Can anyone recommend a VERY comfortable hiking boot for a chubby woman with plantar fasciitis?

[pigeononthegate]

Just that really - I need a pair of hiking boots for my painful feet! I'm trying to do long walks to lose weight and for general health, but am hobbled (literally) by plantar fasciitis, not helped by being rather portly and unfit. Can anyone recommend? Comfort, grip and durability are key!

My merrel boots have been bloody brilliant. They're 7 years old now... I've never had a pair so long. The vibram sole is part of the comfiness, I'm sure.

Salomon boots are also very comfortable. Lightweight and blister free from day one

Depends on foot shape. Salomon great for wide toes narrow heel, also Mammut. La Sportiva more narrow everywhere, Karrimor often quite wide.

Consider Superfeet insoles. Green Superfeet are an absolute game changer for me (high arches, tight calves).

Agree depends on your foot shape. In addition to those mentioned above Berghaus tend to come up narrow.

Get down to a good (possibly independent) walking shop and get yourself properly fitted. If you can't find an independent, Cotswold Outdoor are usually decent. Avoid tog24/trespass etc shops: they're not particularly good quality and only stock their own brand. You want to be able to try as many on as possible.

Blacks / Millets / Mountain Warehouse are all ok re stock but the knowledge of the staff tends to be variable. A good fitter will spend as much time as you need and explain how the various options support your feet. Don't let yourself be rushed!

Are you actually hiking over rough ground? If not you might do better with a properly supportive trainer-eg my PF is caused by over pronation and ASICS gel kayano addresses this v well. Also look at insoles - Enetor ones are excellent. Ultimately strengthening exercises for (side) glutes, feet, ankles will help with PF.

If you post where you are, perhaps someone can offer suggestions of good places? Especially on the great outdoors board?

I was going to suggest good quality trainers too - on the strict proviso that what you plan to do is not so rough you need ankle support.

Try Salomon for grip, and Hoka for comfort (very thick soles, though so some see them as an ankle twist waiting to happen - all depends on how rough you want to go)

For stores, I was going to suggest Ellis Brigham. Mainly based on browsing - does anyone know if they're any good if you go into one?

@randomsabreuse sorry to interrupt thread. Would you recommend taking smaller size green superfeet insole? I have bought numerous insoles and not happy with them, didn't like anything I tried in orthotic shop (the half insoles - really uncomfortable) so I tend to buy platformed shoes to help with pain, but I do miss wearing some of my older flatter shoes so am looking for a good insole to wear with those.

Alt-Berg have been the only brand tgat even fit my feet - fantastic from day 1 which was 8 years ago now.

Get down to a good (possibly independent) walking shop and get yourself properly fitted. If you can't find an independent, Cotswold Outdoor are usually decent. Avoid tog24/trespass etc shops: they're not particularly good quality and only stock their own brand. You want to be able to try as many on as possible.

Blacks / Millets / Mountain Warehouse are all ok re stock but the knowledge of the staff tends to be variable. A good fitter will spend as much time as you need and explain how the various options support your feet. Don't let yourself be rushed!

I was going to say the same thing. A store with decent staff makes a massive difference Vs somewhere like GoOutdoors which is good for some things and can have good deals but most staff are clueless in terms of technical support.

In addition to those mentioned above Berghaus tend to come up narrow.

I wouldn't have said so - I've got quite wide feet and a swollen stiff big toe joint, and comfortable berghaus boots and waterproof shoes.... so I guess depends on the exact style not just the make.

You really so need to go into a good shop which stocks a lot of good brands and try on as many as you need, walk around the shop and up and down their ramp (any shop which sells boots should have a little ramp so you can try them on a slope). And they should let you try them out indoors at home.

Thanks, am googling all the recommended names :) I am doing a fair bit of rough terrain, moorland etc, so I do need something with good grip and definitely waterproof. Am in the SW and don't have a fortune to spend.

I'd say a walking shoe rather than boot. I have had various but the north face ones that I had were ok and their boots too. But I find that having them around the ankle makes it harder for me to walk and find them heavy.

I have some cheapy own brand Decathlon walking shoes at the moment that cost £15, not brilliant but ok for arch support.

Cheap boots are usually a false economy - a good pair should last you years and many miles, with a bit of basic care.

I'd say a walking shoe rather than boot

Not for moorland. Goretex or similar boots.

Also, not what you asked but if you don't use a pole (or two) already you may find that generally helpful.

I’ve had PF, still have it mildly. wearing fit flops slides when at home helps.

Yoga with Adrienne “yoga for feet” is short and good!

It's expensive, but honestly I think you're setting yourself up for trouble without seeing a podiatrist and getting a proper bespoke insole for PF. You likely over pronate. I have Merrell's and they are fab but what really helped was a custom orthotic. I also have a split at night and ice my foot and do exercises when it gets bad.

Superfeet wise I'd fit to your heel width and trim down the length. My first pair were filed down by a (ski) boot fitter but I have just cut with scissors.

Haven't put green Superfeet in "smart" flats but always buy flat boots to fit them. I seem to remember they do a low profile design for "smart"

Hiking shoes rather than true boots but ASICS Gel Odyssey are great for pf and currently on special offer.
www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/gel-odyssey-wr/p/Q450L-8686.html?width=Standard

Another vote for asking the experts. Tiso will watch you walk in your socks, measure your feet (including width) and recommend footwear that will suit the activity you’re most likely to use your shoes/ boots for.

Also my Salewa are amazing on my wide feet

Just in case you don’t already have one: get a night splint. Game changing for PF.