Shoes for Medical Conditions by Alanna Elia
Originally Published: February 19, 2020
Updated on: October 5, 2020
Originally Published: February 19, 2020
Updated on: October 5, 2020
If you suffer from painful heels, the worst thing you can do is wear poorly designed footwear. Heel pain has many triggers, but wearing the wrong shoes will always make things worse.
With that said, there is a ton of footwear for heel pain that you can enjoy; and we’ve listed 10 of the best right here. So kick aside those painful shoes and leave your heel discomfort at the door.
We know it’s tricky finding shoes for heel pain, but this guide will help you in choosing the right ones for you.
Short on time? Here’s a summary of the Best Shoes for Heal Pain:
Table of Contents
- Can Shoes Cause Heel Pain?
- What Kind of Shoes Are Best for Heel Pain?
- Reviews: Best Shoes for Heel Pain
- Skechers Women's Go Walk 5 Performance Sneaker - Women's Walking Shoes
- Vionic Women’s Pacific High Tide Toepost Sandals – Ladies Platform Flip Flops with Orthotic Arch Support - Sandals for Heel Pain
- ASICS Women's GEL-Nimbus 20 Running Shoe - Comfortable Running Shoes
- Clarks Women's Flores Tulip Wedge Pump - Comfortable Wedges
- CLARKS Women's Sillian Bella Mary Jane Flat - Versatile Mary Jane's
- Vionic Women's Relax Slipper - Slippers for Heel Pain
- Crocs Classic Clog|Comfortable Slip On Casual Water Shoe - Garden Clogs
- Drew Shoe Women's Bloom II Mary Jane - Work Shoes
- Vionic Women's Honor Virginia Loafer - Ladies Moccasin with Concealed Orthotic Arch Support - Flats for Sore Heels
- Do I Need a Heel Cup for my Heel Pain?
- Final Thoughts
- Index Table: Best Shoes for Heel Pain
Can Shoes Cause Heel Pain?
Heel pain is a common condition with many possible causes. Sometimes painful heels result from injury or illness, while other times, your shoes are to blame.
Did you know wearing your favorite pair of broken-in shoes can do more harm than good? That’s because you need firmness to support the foot; without proper support, it overstrains the heel and arch areas.
Choosing footwear designed to reduce heel pain will improve your symptoms and help the condition to heal faster. Look for pairs with a supportive sole and deep heel cup which protects the back of the foot. An anatomical fit will hug the natural contours and prevent undue wear and tear.
What Kind of Shoes Are Best for Heel Pain?
Shoes for heel pain come in an array of styles, which means that you can find a pair for any occasion. When you think of footwear for heel pain, you probably envision something clunky-looking, but nowadays, these shoes are more fashionable than ever.
Certain features will help relieve discomfort in the heel and arch areas, while some will exacerbate the problem. Because of this, you should take care in choosing your next pair.
What to look for in shoes for heel pain:
- A deep heel cup that cradles the area
- Adequate arch support
- A padded midsole with EVA cushioning
- Heel stabilizers to keep the area immobilized
- A molded footbed that hugs the foots’ natural shape
Reviews: Best Shoes for Heel Pain
Top Pick
NO. 1
Skechers Go Walk 5 is an industry leader in innovation. This sneaker is a lightweight choice with ULTRA GO cushioning for superior comfort. Go Walk 5 has high-rebound COMFORT PILLAR TECHNOLOGY that protects the delicate arch and heel areas, making it an excellent choice for walkers.
Skechers Women's Go Walk 5 Performance Sneaker - Women's Walking Shoes
Skechers Go Walk 5 is an industry leader in innovation. This sneaker is a lightweight choice with ULTRA GO cushioning for superior comfort. Go Walk 5 has high-rebound COMFORT PILLAR TECHNOLOGY that protects the delicate arch and heel areas, making it an excellent choice for walkers.
A dual-density outsole adds support and helps to stabilize the heel. Keeping the area immobilized is essential when you suffer from heel pain, and it lessens the chance of irritation.
Skechers Go Walk 5 has more to offer than its comfortable build; it’s a fashionable choice of footwear. The soft-woven mesh upper and athletic look make this sneaker versatile enough to wear for all your athletic activities. Of course, it’s perfect to wear while you shop, or even for walking the dog.
Top Features:
- High-rebound COMFORT PILLAR TECHNOLOGY
- ULTRA GO cushioning
- Athletic sneaker
- Ideal for walking
- Stabilizes the heel
Runner Up
NO. 2
Vionic Pacific High Tide is a gorgeous take on the toe-post sandal style. But, it has more to offer than design alone; this pair is comfortable enough to relieve heel pain too.
