Does your job require you to stand on your feet all day? Maybe because of that, you feel heel pain when you first get out of bed in the morning or after a long day at work? These could be signs of a common heel ligament strain called plantar fasciitis. Many people who work on their feet all day suffer from this sometimes painful and frustrating condition. On the bright side, much of this heel pain can be prevented simply by wearing the best work boots for plantar fasciitis.
But how do you know which work boots will help prevent plantar fasciitis? That’s where we come into play. Our team will review some of the top boots for helping to prevent plantar fasciitis and even throw in some outlines of the best plantar fasciitis socks too. We will also give you some other useful information about this ailment that will help you take steps to prevent it from ever happening to you.
Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Carhartt Men’s CMF6066 Soft Toe Boot |
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Wolverine Men’s Raider Boot |
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Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Work Boot |
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KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Mid Work Boot |
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Wolverine Men’s Athletic Mid Boot |
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Caterpillar 6″ Work Boot |
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Top 6 Work Boots for Preventing Plantar Fasciitis (Editor’s Picks)
Here is what we feel will be the best work boots for helping to prevent plantar fasciitis injuries while working:
1- Carhartt Men’s CMF6066 Soft Toe Boot
Being safe while doing hard and heavy work doesn’t exclude the boots. On the contrary, you need boots you can count on. Carhartt makes a statement with the CMF6066 Soft Toe boot.
Water-resistant with long durability and slip-resistant with good traction is just covering the basics. In addition, they offer comfort through their flexibility and padding. The cement construction and orthopedic insoles will make you forget about your feet throughout the day. Combined with the rubber sole, all this gives them five layers of cushioning for more comfort and better support.
The Carhartt boots are made of 100% oil-tanned leather and with traditional lacing for your fitting preferences. Insoles are removable, and the sizing is quite precise. The best approach would be to measure your foot’s length and keep in mind if you need a wide or regular size.
Pros:
- Orthopedic insoles to perfectly match your foot curve
- Cement construction with very solid thread
- Water-resistant boots for heavy-duty
- Non-slip rubber sole with good traction
- High flexibility achieved through five layers of cushioning
Cons:
- Breaking in period might be necessary
- The lack of stiffness may not be suitable for very rough terrain
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2- Wolverine Men’s Raider Boot
These are a very comfortable work boot from the reputable Wolverine Boot Manufacturing Company. They are a sturdy work boot that has a somewhat athletic shoe feel to them. It makes them a very comfortable work boot for those with foot ailments to wear.
Among the better features on this 5 ½,” high work boots are their flexible and high traction rubber soles. Among their comfort adding features are an extended gusseted tongue and a padded ankle collar. They are a durable work boot to thanks to their exceptional dual-contour leather welt construction.
What makes these work boots effective at preventing and easing the pain of plantar fasciitis? It has everything to do with its removable and fully-cushioned Multishox insole. This insole nicely cushions and supports the foot including the sensitive heel area where plantar fasciitis occurs.
Pros:
- 5 ½” high stylish leather work boot
- Dual-contour welt construction
- Removable and fully-cushioned Multishox insole
- Flexible rubber sole
- Extended gusseted tongue/Padded Collar
- These boots weigh 1.8 pounds each
Cons:
- There is no sewn in loop to help you pull them on
- No safety toe protection
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3- Thorogood Men’s American Heritage 6″ Work Boot
This is a stylish and durable 6” high oil-tanned leather work boot from Thorogood. It’s among the most comfortable conventional style work boots you will ever wear. With its Goodyear Storm-welt construction it’s made to handle even the toughest working environments.
The list of well thought out comfort features on these boots is a long one too. These comfort features should definitely be able to help those who suffer from painful plantar fasciitis. Among the best ones are these work boots shock-absorbing footbed with included Poron comfort cushion.
Other comfort features that will help plantar fasciitis sufferers include such things as softer and more cushioning polyurethane ‘MAXwear Wedge’ soles. These work boots Fiberglass shank also stabilizes your heel so it does not move so freely. This can greatly reduce the chance of injuring the heel or further aggravating heel area plantar fasciitis.
