Best Walking Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis

Best Walking Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis

If you’re looking for the best walking shoes for achilles tendonitis, then this is just the article for you!

This article rates and reviews the top walking shoes for achilles tendonitis and also explains how you can get out of the pickle you’re in.

Top Rated Walking Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis - 2018

1. Nike Free RN (Running/Walking Shoe For Achilles Tendonitis)

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2. Orthofeet Monterey Bay (Men) And Orthofeet Tahoe (Women)

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3. Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Compete Lace-Up Walking Shoe

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1. Nike Free RN (Running And Walking Shoe For Achilles Tendonitis)

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The Nike Free Rn’s are comfortable flexible shoes that have an updated cool look and feel. Nike has also upgraded the upper on the Free RN’s this year.

The upper consists of a circular knit material that has some spandex in it. This makes the upper mould perfectly to the shape of your foot, thus reducing irritation especially in the achilles tendon.

Nike completely redesigned the heel portion of the shoe when compared to previous iterations. The dynamic heel system is incredibly comfortable and holds the heel snugly in place. It is also soft enough to cradle the achilles tendon, thus reducing inflammation by rubbing.

Nike has carefully constructed the midsole from two different foams, this adds comfort to your ride.

The softer foam which is directly under your foot helps with cushioning. While the firmer foam on the bottom of the shoe offers more durability and rebound when in stride.

While this is a running shoe that could be used for tendonitis, the Nike Free RN’s are also one of the best walking shoes for achilles tendonitis.

2. Orthofeet Monterey Bay And Orthofeet Tahoe

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The Orthofeet Monterey Bay And Orthofeet Tahoe come with flat footbeds that are perfect for those with Achilles tendonitis.

They also have a ”seamless toe-box upper” which helps eliminate friction and chaffing during long walks.

These shoes also come with an innovative lacing system that allows you strap up the shoe with velcro or with laces. They also come in extra wide sizes for those with wide feet.

What makes the Monterey Bay and Tahoe excellent walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis is their geometry. These shoes place your foot in an ergonomic position that aids proper gait.

This decreases stress and pressure in the tendon, thus ensuring pain free strides.

3. Reebok Ultra V DMX Max Walking Shoe

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The Reebok Ultra V DMX walking shoes come with a sturdy leather upper that provides ample support throughout your gait.

This is great for those that have issues with torsional loading of the Achilles tendon. Torsional loading of the achilles happens when the ankle sits out of alignment with the knee.

So if you have flat feet or tend to overpronate then this right shoe for your tendonitis.

Reebok has installed an excellent cushioning system on the Ultra V DMX. This is due to the DMX Max EVA foam material that offers optimal cushioning and rebound on every stride.

The shoe has a padded achilles notch that will reduce any irritation in the tendon due to rubbing.

The outsole is also extremely wide and grippy and will last for miles to come.

4. Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Compete Lace-Up Walking Shoe

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The Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Walking Shoe is incredibly lightweight. They offer one of the most plush and cushioned rides out of all the shoes on this list.

Skechers has constructed the outsole out of a lightweight Resalyte compound that offers excellent rebound on every stride. Their Goga mat technology allows the foot to really sink into the shoe.

What makes the Go Walk 3’s one of the best walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis is it’s low heel to toe drop. This places your foot in a more natural position and reduces wear and tear on the Achilles tendon.

The low cushioned rear collar on the Go Walk 3’s make them even more comfortable for those with Achilles tendonitis. This further reduces irritation in the achilles tendon due to rubbing.

5. Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Slip-On Walking Shoe

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The Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Slip-On walking shoe is lightweight and comfortable.

Skecher’s Go walk series features the Goga mat technology on the inside of the shoe. This full length insole offers plenty of cushioning while still providing ample support.

The upper is made of Skecher’s Performance Fitknit which is a lightweight seamless knitted material. This seamless knitted upper offers excellent beathability, keeping your feet cool and dry when on the move.

The Skechers form-fitting heel counter moulds to the back of the foot but is low enough not to irritate the Achilles tendon.

The footbed also features a low heel to toe drop which places the achilles tendon in the optimal position for strength and recovery.

How To Choose The Best Walking Shoes For Achilles Tenodnitis

The problem with treating achilles tedonitis is that the treatment itself is the cause of your problem.

You see, the Achilles tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the human body. It is capable of carrying substantial loads and also helps generate considerable force through the calf muscle for propulsion.

When such a heavy hitting tendon gets injured, you know you’re in for a rough ride.

Some of the reasons for the Achilles tendon to get injured are:

  • Conventional footwear – Conventional footwear props up the heel in such a way that the Achilles tendon and calf muscle shortens out. This cause the calf muscle and the Achilles tendon to grow strong through a limited range of motion. When the tendon and calf is asked to work outside this range of motion, it tears and is the cause for pain.
  • Transitioning too quickly to zero drop shoes – Zero drop shoes are great, but transitioning from conventional footwear too fast can cause injury. This is why low-drop shoes are an excellent transition petween the calf shortening conventional footwear and zero drop shoes. The low drop shoes on this list place the foot at just the right angle so that the Achilles tendon can strengthen up.
  • Overuse of the Achilles tendon – Overuse injuries are common and mostly occur due to bad gait or posture. Moving with bad form during exercise can stress the tendon thus causing irritation.
  • Tight Calf Muscles – Tight calf muscles can occur due to conventional elevated footwear as well as overuse. Many sports like tennis force athletes on their heels. In fact most tennis shoes have elevated heels. This shortens the calf muscle and tendon, only strengthening them in their shortened position. Hence, once the muscle moves out of that strengthened position, it is weak and prone to injury.

Tight calf muscles restrict the range of motion of the Achilles tendon. Thus stretching of the Achilles tendon leads to micro tears which are cannot heal properly due to its limited range of motion.

The only way for the Achilles tendon to heal is to regain the full range of motion in both the calf and tendon.

This is achieved by exercises that stretch and strengthen the calf muscle and tendon. Alas, this stretching is also what causes the pain in the Achilles tendon in the first place.

So the best way to reduce pain in the Achilles tendon is through inflammation control while walking as naturally close to the ground as possible. This means walking barefoot. But walking barefoot poses it’s own set of problems, this is why the best shoes for Achilles tendinitis are shoes known as “transition shoes” or “low-drop shoes”.

Transition shoes allow the foot to sit in a more natural position. These shoes help the Achilles tendon to stretch out ever so slightly while not overstretching it to the point of pain.

This achieves 2 things:

  • The foot sits in a more natural position throughout the day.
  • This gives the tendon and calf muscle enough time to strengthen and heal.

Conclusion

The best walking shoes for Achilles tendonitis place your feet in a more natural position. This allows the tendon and calf muscle to lengthen, strengthen and recover. It also places the foot in a more naturally ergonomic position which will reduce the risk of injury.

These transition shoes are the perfect bridge between conventional footwear and zero drop shoes. They help build the intrinsic muscles of the feet, allowing the foot to settle back into it’s natural position.

One of the best ways to beat Achilles tendonitis is to build range of motion in the tendon and calf muscle. Thus allowing the tendon to grow stronger through it’s entire range of motion.

Sources:

Running shoes increase achilles tendon load in walking: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24500535

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