In short: Hey Dude shoes are good for mild plantar fasciitis, but not the best for severe cases. While Hey Dudes have thick memory foam insoles, they offer moderate arch support at best.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue connecting the ball of your foot to your heel.
This condition can make your feet very painful to walk on with little ways to relieve other than taking the weight off. Let’s find out whether Hey Dudes are good for plantar fasciitis or not.
What to look for in a shoe if you have plantar fasciitis
Generally, you would want a shoe with a deep heel counter and plenty of midfoot arch support if you have plantar fasciitis. The shoe should not be too small and wide enough to fit your feet.
According to experts, a shoe should have arch and heel support, extra cushioning in the midfoot, a firm heel counter, and provide a soft impact with the ground.
Are Hey Dudes good for plantar fasciitis?
Hey Dude as a brand never made the claim that their shoes will offer relief from plantar fasciitis discomfort, however, many customers have said that they have enjoyed wearing them.
1. Super soft memory foam insoles
According to Dr. Ricardo Cook, an orthopedic surgeon at the CAO, patients with plantar fasciitis should look for a shoe that provides the least impact when the foot strikes a hard surface.
Hey Dude shoes are good for plantar fasciitis because they are made with patented sole technology, plus a thick memory foam insole to help absorb impact and alleviate pain.
Anyone who experiences pain from plantar fasciitis will benefit from Hey Dude shoes thanks to their Flex & Fold technology, which is key for cushioning the heel and sole during impact.
2. Arch support is not the best
While cushioning can be great for comfort, arch support is key. It’s the arch support, and not the cushioning provided by the footwear, that is crucial in the prevention of plantar fasciitis.
Arch support, first and foremost, distributes pressure evenly across your feet. Typically, arch support is designed to support the arch of your foot in order to reduce or eliminate pain.
Unfortunately, this is an area where Hey Dude shoes do not excel at. While Hey Dudes have excellent cushioning, they offer little to no arch support. It is moderate at best.
If you have plantar fasciitis, Hey Dudes are okay for short trips but not the best for an all-day adventure, especially if you’re on your feet, because they only have moderate arch support.
3. Not rigid enough
When it comes to choosing shoes, Dr. Nelya Lobkova, DPM, says someone who has plantar fasciitis needs extra rigidity in the sole to prevent impact on the heel.
Shoes should bend at the toe, not in the center, be difficult to twist when you try to wring them out like a rag, and have a stiff heel counter that you can’t move easily.
Unfortunately, Hey Dude shoes are simply not rigid enough. They are known for their flexibility, which is not a bad thing, but it is not a good feature to fight against plantar fasciitis.
Depending on the severity of your pain, you can benefit from shoes that are more rigid. Hey Dudes are excellent for normal people, but their lack of rigidity is not the best for plantar fasciitis.
What Hey Dude customers say about the shoes
Often, it is best to hear what other people have said about a certain product. Here are some testimonies about Hey Dudes from plantar fasciitis sufferers:
“I love my Hey Dude shoes, suffered from plantar fasciitis (bad heel pain) and could not find a beach style shoe that did not have a flat sole, until I was recommended Hey Dude shoes. I wear a pair around the house (used to wear slippers but the flat sole aggravated the problem). My heel pain is now gone and the Hey Dudes look cool!”
– Paul C.
– Zappos customer
“Super comfortable. They run small so I got a full size larger, which fits great. Lots of compliments on the style. I usually need lots of arch support due to plantar fasciitis but have had no issues with wearing these for hours. Overall I’m very pleased!”
“These are very light, comfortable, stretchy, and have moderate support. With only moderate support and a past history of plantar fasciitis, I don’t think I would wear these for an all-day adventure, but for short trips they do ok.
– firecat13
As you can see by the reviews, Hey Dudes are a mixed bag when it comes to plantar fasciitis. Some people love them, while some people think they’re just alright.
Which Hey Dude shoes are the best for plantar fasciitis?
For men, the Hey Dude Wally is the go-to sneaker for plantar fasciitis. These shoes have the excellent cushioning courtesy of memory foam insoles and moderate arch support.
For women, the Hey Dude Wendy is a staple for plantar fasciitis. These shoes are lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and most importantly, provide moderate arch support.
That said, a regular pair of sneakers will never substitute custom-made orthotics. Depending on the severity of your pain, you can buy custom orthotics that are made specifically for you.
Orthotics are shoe inserts you put in your shoes. They have multiple benefits, such as providing shock absorption and comfort, correcting malalignment, and reducing foot fatigue.
Unfortunately, custom-made orthotics are often very expensive. Off-the-shelf brands like these are great and more affordable, but they’re not custom-made for your feet.
So, unless you suffer from severe plantar fasciitis, Hey Dudes are a solid choice to wear due to their comfortable memory foam insoles. Just keep in mind they have moderate arch support.
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