We Tested Over 50 Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes for Heel Pain — These 10 Were Our Favorites

If you have heel pain, you know that cushioned shoes can be a lifesaver, absorbing impact and reducing pressure on your heel. The Hoka Bondi 9 claimed the title of best for ultra-cushioning due to its unmatched plush underfoot experience, which lends itself well to long-distance walking and running. Out of all the highly cushioned shoes we tested, the Bondi 9 provided the most support to help prevent heel pain while still maintaining enough versatility for everyday use.

Tester Mary Sauer noted a “cloudlike feel with each step,” thanks to the thick midsole and impact-absorbing construction. The exaggerated lift of the sole adds approximately 1 inch (in) of height, which Sauer admits “was a little weird to adjust to at first.” However, we did notice that this extra height provided an advantage for shock absorption and comfort during extended wear.

We also found that the Hoka Bondi 9 offered excellent relief for foot pain and localized heel discomfort. We appreciated how the shoe easily accommodated custom orthotics (after removing the sock liner), making it a versatile option for those who need additional support. The mesh and the cotton upper provide adequate breathability, making these comfortable to wear on hot days or during longer runs.

The shoes took about two days to fully break in, but this short adjustment period was well worth the long-term benefits of wearing an ultra-cushioned shoe. Despite the premium price, we appreciated that they were available in regular, wide, and extra-wide sizes, and that Hoka offers extended sizing options. We feel that these are a worthwhile investment for anyone dealing with foot or heel pain, especially those who regularly walk or run longer distances.

The Motiva combines ultra-plush cushioning with a rocker-style sole. This creates a forward movement as you stride, reducing fatigue and making those long walks feel a little more pleasant.

Sauer quickly became a fan. “I liked the thick, foam footbed because it provided a lot of cushion for my feet,” she says. “I thought the exaggerated rocker was nice, and helped propel me off the ground at each step.” This rocker-style sole means your foot bends less with each stride, which can help reduce heel strain.

It’s worth noting that these are first and foremost walking shoes, so runners may want to consider choosing a different model. But if you’re looking for a relatively affordable, extremely comfortable shoe, the Motiva may be worth buying.

Sauer has taken to wearing hers regularly. “It is supposed to provide ‘ultimate comfort,’ and I agree with this claim. I think the cushion is so, so nice, and I was only comfortable in this shoe — that's a big deal for someone with chronic foot pain,” she says.

We originally tested the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. It earned our top recommendation for overpronation by providing exceptional stability without sacrificing comfort or natural movement. Writer Brittany Vargas says she wore the GTS 23s “on hour-long runs as well as for days spent hiking or walking,” and they performed well with both activities. “My knees normally get a twinge in them when running, and these prevented that.”

The latest iteration, the GTS 25s, have many of the features that impressed us with the GTS 23s, like the company's innovative GuideRails support system. The GuideRails provide excellent lateral support during fitness activities, which is especially helpful for those with flat feet. This design element allows for a natural gait cycle while minimizing excessive lateral movement during activities like walking and running.

The Kuru Flex Via secured our top recommendation for high arches by providing targeted anatomical support, demonstrating a solid combination of comfort and performance.

We found the patented Kurusole technology to be particularly effective for relieving heel pain. Unlike conventional flat-bottomed shoes, this innovative design hugs your heels and flexes with every step, ensuring that your feet stay in the optimal position to prevent injury and relieve foot pain. This specialized heel-cradling design effectively stabilizes your rear foot while allowing natural cushioning to work as intended.

During testing, the insole truly impressed us with its adaptive properties. Made from dual-density polyurethane foam, it uses body heat to mold to individual foot shapes over time. This creates a semi-custom fit that is unique to each wearer.

“The materials conformed well to my feet, allowing for natural movement without restriction,” says writer Emily Hirsch, RD.  This personalized approach supported arches perfectly and distributed weight more evenly across the foot, which reduces strain on the plantar fascia.

