In addition to plantar fasciitis and bunions, heel spurs — bony growths around the heel bone — are another common foot ailment.
"The cause is chronic and repetitive micro-tearing of the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon," says Nelya Lobkova, DPM, podiatrist and owner of Step Up Footcare in New York City. "Over time, the body deposits calcium where the tearing occurs as a reaction to the tearing."
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
If left untreated, these spurs can lead to heel pain and inflammation. Luckily, the right pair of shoes can help you manage your symptoms. Here are the best shoes for heel spurs, according to podiatrists.
The Best Shoes for Heel Spurs
- Best for Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis: HOKA Bondi 8 ($165, Hoka)
- Best for Heel Spurs and Achilles Tendonitis: On Cloudstratus ($180, On)
- Best for Walking: New Balance 990 v6 ($199.99, New Balance)
- Best for Running: Brooks Ghost Max 2 ($150, Brooks Running)
- Best for Work: Oofos Low Shoes (From $79.99, Amazon)
- Best Sandals: Birkenstock Milano (From $93.50, Birkenstock)
- Best Insoles/Inserts: Superfeet ($54.95, Amazon)
How We Chose
To put together this list of the best shoes for heel spurs, we tapped two podiatrists for their recommendations. In addition to their input, we narrowed down selections based on the following criteria:
- Fit
- Midsole
- Stability
- Cushioning
Learn more about how we choose and cover products.
Why Are Certain Shoes Marketed to Men or Women?
Here at LIVESTRONG.com, we try to avoid gendered language, but shoe brands typically market their products to me or women. We encourage you to choose the shoe that best fits your needs, regardless of how it's labeled.
Anatomically speaking, shoes marketed to women tend to be smaller and have a slight inward curvature, Dr. Lobkova says. However, “in reality, the differences are very small and almost negligible,” she notes.
1. Best for Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis: HOKA Bondi 8
Hoka Bondi 8
This all-around supportive and comfortable shoe works well for people with both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.
Pros
- Many color, size and width options
- Has the American Podiatric Medical Association's seal of acceptance
Cons
- May run on the narrow side, according to reviews; consider the wide option if you need a wider toe box
It’s no surprise Dr. Lobkova recommends the Bondi 8. They are extremely comfortable to wear and provide “great cushioning for concrete streets” or other hard surfaces, she says.
Made of a cushioned midsole, the Bondi 8 absorbs shock to reduce heel spur pain, and the outer layer is designed with a breathable mesh.
Additionally, each shoe has a memory foam collar to reduce heel friction and is designed to accommodate people with narrower heels.
2. Best for Heel Spurs and Achilles Tendonitis: On Cloudstratus
Pros
- Many color options
- Wide toe box
- Durable
Cons
- No width options
Achilles tendonitis is caused by repetitive or intense strain on your Achilles tendon while walking, running or jumping. Having a cushioned and supportive shoe can relieve some of the pressure.
Made from the brand's signature cloud technology, the On Cloudstratus work to absorb the shock during short and long-distance runs, and the shoe's additional height relieves heel tension.
It's also a "wide, supportive shoe made for everyday walking," Dr. Lobkova says.
3. Best for Walking: New Balance 990 v6
Pros
- Durable
- Gender inclusive
Cons
- Limited color options
- More expensive than many other options
Having a good pair of walking shoes can help to eliminate heel spur pain, and this New Balance pair checks all the boxes.
This hybrid lifestyle and running shoe is recommended by Dr. Lobkova for its engineered sole, which supports the foot's natural alignment and provides "mild arch support."
If the sole doesn't impress, don't fret. You can remove the insoles for custom orthotics.
The shoe does come with a heftier price tag, but it's reinforced with a durable rubber to withstand areas of wear and tear, making it worth the investment.
