13 Best Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis in 2024 – Top Footwear to Relieve Pain

After researching 23 plus top shoes for Achilles Tendonitis, I have found that ASICS Gel Kayano 27 are the best walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis.

Do you know the Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest muscle in your body? This article has highlighted the detailed reviews of the best walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis for both men and women.

The entire weight of your body exerts strain on Achilles’ tendons. If you are suffering from Achilles tendon pain, it would be difficult to stand and walk without wearing proper footwear. When you are walking or running, the repeated strain on the Achilles tendons of your feet may cause several problems.

Therefore, the simplest way is to wear comfortable shoes and footwear to support and help Achilles tendonitis to cure. There are several types of shoes available, each having unique features that might confuse you a lot. The right choice of shoes is essential that can absorb shock and support your ankles. I have compiled detailed reviews of the best walking shoes that can cause Achilles tendon pain. You can select any of them based on your needs.

Bonus Read: Best running shoes for calf pain

Can Shoes Affect and Help With Achilles Tendonitis?

Shoes with good heel support can help with Achilles Tendonitis. Achilles tendon is the thick tendon at the lower leg’s back and attached to the heel of the foot. It helps in pushing your body forward during the process of walking. The pain in the Achilles’ tendons is caused by excess and rebound stress that your body puts on your feet while walking.

Different treatments of Achilles tendonitis include stretching your feet and warming up before starting any activity. The shoes that are properly designed for Achilles tendon pain, and include features like cushioning, ankle support, and padded collar can help in reducing stress on the Achilles tendon.

While selecting the best walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis, you should buy shoes that have less cushioning support. High cushioning causes bending and overstretching of the ankles as the foot contacts the ground. The bending before lifting the heel results in higher Achilles strain.

Best Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

Here are my top picks of the best walking shoes for Achilles Tendonitis.

1. New Balance 890 V7 – Best walking shoes that help and support Achilles tendon

These New Balance 890 V7 shoes have a stretchy heel collar that can adjust your ankles well when you step in. This feature serves an excellent purpose for people who have Achilles tendonitis problems.

The midsole of the shoes is made of “REVlite Foam” which makes the shoes extremely lightweight. It enhances the responsiveness of the shoe for rapid workouts. The shoes have an EVA outsole, having more durable rubber in high-wear areas on the toe.

2. Skechers Go Walk – Best Sneakers that help Achilles Tendonitis

The Skechers go Walk is one of their most fashionable and comfortable shoes that is also ideal for Achilles Tendonitis.

It has a breathable GOGA MAT insole for the male version and a GOGA MAX insole for the female version that gives you a high repeated cushioning and comforts the feet. It reduces the Achilles tendon pain and keeps the fatigue to a minimum by providing a bounceback from heel to toe. The difference between these two insoles is that GOGA max insole has a relatively smoother lining to give a plush feel to the sensitive feet of women.

The sketchers have featured an Ultra Pillar outsole that gives you more support and energy return by ensuring comfort at each step.

The upper of the shoes has soft woven mesh fabric with a seamless comfort fit. It is provided with a padded collar on the heel side that stretches to your foot shape when you put on the shoes, thereby providing a comfortable and natural fit.  

3. Hoka Bondi 7 – Best Athletic and Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis for Men and Women

These Hoka Bondi shoes are one of the best shoes for superior cushioning to your feet. They give good support and decent toe protection. You can wear these shoes for everyday walking.

The advantage of these shoes is that they do not put pressure on the rear of your heel. This is particularly important if you are facing insertional Achilles tendonitis pain.

The upper part of the shoes is engineered with an open mesh that gives your feet good breathability and comfort. The shoes have the pull tab on the back with a bit of higher modification. So, while putting on your shoes, and you’d like to slip them on instead of unlacing your shoes, this would make it more convenient.

The shoes also have an EVA midsole that extends along the whole length. This feature gives you great padding on your feet and you will feel like you are walking on the pads.

The outsole of these shoes is engineered with Meta-Rocker technology that creates a forward driving fulcrum-type effect. This feature provides a smooth transition of your body weight onto the forefoot.

4. ASICS Gel-Kayano 27 – Best Walking and Running footwear for Achilles Tendonitis

The ASICS Gel Kayano shoes are the best for runners who have Achilles or ankle pain while running. They have a higher heel-to-forefoot ratio that reduces pain on those areas of your foot.

The most prominent feature of these shoes is that they are engineered with “Jacquard Mesh.” This type of mesh provides more flexibility and breathability to your feet.

There are “flexed grooves” embedded in the heel to give your feet increased support and an improved fit.

The forefoot and heel area of the shoes is engineered with the “GEL” and “Flytefoam” technology. GEL technology provides excellent shock absorption from a surface and distributes it all over the area. The impact absorption will prevent you from Achilles tendonitis pain in the ankle.

On the other hand, Flytefoam technology gives you a lighter springy feel that delivers some extra bounce and helps you to a smoother footstrike.

