With the best dress shoes for plantar fasciitis, you don’t have to be afraid of standing or walking, and you don’t need to compromise on the looks either. Usually, plantar fasciitis can make everyday activities much tougher because your feet can start hurting as soon as you stand up. Because of that, you may feel like skipping that wedding, company dinner, or conference that you’ve been planning for months. But there is a solution for you.
Believe it or not, shoes can both look amazing and be very supportive and comfortable at the same time, all that without costing you a fortune. We gathered up some of the most advanced dress shoe designs that are suitable for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis and digested all info you need on how to make the best pick. Let’s jump right in.
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Benefits Of Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
So, what makes plantar fasciitis dress shoes different from the run-of-the-mill dress shoes that you can find in any store? It’s their ability to give full support to your feet with every step.
There are several aspects to the special support that feet with plantar fasciitis need. Here, we’ll try to explain without going into too much detail. If you want to learn more about plantar fasciitis as a condition, you can read up everything about plantar fasciitis here.
1. Heel and Arch Support
The most important difference between shoes that are and those that aren’t suitable for plantar fasciitis is the support they provide to the heel and the arch. These two parts of the foot are the most common pain points, and in many cases, the condition develops specifically because of shoes that offer insufficient support. Most regular shoes have weak or even inexistent support (cushioning or molding) around the heel, while many regular dress shoes have an extremely tough and hard heel. Both of these can make stepping uncomfortable and put unnecessary strain on the plantar fascia.
2. Torsional Strength
If your feet pronate too much when you walk, you’re putting an extra strain on your feet ligaments. Generally, ligaments, including the plantar fascia, have good tensile strength – it can stretch in the direction between the ball of your foot and your heel without taking damage. However, if this ligament twists, it can be easily damaged – meaning it has low torsional strength. Rolling in (overpronation) or rolling out (oversupination) are both equally bad for your feet, and can result in plantar fasciitis.
Overpronation is very common in people with flat feet, caused by the natural shape of the foot. Good dress shoes will prevent pronation and never allow twisting. That’s not to say that they shouldn’t be flexible: if you grab the heel of your foot with one hand and the tip of the box, you should be able to bring them closer together by twisting upwards, in a way that your foot naturally bends when you walk. However, if you grab the shoe and twist the toes inwards and the heel outwards if the shoe bends easily – it’s not good for plantar fasciitis.
3. Cushioning
Dress shoes are often made out of rigid materials, especially if they have a raised heel. As you can imagine, walking on a hard surface is not something that will make your feet hurt less. However, some manufacturers may try to overcompensate for the hard material, making a very soft, cushy insole. This is not a good solution either – too much cushioning can be harmful to your foot as well. Make sure that the cushioning of your shoes is firm but comfortable. It should be able to adapt to your foot, but also retain its shape over time. Cushioning around the heel is the most important, and if you have flat feet, you should get dress shoes for flat feet which have insoles with strong arch support as well.
The most important function of cushioning is to reduce the shock that your feet absorb with each step. That’s why it doesn’t matter whether the cushioning comes from the sole or the lining – for as long as it absorbs some of the shocks, shielding your foot, it’s doing a good job.
Best Dress Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Orthofeet Men’s Oxford Shoes Proven Relief for Plantar Fasciitis |
| View On Amazon |
 | Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge |
| View On Amazon |
 | Rockport Men’s Sharp and Ready Colben Oxford |
| View On Amazon |
 | NAOT Women’s Helm Ankle Bootie |
| View On Amazon |
 | Dr. Comfort Men’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Leather Dress Shoe |
| View On Amazon |
Best Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Reviews
1. Orthofeet Men’s Oxford Shoes Proven Relief for Plantar Fasciitis
If you’re looking for extraordinarily comfortable shoes that hide their comfort behind a formal design, this men’s Oxford shoe by Orthofeet is a great pick!
Coming in black and brown, this pair of leather shoes is very professional-looking, without being the slightest bit uncomfortable to wear. In fact, these are certified by Medicare as therapeutic shoes, a pair of these has the power to eliminate foot pain from your life.
The soles are made out of four layers of protection for your feet. There’s a removable anatomical insole with anti-microbial fabric, designed for great arch and heel support, two layers of spacers, and a cushy rubber sole with air pockets right under your heels. The combination of these layers makes up for a truly therapeutic shoe and that can aid in recovering from plantar fasciitis. However, the rubber sole does wear down with use.
