Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the band of tissue running along the sole of the foot. Footwear is one factor among several, and shoes alone are not a treatment.
What footwear can reasonably do is reduce the strain: support the arch so the tissue is not stretched as far, and cushion the heel where it hurts most.
What to look for
+Genuine arch support rather than a flat footbed
+A firm heel counter — squeeze it, it should not collapse
+Some heel-to-toe drop, which reduces tension through the arch
+A removable insole so you can fit orthotics if prescribed
What to avoid
−Zero-drop and barefoot shoes, at least while symptoms are active
−Completely flat footbeds with no arch shaping
−Old shoes with compressed midsoles
−Any product marketed as curing or treating the condition
Everything above applies regardless of gender. The picks below are filtered to
women's sizing and fit.