Review of the Kuru women’s sneakers for plantar fasciitis

Our Verdict

Plantar fasciitis cannot be cured by a shoe, nor can the condition’s root cause be treated. For many persons with plantar fasciitis, Kuru shoes are made to improve comfort and lessen discomfort (at least temporarily).

Key Features

• Patented Kurusole flexes to redirect impact forces from the ground
• Cushioned heel pad designed to provide continuous comfort at common pain point
• Wide toe box allows toes to spread and feet to move naturally

For patients with severe foot disorders like plantar fasciitis, the shoe company Kuru Footwear produces orthopedic boots, sneakers, and sandals. Kuru shoes are made using technology that claims to offer comfort to everyone who has foot trouble.When the firm designs shoes, it takes into account more than just comfort and aesthetics. The website Kuru is distinctive since it enables customers to search shoes by style, category, feature, activity, foot pain kind, and career. These options take into account how various lifestyle variables, foot issues, and activities might impact the placement and dynamics of the foot as well as the role of the shoe in everyday life. How much time you spend on your feet and whether you spend more time moving or still can both have an impact on shoe design. The comfort of footwear can be enhanced by helping to relieve particular foot pain areas.In order to establish whether Kuru sneakers are indeed a suitable match for someone with plantar fasciitis, this analysis delves deep into the research behind the brand.

Kuru at a Glance

• Cost: Kuru shoes range in price from $75 to $185, with its bestselling Atom shoe costing $160.
• Cushioning: The shoes provide good cushioning, particularly around the heel, which allows the shoe to “hug the heel” and reduce pain at the heel pad—an important feature for someone with plantar fasciitis.
• Support: Dynamic mid-arch support adjusts to the wearer’s positioning while still allowing for more natural movement of the foot.

The Shoes

According to the company, what precisely goes into making a Kuru shoe so cozy and pain-relieving? The sole is what matters. The inside part of a shoe—the sole—is what holds the foot in place while it is moving or motionless. The weight-bearing surface of the foot is directly in touch with this area of the shoe. The “Kurusole” makes the claim that it “amplifies nature” rather than “meshes with it,” by designing a sole that cradles the foot, shields the footpad of the heel, which is frequently the source of pain for many individuals, and still permits natural movement across the arch.The patented Kurusole acts dynamically to flex and redirect impact forces from the ground. Ground forces through the unsupported foot can often lead to increased pain. However, over-controlling the foot by including design elements that limit natural movement of the foot and toes can lead to intrinsic weakness in the foot that is often more to blame for foot pain than shoes themselves. Eliminating pain by making shoes more comfortable is one thing, but it’s important to consider what led to that pain developing in the first place as well.Unfortunately, changing your shoes is not usually enough to treat plantar fasciitis. Inflammation and soreness in the heel and/or the base of the foot are symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a number of risk factors, such as an irregular gait pattern, flat or extremely high arches, pregnancy, and weight, but it is frequently brought on by prolonged postures or activities associated to a person’s lifestyle, profession, or choice of exercise.The body is made up of a dynamic chain of components, any of which might cause discomfort at these spots when they are weak or out of alignment. Ankle dorsiflexion refers to the capacity of the ankle to angle the toes upward towards the knee. Ankle dorsiflexion impacts the biomechanics of the foot during walking and may result in higher stress at the foot and heel. In light of this, it is possible to reduce foot discomfort with footwear, but the underlying cause of the pain should be treated by a healthcare provider.

The Cost

The cost of Kuru shoes is comparable to that of high-performance running shoes. The majority of Kuru sneakers range in price from $75 to $185, offering affordable foot pain alleviation.

Only on its website can customers purchase Kuru sneakers. You can feel a bit better about the pricing because the firm provides free returns and exchanges and even contributes a part of its earnings to charity through a program called Kuru Cares.

What Experts Say

There are three things one should look for in a shoe to relieve plantar fasciitis pain, according to Rena Eleázar, a doctor of physical therapy and board-certified sports therapy specialist:

• A wide toe box. A wide toe box is necessary to allow the toes to spread and feet to move naturally. “Sustained pressure on the toes [due to a narrow toe box] can cause blisters, strain on the ligaments of the metatarsal joints and decreased circulation to the toes. All of these [issues] can aggravate plantar fasciitis,” says Eleázar.
• A heel-to-toe drop. Many shoes, especially sneakers, have a heel-to-toe drop, meaning the heel is more elevated than the toe of the shoe. Typically, cushioning is placed at the heel to help with shock absorption when the heel strikes the ground. “This [design] may temporarily help relieve heel pain from plantar fasciitis, but it’s not a perfect solution. Higher heel-to-toe drops can limit the natural movement and shock absorption mechanisms of your foot,” says Eleázar.
• Comfort. Comfort is crucial, but you have to find what works for you. “Shoes that have a lot of cushioning or stability features may be comfortable for certain people while shoes that have minimal features may be more comfortable for others,” says Eleázar.

Eleázar claims that changing your footwear may provide a brief relief from plantar fasciitis symptoms. A shoe with a cushioned heel helps lessen the shock at initial contact, while one with arch support can ease pressure on the foot’s arch. She cautions that these shoes aren’t a long-term fix though. With training, feet should be able to tolerate periods of walking or running since they are designed to make touch with the ground. The tissues of the lower leg and foot may be trained to support the plantar fascia and eventually your feet, adds Eleázar, “much like any other muscle, tendon, or ligament in the body.”Kuru ultimately makes the correct decisions for someone who has plantar fasciitis, but for many movement and orthopedic doctors, treating plantar fasciitis discomfort is not about wearing the most advanced footwear available. It’s more important to consider how your body moves and the pressures you place on it. Eleázar argues that giving a variety of shoe designs in a range of widths is better for customers than having an insole that is specifically tailored to their feet when it comes to Kuru shoes for plantar fasciitis.