In short: Chaco sandals are good for plantar fasciitis because each pair is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), designed to support your arches and hug your heel.
It’s sandal season and you’re ready to ditch your sneakers. Chaco sandals are a popular option for summertime but are they actually good for plantar fasciitis sufferers? Let’s talk about it.
The high arch support is heaven for plantar fasciitis sufferers
When shopping for sandals for plantar fasciitis, there are a few key features you will need to search for. Chief among them is proper arch support.
According to William Spielfogel, DPM, plantar fasciitis is an “overuse injury”.
This means that your footwear should always be supported for any activity to keep the fascia of the foot from being aggravated, even if it’s just summertime walking.
A solid footbed with proper arch support takes the pressure off your heel and forefoot, preventing your fascia tissue from being overworked and promoting proper foot alignment.
“I’ve had plantar fasciitis for 2 years. Although I have orthotics and had PRP injections, my feet still hurt daily, though they are improving. I just spent 10 days walking exclusively in my new Chacos and felt no pain. They are amazing for my high arches. I’ll buy more in different colors.”
– Kendra, plantar fasciitis sufferer
This is why Chaco sandals are ideal for plantar fasciitis. They are known for their extreme arch support, which prevents excessive pronation and stabilizes your foot in the most natural position.
In fact, Chaco takes arch support seriously, since every single style of Chaco sandals has been accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The arch support is so extreme that people with little to no arches on their feet might find Chaco sandals painful. It’s not for everyone, but Chacos sandals are excellent for plantar fasciitis.
As a plantar fasciitis sufferer, normal shoes might leave you with a lot of pain in your feet for extended lengths of time. Chacos, on the other hand, will help discourage overpronation.
The straps keep your toes from being overworked
Additionally, you’ll want to consider sandals with a heel strap. Crocs might be the first thing on your mind, but most of their clogs aren’t fitted with the appropriate arch support.
Sandals without heel straps can cause your fascia to tighten, which can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Having a strap will help your toes better grip the shoe without being overworked.
This is where the unique strap design of Chacos comes in.
Unlike most outdoor sandals that use Velcro, each pair of Chaco sandals are fitted with one long strap looping around the foot through the sole of the sandal.
They might feel awkward in the beginning, but once you adjust the straps correctly, Chaco sandals latch onto your feet as no other sandal can.
Since Chacos are tight around your feet, your toes can relax and rest naturally on the footbed. You can walk normally without the worry of aggravating your plantar fascia.
The heel cups improve your overall stability
According to Dr. Gary Evans, a New York City podiatrist, plantar fasciitis sufferers need sandals that have heel cups for the heel to sit in, as well as a slightly elevated heel area.
This doesn’t mean that you should be walking around in high heels, but that the heel of your sandals should be raised at least a small amount above the rest of your foot.
The plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that runs from the bottom of your heel to the base of your toes, often gets overused, which ultimately leads to inflammation.
The slight heel or wedge relieves the plantar fasciitis symptoms.
As you can see in the image above, my Chaco sandals have elevated heel cups that are slightly more elevated than the toe area, which help keep the pain at bay.
Not only that but Chaco sandals are fitted with a pair of sculpted heel cups that also improves overall stability and contain the fat pad under your heel. This offers natural cushioning.
The rigid and tough footbeds are ideal for plantar fasciitis
Last but not least, Chaco sandals are fantastic for plantar fasciitis because they are made of tough and durable material made of Polyurethane (PU) compound.
The footbeds are not soft and cushioned like most sandals. It might sound bad, but it’s actually a good thing if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis – tough love if you will.
According to the Achilles Foot Clinic, orthotics that are firm and rigid are actually better than softer orthotics, especially for those who have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
Hard orthotics tend to provide more stability and support but may be less comfortable. On the other hand, softer orthotics are more flexible because they bend with your feet.
Each type is appropriate for different foot conditions.
That being said, many podiatrists agree that the combination of high arch support, secure straps, stabilizing heel cups, and tough footbeds make Chacos excellent for plantar fasciitis.
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