some people
Spenco Men’s Supreme Slipper – Runner-Up
This is another pair that looks good enough to be worn outdoors. Spenco equipped these slippers with a compression-molded EVA sole. This technology guarantees a firm yet comfortable arch support to relieve your pain.
To provide even more support, the heel area is designed with deep cupping. This way, your heals will sink a bit more than the rest of your feet, which will indirectly support your arches.
Wearing these slippers can’t be any more convenient thanks to their antimicrobial lining. You won’t have to put on socks to avoid bad odor.
On the downside, several customers complained about the premature tearing of these slippers after a couple of months. The fact that they don’t have a warranty does make things worse.
Pros
- Antimicrobial lining
- Firm EVA soles
- Deep heel cupping
- 3 Colors
Cons
- Inconsistent quality, they might tear in a few months
- Slightly expensive
Walk Hero Men’s Slippers with Arch Support – Best for Men
Although my top pick can fit men, some people might not be comfortable with the wool lining extending outward. If this applies to you, you should like these slippers from Walk Hero.
Their upper is made from a casual, sturdy canvas with a bunch of fray details. This makes them look exactly like regular slip-on shoes.
On the inside, your feet will comfortably rest on the built-in suede inserts. These are equipped with a high, firm arch to alleviate your symptoms.
The rest of the lining is made from velvet. Don’t worry, though. This doesn’t mean that your feet will flood in stinky sweat thanks to its moisture-wicking ability.
Pros
- Velvet lining
- Fairly-priced
- Fashionable design
- 12 Style Options
Cons
- Might feel a bit hard for some people
Vionic Women’s Indulge Slippers – Best for Women
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t have to mean ugly orthotics! You can pamper yourself and relieve your pain at the same time by opting for these slippers.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything better than having your feet hugged all-around by thick faux fur. Don’t let the appearance fool you, though. Underneath this lining, you’ll find the typical arch support and heel cup seen in other models.
I like how Vionic chose to make the footbed antimicrobial and odor-resistant. This way, you can enjoy how the fabric feels on your feet without having to wear socks.
Pros
- Premium faux fur lining
- Firm arch support
- Resistant to sweat and odor
- 2 Color options
Cons
- Can’t be worn outdoors.
Haflinger Unisex AT Wool Slippers – Best Hard-Sole
Haflinger is well known for having frim high arches that instantly relieve plantar fasciitis pain. The secret behind this lies in the footbed material.
They use a combination of latex and cork. The first provides flexibility while the other gives firmness. Most of the other slippers suffice with latex or rubber, which produces too squishy slippers.
If you live in a northern state, you’ll definitely love the design of these slippers. Haflinger chose a thick wool fabric for the whole lining. However, your feet will most likely swim in sweat in the summertime.
Pros
- Firm high arch
- Fairly-priced
- The upper is built with thick wool
- 10 Color Options
Cons
- The wool lining might not be good for summer
Everhealth Orthotic Men’s Sandals Flip Flops – Best for Beach
Lined slippers are great for everyday use. But on a beach, they’ll be a nightmare! In your next holiday, consider having this pair on you.
Having a brief look at these slippers from the side will tell you everything that you should know. Everhealth incorporated a notably high arch in the midsole.
And don’t worry, your feet won’t flatten it like other flip flops. This is possible thanks to their high-end EVA construction.
On the downside, the arch support is placed closer to the heel when compared to other slippers. This might cause discomfort for some people, especially those with small feet.
Pros
- Fits holiday use
- Durable EVA midsole
- Affordable
- 2 Color Options
Cons
- The arch support isn’t properly placed
Byriver Unisex Acupressure Foot Massager Slippers – Best for Active Treatment
Although regular slippers with arch support will relieve pain, it takes time for plantar fasciitis to fully resolve. If you want to speed things up, you can try these massage slippers from Byriver.
Instead of the arch support, these slippers feature a bunch of massage buttons. When you step on them, they slightly rotate under your feet to deliver deep massages to the sore and tense tissues.
However, it actually hurts to wear them at first. Byriver suggests beginning with short sessions while wearing socks to alleviate this pain.
Pros
- Therapeutic slippers
- The massage buttons rotate for deeper action
- Economical
- 3 Color Options
Cons
- Can hurt your feet when worn for the first time
Gone For a Run Original Unisex Slippers – Another Therapeutic Option
If you couldn’t handle the initial pain of Byriver slippers, don’t ditch the therapeutic concept just yet. These slippers act in a similar way but with far less pronounced massage heads.
These small projections are directly connected to the insole material. This makes them more durable than the detachable Byriver design.
I wish they were a bit firmer, though. Your feet will mostly sink inside these slippers, which might be uncomfortable for some people.
Pros
- Built-in massage heads
- Durable design
- Fairly-priced
- 4 Color Options
Cons
- They’re a bit squishy
Orthofeet Asheville Men’s Leather Slippers – Best Design
Orthofeet is among the best brands that make footwear with special feet conditions in mind. They actually have a bunch of medical advisors to supervise the designs and manufacturing.
When you step inside these slippers, your feet will indulge in the super comfy wool-like fleece lining. To relieve your pain, these slippers have the Ortholite anatomical insoles that give proper arch support. They’re also equipped with multiple cushioning layers to cushion your strides.
Best of all, you get to test these slippers for 60 days! If they don’t relieve your symptoms, you can return them for a full refund.
