Designed to withstand the year-round elements of the Pacific Northwest, Danner’s Mountain 600 hiking boots aim to keep your feet warm and dry with its waterproof suede upper and grippy rubber outsole.
According to one Zappos reviewer, they’re also pretty darn durable: “I’ve had these boots for almost three years now. They are so durable and comfortable through all seasons and definitely kept my feet warm in harsh cold temperatures,” they wrote. These are also a good choice if you’re someone who likes to use your own insoles: “I have some significant plantar fasciitis, and these boots are so comfortable. They can accommodate my custom orthotics,” they added.
Sizes: US 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: N/A | Weight: 16 ounces
Best for Ankle Support: Kuru Quest
Pros
- Good shock absorption
- Midsole is designed to cradle your heel
- A little lighter than some other boots on our list
Cons
- Sole doesn’t have very deep lugs for traction
- Not waterproof
- Expensive
Kuru’s shoes are designed to address a variety of foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis, and its Quest hiking boot is a bestseller. From its shock-absorbing, contoured insole to its unique heel cradle, it aims to alleviate your pain step after step.
While we’ve talked a lot about your heels, your ankles deserve some extra support too. “It’s very important for me to have ankle stability,” wrote one reviewer, who has undergone ankle fusion and knee replacements. “These have been my favorite and most comfortable shoes I own, and the only pair I wear. I can move with confidence.”
Note: The Quest does lack some of the more technical features we like to see in a truly versatile hiking boot (like an extra-protective toe cap and deep lugs in the sole), so if you’re planning on tackling some challenging terrain, consider one of the other options on our list.
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 12 millimeters | Weight: 14.06 ounces
Best for Custom Orthotics: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boots
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Absorbs shock well
- Great traction
Cons
Merrell’s rugged Moab 3 boot is an upgrade to previous iterations—it’s “extremely comfortable regardless of terrain and length of hike,” Myriam Bishop, a backpacking guide for Wildland Trekking Company, previously told SELF. That goes for people with plantar fasciitis too: The Moab 3 has a heel cup that’s great at absorbing shock and a super grippy rubber outsole to keep you feeling sturdy and stable on the trails.
Use orthotic inserts and don’t want to hike without them? You’re in luck: The Moab 3 has a removable insole, so you can slip yours right inside.
According to a number of reviewers, there’s no “break-in” period required for these, either: “I love these boots. They were comfortable right out of the box, and I quickly took them to the Adirondack High Peaks and did several long rugged hikes,” one reviewer wrote.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium, wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 11.5 millimeters | Weight: 13.57 ounces
Best Lightweight: Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Pros
- You can tighten the laces with one pull
- Tabs on the heels make them easy to slip on and off
- Surprisingly lightweight, for a boot
Cons
- Laces tend to come loose, according to some reviewers
- Pricey
With a waterproof membrane made from Gore-Tex, deep lugs to grip steep inclines, and a shaft that fits snugly around your ankle, this Salomon hiking boot is ready for anything—from inclement weather to truly difficult trails.
Previously recommended to SELF by Sydney Williams, the founder of Hiking My Feelings, the Cross Hike 2 has a springy foam midsole and a rigid structure that will help you feel supported, even when the terrain gets rocky. She’s worn them for thousands of miles, noting that it feels more like a trail running shoe than a stiff, clunky boot.
Sizes: US 5.5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Heel-to-toe drop: 10 millimeters | Weight: 12.7 ounces
Best for Long Treks: Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof
Pros
- Waterproof
- Sleek, colorful design
- Comes with a one-year limited warranty
Cons
- Some reviewers say it could use some more arch support
- Pricey
These hiking boots from Oboz are designed to stabilize and protect your feet, without you needing to slow down or take a break in the name of foot pain. And according to a number of happy customers who wore them comfortably for long periods, they deliver.
“I love these shoes,” wrote one reviewer. “I work on my feet outside daily for eight-plus hours, and they are the only shoes that keep my feet from having bouts of plantar fasciitis.” Another reviewer wore the Katabatics on a three-day hiking trip during treks between five and nine miles long: “I wore them on two hot, sandy desert hikes, and one cold, wet mountain hike, and they had great traction on both,” they wrote.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Heel-to-toe drop: 8 millimeters | Weight: 13.4 ounces
What is plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from your heel bone up to your toes, Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, tells SELF. She adds that it’s critical for proper arch support and plays an important role in your overall gait (or the way you walk).