The midsole is embedded with “SPACE TRUSSTIC SYSTEM.” It is a hard piece of plastic that stabilizes your gesture without preventing any twists. This shoe pair makes the footstrike smoother without having the load on the Achilles tendon.

The shoes are also good for men and women with overpronation as they have embedded with the luxurious “Duomax” technology that contains a stiffer foam under the inside of the arch to prevent overpronation issues.

5. G-Defy Orion- Best Athletic and Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

These G-Defy shoes are solely made to relieve different foot and heel pains. The shoes are engineered with “VersoShock” technology. It is a multilayer comfort fit that provides advanced cushioning to your foot. The shoes have a removable insole.

Gravity Defyer shoes come with two different types of inserts for the customization of orthotic support. This feature makes them one of the best shoes that support and help insertional Achilles tendonitis.

The mid to front sole of the shoes have a ROCKER design that reduces the breaking load as you run. This feature makes these shoes suitable for both walking and running.

6. Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Slip-On –  Best Walking Shoes for Tendonitis of foot

These shoes provide you with a high rebound comfortability and energy with every step you put while walking. The shoes are padded on the back and sides to avoid areas of permanent swelling on your foot.

The insole of these shoes is super thick, consisting of “Full-Length GOGA MAT” foam stuff. This gives excellent cushioning ability to these shoes.

The outsole of Skechers is embedded with the PILLAR TECHNOLOGY that gives your feet additional support and energy return by making your every step comfortable.

7. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22 – Comfortable Walking and Running Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

ASICS Gel Nimbus are considered one of the best running and walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis problems. It provides good cushioning and support for Achilles’ tendons, especially for people with high arches.

The upper of the shoes is engineered with Monofilament Fiber. It has seamless overlays that eliminate irritation while ensuring complete comfort and great durability. The shoes have a high 10mm heel-to-toe drop, which decreases the amount of stress put on the Achilles.

The shoes are packed with rearfoot and forefoot “GEL Cushioning” technology that absorbs impact and provides cushioning. It is pretty helpful in distributing the weight along the foot’s whole length, which is affected by Achilles tendonitis pain.

 The Flytefoam technology feature of these shoes is like a cherry on top that gives a lighter springy feel by delivering some extra bounce and helping you to a smoother footstrike.

There is also a removable EVA sockliner that acts as a barrier between your foot and the insole of the shoes. It helps to keep your feet dry and fresh while walking all day.

The shoes also feature “TRUSSTIC” technology that increases the shoes’ stability and provides a smoother foot strike.

8. Mizuno Wave Rider 23 – Best Walking Shoes that Help and Support Achilles Tendon

These Mizuno Wave Rider shoes come with some great features that arguably make them one of the best shoes for Achilles Tendonitis.

The shoes have a great shock absorbance feature that provides with nice road feel. The high drop and flex make them ideal for people who have tendonitis problems.

The shoes have a “WAVEPLATE” in the heel and midfoot that provides great stability by pushing your feet forward as you step. This advanced stability feature makes these shoes appropriate for Achilles tendonitis patients.  The forefoot flex feature does a great job of propelling your feet forward.

The midfoot of the shoes has a plastic wave technology which provides flexibility to the forefoot. It is also rigid enough to resist torsion. The heel cup of the shoes has a strong design and does not allow your heel to slip.

9. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 – Best Nike Shoes for Achilles and Heel Support

The shoes are engineered with seamless air mesh that wraps from the forefoot to the heel part. It is a stretchy fabric that provided excellent breathability and comfort to your feet.

Another unique feature of the shoes is the heel collar. It is tapered in such a way as to flare away the Achilles tendon. The flared collar keeps the shoes from rubbing on your feet. The tongue of these shoes is less like the tongue. The upper is trimmed a bit which reduces its weight. It gives them an asymmetrical shape for more coverage on the outside of your ankle.

The midfoot of the shoes consist of Flywire Cables technology that provides a tighter fit to your foot. The technology is a branded feature of Nike that secures your feet within the place and prevents them from sliding.

The shoes’ midsole consists of a full-length Zoom Air Unit that ensures a responsive, smooth, and energetic ride to your feet. The zoom unit gives extra cushioning that you could ever possibly want while still feeling light on your foot.

There are modified Waffle Pistons on the outsole that helps to absorb impact and provide multi-surface traction.

10. Adidas Originals Ultraboost 20 – Comfortable Walking and Running Sneakers to Support Achilles Tendonitis

You can wear these Adidas Ultraboost 20 shoes both for walking and running.  The shoes have a full-volume midsole made of the lively Boost foam that makes long walks a cushioned affair.

The shoes have a soft and comfortable elastane heel that allows for your Achilles’ smoother and natural movement. It also provides responsive cushioning support for smooth and energetic transition from heel to forefoot while walking.

 The shoes have a Stretchweb outsole that ensures an adequate grip on the road. They have an exceptionally designed split heel counter that prevents slippage in the heel area and diminishes the pressure off of your Achilles.

