1 in 10 people suffer from plantar fasciitis in their lifetime. If you’re developing plantar fasciitis pain, then you know how debilitating the condition can be. Plantar fasciitis causes sharp pain in the heel area that can make it difficult to walk, let alone stand for long periods of time. And guess what…wearing the wrong type of shoes can make it worse! If you’re on your feet all day for work, then finding the right pair of work boots is essential. But don’t fret (we did the digging for you). Let’s jump feet first into the best work boots for plantar fasciitis available today.
What Are the Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis in 2022?
Here are the five best work boots for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis:
- Timberland Pro Pit Boss Work Boots: Best overall
- KEEN Men’s Milwaukee Work Boots: Best for arch support
- Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boots: Best for shock absorption
- Carhartt Men’s Ground Force Work Boots: Best for safety features
- Thorogood Men’s USA Made American Heritage Work Boots: Best for resistance and durability
Timberland Pro Pit Boss Work Boots
Overview
Timberland is one of the most trusted names in work boots, and the Pit Boss is one of their best offerings. These boots are designed with everything in mind and don’t miss the mark on a single thing.
The metal top hooks of these Timberland boots keep the laces in one place, ensuring a good fit that prevents the heels from moving around inside the boots and causing tension. And the boots’ breathable antimicrobial Cambrelle linings prevent odor accumulation for added convenience.
When it comes to protection, the Pit Boss has you covered there as well. These boots feature a steel toe that protects your feet from impacts and compression and PU midsoles that dissipate shocks effortlessly.
Plus, they provide perfect traction on the slippery surfaces that one would encounter in a construction work zone, as well as rubber abrasion, slip, and oil-resistant outsoles for added safety.
Highlights
- Metal top hooks keep laces in place
- Breathable antimicrobial Cambrelle linings
- Steel toe for impact and compression protection
- PU midsoles for shock absorption
- Rubber outsoles for slip resistance
Pricing
Our favorite plantar fasciitis work boots come at an extremely fair price, especially for the value you get out of them. They are some of the lowest-cost boots on our list.
Bottom Line
The Timberland Pro Pit Boss ticks all the boxes for the best work boots for plantar fasciitis. They’re comfortable, supportive, and slip-resistant – everything you need in a good pair of work boots.
KEEN Men’s Milwaukee Work Boots
Overview
KEEN is a trusted name in outdoor footwear, and their Men’s Milwaukee Work Boots are a great option for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.
These boots feature KEEN’s patented toe protection, which wraps the toes in a steel cap for added safety. They also have a contoured heel lock that helps to stabilize the foot and prevent slipping.
And for added comfort, these boots feature KEEN’s signature metatomical footbed design. This design provides remarkable arch support and cradles the natural contours of the foot for all-day comfort.
And the padded insoles are removable, so you can replace them with the best insoles for work boots if necessary.
Highlights
- Patented toe protection
- Contoured heel lock
- Metatomical footbed design
- Removable padded insoles
Pricing
The KEEN Men’s Milwaukee Work Boots are on the higher end of the price spectrum. But considering the features and quality you get, we think they’re worth the investment.
Bottom Line
The KEEN Men’s Milwaukee Work Boots are a great option for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. They’re comfortable, supportive, and slip-resistant – everything you need in a good pair of work boots.
Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boots
Overview
The Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boots are a great option for those suffering from plantar fasciitis because they are built for shock absorption. These boots feature a compression-molded PU midsole that absorbs shocks and cushion the feet for all-day comfort.
The cushioned footbed also aids in the prevention of stress transfer to the plantar fascia by providing excellent arch support and cradling the natural contours of the foot with Contour Welt construction.
And for added stability, these boots feature a nylon shank that prevents twisting and turning. Plus, their Multishox outsoles are multidirectional lugged rubber, providing excellent traction and allowing you to walk on almost any surface with confidence.
Highlights
- PU midsole
- Cushioned footbed
- Nylon shank for stability
- Multishox outsoles
Pricing
The Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boots are very expensive work boots. However, if shock absorpotion is your main concern, then these boots are definitely worth the investment.
Bottom Line
The Wolverine Men’s Raider Work Boots are one of the best options for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. While expensive, they get the job done better than almost any other boot on the market.
Carhartt Men’s Ground Force Work Boots
Overview
The cushioning-based layer and EVA midsoles with shock-absorbing inserts provide all-day comfort in these lightweight work boots. And the footbed was designed with maximum arch support to assist reduce foot tiredness. Both of these features are critical for people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
But what we loved the most about the Carhartt Men’s Ground Force Work Boots is its robust safety features. The waterproof design and sweat-wicking liner work together to keep your feet dry and breathing.
