7 Best Plantar Fasciitis Hiking Shoes

Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic on
7 Best Plantar Fasciitis Hiking Shoes

We buy shoes ourselves. We earn commissions when you buy through us, at no extra cost. Why trust us

If 1 in 10 people experience plantar fasciitis, that means you must be the 1. Many runners give NSAIDs a try before consulting a specialist or paying attention to their shoes. We advise against that! See a specialist first. 

If you're curious about how running shoes might be able to help, here we offer an extensive overview of all the features that bring stability and a superb lockdown to your heel and foot. This is what we prioritise when dealing with plantar fasciitis

If you're in a rush, look at our top picks in various categories. For each, we give an elaborate explanation on why it might help with plantar fasciitis! 

How we test hiking shoes

First, we buy all the shoes with our own money. We have no sponsorships or any other contracts with the brands. We also don't have brand ambassadors on our team. 

Second, we wear test all the hiking shoes on our hikes. We give them hell! Be it cold or hot, wet or dry, muddy or rocky, there's no excuse for any pair not to be tested on our hikes. 

Third, we take the shoes to the lab where we cut them into pieces and use different tools and instruments (like durometers, callipers, smoke machines, force gauges, etc.) to describe each hiking shoe with 20+ parameters. 

Fourth, we publish everything. Not just as a list of all the lab data, but a) in the comparison table so you can compare shoes of your interest and b) next to the averages and all the other results so that you can have a context and understand where each hiking shoe actually lies in terms of performance. 

Best hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis overall

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Instant comfort
  • Impeccable waterproofing
  • Very lightweight
  • Exceptional grip
  • Excellent support and lockdown
  • Stable platform
  • Roomy toebox

Cons

  • Quicklace is not for everyone
  • Too-high collar
Full review of Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX

Hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?

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 stabilised 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 calliper 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 centred. Our calliper 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.

Pros

  • Fantastic balanced cushioning for long hikes
  • Excellent protection from impact, rocks, and trail debris
  • Excepitional side-to-side containment and wide platform
  • Perfect grip on various terrain
  • Durable Vibram rubber
  • Effective but lighter-feeling Gore-Tex waterproofing
  • High-quality nubuck panels
  • True to size

Cons

  • Upper mesh is not very durable
  • Loses midsole softness in cold
Full review of Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX

Hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis with the best stability

What makes it the best?

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 stabiliser.

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.

Pros

  • Boot-like stability
  • Highly durable and protective
  • Lightweight for what it offers
  • Excellent waterproofing
  • Breathable for a GTX shoe
  • Generously cushioned
  • Very secure foothold
  • Top-notch grip with deep lugs

Cons

  • Stuffy for summer
  • Can be too stiff (even stiffer in cold)
  • Break-in needed
Full review of Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX

Hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis with the best comfort

What makes it the best?

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, stabilising 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.

Pros

  • Superb day-one comfort
  • Brilliant surface adhesion
  • Supportive like a work shoe
  • Fantastic cushioning underfoot
  • Remarkably durable
  • A-grade waterproofing
  • Sheds mud quite well
  • Protective toe box
  • Incredible overall quality

Cons

  • Heavy for a low-top
  • Subpar breathability
  • Its shoelaces unravel often
Full review of Merrell Moab 3 GTX

Best lightweight hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

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 stabilises 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.

Pros

  • One of the lightest hiking shoes
  • Plush and abundant cushioning
  • Great support and stability
  • Perfect grip for moderate terrain
  • Excellent durability
  • Breathable for summer
  • Cosy step-in feel
  • Two loops for easy on-off

Cons

  • Frail inner lining
  • Small debris gets inside
Full review of Merrell Moab Speed 2

Best summer hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

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 cosy 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 calliper 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 stabilises 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.

Pros

  • Extremely well-cushioned
  • Devilishly comfortable
  • Responsive, rockered midsole
  • Works for light trail running
  • Excellent multi-terrain traction
  • Highly breathable upper
  • Feels surprisingly stable
  • Performs consistently in the cold
  • Made of sustainable and plant-based materials

Cons

  • Questionable durability
  • Narrow toebox
  • Upper dries slowly
Full review of Hoka Skyline-Float X

Best budget hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis

What makes it the best?

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 £90 price. For reference, the average hiking shoe costs £140, 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 stabilise 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.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Feels like a trail running shoe
  • Breathable
  • Water-repellent
  • Solid grip
  • Durable for the price
  • Stable platform
  • Contains recycled materials

Cons

  • Lacks toe protection
  • Flimsy insole
  • Aggressively tapered toebox
Full review of Adidas Terrex AX4

The purpose of this guide is to educate about the features of hiking shoes, not to give medical advice.

