In this post, we are going to cover the topic of plantar fasciitis and which are the best Asics shoes for plantar fasciitis.
I am a big fan of Asics and have been testing various Asics shoes during the last few years and that is the main reason why I recommend this brand.
Have you ever had any foot discomfort while or after running?
Never knew the cause, treatment, or reason for this discomfort.
We are also going to cover some of the most common injuries and discomforts that most runners face, especially beginners. We will also cover what shoes might be the best option for you to avoid common injuries like plantar fasciitis.
In a hurry? Here are the Best Asics Shoes for Plantar Fascitis
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What is Plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive strain injury to the ligament (plantar fascia) of the sole of the foot, which is most commonly caused by excessive running, walking, wearing inadequate footwear, and jumping or landing injuries.
What are the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
- Stabbing pain with your first steps in the morning. The pain normally decreases as you keep moving but might return after a long period of standing.
- Plantar fasciitis is more common in runners who are overweight.
- And most common in runners who wear shoes with inadequate support.
Main causes for Plantar Fasciitis:
- If the arch of your foot does not receive enough support and absorbs all the shock as you walk, the tension in your arch becomes too great. Small tears can occur in the fascia.
- Repeated stretching and tearing of the fascia can irritate or inflame it.
- Overuse of the plantar fascia muscle by excessive physical activity such as running, skipping, HIIT, etc.
Recommended Best Asics shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
We all know ASICS is a major shoe brand in all sports areas.
Do you know why ASICS is SUCH a massive market leader in the running and long-distance running community?
Because they prioritize support and stability for the runner and because they cater for different foot strikes and foot shapes.
Yes, you heard correctly…
You cannot just walk into a store and buy the newest shiniest pretty ASICS shoe without knowing its functionality.
Now how on earth do you know which one to buy? Your foot type? Your foot strike? Or if you need neutral or stability shoes?
Most commonly you would go for a foot scan at a running store and they will be able to tell you, but even those aren’t very accurate, because your foot strike is significantly different after 1 min on a shop treadmill and 5km on the road.
Let’s be honest, most injuries happen after repetitive movement and when you’ve reached a certain point of fatigue. If that is after 1km, 5km, 10km, or 30km. That is when your feet really need to be tested.
But here are some basic pointers mentioned on the Asics website to determine your pronation type (landing type).
“Pronation is part of the natural movement of the human body and refers to the way your foot rolls inward for impact distribution upon landing.
Understanding your pronation type can help you find a comfortable running shoe.” – Asics Website
We also covered the topic of how to identify proper running shoes on Runaddiction.
Complexities of various types of Runners and what they should look out for:
Neutral Runners
- Your foot contacts the ground by landing on the outside of the heel and rolls inward (pronates) to absorb the shock of your body weight.
- You push off from the front of your foot.
- Considered Injuries: Less likely due to correct shock absorption.
Overpronators
- You connect to the ground by landing on the outside of your foot and then roll inwards excessively, transferring weight to the inner edge instead of the ball of the foot.
- You push off your big toe and your second toe does most of the work.
- Considered Injuries: Shin splint, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and heel spurs.
Three things to look for when buying the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis
1. Maximum Arch support
The most vital element for any person suffering from plantar fasciitis is that they need to buy shoes with appropriate arch support. This does not have to be the most expensive model of shoe, but without the arch support, your injury will not improve. Look out for a shoe with good arch support.
2. Better shock absorption
Absorbing shock and impact are the most important part of a running shoe, right?
That will be the reason you put them on in the first place, otherwise, you could have headed out barefoot. So please, if you get a horrible uncoordinated slum and do not spring to your step, look further.
A reliable pair of running shoes for plantar fasciitis should offer superior shock absorption that will take on all the force when your foot strikes the ground.
This ensures your feet do not suffer the full brunt of the ordeal but makes you excel up and forward launching you into your next step.
3. Firm midsole, robust heel counters, and flexible toe box
The goal of getting a better shoe for your fasciitis is to relieve pain in your feet while training, but also to strengthen them as you develop natural arches.
A flexible toe box but robust heel counter ensures that. A shoe that bends nicely but is still supportive at the rear will ensure your arch is always maintained at a proper angle to avoid overworking.
Conclusions and Recommendations
So, there you have it, you can now analyze your symptoms for plantar fasciitis, self-diagnose and treat your injury and figure out if you are a neutral and pronating runner.
But with ALL this information, you still want to be making the best decision when purchasing your next running shoe.
So which ASICS shoe will offer you relief from Plantar Fasciitis and also avoid injury in the future? We have recommended these Asics shoes for all arch types – low/flat arch, normal arch, or high arch.
