7 Best Hiking Boots For Plantar Fasciitis in 2025

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Hiking Boots For Plantar Fasciitis in 2025

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It usually starts with heel pain. It can be sharp from the first moment or progress to the higher intensity and sharpness. Nevertheless, plantar fasciitis is not something to play around with. 

In this guide, we cover the features of the hiking boots that usually feel good when your heel is in pain and needs to be stabilized. It's all about stabilization and preventing wobbling and any unnecessary extra movements, however small they are. 

We always recommend a) resting and b) visiting a specialist. Maybe your heel pain is not caused by plantar fasciitis? If you already know you've got PF, welcome! Enjoy our guide and our top picks in different categories. 

How we test hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

We prioritize objectiveness and transparency. Because of that, we: 

  1. Buy all the hiking boots with our own money;
  2. Test the boots on our hikes, in wet and dry terrain, on uphills and downhills, easy and technical trails; 
  3. Subject the boots to various lab tests which result in 20+ data points that accurately describe the fit, shock absorption, performance and durability of each boot; 
  4. Publish all our results, along with the averages for the given category and together with other results so that you can compare the boots of your interests by any parameter;
  5. Choose the top picks based on our experience with the boot on the hikes and based on our lab data. 

Best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis overall

HOKA Kaha 3 GTX
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What makes it the best?

Yet again, HOKA proves that you can have both immense comfort and reliable stability on a backpacking adventure! We found the Kaha 3 GTX to be a successful update to the v2, inheriting its title of the most comfortable hiking boot in our roster. Even though the Kaha 3's generous shock absorption is the highlight of the show, its other essential features don't lag either. If you can accept this boot's heavier weight and steeper price point, you will not be disappointed.

Pros

  • One of the best cushioned boots ever
  • Extremely comfortable for long miles
  • Highly stable and supportive
  • Excellent traction on smooth surfaces
  • Grips mixed and hilly terrain well
  • Contains sustainable materials
  • More streamlined than the Kaha 2

Cons

  • Lugs got much shallower
  • Heavier than average
Full review of HOKA Kaha 3 GTX

Best city-to-trail hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

New Balance found a sweet spot with the Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid GTX as it's more than just a high-collared running shoe but less than an overbuilt trekking boot. It packs a ton of ultra-plush Fresh Foam X cushioning while keeping its weight to the minimum and stability to the maximum. We thoroughly enjoyed the Hierro's immense comfort and versatility as it effortlessly transitioned from the city streets to the rocky and dirty trails. Even though the boot has its limits, it is a very well-rounded day hiking offering for a wide range of outdoor scenarios.

Pros

  • One of the softest hiking boots
  • Generous cushioning for long miles
  • Much lighter than average boot
  • Lively and bouncy ride
  • Excellent stability and lockdown
  • Flexible forefoot
  • Effective waterproofing
  • Durable upper and outsole
  • Grippy on varied terrain

Cons

  • Gets notably firmer in low temps
  • Low flood level
  • Not for technical terrain
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid GTX

Best winter hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

Once you get to experience winter in the Bugaboot III, chances are, you won't settle for anything less moving forward. Indeed, from its cozy confines to its enduring winter-specific performance, we found that this piece from Columbia has "incredible" written all over its proverbial face. A couple of its workable misfires aside, the Bugaboot III ensures our safety and enjoyment in the winter season.

Pros

  • Jaw-dropping comfort
  • Remarkable insulation
  • Watertight upper
  • Excellent durability
  • Plenty of cushioning
  • High level of support
  • Reliable grip
  • Affordable for its kind

Cons

  • Restrictive toebox
  • Heavier than average
Full review of Columbia Bugaboot III

Best backpacking boots for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

There’s no other boot that offers steady support like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. It kept our legs free from fatigue even as we carried heavy loads over difficult terrain, proving it’s the best backpacking boot for hikers with plantar fasciitis. Other than its stable midsole, our lab results show it has a durable outsole and a protective upper that’s tough enough to handle various conditions.

We had the privilege of experiencing the revolutionary ADV-C 4D Chassis, a highly stiff component wrapped around the heel and sides of the boot to hold our heels and ankles in position. Our manual assessment shows how secure the foothold is with the highest 5/5 heel counter stiffness and torsional rigidity ratings. It felt almost impossible to lose our footing in this shoe, decreasing leg fatigue since the boot stabilizes our strides.