In this guide, we will not focus on the causes and rehabilitation but on the shoes and why some features can help with the pain and the overall condition. 

Plantar fasciitis and hiking

You might have experienced very sharp heel pain while hiking. Or it happened a day after a demanding hike and you’re not sure where it came from. Plantar fasciitis can be one of the causes and definitely not the only one! 

what-is-plantar-fasciities.png

If it is, it means your plantar fascia is inflamed. It's the fascia that connects your heel to the ball of the foot and creates the arch below the foot. It gets inflamed due to overuse or overstretching. What helps here, when it comes to hiking shoes, is stabilising the heel so that it does not have to do any extra work! 

If you're struggling with heel pain, we recommend visiting a specialist first, a PT or a podiatrist. Plantar fasciitis, like the majority of other foot conditions, is about rehab (and rest) first. Then, shoes. 

5 features to look for in hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis 

Hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis basically need to stabilise the foot and prevent any unnecessary movement, however small and in whichever direction. To accomplish that, we recommend these 5 hiking shoe features:

  1. Heel stack height of a minimum of 30mm or, as many like to say, use cushioned hiking shoes. Minimalist hiking shoes are not recommended. They put much more force on the foot muscles and plantar fascia and we want to avoid that. 
  2. Not-too-soft platforms. Fortunately, the majority of hiking shoes are not plush, so this one is easy. Firmer midsoles prevent unnecessary foot movement. 
  3. Torsionally rigid platforms. We suggest those that scored 3, 4, or 5/5 on our tests. Just like firmer midsoles, rigid platforms help because they don’t make our feet work extra to find balance while hiking over sharp debris or similar surfaces that would twist the shoes. We don’t want any wobbling when dealing with plantar fasciitis.
  4. Heel to toe drop of 8mm and higher. This is important because higher heel drop utilises higher leg muscles and, therefore, relieves the plantar fascia of additional stress. 
  5. Stiff heel counters (again, we recommend the 3-5 range based on our lab tests) which stabilise the heel in place. 

Below, we take a dive into each of these features, how we test for each, and how to recognise hiking shoes that have them all. 

plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes-cut-in-half.jpg

Cushioned hiking shoes are great for plantar fasciitis

If you have plantar fasciitis, it’s best to avoid hiking in minimalist or barefoot hiking shoes. Those shoes are too flexible and sometimes even too soft. To experience the extra support that’s needed when dealing with plantar fasciitis, cushioning is the way to go. 

minimalist-vs-cushioned-hiking-shoes.jpg
Minimalist (up) vs. cushioned hiking shoe (down)

Based on our experience and lab tests, we recommend at least 30 mm at the heel

stack-height-measurements-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Using a digital calliper to measure the forefoot and the heel stack in hiking running shoes

The average heel stack height of hiking shoes, based on our current lab data, is 32.3mm and the majority of hiking shoes we’ve tested have a heel higher than 30mm. So this feature is (should be) easy to nail in hiking shoes. 

Say no to plush midsoles if you have plantar fasciitis 

Midsoles that are too soft allow our feet to sink in and that usually creates the cloud-like feel many hikers talk about. However, this softness may make your feet work more, which is why we recommend avoiding it. 

midsole-softness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Measuring softness of the midsole using a shore A durometer. Lower numbers indicate softer midsoles and higher numbers indicate firmer platforms 

How to do that? Look for midsoles that scored at least 20HA on the softness test. Or, simply, avoid hiking shoes that feel very soft, like soft trail running shoes. It should not be a problem to find these shoes as the average midsole softness, per our lab tests, sits at 27.6 HA. 

  

Rigid feels GREAT on demanding terrain

If you’re hiking on very flat terrain, hard-packed trails, basically no obstacles, rocks, or elevation, then you might be ok with somewhat flexible shoes. But, imagine this: you step on a branch or on a sharp rock. What happens? The shoe might bend and/or twist. And it’s normal that this happens, especially in running shoes. 

But, if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, it’s best to avoid this and to choose a rigid platform. This way, your foot will not “follow” the shape of the platform that is bent and twisted, and therefore, your plantar fascia will be spared from extra stress. 

