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Plantar Fasciitis vs. A Good Pair of Shoes
Whether you’re new to Plantar Fasciitis or not, I think none of us wants to endure the pain even for a moment longer than necessary. Feeling limited by the possibility that every time you take a step your heel just might feel like it’s being stabbed with a hot iron stick (a slight exaggeration for visualization purposes) can take out the joy of all the things you love to do.
That’s why it’s so important that you’re wearing a good pair of shoes that will provide you with support, comfort and protection every step of the way. Your arch needs to be able to relax, so the tears in your ligament can start to heal. And hopefully also prevent and further tears. Because, honestly, who would risk getting Plantar Fasciitis if things can be done to prevent it?
There are many companies there whose aim in this world is to provide shoes that will ease the pain Plantar Fasciitis, or any other foot-related condition can cause. In this article, I’d like to focus on one specific product, made for women, that can truly help you handle the pain and assist your recovery process.
I’m talking about Asics Women’s GEL-Exalt Running Shoe. If you ever did any research about the best shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, I’m positive you’ve seen Asics mentioned many times. There’s no secret as to why everybody’s talking about these shoes—the quality, stability, support and comfort that they provide, are on an exceptional level and can mark the difference if you have Plantar Fasciitis.
What’s So Amazing About This Shoe?
Staying true to the tradition of providing excellent quality, Asics developed another great shoe, especially suitable for women with Plantar Fasciitis. And if you have normal or overpronation (if you’re not sure what I’m talking about you can read about pronation here), this shoe will feel almost like heaven.
1. Arch Support
If you’ve done any research to talked to your doctor or fellow Plantar Fasciitis patients, you know that having a good arch support is indispensable if you want the pain in your heel to go away.
Fully aware of this, Asics developed its DuoMax Support System to make sure that your arch is supported at all times. It doesn’t matter if you’re just sitting on your porch, taking the dog for a walk or running the marathon, you can always count on the DuoMax Support System!
Furthermore, one of the materials of this technology is a high-density EVA midsole which is known for not compressing compress easily. Meaning that your arch will not be rolling inwards, which makes this shoe especially great for neutral to over-pronators.
2. Excellent Cushioning& Shock Absorption
What one of the most important features a good running shoe for women with Plantar Fasciitis should have is excellent cushioning. And,
As the name of the product implies, gel material is used to protect your heel at every step. This shock absorption system is called Rearfoot GEL Cushioning, and it’s one of the signature Asics technologies, and it’s exactly what you need if you run on hard surfaces or long distances (or both).
This technology works wonders in combination with the SpEVA midsole, which, besides absorbing the impacts, helps by improving the bounce back every step of your running session.
3. Stability
I think we can all agree that it’s extremely important always to feel stable in your shoes. This is especially important when you’re running since a non-stable shoe can cause a lot of damage!
To assure that your foot (and, by extension, you) are as safe as possible, Asics opted for including their Trusstic System into this shoe.
We’re talking about a system in the midfoot of the that connects the front and the back part, to make sure the shoe keeps its structure at all times. It also reduces the overall weight of the shoe, so you don’t feel like your shoes are weighing you down.
4. High-Quality Comfort
All of these features, along with the upper part, made of breathable mesh that fits perfectly to your foot, provide for an extremely comfortable shoe.
Because, in the end, if the front part of your foot is hurting because the shoe is too tight, what good are the rest of the amazing elements Asics developed?
What Else Should You Know?
Sometimes it’s easier to “digest” the information in a good-ol’-fashioned pros and cons list:
Pros:
- Provides for excellent arch support.
- The EVA material in the midsole prevents the foot from rolling inwards, making the shoe great for neutral to overpronators.
- The extra cushioning works as a shock absorption technology and makes the shoe extra comfy.
- Stability is not a question, but a fact, thanks to the Trusstic System.
- The shoe is available in different colors so that you can match it to your outfit.
- It’s wallet friendly. Which is not an easy pro to find when it comes to high-support & extra comfort shoes.
- You can look for it online and in stores.
- All of the materials are high-quality, making sure this shoe will last.
Cons:
- You’ll be happy to now I couldn’t find any.
What Else Is There Left to Say?
What, indeed?
All of the features this shoe has and the way the Asics’ team behind it put them together is nothing short of amazing. If you close your eyes, you can almost see the crème de la crème of the talented people working at Asics with their checklist, making sure everything that a Plantar Fasciitis patient needs, checking off features one by one.
I imagine that by the end of the process the checklist looked something like this:
Arch support that will blow people’s mind away. – DONE
Cushioning that will absorb even the hardest of impacts. – DONE
The comfort that will make the runners want to keep the shoes on even after they’re done running. – DONE
Materials that will make the shoe last. – DONE
Stability like few other shoes offer. – DONE
Put it all together in an affordable shoe. – DONE
Style, amazing colors and reflective details for safety and design reasons. – DONE
Now, this is just me letting my imagination run wild. I, obviously, have no idea whatsoever how Asics teams work when developing their most amazing shoes, but it makes sense for me.
You might not like them, which is a possibility. If that happens, there are other options you could consider. You can find more recommendations on my website.
In the end, what matters most is that your shoe is comfortable and stable and that it fits your foot perfectly. This shoe has many fans around the world and the technology in it is impressive, but it doesn’t guarantee it will work the same wonders for you. Make sure you go and try it on.
That said, I do believe the possibility of you loving this shoe is very high. And if that in fact happens, you can start waving your Plantar Fasciitis. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen!
Brandon R. Katz is a registered professional nurse who has been instrumental in providing us with an informed opinion on the medical aspects of footwear. He graduated from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and currently provides his services at a non-federal long-term care hospital in Brooklyn, NY.
Brandon proves to be the champion in the group of expert writers with his in-depth knowledge in foot health, how to take care of it adequately, and what shoes, socks, or insoles will be supreme for you. He has previously worked with hospitals where he has foreseen both inpatient and outpatient departments and has been a practicing nurse since 2009.
Brandon hails from Jersey City, NY, and has a loving family of four with a small popper called Rozo. His decision to become a nurse arises from the desire to be in the position of helping and rehabilitating people.
