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It is very difficult to work out with Achilles tendonitis. Also, minor changes in your workout intensity may cause it to repeat.

Another major cause of your Achilles tendonitis is your cross-training shoes. Also, this is the most frequent cause.

If you tend to get Achilles Tendonitis often, check your shoes and if possible change it to any of the below shoes which are the best cross-training shoes for Achilles Tendonitis.

Also, we found  PUMA Cell Surin 2 Cross Training Shoes to be one of the best options. However, it may not be the best choice if you have very wide feet. In that case, try the New Balance one. It will serve you well.

Related: Best Cross Training Shoes For Bunions

Our Top Picks

For Women:

Puma Cell Surin 2 Cross Training Shoes

“Full length encapsulated air-sole with solid rubber outsole”

For Men:

New Balance Mx623v3 Training Shoe

“Impact Guidance System with Dynamic duomax support”

Quick Selections

Best Overall

Puma Cell Surin 2

  • Run-train performance sneakers.
  • Blister-proof.
  • Stylish.

Best CrossFit

5.11 Tactical Women’s Recon C Cross-Training Shoe

  • Rugged look.
  • Rope-ready zone.
  • Lightweight.

Best Budget

New Balance Mx608v5 Cross Training Shoe

  • Good lateral support.
  • Good bounce.
  • Long lasting

Best Cross Training Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis

1. Puma Cell Surin 2 Cross Training Shoes

This is a stylish looking Cross-Training Shoe which will keep you comfortable throughout your workout. 

Puma Cell Surin 2 is made from synthetic leather and has a synthetic sole which gives it a clean look.

You are bound to get a lot of compliments due to the understated style statement.

If you are suffering from Achilles Tendonitis, then this training shoe can also help you out.

It comes with 10CELL heel cushioning and TPU midfoot shank for additional stability.

Also, the Eco Ortholite sock liner features added padding and is sweat-wicking.

However, we cannot provide you with the exact number for the heel the to toe drop as it was not present even on the Puma website.

What we can tell is from the pair we tested, this drop is greater than 4 mm which is what is required for any shoe for Achilles Tendonitis. 

+ POSITIVES

  • Comfortable and lightweight.
  • Very stylish.
  • The toe-box is deeper so you will not be uncomfortable even if you add an extra layer of orthotic.
  • Good for people with Achilles Tendonitis or other Achilles injuries.
  • Well made

 NEGATIVES

  • Some users felt that the toe-box is narrower.
  • Needs to be broken in.

2. New Balance Mx623v3 Training Shoe

New Balance Mx623v3 Training Shoes are another good Cross-Training shoe.

It comes with the Abzorb midsole which is very shock-absorbing and provides you with a good amount of cushioning that will keep your feet safe from impact.

Also, this Cross-training shoe has QUIX technology which helps in your side-by-side movement.

The main material of the midsole is made from IEVA or injection-molded EVA foam which provides you with firm yet flexible cushioning.

For additional cushioning, it has the EVA foam footbed. The upper has Suede material which provides it with breathability and a more rustic look.

Also, this shoe is perfect for someone with Achilles tendonitis as it has a heel-to-toe drop of around 10 mm.

This will take off pressure from your Achilles’ tendons and will help you to heal faster.

+ POSITIVES

  • Comfortable and lightweight.
  • Roomy toe-box.
  • Good for even all day use.
  • Great for people with Achilles Tendonitis.
  • Good heel and forefoot cushioning

 NEGATIVES

  • Durability is not that high.
  • The insert that comes with it is not that great.
  • Some users mentioned that the quality is not upto the mark.

3. New Balance Mx608v5 Cross Training Shoes – budget shoes

This is the second New Balance in our list. It is similar to our previous New Balance Cross Trainer but different in so many ways.

It is very good for people suffering from Achilles Tendonitis as this has a heel to toe drop of 8 mm. This is a bit less than the previous one which has a drop of around 10 mm. 

However, this little difference will not get in the way of your comfort and will take away stress from your Achilles Tendons.

What else?

