Ask the Coach: What brand of running shoes is best for plantar fasciitis?

The most important way to avoid plantar fasciitis is to have proper arch support to ensure that the plantar fascia is not being tensioned with repeated movements (running). Most commonly, people need arch support to bring the ground up to meet a high arch, or to prevent the collapsing of a flat arch.  Ensuring your sneakers fit properly is important (you especially want to be sure that the shoe is not too tight in the mid foot).  All sneakers have different characteristics and pros/cons, and as such, there is not a brand that is specifically better for people with plantar fasciitis.  The only brand that we carry at Fleet Feet that comes with built-in arch supports are made by Karhu, but I would highly recommend Superfeet insoles in any pair of running sneakers you wear to give you proper arch support.  Continue to stretch your large toe, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. 

Happy Running,