This pair of shoes is available in all sizes between 7 and 14. If you have wide feet, you’ll be pleased to hear that each size is also available in normal, wide, and extra-wide variants.
Pros
- The sole is designed to minimize damage to the plantar fascia and make walking comfortable
- Certified by Medicare, perfect for plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and diabetes
Cons
- The rubber soles wear down
2. Dansko Women’s Loralie Wedge
Here we have a pair of beautiful women’s wedges that can be suitable for any occasion. Made by Dansko, these are stylish, but most importantly – comfortable.
Made out of burnished nubuck leather, this pair comes in many colors: from the classic black, through a dark purple “wine” color, moss green, bright red, and a sweet navy tone. This Mary Jane shoe is cute, and it comes with an adjustable strap.
The inside is also lined with comfortable leather and soft textile lining, helping your feet stay sweat-free and happy throughout the day. The footbed is made with an anatomic design, with good heel cushioning and comfortable arch support. The footbed is removable, making it possible for you to insert your own orthopedic insoles.
The heels of these lovely Danskos are made out of a synthetic, rubber-like material that absorbs quite a bit of the shock that comes with taking a step. The wedge is about 2 inches tall, making this low-heeled dress shoes just right for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis.
This shoe is available in sizes 4.5 through 13.
Pros
- Very comfortable with great heel and arch support
- Removable footbed lets you insert your own insoles
Cons
- In the beginning, the toe box can be quite stiff
3. Rockport Men’s Sharp and Ready Colben Oxford
If you’re looking for a pair of men’s Oxfords that are comfortable and good-looking, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on them, check out this affordable pair of dress shoes made by Rockport.
Even though this shoe is not expensive, it is made out of good materials with a very well-thought-out design. They’re available in many colors and with different finishes from shiny leather to suede. Most importantly, they’re available in plenty of sizes, from 7 to 16, with each size coming in both normal and wide variant for the best fit. However, some customers weren’t happy with the sizing, so make sure to check out the size chart and compare your actual foot size in there.
One of the first things you’ll notice about these shoes is that they’re incredibly lightweight. The top is genuine leather, while the sole is a mix of synthetic materials with ethylene-vinyl acetate outsole for shock absorption. The footbed is made out of latex foam, and it includes cushions, but you can put in your own insoles as the footbed is removable.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Shock-absorbent soles
Cons
- Check the sizing chart for a correct fit
4. NAOT Women’s Helm Ankle Bootie
If you’re looking for a pair of ankle booties that can work well with almost any outfit, look no further than this women’s Helm boot model by Naot, from their collection Aura.
These beautiful boots are made out of two types of leather: suede at the heel and shiny leather in the front. In between the two pieces, there’s a zipper on each side of the shoe, which improves accessibility.
This shoe has a padded heel cup and plenty of good padding that will keep your feet feeling comfortable throughout the workday or the evening dining out. The footbed is removable, and it’s made out of latex and wrapped in microfiber and leather, for a great mix of support and flexibility to mold to your foot shape. The sole is made out of PU, and it features a metal shank that won’t allow your foot to pronate or supinate too much. However, that doesn’t make this well-made shoe less flexible: stepping in it is comfortable and easy.
Pros
- Removable footbed made out of a mix of latex, microfiber, and leather
- Features a metal shank and a PU sole
Cons
- The price point is high
5. Dr. Comfort Men’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Leather Dress Shoe
Whether you suffer from plantar fasciitis, diabetes, calluses, osteoarthritis, bunions, or just feel the need to change into something more comfortable, Dr. Comfort has got a pair of Wings for you.
This stylish pair of Oxford shoes comes in black and brown. Made out of full-grain leather with its finish hand-burnished, this pair of dress shoes is surely made for formal gatherings, yet you’ll want to stay in them wherever you go.
And while they look great, the best part of these shoes is that they’re very comfortable. They come with a padded heel and a pair of gel insoles which helps disperse and absorb shock, protecting your plantar fascia. The footbed is removable, so if you wear custom orthotics, you can insert your own. The toe box is very wide and it has additional protection from stubbing your toes.
