Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue along the sole of your foot from your heel to your toes) makes itself known first thing in the morning. That sharp pain in your heel when you step out of bed, the ache through your arch that builds the longer you stand, the mental arithmetic of working out which shoes you can get through the day in. And at some point, you probably started assuming that supportive shoes and shoes you actually want to wear are two separate things.
They're not. There's no single best shoe for plantar fasciitis, because every foot is different. What matters is structural support: a firm heel counter, contoured arch support, a sole that holds its shape and a slight heel rather than a dead-flat base, all in a fit that works for your foot. Get those right and the brand on the box is beside the point.
Many Calla shoes have exactly those features built in. Every pair is handmade in Portugal by master shoemakers, with cushioned, arch-supported insoles and structured soles. And because so many women dealing with plantar fasciitis also have bunions or wide feet, our shoes carry extra width and depth in the toe box without losing support at the heel. I've had plantar fasciitis myself, so this is personal for me. I wore our shoes through two episodes of it and found that the heel lift and arch support positioned my foot so I was not in pain.
Supportive shoes are one part of managing plantar fasciitis. They work alongside stretching, rest and professional care where needed.
Please remember that the advice below is general, and if you are experiencing foot pain you need to see your podiatrist.
Here are the shoes we recommend for plantar fasciitis:
A clean white grain-leather trainer with a removable moulded footbed, so you can drop in your own orthotics, and a fully lined seam-free toe box that gives the bunion a smooth surface. Lace-ups let you open the forefoot towards an EEE width, and the cushioned arch-supported insole carries a full day of walking. True to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
White grain leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
Flat
Colour
White
Fit
Fits EE-EEE width feet
Toe box
Wider toe box with extra depth, fully lined with no internal seams
Footbed
Removable moulded footbed with arch support
Closure
Lace-up for forefoot width adjustment
Press
Selected by Hello, Good Housekeeping, The Independent and The London Evening Standard among stylish trainers for wide feet
Browse more images of the Star - White Grain Leather Wide Fit Sneakers:
Our Review
The Star is the trainer I recommend to anyone who wears orthotics, because the moulded footbed lifts straight out and my own insole drops in, which almost no white fashion trainer lets me do. The toe box is fully lined with no internal seams, so nothing rubs across my bunion on a long walk, and I can loosen the laces to open the forefoot when the joint swells later in the day. It runs wide to an EEE but reads as an ordinary white sneaker, so it goes with jeans and a blazer or a shirt dress without looking like a comfort shoe. I have walked through whole city days in them without the forefoot ache I used to expect. True to size for me.
Pros
Grain texture on the leather hides minor scuffs better than smooth white leather
Removable moulded footbed lets you slot in your own orthotic
Seam-free toe box lining over the bunion area
Lace-up forefoot adjusts from EE to EEE
Cons
White leather still marks in wet or muddy conditions
The Cosmos is the chunky trainer Calla's founder built because the dad-trainer trend kept squeezing her bunions, and black is the wear-with-everything one. A chunky cushioned outsole adds height, while the wider, deeper toe box and removable insole give the forefoot room and take your orthotics. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Black leather upper with textile side detail, lamb leather lining
Heel
Flat with chunky outsole
Closure
Lace-up
Fit
Wide fit, EE and EEE width feet, standard fit around the heel with additional width and depth in the toe box
Insole
Removable moulded footbed with arch support, swap for own orthotics
Browse more images of the Cosmos - Chunky-Sole Black Wide Fit Sneakers:
Our Review
Black is the Cosmos I reach for most, because a chunky trainer usually crushes my forefoot and this one was designed by someone with bunions to do the opposite. The wider, deeper toe box means my bunion has room inside a sporty shape, and the insole lifts out for my orthotics. The chunky outsole gives me a bit of height and a lot of cushioning on hard pavements without any forefoot pressure. In black it goes with jeans, joggers or a midi without a thought. True to size in a wide fit, EE-EEE.
