New Balance 1080 Review — Best Shoe for Plantar Fasciitis?
After 4 years going from Skechers memory foam → Nike arch-support → Air Force 1, I finally landed on the New Balance 1080. The first time I put them on, I felt like I could fly.
My Shoe Resume — 4 Years of Mistakes
Skechers Memory Foam
Caused my PFWore them for about a year. Even on rainy days. The memory foam slowly broke down — especially the front under the toes. Looked fine from outside so I kept wearing them. This directly caused my plantar fasciitis.
Nike Arch-Support Running Shoes
Made it worseI thought arch-support would be great for plantar fasciitis. Bought 2 pairs, wore them for about 2 years. Result? Zero recovery. No help walking or running — just constant pain. I later realized arch-support shoes push up on an already inflamed arch, making it worse.
Nike Air Force 1
Surprisingly okayThe Air Force 1 has a flat sole. It doesn't press on the arch. Switching from arch-support shoes, my feet hurt less. That's when I realized: 'The arch-support shoes were the problem. I wore the wrong shoes for 2 years.'
How I Ended Up Buying the 1080
Every year I'd search 'plantar fasciitis shoes' on YouTube. In 2025, New Balance 1080 and HOKA kept coming up.
HOKA was too expensive for me. The 1080 had many videos with specific model recommendations.
About $150 in Europe (prices vary by region). It was a stretch. I wondered if I even needed to switch from the Air Force 1s. I was afraid of making another wrong shoe choice.
But I was on sick leave and thought: 'Let me invest in myself for once.' And I felt sorry for my feet. 4 years of abuse. That guilt pushed me to buy them.
The First Time I Put Them On
I felt like I could fly.
After years on the hard soles of Air Force 1s, the 1080s were a different world. Not arch-support, so they didn't push on my soles — but they wrapped my feet in softness. The cushioning was incredible.
In that moment, I thought: 'I can actually run in these.' Running means weight loss, less weight means less foot pain — the positive cycle could finally begin.
Why the 1080 Works
- Doesn't press on the arch
Unlike arch-support shoes, it doesn't push up on the arch. Not irritating an already inflamed area is key. - Excellent cushioning
Absorbs impact when walking and running. You can clearly feel it reducing the force transmitted to your feet. - Comfortable fit
Wraps your foot softly without squeezing. Comfortable even for long periods. - Suitable for running
Enough support for running, not just walking. Perfect for the light running that aids plantar fasciitis recovery.
Was the $150 Worth It?
Thinking about what I spent on plantar fasciitis over 4 years — doctor visits, medicine, orthotics, massage cream, 2 pairs of Nike arch shoes — it adds up to several pairs of 1080s. And none of that money helped.
The 1080 actually worked. Around $100-150 depending on your region. I'll absolutely buy another pair. Worth the investment.
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My Final Shoe Rankings
The best. Just get these.
Flat sole is actually better. Fine for daily wear.
Better than arch-support.
Made it worse. 2 years wasted.
Caused the problem. Check insoles regularly.
This is not medical advice. I'm sharing personal experience only. If your symptoms are severe, please consult a medical professional.