Top News

Shop expert picks from Brooks, Hoka, Asics and more.

Shoes for Achilles Tendinitis

• Best Brooks: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, $155 at zappos.com and brooksrunning.com
• Best for Pronators: Asics Gel-Kayano 32, $125 (was $165) and zappos.com
• Quick Alleviation: Hoka Bondi 9, $140 (was $175) at hoka.com
• Best Sandal: Vionic High Tide II Platform Orthotic Sandal, $100 at zappos.com
• High Heel-to-Toe Drop: New Balance 990v6, $200 at zappos.com

“Achilles tendinitis is a debilitating condition,” said Samantha Landau, D.P.M., MPH, FFPM RCPSfaculty member at New York College of Podiatric Medicine at New York Medical College. The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to the heel. When it is inflamed (aka “tendinitis”), the pain can range from a mild ache to a more severe burning.

Interestingly, all of the podiatrists we interviewed said the same thing when we asked about shoes for Achilles tendinitis: The shoe is just one part of the solution.

“We always layer in calf and Achilles stretching and eccentric or progressive strengthening, because the tendon itself has to be retrained,” said Mikel Daniels, D.P.M.FACFAS, President and Chief Medical Officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry. “I look at Achilles tendinitis—and the recommended shoes—the same way I look at any overuse problem in the foot and ankle: Do not let the shoe create more work for the calf, which will cause other problems.”

That said, the right shoe can help. “Some shoe features will improve gait mechanics and can reduce the unnecessary strain and stress occurring on the tendon,” said Landau. That being said, here are the shoes—and features—podiatrists recommend for Achilles tendinitis:

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

$155 at Zappos

$155 at Brooksrunning.com

“This is the model I probably reach for the most,” said Daniels. “It’s not magic, but it checks the big boxes I care about for an irritated Achilles.” First, it has a higher heel drop of around 12 millimeters, which means the heel sits higher than the forefoot. That small ramp shortens the Achilles pull and reduces the constant stretch on the tendon people have with every step. Second, the midsole has enough cushioning to absorb impact but not so much that it erodes stability. It also has a firm heel counter and a stable platform that prevent uncontrolled side-to-side motion of the rearfoot, which can irritate both the Achilles and the insertion on the heel bone. Lastly, Daniels likes this shoe because it has enough room for a custom orthotic, if needed.

Asics Gel-Kayano 32

$165 $125 at Zappos

$165 $125 at Amazon

Compared to the Brooks Adrenaline, this shoe has a slightly lower heel drop, but it’s still in that moderate range at 8 millimeters. “It has a real structure through the midfoot and rearfoot to keep the heel from rolling around,” said Daniels. For someone with a pronated or flexible foot, this shoe can be a nice match.

Hoka Bondi 9

$175 $140 at Hoka.com

“The Hoka Bondi 9 is my pick for a quick and easy way to alleviate Achilles tendinitis pain,” says Jairo Cruz Jr., DPMfounder of the Gentle Foot Care Clinic in Brandon, Florida. “The raised heel, the absorptive foam and the rocker bottom propulsion all can result in decreased strain on the Achilles tendon.” Cruz added that the Bondi 9 rocker-bottom seems to excel above the rest—it makes forward propulsion much easier, thereby decreasing the physical load on the Achilles tendon when walking or running.

New Balance 990v6

$200 at Zappos

$200 at Amazon

This lightweight shoe has a 12-millimeter heel drop—a higher lift than most other shoes on this list, the only exception being the Brooks Adrenaline GTS. This New Balance version has the brand’s FuelCell midsole foam cushioning, designed for propulsion. According to Landau, it has “excellent shoe qualities” for Achilles tendinitis.

Vionic High Tide II Platform Orthotic Sandal

$100 at Zappos

$92 at Amazon

For people with a prominence at the back of the heel, where all shoes hurt, Daniels recommends this orthotic sandal. “It has built-in arch support, a deep heel cup and a thicker sole that absorbs impact,” he said. “While a sandal isn’t a good replacement for a proper shoe, [this one] can help calm down pain in the posterior heel due to pressure.”

