Best Flip Flops for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot ailments. Caused by inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament (the ligaments connecting your heels to your toes), the condition is characterized by ongoing heel pain. When the plantar fascia becomes excessively stretched or strained, it can develop little tears, which leads to swelling and dull or severe pain.¹

For most people with plantar fasciitis, the first steps of the day are the most difficult—and sometimes, the most painful. Generally, that pain tends to subside throughout the day. However, certain things can aggravate the condition and increase pain and discomfort, such as:

• Standing or walking for long periods
• Standing or walking after sitting

If you’re one of the millions of people a year who struggle with heel pain, you might think flip-flops or toe-post sandals are out of the question.² But there are actually lots of flip-flops and thong sandals designed to prevent swollen connective tissue and foot pain in the heel bone. Here’s where to find the best flip-flops for plantar fasciitis.

WHAT ARE THE BEST FLIP-FLOPS FOR PEOPLE WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS?

Here at Vionic, we know how much pain and discomfort the wrong footwear can cause, and we believe your shoes shouldn’t hold you back from living your life. If you have a foot problem and you’re looking for how to relieve foot pain, one of the most effective ways is a good pair of supportive shoes. Our podiatrist-designed plantar fasciitis shoes are expertly engineered to alleviate various foot woes, and we make some of the best orthotic flip-flops for plantar fasciitis.

Rubber Flip-Flops for Plantar Fasciitis

Vionic is proud to carry sole-soothing flip-flops with a traditional low profile and beachy silhouette. The injected EVA footbeds feature crave-worthy anatomical arch support, helping to promote your natural alignment while padding around the pool or prancing around in the sand.

Toe-Post Sandals for Plantar Fasciitis

We have toe-post sandals for men and women in classically sporty styles, as well as some embellished designs. When you browse our collections, you’ll find options with leather uppers and microfiber-covered footbeds and durable, shock-absorbing rubber outsoles.

But that’s not all. Viconic’s toe-post sandals also feature contoured midsoles that are lightweight and flexible to promote maximum comfort. Plus, our midsoles absorb the shock of every step you take, reducing daily stress to your:

• Ankles
• Feet
• Knees

Vio-Motion Support Technology

If you’ve got plantar fasciitis, you might think you’re restricted to wearing closed-toe plantar fasciitis shoes with special insoles. While we’re all for orthotic inserts, we also believe in the freedom to wear any footwear style you want—even a sandal —no matter what foot condition you have. You can rest assured knowing we also provide wide shoes for women who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Get the orthotic contouring and stability wide feet crave, too.

So, how do we do it? The secret is our innovative Vio-Motion Support technology with triple-zone orthotics built right into the countoured footbed. This alleviates heel pain and other discomforts while promoting your natural alignment.³ Unlike other flip-flops and toe-post sandals, the styles from Vionic have an unbelievably supportive fit with a deep heel cup, contoured arches, and cushioning throughout.⁴

Our sandals are biomechanically designed to support the entire length of your foot while hugging your arches. This reduces strain on the plantar fascia and helps prevent inflammation.

APMA Seal of Acceptance

Many of Vionic’s thong sandals have an APMA Seal of Acceptance. This means the American Podiatric Medical Association approves the design of Vionic’s thong sandal style and certifies that it offers sufficient anatomical arch support while benefiting foot health. Vionic is proud to be one of the few orthotic shoe brands that have demonstrated the ability to deliver adequate support, especially if you are a plantar fasciitis sufferer.

Proven Pain Relief

The best flip-flops for heel pain sufferers are from Vionic, but you don’t have to take our word for it. A peer-reviewed study showed our contoured Vionic sandals are up to par with our best-selling orthotics for short-term plantar fasciitis pain treatment, one of the most effective sore feet remedies.

The study also revealed that our toe-post orthopedic sandal offers more relief for plantar fasciitis than regular flat flip-flops. In fact, participants who wore our contoured supportive sandal for 12 weeks were nearly 70% more likely to experience improved symptoms than those who wore unsupportive styles.

What to Look for in Flip-Flops for Plantar Fasciitis

Wanting to wear sandals in the spring and summer or on a warm vacation is completely understandable. But when you have heel pain, it’s a little trickier to find the perfect sustainable shoes. That said, there are lots of excellent options with built-in orthotics, like the comfortable sandal styles you’ll find at Vionic.