Vionic Women’s Pacific High Tide Toepost Sandals – Ladies Platform Flip Flops with Orthotic Arch Support - Sandals for Heel Pain
Vionic Pacific High Tide is a gorgeous take on the toe-post sandal style. But, it has more to offer than design alone; this pair is comfortable enough to relieve heel pain too.
A dual-density midsole ensures all-day cushion and keeps your heel and arch from feeling fatigued. The long-lasting rubber sole prevents accidental slips, while a soft neoprene lining blocks rubbing.
Pacific High Tide has a molded footbed that hugs the shape of your feet. With that in mind, this sandal is a must for anyone with painful heels, and it makes the ideal shoe for warm weather.
Top Features:
- Dual-density midsole
- Molded EVA footbed
- Anti-slip rubber sole
- Neoprene lining
- 1.9″ platform
NO. 3
Asics Gel Nimbus 20 is a powerfully athletic shoe with enough features to stop heel pain in its tracks. These sneakers have an exoskeletal heel counter that fits perfectly to the rear of the foot for better support.
ASICS Women's GEL-Nimbus 20 Running Shoe - Comfortable Running Shoes
Asics Gel Nimbus 20 is a powerfully athletic shoe with enough features to stop heel pain in its tracks. These sneakers have an exoskeletal heel counter that fits perfectly to the rear of the foot for better support.
The Nimbus 20 has FLUIDFIT upper technologies that make it more flexible. Its innovative FLYTEFOAM material is bouncy and responsive, which helps to absorb impact.
Top Features:
- Front and back GEL cushioning
- FLUIDFIT upper for greater flexibility
- External Heel Clutch
- Responsive and bouncy
- Shock absorbing
NO. 4
Clarks Flores Tulip is a minimalist wedge that works well for all kinds of occasions. Its sleek design is ideal for the office but looks just as elegant for an evening out on the town.
Clarks Women's Flores Tulip Wedge Pump - Comfortable Wedges
Clarks Flores Tulip is a minimalist wedge that works well for all kinds of occasions. Its sleek design is ideal for the office but looks just as elegant for an evening out on the town.
A cushioned OrthoLite footbed with Cushion Soft technology makes Flores a comfortable choice for heel pain. It has a nicely padded insole that protects and cushions the heel area to prevent irritation.
This stylish wedge has a 2.25″ platform and rounded toe that makes your feet look smaller than they are. It comes in leather and suede varieties, so you can easily find a look that fits your wardrobe.
Top Features:
- OrthoLite technology
- Cushion Soft padding
- 2.25″ wedge heel
- Easy to walk in
- Choice of material
NO. 5
Sillian Bella is from the Clarks Cloudsteppers Collection and offers an incredibly comfortable ride. This Mary Jane has stretchy fabric panels that make it easier to move without restriction. It has an EVA outsole that supports the heel and arches to prevent irritation, making this an ideal pair for anyone with pain in those areas.
CLARKS Women's Sillian Bella Mary Jane Flat - Versatile Mary Jane's
Sillian Bella is from the Clarks Cloudsteppers Collection and offers an incredibly comfortable ride. This Mary Jane has stretchy fabric panels that make it easier to move without restriction. It has an EVA outsole that supports the heel and arches to prevent irritation, making this an ideal pair for anyone with pain in those areas.
A removable Clarks Cushion Soft with OrthoLite footbed provides lasting cushion and helps to stave off discomfort all day long. These shoes are versatile enough to wear anywhere so that you won’t have issues with practicality.
Another perk to Sillian Bella is its breathable makeup that keeps your feet cool while you’re out and about. With that said, you can wear them any time of year so long as you wear stockings in the winter.
Top Features:
- High-rebound OrthoLite foam
- Clarks Cloudsteppers Collection
- Stretchy Fabric Panels
- Riptape fastening
- Clarks Cushion Soft
NO. 6
Orthaheel by Vionic Relax slippers has everything you need to soothe your tired heels. Its terrycloth fabric hugs your entire foot in softness, while an adjustable hook-&-loop closure lets you adjust the fit.
Vionic Women's Relax Slipper - Slippers for Heel Pain
Orthaheel by Vionic Relax slippers has everything you need to soothe your tired heels. Its terrycloth fabric hugs your entire foot in softness, while an adjustable hook-&-loop closure lets you adjust the fit.