One of the most surprising aspects of the Kuru Flex Via was the immediate comfort right out of the box, requiring no break-in period whatsoever. While the shoes continued to improve in comfort as they molded to our feet, they were wearable for extended periods of time right away.

“The support is great, especially in the arch and heel, which helps reduce foot fatigue for someone like me who has high arches,” says Hirsch. However, the Flex Vias are best suited for activities such as walking; they’re not appropriate for longer runs or high-impact activities.

The minimalist design may be a turn-off for some people. But with exceptional lightweight construction, they’re ideal for all-day wear without foot fatigue. Although priced slightly higher than some other lifestyle shoes, we found that the relief from heel pain and exceptional arch support made the Flex Via a solid choice for those with high arches seeking comfortable shoes to wear all day. 

If you work a job where being on your feet is unavoidable, then you’re all too familiar with the aches and pains that can accompany a long day of standing. The On Cloudflyer 5 is our favorite for days when you can’t stay off your feet, delivering exceptional comfort and support that remains consistent throughout hours of wear.

Among all the shoes we evaluated, the Cloudflyer 4 provided an effective combination of cushioning, stability, and fatigue reduction, and the updated version, the Cloudflyer 5, has all this and more.

We were particularly impressed by the unique cloud elements along the outsole, which compress individually with each step and provide targeted impact absorption precisely where needed. This adaptive cushioning may prove especially beneficial for those with existing heel pain, as it helps minimize pressure on sensitive areas while maintaining proper foot alignment.

The On Cloudflyer 5’s “zero-gravity” foam midsole creates a responsive foundation that offers support without bottoming out, even after eight-plus hours of continuous standing. The slightly firmer medial (arch) side provided stability that prevented overpronation without feeling intrusive or restrictive. This design element helps maintain proper foot position throughout the day, reducing strain on the arches that often contribute to heel pain.

Editor Ashley Ziegler says these shoes “are great for casual wear, especially with the elastic laces that make it easy to put them on and take them off.”

The On Cloudflyer 5’s blend of cushioning technology, support features, and durable construction easily secured its position as a top recommendation for professionals and others who spend a lot of time on their feet.

A responsive shoe provides a springy or bouncy feel that can contribute to a more efficient stride. This can be useful if you often have heel pain. The same materials that give the shoes their springy feel can also provide padding where your feet need it the most. The trick is to find a shoe that balances comfort with support.

Among the shoes we tested for heel pain, the Novablast 4 provided the most effective bounce and support while maintaining comfort with extended wear. Writer Raki Swanson was impressed with the comfort: “They felt like I was standing on a cloud, they were so comfortable,” she says.

The updated Novablast 5 features a cushioning system that provides cloudlike comfort and absorbs impact that could aggravate heel pain. The substantial cushioning effectively diffuses pressure that would otherwise concentrate in your heel area, providing comfort even during extended standing.

The Novablast 5’s unique trampoline-inspired outsole is also extremely responsive. This dynamic-energy return promotes a more efficient gait, which can help reduce heel pressure over time, providing significant relief for those with heel sensitivity.

These shoes can be particularly useful for people who have high arches. They provided excellent support that prevented arch and heel soreness even after standing for over two hours at a hockey game or walking long distances. One caveat: The Novablast 5 doesn’t come in wide-width options. Still, in our experience with the Novablast 4, the shoe still provides plenty of room to accommodate wider feet.

The extensive color options and comfort during walking and running make the Asics Novablast 5 a great choice for those needing a responsive shoe that lets you hit your stride while reducing heel pain.

The Brooks Ghost 16 earned our top recommendation for certified diabetic support, as it’s Medicare-approved for people with diabetic needs. The latest generation of Ghosts — the 17 — still provides the perfect balance of stability, protection, and comfort that wearers with diabetes require.