Pros
Chunky outsole gives lift and stride length without putting pitch through the forefoot
Removable footbed accepts the wearer's own orthotics
EEE width cap with extra toe-box depth accommodates wider forefeet and Morton's neuroma
Lace-up closure adjusts across the instep
Cons
Chunky-sole silhouette is heavier on the foot than a standard trainer profile
Leather upper needs conditioning to keep the side panels looking fresh
Sporty trainer styling means it will not slot into smart workwear or occasion outfits
The Freya is Calla's tassel loafer, and black suede is the soft, velvety everyday one. A hidden stretch panel in the toe box flexes over the bunion while the wide toe box gives the forefoot room, so a smart loafer doesn't press on the joint. Runs big in suede, so size down a full size; fits up to EEE.
Browse more images of the Freya - Black Suede Loafers:
Our Review
Black suede is the Freya I wear most, because the soft velvety finish dresses up trousers while still feeling relaxed, and the tassels give it a bit of character. The hidden stretch panel sits in the toe box and flexes over my bunion, so the joint isn't pressed the way it is in a stiff loafer. The wide toe box and cushioned insole carry me through a full day at a desk and out to dinner. The one thing to get right is sizing, since the suede runs big and I took a full size down. Up to EEE, and I brush the suede to keep it looking fresh.
Pros
EEE width cap suits wider feet
Hidden stretch panel flexes over the bunion joint
Flat profile for all-day standing or walking
Lamb leather lining against the foot
Cons
Sizing runs a full size large so you must order down
Suede upper picks up rain marks without a weatherproof spray
Black suede shows scuffs on the toe with regular wear
The Estella is Calla's zip-up trainer with no laces to tie, and black leather is the smart everyday one. A side zip means easy on and off without bending, while the removable moulded footbed and wider fit give the bunion room and take your orthotics. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal, designed in the UK
Material
Black leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
Flat
Width cap
Fits up to EEE width feet
Toe box
Wide toe box
Closure
Side zip instead of laces
Footbed
Removable moulded footbed, swap in your own orthotics
Press
Voted one of the best stylish trainers for wide feet by Hello, Good Housekeeping, The Independent, The London Evening Standard
Browse more images of the Estella - Black Leather Zip-Up Wide Fit Sneakers:
Our Review
The black Estella is the trainer I reach for when I don't want to bend down and tie laces, because the side zip means I step straight in and out. In black leather it looks tidy enough for a casual office or smart-casual day, not just the gym. The wider fit and moulded footbed give my bunion room, and the footbed lifts out for my orthotics. The zip also means a consistent fit every time rather than laces I retie. True to size, up to EEE.
Pros
Side zip means you slip the trainer on without retying laces
Removable moulded footbed for own orthotics
EEE width fitting accommodates wider feet than most trainer brands
Black leather hides scuffs and city-pavement marks better than white
Cons
Zip is a moving part that adds a wear point lace-ups do not have
No laces means no further width adjustment beyond the fixed zip line
All-black trainer reads more formal than casual so it suits office and smart-casual wear more than sport
The Saturn platform trainer in clean white leather, the wearable everyday version of the platform on a 3cm sole. The platform adds even height with no heel pitch, while the wider seam-free toe box gives the bunion a smooth surface. Fits EE, true to size.
Browse more images of the Saturn - White Leather Wide Fit Sneakers:
Our Review
White leather is the Saturn I reach for when I want the platform height in something that goes with everything, since white leather keeps it clean and easy where the suedes are bolder. The 3cm platform lifts me evenly without pushing my weight forward onto the bunion. The seam-free toe box stops the joint rubbing, and the laces let me adjust the forefoot. It fits an EE rather than EEE, so it suits a moderately wide foot. True to size, and white leather wipes clean easily.
