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Shopping for the best shoes for heel spurs is one of the first steps you can take to help alleviate the pain that can come with this common foot condition. In fact, heel spurs affect about 15 percent of the population, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“Heel spurs are a growth of bone on the bottom of your heel,” explains Dr. Mike Rushton, podiatrist, co-founder and medical director of Forward Motion in St. George, Utah. Heel spurs don’t always cause pain, and some people might not even know they have them. But when they do cause discomfort, the symptoms are similar to plantar fasciitis — at times, inducing a sharp pain (particularly after prolonged periods without moving, such as when you first wake in the morning) or a dull ache. “You might feel discomfort or a sharp shooting pain on the bottom of the heel that can extend into the arch,” says Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM, a podiatric surgery specialist and founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan.
A heel spur often develops from overuse, just like plantar fasciitis, or from ill-fitting shoes. So proper footwear can prevent and alleviate pain from the condition. “If your foot doesn’t have adequate padding beneath it, as you roll forward, you’re more likely to pinch between the bottom of the foot and the ground,” Dr. Rushton says.
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That’s why if you have a spur, you need a cushy heel, Dr. Rushton explains. Anatomical arch support is also helpful to promote healthy foot alignment — and good alignment means the entire foot will absorb the impact of every step, rather than just the heel. Thankfully, there are plenty of heel spur-friendly footwear options on the market, from work shoes or walking shoes you sport during the day to the comfortable dress shoes you don at night. The best shoes for heel pain are right this way.
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Colorways available: Black, Cordovan
Special features: Rigid shank, arch support, cushioned footbed, leather
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What reviewers say: I’ve owned Docker’s dress shoes before and liked them for their comfort and good looks. These are no different. Very comfortable right out of the box. They are dressy enough for a suit or casual enough for a pair of khakis. Just the right amount of arch support and flexibility. I have issues with my feet and most brands give me problems if I have to do much walking. These feel good on my feet, are well-built and very affordable. For me, they check all the boxes and I highly recommend them.
Price upon publish date of this article: $47.95
Colorways available: Nimbus Cloud/Rose Gold, Sunlit Ocean/Lilac Mist, and more
Special features: Breathable mesh, J-frame midsole support, rocker bottom design, molded midsole
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Here’s why overpronation prevention is important when you have heel spurs: Our feet naturally pronate during the gait cycle, but when they pronate for prolonged periods of time, the biomechanics and distribution of pressure and weight across the foot may contribute to painful conditions associated with heel spurs, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, Dr. Cunha says. Stability running shoes, like these doctor-recommended shoes for heel spurs, are carefully designed to prevent overpronation.
What reviewers say: “Love these shoes! I am a medical person and am on my feet all day I have had painful feet for 3 years, arthritis and bone spurs, tried a lot of shoes and … these have actually helped my feet get better. These Ahari 6 shoes have been awesome from the minute I put them on love the soles and the breathable fabric in my opinion they are Great!! Thanks HOKA for saving my feet!
Price upon publish date of this article: $139.95
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Colorways available: Grey/Black/Purple, Blue Glass/Nile Blue/Marina, and more
Special features: Arch support, soft cushioning, come in four different widths
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What reviewers say: “Second year with the Adrenaline for me. I don’t think I will be buying any other shoe. I work in a hospital and they are the only shoes that help eliminate back pain, and stay supportive the entire time I wear the shoes. Other brand have felt as comfortable, but not held us as well as my Brooks.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $109.95
Colorways available: Matte Black, Navy, White, and more
Special features: Arch support, soft cushioning
What reviewers say: “I bought these for my husband who has been suffering from plantar fasciitis. They have been fantastic and have made walking pain-free. He has a narrow foot so it is a must for him to have the Velcro top to get a snug fit. I highly recommend these.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $69.95
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Colorways available: Black, Black Leopard, Navy, and more
Special features: Arch support, soft cushioning, wedge heel, come in a variety of widths
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What reviewers say: “I’m on my feet for 12-16 hours per day and needed shoes that were supportive and professional. These have great arch support and help my plantar fascitis.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $54.97
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Colorways available: Black
Special features: Anatomical arch, cushioned footbed, slip-resistant
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What reviewers say: I originally got these for culinary school, but they’re the only shoes I wear now. I have plantar fasciitis & bone spurs, so most shoes hurt my feet and don’t allow me to be on my feet for more than 4 hours at a time; however, these Crocs have been amazing and make 8-17 hour days on the floor much better
Price upon publish date of this article: $38.99
Colorways available: Triple Black, Vapor/Azure Blue, and more
Special features: Anatomical arch, cushioned footbed, rocker bottom sole
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
REI Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.9/5 stars
What reviewers say: I love these! I have a knee injury that makes walking on an incline a bit painful. On my first walk in these shoes, I was shocked at how easily I was able to walk uphill and felt no pain. I am so impressed. Absolutely recommend! I sized up 1/2 size and they fit perfectly.
