Las 7 Mejores Best Plantar Fasciitis Hiking Shoes

Our lab results backed up the stable yet agile experience we had while exploring the mountains with the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, making it our top hiking shoe for people dealing with plantar fasciitis. It feels exceptionally light and pushes us forward like a trail shoe while having the tacky grip and protection required for demanding terrain.

We felt the solid support from the shoe, delivered by the Active Support system we discovered in the lab. A chassis stiffens the midfoot area while the straps are connected to the lacing system for a secure foothold, preventing any ankle rolls or excessive lateral movements that can lead to more foot pain.

The midsole has some give to it making the ride more comfortable. It also weighs a light 13.3 oz (378g), at par with average despite delivering more stability, contributing to a nimble feel.

The grip it showed on mixed terrains is undeniable—further enhanced by the 4.5 mm lugs, deeper than the 3.9 mm average. Thanks to the watertight upper, which scored 1/5 on our breathability test, we could tackle rain and puddles without worries of slipping or getting wet. However, we recommend staying in shallow waters because once it gets in, it will take forever to dry out.

The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a testament that a plush platform can make us feel surefooted. Our lab tests reveal a wide and sturdy base that stabilized our strides and a pillowy soft foam that comforted our feet during our hikes. We award this maximalist the top spot for cushioning among plantar fasciitis hiking shoes.

This Hoka’s thick foam kept us isolated from the ground, confirmed by our caliper with a massive stack height of 36.0/24.0 mm. Our arch and heel enjoyed its gentle touch, with a durometer reading 20.2% softer than average. Adding to its cloudlike comfort is the delightful 7.1 mm insole padding.

Despite its plush feel, Anacapa 2 Low GTX features a vast, structured landing area, ensuring our feet remain centered. Our caliper shows the midsole is a massive 117.5/91.4 mm vs. the 111.0/86.9 mm average. Plus, it doesn’t give in to twisting without a fight, evidenced by its 4/5 torsional rigidity rating in our lab. This stiffness effectively avoids ankle rolls.

Underfoot, the highly grippy Vibram outsole kept us in control. The 4.9 mm lugs are aggressive enough to tackle challenging trails, allowing us to cruise in our hikes.

Unfortunately, we didn’t feel very nimble because the heavy 14.1 oz (400g) weight of the shoe dragged us down. Those seeking speed and agility should find another pair.

The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX delivered unbeatable support in our hikes, relieving discomfort and ensuring proper foot alignment through its secure hold and stiff build, which our lab confirmed. Among the top hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis, the Terrex Swift R3 GTX is our best stabilizer.

Even as we picked up the pace through uneven trails, we never felt like toppling over. The shoe feels like a hiking boot because of the Pro-Moderator technology embedded in the midsole, effectively preventing excessive movements that contribute to fatigue and injury.

The insole also has raised sidewalls that allow us to sit into the midsole, rather than on top of it. Because of all these structured elements, the shoe was highly resistant to twisting, earning the highest torsional rigidity score of 5/5. Even the rigid heel counter (4/5) held us firmly in place.

Thankfully, the shoe isn’t too stiff longitudinally, allowing us to enjoy a natural ride. Plus, we measured a generous heel stack of 36.6 mm that dampens landing impact. Our arches enjoyed the cushion’s plush feel, evidenced by its 26.0 HA durometer reading. Yet we like how it never collapsed quickly under heavy loads.

However, we warn that the Terrex Swift R3 GTX won’t deliver comfort straight out of the box. It’s best to break this shoe in before taking it to long outdoor adventures.

We could mindlessly wander in the wild while sporting the Merrell Moab 3 GTX because it delivers delightful comfort and subtle support. Our lab tests confirm it’s fluid in the right places and firm in a pleasant way, making it our best comfortable plantar fasciitis hiking shoe.

We experienced excellent impact protection and found the midsole to be an effective shield against harsh debris. Our durometer shows the cushioning is a firm 35.9 HA, but feels much softer on foot because of its impact absorption and bouncy nature. Together with the free-moving midsole, the ride feels easygoing. Our bend test confirms its forgiving nature, needing only 30.2N force to reach a 90-degree angle.