These slippers lessen foot pain caused by walking on hard flooring and offer the same technologies as Vionic footwear. Relax slippers have Vionic’s innovative Orthaheel design and a moveable EVA midsole that absorbs shock.
This Orthaheel by Vionic slipper received the American Podiatrist Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance for its orthotic footbed. With that said, Relax indoor shoes are perfect for walking around your home on hardwood flooring.
Top Features:
- Orthotic footbed
- Orthaheel technology
- EVA Midsole
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Shock absorption
NO. 7
Crocs Classic clogs are the perfect choice for gardening, or for casual days spent puttering around. These slip-on shoes are versatile enough to wear for most occasions and have a roomy fit that is more comforting than most other pairs.
Crocs Classic Clog|Comfortable Slip On Casual Water Shoe - Garden Clogs
Crocs Classic clogs are the perfect choice for gardening, or for casual days spent puttering around. These slip-on shoes are versatile enough to wear for most occasions and have a roomy fit that is more comforting than most other pairs.
A pivoting heel strap gives you total control over the fit, while Croslite foam cushioning protects the delicate back of the foot. These clogs are flexible and provide whole-foot comfort.
Crocs clogs are water-resistant, so you can wear them while you work, and have a non-slip sole to prevent any accidents.
Top Features:
- Iconic Crocs Comfort
- Anti-slip sole
- Water-resistant
- Pivoting heel strap
- Croslite foam cushioning
NO. 8
Drews’ Bloom 2 is an orthopedic pair that is ideal for extended work days spent on your feet. It offers an innovative Plus Fitting System with dual removable footbeds for greater comfort.
Drew Shoe Women's Bloom II Mary Jane - Work Shoes
Drews’ Bloom 2 is an orthopedic pair that is ideal for extended work days spent on your feet. It offers an innovative Plus Fitting System with dual removable footbeds for greater comfort.
A firm heel counter helps to control pain at the back of the foot and prevents irritation to the area. Bloom 2 shoes have a flared outsole with a wide shank that keeps the arch supported and prevents discomfort, even after hours of standing.
The Velcro band fastener is easy to control and lets you adjust the fit correctly. This pair gives you added stability and helps to lessen the adverse effects felt from long hours on your feet.
Top Features:
- Two removable footbeds
- Added support
- Firm heel counter
- Velcro strap
- Accommodates prescription orthotics
NO. 9
The Vionic Honor Virginia is the perfect pair of flats for sore and achy heels. It offers a removable microfiber-wrapped EVA footbed and a footbed that is designed by leading podiatrists.
Vionic Women's Honor Virginia Loafer - Ladies Moccasin with Concealed Orthotic Arch Support - Flats for Sore Heels
The Vionic Honor Virginia is the perfect pair of flats for sore and achy heels. It offers a removable microfiber-wrapped EVA footbed and a footbed that is designed by leading podiatrists.
These flats have a deep heel cup to stabilize better and support the rear of the foot. In addition to the added support, the deep-set heel realigns the foot back to its natural position while you walk.
Honor Virginia mocs relieve common causes of heel pain, like over-pronation and flat feet. They have a tractioned outsole, so you won’t have to worry about any accidental falls and look stylish enough to wear for work or casual settings too.
Top Features:
- Micro-fiber wrapped footbed
- EVA foam
- Deep-set heel cup
- Stabilizes & realigns the foot
- Tractioned outsole
Do I Need a Heel Cup for my Heel Pain?
If you struggle with heel pain, wearing shoes with an added heel cup will help to relieve your symptoms. Heel cups provide shock-absorption and extra padding to protect the back of the foot.
A deep-set heel cup cradles and supports the area, which is essential for lessening discomfort. The deep seat stabilizes the heel bone and keeps your feet naturally aligned.
Features to look for in a heel cup
- A deep-set cup that cradles the foot
- Gel-cushioning to absorb shock
- Extra padding to protect the back of the foot
- Massaging benefits to relieve pain
Final Thoughts
When it comes to dealing with heel pain, the shoes you wear make a world of difference. You need something that supports and protects the heel and arch areas to prevent worsening symptoms and allow the heel to recover.
There are many reasons why people get painful heels, including conditions like plantar fasciitis. With that said, it’s vital to support the arch area too because damage to those ligaments could worsen your heel pain.
The shoes featured on this list offer the benefits you need to stop painful heels. By wearing the right kind of footwear, you are making the first move towards living life without the worry of foot pain.
Index Table: Best Shoes for Heel Pain
