Z-Coil Shoes to Fight Plantar Fasciitis
Friday June 27, 2003
If you have chronic plantar fasciitis or heel spur you may be willing to try just about anything. Z-Coil shoes claim to be the answer. They have a built-in orthotic and 200% more cushioning that regular running/walking shoes. But their big claim to fame is replacing the heel with a big, partially-exposed spring. Shoe stores selling these wonders have many testimonials of happy customers. They were invented by a runner, for runners. I have seen nurses and other hospital workers with plantar fasciitis problems wearing these shoes while giving patient care. For outdoor use, I would guess you'd have trouble with them collecting leaves and such on natural trails. However, you can buy versions where the spring is covered or retrofit the pair you have to enclose the spring. The rigid orthotic may be right for some people, but certainly not for every individual. But for chronic plantar fasciitis sufferers, it could be worth a try.
Spira Shoes also use a coil to cushion impact and are highly recommended by footcare experts. The wave coils are completely encased within the sole, and the shoes look no different from other running shoes, walking shoes, or casual shoes. They also do not weigh more, and are readily available through a variety of vendors. Compare Prices
Independent Reviews of Z-Coil Shoes
Z-CoiL Shoes for the Walking Traveler: Durant Imboden of EuropeforVisitors.com reviews Z-CoiL CloudWalkers and gives them high praise for comfort for travel and sightseeing.
Z-CoiL Runner's Review: by Tom Miller, PhD in exercise and sports science.
Z-CoiL Shoe Blogs
Z-CoiL Footwear Blog: News provided by EZ Shoes, an authorized Z-CoiL dealer.
Z-Blog Reporter: Blog for dealers and shoe owners.
Top Picks for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain Relief
Follow me on Twitter
Join my Facebook Group
Spira Shoes also use a coil to cushion impact and are highly recommended by footcare experts. The wave coils are completely encased within the sole, and the shoes look no different from other running shoes, walking shoes, or casual shoes. They also do not weigh more, and are readily available through a variety of vendors. Compare Prices
Independent Reviews of Z-Coil Shoes
Z-CoiL Shoes for the Walking Traveler: Durant Imboden of EuropeforVisitors.com reviews Z-CoiL CloudWalkers and gives them high praise for comfort for travel and sightseeing.
Z-CoiL Runner's Review: by Tom Miller, PhD in exercise and sports science.
Z-CoiL Shoe Blogs
Z-CoiL Footwear Blog: News provided by EZ Shoes, an authorized Z-CoiL dealer.
Z-Blog Reporter: Blog for dealers and shoe owners.
Top Picks for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain Relief
Follow me on Twitter
Join my Facebook Group
Comments
I would like to say that I have a pair of Z-coils and they are NOT the answer to plantar fasciitis. I have been wearing them faithfully for two months and I do not have any substantial relief
I developed plantar fasciitis about 4 years ago. At the time I walked at least 5 miles a day (the podiatrist thought I was a runner because of my calluses) and became almost completely disabled. I was only able to stand/walk (with pain but at least bearable) for 20 minutes at a time a few times per day. I was using orthopedic inserts, on medication and stretching daily but was experiencing no relief. I found Z-Coil shoes about a year later and noticed an immediate improvement in my pain level. It took a few months to receive the full benefit but now I can do pretty much anything I want and no longer take medication. They may not work for everyone, but they definitely did for me!
They worked for me also. I still have some tenderness, but for the most part the severe pain is a thing of the past. They are expensive though. In retrospect, I would be willing to mortgage my house to be pain free.
I bough the z*coils 5 weeks ago, and could feel immediate relief for my Plantar Fascitis. I also have heel spurs, those are getting better, but I know it will take time. I wont go anywhere without my z-coils.
I purchased Z-Coils about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Getting used to them was harder than regular shoes. I noticed muscle soreness for a few minutes when I put them on in the morning. Apparently I was using muscles I hadn’t used for awhile. I had constant pain in the past and if I had to walk very much during the day I could barely move at night. Now I can walk freely late at night WITHOUT pain! Great Shoes, well worth the money.
I bought a pair of z-coil shoes a month ago and I found no relief at all. I can hardly wear them without my feet hurt worse than before. I was told I need to go back and get them adjusted. Please give me some advice b/c they were $230.00 and I drove 220 miles. Please call 252-446-7174 or email kcooperr@aol.com Thanks K.Cooper
Kimberlee, where and what kind of pain are you experiencing? Yes, you would need to go back and have them adjusted, and most of the time that’s all it takes. Z-CoiL shoes are custom fit to work with your feet and your specific pain issues. Every foot is different, and in the store they can adjust your coil or customize an orthotics-adjustment specifically to relieve your pain. The shoes can, and sometimes do need to be adjusted periodically and adjustments are always free (for me, I originally had my coils adjusted for over-pronation in my right foot; once it had been corrected I had it adjusted again). Because of the long drive to get to your closest store, maybe you can suggest they hold a circuit location in your area – so they can bring the adjustments and new styles to you!
Z-CoiL shoes really can help, and for me the cost of the shoes was much better than the cost of surgery!
I just bought the Zcoil shoes black tennis shoe BUT I PUT MY ORTHOTIC inside the shoe and WOW what a relief on my heel spurs and plantar fasica which is unbearable in regular tennis shoes. These shoes have saved my job literally. I am not lying, but you have to get a Podiatrist to mold your feet for an orthotic first and put that inside the z-coil shoe and you will be completely satisfied. trust me the shoes are not the answer unless you put the orthotic in place of the one it comes with.
Z-Coil’s saved my life. Okay…not literally but they certainly gave it back to me. I have had as many cortisone shots as the podiatrist cared to administer, I had deep corporeal shockwave therapy, and I had bought the expensive $350 orthotics but ABSOLUTELY NOTHING worked as well as these shoes. I about died when I had to spend $200 on my first pair but at this point I was willing to try anything. I now own two pair and am going to buy a pair of sandals for the summer. They have helped my feet beyond measure and I have a bad back from going through a car windowshield as a teen as well as bad knees and these shoes have helped them both. Go get some. You won’t regret it.
Just wanted to comment that a friend’s sister-in-law had a pair of these shoes on, which she loved by the way, while working around the house. The “heel” got tangled up in the sweeper cord and she fell breaking both legs and one ankle. So beware.
In response to Cheryl about her sister-in-law getting the coil caught in the sweeper cord, that is indeed a terrible accident and you do have to be aware of your environment when using these shoes. If you are going to wear them to go anywhere and do anything I would recommend getting the covers for the coil. This is a minor adjustment at the store. I wish your sister-in-law all the best.
I haven’t bought a pair of z coil shoes yet that’s because I am having a hard time paying that much $$ for a pair of shoes
I have had the Z-coil running shoes (white/blue) and a pair of hikers for several years. They are good for walking and even training running, but do look odd. I found the shoes good for chronic knee pain (chondromalacia) and hip pain – they spread the impulse of your step out so there is a lower peak in force on each step. For me, they also made my legs stronger since your leg muscles are active through a longer time on each step. They are good for standing and going straight ahead (walking/running) but not for lateral movement since the spring wobbles a bit in that direction. For me, I went from not being able to hike a mile without knee swelling to being able to run half marathons.
Do Z-coil shoes come in wide width? I wear a 12 4E. Where in the Hemet area of SC can one find Z-coil shoes?
I am a little confuse, there are other alternative shoes like gravity defyer is similar to z coil that also have springs build in and its alot cheaper and not odd looking. I had planter fascitis for years still looking for the right shoes that help me with pains.