Pros:
- 6” high oil-tanned leather work boot
- Goodyear Storm-welt construction
- Removable shock-absorbing footbed w/Poron comfort cushion.
- Polyurethane MAXwear Wedge sole
- Fiberglass shank
- The estimated weight of each boot is 2.1 lbs.
Cons:
- Some wearers feel the seams on them are to pronounced
- Safety toe protection is only an option and not standard
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4- KEEN Utility Men’s Flint Mid Work Boot
Does your plantar fasciitis get easily aggravated as you are on your feet during the work day? Then maybe what you need is a work shoe that’s durable like a boot but has the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker? That’s exactly what you get with these work shoes from Keen.
These mid-high boot style shoes not only provide great anti-slip traction with their soft rubber soles but they are very comfortable too. Features such as their dual-density cushioning footbed and stabilizing heel shank are part of the reasons why.
The fact that this work boot has an ankle cut style to it means it also supports the heel area well. That’s a big bonus to anyone who suffers from plantar fasciitis. These boots also have a hiking style fit to them. That means there is little room for movement in the heel area which is recommended for those with plantar fasciitis injuries.
Pros:
- Mid-high leather/synthetic work boot
- Ankle-cut work boot w/ contoured soft rubber sole
- Hiking style fit in the heel area
- Breathable mesh side panels
- Dual-density footbed cushioning/Stability providing shank
- The estimated weight of each boot is 2.1 lbs.
Cons:
- Not a good cold weather outdoor work shoe
- No toe safety protection
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5- Wolverine Men’s Athletic Mid Boot
When it comes to work boots that have a little bit of everything in their design these work boots from Wolverine have got you nicely covered. They are made to last, have many comfort features and even wear a little like a hiking boot too.
What makes these work boots feel more like a hiking boot when you are wearing them? Its features like their well-padded molded EVA foam midsole and their nicely contoured anti-slip rubber outsole. It takes features like their steel safety toe to remind you that they are still an excellent work boot too.
There are some features built into these boots that should help those who suffer from plantar fasciitis also. Among them are their removable full-cushion footbed and their heel stabilizing fiberglass shank.
Pros:
- 5 ½” Mid-high Split-suede leather/mesh upper work boot
- Removable full-cushion footbed
- Molded EVA foam midsole/Contoured rubber outsole
- Steel toe protection
- Heel stability-enhancing fiberglass shank
- The estimated weight of each boot is 1.4 lbs.
Cons:
- Not recommended for use in greasy or oily work places
- Need a short break in period before extended wear
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6- Caterpillar 6″ Work Boot
Everyone knows Caterpillar makes a popular line of machinery but most people don’t realize they also make excellent work clothing and footwear. These work boots are a great example of that. They are very stylish and well-built.
These Caterpillar boots are not only durable but are also comfortable. Some of the comforts feature worth mentioning are the fully gusseted tongue, padded collar area, and a Climasphere sock liner. The soft synthetic sole will help prevent slipping and falling in the workplace and these boots have a convenient grab loop to help with putting them on also.
The Goodyear welt construction makes these work boots very supportive in the heel area and they also have a nicely cushioned footbed and softer style synthetic sole. The combination of those will help prevent foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis.
Pros:
- 6” high all leather work boot
- Goodyear welt construction
- Cushioned footbed
- Softer synthetic sole
- Fully gusseted tongue/Padded Collar
- Each boot weighs approximately 1.3 pounds
Cons:
- The included laces could be better
- No steel safety toe
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What Exactly is Plantar Fasciitis?
Anyone who has ever had plantar fasciitis certainly knows what it is and the stabbing heel pain that sometimes comes along with it. For those who don’t know here is a little information on it. Once you know exactly what plantar fasciitis you will definitely want to learn how you can protect it from happening to you at work.
It first will help to know some of the anatomies of the foot in the area where this condition strikes. The plantar fascia itself is a ligament that lies just beneath the skin on the very bottom of your feet. It is most prominent from the balls of your feet back towards the very tip of your heel.
This ligament’s sole function is to absorb stress and strain to the bottom of your feet. At times this foot stress and strain become too much and it damages or tears the plantar fascia. The result of this damage is inflammation followed by various amounts of heel pain. A good pair of work boots can help minimize this heel pain until the area is healed.