The Quest 4 GTX is built like a tank, with sturdy Cordura, multiple overlays, and a toe bumper to protect our feet from protruding roots and sharp rocks. No wonder it received the highest durability rating in our Dremel test.

Underfoot, our durometer also showed a high durometer reading of the 88.3 HC Contagrip outsole, cementing its resistance to wear and tear.However, its heavy build of 23.4 oz (663g) will be too much of an overkill for moderate hikes. We recommend a lighter boot for more relaxed hikes.

Pros

  • Exceptional durability
  • Top-notch waterproofing
  • Excellent underfoot protection
  • Highly secure ankle support
  • Fantastic stability
  • Comfortable in-boot feel
  • Effective grip on various terrain
  • Fits as expected

Cons

  • A bit heavy
  • Gets very stiff in cold
Full review of Salomon Quest 4 GTX

Best lightweight hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

Wow, we never thought we’d find a supportive boot under 15 oz (425g) in our lab yet La Sportiva made it happen with the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX. We can’t help but wonder how it managed to pack stability, comfort, and aggressive traction into one, making it our best lightweight hiking boot for those dealing with plantar fasciitis.

This boot has a rugged look yet an agile feel which took us by surprise. Our jaws dropped when our scales revealed its 14.6 oz (415g) figure. Being 22.6% lighter than average, this boot effectively prevented foot fatigue. No wonder we still had energy left even after long hikes!

Comfort is further enhanced since the boot easily bends with our foot. However, it's still stiff in the right places, boosting our surefootedness. We found it difficult to twist the shoe and pinch the heel counter and awarded them with 5/5 and 4/5 rigidity ratings, respectively. Our ankles truly appreciated their support.

Underfoot, the grip stayed firm on various surfaces. We measured 4.3 mm lugs, but what made their bite stronger was the tread pattern which includes a mix of narrow, toothy, and broad lugs, improving our ability to adapt.

Unfortunately, those with wide feet will not feel stable in this shoe since we found the midsole to be narrower than average. For better comfort and support, we recommend finding a more accommodating boot.

Pros

  • Unbelievably lightweight
  • Excellent waterproofing
  • Doesn't let debris and falling rain/snow inside
  • Exceptionally robust and durable
  • Phenomenal grip on technical terrain
  • Not so stiff and firm in low temperature
  • Sufficient impact protection
  • Highly supportive collar
  • Ample flexibility

Cons

  • Narrow platform
  • Not for wide feet
Full review of La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX

Most comfortable hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

The Danner Mountain 600 is all about preventing foot fatigue without sacrificing support, making it our best comfortable hiking boot for people dealing with plantar fasciitis. Our lab tests confirm it has a light figure that kept our feet refreshed and a balanced cushioning that spoiled our feet during testing.

We felt agile in this pair since it takes less effort to lift each foot compared to the average hiking boot. Our scales show Mountain 600 is only 18.7 oz (529g), sitting right below our current lab average. It feels easy to hike with because the midsole has a pleasant pep to it.

We did not deal with foot pain because the boot effectively cushioned each landing. Our caliper shows an above-average stack height of 36.8/23.0 mm, while our durometer presents a 24.3 HA reading. Being 12.9% softer than average, our arches and heels were carried well without collapsing.

The midsole also has a rigid feel that stabilizes the ride. In our attempts to twist the shoe, it resisted adamantly, receiving the highest 5/5 torsional rigidity score. The heel counter also emerged with a 4/5 stiffness rating. Together, these help our foot alignment stay centered.

Unfortunately, the Vibram outsole’s traction fades when we encounter wet and slick surfaces. Hikers who frequent these trails should find boots with more aggressive lugs.

Pros

  • Awesome for casual use
  • Supportive
  • Oustanding grip
  • Durable
  • Feels light
  • Great out of the box
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Debris gets into the boot
  • Not for technical hiking
Full review of Danner Mountain 600

Best hiking boot for technical trails for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX fully equipped our most demanding trail sessions with solid support, impact protection, and much-needed traction. Our lab tests show its ultra-stiff core, stabilizing the ride and preventing fatigue or foot pain. Among the plantar fasciitis hiking boots we tested, the Rush TRK GTX is the best for technical trails.

This boot delivers impressive foot containment that keeps us surefooted on adrenaline-filled terrains. It has no room for twisting, even in our manual test, receiving the highest 5/5 torsional rigidity rating. Its sturdy structure bolsters our ankles and is composed of a high-cut collar, stiff upper, and plastic Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion.