These dress shoes come in a huge variety of sizes, with sizes between 6 and 15 available in normal, wide, and extra-wide.
Pros
- Covered and certified by Medicare
- Very comfortable with extra padding
Cons
- Due to the material, the sole wears down
6. Romika Women’s Cassie 24 Flat
A pair of comfy slip-on dress shoes that you don’t have to lace, tie, or zip sounds like a dream – and here they are. Made by Romika, the model Cassie 24 is one of those shoes you’ll want to wear wherever you go.
With a 1.5 inch heel and a 1-inch platform, this shoe features a soft and cushy synthetic sole that will absorb a lot of the shock that comes with every step, helping you prevent or recover from plantar fasciitis. On the inside, you’ll find a cushioned footbed with arch support that’s removable so you can use your own custom-made orthotics. The inside of the shoe is lined with textile.
The upper part of the shoe is very stylish, yet so easy to wear. The leather that’s used to make the upper comes with an abstract wrinkled design. Four color options are available, and you can get these shoes in sizes between 5 and 11.5. You can simply slip into these shoes as they come with twin elastic goring.
Pros
- Comfortable soles with good, removable insoles
- Slip-on dress shoes require no tying, lacing, or zippering
Cons
- Check the sizing chart to find a proper fit
7. Vionic Men’s Preston Slip on Shoes
You don’t have to worry about tying your laces if you want to attend a formal dinner or a business meeting. Vionic has a stylish pair of slip-on loafers named Preston for those that demand maximum comfort and a shoe that comes on and off quickly.
You don’t need laces to be all dressed up, but the twin goring on these loafers makes sure you don’t accidentally slip out of your shoes.
While the upper part of these shoes is made out of great-looking leather, the soles are lined with rubber. As with most rubber soles, it’s not the most durable material choice, but it exceeds at absorbing shock, making these shoes ideal for preventing and recovering from plantar fasciitis. These shoes come with a pair of contoured removable footbeds made of EVA. They’re designed for podiatrists to provide maximum heel and arch support, and they’re especially good at reducing overpronation. The cover of the footbed, as well as the inner lining, are made out of leather.
These come in sizes between 7 and 13, but they’re all made in medium width (D).
Pros
- Plantar fasciitis focused design with rubber soles and removable, contoured footbeds
- Moccasin-like loafers that are easy to put on and take off
Cons
- Rubber soles wear off quicker than other materials
8. Vionic Women’s, Waverly Loafer
A pretty pair of moccasins is always in style. Vionic knows that, so they’ve made this model of loafers named Waverly for all of your special occasions. You can simply slip these on, making them so convenient, along with comfortable and beautiful.
This pair of shoes comes in a plethora of colors, and both made out of shiny leather or matte Nubuck. The available colors come in natural darks like black and chocolate brown, and in light, gentle colors like white, light gold, and baby pink. The inner lining is fabric.
The outer part of the sole is made out of TR, while the inner part is rubber, so it is quite shock-absorbing despite the heel being only 1 inch tall. As Vionic specializes in orthotic shoes, this model is a great pick for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis. The footbed is removable, very cushioned, and covered in leather. It’s contoured and features a deep heel cut for stability, and improved heel and arch support.
One of the biggest concerns for customers is the shoe width. The shoe is built with a medium (B) width mold, so make sure that this size will suit your feet well.
Pros
- Comes in a wide variety of colors and two material options
- Very comfy removable footbed with contours for heel and arch support
Cons
- Make sure that the medium (B) width suits you well
9. SAS Women’s Jade Boot
Moccasin style can be fitted for fall and winter too, and these Jade ankle boots by SAS feature exactly that.
Made in the USA, these pretty boots come in four colors: lighter black, onyx deep black, chestnut, and walnut brown. They’re easy to put on and off as they feature an inner-side zipper, and gores for a better, more comfortable fit around your ankles.
The upper part of these dress boots is made out of leather, while the sole is made out of PU. The sole has a clever construction, with many tiny bubbles inside the material, which are responsible for its outstanding shock absorption. As you walk, the impact is broken down between the bubbles, making the soles a great choice for people who want to prevent or heal from plantar fasciitis. At the highest point, the heel measures around 1.5 inches. However, some customers felt that the sole is slippery.
