8 Best Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis (2024)

Hiking is a fun and invigorating activity for many. Unfortunately, being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis can make hiking quite difficult.

With each additional hike, you will feel increasing pain and potentially injure yourself further. However, having plantar fasciitis doesn’t mean you have to give up hiking completely.

By resting your feet, you can get back to hiking in no time. It is best to wear more comfortable hiking shoes for future hikes to make sure you do not injure your foot again.

Our team, advised by an orthopedist, tested and reviewed 18 shoes and selected the 8 best-hiking boots for plantar fasciitis. All shoes have a men’s and women’s line which are included in the links. Read on.

Our Top Pick

For men: Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot – men’s

For women: Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot – women’s

1. Hoka Trail Running Shoes

Men’s | Women’s

These Hoka shoes make any walk comfortable. They are better for a gentle hike or long walk. If you are trying to get back into hiking with plantar fasciitis, these Hoka shoes are the perfect option for you.

It has cushioning in all the right places, specifically the heel and arch. These are the two most important places you need cushioning with plantar fasciitis. Despite having this much cushion, the Hoka hiking shoes are incredibly lightweight and do not feel heavy at all.

As previously mentioned, these Hoka shoes are likely the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis on this list, but they are not suitable for intensive hikes.

Through our trial and error, we discovered that They do not provide as much protection from the elements as a traditional hiking boot would.

The toe box felt a tad small as well, so if you have wider feet you should look for a wide-fit hiking shoe. Overall, it is a fantastic cushion-filled shoe to get you back into light hikes after resting.

For people with high arches, they are among the top hiking boots we reviewed.

PROS	CONS
Plenty of cushioning for arches and heels	A slightly narrow-toe box
Lightweight	Doesn’t provide as much protection
Great for light hikes and walks

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2. Timberland White Ledge Mid Ankle Boot 

Men’s | Women’s

This is another good candidate for the best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis. Rather than having lots of cushions, the Timberland Boot has shock-absorbing padding.

The biggest issue with plantar fasciitis is part of your foot that is damaged is the shock-absorbing area. By having this padding, it takes a ton of pressure off of the foot when hiking.

One of my favorite features of the Timberland Boot is the padded collar. With this extra cushioning around the ankle, it feels more comfortable when hiking and also keeps out any dirt from the hike.

The shoes themselves are waterproof which makes hiking a lot easier. It is also waterproof so is a good option if you are looking for water shoes for plantar fasciitis. 

When we trialed this product, we found the shock-absorbing padding being nice, but the boot could use a bit of extra cushioning around the arch area.

Having plantar fasciitis is quite painful, and sometimes walking on a hard surface can be quite painful.

These boots help with the pain, but they are not as cushioned as the Hoka shoe. Once your plantar fasciitis has gotten better, this is a great choice for higher-level hikes.

PROS	CONS
Waterproof	Less overall cushioning
The collar is well-cushioned	Can be a bit stiff, needs some breaking in
Shock-absorbing padding
Lightweight

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3. Salomon Ultra 3 MID GTX W Hiking Boots

Men’s | Women’s

Salomon doesn’t need any presentation, as they do everything from hiking water shoes to some of the most convenient boots for plantar fasciitis.

Unlike some of the other hiking boots on this list, there is no need to break in these shoes. They are ready to use right away.

The design of the boot keeps your heel in place throughout the hike, so you do not have to worry about slipping.

Salomon’s boots are completely waterproof and have a mudguard, making them a perfect hiking shoe for any terrain. I find that they are awesome winter walking shoes, as they prevent lots of slipping on the winter ice.

The tongue of the boot has a bit of a strange shape, but I did not find it to affect my hike much. If you prefer the standard tongue shape of more traditional hiking boots, this may not be the boot for you.

However, it is one of the few flaws of this awesome shoe. It has great traction, and a comfortable design, is a truly lightweight hiking boot, and is waterproof. They are definitely one of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis and could be a nice gift for men who love to travel.

PROS	CONS
No break-in period	Weird tongue shape
Great traction	The toe box is a bit wide
Waterproof
Lightweight

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4. KEEN Targhee II MID WP-W

Men’s | Women’s

The Keen Targhee boots are ideal for hikers that have wider feet. They have a more spacious build for those that need more room in their hiking shoes.

Even though there is plenty of space in the shoe, the boot has a foam midsole to ensure comfort for your arches and heel during any hike. The heel is also well-designed, so no slippage happens during the hike.

It is a huge help for those of us with plantar fasciitis because the heel support makes the hike less demanding on our feet. This is one of the best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis once you are more recovered from the initial stages of the condition.