A boot for rugged terrains should have a firm midsole for protection against sharp rocks and other debris. This Scarpa boot delivers that with its massive 41.8 mm heel and firm 29.6 HA composition. To enhance comfort and energy return, the secondary foam is a softer 17.0 HA.

As we tackled mossy logs and wet rocks, the outsole studded with deep 4.0 mm lugs offered impressive control. We never had instances of slipping and made us confident with each step.

Because the Rush TRK GTX packed so much technology and quality materials into one shoe, it requires an investment of $249, 19% more expensive than the average hiking boot. Those on a budget should seek alternatives.

Pros

  • Fantastic stability for backpacking
  • Extra secure ankle support
  • Reasonable weight given the shoe's design
  • Excellent underfoot protection
  • Great grip on soft and technical terrain
  • Warm and watertight upper
  • Spacious toebox (wide-foot friendly)
  • High-quality materials and craftsmanship

Cons

  • Not for narrow feet
  • Break-in needed
Full review of Scarpa Rush TRK GTX

This guide is here to educate, not offer medical advice. 

Heel pain and plantar fasciitis 

Most hikers discover plantar fasciitis when they feel a sharp pain in their heel. This pain basically alerts us that our plantar fascia is inflamed. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue at the bottom of the foot that connects the ball of the foot and the heel, creating the arch. Inflammation happens when the fascia is overused or overstretched. 

new-plantar-fasciitis-image-runrepeat.jpg

This heel pain is not easy to ignore, and it’s best to consult a specialist before taking any other action besides resting. If you try to hike through the pain, maybe using NSAIDs, the condition can get worse. After all, plantar fasciitis is not the only cause of heel pain. 

As with any other foot condition, it’s best to get properly diagnosed and make a rehabilitation plan. Different footwear can help, up to a certain degree. When talking about hiking boots, we focus on features that offer a superb lockdown and a rigid platform. This allows the overworked fascia to work only as much as needed, not more. 

Look for these 5 hiking boot features if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis

Imagine you’re hiking on a terrain covered with large sharp rocks. The moment you step on a sharp edge, your boot can bend/twist with your feet following that platform movement as much as they can, or your boot can be stiff and stay leveled, just like your foot. When dealing with plantar fasciitis, we’re looking for the latter. 

Basically, we want to remove all the unnecessary strain that could be placed on the plantar fascia. We do this by not allowing the foot to twist too much, by locking the heel firmly in place, and by having the heel elevated (here, we’re talking about the heel drop). Based on this, we recommend you look for: 

  1. Cushioned hiking boots and not minimalist/barefoot ones. Look for a shock absorption of at least 85 SA.
  2. Heel drop of at least 8 mm. The heel drop goes from 0 (or close to zero) to above 20mm. High heel drop utilizes the higher-leg muscles so the plantar fascia is not overused. 
  3. Rigid platform. As explained above on the example when a hiker is stepping on a sharp rock, it’s best to have a platform that won’t allow your foot to struggle to find balance, but always be planted. 
  4. Moderate-to-firm platform. Too soft and your feet will be sinking in and working to “come back up”. We can prevent that by not choosing too-soft platforms. 
  5. Stiff heel counters that will keep the heel in place. 

We will cover each of these features (and more) below. 

plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots-cut-into-pieces.jpg

Skip minimalist/barefoot hiking boots if you have plantar fasciitis 

While barefoot and minimalist footwear have their own advantages, like strengthening the foot muscles, feeling the ground, and moving “naturally” in insanely flexible hiking boots, all of those advantages are disadvantages for hikers who have plantar fasciitis. 