The footbed is made out of foam and lined with leather, designed to support all the key points of your feet. If you own your own orthotics, you can insert them instead. The inside of the boot is lined with soft fabric.
The boots come in sizes 5 through 12 and feature a lot of width options for a perfect fit.
Pros
- Specially designed PU soles
- Many sizes and widths available
Cons
- The sole can be slippery
What Are Dress Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis?
If you suffer from pain in your heels and the bottom of your foot due to plantar fasciitis, you might be very excited at the prospect of comfy shoes. While the shoes developed by medical professionals are comfortable, the way they look is, more often than not, completely disappointing. Luckily, you aren’t doomed to spend the rest of your life in ugly orthopedic shoes. There are plenty of brands out there that make great-looking, yet well-designed shoes that prevent and ease foot pain.
Here, we focus on shoes that can help you with plantar fasciitis pain, and that you can wear to formal gatherings, fancy dinners, business meetings and conferences, big parties, and weddings. These are made with beautiful, long-lasting materials for fantastic curb appeal, but they also have distinct construction inside the shoe that provides top-notch support while standing and walking.
Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Buying Guide
Getting the right pair of shoes when you suffer from plantar fasciitis is not easy – especially if you’re looking for a nice, comfy pair of dress shoes. Shoes sold by podiatrists offer great support, but more often than not, they look terrible. On the other hand, beautiful, expensive store-bought dress shoes look amazing, but they can make the problem even worse. To make sure you find the right shoe for you, we created a checklist of things you should consider. Take these factors into account, and we’re sure you’ll find that perfect pair.
1. Materials Used
The material your shoes are made of really makes a difference. Of course, the material will influence the looks, price, and durability of your shoes, but most importantly, it has a huge impact on how comfortable your shoes are. Three distinct parts of the shoe require different material choices: the upper, the lining, and the sole. We will cover the upper material extensively, and briefly mention the lining and the sole.
When it comes to soles, there are many choices out there. Most commonly, dress shoe soles are made out of polyurethane, rubber, TPR, natural leather, or sheet material. Polyurethane (PU) is the most common choice for dress shoes because the material is durable and quite resistant to wear and tear. Rubber is another common pick, as it’s comfortable but sometimes a bit too heavy.
The lining should be made out of leather or some sort of microfiber material because breathability is very important for the health of your feet. If you get shoes with the lining made out of an unbreathable material, you might battle with bad odor or, even worse, fungal infections.
The upper part of your shoes is important as well, and not only because it determines the design and how well your dress shoes look. Materials used for the outer part of your shoes determine a lot of things, including comfort, breathability, durability, heat control, and the weather you can wear your shoes in. Of course, the material choice also plays a big role in the price of your shoes, with natural leather being among the most expensive materials, and artificial materials being on the more affordable side. We can talk about three big groups of materials, which are leather, PU leather, and textile.
1.1. Leather
Leather made out of natural animal hide has been used as a shoe material for centuries. When it comes to durability, breathability, insulation, and the way it conforms to the foot, this material has not been beaten by artificial alternatives yet.
However, due to its natural origin, real leather is quite expensive, and there are many different quality grades. Many factors determine the quality of leather, including origin, the way it was tanned, and the amount of fillers and additives it has. That’s why you can find both cheap and high-end dress shoes made out of leather – and the material used is often barely comparable.
Leather is one of the best materials you can go for in shoes. It’s remarkably elastic and flexible, but it resists tearing and abrasion. It provides top-notch heat insulation, but it’s also very breathable preventing infections. Still, you wouldn’t want to wear all-leather dress shoes in peak summer, because it retains heat very well. Finally, when untreated, leather is quite vulnerable to water, making leather shoes unsuitable for the rainy season or walking in the snow.
1.2. PU Leather
PU leather is one of the most famous alternatives to real leather. This material is, for many people, almost indistinguishable from genuine leather, and as such, it has become a very popular choice in the shoe industry. There are many types and quality grades of PU leather and many of those are great alternatives to real leather from animals.
A huge advantage of PU leather is that it comes in a variety of colors and textures, yet still resembles and keeps the elegant feel of real leather. This makes planning outfits with PU leather shoes much easier and more fun. That’s especially true since dress shoes out of synthetic leather cost far less, making multiple pairs a viable option for many people. However, this material is also less durable, making it necessary to replace shoes more often.