1- What contributes to the onset of the plantar fascia
There are several risk factors associated with the cause of plantar fasciitis. Some of them are:
- Having overly tight calf muscles that don’t allow you to flex your foot or make your toes curl upward
- Being extremely overweight
- Having higher than normal foot arches
- High impact sports activity
- Repetitive workplace activity that involves your feet
These are all things to keep an eye on as far as trying to avoid getting plantar fascia injuries.
2- Symptoms of plantar fascia injuries
How do you know you have injured a plantar fascia ligament? Here are some signs that point to that.
- Pain that occurs on the bottom of the foot closer to the heel
- Pain in your heel that is most noticeable after getting up in the morning.
- Heel pain that occurs after a long rest period. Such as riding in a car.
- Your heel pain lessens as you walk for a few minutes.
- A higher level of heel pain is felt ‘AFTER’ exercising, ‘NOT’ during exercise.
Tip: One way to have a pretty good idea that your heel pain is caused by plantar fascia is this. Grab your toes on the painful foot the next time you feel your heel pain. Now point your toes downward. If this lessens the heel pain you most likely are suffering from an injured plantar fascia ligament.
3- Common plantar fascia treatments
Here are some of the steps that Doctors often recommend when suffering from a plantar fascia injury:
- Take longer rest periods from activity
- Use ice or over the counter medications for inflammation and pain management
- Exercise
- Purchase better and more protective footwear. This is especially true for the workplace and sports-related footwear.
- Do calf and plantar fascia stretches
- Only the worst-case plantar fascia injuries require cortisone injections or surgery.
Most people who suffer from plantar fascia pain will make a full recovery is a very little time if they follow their doctor’s advice.
4- Ways to help prevent plantar fascia damage and stress
Here are some steps you can take to try and avoid injuring your plantar fascia ligaments at the bottom of your feet:
- Upgrade your footwear – make sure you become familiar with all sorts of high-class boots on the market. Our crew will help.
- Do calf and plantar fascia stretches first thing every morning
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Discard worn-out work boots and sports shoes
- Add arch supports to your footwear
Know that you know more about plantar fascia injuries you should be better able to find a pair of work boots that help prevent them.
Plantar Fasciitis Work Boot Buying Guide
When you suffer from or are trying to prevent plantar fasciitis heel injuries it definitely helps to wear the right boot while working. Keep in mind though that any work boot you buy must not just focus on plantar fasciitis care features. It must also be a functional work boot too.
Here are some work boot characteristics to consider when looking for a good work boot that also helps prevent and ease the pain of plantar fasciitis.
1- Plantar Fasciitis Comfort and Preventative Boot Features
These are some of the key characteristics of work boots to focus on when shopping for work boots that ease the pain of or help prevent plantar fasciitis:
- Form-fitting insoles
We will talk more about fit later but having a boot that fits the contour of your foot is very important. This helps stabilize your feet inside your work boots. The more your feet are secure in your work boots and the more their freedom of movement is limited the better. This will go a long way toward preventing foot injuries. EVA foam insoles are a perfect example of foams that will slowly mold to your foot pattern over time.
- Softer/Flexible sole materials
Hard sole boots tend to be much rougher on the bottom of your feet in areas where plantar fasciitis typically occurs. That’s because they are so stiff that the shocks you feel when walking, running or going over terrain are being absorbed by your feet instead of the boot soles. Softer and more flexible boot outsoles tend to absorb some of the shocks of foot movement before they get your sensitive foot areas.
- Cushioned footbeds
Any padding inside your work boot will also provide you with some all-important shock absorption. This is true no matter where that padding is placed. Cushioned footbeds are especially useful at helping prevent plantar fasciitis injuries from occurring and for easing the pain associated with it.
Cushions and padded boot parts will also help the fit of any work boots you wear. This will stabilize your feet even more and help prevent injuries such as plantar fasciitis.
- Other shock absorbing features
Some work boot manufacturers add other work boot features that cushion your feet also. Examples of these include cushioning air and foam pockets placed between the insole and the outsole. Sometimes the heel area of a work boot will have special air cushioning built into it too. These types of features will definitely help prevent plantar fasciitis from occurring or becoming more aggravated if you already are suffering from it.