Pros
Seamless lined toe box removes the stitching that usually rubs over the bunion joint
3cm platform adds height without changing the flat foot position
Laces let you loosen the forefoot independently of the heel
Fits up to EE width
Cons
White leather shows scuffs and dirt fastest of any colour
Width fitting tops out at EE so EEE feet will be tight
Lace-up means more setup than a slip-on for everyday wear
The Meredith chunky loafer in neutral leather with a gold horsebit detail, the day-to-night one. A 2.5cm heel and cushioned sole carry the day, while the wide-enough toe box gives the bunion room. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Browse more images of the Meredith - Neutral Leather Loafers:
Our Review
Neutral leather is the Meredith I wear when I want a loafer that goes from day to evening, since the soft neutral and the gold horsebit give it just enough polish for dinner. The 2.5cm heel and cushioned sole keep me comfortable from morning on, and the toe box is wide enough that my bunion has room. The horsebit lifts plain trousers without trying too hard. It wipes clean more easily than the suedes. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Pros
2.5cm heel sits low enough for full-day wear
Gold horsebit detail across the vamp
Cushioned arch-supported insole
Lamb leather lining flexes over the bunion area
Cons
Width cap stops at EE
Neutral leather will show scuffs and needs a conditioning cream to keep the colour even
Horsebit detail rules out the most formal black-tie settings
A classic black leather court on a manageable 5cm kitten heel, with extra width and volume through the toe area for a wide forefoot. The roomy toe and arch support carry a full office day, where a standard court would press on the bunion by mid-morning. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Black leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
5cm kitten heel
Fit
Fits EE-EEE width feet best
Toe box
Extra width and volume in the toe area, standard at the heel
Footbed
Arch-supported insole
Best for
Work, weekday dressing and any wardrobe slot that wants a low heel
Browse more images of the Ava - Black Leather Pumps:
Our Review
The black Ava is my everyday work court, the pair I put on for a day of meetings because a 5cm heel is low enough to stand and walk in from morning to evening. What makes it work for me is the extra room through the toe area, an EE-EEE that lets my bunion sit without the joint pressing on a hard leather edge the way a standard court does. The arch support holds my foot through hours on office floors. In smooth black leather it goes under any suit or with a pencil skirt. True to size for me across the EE-EEE width.
Pros
5cm kitten heel works for full work-day standing
EE-EEE width cap takes wider feet than most courts on the high street
Extra width and volume in the toe area accommodates the bunion joint
Lamb leather lining over the bunion area flexes with the joint
Cons
Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on wet pavement
Narrower than EE feet may find the toe area roomy
Black leather shows light scuffs at the toe over time
The Lucy is Calla's low block-heel ankle boot, here in deep navy suede with a 4cm heel, a side zip and a lamb leather lining. A hidden stretch panel sits right at the big toe joint, the toe box opens to EEE, and the insole is cushioned with arch support. It is true to size, but if your bunions are moderate to large, go up a size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Deep navy cow's suede upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
4cm block heel
Fastening
Side zip
Width
Up to EEE in the toe box, standard (D) heel
Toe box
Hidden stretch panel at the big toe joint
Footbed
Cushioned, arch-supported insole
Fit
True to size; size up for moderate to large bunions
Browse more images of the Lucy - Dark Navy Suede Boots:
Our Review
The Lucy is the plain ankle boot I wanted for every day: no buckles or straps, just soft navy suede on a 4cm block heel that I can walk on from morning to evening. Inside there's a stretch panel, a bit like moleskin, right over my big toe joint, so it gives around the bunion instead of pressing on it. Deep navy looks softer than black with jeans and cropped trousers, and the side zip makes it quick to get on. If your bunions are moderate to large, order a size up; otherwise take your usual size. Suede needs a protector spray before the first wet day.
Pros
Hidden stretch panel sits right over the big toe joint
The Luna vegan trainer in white recycled canvas, the fresh version of Calla's first vegan shoe, responsibly sourced in Portugal and Italy. A removable moulded footbed takes your orthotics and a seam-free lining gives the bunion a smooth surface. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Materials sourced in Portugal and Italy, handcrafted in Portugal
Material
Recycled canvas upper, vegan
Heel
Flat
Fit
Fits EE and EEE width feet, standard fit around the heel with additional width and depth in the toe box
Browse more images of the Luna Vegan - White Wide Fit Sneakers:
Our Review
White Luna is the vegan trainer I wear in summer, since the recycled canvas is light and the white keeps it fresh with a summer outfit. The footbed lifts out for my orthotics, and the seam-free lining means nothing rubs my bunion on a long day. The wider, deeper toe box gives my forefoot room. It is good to have a vegan option that is as supportive as the leather trainers. Fits EE-EEE, true to size, and I keep the white canvas away from mud.
