The New Balance 1123 is a very strong motion control running shoe. It has a wide forefoot. It comes in many different widths.

With its ABZORB® cushioning, ROLLBAR posting system, and removable, SL-2FIT Motion Control insole, this running shoe from New Balance may be the most comfortable, stable, shock-absorbing shoe you’ve ever worn. It’s also lightweight and breathable, and offers sporty good looks.

The Hurricane is a very nice shoe. It offers great stability. It comes in a few color choices and two different width options. You may also be able to find last years model, the Hurricane 10 at a good price.

Designed for power and comfort, Saucony’s Progrid Hurricane 11 is the latest in this series of high-performance running shoes. With a construction that offers exceptional midfoot fit through Saucony’s Arch-Lock system, as well as supreme cushioning and stability in a plush, stable ride, this shoe provides unparalleled support throughout the gait cycle.

The 817 is a very good shoe, however, I do not believe they are bringing this shoe back next year. You should be able to get some really good prices on it if you can find it in your size. It is a very strong shoe. Availability may be limited.

Get more out of each step—and look good doing it—in the 817 Running shoe from New Balance. Designed to compensate for over-pronating strides, this lightweight synthetic mesh trainer delivers a cushy, supportive ride and includes an advanced lacing system for a stay-put fit and increased support. An ultra-light foam midsole adds cushioning and durability. A reflective finish increases visibility in low light conditions, while specialized rubber outsole offer non-slip traction and increased durability.

The GEL-Kayano is another great shoe from Asics. The majority of Asics upper end shoes are very good. The Kayano comes in a few color options and widths are available.

The 15th version of the GEL-Kayano series will live up to its reputation of delivering cutting-edge components to complement the shoe’s exceptional performance and comfort. New for 2009 are the additions of ASICS Asymmetrical Lacing Design for improved upper fit and a new midsole platform that delivers the famous GEL-Kayano ride that runners expect.

The Saucony Progrid Stabil LE 4 is what it says it is, stable. It is a very strong shoe and will give plenty of support. It is available in black or white and widths.

Saucony’s Progrid Stabil LE 4 is an ultra-comfortable walking shoe that supports your feet mile after mile. Featuring a dual density compression molded EVA midsole with Reson-Tek for optimum stability, a seamless forefoot and heel lining for luxurious comfort and a non-slip outsole for balance, this lightweight sneaker is great for running errands or getting your heart rate up on the treadmill. The Stabil LE 4 also boasts an Ortholite sockliner for hours of moisture and odor control.

Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Some people will also get heel spurs, but it is all a part of the same problem. The plantar fascia is a connective tissue that runs from the heel into the toes and helps hold the shape of your arch. When it becomes painful, it is being overstretched and this causes little tears to occur. The tears usually occur next to the heel, this is why some people get spurs, because the bone is being stressed and begins to grow to stay connected with the plantar fascia.

So, how do you put an end to this. Some people will tell you to stretch, but I disagree with this. Why would you want to stretch something that is torn? Aren’t you just going to tear it more? I believe in preventing this area from being stressed. One of the most important things to do is to always wear your shoes. There should be no more going barefoot. Put your shoes on first thing when you get out of bed. While sleeping, your body starts to heal itself, and when you get up barefoot, you re-injure everything that started to heal. That is why it is so common to have pain the first few steps out of bed, or after being off your feet for a while.

So what type of shoe should you be wearing? A running shoe is always the best. They are built to give you the proper support that you need. Choose any of the recommended running shoes I have listed that works best for you. It is important that the shoe is not flat, because then you might as well be going barefoot. A shoe with approximately one inch of heel height is best, like a running shoe.

It is also important to correct the biomechanics of your foot with orthotics to prevent the plantar fascia from being stressed. Not all orthotics are made the same. The majority of orthotics, custom and off the shelf, are too flat and simply have a lump in the arch. This can work for some people, but many times people are left struggling with the pain. Our orthotic design supports the entire foot, including the hindfoot where you need it the most. By doing this, it allows your foot to function the way it was made to. It was not made to walk on hard flat surfaces like concrete and wood floors. The material we use also absorbs some of the shock your feet receive.

A few other things that can help are icing and NSAIDs. They will help with the inflammation in the area. One last thing that may help is placing a towel on the floor and curling it up with your toes. You can also place objects on the towel to add weight. The goal is to strengthen your foot.

If you follow this advice, you really should be able to get the plantar fasciitis healed in 6-8 weeks. But you have to wear the shoes and orthotics like a cast. The more you cheat, the longer it will take to heal. Also, if you have been dealing with the problem for many months or years, it can take longer to heal.

The Brooks Ariel is the top of the line womens control running shoe from Brooks. It is great for the overpronator and adds some cushioning as well. It works well for a wide foot. It is available in widths.

This motion control superhero from Brooks rescues runners with low arches and excessive overpronations. The lengthy list of superpowers includes progressive pronation control, thermo-regulation, and the ability to maintain first-feel cushioning for at least 100 miles and beyond.

The Brooks Beast is the top of the line control running shoe from Brooks. It gives plenty of support for the overpronator and also has some cushioning. It is available in widths and a few color options.

The Beast® has long served as a motion-control superhero, coming to the rescue of runners with low or flat arches and excessive pronation. Now a new, full-length MoGo midsole extends the shoe’s list of superpowers with super soft, long-lasting cushioning offering increased energy return for some extra spring in your step, all with no sacrifice in stability. Featuring silver-embedded X-STATIC®, The Silver Fiber™, in the sockliner for a comfortable, thermally balanced footbed, the Beast® delivers maximum support and smooth, crave-worthy cushioning that feels as good on mile one as mile 100–and beyond.

So you finally found a shoe that you like and it is feeling a little snug when trying it on. You find out that you can get it in a larger width, but does that mean its going to fit properly? Most shoe companies that offer shoes in a variety of widths don’t actually make the shoe wider. They simply add more material to the upper, which gives you more room on top of the sole. The sole of the shoe stays the same. So to find the best shoe for your foot, it is important to look at the shape of the sole and compare it to the shape of your foot.  If you have a wide square foot, you need to find a shoe that matches that shape. And if you have a narrow foot, you need to find a shoe that has a narrow sole. The different widths offered in shoes helps get a better fit for the thickness of your foot. So a thin foot would need a narrow width and the fat foot would need a wide width. Here are some pictures of the shapes of different soles, the goal is to match one that best looks like your foot.

The Asics GT-2140 is a very stable shoe and keeps the price under $100. It is available in many color options and widths.

The GT-2000 series is widely considered to be the industry’s most popular running shoe. With improved stability and a noticeable upgrade to platform comfort, the GT-2140 will continue to satisfy the legions of runners who swear by the shoe.