If you're an enthusiast who loves hiking but has plantar fasciitis, we understand your pain.
It is not an easy thing to deal with. Nevertheless, while it may limit your ability to hike, it can’t take it away completely.
If you're enthusiastic enough to go on an adventure with such a condition, nobody should stop you, as long as you have the best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis.
By looking at these stats, you will be surprised to know how many hikers suffer from this condition.
With the right hiking boots, they are able to live with this condition like a warrior and enjoy as much as possible—and so can you.
Hiking Boots for Women with Plantar Fasciitis
1. Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boots
Columbia has been in the sportswear business since 1938.
Located in Portland (Oregon), this company is known for developing innovative outdoor technologies and gear for people who like outdoor activities.
Featuring the latest technology and top-grade materials, Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is designed to go beyond expectations.
Despite the conservative look, the Newton Ridge Plus boots are super sleek and stylish, which is perfect for a challenging hike.
Product Highlights
The Newton Ridge Plus boots are made of imported materials, including mesh, high-grain leather, and suede.
With Techlite EVA midsole, these boots ensure superior cushioning and amazing comfort.
They also help in keeping your feet dry, warm, and pain-free.
While the durable and high-quality mesh tongue provides better breathability, a lace-up closure helps in providing better adjustability.
This closure system also ensures a better and more secure fit.
The highlight of these boots is the Omni-Grip Traction System, which allows superior grip using unique and high-quality rubber compounds and threads.
This should keep you on your feet even on the most treacherous hiking days.
Be it snow or ice, the waterproof Newton Ridge Plus will keep your feet safe from getting damp and cold.
What We Like
Although there are many things to like about the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus, the winning feature is its Omni-Grip Traction System.
This system provides the user with a solid footing on the most challenging grounds.
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus hiking boots are great for hiking in ice, too.
Reportedly, these boots work amazingly even in -20 degrees centigrade.
With this on, you don’t have to worry about slipping on ice or having wet feet.
What We Don’t Like
In rising temperatures, these boots can go a little hotter than you expected.
To counter this issue, you can sprinkle some water on the boots.
As these are waterproof boots, you don’t have to worry about any leakages.
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CONS
2. Hi-Tec Women’s Bandera Mid-Rise Hiking Boot
Located in the USA, Hi-Tec Sports has been producing high-quality hiking boots since 1978.
When it comes to special footwear, Hi-Tec focuses on three things: comfort, quality, and durability.
Moreover, with a distribution line in over 70 countries, Hi-Tec sells more than 10 million shoes every year.
This makes it a trustworthy global footwear enterprise.
Hi-Tec is a proud developer of many great boots, and the Women’s Bandera Mid-Rise Hiking Boot is one of them.
Product Highlights
The Hi-Tec Women’s Bandera Hiking Boot qualifies as top-quality, innovative footwear as it offers amazing features.
Starting off with a breathable, waterproof membrane, it keeps your feet healthy and dry.
Also, top-quality suede and nylon ensure better support and high endurance.
Another handy feature, the lace-up closure lets you adjust the boots according to your comfort level.
More than that, it makes sure that your boots stay tight and fit throughout the hike.
Lastly, you will find that the rugged rubber outsole provides better traction and grip in all conditions.
What We Like
The Hi-Tec Women’s Bandera hiking boots are a true definition of waterproof boots.
Whether it’s a walk in the river, jump in a pond, or hike in the snow, these boots will keep your feet as dry as they can be.
Also, the mid-cut design makes sure to keep debris or mud from entering the boots, keeping them as good as new.
What We Don’t Like
While the Hi-Tec Women’s Bandera is a great choice to make, there is one tiny detail left.
If you have wider toes, these boots might be a little tough on you.
The toe box reportedly feels tighter, putting pressure on wider toes.
Our recommendation is to order half a size up if you are one of them.
For example, if you are a size 7, order a 7.5.
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3. Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania Mid-Rise Hiking Boot
Hi-Tec Sports continues to amaze us with its amazing collection of footwear since 1974.
Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Hi-Tec is a proud manufacturer of classy and sturdy footwear, apparel, and outdoor accessories.
