The most important thing to look for, if you suffer from heel spurs (or want to prevent them), is the level of support this footwear offers for your specific foot type. With the correct support, you can make sure that your feet are in the right position throughout the day, and that no unnecessary stress is put on one part of the foot. The most important support you want to have in your next pair of shoes is arch support. Footwear that hugs your arches in the correct way can make a difference between footwear you can walk miles in, and a pair that will start hurting your feet just minutes into wearing them.

The arch of your foot is the curved lower part of your foot that starts at the ball of the foot and extends to the heel on the inner side of the foot. As everyone’s feet are different, there is a distinction between low, normal, and high arches. Different types of arches will require various levels of support, in order to make walking as comfortable as possible; but, also, to ensure proper alignment and no unnecessary shock on the joints in your body, including the ankles, knees, hips, and back.

The insoles and midsoles are in charge of hugging and supporting your feet in the right way. The midsole is the portion which needs to provide a stable but flexible surface that absorbs shock as you walk, while the insole gives additional cushioning. When purchasing shoes when you suffer from heel spur related pain, you need to get a pair of shoes that will give you enough support so that your fascia is not under pressure, which will stop your body from producing additional calcium buildup to protect the arch. Always check the kinds of arches a particular shoe was made for (running shoes are excellent because they will always state the type of foot they are most suitable for), or try to get shoes with a high level of arch support, or ones that have removable insoles and can fit your own custom orthotics.

In addition to this, you will want to have ample heel support in your next pair. This will ensure that your heels are closely hugged, without any unnecessary pressure on the bottom or at the back of the heel, and will help in the proper placement of your feet when walking, standing, and running.

A good option to have in your next pair of shoes is gait cycle control. It is probable that your heel spurs could be a result of incorrect foot placement when walking, and the correction of your gait could not only get rid of your heel spurs, but it can have a positive effect on your overall health.

You will want to get footwear that promotes a natural gait cycle. This includes the elimination of overpronation and underpronation, which can bring your ankles out of alignment, putting unnecessary stress on the inner or outer part of your feet, toes, and affect your whole body. Most shoes, made for low arches, will be a good option if you tend to overpronate (walk putting too much pressure on the inside of your feet), while shoes for underpronation will have reinforced portions on the outside section of each shoe.

A slightly elevated rounded heel is, also, an excellent idea, as this can help with the distribution of stress on the whole foot, instead of allowing it to affect just one part of the foot, such as with high heels or completely flat shoes. Look for shoes that have a heel-to-toe drop of approximately 10-30 millimeters, as this is the best heel height for optimum comfort.

This is a factor that is closely connected to the support you get from your shoes. Sometimes, heel spurs can occur from wearing shoes which are too flexible, which means that, with your next pair of footwear, you need to go in a different direction. What you want is more support, which will result in a more rigid sole that won’t let your feet move as much. This means that you need your soles to be of a certain shape so that walking and running are even possible. That’s why the ideal pair of shoes for heel spurs will have a rocker toe. This means that when looking at the footwear sideways, it will have a raised toe that does not touch the surface below.

Once pushed down, the whole shoe will shift forwards. How this translates to your walking and running is that your feet will be fully supported and in the correct position when wearing this type of footwear, but you will still be able to naturally walk and run, thanks to the curve in the sole.

The ideal pair does well at absorbing shock from walking or running, regardless of your weight, pronation, or type of gait cycle. The shock-absorbing properties of any shoe are located in the midsole; and are, most usually, there; thanks to the materials used, such as ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) which comes in various densities, thus levels of firmness. The softer the midsole, the more shock absorption it will provide; however, it will wear down faster.

That’s why, with conditions such as heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and hallux rigidus, a firmer midsole is preferred, as it will provide more stability and support. Firmer shoes will, also, be heavier than those with a lower density midsole, which can, also, be an important factor for some users who are prone to experiencing energy loss with prolonged walking or standing.

In order to make up for the more firm midsoles and more rigid soles of the shoe, your next pair of footwear that you purchase for wearing with heel spurs will have to provide you with ample cushioning inside the shoe. The best materials to look for are, of course, gel, silicone, and memory foam; all of which will provide plenty of softness you will appreciate when walking long distances, or on hard surfaces. Some make use of softer lining materials, such as leather or suede, while others will have high-tech cushioning solutions, such as air cushioning. It is important that the pair of shoes you choose are the right ones for you. What you can do to ensure you get the right kind of cushioning is to take a look at your most comfortable footwear, and look at where they provide you with softness and where they could do with more.

All products on this list include some level of cushioning, either on the full length of the foot or in the forefoot and/or rearfoot area. With the wide choice of shoes on the market, you can make sure you get a pair that will serve you just the way you need it to.

In order for a pair of shoes to be comfortable enough for all-day wear, you need to make sure the upper fits you, just as well as the bottom. Otherwise, an ill-fitting upper can, actually, make you alter your style of walking, which may put too much pressure on certain parts of your feet. Choose a pair of shoes that will fit you well in width, especially across the toe box. If your toes are able to spread out comfortably inside the shoes, this will ensure that you can use this part of your foot completely, relieving some of the pressure you would, otherwise, put on your heels. It is, also, a good idea to get a pair of shoes with a flexible upper, made of mesh, leather, or suede.

A customized fit can be of great benefit in ensuring that your shoes are secure across the whole of your feet while having padding can be crucial, especially if you suffer from posterior heel spurs. You can look for shoes with a padded collar, as these are less likely to cut into your Achilles tendon, putting pressure on the sensitive back area of your heel.

If there is, simply, one piece of criteria that need to be met when choosing your next pair of footwear, it would have to be a good fit. Never, ever, wear shoes that do not fit you correctly. Look closely at sizing charts before you order online, and take the time to read the reviews on how a pair of shoes will, actually, fit (some will run large, while others will prove to be smaller than other shoes labeled to be the same size). If you can, visit a brick and mortar store and be fitted for a shoe before ordering online. If this is not an option, you can order two or three sizes; then, return the ones that don’t fit well. It is, also, a good idea to wear your shoes around the house for a bit before taking them outside. This way, you can make sure that there aren’t any fit issues that are, otherwise, not only noticeable with wear but they will still be undamaged; thus, still eligible for a return.

Also, choose your fit according to you; that is, listen to your feet. They will, gladly, let you know if something is quite not right, or if the fit happens to be just perfect. Some uppers will stretch more than others (e.g. leather versus knit), and this is something to consider, as well. It can become frustrating to find the ‘perfect’ fit, as it were, only to lose the glorious fitting via a stretched-out upper. So, pay attention to the material of the upper when mulling over the concepts of the fit, as this will give you a clearer idea of what to expect in the long-term.

Finally, our last criterion is that of durability. For the footwear which you purchase when you want to address your heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, it is important to get a pair that will serve you well for a longer period. All footwear will lose shape and become less supportive with wear, so it is crucial to make sure you have the right amount of arch support and cushioning, as long as you wear your chosen footwear.

If possible, opt for the most durable pair on the market. Although these may be more expensive when you buy them, they are, more likely, to serve you for a long time; eliminating the need to buy a new pair of footwear every few months. You can, also, prolong the lifespan of your shoes by using them in appropriate conditions, taking the time to care for them in the correct way, as well as, performing regular maintenance, such as replacing worn-out insoles every once in a while (podiatrists suggest you replace your insoles once every three months).