Flip-flops for plantar fasciitis should have:

• Good arch support
• Deep heel cup
• Flexible molded footbeds
• Sufficient cushioning
• Sturdy, shock absorption soles
• Patterned tread on the bottom

If you want sandals that check all the boxes, Vionic has you covered. As mentioned above, our Vio-Motion Support technology is embedded into every pair of shoes we make, including our flip-flops. Not only that, but our Vionic sandals have reliable shock-absorbing outsoles with patterned treads for added traction.

WHERE TO BUY THE BEST FLIP-FLOPS AND SANDALS

When you shop Vionic’s collection of comfortable walking sandals, you’ll find lots of stylish options for every occasion. In addition to built-in orthotics with transformative support, each pair is made with premium materials and features that’ll keep you on your feet.

We know that foot comfort isn’t only about your soles. That’s why our walking and running shoes are designed with the comfort of your entire foot in mind. We’re talking sturdy EVA outsoles with patterned tread for extra grip so you don’t have to worry about those slippery beachside spots, plus lightweight, flexible midsoles with contouring and plush cushioning in all the right places. Our thoughtfully designed uppers are often adjustable and made from high-quality materials that are unlikely to rub against your skin and cause blisters.⁵

We’ve got:

• women’s flip-flops with arch support
• orthotic toe-post men’s sandals
• indoor/outdoor unisex slides

Each pair of shoes and sandals we create are engineered to support your natural alignment. Vionic also makes Vionic also makes:

• leather slip-on sandals with neoprene lining
• active triple-strap sandals with excellent traction
• fashion-forward platform sandals with hook-and-loop closure
• elegant T-strap sandals
• low-slung ankle-strap sandals
• toe-loop slides
• slip-on wedges
• heeled sandals
• espadrilles

By the way, if you’re wondering how to clean sandals, we’ve written about that in detail.

When you can count on arch support with every pair, a world of possibilities will open up for you. Arch support is incredibly important when it comes to preventing inflammation that can lead to overpronation and plantar fasciitis. The human foot was not designed to walk on the hard, unforgiving surfaces you encounter everyday. Instead, your feet crave soft, giving surfaces like dirt or grass that mold to the shape of your foot, supporting your arches and the rest of your body. The orthotics in our post-toe flip flops mimic that soft texture so that your feet are protected every step of the way.

Whether you need warm-weather footwear for gardening, running errands, taking walks around your neighborhood, barbecuing at home, traveling, hanging out at the pool, or heading to the beach, Vionic has a stylish option that’ll meet your needs.

Vionic Beach Flip-Flops

Speaking of the beach, Vionic is your source for plantar fasciitis flip flops options. Every Vionic sandal style is made for walking through the sand, splashing in the tide, and slipping on and off as you enjoy a leisurely day by the ocean. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis or heel pain, you can still frolick along the beach in a pair of summer sandals that keep you supported and minimize discomfort.

Yes, believe it or not, you can rock flip-flop sandals without having to worry about heel pain or discomfort. Our beach flip-flops offer unbeatable arch support you won’t find with other brands. The sleek, low profile, and classic thong-style straps of this orthotic sandal have the easy-breezy look you know and love and the orthotics are completely hidden within the footbeds so you don’t have to worry about chunky, unsightly inserts bungling your stride or your fashion statement. Biomechanically designed, our orthotics are proven to:

• Hug your arches
• Comfort and support your feet
• Treat heel pain

If you’re struggling with heel pain, you can rest assured your arches are getting the support and contouring they need when you’re traipsing about in a pair of orthotic flip flops by Viconic. You’ll feel the difference immediately when you slide them on—unbeatable comfort, APMA-approved support, and the latest summer styles you crave, all in one pair of walking shoes.

Shop orthotic flip-flops and comfortable toe-post sandals for beach wear from our tide collection today.

 

Sources:

1. Linda Searing. “The Big Number: 2 million Americans get treated for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis”. The Washington Post. Nov 25, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/the-big-number-2-million-americans-get-treated-for-heel-pain-caused-by-plantar-fasciitis/2019/11/22/0dfe89e8-0c7a-11ea-97ac-a7ccc8dd1ebc_story.html
2. “Plantar fasciitis”. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354846
3. Rebecca Carhart. “The 12 Most Comfortable Flip-flops for Men and Women, According to Customer Reviews (Video)”. Travel and Leisure. April 01, 2021, https://www.prevention.com/beauty/style/g32036795/best-walking-sandals-for-women/
4. Barbara Schneider-Levy and Allie Fasanella. “11 Orthopedic Shoe Brands That Can Enhance Your Comfort and Foot Health”. Footwear News. Dec 4, 2020, https://footwearnews.com/2020/focus/health/best-orthopedic-shoe-brands-vionic-propet-1202795651/