As with leather, there are several quality grades of PU leather, and the quality is determined by many factors. These include a variety of processing types, the quality and weaving of the backing, the adhesion method used, and so on. This also means that there are more and less breathable, durable, and elastic PU leather shoes.
1.3. Textile
Textile shoes are not what you’d traditionally call dress shoes, but there are more and more high-quality and beautiful-looking formal shoes made out of various types of textiles out there. In fact, when we talk about textiles, we usually talk about one of many different natural or synthetic materials. These include cotton, wool, Lycra, rayon, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, and so on.
Textile shoes are ideal for warm climates and the summer season, since they offer incomparable breathability, and don’t retain heat. Textile materials are also very comfortable because they conform to the shape of your foot. However, this material does not do well in the rain or the cold, so you should make sure that you don’t get it wet.
2. Footbeds That Can Be Removed
If you have a long-lasting podiatric issue, such as flat feet or high arches which has caused the onset of your plantar fasciitis in the first place, chances are that your podiatrist has recommended a pair of custom-made insoles. These specially made inserts are the best way to battle your condition without sacrificing too much money or your style. To fit your custom-made orthotics into your shoes without losing precious space and making your foot feel cramped inside, you should look for dress shoes with removable footbeds. Simply removing the built-in insole and inserting your own will make the inside of the shoe ideal for your foot, while keeping the benefits of the well-built shoe.
3. A Proper Fit
No matter what kind of shoes you need, a proper fit should always be a priority. A bad fit will not only be uncomfortable, but it will also likely cause issues with your feet – and it doesn’t matter if the shoe is too big or too small, both can do damage.
3.1. Sizing charts
So, how can you know the right shoe size for you? You might be used to buying, for example, size 7 shoes, but unfortunately, that isn’t enough to make sure you get fitting shoes.
Sadly, shoe manufacturers still use somewhat different molds when making shoes, so picking up the right shoe size doesn’t necessarily mean that the shoe will fit. If you can find one, you should get a sizing chart that is used by the manufacturer of the shoes you’re interested in. There, you can compare the length and width of your feet in inches to the shoe sizes of that brand.
That being said, you’ll need to get two measurements, so grab a ruler.
3.2. Foot size
First of all, you need to measure the length of your foot from the end of your heel to the end of the longest toe on your foot. If one of your feet is longer (that’s how it is for many people, don’t worry!), use the measurement of the longer foot. You should also allow around 0.5 cm (around 0.20 inches) of additional space within the shoe. This is important to avoid bumping your toes on every time you take a step: As you walk, your foot will naturally have some roll-through movement within the shoe. You should also be able to wiggle your toes inside the toe box for the shoe to be truly comfortable. However, note that this space should be at the front, and not near your heel: Your heels must have firm, tight support all around.
Of course, you know that the length of your feet is the most important measurement that you can take. However, you shouldn’t disregard foot width either, especially not if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. You might need to put in some extra effort to find the right shoe for you if you have feet that are a bit wider or narrower than the typical mold, but it’s worth it once you have a perfect, comfortable pair of dress shoes to wear.
4. Shock-absorbing Soles
One of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis is repeated impact on the foot. With every step, four foot hits the floor or ground, and your heel needs to absorb the resulting shock. To help avoid that, you should look for a pair of dress shoes that have soles that can absorb a part of that shock.
Thick outsoles and soles, in general, are a big plus. But in order to absorb as much shock as possible, it should either be made out of several different materials, or a thick, full material like rubber. Rigid, hard heels, like most high heels, don’t have the power to break down the shockwave, and that’s the reason why even high heels have rubber caps. An ideal pick for plantar fasciitis are soles with air pockets because they absorb maximum shock like you can see in many plantar fasciitis running shoes, but these aren’t very common among dress shoes.
5. The Shank
We mentioned before that foot ligaments have good tensile strength, but do worse when it comes to torsional strength. This is all about how well your ligaments handle pulling and twisting.
Tensile strength, the one our ligaments are good at, means that your ligaments can stretch when pulled front-to-back. This happens every time you take a step – your plantar fascia extends between the ball of your foot and the heel.
However, your feet can’t handle torsional strain – and that simply means twisting. If you have flat feet or high arches, chances are that you suffer from overpronation or oversupination as you walk: meaning your feet may roll inwards or outwards.