Our arches felt heavily supported by the nylon shank embedded in the midsole, stabilizing the heel and midfoot area. Plus, we rated the heel counter with a high 4/5 rigidity score and it firmly held us in place without causing too much discomfort.

Our surefootedness also stems from the Vibram outsole and deep 4.8 mm lugs. We felt confident we could tackle any surface safely because of the reliable traction Moab 3 GTX displayed in our tests.

However, we didn’t feel agile at all, as reflected by our scale with a heavy build of 15.9 oz (452g). This shoe felt like a boot, so those who prefer otherwise should find lighter shoes.

We’re in awe of the cushioning and stability the Merrell Moab Speed 2 brought to our mountain adventures while maintaining a quick and agile feel. It rides more like a trail shoe, and our lab backs up it’s a breath of fresh air on foot, making it our top lightweight hiking shoe for those with plantar fasciitis.

Our scale confirms the weightlessness we experienced, at only 11.6 oz (329g), 12.3% lighter than the average hiking shoe. The midsole also has a responsive kick, contributing to its fast yet effortless ride.

Every landing is pure bliss and we never experienced any foot pain. The stack height is an above-average 38.8/23.8 mm and has a durometer reading that’s 31.4% softer than average, relieving our arches and heels from the pressure of standing all day.

Despite the plush cushioning, we never lost control of our footing since the FlexPlate in the midsole stabilizes our strides. Our manual assessment shows its effect by getting a high torsional rigidity of 5/5. This stiffness ensures our feet remain in their proper place to avoid injuries.

However, because of its soft foam, we recommend finding a more supportive hiking shoe when carrying heavy backpacks on multi-day hikes.

The Hoka Skyline-Float X struck the balance between comfort and support in our outdoor tests through the generous cushioning and stiff build we proved in our lab. We felt like we could stay in the shoe even longer thanks to its exceptional ventilation, making it our best summer hiking shoe for those with plantar fasciitis.

The plush knit upper felt cozy on foot yet we’re amazed how the smoke freely escaped the dense material during our breathability test, earning it a well-deserved 5/5 rating. We found it perfect for hot weather because our body heat could escape.

Comfort was evident in the shoe’s stack, confirmed by our caliper with an above-average stack height of 39.0/31.0 mm. The generous cushioning dampened impact well yet had a balanced feel to carry our arches, evidenced by its 27.9 HA softness, aligned with our lab average. The foam closer to our foot is a softer 22.0 HA to boost comfort, which gives a nice rebound every takeoff.

We found a stiff Pebax plate that stabilizes the ride between the dual-density midsole. It’s positioned near our arches, which helped distribute our weight evenly. Its stiff build guides our foot alignment, validated by its 5/5 and 4/5 scores in our torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness tests.

However, we measured the toebox to be narrower than average. We recommend those with broad feet to find more accommodating shoes.

The Adidas Terrex AX4 provides all-weather and all-terrain protection while essentially keeping our strides in check. Our lab assessments show it packs comfort and stability into its low €100 price. For reference, the average hiking shoe costs €160, making the Terrex AX4 our most budget-friendly plantar fasciitis hiking shoe.

The platform felt very supportive, offering a moderate firmness that doesn’t collapse easily under heavy weight. Our durometer validates this with a reading of 40.8% above average. The Terrex AX4 has structured elements such as the heel counter (4/5) and is quite resistant to excessive movements, which helps stabilize the ride. Our bend test confirms it’s 36.0% stiffer than average.

We never lost our balance because of the 3.7 mm chevron lugs that act as our brakes on loose ground, slippery mud, or wet rocks. The Terrex AX4 can handle any trail and season, as the upper is water-repellent without losing ventilation. Our smoke test backs this up with a 3/5 rating.

However, the toebox feels cramped and our measurements show it tapers quite aggressively to the big toe area vs. other shoes. Those with broad or high-volume feet should size up or find a more accommodating pair.