One of them is the Women’s Skamania Mid-rise Hiking Boot.
These boots promise to bring another level of comfort to the wearer.
Product Highlights
The Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania Hiking Boot is crafted using imported mesh and suede.
These high-quality materials ensure better durability and more comfort.
While a rugged rubber sole ensures a strong grip, the removable EVA-based insole allows the replacement with personal orthotics anywhere, anytime.
Aside from that, these boots feature a Dri-Tec waterproof membrane, which ensures dry feet during treacherous hikes.
A padded collar provides better comfort, while the meshy outer allows the feet to breathe.
Couple those up with Ghillie laces, and you are sure to get a much better fit.
The mid-rise EVA midsole provides excellent impact absorption, while the rubber outer allows sound footing in multi-terrain areas.
What We Like
The best part about Hi-Tec Women’s Skamania Hiking Boots is the roomy interior with perfect padding.
This makes these boots super comfortable during hour-long hikes.
What We Don’t Like
The Hi-Tec Skamania Hiking boots are not super breathable.
This makes them less airy and heated at times.
Slightly higher usage of the mesh fabric can change the game for these boots.
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4. Merrell Women’s Siren Hex Q2 Hiking Boot
Merrell is one of the leading footwear industries in the United States.
Since 1981, it has been introducing world-class footwear to men and women all over the globe.
It also includes high-quality and elegantly-designed hiking boots for women with plantar fasciitis.
These gender-specific boots are specifically designed to provide full arch support and stability.
Product Highlights
Made of 100% imported textile, the Merrell Women’s Siren Hex Q2 hiking boots are one of a kind.
These boots ensure you get better arch support, thanks to the nylon arch shanks.
The upper-outer of Sirex Hex Q2 boots feature breathable mesh, whereas the outsole consists of rugged rubber for better grip and traction.
Furthermore, these boots offer high-level comfort with the best cushioning system.
Along with the EVA midsole, they also contain Merrell’s unique air cushioning for extra impact.
Lastly, Sirex Hex Q2 hiking boots feature high-quality, stretchable laces to ensure a better fit.
What We Like
The Merrell Women’s Sirex Hex Q2 Hiking boots are super comfortable and lightweight.
This combination allows wearing these shoes all day long without hurting your feet.
Also, the laces help in keeping the boots in place while you’re enjoying the hardest hikes.
What We Don’t Like
Although these hiking boots feature everything any footwear would want, waterproofing is the only feature found missing.
However, they still handle water quite well and get dry quickly.
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5. Ariat Women’s Terrain H2O Hiking Boot
Located in Union City, California, Ariat was founded in 1993 as “The New Breed of Boot”.
Ariat designs its boots to meet the expectations of professional athletes.
Each pair is engineered to be an epitome of excellence, comfort, performance, and durability.
The Women’s Terrain H20 Hiking Boot is the perfect example of this.
Product Highlights
Crafted using 100% imported leather, these boots feature a synthetic sole to give you a sound footing.
The outer-upper is fully waterproof, thanks to the full-grain leather with a waterproof membrane.
There is a padded collar for an easy pull-on movement, and a moisture-wicking lining keeps your feet dry and healthy.
With the self-cleaning Dura Tread outsole, your boots will never be dirty.
It also delivers maximum wear-resistance, strong grip, and flex.
The footbed of the Terrain H2O consists of four comfortable layers for cushioning and reducing fatigue.
Despite long hours of hikes, you won’t feel a thing in these boots.
Moreover, there is a lightweight stabilizing shank for maximum support.
What We Like
The best thing about these boots is that they don’t just look sturdy, they actually are.
You can wear them on long routes on a multi-terrain pattern.
The Terrain H2O hiking boots will not leave your side.
What We Don’t Like
The only take away with the Terrain H2O hiking boots is the lesser ankle support.
You might want to add some extra cushioning to make these boots the perfect wear for any condition.
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Hiking Boots for Women with Plantar Fasciitis
1. Danner Men’s Mountain 600 Hiking Boot
Danner isn’t a new name in the American footwear industry.
They have been designing boots with an intention to make history since 1932.