Pros
Removable footbed lets the wearer swap in their own orthotics
Seamless lining reduces rubbing on sensitive feet and bunion areas
EEE width cap with extra depth accommodates wide and deep forefeet
Vegan recycled canvas upper for buyers avoiding leather
Cons
White canvas marks visibly and benefits from a fabric protector spray
Flat pitch will not suit anyone needing heel height for arch comfort
Casual trainer styling means it will not slot into formal occasion outfits
What to Look for in Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
A firm heel counter, contoured arch support, a sole that holds its shape and a slight heel are the features that matter most in a shoe for plantar fasciitis. Cushioning under the heel matters too, and the UK's NHS lists it alongside arch support, but softness on its own isn't support: a shoe can feel lovely in the shop and still let your arch collapse.
Heel counter and arch support
The heel counter is the stiff cup at the back of the shoe that wraps around your heel. When it's firm, it holds your heel bone in place and helps stop your foot rolling inward as you walk. A counter that collapses when you press it with your thumb isn't doing much. Arch support works alongside it: a contoured insole that rises gently under the inner arch of your foot spreads the load more evenly and takes pressure off the plantar fascia. The UK's NHS advice for plantar fasciitis is to wear shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support, to use insoles or heel pads, and to avoid high heels, tight pointy shoes, flip-flops and backless slippers.
A supportive sole and a slight heel
The sole matters just as much. Pick up any shoe and try to twist it or fold it in half. If it bends easily through the middle, the arch has no structure and your foot will do all the work. A sole that resists twisting keeps the midfoot stable. A slight heel (not dead-flat, not high) reduces the tension on your plantar fascia by easing the stretch on the tissue. If you'd like a heel, stick to Calla's low kitten heels and low block heels: higher heels put more pressure on the front of your foot, and the UK's NHS advises avoiding them with plantar fasciitis. Completely flat shoes, by contrast, leave the plantar fascia under more stretch.
A removable footbed
The footbed is the insole your foot sits on inside the shoe. A removable footbed, deep enough to take an orthotic, means you can swap in your own orthotics (custom insoles fitted by a podiatrist) if you use them. The shoe makes room for the orthotic, which matters: if a podiatrist has fitted you with one, a shoe that won't take it limits your options. If you want to understand arch support in more depth, we've written a separate guide to arch support in women's shoes.
Our Star and Estella sneakers carry a structured sole, a deep heel cup and a cushioned, arch-supported footbed. The removable molded footbed and 3cm sole give a clinician-prescribed orthotic the room it needs. And because bunions and plantar fasciitis often travel together, they're built using what we call the Calla Comfort Method: extra width and depth in the toe box with a standard fit at the heel, so your foot stays secure where it needs to without being squeezed where it doesn't.
Supportive Shoes That Still Look Good
Supportive shoes for plantar fasciitis can look like everyday sneakers, loafers, flats and sandals. The support is built in (structured soles, arch-supported footbeds, firm heel counters) but it's hidden: from the outside, these are shoes you'd choose anyway. We finish them so the bunion is hidden, not advertised, and the shoe reads as a fashion sneaker rather than something 'orthopedic'.
There's a supportive style for every kind of day. Structured sneakers for everyday walking and days on your feet. A loafer for the office. A low block heel for dressier occasions. A zip-entry sneaker for mornings when your feet are stiff. With the Calla Estella zip sneaker, you set the lace tension for your foot width once and use the side zip to get in and out after that. And for summer, a sandal with proper arch support and heel structure.