- Steel/Fiberglass Shanks
One of the best boot characteristics for helping to prevent plantar fasciitis is molded shanks built into the heel area. These are usually made of such things as steel, fiberglass or some sort of durable polymer plastic. These are another feature that will secure your heel better and give it more stability as you move around in your boots. So look for boots with this feature if you have previously suffered from a plantar fasciitis injury or you just want to do everything you can to help prevent plantar fasciitis.
- Perfect fit
This one may seem like a no-brainer but you would be surprised how many people don’t exchange work boots that don’t fit properly. Work boots that are extremely tight initially are not going to break-in to the point you are comfortable in them. Also, work boots that are way too big allow your foot to move around inside them too much. This can lead to foot injuries such as plantar fasciitis.
So do yourself a big favor and exchange any work boots where the fit is way off initially. We suggest you first wear your work boots around the house a day or two to see how they feel. That way you won’t mark up the soles so bad you can’t return them if you don’t like them.
2- Essential Workboot Features
So you now know what to look for in a work boot as far as one that prevents or soothes plantar fasciitis. But as we said, you also need other good qualities in any work boot you buy too.
Here are some boot characteristics you need to consider when shopping for any type of work boot:
- Upper Construction/Boot Height
The upper on any work boot you are thinking about purchasing is important for many reasons. These include durability, looks, chemical resistance, and waterproofing. Leather type materials seem to hold up the best in work environments and that’s why many of the best boot models use it for their uppers.
Boot height is important too. Usually the higher the boot the more support it gives your ankle area if you need it. The height of your boot is also important if you work around standing water, mud or other elements where the height will keep moisture out of your boots.
- Sole/Heel Construction
Most people don’t put much thought into the soles of the work boots they buy. This is not good because a proper sole is essential for any boot to be considered of good quality. High-quality soles such as rubber and special synthetics promote better traction on all types of surfaces and have anti-slip properties too. You also don’t want a sole that breaks down easily when contacting things such as grease and oil if you work in that type of environment.
So before you buy any work boot make sure you know what type of outsole it has and the benefits that particular outsole provides you with.
Some shanks for the heels are a nice support feature in any work boot you buy too. We already discussed the benefits they give you as far as helping prevent plantar fasciitis. They promote foot stability in the heel area which is highly beneficial for any number of reasons.
- Comfort Features
It does not matter how well any boot you buy will stand up to your work environment if it’s not comfortable. Look for features such as the following. They go a long way to keeping your feet feeling good on even the longest workdays.
- Gusseted tongue
- Padded collar
- Memory foam insole
- Flexible outsole
- Lightweight
Don’t let the last feature fool you. Top class lightweight work boots can also be exceptionally safe. Make sure you visit our article on that topic as well.
As a general rule; if your foot is comfortable inside your work boots it’s less likely to develop ailments.
- Waterproofing
Do you work around wet or muddy conditions? Maybe you do something like finish wet concrete. If you do any jobs that involve working around these conditions we suggest you consider buying waterproof or water-resistant boots. You certainly don’t want to have to move around in heavy, wet work boots all day long.
Waterproofing is usually done in one of two ways with work boots. The first is when a naturally water-resistant boot upper material is treated so that it becomes waterproof. The other way to waterproof a work boot is to line it inside with some sort of moisture blocking membrane. Either way will help keep your feet dry when you are working under wet conditions.
- Safety features
It’s never a bad thing to have safety features built-in to any work boot that you own. Some jobs even require buying a pair of steel toe work boots in order to work in certain areas. Here are some common boot safety features that are a bonus to have on any boot you buy.
- Electric surge protection
- Solid safety toe protection
- Anti-slip outsoles
As a general rule never rule out a work boot that has safety protection for something that might be a concern in your work environment.
- Warranty
Always look for a warranty that covers your new work boots for the longest time possible. You also want that warranty to cover every part of your new work boots. The more money you spend on any pair of work boots the more important the warranty becomes.