The Danner Mountain 600 for Men has a similar story.
It is a modern version of Danner’s original Mountain light boot.
Product Highlights
Danner has listed Mountain 600 as one of the game-changers in its history.
These boots fall into a category known as Performance Heritage, which is where classic style meets lightweight innovation.
The Danner Mountain 600 offers greater flexibility and comfort with its all-new Vibram SPE midsole.
SPE or Specialized Performance Elastomer is the latest compound in these boots that are engineered to deliver better performance.
This compound is a unique mixture of EVA and natural, synthetic rubber.
The major purpose of this midsole is to increase durability, resilience, and cushioning while minimizing the weight.
Not only this, but Danner has also unlocked the secret to the perfect combination of traction and flexibility.
This amazing level is achieved by combining the Vibram Fuga outsole and the Vibram SPE midsole.
While traversing rocky trails and scree, these boots provide you with ultimate stability and grip.
Moreover, the whole outsole is injected with Vibram’s Megagrip Technology to make sure you never go off your feet.
What We Like
While there are so many great things about Danner Mountain 600, the best part is that no matter how wet the conditions are, these boots will keep your feet dry.
The Mountain 600 has minimum seams and are lined with DannerDry to ensure that they can withstand the wettest conditions.
What We Don’t Like
The only thing that is off with the Mountain 600 is that they have comparatively lesser breathability.
This makes the boots a little hotter in high temperatures.
A little mesh on the outer surface would have saved the deal.
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2. Skechers Men’s Relment Pelmo Chukka Hiking Boot
Skechers is known across all continents as providers of hiking boots for everyone.
These boots, in particular, are rightly-priced and offer great features.
Product Highlights
Made of 100% leather, the Relment Pelmo Chukka features a synthetic sole, a relaxed fit, and memory foam for extra comfort.
While most snow and waterproof boots are just okay in looks, these boots are a real treat for the eyes.
Also, they are highly waterproof.
With this on, you can jump in all the puddles you want, and your feet will stay as dry as possible.
Unlike many other boots, the Relment Pelmo Chukka will not make weird noises in snow and ice—yep, no squeaking at all!
Also, they will give quite a decent grip on such tracks.
What We Like
The Relment Pelmo Chukka Hiking boots will not make any annoying noise while you traverse through the strangest tracks.
This provides peace of mind as well as a great price.
Meanwhile, many high-end brands fail to give this kind of luxury to their customers.
What We Don’t Like
The boots might come in a little different shade than the photos, which can be disappointing for some people.
Also, the fit can be considered a bit wide.
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3. Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Hiking Boot
Columbia is known for manufacturing out-class footwear, and the Newton Ridge Plus II is no exception.
It is a lightweight, durable hiking boot coated with leather and made for comfort, safety, and style.
The Newton Ridge Plus II features a seam-sealed, waterproof construction, better cushioning, and higher traction outsoles.
Product Highlights
In order to deliver reliable and comfortable service, this Columbia boot reinforces heel and toe barriers.
The outsole is designed to overwrap these key wear points to boost comfort and avoid damage.
You will find that the construction of Newton Ridge Plus II is superb.
With PU coated leather, mesh, suede, waterproof construction, and metallic upper, your feet will stay dry and comfortable all day long.
For high-energy returns and long-lasting comfort, these boots feature lightweight Techlite midsole.
This makes these boots great for uneven trails and rocky tracks.
Just like the other two Columbia boots mentioned earlier, these boots also feature the Omni-Grip traction for maximum traction and grip across a variety of terrain.
What We Like
Along with many other great things, these boots get comfortable to wear super-fast.
This means that they require a very small amount of break-in period.
You can open and wear them right away on a bumpy hike.
This quality makes them one of the best ones on this list.
Hence, if you are looking forward to buying a pair and using it right away, this might be a perfect choice for you.
What We Don’t Like
Sizing is extremely important while ordering hiking boots. Size up or down will be useless.
The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Boots have a messed up sizing range, but the lucky part is that we have figured it out.
While length-wise, the sizing is right on, these boots are a little narrow width-wise.
This makes things slightly uncomfortable for some people.