Due to the presence of Abzorb heel cushioning, it provides you with good shock absorption and doesn’t let the impact travel to your Achilles’ tendons.

The midsole is made from IEVA or Injection-molded EVA foam and provides you with a lot of cushioning and comfort.

There is an internal shank that provides you with additional stability.

The outsole is made from rubber and provides you with a good grip while you work out.

+ POSITIVES

  • Comfortable and lightweight.
  • Roomy toe-box.
  • Stylish to look at.
  • Good cushioning.
  • Good for people with Achilles Tendonitis.

 NEGATIVES

  • Some mentioned that the quality of the shoes are not upto the mark.
  • The innersole is not as comfortable.
  • May be a bit hot.

4. Puma Tazon 6 Cross Training Shoes

Puma Tazon 6 Cross Training Shoes are favorite for many gym-goers.

It is made from 100% synthetic leather and provides you with a classic clean look.

For optimal fit and comfort, these training shoes come with Breathable EcoOrthoLite sock liner for optimum fit and comfort.

It also has a TPU shank that provides you with increased stability.

Here also, we won’t be able to provide you with the heel to toe drop as we couldn’t even find it on their website.

However, when we tested it out, the drop seemed to be decent enough and was not stressing out the Achilles’ tendons.

This will help you with your Achilles Tendonitis and furthermore, the heel of these shoes has a decent amount of cushioning that will provide you with great shock absorption.

+ POSITIVES

  • Good training shoes for those who want good stability for working out.
  • Good arch support.
  • Very comfortable and stylish.
  • Good for Achilles Tendonitis.
  • Roomy toe-box

 NEGATIVES

  • May not be good for treadmills.
  • Sizing may be a bit off.

With an 8 mm heel to toe drop, 5.11 Tactical Recon C is a good cross-training shoe for those who are suffering from Achilles Tendonitis.

They lift your heels and takes away the stress from your Achilles’ tendons.

This helps you get your Achilles’ tendons to heal faster.

Also, its midsole is made from CMEVA and will provide you with proper cushioning and support.

It comes with Ortholite insole that provides you with a lot of comforts and this training shoe is also light on your pocket.

It is made from Helcor leather and comes with a rope ready zone if the rope is your thing.

The synthetic sole will keep you steady on the ground and this shoe will keep you comfortable throughout your entire workout session.

+ POSITIVES

  • Good fit.
  • Lightweight and comfortable.
  • Affordable.
  • Good for people with Achilles Tendonitis.
  • Rope ready zone.

 NEGATIVES

  • Sizing may be a bit off.
  • Support may be a bit less.

6. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 – plantar fasciitis support also

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 was our trickiest choice.

Why?

This athletic shoe is mainly focused on running. However, when we tested it, we found that it has plenty of lateral support, which is required for the swift movements required for cross-training.

Also, it has a heel drop of around 8 mm with plenty of cushioning at the heels.

This makes them supportive of your Achilles tendonitis, by taking away the stress from your Achilles’ tendons.

Another thing that we found is more helpful for the Achilles support is the extended pull tab and the ultra heel structure. They hold your heels in place and will not let them move around.

Also, it provided additional support to your Achilles tendon area and will not let your heel slip. This helps you recover faster and will not aggravate your condition.

These shoes provide good support in the Plantar fascia area and are also good for people with plantar fasciitis. You will not feel so much pain while working out wearing these shoes.

Also, the midsole is made from Fresh Foam X which is a specialized foam material developed after taking input from different athletes. Also, this version of Fresh Foam is lighter and cushier than that of the Fresh Foam and will provide you with more comfort.

Overall, they are very good multipurpose cross-training shoes for your everyday workout.

+ POSITIVES

  • Supportive and comfortable.
  • Plush cushioning.
  • Good for people with Achilles Tendonitis.
  • Multipurpose athletic shoes.
  • No breaking is needed.
  • Good for people with plantar fasciitis.

 NEGATIVES

  • Fit seems to be a bit different than the previous version.
  • May develop early signs of wear and tear.
  • The sizing seems to be a bit smaller.

