The best stability running shoes for plantar fasciitis and flat feet

Supportive running shoes with good arch support for plantar fasciitis, flat feet and overpronation.

Quick answer

For plantar fasciitis with flat feet or overpronation, our top pick is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, RunRepeat's "best stability" pick for plantar fasciitis. The HOKA Bondi 9 and ASICS Gel-Pulse 17 are close behind. NHS advice for heel pain is a cushioned heel with good arch support, which is exactly what modern stability shoes combine.

Our picks

  1. Top match

    Adrenaline GTS 25

    Brooks Road

    £145
    • Supportive, stable platform
    • 10mm drop eases load on calves & Achilles
    • Built for road miles

    Fit True to size

    300g 10mm drop

  2. Strong alternative

    Bondi 9

    HOKA Road

    £160
    • Built for road miles
    • A go-to for everyday miles

    Fit True to size

    297g 5mm drop

  3. Also great

    Gel-Pulse 17

    ASICS Road

    £100
    • Balanced cushioning
    • 8mm drop eases load on calves & Achilles
    • Built for road miles

    Fit True to size

    271g 8mm drop

How they compare

ShoePriceWeight (men's / women's)DropPlateWide fit
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25£145300g / 269g10mmNoneYes
HOKA Bondi 9£160297g / 263g5mmNoneYes
ASICS Gel-Pulse 17£100271g / 235g8mmNoneNo

Why arch support matters

NHS leaflets for plantar fasciitis consistently recommend shoes with good arch support as well as a cushioned heel. Stability shoes add support under the arch and along the inside edge of the foot.

In a blinded trial of 372 runners, those with pronated feet had fewer injuries in motion control shoes than in standard ones. That trial wasn't about heel pain specifically, but it's the best evidence that support helps runners whose feet roll in.

What modern stability shoes feel like

Most no longer use a hard post under the arch. They use a wider base, firmer foam on the inside edge, or raised sidewalls to keep your foot centred, so they feel much closer to a neutral shoe than they used to.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a stability shoe for plantar fasciitis?

Not always. If your feet roll in or you have flat feet, a stability shoe adds the arch support NHS advice recommends. If neutral shoes feel comfortable, they're fine too.

Can I use an arch support insole instead?

Yes. Some NHS leaflets say arch supports may help, and they fit most running shoes with a removable insole.

When should I see a GP about heel pain?

The NHS says to see a GP if it doesn't improve within two weeks of looking after it yourself.

How we picked

Every shoe we track is scored on cushioning, stability, responsiveness, weight, drop, plate, width options and price. For this guide we ran that scoring for a typical runner with these needs and show the top three. No brand or retailer can pay to appear. How we rank.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you're in pain, a GP or physiotherapist can tell you what's causing it.

Sources

  1. NHS: Plantar fasciitis
  2. Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Plantar fasciitis
  3. Malisoux et al. (2016). Injury risk in runners using standard or motion control shoes: a randomised controlled trial with participant and assessor blinding. British Journal of Sports Medicine 50(8)
Find your shoe in about a minute