The trick lies in ordering ½ a size up if you have wider feet.
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4. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex Men’s Hiking Boot
Based in the USA, Salomon takes pride in its X Ultra Mid GTX as it is an epitome of lightweight precision and perfect foothold.
These boots cater to all your needs for technical descents and ascents.
The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX provides you with a perfect wider fit that makes the boots hug your feet for extra comfort.
Product Highlights
The X Ultra Mid GTX has threefold features.
First comes comfort.
To keep your feet dry and healthy, Salomon built this boot using a weather-proof GORE-TEX technology.
Here, the technical terrain meets the techno fabric and changes the game.
This allows your feet to breathe through regardless of the weather.
Next, if the boot doesn’t fit, it's useless, which is why Salomon introduces Sensifit technology.
It cradles the foot from the midsole to the laces, and this helps in providing you with a custom, snug, and secure fit all around the foot.
Then comes heels.
The X Ultra Mid GTX hiking boots feature an advanced Chassis.
It is surrounded by foam cushioning and is directly connected to the sole.
This helps in providing extra comfort and stabilizing your heels.
Also, there are two separate kinds of rubber on the outsole.
This helps in providing a better and more intense grip.
Furthermore, the heels have special patterns that help the boots in grabbing the terrain more efficiently.
This gives you better control when you are moving along a difficult passage.
What We Like
The X Ultra Mid GTX hiking boots have very solid construction.
This makes them super sturdy; you can worry less about damaging these shoes on high-demand trails.
Also, they provide the best grip.
With the special pattern and material on the outsole, these boots take the lead when it comes to the best traction.
What We Don’t Like
Although the boots are waterproof, they are not as waterproof as you would expect.
While a few puddles or hiking on a day after the rain wouldn’t make much of a difference, when it comes to snow or ice, it is recommended to use a good quality waterproof spray.
Nevertheless, with so many great benefits, this is still a bargain.
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5. Keen Men’s Targhee II Hiking Boot
Keen is a familiar name when it comes to leading American footwear industries.
It has been athletes’ number one choice since 2003.
Over the period, Keen has designed many boots that ranked in top orders, and they engineered Targhee II with the same intention.
Product Highlights
The Targhee II has been designed to bring four-wheel-drive performance for your feet.
They are waterproof, breathable, and offer a strong, sturdy grip.
These boots are developed using 100% waterproof nubuck leather.
They also feature a rubber sole that bites aggressively into the terrain to give you sound footing.
The outsole has four-millimeter lugs that provide excellent traction control.
Furthermore, it boasts a mid-cut rise that provides you with appropriate ankle support.
Also, an ESS shank offers torsional stability, ensuring a secure ride.
The Targhee II features a secure lacing system to provide you with the perfect fit.
What We Like
Keen’s Targhee II has an ultimate grip that is incomparable to boots on the same price range.
Walking in these boots gives you complete control over your movement.
Be it rocky rides or slippery trails, you can worry less about slipping or falling in these amazing boots.
What We Don’t Like
The size chart of these boots is running ½ a size small.
Hence, make sure to order ½ a size up.
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Buyer’s Guide
While there are many factors to look for when choosing the most suitable boots for plantar fasciitis, it always comes down to personal preferences.
Why? Because everyone has different preferences.
Of course, there will always be something you have to forego.
In the end, you just have to look for what suits your needs the best and what you can live without.
That being said, here are some features that you should keep in mind when choosing the right pair:
1. Comfort
When it comes to any kind of shoes, every other thing is secondary except comfort.
This is especially true if you have plantar fasciitis.
Every other thing can be compromised, but if you’re uncomfortable, there is no use investing in such boots.
Also, uncomfortable boots will not only kill the joy of hiking but will also bring more pain.
Make sure that the boots you’re choosing provide enough cushioning, arch support, and heel support.
There should be appropriate padding, and the boots should be lightweight and flexible.
If the boots are hard and lack flexibility, your feet can become extremely sore.
This isn’t acceptable when you are already suffering from a painful condition.
2. Shock Absorption
Hiking is an activity that brings a lot more shocks than running or walking would.
With plantar fasciitis, your feet would be more sensitive to these impacts.