When the fit is right, you stop thinking about your feet. What our customers mention most in their reviews is that the shoes look like ones they'd have chosen anyway. As Jackie Coates, a customer with ten or twelve pairs, put it in her video review: 'They cover the bunions beautifully, and yet they're also stylish as well.'
We've picked six styles below that cover these situations, starting with the best everyday option. That's the Calla Star sneaker for everyday walking, the Calla Freya loafer for the office, the Calla Estella zip sneaker for stiff mornings, and the Calla Ruby sandal for summer. You can also browse our full plantar fasciitis shoe range.
Boots for the Colder Months
Supportive boots for plantar fasciitis need the same features as any other shoe: a firm heel counter, a structured sole, a low heel and enough room in the toe box. The difference in winter is that a boot's stiffer upper can press on a bunion if the toe box is too narrow or has a seam running across the joint. A roomy toe box and a lining with no seams over the bunion area solve that, and from the outside it still looks like a normal boot.
If you have bunions (a deviation of the big toe joint, also known as hallux valgus) alongside plantar fasciitis, you need two things from one shoe: the arch support and heel structure that plantar fasciitis calls for, and enough room over the bunion joint to keep it from being squeezed and rubbed. One without the other doesn't work. A supportive shoe with a narrow toe box presses on your bunion. A roomy shoe with no arch support does nothing for your fascia.
No shoe can stop a bunion getting worse, though a narrow one can add to it. A shoe accommodates the joint instead: it reduces pressure on your bunion and keeps it from being rubbed. Only surgery corrects a bunion. If you have had bunion surgery, Calla shoes suit the stage after it too, once your surgeon has cleared you to move out of your post-operative shoe. The soft leather and seam-free lining cover sensitive scar tissue, and the extra width means you are not squeezing newly corrected feet back into a narrow toe box. What the right shoe does is give the joint room and protect it from friction, which is genuinely worth having.
Wide at the front, standard at the heel
Standard wide-width shoes are wide all over. That sounds like the answer, but it usually isn't. If the heel is too big your foot slips, slides forward, and your toes get pushed into the front of the shoe. The slipping heel rubs too, and that means blisters. You're back where you started. What works is a shoe that's wider at the front and standard at the back: a roomy toe box to accommodate your bunion, with a heel that actually holds your foot in place. Calla's lasts are shaped to exactly this: W to WW width across the forefoot, with a standard-width heel. If your feet are wide all over, at the heel too, then a standard-heel shoe won't suit you either.
Stitching and seam placement
Stitching matters too. On most shoes, the seams run across the upper right where your bunion sits, and they rub. A toe box with the stitching set forward, or a stretch lining with no seams over the bunion area, stops that. On our sneakers, the entire external stitching line is shifted forward off the bunion, and from the outside you would not know it. On the inside, a seam-free one-piece lining covers the toe box so there is nothing to rub against the joint. Soft materials help: stiff uppers press on the joint over time, so a leather that gives where you need it makes all the difference.
Our shoes are designed around exactly this shape. We call it the Calla Comfort Method, and it's why the shoe stays on your foot securely while accommodating your bunion. On many styles, a hidden stretch panel in the toe area flexes where you need it most, and the soft leather lining covers the joint without rubbing. If you want to read more about bunions, we've put together a dedicated page about how bunions develop and what helps.
Shoes for Flat Feet and Overpronation
Firm arch support and a structured sole are what your feet need if you have flat feet or overpronation (where your feet roll inward as you walk), and both conditions often travel with plantar fasciitis. The inward roll stretches the plantar fascia with every step, and a flat arch means there's less natural structure to absorb the load.
The shoes that carry the structural support plantar fasciitis calls for are a good starting point here too. You don't need a separate category of shoe. If the overpronation is significant, a podiatrist-prescribed orthotic in a shoe with a removable footbed may do more than built-in support alone. We go into flat feet and overpronation in more detail in our guide to the best sneakers for flat feet.
Getting the Right Fit
Measure both feet before you order, because your feet change shape over the years and the two are rarely exactly the same size. A 2018 review by Buldt and Menz found that between 63 and 72% of people were wearing shoes that did not fit either the width or the length of their feet, and that 47% of older women had not had their feet measured in over five years.