Price upon publish date of this article: $119.99
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What Are Heel Spurs?
Heel spurs are bony prominences made up of calcium deposits that grow in the contour of your foot rather than straight down. “They occur either on the bottom or on the back of the heel,” Dr. Cunha says, adding that the back of the heel is where the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon insert into the heel bone, respectively.
“Heel spurs are not the cause of heel pain but rather the consequence of the pulling and tearing of the plantar fascia or achilles tendon as they insert into the heel,” Dr. Cunha says. “When both of these soft tissue structures are taut, the body compensates by depositing calcium to prevent detachment of the tendon and ligament from the heel bone.” So in order to treat heel spur pain, you must treat the origin of the problem, which is either Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, Dr. Cunha explains.
Typical symptoms of heel spurs include discomfort or a sharp shooting pain felt on the bottom of the heel that can extend into the arch — in fact, most people describe the pain of heel spurs as a knife or needle stabbing the bottom of their feet when they first stand up in the morning. “Symptoms occur typically when standing after a period of rest. This is due to the fact that the plantar fascia, the ligament that is injured and tightens when we sleep and then suddenly stretches when we take our first step in the morning, causing sharp stabbing pain,” Dr. Cunha says.
Surgery is the last resort for “curing” heel spurs, and there are plenty of other treatment options to help relieve the pain. Achilles tendonitis or plantar fascia-specific stretching techniques and physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, custom orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis, and appropriate shoes are all the first lines of attack when it comes to treating heel spurs.
What to Look for in the Best Shoes for Heel Spurs
The key is to pick a shoe that offers as much durability and protection of the heel as possible without sacrificing comfort or flexibility. Here are the main footwear features Dr. Cunha and Dr. Rushton recommend looking for when shopping for shoes for heel spurs:
- Anatomical arch and cushioning: A well-cushioned, anatomical arch will help support and hold the plantar fascia and prevent it from collapsing to minimize arch fatigue and heel pain. Ultimately, this can help prevent heel spurs or alleviate the pain if you already have them. You’ll also want to look for a comfortable and cushioned footbed with memory foam or EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) to support the arch and an anti-compression insole to reduce tension and stress on the plantar fascia, Dr. Cunha says.
- Rigid shank: In order to tell if the shoe is rigid enough, you want to take the shoe and bend it in half. You shouldn’t be able to, because the shank is the actual structure of the shoe and should be rigid to hold up and support the arch and heel. So if the shoe bends in half, pick a different one.
- Rigid heel counter: There should be a good bit of padding called an ankle collar, which is intended to cushion the back of the heel to protect the achilles tendon (especially during a walk or run). Squeeze the heel of the shoe to see how firm it is — you shouldn’t be able to compress it. This is particularly important to consider for those who need a pair of the best shoes for heel spurs and achilles tendonitis.
- Deep heel cup: Both Dr. Rushton and Dr. Cunha recommend looking for a deep heel cup to maintain proper foot realignment — plus, a heel cup can lessen the impact by stopping your heel from making contact with the ground. “This will help maintain proper sagittal motion and minimize frontal plane motion which can lead to excessive pronation, collapse of the arch, and ultimately plantar fasciitis,” Dr. Cunha says.
- Rocker bottom design: A curved outsole that boasts ample cushion can help reduce the impact from your heel strike and improve the ease of walking. Rocker bottoms (commonly found in cushioned running shoes) also provide great shock absorbency to maximize motion control, minimize arch fatigue, and ultimately allow for a smoother and more natural motion when walking.
- Spacious toe box: Avoid shoes that compress your feet. A roomy toe box allows your toes to move freely with no restrictions, therefore minimizing discomfort placed on the plantar fascia and heel. This is also a key factor to seek out if you need shoes for bunions.
How We Chose the Best Shoes for Heel Spurs
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To find the best shoes for heel spurs, we spoke to podiatrists for their top tips on what to look for in a quality shoe, as well as asked for their go-to picks for shoes they’d personally recommend to their patients. We also researched and tested shoes for many types of occasions, functions, and budgets, taking into account hundreds of customer reviews. The best shoes for heel spurs on our list boast features our experts recommend, such as ample cushioning, a deep heel cup, a contoured footbed, and a roomy toe box. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a Podiatric Surgery Specialist and founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan. Cunha has years of experience as a foot and ankle surgeon, treating issues ranging from minor ailments to full-on reconstructive procedures.
Mike Rushton, DPM, is the co-founder and medical director of Forward Motion in St. George, Utah. He has been specializing in conservative care and orthotic therapy for the last 13 years.
Meet the Author
April Benshosan is a health journalist and editor who’s interviewed countless doctors and other medical professionals throughout her career. She’s super dedicated to arming people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. Her work has been published in both print and digital outlets, including Women’s Health, SHAPE, VeryWell Fit, Health.com, LIVESTRONG.com, and more. Benshosan interviewed two leading podiatrists and conducted extensive market research to write this guide to the best shoes for heel spurs.
