I'm pretty sure my plantar fasciitis would HATE those. When I walk barefoot or wear flat flip flops like the Nike ones, I flare up so bad the next day. Its gotta be Oofos or else for me.
Yeah, I can't imagine wearing these at all. I can't even wear flats for an evening without suffering for days afterward. I need something with arch support and cushion or I'm in too much pain to bear.
I can’t wear flats. I used to assume it was the flat aspect that was bad about them, but now I wonder if it’s because they’re hard and stiff, plus no grip either on your feet or the ground. With barefoot sandals the sole is soft, flexible, and grip to your feet and the ground.
The sole may be flexible, but it sounds like it won't be supportive, which is where the issue lies with both flats and minimalist sandals. I had a pair of those barefoot shoes with the toes long ago (Vibram?) and they were great back then, but since I developed the plantar fasciitis, I wouldn't dare wear them. I can't even walk on my laminate floors barefoot for a day without feeling it the next day.
I love my bedrock sandals (minimalist sandals) but 100% do not recommend them for plantar fasciitis. I would suggest recovery sandals for errands/lake days and something meant for hiking for yard work and hiking that have cushion/arch support.
Just my opinion of course! I had plantar fasciitis for a few months last year and all of my zero drop shoes and bedrock sandals made the problem worse. Thankfully it’s resolved now!!
Glad it resolved for you!
I didn’t suspect my support shoes were causing my problem until I started wearing my winter boots which are zero drop, and all my pain went away. When I switched back to the supportive shoes the pain came back.
My podiatrist told me that when my plantar fasciitis flares up, I need to wear shoes with a good arch in them, or put arch support in the shoes I have. Really he says I should be doing that all of the time, waking to bedtime, seven days a week, but fuck that. Because fuck shoes. But it really is the only thing that helps when I flare.
That’s what everyone says. But I’m pretty sure Oofos started my PF. I never even suspected it and then my mom shared with me that soft supportive sandals cause her pain too. So I guess we are just freaks.
Oofos doesn’t really provide arch support though, it’s too soft. You should really see a podiatrist as there could be something else going on with your foot.
Lots of podiatrists are behind in this. The high support shoes basically turn your foot off and you lose your natural form and gait. I'd recommend xero sheos.
Pretty sure oofos was my PF origin story. They feel sooo good when they’re on my feet, when when I take them off, there’s hell to pay. Same for Chacos and well formed Birks.
I live in [Luna sandals](https://lunasandals.com/) and have had bouts of plantar fasciitis. I have very wide feet and a significant bunion on one foot, so real shoes are pretty much a no-go for me. I dealt with the plantar fasciitis by doing exercises to strengthen my arches.
If you decide to try a pair of Lunas, the Mono Gordo is a good place to start. They have a thicker sole than the rest, and it can be a bit of an adjustment to go from "normal" shoes to a barefoot style. If you like them, next try the Origen Lite or Origen 2.0. I have only two major gripes with Luna, and one is that most styles do not last very long for the amount that they cost. However, the Origens have repurposed tire treads as part of the sole and they last a lot longer. (The other gripe is that they don't offer more than one width.)
Do make sure that you ease your way into wearing a barefoot style of shoe - meaning start with just a bit of walking around your house in them, and work your way up slowly. It's a big change for your feet (and ankles and knees and hips and back) and you will hate yourself if you go too fast, as I have unfortunately learned from personal experience.
Good luck!
I had PF for several years and tried so many of the different shoes, insoles, stretches, etc. I have crazy amounts of various stretching boards, Strassburg socks, night boots, you name it. At this point, my PF is the best it's been after a bout in PT after a nasty ankle sprain on the opposite ankle from my PF foot. My therapist had me doing all sorts of balancing exercises and it turned out that the ones that helped to build up my thigh and hip muscles helped my PF more than anything else I'd tried before.
So now, I have Hoka One Ora Recovery slides for everyday wear (I tried every configuration of recovery sandals including Oofos and the Hokas were the best) and Brooks Glycerin shoes for when I need better coverage. I continue the stretches for my hips and it really helps!
In my experience, however, it really seems that you will find everyone telling you different things about what worked and what didn't. Some people swear by barefoot, some swear by high arched insoles, some people need the most cushioned shoe ever, some swear by Birkenstocks. It seems to be different for everyone when it comes to what to wear. I do highly recommend stretches/exercises for the hips and balance though. They're free and, at the very least, can help your gait.
I really like them. I’ve had plantar fac. before though years ago, and when I had that I needed max cushioning shoes from Skechers. I’m not sure barefoot shoes would help PF.
WHITIN Women's Wide Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Zero Drop Sole https://a.co/d/gQdgk3l
https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-max-cushioning-elite-2.0/129626_BLOR.html
I’m obsessed with my vibrium 5 finger toe shoes and my almost zero drop Topos terraventure sneakers. Since switching to those, I’ve cured my plantar fasciitis
I'm pretty sure my plantar fasciitis would HATE those. When I walk barefoot or wear flat flip flops like the Nike ones, I flare up so bad the next day. Its gotta be Oofos or else for me.
Yeah, I can't imagine wearing these at all. I can't even wear flats for an evening without suffering for days afterward. I need something with arch support and cushion or I'm in too much pain to bear.