The midsole of the shoes is engineered with a Torsion System that gives torsional stability to your feet and enhances transition without adding weight.

The upper of the shoes is engineered with a Synthetic Yarn that provides great breathability and offers maximum support and comfort to your feet.

11. Saucony Ride ISO – Comfortable Walking Shoes for both Men and Women

These Saucony Ride ISO shoes have some prominent features that are specifically designed for Achilles tendonitis problems. The rear part of the shoes and padded collar has been designed to hold the Achilles tendon securely in its position.

The midsole of the shoes is comprised of “PWRFOAM” technology. It is a shock-absorbing piece that runs the entire length of the shoes. This relatively thick feature serves the purpose of helping your foot during the transition through the gait cycle.

The shoes have a removable insole that provides extra comfort to the pad of your feet.  FORMFIT technology is embedded in the insole. This technology has three layers of cushioning to mimic the unique shape of your feet.

The upper of the shoes is engineered with “ISOFIT” mesh. It has a stretchy structure and a seamless configuration that ensures that you can easily move your feet without any irritation. There are midfoot-encompassing panels that help to lock your foot in place. These parts on the upper unit are also manufactured to reinforce the form of the façade, keeping it upright and away from sagging.

12. Brooks Ghost 13 – Cushioned Shoes for Achilles Tendon Health

Brooks shoes, no doubt, are the most comfortable therapeutic footwear that also has great demand for Achilles tendonitis patients. The shoes provide a great with along with the support and high drop. The shoes have a prominent midsole drop of 12mm that helps to reduce pressure on your tendon.

The midsole of these shoes is made for walking over long distances. It has traditional BioMogo DNA throughout the forefoot and super soft DNA Loft cushioning at the heel. It provides a cloud-like sensation on impact and ultrasmooth transitions without losing responsiveness and stability.

The upper of the shoes is engineered with a lightweight mesh that is a blend of structure and stretches from 3D print technology. The upper is one piece as a whole, having no overlays and nothing to irritate your foot.

13. Skechers Go Walk 5 – Casual Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

These Skechers Go Walk 5 sneakers provide the ideal support features to protect your Achilles tendon and offer ample cushioning in the heel.

The insole consists of an air-cooled GOGA MAT technology that is different from memory foam. This technology makes the shoes more resilient and springy than memory foam.

The outsole is made of high-rebound GO-Pillar technology that makes your every step comfortable and energetic.

The shoes’ upper is engineered with a soft woven knit mesh fabric that provides an air-cooled and breathable effect to your feet. The design has a padded collar and heel panel with a Quick-Fit portal that offers a snug and tight fit around your ankles.

Buying Guide for the Best Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

I hope that you might have found reviews of the best Achilles tendonitis shoes for both men and women quite helpful. I have tried my best to present some best picks for you among hundreds of footwear for Achilles tendonitis.

If you are still unable to decide which walking shoes you should buy for Achilles pain, I would recommend you to read our buyer’s guide below.

In this guide, we have covered all the essential features and aspects that you should consider while buying the best men’s and women’s walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis problems.

Stability and Arch Support

These two are interchangeable terms that you might have read in the reviews of the above-mentioned shoes for Achilles tendonitis. Arch support is crucial for the proper alignment of the feet. The right support and stability provide better alignment and support. Good Achilles tendon shoes provide stability to your feet by distributing the weight and relieving the Achilles tendon’s excess load.

Ankle Collar

The heel of the Achilles tendon shoes should have a padded collar that provides cushioning and comfort that absorbs the shock and protects the heel and Achilles tendon from the high impact. The padded collar helps to keep the ankles in place and prevents any sort of twisting or incorrect movements that can affect your Achilles’s tendons.

Cushioning and Comfort

The shoes’ midfoot should be embedded with a moderate cushioning technology that absorbs the shock and allows a smooth transition from heel to forefoot. Excessive cushioning can add strain to the Achilles. Therefore, it is better to have moderate cushioning when recovering from Achilles tendonitis.

The upper of the shoes should be air mesh to provide good breathing to your feet.

Flexibility

Shoes for Achilles tendonitis problems should not be too flexible. It will cause unnecessary movements of your feet. Therefore, the sole of the desired shoes for Achilles’ problems should be stable and rigid.

Final Verdict Of The Best Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis

After looking into the detailed reviews of the best Achilles tendonitis walking shoes and buyer’s guide, I hope you might have reached the selection of which shoes or Skechers you should buy.

My favorite walking shoes for Achilles Tendonitis are Gravity Defyer and Brooks Ghost 13. Brooks shoes have a deep and wide toe box. So, if you have wide feet, these shoes would be a perfect fit. If you want stability shoes, you can try ASICS Gel Kayano.

We have tried to present the reviews of our best choices in front of you so that you can easily select the best walking shoes for your Achilles tendonitis pain according to your needs.

Best Shoes for Walking Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis: FAQs