Today we at Shoe Harbour will be discussing and reviewing the Best Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking.
Those with Plantar Fascitis rejoice! So join us on this journey of discovery, and we can help you pick out the best shoe suited for your condition!
Have you ever felt like there’s a sharp knife piercing your heels when leaning on a particular foot? Or simply feeling uncomfortable enough at the soles of your feet leading all the way to the bottom of your heel to the point where it disrupts your sleep? You might have a medical condition called plantar fascitis.
Heel pain happens to even the best of us regardless of occupation, physical fitness, or even body type. People who are always standing for long periods or frequently walking about while performing their jobs and/or daily chores are at a higher risk of getting pain in their heels, especially when wearing unsupportive footwear.
The answer to that problem? Getting the right pair of comfortable and supportive shoes to combat plantar fasciitis.
Heel pain is a common problem caused when a band of tissue in the foot called the plantar fascia becomes damaged and inflamed. It is a tough and flexible band that runs under the sole of the foot and acts like a shock absorber for the foot.
Accumulated damage at the plantar fascia can cause microtears to occur inside its tissue, causing it to thicken, thus resulting in heel pain. The surrounding tissues and the heel bone can sometimes be inflamed as well, which causes numbness and a tingling sensation.
Do Men Get Heel Pain When Walking?
Heel pain is the number one foot problem that Americans have to deal with. Below is a table for some fun facts and statistics pulled from Orthopedicassiociates that are related to foot pains:
The average adult’s steps per day | 4,000 to 6,000 steps |
Heel height that increase the load on the forefoot | 2 1/2” or higher will increase loads by 75% |
US Population that has foot injuries | 6% |
Percentage of the US population affected by plantar fasciitis | 10% |
Number of Americans that seek treatment for plantar fasciitis | 2,000,000 |
We have also included an infographic of America’s biggest foot problem: heel pain, also known as plantar fasciitis:
Does Wrong Footwear Play A Part in Causing Heel Pain When Walking?
The number one reason that causes heel pain or foot-related problems will always come down to using inappropriate footwear for its intended reason (i.e., wearing flip-flops for a jog—you’ll be surprised how many people do that!).
Wearing the wrong footwear is almost always the cause of plantar fasciitis and is most prevalent in people who work on their feet all day long or do high-impact exercises, like running or hiking.
The lack of cushioning and support from your shoes when you stand, walk, or run will affect your arches and heel because they receive the full force of impact when your feet touch the ground, and this can injure their structure in the long run.
Check out our blog post on Can Shoes Cause Plantar Fasciitis? to find out more about this condition!
How to Choose the Right Men's Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking
Choosing the proper shoe is vital in reducing heel pain as these shoes will align your feet to their natural position and evenly distribute your weight across each foot. These are the factors to consider:
- Comfortable shoes with arch support
- Thick insoles
- A deep heel cup
John Huenink, the founder of insole company BioMoto, tells us, “You shouldn’t be able to fold the shoe directly in half—the shoe should bend only at the ball line, which is the metatarsal line.”
He highlights the importance of having a thick insole which greatly reduces the impact that the foot receives when walking/running.
Now that we have got the basics out of the way, allow us to share with you our Top 5 Picks for the Best Men’s Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking:
Summary for Top 5 Picks for the Best Men's Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking 2022:
For those who are anxiously looking for the best shoes for heel pain or plantar fasciitis, here’s a summary for you!
(EDITOR’S PICK) Best all-day walking shoes for heel pain | |
Best recovery shoes for heel pain when walking for men | |
Best walking shoes for heel pain when walking for flat feet | |
Best affordable men’s walking shoes for heel pain when walking | |
Best slip-on walking shoes for heel pain |
(EDITOR’S PICK) Best All-Day Walking Shoes for Heel Pain - Brooks Addiction Walker
Brooks Addiction Walker – Best All Day Walking Shoes for Heel Pain and for Plantar Fasciitis
For those who have been wearing running shoes for years, you should definitely try out Brooks Addiction Walker, our Editor’s Pick for the best all-day walking shoes for heel pain!
These shoes are made just for walking, and, with an exceptional wider forefoot, they are perfect for people suffering from bunions or corns. The Brooks Addiction Walker is an extremely comfortable shoe with perfect support and stability.
Designed with the same BioMoGo DNA technology that Brooks adopts for its running shoes, you get a shoe with an adaptive midsole foam that is made specifically for walking! Be surprised by how comfy these shoes feel and how they can alleviate discomfort and pains in your feet!
Designed just for walking
The Brooks Addiction Walker is the perfect shoe for people who:
- are looking for a walking shoe for overpronation and other foot issues,
- need reasonably priced all-day walking shoe, and
- need shoes that are able to accommodate custom orthotics.
