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Nothing puts a damper on a hike like foot pain, including the kind that comes with plantar fasciitis. Luckily, there are hiking boots for plantar fasciitis that can help mitigate that stabbing heel pain, so you don’t have to hang up your trekking poles if you’re prone to the condition. In the same way that there’s a slew of walking shoes, sneakers, sandals, and clogs that can help mitigate aches from various gait patterns and old injuries, there are plenty of supportive hiking boots that’ll keep your feet comfortable on the trails too.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Hoka Kaha 2
- Runner-Up: Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking Boots
- Best Budget: Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot
- Best Hiking Shoe: Merrell Bravada 2 Hiking Shoes
- Best for Trail Running: Hoka Challenger 7
- Best for Easy Trails: Kuru Quest
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What is plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot, from your heel bone up to your toes, Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, tells SELF. She explains that your plantar fascia is critical for proper arch support, and plays an important role in your overall gait (which is essentially the way you walk). Plantar fasciitis occurs when that tissue, specifically where it attaches at your heel, becomes inflamed, which is most commonly due to overuse or excessive force, Dr. Piekarska says. When that happens, you may feel a sharp, stabbing, or even burning pain in your heel area, and sometimes other parts of your foot too. The pain is most likely to flare up in the mornings or after spending a while off your feet, per the Mayo Clinic, but Dr. Piekarska says it can sometimes persist throughout the day.
Any weight-bearing activity, including standing, walking, running, and, yes, hiking, can exacerbate plantar fasciitis symptoms, Dr. Piekarska says. If you’re dealing with an acute plantar fasciitis flare-up—or don’t want to risk dealing with a lot of pain and soreness after your outing—consider resting and rescheduling your outdoor adventure for another day, Arthur Belanger, DPM, a podiatrist at Holston Medical Group in Johnson City, Tennessee, tells SELF. If you feel up for a walk and want to keep your feet as safe and comfortable as possible, picking the right shoe can make a major difference in supporting your arch and keeping flare-ups at bay.
How to choose the best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis
First, your boots need to fit comfortably, in both length and width. The toe box should offer enough space for you to wiggle your toes and the heel shouldn’t feel restrictive, tight, or likely to chafe, Dr. Belanger says. You may need to try on a few pairs in order to find the right fit, but a little trial and error is worth avoiding chafing, irritation, and blisters in the long run. That’s a good rule of thumb for anyone shopping for a new pair of hiking shoes, but people with plantar fasciitis should keep a few other key features in mind too.