For plantar fasciitis, we recommend shoes that scored 3/5, 4/5, or 5/5 on our torsional rigidity test

Ths shoe scored 5/5 on the torsional rigidity test, meaning it is the most rigid

This is how 1/5 score for torsional rigidity looks like in hiking shoes

Importance of heel drop for plantar fasciitis

Heel to toe drop is a very important topic that is often overlooked. We wrote an in-depth guide about it and, although it focuses on running shoes, it also explains the effects of heel to toe drop on the leg muscles

We recognise 4 groups of heel drops and they all impact our legs differently: 

  1. Zero-drop hiking shoes, where the forefoot and the heel lay at the same height. These hiking shoes utilise the foot muscles the most. They also ask for the longest adaptation period if you’re coming from, say, 10mm-drop hiking shoes. 
  2. Low-drop hiking shoes where the heel is 1-4mm higher than the forefoot. These shoes activate the lower leg muscles the most (Achilles, ankle, calves). 
  3. Mid-drop hiking shoes that have a heel drop of 5-8mm. These shoes will put the most stress on the knee and thighs. 
  4. High-drop hiking shoes with a heel drop of 9mm and above. These shoes are best for plantar fascitis as they utilise the highest leg muscles (around the hips). Therefore, out of these 4 heel drop groups, they are using the foot muscles, plantar fascia included, the least! 

In hiking, heel-to-toe drop is higher than in trail running shoes, so there aren’t many low-drop or zero-drop options. The average heel drop in hiking shoes is 11.1mm, while in trail running shoes it sits at 7.6mm (at the moment of writing this guide). Or, at least, not as many as in the trail running world. Still, we recommend high-drop hiking shoes to hikers who are experiencing plantar fasciitis

heel-drop-variation-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg

We calculate the heel drop thanks to our precise stack height measurements. Heel drop = (heel stack height) - (forefoot stack height). Many brands advertise wrong heel drops and we rely on our numbers as we honour the WorldAthletics guidelines when measuring the stack heights. 

Your heels will love stiff heel counters! 

Hikers with plantar fasciitis experience heel pain. What often feels great is a stiff heel counter. It stabilises the heel so it is locked in place and there’s no excessive motion. 

Assessing the stiffness of a heel counter in RunRepeat lab: 
this heel counter scored 1/5 meaning it is very flexible 

Assessing the heel counter stiffness:
this one scored 5/5 meaning it is very stiff 

What makes the heels stiff? There’s usually a stiff material inserted between 2 layers, which creates an internal heel counter. We can also sometimes see an external heel counter when a stiff material is glued on the inside to stabilise the heel. 

internal-heel-counters-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Noticeable internal heel counters (in all 3 cases, we see a white layer embedded between the inner and outer layer at the heel)
external-heel-counters-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Different designs of external heel counters: synthetic or plastic 

For plantar fasciitis, we recommend heel counters that scored 3/5, 4/5, or 5/5 on our stiffness assessment

You might also enjoy padded heel counters 

There are hiking shoes that fulfil all the requirements listed above but come with stiff and harsh heel counters. This means that the materials are too rough on your heels to the point of causing hot spots.

To avoid this, we suggest looking for padded heels. Your heels should be cosy! 

heel-padding-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
4 levels of heel padding (from left to right): none, some thin padding, and very padded heels

Where you plan to hike dictates the grip to look for 

Even if you find hiking shoes that fulfil all the above-mentioned criteria, they still might have lugs that are too shallow or too deep for your preferences. To avoid that, it’s best to decide which terrain you’re buying the hiking shoes for and act accordingly. 

lug-depth-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Measuring the depth of the lugs in RunRepeat lab 

Now, the deeper the lugs, the better the grip. But, that’s not the whole story. We should also pay attention to the shape of the lugs, their orientation, and their number (also distance from one another). 

lug-depth-comparison-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg

And, when deciding on which terrain a hiking shoe is good for, we also take into account how the shoe performed, maybe it is too chunky or too flexible for technical terrain (even if it has very deep lugs). And some shoes, even with shallower lugs, perform well on moderate terrain thanks to their sturdy construction. 

lug-pattern-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Hiking shoes with deep lugs and more space between them (left) are great at shedding mud, while numerous multi-directional lugs (right) work great for demanding, changing terrain with no mud/snow 

Up until now, we’ve also seen that, in most cases, softer rubbers are stickier and more flexible, while the harder ones are more durable and protective. 

outsole-hardness-plantar-fasciitis-hiking-shoes.jpg
Measuring the hardness of the rubber on the hiking shoe outsole using a shore C durometer. Higher numbers on the durometer tell us it’s a harder rubber

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.