Best Slippers For Plantar Fasciitis 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Oct 27, 2024

I suffer from plantar fasciitis myself, so I know about the aggravating pain firsthand. Walking on a floor with bare feet is a big no-no, since there’s not enough natural cushioning on the foot to absorb the impact of the hard surface, which can lead to stabbing heel pain and arch stiffness. The best slippers for plantar fasciitis are contoured to shift the weight off your heel and provide arch support. Our recommendation for the best slippers for plantar fasciitis overall, the Kuru Draft Slippers, are pain-relieving and supportive, while the best pair for outdoor use are the Oofos Oocoozie Low Shoe, because they’re machine washable and easy to slip on and off.

The best shoes for plantar fasciitis cradle your arches and elevate your heels to provide relief.

The best slippers for plantar fasciitis are stable, supportive and flexible. These traits help ease some of the discomfort that comes with plantar fasciitis, which is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot, according to New York City sports podiatrist Lori S. Weisenfeld. We researched and considered more than 30 different soothing slipper options and, with Weisenfeld’s additional tips, landed on the the following top 11 picks. For walking outside, check out the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, too.

KURU

Sizes: 6 to 12 (women); 7 to 13 (men) | Materials: Mesh or fleece upper, rubber outsole, polyurethane foam insole | Heel drop: 10 mm | Width: Medium

While the Kuru Draft might be a bit of an investment for a pair of slippers, its pain-relieving and supportive technology makes it unlike any other slipper I’ve seen. The heel-hugging design protects the foot’s delicate heel pad, while the built-in dual-density foam insole offers arch support and and shock absorption. The slip-on style is convenient for everyday wear, and it’s available in two different uppers—mesh or fleece—for comfort, no matter the season.

Isotonor

Sizes: 6.5 to 10 | Materials: Microterry upper, EVA, memory foam, rubber outsole | Heel drop: Not listed | Width: Medium

For a budget pick, Isotoner’s Terry Hoodback Slippers provide necessary support and cozy, all-day comfort for less than $20. The cushy memory foam insole absorbs heel impact while the moisture-wicking microterry liner adds softness and warmth. They’re also conveniently machine-washable, which can be helpful for refreshing the memory foam.

Crocs

Sizes: 4 to 17 (women); 2 to 15 (men) | Materials: Foam footbed, synthetic liner, EVA | Heel drop: Not listed | Width: Medium

Love or hate them, Crocs’s footwear is ultra supportive and great for those with plantar fasciitis. The Classic Cozzzy Sandal combines the comfort of a fuzzy slipper with the breathability of a sandal. Thanks to their trademark footbeds, these have the same lightweight flexibility of other Crocs styles. The elevated outsole adds a touch of style.

Orthofeet

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Materials: Suede, faux fur | Heel drop: Not listed | Widths: Medium (B), Wide (D), X-Wide (2E)

Orthofeet specializes in supportive footwear, and the Charlotte Slippers come with orthotic insoles that help realign the foot and provide arch support. They also have a wide toe box for a little more breathing room and an adjustable strap that tightens across the foot for a customized fit. A faux-fur lining takes the cozy level up a notch. Also great: Orthofeet offers a 60-day test period, after which you can return the slippers if you’re not satisfied. For a tighter fit, consider ordering a half-size down.

Amazon

Sizes: 6 to 11 | Materials: Polyester terry cloth, TPR outsole, rubber sole | Heel drop: Not listed | Width: Medium-Wide

Orthotic inserts are a proven plantar fasciitis treatment due to their foot-realigning and supportive properties, and Vionic’s Gemma slippers come with a built-in orthotic sole along with podiatrist-designed contoured arch support. A deep heel cup further cushions the heel area, which can be sore after being on your feet all day. These slippers carry the seal of the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting foot health.

Amazon

Sizes: 6 to 14 (women); 5 to 13 (men) | Materials: Polyester, silver fox velvet lining, EVA midsole, rubber sole | Heel drop: Not listed | Width: Wide

Ergofoot’s Orthotic slippers aim to counteract plantar fasciitis heel pain. Orthotic details like an ergonomic footbed provide arch support, a deep heel cup protects and cushions the heel, and a flexible EVA midsole absorbs shock while reducing stress on the feet, ankles and knees when you walk. Note: The brand recommends wearing these for a few hours at first, and then gradually increasing the amount, to give your feet time to adjust to the therapeutic arch-stretching effect.

Amazon

Sizes: 5 to 16 (women); 4 to 15 (men) | Materials: Foam | Heel drop: Not listed | Width: Medium

If you’re a fan of slides, Archies improves on the design so they’re not so flat and potentially ache-inducing. These comfortable foam sandals have a built-in 2.2 centimeter arch support, and they’re made from durable closed-cell foam, eliminating the risk of cracking while molding to your foot with wear. The arch support, plus an elevated heel, reduces pressure on the foot, ensuring all-day comfort.