We want to cushion the heel so that it absorbs less impact. For plantar fasciitis, we recommend hiking boots with a shock absorption of at least 85 SA

High-drop hiking boots can bring some relief 

Heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and the toes (forefoot). That’s exactly how it is calculated: heel stack height minus forefoot stack height. Why is the heel drop so important? Because it can affect our leg muscles differently and we should be mindful of the possible effects. 

stack-height-measurement-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Measuring forefoot stack height and heel stack height in RunRepeat lab. The difference between these 2 numbers gives us the heel drop 

We split hiking boots into 4 groups based on their heel drop: 

  1. Zero-drop hiking boots: the heel and the toes are on the same level. These boots make the foot muscles work the most and are often used for strengthening of those muscles.  
  2. Low-drop hiking boots have a heel drop of 1-4 mm. They utilize the lower leg muscles, Achilles, calves. 
  3. Mid-drop hiking boots have a heel to toe drop in the 5-8 mm range. They usually put more stress on the knees and thighs. 
  4. High-drop hiking boots have a heel drop higher than 8 mm and they activate the higher-leg muscles the must, especially the hip muscles. These boots are the best for hikers dealing with plantar fasciitis as we know they don’t put extra stress on the plantar fascia. 
heel-drop-low-and-high-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
High heel drop and low heel drop in hiking boots

For context, here are some averages pulled from our lab database: 

  • Average heel drop of trail running shoes: 7.6 mm
  • Average heel drop of hiking shoes: 11.1 mm
  • Average heel drop of hiking boots: 13.8 mm

How to find a rigid hiking boot for plantar fasciitis?

There are 2 ways to do this: if you’re shopping for hiking boots in specialized stores, twist the boots. Look for those that resist the twisting the most. Or, if you’re looking for a boot on RunRepeat, find one that scored 3, 4, or 5/5 on our torsional rigidity test

This hiking boot scored 5/5 on our torsional rigidity assessment, meaning it is as rigid as it gets
This hiking boot scored 2/5 on our torsional rigidity assessment, meaning it is flexible

As mentioned above, this stiffness helps stabilize the foot, especially on uneven terrain. This means our plantar fascia won’t be forced to compensate for the small movements needed when hiking in non-rigid boots. 

Fortunately, the average torsional rigidness for hiking boots (per our current lab data) sits at 4.3/5.0, so the boots are stiffer on average than, say, hiking shoes and trail running shoes. 

In our lab, we also measure the longitudinal stiffness. 

machine testing the stiffness of hiking boots for plantar fasciitis
Measuring longitudinal stiffness in RunRepeat lab by locking the toebox in place and bending the boot to 30 degrees. More force needed = stiffer boot

You can always consult our lab results if this metric piques your interest as well. 

Say no to soft platforms when dealing with plantar fasciitis 

Soft midsoles feel awesome! Usually. To most hikers. Even “recovery slides” can be found on the market which are soft and all about cloud-like experience. However, hikers with plantar fasciitis might not enjoy such underfoot. 

Maybe at first, the softness will be good. But, in the long run, or during a longer hike, softer platforms make our feet work more. They make it easier for our feet to sink in and shift slightly to the sides (wobble). All of these micromovements put additional strain on the plantar fascia. And that’s exactly what we want to avoid. 

midsole-softness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Using a shore A durometer to measure the midsole softness. Lower numbers indicate softer materials, higher numbers indicate firmer materials 

Based n our experience, we recommend midsoles that are not too soft or that show a minimum of 20 HA on our durometer. 

Stiff heel counters: how to recognize them?

Stiff heel counters are the craze for plantar fasciitis! Their stiffness cradles the heels and locks them down in place, which is super important when we want to avoid any unnecessary movements. 

You can find out whether the heel counter is stiff by: 

  1. Squeezing it and pushing it (which is what we also do to assess the stiffness). This is valid only if you’re shopping for hiking boots in person. 
  2. Looking at the heel, if it has a plastic heel counter on the outside, it is most likely very stiff! 
  3. Looking at our reviews where we add our stiffness assessments and we cut the boots in half, sometimes the heels have internal heel counters as well, and that’s something we can see only once the boots are cut in half. 
Assessing the heel counter stiffness in RunRepeat lab: 1/5 being very flexible and 5/5 being very stiff. The boot in the video scored 3/5 
softer-heel-counters-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Soft heel counters that scored 1/5, 2/5 and 3/5. Some of them have soft layers embedded into the heel that resemble a heel counter but they are not made of plastic, so they are not stiff
stiff-internal-heel-counters-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Very stiff heel counters: they all feature a hard heel counter that goes higher up than the softer ones in the examples above this one
external-heel-counters-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
External stiff heel counters and different heel stabilizing technologies are easy to notice on hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

What your heel won’t like

Maybe you’ve found a pair of hiking boots with stiff heel counters, but it does not mean you’ve just won the lottery. When you try the boots on, it’s important that the shape of the heel counter matches the shape of your heel. How to figure that out? If you’re experiencing heel slipping, it’s not a match. If the heel counter is hurting your heel by being too sharp or pointy to the point of creating hot spots, it’s definitely not a match. 

heel-closeup-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg

Stiff is ok, but harsh is out of the picture. Look for padded heel counters! Heel counters must not be hurting your heels (even more). 

