7 Best Shoes For Haglund's Deformity in 2026

How we test shoes for Haglund's deformity

As an independent shoe testing lab, we take footwear comfort very seriously. In addition to wear testing each pair on foot, we take it through rigorous testing in our facilities.

Using specialized tools and machinery and following scientifically validated protocols, we record over 30 data points for each shoe’s cushioning, stability, fit, and other parameters. We also perform manual shoe tests on camera to demonstrate the rigidity or pliability of components, such as the heel counter, and the nature of its internal padding, particularly around the heel collar.

We then write in-depth reviews, listing all the pros and cons, and nuances of each tested pair, and filter out the best options for the given guide.

Is it Haglund’s deformity for sure?

Heel pain is a very general term and can imply many different underlying conditions, from plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis to bone spurs, Haglund’s deformities, and more.

A bony growth on the heel bone (calcaneus), Haglund’s deformity, can be confused with a heel spur. But while the heel spur pokes out from the bottom of the heel, Haglund’s deformity is formed at the back of the heel, where the Achilles tendon is attached.

Curiously, you may not even know you have a Haglund’s deformity until you try to wear shoes with very rigid and minimally padded heel counters for an hour or two. Because that’s when the symptoms really start to kick in:

• pain from the pressure on the bony growth
• swelling and/or skin discoloration in the bump area

This is a very common issue among high-performance athletes who wear tight-fitting footwear for their sports, such as skaters, skiers, cyclists, and climbers. Repetitive mechanical compression and friction at the heel can really exacerbate the condition.

However, this doesn’t mean that shoes alone cause the condition because Haglund’s deformity is characterised as an idiopathic condition (with no definite cause). Aside from tight shoes, the contributing factors include:

• genetics (if your closest relative has one, you are likely to develop the bump too)
• being a woman (ladies are more likely to develop the pump bump)
• overuse injuries (in athletes, especially runners, tennis and basketball players)
• high-arched feet (more rubbing of the heel bone against the tendon)
• tight Achilles (tender and inflamed bursa is more easily irritated)
• certain gait disorders
• weight gain
• injuries

Even though it’s hard to ignore the pain from Haglund’s deformity, if it’s left untreated, the pressure on the bony growth can make it bigger and lead to other conditions in your heel and feet, including Achilles tendinitis and heel bursitis.

The treatment includes:

• custom inserts or heel cups
• over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
• physical therapy (stretches, exercises)
• changes to footwear

Let’s take a detailed look at the latter in the section below.

What to look for in the best shoes for Haglund’s deformity

Even though the right pair of shoes won’t reverse Haglund’s deformity, it can relieve its symptoms and potentially prevent the bump from growing bigger.

1. Flexible and/or well-padded heel counter

The main feature you want to see in a shoe that’s friendly for Haglund’s deformity is a non-rigid heel counter.

A heel counter is a stiff or moderately stiff component in the rearfoot section of the shoe’s upper. It can be either internal (placed inside the shoe’s heel collar) or external (stiff overlays around the heel and ankle).

A heel counter maintains foot and ankle alignment and prevents excessive side-to-side movement by keeping the heel centered. It also helps improve in-shoe lockdown and containment.

Shoes for lateral sports like basketball and tennis tend to have highly rigid and reinforced heel counters. Hiking shoes and boots also feature stiff, structured heel counters to keep the foot and ankle stable under heavy loads.

Most stability running shoes also have rigid heel counters to minimize overpronation.

But as important as they are for support and stability, heel counters wrap around the heel bone (calcaneus) exactly where Haglund’s deformity develops. So, along with stability, they can also put a lot of pressure on the bony growth, causing pain and discomfort.

In our lab, we perform a manual test by pressing on both sides and the back of the heel counter. Based on its resistance, we rate the shoe’s heel counter stiffness on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the stiffest.

Example of a flexible heel counter

Example of a rigid heel counter

Shoes with flexible or at least moderately pliable heel counters and minimal rearfoot structure are the most agreeable type for Haglund’s deformity. In our lab, they have a low stiffness score of 1/5 or 2/5:

However, not all structured heel counters end up aggravating the pump bump. If it is complemented by a deep heel cup and a generously padded heel collar, the stiff bit may not even hit the bony growth.

Thick foam around the collar helps reduce friction and rubbing by distributing pressure rather than concentrating it on the bump. But please keep in mind that the foam also tends to compress and wear out with use, and the bump might eventually meet the heel counter.

You might as well need to buy additional heel pads to enhance the shoe’s interior foam.

And if you want to give your feet a real break when not training, you might as well benefit from slides, clogs, backless shoes, or convertible shoes with drop-in heels to give your heel bones all the breathing room they need.

The latter can go from slipper to full-shoe mode in a matter of seconds!

2. Proper shoe size and fit

Studies have repeatedly shown that too many people are wearing ill-fitting shoes, either length-wise or width-wise.

In the context of Haglund’s deformity, a proper heel fit is essential. It implies a secure but not overly tight fit in the rearfoot: too tight and you get direct pressure on the bump, too loose and heel shifting causes undesirable friction and irritation.

We have put together a simple 3-step guide on how to measure your foot length at home to help you out with online shoe shopping.

Once you have the measurements, you can consult the corresponding brand size chart and check out each individual shoe’s lab review for more specific information. We use a digital caliper to measure the internal length of each shoe and include other wearers’ feedback on its fit.

You will be surprised how much internal length deviates among shoes, even in the same size!

3. Durable heel lining/padding

Foot deformations like Haglund’s put additional pressure and friction on the shoe’s internal fabric, causing it to deteriorate notably faster.

And once that soft layer wears out and tears, your bump ends up brushing against the tough internal heel counter (if there is one).

But how can you predict the abrasion resistance of that material?

In our lab, we use a Dremel with a sanding tip on the area where the bump normally contacts the inner shoe lining. The pressure (2N), speed (5K RPM), and exposure time (4 seconds) remain the same across all tested shoes to ensure consistent results.

Based on the severity of damage, we assess each shoe’s heel padding durability on a 1-5 scale, where 5 indicates the most abrasion-resistant material.

4. Removable insole (optional)

If you are dealing with a severe case of Haglund’s deformity and your doctor recommends wearing heel inserts, you may need to get a shoe with removable insoles to accommodate those inserts.

But please take note of the shoe’s insole thickness as it might be too thick to make a difference (1-2 mm) or too thick (7-8 mm), leaving too much internal space to fill.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27843738/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32787369/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11664718/