The Vionic Agile Kea is a walking shoe designed for women, and is especially beneficial for those with plantar fasciitis. It’s made of durable and breathable mesh material for its upper while the outsole is made of durable rubber.
It’s also extremely lightweight compared to standard walking that usually have leather or a thicker mesh upper and harder sole.
Arch Support
The arch support that comes in the Vionic Agile Kea trainer is more than enough to provide comfort and relieve pain due to plantar fasciitis among women. There’s also no need to use custom insoles since the shoe’s built-in orthotic is firm enough to provide the proper alignment, while also offering excellent arch support. The arch feels semi-rigid, which is perfect for supporting those with flat feet, while at the same time it has a comfortable texture.
Their biomechanical technology features an EVA footbed which is mesh covered to provide better air circulation and prevent sweat and bacteria buildup, thereby effectively preventing odor.
And for those with custom inserts, you can simply remove the built-in orthotic in the Agile Kea trainer then replace it with your own. And since the Vionic insoles are full profile, your replacement insert may even free up extra room inside the shoe.
The Agile Trainer has been rated as a great shoe for pronation issues, ranging from medium arches to those with flat feet. It even gets good reviews from those with high arches for its ability to support and protect their feet.
Heel and Ankle Support
The Vionic Kea trainer has a deep heel cup which is more than enough to provide you with the stability you need while walking. It cradles your heel and offers an excellent amount of cushioning to absorb impact which can be brought about by heel strikes the ground.
Perhaps worth noting is that the heel can be too wide for some, and this might cause minor stability issues, particularly for women who have narrow feet. However, as long as you buy the right fit, this shouldn’t be a problem. There is also a wide version available for this shoe, which should help you get that perfect fit.
And while this shoe doesn’t necessarily have full ankle support, it’s probably not going to be an issue for most. The heel and ankle will be situated fine for such a lightweight and casual walking shoe. And combined with the arch support, you’ll still get enough stability to go on with your activities without rolling your ankles or worsening your pronation condition.
As far as the outsole, it’s made of a durable rubber material that comes with a decent amount of flexibility and traction. It also has a distinct, raised pattern to further add to its overall grip. However, since it’s designed for casual walking, it’s not meant for taking on rough terrains. It’s mostly intended for walking on pavement and for long periods of standing.
Overall Shoe Feel
The Agile Kea trainer is designed to be a lightweight shoe. It’s also made for those with narrow feet. As a result, they can enjoy its roomy toe box which allows for the toes to move around easily. However, those who have wide feet might find the toe box a little more cramped. But, as mentioned, there are wide sizing options that will ensure you get the perfect fit.
It also comes with a mesh and synthetic upper which makes this shoe very breathable and more comfortable than most. And the forefoot is rather flexible, which makes it pretty comfortable when walking around. There’s really no stiffness like you would get with a bulkier, leather stability shoe.
As with most shoes with a rigid arch, it may require a bit of a break in period. However, it’s probably not going to be that long due to the flexibility throughout.
Overall, the Vionic Kea trainer passes the test for those that are looking for a balance of comfortability, arch and ankle support
Use
As mentioned, the Vionic Kea trainer is one of the best womens walking shoe for plantar fasciitis and heel pain. The overall support and construction make this perfect for light activity, cruising around town, walking and jobs that require standing or doing things on your feet all day. It’s super light and will do a good job to keep your feet from feeling worn out at the end of the day.
Updated List – Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- A good amount of support
One of the things that users love about the Vionic Kea Trainer is that it offers a good amount of arch support, not to mention it’s quite comfortable as well. Thanks to the shoe’s support, most women were able to go back to their usual daily routine without having to suffer from the pain they felt on their feet and arches back then.
- Very comfortable
Another common feedback regarding the Kea trainer is that it offers a really comfortable experience for its users. This is thanks to its EVA foam footbed which offers a decent amount of cushion and good shock-absorption capabilities.
- The heel area is too spacious for some
One of the few issues regarding the Vionic Kea Trainer is that the heel area is too wide for some. As a result, there were ladies who complained about a lack of heel and ankle security. For those with wide feet, however, the heel area offered plenty of support for their feet and was plenty stable.
- Not good for use in wet conditions
The Vionic Kea Trainer is a durable pair of shoes, however, it’s not water-resistant. Some women suggest that you treat it with water repellant or avoid using it during wet conditions.
Pros:
- Quite breathable, thanks to its thin mesh upper
- Good womens shoe for plantar fasciitis
- Firm and rigid arch supports for those with flat feet and high arches
- Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association
- Easy for toes to move around
Cons:
- The heel cup is too wide according to some users
- Some users don’t like where the arch is placed
- Sizing may be off, so plan accordingly
- Insoles may be a bit firm to new users of Vionic