Your heels will appreciate the extra padding

Padding is soft, it brings comfort to our heels, and it prevents bruising and hotspots. It’s easy to spot but, just in case, we will show you a few variations so that you have some context. 

heel-padding-different-levels-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Almost no heel padding (left), some padding (center), very padded heel (right)

If you get bothered by the pressure on the instep (so-called lace bite), you can also look for more comfort in that area by finding a padded tongue. 

tongue-thickness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Measuring the thickness of the tongue padding using a digital caliper 
different-tongue-thickness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Wildly different tongues: 22.3 mm and 5.9 mm thick

Finding the adequate grip in hiking boots for plantar fasciitis

Finding an adequate grip is always important, regardless of the foot condition you’ve been dealing with. Here’s how we recommend you go about it.

  1. Decide which terrain and conditions you’re buying the boots for. Wet or dry? Light, moderate, or technical terrain?
  2. Look at the lugs. Their depth, shape, number, orientation
  3. Understand the role the hardness of the outsole plays. 
  4. Check the durability of the outsole, especially if you plan to hike over sharp rocks or similar obstacles that have higher chances of destroying the midsole. 

Here’s a quick overview of hiking boot features depending on the terrain difficulty. 

Hiking boot features depending on the terrain

Feature

Light

Moderate

Technical

Grip

Shallow lugs <3mm

Average lugs ~3-4mm

Very deep lugs >4mm

Protection

Often without a toe bumper and other protective elements

A toe bumper is often present; durable leather upper

The highest level of protection

Durability

Don’t have to be as durable

Average durability

Most durable

Stability

Often quite flexible. Not to be used with very heavy backpacks.

Can be both flexible and stiff. Can be used with heavy loads.

Most stable. Stiff and rigid platform. Great for backpacking. 

Weight

Usually light

Can be light and heavy

Usually heavier

When it comes to the weather, it’s about finding the balance between breathability and, potentially, waterproofness. 

 

Upper choices depending on the weather

 

Cold weather

Warm weather

Dry conditions

For very cold weather, look for hiking boots that scored 1/5 on our breathability test. For cold weather, look for 2/3 or 3/3 and use thicker socks if needed.

Look for the most breathable hiking boots. Use thin socks, ideally ones with moisture-wicking properties (wool, bamboo). 

Wet conditions

Look for hiking boots with a waterproof membrane. These boots are usually not breathable and get a 1/5  rating on our breathability test.

Look for hiking boots with a waterproof membrane. They usually score low on the breathability test, so pay attention and see if you can find any that scored at least 2/3 or 3/3. 

Looking at the lugs, we usually talk about their thickness, shape, orientation, and how close or far apart they are placed from each other. 

lug-depth-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Using a digital caliper to measure the thickness of the lugs in RunRepeat lab

The most general rule is: the deeper the lugs, the better the grip. For mixed terrain with a lot of ups and downs, we recommend 3.5-4.5 mm. Technical terrain asks for the deepest lugs: deeper than 4.5 or even 5.0 mm. 

However, that’s not the only thing that we pay attention to. Softer rubber is stickier, while harder rubber is more durable and protective. 

outsole-hardness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-boots.jpg
Measuring the hardness of the outsole using a shore C durometer

And sometimes, it’s the design of the hiking boot itself that sets it apart, some have very deep lugs but are too chunky to deal with the technical terrain. And, on the other hand, other boots might have shallower lugs but such a sturdy and stable construction that they rock on moderate terrain.

1) Common/average lugs: versatile, not for technical terrain
2) Multidirectional lugs in different shapes, spaced not too close to each other, awesome for uphills and downhills
3) Very deep lugs spaced further apart, great for shedding mud
4) Sharp, thick lugs, best for technical and moderate terrain 

And, last but not least, we examine the durability of the outsole. This is especially important for hikes who tend to hike on rocky terrain or those who excessively pronate or supinate. They should prioritize durability so that the outsole does not experience premature wear and tear. 

Testing the durability of the outsole on hiking boots: the shallower the dent, the more durable the outsole

Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic
Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.