Asics for Plantar Fasciitis – Asics Gel Nimbus 16 Review

Plantar fasciitis, if not properly treated, can put you on the couch for weeks on end. However, with something as simple as the right pair of shoes, you should be able to overcome the condition and go about your day-to-day activities with little to no discomfort.

Asics shoes have become quite popular among those who suffer from the disorder, and the best Asics shoes for plantar fasciitis can be found in their GEL-Nimbus range. Within this range, you can't do much better than the GEL-Nimbus 16, which is the shoe I'm going to be reviewing in this article.

What is the 'right' shoe?

Before getting into the Asics GEL-Nimbus 16 review, we should take a moment to look at what makes a shoe the right shoe when you're suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Night splints, a popular method of treatment for plantar fasciitis, work by stretching the facia muscle while you sleep. When purchasing footwear to combat the condition, you want a shoe that's going to do the same thing. For that reason, an elevated heel is important, as is some flexibility in the toes.

A good amount of cushioning is essential, especially if you don't want plantar fasciitis to get in the way of your workouts. The condition can sometimes last up to a year, so durability should be taken into consideration. Once its gone, there's no guarantee your plantar fasciitis won't return, so you need a pair of shoes that are made to last.

Asics GEL-Nimbus 16

To date, there are eighteen models in Asics GEL-Nimbus range. Despite being two generations old, the GEL-Nimbus 16 remains among the best Asics for plantar fasciitis. The price of the GEL-Nimbus 16 varies depending on where you look, but it is typically around $150. This may seem extravagant for a pair of shoes, especially if you can't wear them to a ball, but for your money you get:

• Sturdy, Rubber Sole

• 1.75" Heel

• Increased Heel And Arch Support

• Thick Cushioning

Pros

When discussing the factors which make a shoe the right shoe for plantar fasciitis, I mentioned that a high heel is important as it helps to stretch the facia muscle. The Asics GEL-Nimbus 16's 1.75" heel is the perfect height to stave off the condition.

The GEL-Nimbus 16 allows for a tighter fit than its predecessors. While many runners may find such a rigid fit uncomfortable and inconvenient, it is an important feature when choosing the best shoe for plantar fasciitis.

One of the main reasons sufferers of plantar fasciitis choose the Asics GEL-Nimbus range over Asics' competition is the extra cushioning the GEL-Nimbus shoes provide. Obviously, cushioning is extremely important when you're trying to fight foot pain and with the GEL-Nimbus 16 you will be able to walk and run long distances without having to worry about aggravating your condition.

Cons

As I mentioned already, a lot of people are likely to find a problem with the tight fit of the shoe. Some Asics GEL-Nimbus 16 reviews on Amazon and similar sites mention that the heel tab tends to stick into the back of the leg, causing pain in the quad.

Though the majority of Asics customers will testify that their shoes can really take a beating, some have questioned their durability, with one reviewer claiming his GEL-Nimbus 16s fall apart within five months. Before you condemn the GEL-Nimbus 16 as flimsy or poorly made, it is important to remember that some of these critics run multiple times a week and for long distances each outing. Any shoe being put through this kind of testing is likely to exhibit some degree of wear and tear.

Perhaps the biggest downside of the GEL-Nimbus 16 is the price tag. It's estimated that one million Americans a year are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, meaning one million Americans a year are forking out money for doctor's appointments and may not have the hundred dollars (usually more) to spend on a pair of shoes. If you're among those who really can't afford Asics for plantar fasciitis, you should consider trying night splints instead, which are available for less than fifty dollars.

Conclusion

Plantar fasciitis can seriously affect your quality of life and if you want to overcome the condition before it leaves you bedridden, the GEL-Nimbus 16 is the way to go paired with the right compression socks. Sure, there have been some negative Asics GEL-Nimbus 16 reviews, but that's to be expected, especially in this age where any disgruntled customer can rate a product one star at the touch of a button.