Say goodbye to plantar fasciitis when walking!
Equipped with a deep heel cup and arch support, the Brooks Addiction Walker does wonders in reducing heel pain when walking. Some commenters even provided feedback to us that it relieves all discomfort that they felt when wearing these shoes!
Heel pain friendly and foot issues safe
Its MC Pod construction ensures that your foot has full ground contact and support, enabling you to have a balanced and stable gait during your walks.
Oh so comfortable that it makes you addicted to walking!
Get addicted to walking and get those miles in with this shoe! It features a padded tongue to prevent the laces from irritating your instep and also a plush collar to keep your foot locked down and the ankle free from irritation.
Verdict
Try out the Brook Addiction Walker yourselves to find out how much good it can do for your foot issues!
The Brooks Addiction Walker is more than qualified to make our Editor’s Choice of: Best All Rounder Walking Shoes for Heel Pain and Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis!
Specifications for Brooks Addiction Walker:
- Pros
- Cons
- Very comfortable
- Adequate foothold
- Sufficient arch support
- Accommodates custom orthotics
- Helps to relieve foot issues
- Heavy
- Lacks ventilation
Best Recovery Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking for Men: Hoka Clifton 8
The Hoka Clifton 8 is the best recovery shoes for people with heel pain when walking
Hoka has done it again with their latest line of Cliftons: The Hoka Clifton 8. For those who are familiar with the signature Hoka ride of marshmallowy-soft cushions, you are in for a treat!
Style, functionality, and comfort at its best!
This iteration of the Clifton 8 by Hoka is the perfect balance of style, functionality, and comfort at its best and has been Shoe Harbour’s top pick for the Best Recovery Shoes for Heel Pain for 2020!
Soft and flexible cushioning
Featuring their signature soft and flexible cushioning, the Clifton 8s are even softer than its predecessor! It’s very noticeable under the forefoot. Be prepared for an ultra-comfortable ride with these babies on!
High breathability and wide base
Its thinner upper mesh provides better breathability, and the upper is higher and wider, giving your feet much more room to feel comfy.
Verdict
Overall, the Hoka Clifton 8 is a very well-made shoe and deserves the high praises that everyone is singing about.
It is one of the most cushioned daily trainers out on the market right now, making it our Top Pick for Best Recovery Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking.
Buy yours right now!
Specifications for Hoka Clifton 8:
- Pros
- Cons
- Ultra Comfortable
- Smooth rockered ride
- Great durability
- High traction
- Good value for money
- Can’t go too fast for running
Best Walking Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking for Flat Feet: Skechers Arch Fit
Skechers Arch Fit is our choice for best walking shoes for heel pain for people with flat feet
The Skechers Arch Fit provides all the support that you need for your long walks with its podiatrist-designed shape and comfort arch support insoles.
Its specially designed insole was developed by analysing over twenty years of data to come up with the perfect shape that is designed to redistribute feet strikes’ pressure throughout the foot.
Designed for flat-footed individuals
Designed specifically for people who have flat feet, its extra cushioning and support will help reduce overpronation caused by prolonged walking.
Its extra cushiony insole and arch support will help correct pronation and guide your feet, especially for those who tend to roll their feet inwards.
No more back pains!
We flat-footers can wholly agree that choosing the right pair of shoes with proper arch is paramount in reducing back pains, and this pair is perfect for that!
Feel the insole cradling your feet
With just the right contours, the insole does wonders in ensuring that your feet stay perfectly fit and remarkably comfortable!
Firm midsole
The best part of the Skechers Arch Fit is the unparalleled stability that its solid and firm midsole provides!
It feels like walking on air no matter what the terrain is. You will not even feel if you have a pebble or stone wedged between its grooves.
Widened forefoot and heel base
Featuring a wide forefoot which allows the Skechers Arch Fit to accommodate individuals who have feet that are wider at its front, it provides all the real estate that their foot sorely needs.
Verdict
For those of you who are flat-footed and also suffering from heel pain, look no further than the Skechers Arch Fit line!
Your hunt for the most affordable yet comfortable walking shoes ends right now with this model. Stunningly light, highly stable, and works best for the flat-footed, this amazing shoe by Skechers makes it our Top Pick for Best Walking Shoes for Heel Pain for Flat Feet – Skechers Arch Fit
Specifications for Hoka Clifton 8:
- Pros
- Cons
- Helps a variety of foot problems including flat foot, bunions, and corns
- Plush underfoot
- Firm and stable platform
- Excellent fit
- Highly affordable
- Flimsy shoe counter, making it hard to wear
- Warm for summer
Best Affordable Men's Walking Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking: Rockport Men's Eureka Walking Shoe
Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoes is the top choice for Best Affordable Walking Shoes for Heel Pain!
