Narrow Shoes for Women with Heel Pain – Narrow Platforms with Extra Cushion and Support Below the Heels

Do you have narrow feet and have also been experiencing heel pain? Did you know that wearing the right pair of shoes is the most efficient way to manage and prevent heel pain? Women who engage in active daily routines or have extended periods of standing are more prone to experience heel pain. If you find yourself in this situation and are in search of narrow shoes for women with heel pain, you have come to the right place.

Are you tired of feeling that every single medical professional you see about your heel pain just doesn’t care? Heel pain is not normal. It’s not normal for women to feel like they can’t walk from being in constant pain.

I have come across instances where women suffering from intense heel pain found it nearly unbearable to even stand up when they woke up in the morning. If your heel pain is disrupting your daily routine, it’s crucial to take prompt action. Women who exercise regularly, take long walks or run on hard surfaces are prone to experience heel pain. The main concern with heel pain is that it not only impacts foot health but also plays a role in other issues such as knee, hip, and back discomfort.

Before we move any forward please inspect your current shoes. I had one specific situation in which a woman was experiencing really bad heel pain from the shoes being defected around the heel area:

Understanding the Connection Between Heel Pain and Footwear

Heel pain can be attributed to a variety of factors, including excessive strain on the plantar fascia, (the ligament that connects the heel to the toes), inadequate arch support, and improper shock absorption, which equals to unsupportive footwear. In short, the most common reason why women experience heel pain is from wearing unsupportive shoes. On the bright side, there are shoe styles that provide targeted cushion and support around the heel area, which is going to reduce the impact that your heels take when they come in contact with the ground.

My strong recommendation for women is to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to dealing with their heel pain. The right shoes for heel pain are going to help align your feet to their natural position and evenly distribute your weight across your feet. Thus, reducing the pulling of the plantar fascia which is a primary cause of heel pain. 

4 Must-Have Features to Look For in Your Shoes

1️⃣ Firm heel counters: Shoes that provide firm heel counters are extremely effective in treating and preventing heel pain. Always press on the heel counter of the shoes before buying them and make sure it feels firm as shown in the image below:

2️⃣ Cushioning and shock absorption: Ample cushioning in the heel and midsole will help absorb the impact of each step, reducing the strain on the heels and providing relief from pain. Certain sneakers provide targeted cushion around the heel area, either through GEL or ROLLBAR stability technology. So, the more cushion there is around the heels the more impact absorption that the shoes are going to provide.

3️⃣ Substantial outsole: The shoes I recommend also provide substantial outsoles that offer superior rear foot motion control that supports and cushions the feet.

4️⃣ Extra Padding Around the Heels: This feature helps increase comfort as it protects your heels from developing foot issues such as blisters:

Do You Have High Arches? – You Might Be More Prone to Developing Heel Pain

Did you know that women who have high arches are more prone to developing heel pain? Women with high arches tend to place extra pressure and stress on the outer part of the feet, which usually leads to heel pain. Let’s take a look at the feet of a woman with high arches standing barefoot:

Now let’s see what happens when we fit that same woman in one of the pairs of shoes that I recommend:

Do you notice how her feet are a lot straighter? These types of shoes will help correct this woman’s foot posture and walking gait, preventing her from placing extra pressure and stress on her heels.

Best Shoe Brands that Cater for Women with Narrow Feet and Heel Pain

➡️ Asics: These shoes come with infused gel to provide maximum shock absorption and keep your feet and legs healthy. The Asics shoes that I will show you are some of the most supportive yet lightweight and flexible walking/running shoes for women.

➡️ New Balance: These shoes provide ROLLBAR technology to better support and cushion your heels to minimize the impact that your heels take when they come in contact with the ground.

➡️ Brooks: This shoe brand manages to strike a balance between style and practicality, their shoes offer cushioning and shock absorption and are a great choice for women who experience heel pain. Their shoes can accommodate the shape of women with narrow (N), or medium (M) feet.

Narrow Shoes for Women with Heel Pain – The Role that the Right Shoes Play

Finally, below find the selection of narrow shoes for women with heel pain. Make sure to look at the description on each image. These shoes are great for women who work long, active shifts on their feet. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. 

Just like every woman is different, every foot is different, which means there is no such thing as a perfect shoe brand or shoe style that will work for everyone. While these shoes have worked really well for many women with narrow feet and heel pain, there is no guarantee that they will work well for your feet. Our feet are like snowfalls, no two alike.

In addition to being available in narrow widths (N), all of the shoes recommended above provide narrower platforms to accommodate the overall shape of your narrow feet:

One of my key takeaways from my many years of experience is that many women tend to associate foot problems with wearing shoes that are small, however, wearing shoes that are too big can also bring all sorts of foot issues! Thus, the utmost important thing is to wear any kind of shoes in the correct shoe size. You can’t imagine the number of women walking around with shoes that are either too short or too loose for their feet.

Do You Know Your Right Shoe Size?

Did you know that there is a study by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society that showed that 88% of American women wear shoes that are too small? There is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing the wrong shoe size. Be aware that your foot shape and size can change over time, so I recommend getting a fitting every 6 months.

Ensuring you know your foot length and width is the first step to finding the correct sandals for your narrow and flat feet. Thereafter, with your accurate measurements, you’ll have a reliable reference point for shopping online, and this will give you a broader range of choices for any kind of shoes online. Certainly, if you identify a brand that consistently fits your measurements (length and width), it will be much easier to shop online without the hassle of having to go to a store and try on many pairs. 

 Quality measurements begin with expert consultation, you can read the article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home. Just click on the post link below:

How To Measure Your Foot Size – The Most Simple And Effective Way!

How to Tie Shoes for Women with Narrow Feet?

I created a different resource that describes the best shoe lacing technique for narrow feet. This shoe lacing technique will push your feet back, securing your heels against the back of the shoes and preventing them from moving up and down:

How to Lace Shoes for Narrow Feet — The Most Effective Way to Prevent Your Heels from Slipping Off the Shoes!

What to Do If You Are Still Experiencing Heel Pain?

Please keep in mind that while shoes may help with heel pain, if the pain persists it would be best to consult with your medical doctor to get their professional advice.

In addition, if you happen to try any of these shoes and your pain persists, then you can try wearing a heel cup or an orthotic for extra support inside your shoes. All of these shoe styles are capable of accommodating an orthotic since they provide extra depth and come with removable insoles. While I can’t get into too much detail about the best heels cups and orthotics for heel pain, you can refer to the articles below:

The Best Heel Cups for Plantar Fasciitis — Treat and Prevent Your Heel Pain!

The Best Orthotics for Women – Stop your Foot and Leg Pain!

Surgery Should Always Be Your Last Resort

Some women are told by their medical professionals to try shock wave therapy, casting, surgery, or steroid injections to get rid of their heel pain. Before you try an invasive method to get rid of your heel pain, I strongly suggest that you start by making sure that you are wearing the correct type of shoes. The correct type of heel cups or orthotics can also make a world of difference when it comes to treating heel pain.

Looking for a Similar Resource for Your Child?

Good news! If you are looking for shoes for a little one in your family or a friend’s family, you can find helpful information on our partner website:

Best Kids’ Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain – Stay Away from Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour!

Many thanks for reading! We hope you found helpful this post on narrow shoes for women with heel pain. Feel free to share this post with your community on social media as well as your experiences in the comments section below. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via e-mail and we will get back to you as soon as possible.