FAQs

Can tight shoes cause Achilles tendonitis?

No, a tight shoe may not cause Achilles Tendonitis. However, a worn-out shoe can definitely cause it.

Why?

When a shoe gets worn out, it tends to get flatter. Also, there is a disbalance in your body’s weight distribution.

Combine it with a tight calf muscle…and you have the perfect recipe for Achilles Tendonitis.

However, the most problematic of all situations that may cause Achilles Tendonitis, tight calf muscles is the primary one.

You can deal with it using some stretching exercises and also, using shoes that will take care of your tight calf muscles.

Once you get those out of your way, you will have the perfect way to stay away from Achilles Tendonitis.

What trainers are best for Achilles tendonitis?

The trainers that have a heel-to-toe drop of more than 4 mm are good for Achilles Tendonitis. Also, they should have good cushioning for shock absorption.

A mentioned previously, any shoe that will help to support your calf muscles will be good for your Achilles Tendonitis as tight calves are the main reason for this kind of injury.

Also, you can go to any of the shoes mentioned above. All of them, especially Puma Cell Surin 2 is good for Achilles Tendonitis.

Should I massage Achilles tendonitis?

You can massage your Achilles Tendonitis. However, do it gently. Massaging the area will help you to reduce the swelling and will also improve circulation. Also, this may boost the production of collagen and help you heal faster.

Once you heal, it’s better to do some exercises to improve this tendons’ flexibility. Also, do some calf stretching exercises like eccentric heel drops so that you won’t have to deal with such issues.

All these exercises and how to perform them are detailed in the Best running shoes for Achilles Tendonitis. Since the stretches are the same that the runners and the gym-goers will be performing, I’ll not repeat them here.

Feel free to check out these exercises and include them in your regular exercise routine.

Should I wrap Achilles tendonitis?

Yes, you can wrap Achilles Tendonitis. You can use a compression bandage to do the wrapping.

This will restrict your movement a bit and may reduce the swelling. It may also help to improve circulation.

However, if you don’t want to use a compression bandage, using KT Tape is also very useful. I find it a cleaner way and the grip is better.

Below you have both the methods described. Feel free to follow any of the methods you like:

KT Tape Method:

Compression Bandage Method:

Are Compression Socks good for Achilles tendonitis?

Yes, compression socks are good for Achilles Tendonitis. They will improve circulation and will also provide a gentle massage.

This mild stimulation may help you to improve the production of collagen and aid your healing.

However, compression socks should not be used alone. It may play a supplemental role however, you need to get medical attention to get healed properly. It will only play a tiny role in your healing process.

Why is my Achilles tendon sore in the morning?

A common cause of Achilles Tendon soreness is inflammation. This band of tissue may develop a bit of wear and tear due to overuse or calf stiffness.

The pain worsens in the morning as there is general muscle stiffness and the blood circulation is poor to that area during your time of rest.

What exercises help Achilles tendonitis?

Here are some exercises that you may do for your Achilles Tendonitis:

Is heat or ice better for Achilles tendonitis?

Ice is better for Achilles Tendonitis and this is why.

When any area of your body is inflamed, there is a lot of heat generated in that area.

You will be able to feel that warmth when you touch it.

So, if you put more heat on an already hot area, it may aggravate your situation. 

Instead, use ice. They will reduce the heat and the coldness will soothe the area providing you with some relief.

References

Clancy JR, William G., David Neidhart, and Robert L. Brand. “Achilles tendonitis in runners: a report of five cases.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine 4, no. 2 (1976): 46-57.

DeMaio, M., Paine, R., & Drez, D. J. (1995). Achilles tendonitis. Orthopedics, 18(2), 195-204.

Klein, Erin E., et al. “Body mass index and achilles tendonitis: a 10-year retrospective analysis.” Foot & ankle specialist 6.4 (2013): 276-282.

Mazzone, M.F. and McCue, T., 2002. Common conditions of the Achilles tendon. American family physician, 65(9), p.1805.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

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