Hence, it’s very important for the boots to absorb these shocks while climbing or running across the hills.
To cater to this, look for boots that have soft insoles.
These insoles should be capable of absorbing shocks to such an extent that you don’t feel a thing.
However, if you find that your heart is set on a boot that doesn’t offer quite a soft insole, make sure that it has removable insoles.
You can then replace them with your personal orthotics and are good to go.
3. Arch Support
While all the other points refer to everyone who would like to buy a hiking boot, this point is especially for the ones with plantar fasciitis.
Adequate arch support is the number one priority for conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Not enough arch support could result in extreme pain, so make sure that the boots you are buying offer enough arch support.
This will not only give you maximum support but will also reduce the heel pain to the maximum level.
4. Material and Build Quality
Boots that are specifically designed for plantar fasciitis are quite expensive, so it wouldn’t be a wise choice to pick a poor quality, non-sturdy pair.
Such a decision can also lead to wear and tear accidents during serious hikes.
Hence, it is recommended to always invest in boots that are highly durable, even if they are a little costly.
A few materials that should be used in the construction of hiking boots for plantar fasciitis include full-grain leather, mesh fabric, and foam material.
5. Safety and Protection
Safety always comes first.
Therefore, make sure that the boots you have chosen for plantar fasciitis have maximum safety features.
You will not have any fun during hiking if your feet are not safe.
Although most of the brands include a lot of safety features, you should also keep a check from your end.
Carefully observe the insole, midsole, and outsole of the boots you have chosen.
Make sure that the insole doesn’t put pressure on your foot from any angle, as this can result in tender feet.
Similarly, the outsole should be slip-resistant and offer maximum grip; you do not want any fall or slipping accident, right?
Furthermore, the outer fabric of the boots should be waterproof so that you can hike through all the seasons.
Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis FAQs
1. Does walking make plantar fasciitis worse?
Yes, walking can make the plantar fasciitis worse.
This can result in more pain, which would require months to recover.
It is always a better choice to invest in some suitable boots for plantar fasciitis.
These boots will help you by giving your feet the right support in the right places.
2. What aggravates plantar fasciitis?
Several injuries, such as plantar fascia ligament trauma and strains, can aggravate plantar fasciitis.
It can also flare up by stepping onto uneven objects or surfaces or by tripping or falling.
Remember that plantar fasciitis develops over time.
Pay close attention to if your heels hurt after a long period of resting, such as when getting out of bed.
This might be your body telling you that something is wrong.
3. Should you wear a walking boot for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, wearing a walking boot for plantar fasciitis helps the fascia to rest while you walk.
This gives the tissue adequate healing time.
In turn, it increases your mobility and makes the movement pain-free by reducing inflammation and tension of the fascia tissue.
4. Should I take time off work for plantar fasciitis?
If you are working a strenuous job that includes weight-lifting and being on your feet most of the time, it is better to take a few days off.
As for such people, plantar fasciitis takes longer to heal.
However, for people who have desk jobs that do not involve walking or weight-bearing, try wearing walking boots for plantar fasciitis.
This will help the tissue to heal faster.
5. What causes plantar fasciitis to flare up?
The main cause of plantar fasciitis is multiple strain injuries to the ligament of the sole of the foot.
This ligament is known as the plantar fascia.
The repetitive strain injuries can be a result of excessive walking or running, tripping, jumping or falling, and inappropriate footgear.
Best Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis:
Final Verdict
All the boots listed offer amazing features, and each one can very well be the best hiking boots for plantar fasciitis.
However, if we had to choose, for women, we liked the is Hi-Tec’s Bandera Mid-Rise Hiking Boots the most.
These boots are highly waterproof, super breathable, have a lace-up closure for a secure fit, and a strong grip.
Indeed, this pair of Bandera boots will be your best friend during all seasons.
As for men, we were particularly impressed with Columbia’s Ridge Plus II.
They are strong, sturdy, and highly waterproof.
Also, the traction these boots provide is matchless, and the lace-up closure provides a better and secure fit.
The only takeaway is the inaccurate sizing, which can be taken care of by ordering ½ a size up.