5 Best Stability Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Asics Gel Kayano 26
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The Asics Gel Kayano has long been the fan favorite for the best-fitting and most comfortable everyday running shoe for overpronators and runners with low to flat arches.
This shoe has a padded interior and a sculpted footbed and it fits best for people with narrow to medium-width feet. The forefoot of Gel Kayano is responsive, agile, and flexible.
Pros:
- Energized cushioning, advanced shock absorption, and superior stability.
- One of the best stability shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
Cons:
- If this is your first time switching over to a stability shoe and you have been running in the ‘wrong’ or old worn-in shoes for a while the support might feel a bit strange in the beginning.
- Slightly heavier and more expensive than many shoes. But it is a small price to pay if you need stability shoes to protect yourself from getting plantar fasciitis.
2. Asics GT 2000 8
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The original stability shoe from ASICS is a comfortable stability shoe that offers the ideal blend of cushioning and support.
The GT-2000 8 features a two-layer mesh upper that is designed to tighten and loosen as the foot flexes and moves, to maximize elasticity and support based on the shape and movement patterns of the runner’s foot. They have been known for being very reliable and durable.
Pros
- GT-2000 8 is made with more mild and mid-level pronation support but still offers a well-structured build that stops the foot collapse from happening to cause all the above-mentioned symptoms.
- Good as a stepping stone between a neutral shoe and a stability shoe as the build-in is not as high as the Kayano.
Cons
- The GT 2000 8 is your average and more affordable stability shoe. Like a luxury sedan, and not a sports car.
Now for the neutral runner, you do not have all the above-mentioned symptoms or injuries yet, your foot strike is neutral, but you still have slight plantar fascia discomfort. You need more support.
Here are the top 3 supportive ASICS market-leading shoes:
3. Asics Gel Nimbus 21
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The Nimbus 21 has to flyte foam down the length of the midsole which adds to the responsiveness and flexibility.
Pros
- Highest shock absorption, bigger forefoot box, with high impact shock absorption in heel and forefoot.
- Chicago runner and RoadRunnerSports tester, Mike Ko, noted that the “shock absorption in the heel was definitely noticeable and the soft insole in the midfoot made for an almost squishy sensation as I was running.” He felt this made it a great potential shoe for longer weekend runs or for people hoping to tack on more miles.
Cons
- The heaviest and chunkiest shoe on the list, but definitely not for a fast or short-distance race. The weight for the gel nimbus 21 is 312g for the men’s shoe and 255g for the women’s shoe.
- The cost of this shoe is also more on the high-end side.
4. ASICS Gel Cumulus 20
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ASICS made these with a 10mm heel drop, and the total weight of the men’s shoe is 297,67g which is an average weight of a running shoe.
Pros
- Premium shock absorption, the gel cumulus provides more stability around your ankle than the average running shoe.
- The extra foam provides a softer, more cushioned wrap around the ankle.
Cons
- Also, not your fastest shoe, and not suitable for speed workouts or fast intervals on the track.
- They also seem to have a stiffness to them that some people, like midfoot or forefoot strikers, do not enjoy. They are more suitable for heel strikers.
5. ASICS Dynaflyte 3
The Asics Dynaflyte 3 comes with a casual design, is cheaper and lighter than the other ASICS models, and has a more comfortable heel and an 8mm drop. They weigh 257g (Men’s) and 215 (women’s).
Pros
- This is your most lightweight, but also the most supportive running shoe. The reason for that is the Dynaflyte contains flyte foam and not Gel.
Cons
- This shoe is more suitable for shorter distances.
- It has been reported that the warmer the flyte foam gets the more it ‘deflates’ meaning you feel less shock absorption and bounce back the longer the run goes on. I started experiencing this around 7km into a 10km race.
It is also necessary to take into consideration that every one of these shoe models brings out new and improved versions yearly. The models I have reviewed above are the most recent models that are currently being sold, and that I have personally tried and tested.
Eg. The Dynaflyte 4 (the most recent model) does have gel in the rear foot which would solve the issue I had with the previous model.
Now that we have all grounds covered, the consumer can make the MOST informed decision when purchasing their next running shoe. (You probably know more about the brand than the salespeople by now.)
I hope this article helped to get you to be a faster and more injury-free runner! Feel free to share your suggestions, feedback, and experiences in the comments below, and do not hesitate to ask Carla any questions you might have about ASICS shoes.
References
- webmd.com
- https://www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/running-advice/what-is-plantar-fasciitis-and-how-to-avoid-it/
- https://comfortingfootwear.com/best-running-shoes-for-plantar-fasciitis/
- https://www.asics.com/za/en-za
- https://www.runningshoesguru.com/
- Carla West, ASICS Frontrunner since 2018, and have been involved and studying these 5 models for the last 2 years.