Clifton 10 disappointment

$155 $124 at Hoka.com

Also recommended for folks with high arches and lower back pain, the editor-loved Hoka Clifton 10 can be a good fit for those with Achilles tendinitis, too. At 8 millimeters, this shoe has a moderate heel-to-toe drop. It also has a supportive sole and rearfoot and forefoot rocker. “A rearfoot rocker takes some of the load off the Achilles tendon via ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, while the combination of the rearfoot and forefoot rocker places less demand on the lower extremity performing that motion,” said Landau.

Lead 8

$150 at Hoka.com

Just like the Clifton 10, the Arahi 8 has the same heel drop (8 millimeters), as well as a forefoot and rearfoot rocker. The Arahi has a supportive sole, too, Landau points out, but this model is better known for its stability. The extra support is great for people who overpronate.

Apex Rhino

$155 at Amazon

This shoe goes one step further: “It has a slit on the back of the shoe that is adjustable with Velcro,” said Daniels. He explained that it’s made for very irritated Achilles tendinitis/tendonosis or a painful Haglund’s deformity—a bony bump on the back of the heel where the Achilles attaches.

What to Look For in A Shoe for Achilles Tendinitis

These brands aren’t the full answer, Daniels explained. Rather, “It’s that these brands share the right features: [an] elevated heel, [a] structured rearfoot, [a] real midsole under you and a geometry that doesn’t force you to work harder through the calf complex.”

Here’s what Daniels, Cruz and Landau recommended you look for in a shoe for Achilles tendinitis:

Heel-to-toe drop in the 8- to 12-millimeter range.

A larger heel-to-toe drop means the heel is higher than the forefoot. “By raising the heel up, the Achilles’ tendon will have some slack to it, almost immediately decreasing pain and discomfort,” said Cruz. Low- or zero-drop shoes will load the Achilles more. “Very low drop or zero drop shoes push you toward a deep ankle bend with each step. That might be fine for a strong, healthy tendon, but not for one that is already cranky,” said Daniels.

Stable, not floppy, midsole.

The best way to determine this is the “twist test,” according to Daniels. “If you grab the shoe at the heel and forefoot and you can twist the shoe, it is usually too flexible for a sore Achilles.” Instead, you want the shoe to bend mainly at the ball of the foot, not fold in the middle. That stability keeps the rearfoot and midfoot from collapsing and keeps the load more predictable in the tendon.

A SACH heel.

“SACH stands for solid ankle cushioned heel,” said Landau. “This will absorb shock and dampen the ground reaction forces going through the rearfoot.” A shoe that hugs the back of your foot helps reduce excess motion where the Achilles tendon inserts. “If the heel counter collapses easily when you press on the back of the shoe, it’s probably not going to control the heel well, which can lead to micromovements that can further irritate the tendon,” said Daniels.

You also want some cushioning for shock absorption under the heel. “Cushioning helps to decrease the amount of stress when striking the heel during normal walking or even while running. If the shock of hitting the ground is decreased, then the tendon does not have to work as hard while walking or running,” said Cruz. But don’t look for a pillow, according to Daniels. “If it’s too soft, the heel will sink and wobble. But if it’s too firm and thin, the tendon will feel every impact,” said Daniels.

Room in the toe box.

While this is a fit issue, it connects to the Achilles. “If the toe box is cramped, you start clawing with your toes and changing your gait, and that extra tension often travels up into the calf,” said Daniels. How the midfoot and heel fit matters, too: “If they are too loose, your body subconsciously works harder to stabilize with each step, which means more load on an already irritated tendon.”

Remember, the shoe is only one piece of the solution, but pairs like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 and Clifton 9 disappointment are both good options for quick relief and are regularly recommended by podiatrists for happy, healthy feet. Most importantly, listen to your body: “A shoe might look perfect on paper, but if your Achilles feels worse after a week in it, adjust the plan,” said Daniels.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.