Keen’s Targhee cushioned hiking shoes were made to fit all different terrains and types of weather. Hiking in these felt safe and comfortable. There was no need to add insole, so they are great for more difficult hikes.

When I got the shoes, they felt a little on the small side, so if you buy these it is best to try going for size (or half-size) up.

PROS	CONS
Spacious	Sizes can run small
Well-cushioned	On the heavier side
Great heel support
Waterproof

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5. HI-TEC Altitude Waterproof Hiking Boot

Men’s | Women’s

As the name suggests, Hi-Tec boots are the best waterproof hiking shoes for those with plantar fasciitis. The shoes are made with nubuck leather and the seams are sealed, providing feet with extra protection from the elements.

But don’t worry about any discomfort as the tongue of the boot has cushioning to make it a more comfortable fit. At first, the shoes looked quite hard on the outside, but the inside was quite well-cushioned which was a nice surprise.

Drawing from our experience, Hi-Tec’s footbed is actually removable, if you need more or less cushion. For plantar fasciitis, it is nice to support the feet, but if you don’t like it – just take it out.

Due to the extra padding, you may feel more comfortable ordering a bigger shoe size. I did not have an issue, but some people have said they felt it was on the snugger side.

The shoelaces on Hi-Tec’s boots are not as stable as some of the other boots on this list, but they did not affect the hike for me much. For the quality of Hi-Tec’s shoes, the affordable price makes this one of the best-cushioned hiking shoes out there.

PROS	CONS
Removable foot sole	Sizes can run small
Improves stability	Loose lace hooks
Waterproof
Affordable

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6. Merrell Men’s Moab Adventure Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

Men’s | Women’s

Merrell’s hiking boots may be the most famous out there, and for good reason. Their shoes are incredibly durable, and surprisingly do not need to be broken in.

I was comfortable using these boots during the whole hike and did not flare up my plantar fasciitis. The leather exterior made sure none of the water from the puddles got into the shoes.

The design of the arch makes the movement much more flexible for each step, making it easier for you to move your foot without losing support.

There is quite a lot of cushioning around the collar which makes it comfortable around the ankle. However, there is not as much cushioning around the heel and arch.

After conducting experiments with it, these shoes are incredibly breathable during the hike which is great for warm weather. However, the breathability does not feel as great during the colder months.

Merrell’s plantar fasciitis-friendly hiking shoes are fantastic but are not as good for winter hikes. If you don’t like to hike in the winter, then these are probably the perfect hiking boots for you.

And as a bonus, these are also great hiking boots for flat feet as they offer great arch support.

PROS	CONS
Flexible shoe	Better for warmer weather
Breathable	Less cushioning
Comfortable fit
Waterproof

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7. Vasque Breeze 2.0 Gore-Tex Waterproof Hiking Boot

Men’s | Women’s

These Vasque Breeze are my favorite best hiking boots with ankle support. When I tried them, they were higher on the ankle than many of the other boots on this list. It is a great choice when you are tackling a more intensive hike with rough terrain.

The grip on the Vasque Breeze boots is quite strong and helps prevent slippage that could trigger your plantar fasciitis.

Better yet, the thick soles provide tons of heel and arch support. One of the most important factors when looking for hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis.

We have found from using this product that, due to its tall height on the feet, some people have had issues with the tongue being too short.

It is cushioned, but because of its taller height, it is difficult to use the top lace.

If you are a hiker that likes to tie your boots up, this could be an issue. However, the boot overall is still awesome for those with plantar fasciitis.

The footbed of the Vasque Breeze hiking boot is well-cushioned and well-ventilated. It is comfortable, absorbs shocks, and prevents sweaty feet during intensive hikes.

PROS	CONS
Ankle support	The tongue is a tad short
Breathable	Issues with laces
Strong traction
Waterproof

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8. Oboz Mid B-Dry Waterproof Hiking Boot

Men’s | Women’s

The cushioning on these Oboz hiking boots is incredible, and ideal for people with plantar fasciitis. The insole of the shoe is not made of typical cushioning but molds to the shape of your foot.

If you need to replace or add pair of insoles, check our guide for quality hiking boots insoles.

This personal feature makes the cushion protect all the right places. We all have different feet, so it is great to have a shoe that takes that into account. The heel cup provides support during the hike and makes the hike much more stable.

Despite all these additions to the shoe, the Oboz hiking boot does not feel suffocating. They remain breathable for the whole hike.

The only flaw I could find in the Oboz boots was that they were a bit stiff at first. They need to be broken in before going on a hike. However, breaking in a new pair of boots is an easily fixable fix.