Buy it: Nordstrom; Price: $199.99
4. Best for Running: Brooks Ghost Max 2
Pros
- Has the American Podiatric Medical Association's seal of acceptance
- Three width options
Cons
- Limited color options
- May run a tad small, according to reviews
Made with a foam insole and high cushioning, Brooks Ghost Max 2 (which replaced the fan-favorite Dyad) offers heel support that allows you to go the distance. The rocker design of the soles supports the natural running mechanics of your feet, and the heel crash pad absorbs shock upon impact.
Additional stability is offered in the raised side walls surrounding the heel, Dr. Lobkova says.
Shop more of our picks for the best running shoes for every foot shape, running style and stability need.
5. Best for Work: Oofos Oomg Low Shoes
Oofos Oomg Low Shoes
This slip-on shoe is perfect if you're on your feet all day.
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Good shoes for sweaty feet (breathable fabric; designed to minimize odor)
- Slip-on style
- Has the American Podiatric Medical Association's seal of acceptance
Cons
- Limited color options
- No width options
If you’re on your feet all day, Dr. Lobkova recommends Oofos Low Shoes. They're designed to cradle the footbed and prevent your ankles from being overworked.
The brand touts its highly absorbent foam insole, which absorbs 37 percent more impact than other foams and reduces pressure on your feet, joints and back.
Made of a breathable fabric, the outer layer allows airflow to prevent your feet from overheating.
6. Best Sandals: Birkenstock Milano
Birkenstock Milano
This pick offers the classic support of Birkenstock sandals with the added stability of a heel strap.
Pros
- Adjustable straps
- Durable
- Heel strap for added stability
Cons
- Run a bit big and wide, according to reviews
- May take a while to break in, according to reviews
The Birkenstock Milano cradles all feet types with its contoured footbed, which molds to the shape of your foot with each wear.
The straps are made of acrylic and polyamide felt fibers to prevent irritation and skin friction.
The sandal comes with a backstrap, which can lend better stability, but Dr. Lobkova recommends avoiding that if you’re experiencing posterior spurs — in that case, opt for the classic Birkenstock Arizona.
Bonus: It comes in regular and wide widths to accommodate different foot sizes.
7. Best Insoles/Inserts: Superfeet
Superfeet GREEN-High Arch Orthotic Support
If you're not ready to invest in a new shoe, these inserts can up the comfort of your existing pair.
Pros
- Heel spur pad
- Easy to trim to your size
Cons
- Best for those with high arches
Shoe inserts are a great way to add more support to you shoe, and this one “adds a specified foam disk and heel spur pad in the area of the heel spur,” Dr. Lobkova explains.
Made of high-density foam, these insoles support and stabilize the rear foot. To use, simply trim the excess to fit into your shoe.
What to Look for in Shoes for Heel Spurs
1. Midsole
When looking for a shoe for heel spurs, Dr. Lobkova recommends a rigid sole, as that dictates the stability of the shoe.
"Someone with heel spurs needs extra rigidity in the sole and cushioning in the midfoot to prevent impact on the heel," she explains.
To see whether your sole is rigid enough, Dr. Lobkova recommends a test: "Hold the front of the shoe with one hand and the back of the shoe with another hand. Try to twist the shoe side to side. There should be minimal to no twisting motion possible."
2. Heel Elevation
"A heel drop of 6 millimeters or higher will take pressure off the plantar and posterior spur," Dr. Lobkova says. You can also elevate the heel, which supinates the foot and reduces the stretch on the Achilles and plantar fascia insertion.
Suzanne Levine, DPM, RPT, PC, podiatric foot surgeon and Millenium Podiatry founder, recommends avoiding flat shoes, as they can cause too much pressure on your heel.
3. Heel Counter
For people with posterior heel spurs, Dr. Lobkova recommends shoes with a soft heel counter, as a firm heel counter may irritate the Achilles insertion. If your heel spur is consistently irritated, it can cause internal blisters.
A feature to avoid is a forward-tilted heel counter. This can often contribute to Achilles tendonitis and posterior heel bone spurs, because the stiff material can irritate the soft tissue in the back of the heel.
Instead, look for heel counters that are straight up and down and do not tilt forward.
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.