Table of Contents
Our Verdict
A shoe cannot cure plantar fasciitis, nor can it address the cause of this condition. However, Kuru shoes are designed to increase comfort and reduce pain (at least in the short term) for many people affected by plantar fasciitis.
- Performance inspired forefoot gives a more secure, athletic fit
- Bottomless cushioning with an energizing bounce to help you fly
- Airy and light mesh materials made for maximum breathability
- Contoured, dual-density foam provides superior arch support
- 9 premium colors available
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
Kuru Footwear is a shoe brand that sells orthopedic boots, sneakers and sandals specifically designed for people with painful foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis. Kuru shoes are designed with technology that promises to provide relief for anyone suffering from foot pain.
The company considers more than style and comfort when designing its shoes. Kuru’s website is unique in that it allows shoe seekers to browse shoes by style, category, feature, type of activity, type of foot pain and career. These options reflect a consideration for how different lifestyle factors, foot conditions and activities can affect positioning and dynamics of the foot, as well as the function of the shoe in daily life. Factors that can affect shoe design include how much time you spend on your feet and whether you’re moving or standing for longer periods of time. Shoes designed for unique purposes can help offload specific pain points in the foot, thus improving comfort.
This review dives into the science behind Kuru shoes to determine whether its sneakers are truly a good fit for someone with plantar fasciitis.
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.
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The Shoes
What exactly goes into making a Kuru shoe so comfortable and pain-relieving, according to the brand? It comes down to the sole. The sole of a shoe is the inner portion that supports the foot, whether during movement or while standing still. This portion of the shoe is in direct contact with the weight-bearing surface of the foot. The “Kurusole” claims to “amplify nature” rather than “mess with it,” creating a sole design that cradles the foot and protects the footpad of the heel, which can often be the culprit of many people’s pain, all while allowing natural movement to occur 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, managing plantar fasciitis is not always as simple as switching out your shoe. Plantar fasciitis is a condition marked by inflammation and pain at the heel and/or across the base of the foot. Multiple risk factors may contribute to developing plantar fasciitis, including abnormal gait pattern, having flat or very high arches, pregnancy and weight, but often it’s the result of sustained positions or activities related to lifestyle, career and exercise choice.
The body is a dynamic chain of parts, any of which—when weak or misaligned—can contribute to increased forces and pressure that leads to pain at these points. A tight Achilles tendon, for example, can contribute to limitations in ankle dorsiflexion (the ability for the ankle to angle the toes upward towards the knee), which affects the biomechanics of the foot during gait and could lead to increased stress at the foot and heel. With this in mind, minimizing foot pain with footwear is possible, but the cause of that pain should be addressed by a healthcare professional.
The Cost
Kuru shoes are priced similarly to high-performance running shoes. Most Kuru sneakers cost between $75 and $185, providing relief for foot pain at a reasonable price.
Kuru shoes are sold exclusively on its website. The company offers free returns and exchanges, and it even donates a portion of its profits to charity through a program called Kuru Cares, so you can feel a little better about the price.
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 says adjusting your footwear can be a temporary solution to help decrease pain from plantar fasciitis. A heel-cushioned shoe can help diminish the shock on initial contact, and arch support can alleviate tension through the arch of the foot. However, she emphasizes that this footwear isn’t a long-term solution. Feet are naturally built to take on ground contact and should be able to sustain periods of walking or running, with training. “Just like any other muscle, tendon or ligament in the body, the tissues of the lower leg and feet can be trained to help support the plantar fascia and ultimately your feet,” says Eleázar.
Ultimately, Kuru makes the right considerations for someone with plantar fasciitis, but for many movement and orthopedic specialists, relieving pain from plantar fasciitis is not about cutting-edge shoe technology. Rather, it’s about how the body moves and what demands you put on it. That said, with regards to Kuru shoes for plantar fasciitis, Eleázar emphasizes that offering different styles of shoes in various widths is more beneficial to consumers than the custom fit insole.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Kuru sneakers good for plantar fasciitis?
Kuru sneakers are a good choice for temporarily relieving pain caused by plantar fasciitis because the custom sole and heel pad cushioning are designed to redistribute impact, which can minimize foot pain. However, shoes that help reduce pain from plantar fasciitis do not treat the root cause of the pain. It’s important to see a movement specialist like a physical therapist to better understand your foot pain and determine how to train your body and feet to withstand the forces of everyday activities.
Do Kuru shoes have arch support?
While they cradle and support the foot, Kuru shoes don’t try to change the mechanics of the foot. One role of the arch during the gait cycle is to flatten and rise to adapt to different surfaces while also becoming a rigid lever that propels the body forward. The foot arch is naturally designed to move. Kuru shoes do provide arch support, but the soles are dynamic enough to allow for this natural movement.
Are Kuru shoes worth the money?
Kuru shoes are worth a try if you’re experiencing foot pain and have tried various types of shoes (or even if you haven’t yet) without relief. If they don/t provide relief, you can simply return them or exchange them for free. Finding a shoe that can help alleviate pain may help reduce the cost of more expensive and invasive treatments, such as cortisone injections or orthotics. However, it’s important to recognize that while shoes may reduce pain, they are not a long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.
