The 7 Best Shoes for Heel Spurs

In addition to plantar fasciitis and bunions, heel spurs — bony growths around the heel bone — are another common foot ailment.

"The cause is chronic and repetitive micro-tearing of the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon," says Nelya Lobkova, DPM, podiatrist and owner of Step Up Footcare in New York City. "Over time, the body deposits calcium where the tearing occurs as a reaction to the tearing."

If left untreated, these spurs can lead to heel pain and inflammation. Luckily, the right pair of shoes can help you manage your symptoms. Here are the best shoes for heel spurs, according to podiatrists.

To put together this list of the best shoes for heel spurs, we tapped two podiatrists for their recommendations. In addition to their input, we narrowed down selections based on the following criteria:

• Fit
• Midsole
• Stability
• Cushioning

Find more info about how we choose and cover products here.

It's no surprise Dr. Lobkova recommends the Bondi 8. They are extremely comfortable to wear and provide "great cushioning for concrete streets" or hard surfaces, she says.

Made of a cushioned midsole, the Bondi 8 absorbs shock to reduce heel spur pain, and the outer layer is designed with a breathable mesh.

Additionally, each shoe has a memory foam collar to reduce heel friction and is designed to accommodate people with narrower heels.

Achilles tendonitis is caused by repetitive or intense strain on your Achilles tendon while walking, running or jumping. Having a cushioned and supportive shoe can relieve some of the pressure.

Made from the brand's signature cloud technology, the On Cloudstratus work to absorb the shock during short and long-distance runs, and the shoe's additional height relieves heel tension.

It's also a "wide, supportive shoe made for everyday walking," Dr. Lobkova says.

Having a good pair of walking shoes can help to eliminate heel spur pain, and this New Balance pair checks all the boxes.

This hybrid lifestyle and running shoe is recommended by Dr. Lobkova for its engineered sole, which supports the foot's natural alignment and provides "mild arch support."

If the sole doesn't impress, don't fret. You can remove the insoles for custom orthotics.

The shoe does come with a heftier price tag, but it's reinforced with a durable rubber to withstand areas of wear and tear, making it worth the investment.

Made with a foam insole and high cushioning, Brooks Dyad 11 offers heel support that allow you to go the distance. The soles have a gender-friendly cushioning design, which supports the natural running mechanics of your feet, and the heel crash pad absorbs shock upon impact.

Additional stability is offered in the firm plastic surrounding the midsole, Dr. Lobkova says.

The shoe is also breathable, thanks to its fabric lining.

(Psst: Check out our full guide to the best running shoes for every foot shape, running style and stability need.)

If you're on your feet all day, Dr. Lobkova recommends Oofos Low Shoes. They're designed to cradle the footbed and prevent your ankles from being overworked.

The brand touts its highly absorbent foam insole, which absorbs 37 percent more impact than other foams and reduces pressure on your feet, joints and back.

Made of a breathable fabric, the outer layer allows airflow to prevent your feet from overheating.

The Birkenstock Milano cradles all feet types with its contoured footbed, which molds to the shape of your foot with each wear.

The straps are made of acrylic and polyamide felt fibers to prevent irritation and skin friction.

The sandal comes with a backstrap, which can lend better stability, but Dr. Lobkova recommends avoiding that if you're experiencing posterior spurs — in that case, opt for the classic Birkenstock Arizona.

Bonus: It comes in regular and wide widths to accommodate different foot sizes.

Shoe inserts are a great way to add more support to you shoe, and this one "adds a specified foam disk and heel spur pad in the area of the heel spur," Dr. Lobkova explains.

Made of high-density foam, these insoles support and stabilize the rear foot. To use, simply trim the excess to fit into your shoe.

When looking for a shoe for heel spurs, Dr. Lobkova recommends a rigid sole, as that dictates the stability of the shoe.

"Someone with heel spurs needs extra rigidity in the sole and cushioning in the midfoot to prevent impact on the heel," she explains.

To see whether your sole is rigid enough, Dr. Lobkova recommends a test: "Hold the front of the shoe with one hand and the back of the shoe with another hand. Try to twist the shoe side to side. There should be minimal to no twisting motion possible."

"A heel drop of 6 millimeters or higher will take pressure off the plantar and posterior spur," says Dr. Lobkova. You can also elevate the heel, which supinates the foot and reduces the stretch on the Achilles and plantar fascia insertion.

Suzanne Levine, DPM, RPT, PC, podiatric foot surgeon and Millenium Podiatry founder, recommends avoiding flat shoes, as they can cause too much pressure on your heel.

For people with posterior heel spurs, Dr. Lobkova recommends shoes with a soft heel counter, as a firm heel counter may irritate the Achilles insertion. If the heel spur is consistently irritated, it can cause internal blisters.

A feature to avoid is a forward-tilted heel counter. This can often contribute to Achilles tendonitis and posterior heel bone spurs, because the stiff material can irritate the soft tissue in the back of the heel. Instead, look for heel counters that are straight up and down and do not tilt forward.