Do you have a heel spur, Achilles tendon discomfort or wear orthopaedic insoles and are looking for a well-cushioned everyday shoe? 👣
With these types of complaints, choosing the right shoe is very individual. Important features include comfortable cushioning, enough space for your insoles and a shoe that does not press or rub against the sensitive heel and Achilles tendon area.
👟 What should I look for when choosing a shoe?
Depending on the recommendation of your doctor or orthopaedic specialist, the following features may be important:
- good, soft cushioning
- stable and comfortable support
- removable footbed for your own orthopaedic insoles
- sufficient space for your insole
- soft and adaptable upper material
- comfortable fit around the heel
- no uncomfortable pressure or rubbing on the Achilles tendon
- suitable shoe width for your foot shape
💡 Important: It is not possible to guarantee that a shoe will feel comfortable around your Achilles tendon. During fitting, please pay particular attention to whether the top edge of the shoe presses against or irritates the sensitive area.
Which GIESSWEIN models offer good or particularly high cushioning?
☁️ Merino Curve Max – Width H
Shoe width: H – for wider or fuller feet
Cushioning: particularly high / ultra-springy
Footbed: removable
Heel-to-toe drop: approx. 9–10 mm, depending on the women’s or men’s model
The Merino Curve Max is our recommendation if particularly strong cushioning is important to you.
The EVA midsole with integrated Air Bubble provides additional cushioning in the heel area. The removable footbed can be replaced with your own orthopaedic insole, provided there is sufficient space.
With Width H, this model offers more room than our standard Width G and may therefore also be suitable for wider or fuller feet.
➡️ Merino Curve Max Women:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/merino-curve-max-women
➡️ Merino Curve Max Men:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/merino-curve-max-men
💡 If you already have Achilles tendon discomfort, we recommend trying the shoe on carefully. In particular, please check whether the heel construction feels comfortable at the exact location of your discomfort.
☁️ Wool Peak – Width G
Shoe width: G – regular standard width
Cushioning: particularly springy
Footbed: removable
Heel-to-toe drop: approx. 6 mm
The Wool Peak offers soft, energy-returning cushioning and is suitable for walks, activity and everyday wear.
The removable footbed generally allows you to use your own orthopaedic insoles, provided your individual insole fits comfortably inside the shoe.
Width G corresponds to our standard width. GIESSWEIN describes the Wool Peak as suitable for regular to somewhat wider feet.
➡️ Wool Peak Women:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/wool-peak-women
➡️ Wool Peak Men:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/wool-peak-men
☁️👟 Merino Runner – Width G
Shoe width: G – regular standard width
Cushioning: springy
Footbed: removable
Heel-to-toe drop: approx. 10 mm
The Merino Runner is a lighter and versatile alternative for everyday wear.
It offers:
- comfortable cushioning
- soft Merino wool upper
- low weight
- temperature-regulating properties
- removable footbed
Width G is particularly suitable for feet of average width.
➡️ Merino Runner Women:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/merino-runners-damen
➡️ Merino Runner Men:
https://www.giesswein.com/products/merino-runners-herren
Which shoe width should I choose?
Our shoe widths are generally classified as follows:
- Width F → for narrow feet
- Width G → for regular feet / standard width
- Width H → for wider or fuller feet
For the models recommended here:
- Merino Curve Max → Width H
- Wool Peak → Width G
- Merino Runner → Width G
If you wear a more substantial orthopaedic insole or have wider feet, a model in Width H may offer more space.
However, shoe width alone does not determine whether a particular orthopaedic insole will fit. Insoles vary in shape, height and volume.
Can I use my own orthopaedic insoles?
The footbeds in all the models mentioned above are removable.
This generally allows you to replace the original footbed with your own orthopaedic insole.
However, please check individually:
- Does your insole have enough space?
- Does your heel remain securely positioned?
- Does the insole create additional pressure on the Achilles tendon?
- Is there enough room in the forefoot area?
- Does the insole change the position or height of your heel in the shoe?
💡 Especially with Achilles tendon discomfort, an insole can change the position of the foot and heel inside the shoe.
Which model is suitable for year-round everyday wear?
Merino wool is breathable and temperature-regulating. Many of our Merino shoes can therefore be worn comfortably for much of the year.
For a versatile everyday shoe, the following models may be particularly interesting:
- Merino Curve Max – Width H → particularly high cushioning and more space
- Wool Peak – Width G → strong cushioning and sporty construction
- Merino Runner – Width G → lightweight and versatile everyday shoe
Which option feels most comfortable for you depends on your foot shape, your insole and the exact location of your discomfort.
⚠️ Which shoe will not press on my Achilles tendon?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee this in general.
The position and sensitivity of the Achilles tendon and the exact location of the discomfort vary from person to person.
When trying on the shoes, please pay particular attention to:
- Does the top edge of the shoe touch the painful area?
- Is there any rubbing while walking?
- Does the heel counter cause pressure?
- Does the heel remain securely positioned?
- Does your orthopaedic insole change the height of your heel in the shoe?
- Does the shoe remain comfortable and pressure-free when worn with your insole?
🩺 Important medical information
Our recommendations relate exclusively to the features, fit, shoe width and wearing comfort of our GIESSWEIN shoes.
They do not replace medical, orthopaedic or physiotherapy advice and are not a medical diagnosis.
If you have a heel spur, recurring inflammation, pain or Achilles tendon discomfort, we recommend discussing the choice of shoes and insoles with your doctor, orthopaedic specialist or orthopaedic shoemaker.
If you have been medically advised to use a particular insole, heel height, heel lift or shoe construction, this individual recommendation should always be taken into account when choosing your shoes.
In short
For heel spurs, Achilles tendon discomfort or orthopaedic insoles, good cushioning, sufficient space, a removable footbed and a pressure-free fit around the heel can be particularly important.
Our models at a glance:
- Merino Curve Max – Width H → particularly high cushioning, for regular to wider/fuller feet
- Wool Peak – Width G → particularly springy, standard width
- Merino Runner – Width G → springy, lightweight all-rounder for regular feet
All three models have a removable footbed.
Because foot, heel and Achilles tendon complaints are very individual, we recommend trying the shoes on carefully and, if you have an existing medical condition, also consulting your doctor or orthopaedic specialist.