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What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. This irritation can be tricky to solve with a single running shoe, as it can be quite different from person to person. These are some guidelines for which models may work best. Typically, we find shoes with a higher drop from heel to toe, a good cushion to take the impact away, and sometimes a less flexible option to help in case the other benefits aren't enough. You may want to consult with a medical professional for any injuries requiring clinical attention.
The first thing to find out is if you experience any Calcaneal Deviation or not as you walk/run. Calcaneal Deviation is when you walk/run, your ankles will have a tendency to roll inwards towards each other and onto your arches, putting a lot of pressure on the inside edge of your feet.If you feel you do this, then you will want to check the Brooks support shoes suggestions. If you feel you walk pretty flat and stable, or perhaps roll outwards a little, then you will want to read the neutral shoes suggestions. To help find out if you experience Calcaneal Deviation, you can visit a local running shop and have your gait analysed by simply walking/running in the store as they watch. Linked below is our store finder to help find somewhere that could offer this:
Support Shoes
A great option to start with when looking for running shoes to help with plantar fasciitis is the Brooks Running Adrenaline GTS model. The Adrenaline GTS offers a 12 mm drop from heel to toe, which helps to put your weight more on the forefoot and away from the plantar in your heel. The Adrenaline GTS has a great cushion underfoot and supports to keep your Calcaneal Deviation controlled as you walk/run. If you feel that you do not have enough cushion or perhaps too much flex in the Adrenaline GTS then you will want to explore our Addiction model. The Addiction is a highly supportive option, it will offer the same 12 mm drop benefit of the Adrenaline GTS and pronation support but with some added stability. The Addiction Walker features a rollbar through the midsole that helps to minimize excessive flex to the shoe and foot as you walk/run, which in turn can help to cut back on stress to your plantars.
Neutral Shoes
A great option to start with plantar fasciitis relief when running is the Brooks Ghost model. The Ghost offers a 12 mm drop from heel to toe, which helps to put your weight more in the forefoot and away from the plantar in your heel. The Ghost offers a slightly wider toe-box by design to help get you a little more wiggle room in the fit, and has great cushioning to help make for soft and smooth travels. In case you feel the Ghost is too flexible, and you are getting a lot of agitation still in your plantar, then we would suggest trying our Dyad model. The Dyad will offer the same 12 mm drop benefit of the Ghost and work to keep your gait neutral but with some added stability. The Dyad helps to minimize excessive flex to the shoe and foot as you walk/run, which in turn can help to cut back on stress to your plantars.
As plantar fasciitis can vary from each person's experience, we suggest these running shoes as guidelines. Browse the Brooks Running shoe range, and remember that depending on your unique biomechanics and experiences another shoe may work better.