Be extra careful with fit if you have diabetes or reduced feeling in your feet, as you may not notice a shoe rubbing until it has done some damage. The UK's NHS advice for people with diabetes is to choose shoes that fit well in length, width and depth, steer clear of slip-ons and check your feet daily, and a podiatrist or your diabetes team can check the fit for you. If you've lost feeling in your feet, have that check done in person before you wear a new pair for long, because you may not feel a pressure sore starting.
Measure for width, not just length
We'd suggest measuring the circumference of the widest part of your foot, usually at the bunion, while standing up. The weight of your body makes your feet slightly wider when you're standing than when you're sitting, and that's the shape you need the shoe to fit. Width matters just as much as length. If you're choosing by length alone and ignoring width, you'll end up with shoes that squeeze or slip, neither of which helps plantar fasciitis.
Try them on later in the day
Try shoes on (or try them at home if you're ordering online) later in the day when your feet are at their largest. Feet swell as the day goes on, and a shoe that fits perfectly at nine in the morning can feel tight by mid-afternoon. When you have them on, your heel should feel locked in place with no slipping, and your toes should have room to spread. If you can feel the end of the shoe with your longest toe, go up half a size.
Orthotics and when to replace
If you use orthotics, make sure the shoe takes a removable footbed so you can swap them in. And keep an eye on how your shoes age: once the midsole has compressed and the arch support has flattened, the shoe has lost the structure that was helping. Replace them before they go completely flat. Our guide to measuring your feet at home walks you through the process.
When to See a Podiatrist or Doctor
If your heel pain is severe, getting worse, or hasn't improved after 2 weeks of supportive shoes and regular stretching, see your doctor or a podiatrist; that 2-week point is the UK NHS's own guide. Supportive shoes, stretching and rest are usually the first things to try, but they're not a cure.
A podiatrist can assess your gait, check for other causes of foot pain, and fit custom orthotics if you need them. Not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Stress fractures, nerve issues and other conditions can feel similar, and if what you're experiencing doesn't match the typical pattern (worst first thing in the morning, easing as you move), don't assume it's the same thing.
Supportive shoes with firm heel counters and arch support can make standing and walking more comfortable when you have plantar fasciitis, and they're a recommended part of managing the condition. Our Calla Estella zip-up sneaker, for example, has a cushioned footbed with arch support that lifts out for an orthotic, and a toe box up to WW for anyone with a bunion as well. No shoe cures plantar fasciitis on its own. The right shoes work alongside stretching, rest and professional care.
What shoes should you avoid with plantar fasciitis?
Avoid dead-flat shoes with no arch support, unsupported flip-flops, worn-out shoes whose soles have compressed, and walking barefoot on hard floors first thing in the morning. If the sole bends in half when you fold it, the shoe has no structural support. Very narrow, pointed toe boxes are also worth avoiding if you have bunions, as they compress the forefoot and press on the joint.
Are there cute shoes for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, there are cute shoes for plantar fasciitis, and the Calla Star sneaker in white grain leather is a good example: it looks like an everyday fashion sneaker, with a cushioned, arch-supported footbed and a fully lined toe box inside. Low block heels, loafers with arch support, flats with a slight heel lift and cushioned insoles, and smart sneakers all carry the structural support plantar fasciitis calls for while looking like shoes you'd actually choose. Supportive doesn't have to mean clinical.
How soon do supportive shoes start to help?
You may notice some comfort within the first few days of switching to a properly supportive shoe. The condition itself usually takes weeks to months to ease, though, and that depends on stretching, resting and giving the tissue time to recover. Shoes are one part of the picture, not a quick fix.
Is plantar fasciitis permanent?
For most people, plantar fasciitis is not permanent. It improves over months with consistent care: supportive shoes, regular stretching, rest and professional treatment where needed. It is a common condition: the StatPearls clinical reference puts it at around 10% of the general population. If your pain isn't improving or is getting worse, see a podiatrist or your doctor.
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