To fix the problem of torsional strength, you need shoes that don’t allow twisting to happen, and that’s the role of a shank. A shank is a small, elongated piece of steel, graphite, or fiberglass that is inserted into the sole of the shoe, just under the plantar fascia. The shank doesn’t allow twisting, but due to its length, it doesn’t prevent the shoe from bending to follow the natural stepping pattern.
Not all shoes nowadays are made with a shank (for example, tennis shoes rarely have it), but this old invention is a valuable piece that people with plantar fasciitis should prioritize. A shank improves arch support and your stability in the shoe, it helps the shoe retain its shape over time, and if we’re talking about hiking boots, it can even protect your feet from getting damaged by sharp rocks.
6. Flat or High Heels
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you might be inclined to think that high heels are to be avoided at all costs and that you should go as flat as possible. However, this is not necessarily the best way to go.
Even though you may feel that completely flat shoes are the most natural way to walk, that’s not necessarily true, especially not on concrete and wooden floorboards. In fact, a slight raise to your heel is the single most comfortable and natural position for your foot. If you choose completely flat shoes, your Achilles tendon will suffer too much strain, and your plantar fascia and heel will have to work overtime as well.
You should by no means go for super high heels – of course, your feet can’t feel relaxed standing on a 7-inch elevation. When it comes to people who suffer from plantar fasciitis, but those that don’t have it as well, the best way to go is a moderate heel between 1 and 2 inches tall.
How to Maintain Leather Dress Shoes
It’s just natural that you want your beautiful new pair of shoes to last as long as possible. That’s especially true if you invested a bit more and got yourself a nice pair of genuine leather shoes.
Unfortunately, as a natural material, leather can be somewhat hard to maintain. It wears off easily with improper maintenance, and it can lose its shine quickly if you don’t know how to keep it in its best shape. That’s why we prepared a short introduction to keep your leather dress shoes looking flawless. Keep in mind that you can use the same process on any form of leather shoes, not only your formal pair. Leather sandals for plantar fasciitis, your best work boots for plantar fasciitis, and even belts can all benefit from a good maintenance routine.
1. What You Need
- Leather shoe cleaner
- Leather shoe conditioner
- Shoe polish (choose the appropriate color or use a neutral polish)
- Pieces of soft cotton cloth (you can cut up an old cotton t-shirt)
- Shoe brush made of horsehair
- Shoe trees
2. Cleaning
The whole process of cleaning, conditioning, and polishing should be done with shoe trees inserted in order to help the shoes maintain their shape, and make the job easier.
Cleaning your shoes regularly is the most important part of maintenance. It’s a common mistake to add layers of shoe conditioner and trap bits of dust and grime in it, which prevents you from bringing out the shine, but also reduces the leather’s ability to breathe. A leather cleaner lets you remove foreign substances, and prepare the leather for the next step.
To clean your shoes, you should first use the horsehair shoe brush or a cotton rag to remove dust and dirt. Then put a dab of shoe cleaner on a dry cotton cloth, and rub it into both shoes. Let the shoes dry for 10 minutes.
3. Conditioning
Leather conditioner makes sure that the material is moisturized and that it can withstand the effects of the weather. If you don’t use a conditioner, the leather will quickly become dry and brittle, which will cause cracks soon enough.
Make sure that your shoes are dry before applying conditioner. Put a small dab of the product on a clean cotton rag, and gently work it into the leather. Let the conditioner sit for 10 or 15 minutes. At that time, it may become a bit hazy. The haze comes from the excess product, so you should just take a clean cloth and gently buff it off.
4. Polishing
Finally, it’s time to bring the shine back to your shoes. Polish doesn’t necessarily have a protective role. In fact, a leather polish is a combination of dye, oils, and waxes which will hide imperfections and fill in the crevices and scratches on the surface of your shoes.
First off, you need to apply the polish. Wrap a cotton cloth around your fingers, and using a circular motion, apply the colored cream onto the surface of the shoe. Try to apply evenly, and remember that a little goes a long way. Leave the shoes to sit for a little bit, ideally between 5 and 15 minutes, to allow the polish to get absorbed.
Take your horsehair shoe brush in one hand, holding the shoe firmly in the other, and start brushing the shoe. Essentially, go back and forth, applying moderate pressure. As you buff with the brush, the friction will soon start to bring out the shine in your shoes. Add more layers of polish and re-buff if needed.