The Ghost 17 takes the stability that Brooks is known for and has improved upon it with a slightly higher platform to further increase stability. This is especially important for users with neuropathy or heel pain, as you don’t want pressure areas to develop from feet sliding while walking. The 17 also provides more cushion by increasing the foam in the forefoot and heel, making it a little more plush than its predecessor.

Writer Tori Martinet, RD, was particularly impressed with how securely these shoes locked her feet and ankles into place. She says “they are definitely lightweight, and my foot felt very stable and secure, if a little snug, even.” This created a stable platform that helped prevent excess motion that could aggravate heel pain.

What we especially appreciate is the Ghost 17’s certification as a PDAC A5500 diabetic shoe. This certification makes it eligible for Medicare reimbursement, which is particularly helpful for those covered under Medicare and who have received clinical approval.

For people with diabetes or anyone seeking Medicare-approved footwear that prioritizes stability and effectively relieves heel pressure, the Ghost 17 is a great choice. You can wear this pair of shoes for casual errands, walking, and shorter exercise sessions.

The Asics Gel-Kayano 31 claimed our top spot for cloud-like comfort by delivering a cushioning experience that made each step feel luxuriously supported. The Gel-Kayano 32 continues that trend.

The Gel-Kayano 32 incorporates a gel at the heel of the shoe that excels at absorbing impact that can trigger heel pain. The thicker sole provides separation between your foot and the ground, which can be helpful in minimizing pressure on sensitive heels while walking outdoors. We also appreciate how this design element distributes weight more evenly across the foot, which makes the Gel-Kayano 32 stand out as an exceptional option for long-term comfort.

The Gel-Kayano 32 also has plenty of practical features, such as a heel pull-tab. Sauer says this was helpful for travel, noting that the shoes were “easy to slip on after going through TSA.” We also like that these shoes are constructed with breathable mesh and reflective details, making them a great choice for outdoor running.

This latest version boasts a more-durable outsole and a slightly higher, more-stable platform for comfort that stays with you through long runs or walks. The higher price may be a deterrent for some people. But for anyone seeking cloud-like comfort and heel pain relief, the Asics Gel-Kayano 32 is a great choice. 

If you want a shoe with a lightweight, airy feel that still supports your foot, we recommend the OluKai Huia (pronounced hoo-wee-ah). It’s a slip-on sneaker with a no-tie design that makes it easy to slip on for your daily walk.

The mesh upper is spongy and breathable, and the EVA midsole gives these a refreshing bounce as you walk. The sole features a raised, diamond-shaped tread that provides traction, even on rain-slick sidewalks.

“I have high arches, and these are absolutely amazing — easily some of the best shoes I've worn for my arches,” says Ziegler, who tested them.

There are some drawbacks with this shoe, especially if you live in a colder climate: That breathable upper may not be as appealing when the temperatures drop. Ziegler also says that these shoes had less ankle stability than other shoes she tested, although she still highly recommends the Huia. “I absolutely love these shoes,” she says.

In a world of athletic shoes that regularly cost upwards of $150, a pair that hovers around the $100 mark and provides the cushioning and stability that people with heel pain need is a rare find, indeed.

Reebok’s FloatZig Tread may have been created with treadmill workouts in mind, but don’t let that deter you: These shoes are just as comfortable to wear on city streets and sidewalks as they are in the gym. The cushioning, while ample, is not as exaggerated as you’ll find in many athletic shoes, and the midsole is designed to be responsive and encourage a smooth stride.

Editor Olivia Campbell, who has arch pain, found the FloatZig Tread to be a versatile, comfortable shoe. “They were comfy no matter what I did,” she says. “They were supportive, fit well, and had a good amount of cushioning and shock absorption.” She adds that they “actively relieved my really bad arch pain. It was amazing. They are also great for wide feet despite not being labeled as wide.”

Fans of shoes with more maximalist cushioning may not like the FloatZig Tread’s moderate approach. And while they have a good grip, they’re meant for the even surface of a treadmill as opposed to a trail. But if you’re looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe at a reasonable price, these are a solid pick.