Best shoes for heel pain in 2023 (2024)

Heel pain plagues a large section of the population, with there being many reasonswhy this pain occurs, including obesity and ill-fitting shoes.

Wearing uncomfortable shoeshas caused foot problems in 78% of the American population, with 58% experiencing heel pain directly because of this.

We’ve set out to alleviate this pain by providing a comprehensive list of some of the top, comfortable shoes.

After completing our in-depth research, these are the best shoes for heel pain in 2020:

• Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
• ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes
• Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
• Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk
• Ryka Women’s Vida RZX

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is a common issue that you can trigger from a wide set of circ*mstances. Some of the most common causes are:

• Standing or running on hard surfaces for extended periods.
• Abnormal walking style, such as rolling the feet inwards.
• Obesity.
• Poor-fitting shoes.
• Stress fractures.
• Bursitis, which is the inflammation of the bursa—a small sac that contains fluids to lubricate moving parts.
• Nerve enlargement, also known as neuroma.
• Other medical issues, such as diabetes and arthritis.

How to Pick the Best Shoes for Heel Pain

It isn’t that hard to find the ideal shoes to alleviate heel pain, but only if you know what you’re looking for.

Before you decide on a pair, we encourage you to go through these factors to make sure you’re getting the right ones.

The Ideal Fit

One of the most common causes of foot pain is wearing shoes that don’t fit well. If you’re shopping online, make sure to try them on before you wear them in, else you might not be able to return them if they don’t fit.

If you’re shopping in-store, take the time to try the shoes before making the purchase. Walk around in them to more precisely judge the fit and flexibility, with a specific focus on the heel to avoid future pain.

Sole Mate

A supportive soleis necessary to help you avoid foot pain in the long run. Supportive soles don’t just offer support to your overall foot and heel structure, but they also help control your range of motion when you’re in your stride.

Giving your shoes the ol’ twist test is a great way of understanding sole support. A good shoe will resist the twisting motion when you grab the heel area and attempt to twist it around. If your shoe rotates easily, consider another pair.

It’s also crucial that you avoid wearing flatsor shoes with no heels to avoid heel pain.

For the outsole, make sure to look for rubber solesas they’re highly durable and long-lasting. They also offer great traction to the shoes, increasing your grip and stability.

Shoe Interior Design

Look for shoes with a supportive heel counteras it reinforces the heel cup and keeps your heel and foot firmly in the shoe, not to mention reduce heel pain.

Some shoes utilize strobel boards to improve the flexibility of the shoes, while others utilize footbeds that heighten your comfort levels. In particular, a latex foam footbedcan be extremely comfortable.

Also, look out for a breathable mesh linerand a strong midsolethat’s preferably made out of EVA. This offers impact absorption and prevents your feet and heel from taking on any more damage.

Arch Support

A shoe’s arch helps support your bodyweight and absorbs the pressure when you’re striding.

One of its most important tasks is to reduce the risk of heel pain. You can test this by picking shoes with a semi-rigid arch support anda slight elevation.

Trying out a few different shoes will help you understand what type of shoes your feet are naturally comfortable in.

The Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe is an underrated gem that is extremely effective in helping you fend off heel pain.

This model consists of 100% San Crispino construction in its exteriors and has a rubber solefor its base. This construction helps increase heel stability while the rubber sole improves durability and traction.

A strobel is included in the design to improve forefoot flexibility, while the use of a latex foam footbedincreases your comfort levels substantially. You’ll also find a breathable mesh lining and an EVA midsole in this shoe, both providingimpact absorptionfor the user.

The ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 7 running shoes is a close runner-up in our list.

This highly effective model features a blend of fabric and syntheticin its exterior, helping keep the shoes lightweight and breezy. Also, the rubber sole complements this feature as it brings durability and stability to the table.

A rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system helps absorb shocks effectively during impact and allows you to achieve a smooth and seamless transition to midstance.

You’ll also find an OrthoLite sock liner in this model to help with moisture management and improve breathability. This allows you to stay relaxed and comfortable in your footwear.

The Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 is an all-time favorite in the running community and is among the top choices for individuals with heel pain.

The manufacturers recommend that neutral runners opt for this shoe as it offers a smooth ride without giving up on your cushioning. A neutral support type also helps energize the cushioning, making this shoe ideal for running and gymming.

With the help of BioMoGo DNA and DNA Loft cushioning, this Brooks pair delivers the ideal amount of softness under your feet. Brooks accomplishes this without compromising on responsiveness and durability while reducing the shoes’ weight.

Also, a segmented crash pad combines with the shock absorbers to help cushion every step with maximum efficiency.

This Gravity Defyer G-Defy option is a specialist pair that’s ideal for heel pain. It’s also one of the top shoes for plantars fasciitis.

It has a fabric and synthetic exterior, allowing the shoes to remain lightweight. It also features VersoShock technology, which is a patented spring system to help absorb shock and reduce heel pain.

On top of this, a seamless interior helps those with sensitive feet and diabetic neuropathy as it helps prevent irritation during usage.

You also have the option of removable insoles to accommodate custom-fitting orthotics, which can further alleviate heel pain.

A front rocker sole helps support the midfoot, confirming this as a platas fasciitis shoe.

These are yet another great pair of shoes that are ideal for women with heel pain problems or simply as shoes for fascia plantar.

It features a rubber sole to increase durability, and it also has a breathable mesh with supportive synthetic overlaysto increase the shoes’ sturdiness and breathability.

Also, an anatomically precise-return footbed improves your comfort and fitting.

Finally, the special RE-ZORB high-impact cushioning system helps to aid with the cushioning and flexibility.

How Can I Get Rid of the Pain in My Heel?

You can get rid of the heel pain by wearing the right footwear. This involves purchasing a shoe that offers plenty of support and stability to your feet.

What Shoes Work Best for Plantar Fasciitis?

Many shoes work best for plantar fasciitis and other heel issues.These shoes offer optimumsupport, stability, motion control and arch support. Check out our comprehensive best shoes for flat feetguide to help.

Are Birkenstocks Good for Heel Pain?

Yes, Birkenstocks are good for heel pain as they’re specifically designed for people struggling with foot problems. They have a quality footbed and offer great support to your foot’s structure while keeping you comfortable.

Time to Heel

If you’ve been struggling with heel pain for a while, know that there should be a pair of shoes out there to help.

Heel pain, fortunately, can be a short-term issue with long-term solutions, and buying great footwear is one way to get yourself on the road to recovery.

Each of these five selections offers excellent support and stability to your feet and reduces heel issues, and that’s half the battle won.