I’m an Overpronator with Plantar Fasciitis—These Podiatrist-Approved Brooks Sneakers Made Walking Comfortable

By Samira Vishwas On May 22, 2026

I finally found walking shoes that don’t leave me achy.

Credit: Amazon. EatingWell design.

This year, I’ve gotten serious about my step count. I’m using 10,000 steps as my goal, regardless of its actual validity, if only because it lets me enjoy my step counter cheering me on with every lap. Before I was able to summit this proverbial peak, however, I had some demons to reckon with: my love-hate relationship with walking shoes.

The trouble is, I’m an overpronator. That means that as I walk, my feet roll excessively inward, giving ammunition to my long-standing foes, plantar fasciitis and back pain. The EatingWell team are all die-hard Brooks sneaker fans, so I decided to give the Ariel GTS 24 a whirl to see if they could make long-distance walking more comfortable.

Brooks Women’s Ariel GTS 24

~~$160~~ $112 at Amazon

One tip-off that this experiment was going to be a success? The name of the shoe. “GTS” stands for “Go-To Support,” which means the sneakers feature firm, ultra-supportive foam rails combined with a broad base to gently stabilize the foot while in motion. This provides more support than Brooks’ neutral-style shoes and, in my case, eliminated a ton of muscle strain and fatigue from thousands of micro-corrections I didn’t realize I was making to walk stably.

In fact, podiatrist Aparna Chauhan, D.P.M., confirmed that Brooks makes different shoe styles for different types of feet and gaits. “When you walk, your foot goes through a complete gait cycle, and your body weight passes through your feet. If they aren’t supported, your joints take the brunt of it. You’ll start noticing issues with alignment or pain in your hips, back and knees. A well-structured shoe provides the balance and support you need.”

Before switching to this ultra-supportive shoe, I was pretty tired after walking for exercise and errands, which I chalked up to exertion. I used to wear sneakers with soft, bouncy soles, which I thought would make each step feel easier—unfortunately, they gave the term “pounding the pavement” a whole new meaning. The Ariel’s cushioning is dense and supportive, absorbing shock and helping me roll my feet evenly through each step. These walking shoes are not just comfortable on my walking pad; I can go easily from concrete to grass to pavement to brick. The breathable top material of the shoe keeps my feet cool, and I’ve even gotten faster.

Dr. Chauhan shared some additional wisdom that’s changing how I’ll buy and maintain my sneakers for the foreseeable future, too. “There are three things you should look for while buying a pair of sneakers that you can confirm just by holding or trying the shoes on. They should have wide toe boxes, so you don’t have to squeeze your forefoot into them. Their heel cups should be stiff and deep so that your feet are sitting inside them, rather than floating on top. And their midsoles should offer plenty of support.” Give the midsole a squeeze between your fingers, or try to flex the sneaker. If there’s a lot of give, it’s likely not a terribly supportive shoe.

Also, even if your sneakers look new after a few months, it might be time to rotate them out. “The lifespan of a pair of sneakers is between 300 and 500 miles.” Dr. Chauhan shared that rotating between two pairs of sneakers can help extend their lifetime. I recommend it simply because shoe models are updated so often; it’s never a bad idea to have a backup of your “sole-mate.” And I also learned that leaving lace-up shoes tied is a rookie mistake that I’m certainly guilty of. Dr. Chauhan recommends untying and retying them with every wear, because our feet change size and shape multiple times a day from swelling, motion and plain old gravity.

If you’re an avid walker looking for maximum support, give the Brooks Ariel GTS 24 a try. Grab a pair while they’re on sale, and see if these ultra-supportive shoes change how you walk, too.