Pairing Up the Best Socks for Best Plantar Fasciitis with Your New Work Boots
If you want to ease the pain of plantar fasciitis or take further steps to prevent it, then try pairing up your new work boots with one of these great socks for plantar fasciitis:
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves for Men & Women |
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Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sleeves |
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Physix Gear Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support for Men & Women |
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ZaTech Plantar Fasciitis Sock, Compression Socks for Men & Women |
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1- SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves for Men & Women
Here are some compression socks that many users claim helps ease the pain of their plantar fasciitis. They are a medical-grade, FDA-registered foot health product that not only works great but also comes in an assortment of colors so they’ll go with any sport, casual or recreational wear you own.
Compression clothing is thought to support healing and aid comfort by increasing blood flow in the area they are placed. These shocks use specially made ribbing, arch supports, and padded heel areas to work their soothing magic on your aching feet. They work great for everyday use in all types of footwear.
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2- Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sleeves
Here is another compression sock that is highly regarded by those that suffer or have suffered from plantar fasciitis. It’s said that if you are a plantar fasciitis sufferer and you wear these socks overnight, you stand a good chance not to wake up with the customary morning foot pain that plantar fasciitis causes.
They use a combination of the small compression ribs woven into these socks and ankle, heel and foot support to speed healing and alleviate pain. They are a heavy-duty synthetic blend sock that will last you many months even with everyday use.
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3- Physix Gear Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support for Men & Women
Here is a very nice pair of compression foot sleeves that will help ease your pain if you have mild plantar fasciitis or other foot ailments. They not only offer the many benefits of blood circulation increasing compression, but they also have such therapeutic features as increased arch and heel support. They are said to work much better than night splints for relieving plantar fasciitis pain.
They are a sock that can easily be sized to fit both men and women. They also come in several different colors to match your outfit or your mood. They hold up well even after washing several times and they always retain their shape after washing too.
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4- ZaTech Plantar Fasciitis Sock, Compression Socks for Men & Women
These are another compression type sock that will help comfort your feet if you have plantar fasciitis and give you a better chance at keeping it from returning. Some people prefer these plantar fasciitis aids more than compression sleeves because they offer the comfort of being a full sock that covers the whole foot.
These are anatomically correct socks that have many built-in therapeutic and comfort features. These include such things as being lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and having breathable mesh zones that improve healthy airflow to your feet. They are made using 15% spandex and 85% advanced synthetic fibers.
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If You Work On Your Feet Proper Foot Care is Essential for Your Foot Health
Here are some important factors as far as improving your overall foot health goes:
- Develop a daily foot care routine.
This should include the following:
- Washing your feet immediately after getting home from work.
- Using lotions and removing dead skin to soothe your feet
- Learn stretches that can help prevent such foot ailments as plantar fasciitis
- Get a therapeutic foot massage once or twice a month
- Never put off getting foot ailments treated
Feet are one of the areas of the body that many people neglect the most. Make your feet and proper foot health a priority.
- Proper foot care is one of the most significant contributors to overall foot health. Its importance simply cannot be underestimated. The most significant part of your day is while you are at work. It’s essential you wear the right shoes or work boots if you work on your feet all day. This will significantly decrease your chances of getting foot ailments.
Not only must you wear a good quality shoe that’s comfortable but your work boots and work shoes must fit properly too **warmest hunting boots**. That’s why you should never hesitate to exchange a pair of work boots or works shoes that don’t fit you perfectly. You must be picky when it comes to fit with your footwear.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of a sturdy and therapeutic type sock for improved health also. All of the socks we reviewed here in this article offer good health benefits and extra foot comfort.
Summing Up Why You Need the Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is something that nobody wants to ever experience. The stabbing pain when first getting up in the morning or after a long workday at work can be so bad it’s debilitating. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to prevent it from happening like getting the best work boots for plantar fasciitis you can. If you already have it a comfortable work boot will help lessen the pain too.
We reviewed some of the top work boots for helping to prevent or cope with plantar fasciitis. If you pair them up with the best plantar fasciitis socks that combination will really help too. They even make steel toe shoes for plantar fasciitis. So there is no reason to suffer needlessly with this painful ailment. Follow the advice in this article and you will have no problem finding a pair of work boots that will help prevent and ease the pain of plantar fasciitis.