These shoes are designed with comfort and affordability in mind. The Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking shoes are a marriage of sophistication and comfort, making them perfect for an everyday walking shoe.
The extra padding that it comes with at its midsole, collars, and tongue offers unparalleled stability and support for your feet.
Take them from the streets to a dinner with style!
Designed with comfort in mind
Equipped with a latex foam footbed, it provides a combination of good sole cushioning while also maintaining firm and stable support.
Made from genuine leather
The leather upper material makes it extremely easy to clean and helps keep external moisture in check. Coupled with its breathable mesh lining, these factors combine to create the perfect walking shoes for men, be it for work or for leisure!
Superior impact-absorption midsole
The EVA midsole provides the ultimate impact-absorbing feature that helps reduce foot pain tremendously by reducing the stress created from your foot strikes on whatever terrain you are walking on!
Unrivaled stability and traction
Remember we said that these shoes can be used for not only walking but hiking as well?
The reason for this is Eureka’s thick outsole that provides you with long-wearing durability and highly tractioned footings.
Killer sophistication and style
The Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoes are extremely durable yet sufficiently attractive. Its lace-up vamp and genuine leather construction makes it extremely attractive with a hint of sophistication.
Walk around in pure comfort with Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoes!
Verdict
If you are looking for the perfect all-day leather walking shoes that are affordable and help tremendously with your heel pain, Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoes will be your best bet.
They can even rival the looks of your dress loafers that you are always using on the job with the added advantage of being thoroughly comfortable and providing unbridled support.
For our Top Pick of Best Affordable Walking Shoes for Heel Pain choose Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoes!
- Pros
- Cons
- Highly affordable
- Sleek and stylish design
- Made from genuine leather
- Heel stability ensured
- Perfect for people suffering from heel pain
- Not suitable for more casual wear
- Some people find the uppers too stiff
Best Slip-On Walking Shoes for Heel Pain - Skechers Summits
Skechers Summits are the Best Slip-on Walking Shoes for Heel Pain!
Our last review for today will be the Skechers Summits, the best slip-on walking shoes for heel pain!
Highly sought after for its lasting comfort that helps reduce sore feet and heel pain, this shoe made our list due to its fit, lightweight nature, convenience, and visually stunning aesthetics.
The Skechers Summits checks all these boxes and also provides superior support and stability for those with foot issues.
You should be able to guess why there are two shoes by Skechers within our Top 5 list—they are that comfortable!
Stop tiring out your feet with that unsuitable footwear, and get the Skechers Summits today, our pick for the Best Slip-On Walking Shoes for Heel Pain!
Feels like walking on air!
The soft yet firm Memory Foam insole has the ability to mold its shape to adapt to the contours of your feet, and this gives the feeling of walking on air, as commented by some of our readers.
Sturdy and durable EVA sole
The best walking shoes to combat heel pain are those with a sturdy and durable sole, and Skechers Summits has just that in the form of a semi-curved thick layer of EVA which mimics the human foot.
So light that you sometimes forget you are wearing shoes!
The lightweight nature of these shoes will sometimes make you forget that you are even wearing them!
By combining both the sole and the midsole with a single EVA foam, Skechers has managed to keep the shoe’s platform to be both light and flexible.
Perfect on-the-go slip-ons
The convenience that a slip-on gives you is sometimes underappreciated. Gone are the days of scouring your cabinet for that damned shoehorn when you get yourself a pair of Skechers Summits!
Verdict
The best slip-on walking shoes for heel pain is here in the form of Skechers Summits. Made for those on the move and great as all-day wear, this pair of fashionable beauties will be keeping your feet comfortable throughout the day.
Keep your heel pain and foot issues at bay with this shoe.
With the convenience of a slip-on but the support and comfort of a trainer, the Skechers Summits easily made itself our top pick for the Best Slip-On Walking Shoes for Heel Pain!
Specifications for Skechers Summits:
- Pros
- Cons
- Like walking on clouds
- For walking all day
- Easy to put on and off
- Can accommodate wide feet
- Insufficient ventilation
Conclusion
To sum it all up, here’s the Top 5 Best Walking Shoes for Heel Pain for Men 2022:
(EDITOR’S PICK) Best All-Day Walking Shoes for Heel Pain | |
Best Recovery Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking for Men | |
Best Walking Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking for Flat Feet | |
Best Affordable Men’s Walking Shoes for Heel Pain When Walking | |
Best Slip-On Walking Shoes for Heel Pain |