If you wear your shoes on a daily basis or several times per week, you should polish your shoes once a week or biweekly. You don’t have to apply conditioner every time but do it at least once a month.
5. Storing
Proper storage of leather shoes is also an important aspect of keeping them in top shape for years to come. In fact, with regular maintenance and good storage practices, your shoes can last anywhere between ten and thirty years.
Ideally, you should have two pairs of shoes to rotate. That’s because it’s important to let the leather dry out completely before you wear them next, to avoid any mold and bacteria developing.
5.1. Shoe Trees
When your shoes are “resting”, you should insert shoe trees. In the world of shoes, shoe trees are akin to great hangers – they keep your clothes and shoes in the best shape and ready to wear. The best kind for any type of leather are cedarwood trees because cedar has amazing drying properties, but in truth, most types of wood can do a sufficient job. It will draw out the moisture, and along the way help your shoes retain their shape. You should insert shoe trees as soon as you take off your shoes, and you should always do that if you don’t plan on wearing the shoes for several days.
5.2. Bag
If you’re storing your shoes for the season, you should put them away with shoe trees inside and neatly wrapped in a bag. The bag will protect your shoes from dust, which can otherwise get caked on and permanently reduce the shininess of your expensive dress shoes.
You likely got a suitable shoe bag when purchasing your shoes, but if you don’t have one, you can use any canvas bag. Never use plastic and Ziploc bags because they don’t allow moisture to escape, which can promote mold growth. If you’re not sure if the bag you’re using is breathable enough, you can leave the bag partly open. Store the bag with your shoes in a closet, and they’ll be ready to go the next season.
FAQ About Dress Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
1. How long at the time can I wear my dress shoes if I have plantar fasciitis?
There’s no single answer to this question, and it differs from case to case. The most important advice we can give is that you should listen to your body. You should never keep standing or walking when your feet hurt – that’s a call for rest. On the other hand, in many cases of plantar fasciitis, the pain hits after the tiring activity. Because of that, you should try to limit your activity to only the necessary, and look for ways to sit and rest your legs during events. Still, with well-chosen shoes, chances are that you’ll be able to go through events several hours long without feeling the need to rest. Even in that case, you should limit your walking to avoid making the condition worse. Remember – rest is the most important part of recovering from plantar fasciitis.
2. Should I wear plantar fasciitis dress shoes even though I don’t have the condition?
You don’t have to, but yes, you can, and it’s advisable to do so. Plantar fasciitis shoes are nothing but very high-quality shoes that have all the right properties to take the stress off this essential ligament in your feet. They’re usually very well built and created to give maximum support to the foot, which can be very beneficial to any regular person. Plantar fasciitis shoes can also be a great idea for people who don’t have the issue, but fear that they might develop it due to pre-existing circumstances.
3. Are memory foam shoes good for plantar fasciitis?
There’s no final and true answer to this question – some specialists swear by the benefits of memory foam, while others claim that it does your feet no good. Similar to memory foam mattresses, the material is well known for its pliancy. The flexible material adapts to the shape of your foot (or your entire body in the case of a mattress), making it very comfortable.
However, the issue with memory foam is that this cloud-soft material doesn’t give very strong support, but instead it molds to suit your foot completely when for example more heel or arch support would be more beneficial for plantar fasciitis. If you have flat feet, memory foam insoles are not a good idea.
Another issue with this material is that it loses its elasticity over time, making memory shoes very comfortable when new, but quickly deteriorating with wear and tear.
Wrap Up
You shouldn’t let plantar fasciitis ruin your special night, that business deal, or a fun night out. This condition is not easy to control, but with best dress shoes for plantar fasciitis, at least you don’t have to suffer through a long night of painful walking and standing. Additionally, you don’t have to make a compromise on your looks – we gave our best to only pick the most stylish models of plantar fasciitis-friendly shoes.
We hope that our plantar fasciitis dress shoe buyer’s guide gave you insight into the most important factors you should consider when getting a pair for yourself and that you found that perfect pair among our reviews. If you have any questions, or you’d like to share your own experience with plantar fasciitis or some of the shoe models we picked, we’d be glad to hear from you in the comment box!