Amazon

Sizes: 4 to 12 (women); 3 to 10 (men) | Materials: EVA | Heel drop: 15-degree angle, toe-to-heel | Width: Medium

Cloudies provide extra cushioning on your soles with a puffy, 100% EVA design that surrounds the foot in ergonomic softness. The versatile style—which comes in ten color options—slips on and can be worn with anything, anywhere. They’re waterproof with an anti-skid sole and the midsole has some slight give that reduces fatigue on your feet, ankles and knees. To maximize the pillow-like comfort, the brand recommends soaking them in water for 30 minutes to soften them up before your first wear.

Oofos

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Materials: Textile upper and lining, foam midsole | Heel drop: Not listed, but 1.25-inch platform | Width: Medium

Not only does this indoor-outdoor pair of Oofos shoes tout patented closed-cell foam technology that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional foam, it’s also supremely comfortable with an easy slip-on stretchy upper and a cozy faux-shearling lining. The footbed design provides necessary cushioning to relieve foot, ankle and back stress, plus the shoe is machine washable, which helps them stay fresh longer.

Birkenstock

Sizes: 4 to 12.5 (women); 6 - 17.5 (men) | Materials: Cork-latex footbed, latex sole, shearling lining, wool felt upper | Heel drop: Not listed | Widths: Narrow to Regular (A/B)

Birkenstock bring years of supportive footwear experience to the slipper space with their cork-soled, shearling-lined Zermatt. It’s lightweight with some flexibility and the anatomically shaped footbed cradles your arch and heel. Sustainability bonus: Birkenstock sells a variety of insoles separately, so you can easily replace the cork footbed when it wears out. Multiple reviewers commented on the narrow width, so size up accordingly.

FitFlop

Sizes: 5 to 11 | Materials: Suede upper, shearling lining and footbed, EVA outsole | Heel drop: Not listed | Widths: Medium

Don’t let the minimal profile of FitFlop’s Chrissie Shearling Slippers fool you; they offer ergonomic foot support, high-rebound air-foam cushioning and a cozy shearling lining. The anatomically shaped footbeds mimic the curves of the foot, adding support and stability. Plus, these slippers are ultra lightweight and flexible, perfect for packing into a suitcase or overnight bag.

At Forbes Vetted, we take adventuring, fitness and recovery seriously. Our library of fitness guides includes numerous articles on supportive footwear, including recommendations for the best walking shoes and the most comfortable sneakers for women.

To identify and recommend the 11 best slippers for plantar fasciitis, we relied on our own expertise, consulted others who also have plantar fasciitis, interviewed a medical expert and researched customer reviews.

There are several factors to keep in mind, including foot type, arch support, heel drop, materials, ease of cleaning and more.

Don’t assume that if you have a certain foot type or shape you’re immune to having sore heels. “Any foot type can get plantar fasciitis, although someone with a flat foot is more prone to it because they need more arch support,” says Weisenfeld. “But people with a high arch tend to have very tight calf muscles, and the plantar fascia tends to be tight for those people as well."

“Most slippers have cushioning, but they may not give you enough support and are generally very flat,” says Weisenfeld. While many slippers come with certain foams in the soles for softness, look specifically for those with a molded footbed and arch support. Many foams that are used in slippers squish down easily and do little to promote proper foot positioning.

It may sound surprising, but if you suffer from heel pain you should seek out styles that have a slight lift at the heel. “Slippers that are made particularly for people with plantar fasciitis have a bit of an elevated heel—maybe half inch or one inch,” says Weisenfeld. This elevation decreases the strain on the plantar fascia.

It seems obvious, but if you wear your slippers to the mailbox or on quick errands, look for styles with grippy rubber soles, like Ergofeet’s Orthotic Slipper and Kuru’s Draft Slipper, to help you stay secure on slick outdoor surfaces, .

If you prefer not to wear socks with your slippers, they can become smelly over time, so it’s good to have the option to throw them in the wash. Isotoner’s Terry Hoodback Clog Slippers are an inexpensive washable option.

Plantar fasciitis is an incredibly common condition that plagues people of all foot shapes and activity levels. The best slipper for plantar fasciitis will have stable and built-in arch support, comfortable cushioning and a firm outsole. The best slipper for plantar fasciitis for you will depend on factors like your foot shape, material preferences and desired use case.

Yes, because being barefoot at home will make plantar fasciitis worse for those who suffer from it, according to Weisenfeld. "If you have plantar fasciitis, wear a supportive shoe at home and avoid walking around in socks.” In addition to wearing slippers with arch support, Weisenfeld advises stretching your calf muscles and says that “putting on shoes with a slightly elevated heel can help reduce heel pain.”

“Avoid very flat flip-flops, scuffs and slides—or really anything without built in arch support," says Weisenfeld.

There are lots of exercises you can do at home to decrease discomfort. "To help reduce heel pain from plantar fasciitis, stretch your calf muscles every day twice a day, gently but consistently,” says Weisenfeld. “Ice for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Choose the right supportive sneaker when you’re outdoors or exercising. Some people also find rolling the bottom of their foot with a lacrosse ball or spiky ball is helpful.” If none of that is working, she says, see a podiatrist.

We added more information on plantar fasciitis and what makes a great slipper for the condition. We also expanded our FAQs.