These plantar fasciitis-friendly hiking boots are quite fashionable, but they are also tough on harder terrains. With their combination of good appearance and fantastic features, they are one of the best women’s hiking boots.

PROS	CONS
Cushioning for the ankle	Have to break-in
Provide stability	A bit stiff
Waterproof
Breathable design

Features to Consider When Buying Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis

Arch Support

Whatever hiking shoes you buy, make sure that you find one with arch support. This could come in the form of a removable insole or a shoe that does not have a flat sole.

This will help give the ankle the proper support while going on intense hikes. Most walking boots for plantar fasciitis will have this feature.

Cushion

Having enough padding in your hiking boots will provide the comfort your feet need.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful on your feet, so having to cushion will provide a soft space for your feet. Make sure there is a good amount of cushion for the arches and ankles.

Strong Laces

To prevent pain while hiking with plantar fasciitis, look for hiking boots that have strong laces. When walking, it is helpful to have shoes that have a snug fit. The best way to keep your shoes on tight is by having strong laces.

It’s a great way to not aggravate your plantar fasciitis. A keen shoe for plantar fasciitis will focus on having strong laces.

Large Heel

Hiking boots need to have enough space and padding for your heel. Your heel is part of your foot that hurts the most when you have plantar fasciitis, so it needs a lot of protection.

Many hiking shoes don’t have much cushioning and space in the heel, but it is important to find one that does.

Similar Article: Best Barefoot Hiking Boots

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Simply put, plantar fasciitis is when the tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. It can happen for a multitude of reasons, spanning from not stretching enough to being overweight. When you keep putting pressure on this part of your foot, the muscle can tear. So, make sure to be careful hiking if you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is surprisingly common, so if you are feeling pain in your heel watch out. It is best to rest your feet when this happens for about a month. After resting for a while, you can buy comfortable hiking shoes for your favorite activities.

Can hiking cause plantar fasciitis?

Scientists don’t know for sure what the cause of plantar fasciitis is. However, there are a few reasons that are most likely the cause. Having high arches, flat feet, overexerting yourself, or being overweight are some possibilities. Hiking itself may not cause plantar fasciitis, but if you hike in the wrong shoes, it could lead to it. 

Is it OK to hike with plantar fasciitis?

You can hike with plantar fasciitis, but only to a certain extent. Plantar fasciitis is essentially a strain injury, so the best thing to do is to rest your foot. After resting for a while, you can slowly start to hike again. Begin with gentle hikes then slowly build up from there. Also, look for boots specifically for foot pain. 

What are the best hiking boots for bad feet?

Any on this list could work, it mainly depends on your needs. Make sure to get hiking shoes with good arch support and cushioning. From this list, the Salomon hiking boots are likely the best hiking boots for bad feet. However, it depends on what you are looking for. 

Are Hoka hiking boots good for plantar fasciitis?

Hoka hiking boots are great for plantar fasciitis. A majority of Hoka boots have cushioning around the heel and arch. If you have plantar fasciitis, this is necessary for a shoe. Hoka shoes are more for walking and gentle hikes, so they’re a great shoe to get back into hiking with plantar fasciitis. 

What are the best women’s hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis?

Every hiking shoe on this list works for both men and women, but the Timberland Mid Ankle Boot is likely the best hiking shoe for women. It provides the cushion and support needed for plantar fasciitis but does not need to be broken into. The Timberland boots are ready to use as soon as you buy them. They’re awesome women’s boots for plantar fasciitis. 

What are the best men’s hiking shoes for plantar fasciitis?

The Salomon Hiking Boots are probably the best men’s shoes for plantar fasciitis. Their material is breathable and waterproof, so it is great for withstanding different climates. But, the build of the shoe is wide, so men have enough space for their feet. 

What shoes do doctors recommend for plantar fasciitis?

Doctors recommend rest more than anything when you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. It is best to follow their guidance and relax your feet for a while. They suggest starting slowly getting back into hiking with comfortable, well-cushioned shoes like the Hoka shoes. Hoka’s shoes are fantastic orthopedic walking shoes for plantar fasciitis. 

Having plantar fasciitis can be difficult. Especially when you are used to an active lifestyle. But, it is important to rest your feet for a while until you have fully recovered.

Once you feel better, slowly increase your walking or hiking distance. Stretching is also a great way to help plantar fasciitis.

When you start to go on walks again to increase your foot strength, make sure to wear hiking or walking shoes that are well-cushioned.

Recommended hiking shoes should also have heel and arch support to protect your feet from being injured again. Try one of the best boots for plantar fasciitis on this list, and get back on those trails.