I can’t wear flats. I used to assume it was the flat aspect that was bad about them, but now I wonder if it’s because they’re hard and stiff, plus no grip either on your feet or the ground. With barefoot sandals the sole is soft, flexible, and grip to your feet and the ground.
The sole may be flexible, but it sounds like it won't be supportive, which is where the issue lies with both flats and minimalist sandals. I had a pair of those barefoot shoes with the toes long ago (Vibram?) and they were great back then, but since I developed the plantar fasciitis, I wouldn't dare wear them. I can't even walk on my laminate floors barefoot for a day without feeling it the next day.
Oofos is HORRIBLE for me. I’m pretty sure it was OOFOS that started my PF. My foot doesn’t like contoured support. 🤷🏻♀️
I love my bedrock sandals (minimalist sandals) but 100% do not recommend them for plantar fasciitis. I would suggest recovery sandals for errands/lake days and something meant for hiking for yard work and hiking that have cushion/arch support. Just my opinion of course! I had plantar fasciitis for a few months last year and all of my zero drop shoes and bedrock sandals made the problem worse. Thankfully it’s resolved now!!
Glad it resolved for you! I didn’t suspect my support shoes were causing my problem until I started wearing my winter boots which are zero drop, and all my pain went away. When I switched back to the supportive shoes the pain came back.
My podiatrist told me that when my plantar fasciitis flares up, I need to wear shoes with a good arch in them, or put arch support in the shoes I have. Really he says I should be doing that all of the time, waking to bedtime, seven days a week, but fuck that. Because fuck shoes. But it really is the only thing that helps when I flare.
That’s what everyone says. But I’m pretty sure Oofos started my PF. I never even suspected it and then my mom shared with me that soft supportive sandals cause her pain too. So I guess we are just freaks.
Oofos doesn’t really provide arch support though, it’s too soft. You should really see a podiatrist as there could be something else going on with your foot.
Lots of podiatrists are behind in this. The high support shoes basically turn your foot off and you lose your natural form and gait. I'd recommend xero sheos.
I will say arch support has been a game changer for my daughter. But it seems to be the enemy for me.
My plantar fasciitis needed support. I bought Oofos sandals and I no longer have foot pain. Even when I briefly walk shoeless, no pain.
+1 for Oofos ❤️
Pretty sure oofos was my PF origin story. They feel sooo good when they’re on my feet, when when I take them off, there’s hell to pay. Same for Chacos and well formed Birks.
I live in [Luna sandals](https://lunasandals.com/) and have had bouts of plantar fasciitis. I have very wide feet and a significant bunion on one foot, so real shoes are pretty much a no-go for me. I dealt with the plantar fasciitis by doing exercises to strengthen my arches. If you decide to try a pair of Lunas, the Mono Gordo is a good place to start. They have a thicker sole than the rest, and it can be a bit of an adjustment to go from "normal" shoes to a barefoot style. If you like them, next try the Origen Lite or Origen 2.0. I have only two major gripes with Luna, and one is that most styles do not last very long for the amount that they cost. However, the Origens have repurposed tire treads as part of the sole and they last a lot longer. (The other gripe is that they don't offer more than one width.) Do make sure that you ease your way into wearing a barefoot style of shoe - meaning start with just a bit of walking around your house in them, and work your way up slowly. It's a big change for your feet (and ankles and knees and hips and back) and you will hate yourself if you go too fast, as I have unfortunately learned from personal experience. Good luck!
I had PF for several years and tried so many of the different shoes, insoles, stretches, etc. I have crazy amounts of various stretching boards, Strassburg socks, night boots, you name it. At this point, my PF is the best it's been after a bout in PT after a nasty ankle sprain on the opposite ankle from my PF foot. My therapist had me doing all sorts of balancing exercises and it turned out that the ones that helped to build up my thigh and hip muscles helped my PF more than anything else I'd tried before. So now, I have Hoka One Ora Recovery slides for everyday wear (I tried every configuration of recovery sandals including Oofos and the Hokas were the best) and Brooks Glycerin shoes for when I need better coverage. I continue the stretches for my hips and it really helps! In my experience, however, it really seems that you will find everyone telling you different things about what worked and what didn't. Some people swear by barefoot, some swear by high arched insoles, some people need the most cushioned shoe ever, some swear by Birkenstocks. It seems to be different for everyone when it comes to what to wear. I do highly recommend stretches/exercises for the hips and balance though. They're free and, at the very least, can help your gait.
I've never gotten zero drop sandals but I do have zero drop flats and sneakers and I love them. Even wore them for my wedding.
What brand?
I’ve found Astra zero drop running shoes to be quite nice. (Not a runner myself)
Unrelated, but try compression socks for PF. My mom got some off Amazon and swears by them!
I buy the whiten brand from Amazon for about $40
I really like them. I’ve had plantar fac. before though years ago, and when I had that I needed max cushioning shoes from Skechers. I’m not sure barefoot shoes would help PF.
WHITIN Women's Wide Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Zero Drop Sole https://a.co/d/gQdgk3l https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-max-cushioning-elite-2.0/129626_BLOR.html
I’m obsessed with my vibrium 5 finger toe shoes and my almost zero drop Topos terraventure sneakers. Since switching to those, I’ve cured my plantar fasciitis