Pros
- Comfy fleece lining
- Anatomical arch support
- Can be used outdoors
- 2 Color Options
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Vionic Women’s Thong Slippers – Best Lined Thong Slippers
Some people prefer the open freedom of thong slippers but hate the accompanying rubbery feel. If this sounds familiar, you’ll most likely love these slippers.
They bring the best of both worlds. Vionic designed them with toe posts, just like any other thong slippers. But it also lined them with a luxurious fabric on which your feet would comfortably relax.
On the downside, they might be a little heavy to wear around the house. The concept of thongs can only support light rubber. But with the fabric and firm midsole, you’ll feel like you’re dragging these slippers rather than seamlessly walking.
Pros
- High-quality fabric lining
- Firm arch support
- The open design fits warm weather.
- 8 Color Options
Cons
- Might feel a bit heavy for some people
- Somewhat expensive
Oofos Post Exercise Slippers – Best Slides
If slide slippers make you comfortable, this pair should be your best bet. Oofos designed these slippers specifically to comfort feet after a tiring workout. This should give you an idea about how cozy they feel.
Oofos estimates that their patented foam absorbs around 37% more forces than other options.
Best of all, these slippers are machine washable. You don’t have to wear them with socks to minimize the odor.
Pros
- Contemporary design
- Affordable
- Machine-washable
- 13 Color Options
Cons
- The material is a bit flimsy
A Bit About Plantar Fasciitis
Shopping would definitely be easier if you understand your condition. You’ll be able to search for features based on the needs of your feet.
The plantar fascia is a collection of ligaments that connect your heel to your toes. In normal conditions, it should look like a bowstring, causing your feet to have a slightly raised arch in the middle.
The presence of this space allows your toes to slightly move with every stride. This acts as a natural cushioning system to prevent forces from reaching your knees.
Like any other part in your body, this facia has limits. When you overwork it, ligaments will start to tear on a microscopic level.
Your body should be able to repair those tears on its own if you get proper rest. If this doesn’t happen, tears would accumulate by time and cause a bigger problem.
What to Consider Before Purchasing Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis
The footwear market is huge. Not all of the good-looking and fairly-priced slippers are suitable for plantar fasciitis. So, to avoid wasting your money, here are the most important factors you should find in slippers before purchasing them.
Proper Arch Support
When stress builds up in your fascia, it wouldn’t be able to support your feet the way it should. The simplest solution to this problem is to provide external support. That’s why looking for arch support is an absolute priority when choosing slippers.
The right amount of arch support would instantly relieve the pain because your fascia doesn’t need to be pressed any more.
But it’s not only about today’s pain, though. As I established earlier, your body should be able to repair itself if provided with sufficient rest. And since arch support rests your fascia to some extent, it might be the easiest way to permanently treat your condition.
Sadly, we can’t agree on one standardized amount of arch support to fit everyone. This differs according to your anatomy. So, if a pair doesn’t work, try another one. If nothing seems to work, you might need to visit a podiatrist for custom-made inserts that perfectly fit your feet.
Slippers Shouldn’t Be Too Soft or Too Firm
Some people think that the more squishy the slippers are, the more comfortable they’ll get. But in fact, the opposite is true.
As I said earlier, your fascia permits movement between your toes and heel to absorb forces. Stepping on highly-compressible soles puts it to work. If it’s already torn, the damage would be amplified.
Too firm soles aren’t suitable either. These would pinch on your inflamed tissue, causing unbearable pain.
The perfect soles should have intermediate compressibility. You should feel comfortable, but without your feet sinking in the cushioning materials.
Comfortable Lining
For optimal results, slippers should be worn at all times inside your house. Grabbing a drink barefoot might look harmless, but it’ll break the rest cycle I mentioned before.
If you opt for rubber-lined slippers, your feet will get stinky in no time. You can correct this by wearing socks, but this might not be always preferred by some people.
That said, it’s better to pick slippers with fabric lining. They’ll pick up your sweat before it builds a bad odor. Some models may accept machine washing, which is even more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace my plantar fasciitis slippers?
There’s no single timeline that fits all products. This depends on the durability and quality of the used materials. But as a general estimate, you should replace your pair every year at most.
However, you’ll have to be attentive and observant of failure signs. Failed slippers will abruptly cause a pain relapse, even if you’ve been better for a while.
If your slippers started to tear, replace them instantly, even if the torn area was away from where your feet stand. If the material was ripped in any part, the rest will follow soon.
Can I machine wash my plantar fasciitis slippers?
Again, I can’t give a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s always preferred to check the manufacturer’s website to avoid permanent damage.
Should plantar fasciitis slippers be tight or loose?
The perfect slippers should be tight enough to maintain close contact with the arch support. However, it should also have a bit of a room to keep your feet comfortable at all times.
The Verdict
As you saw, wearing slippers is a quick fix for plantar fasciitis pain. If you’re lucky, it might also help in completely resolving the condition.
In my opinion, the best slippers for plantar fasciitis are Crocs Men’s and Women’s LiteRide Clog. Their sturdy materials make them super useful for people who stand for long periods.
Whatever pair you choose, make sure it has the right amount of arch support. Remember, it shouldn’t be too firm or too squishy. For more cool feet products, check out our guide to the best foot and calf massagers on the market.
Lastly, I wish you a fast and full recovery!
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