Impact resistance is delivered by composite safety toes and heel reinforcements, while the waterproof design works in tandem with them to keep you cool and comfortable.
On construction sites, their high-performance rubber outsoles give you excellent traction, grip, and flexibility even on rough surfaces. They’re constructed of Ground Force’s superior quality materials for long-lasting durability and comfort.
Highlights
- Cushioning-based layer
- EVA midsoles with shock-absorbing inserts
- Footbed with maximum arch support
- Waterproof design
- Sweat-wicking liner
- Composite safety toes and heel reinforcements
Pricing
The Carhartt Men’s Ground Force Work Boots are slightly more expensive than the Timberland Pro Men’s Pitboss Work Boots. However, we think the extra features are worth the price difference.
Bottom Line
The Carhartt Men’s Ground Force Work Boots are a great option for those who need all the safety features–and then some. They’re comfortable, lightweight, and will protect your feet no matter what the job throws your way.
Thorogood Men’s USA Made American Heritage Work Boots
Overview
With over a century of experience, Thorogood is a brand you can trust to deliver quality, durable work boots. And their Men’s USA Made American Heritage Work Boots are no exception.
These boots are made in the USA with full-grain leather uppers and Goodyear Welt construction for long-lasting durability. And the slip-resistant MAXwear outsoles provide excellent traction and resistance on any surface.
But what makes them one of the best work boots for plantar fasciitis is the removable, dual-density Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed. This footbed provides cushioning and support where you need it most–the arch and heel–to reduce stress on the plantar fasciitis.
Highlights
- Made in the USA with full-grain leather uppers
- Goodyear Welt construction
- Slip-resistant MAXwear outsoles
- Removable, dual-density Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed
Pricing
The Thorogood Men’s USA Made American Heritage Work Boots are the most expensive boots on our list. That being said, the quality craftsmanship and durability are worth the price tag.
Bottom Line
The Thorogood Men’s USA Made American Heritage Work Boots are the best work boots for plantar fasciitis if you’re looking for top-of-the-line quality. They’re made in the USA with full-grain leather uppers and Goodyear Welt construction. And the removable, dual-density Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed provides cushioning and support where you need it most.
What To Look For When Choosing Work Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
Contoured & Cushioned Footbeds
The plantar fascia is a thick ligament connecting the heel to the front of your foot. When dealing with plantar fasciitis, this ligament is inflamed, making it difficult to “shock absorb” and support your arch. When choosing a work boot, it is important to consider contoured and cushioned footbed. A contoured footbed is an anatomically shaped footbed that is adapted to the physiognomy of the human foot. This type of footbed is designed to adopt the foot’s natural shape and remove stress from the inflamed plantar fascia ligament.
Shock Absorbing Midsoles
Similar to the previous footbeds, shock absorbing midsoles are designed to absorb tremendous impact when treading on bumpy or sturdy surfaces for long periods of time. Instead of the impact being absorbed by your inflamed plantar fascia ligament, the force can be better distributed throughout the shoe with shock absorbing midsoles.
Medium Size Heel Cups
Medium sized heel cups help add balance to the foot. Be cautious of flat heel cups or deep heel cups, which can add strain to your heels or tension to other areas of the foot.
Snug Fit
This one might seem obvious, but if the goal is to alleviate tension from the plantar fascia ligament, then we need to ensure snug. Find a pair with strong laces to help keep your shoe in places no matter what kind of surface or terrain you are walking.
Safety Toes
Safety toe caps are a must have when it comes to work boots. Be sure to check whether your work boot includes steel safety toes, composite toe caps, or a sturdy alternative.
FAQ
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that causes heel pain and discomfort. The Plantar Fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, becomes irritated and inflamed. This can be caused by overuse, improper footwear, or an injury.
What are the Symptoms Plantar Fasciitis?
- Heel pain or discomfort
- Tenderness or inflammation along the Plantar Fascia
- Morning stiffness in the feet and ankles
- Difficulty standing or walking for long periods of time
How do you get Plantar Fasciitis?
There are a few ways to get plantar fasciitis, including overuse, improper footwear, or an injury. The most common cause is overuse, which can happen from too much exercise or from wearing the wrong shoes for your activity.
It is possible that plantar fasciitis can stem from bunions. If you have bunions, try shrinking them naturally to get at the root of your foot misalignment.
How do you prevent Plantar Fasciitis?
There are a few things you can do to prevent plantar fasciitis, including:
- Wearing the right shoes for your activity
- Stretching your calves and Achilles tendon before exercise
- Warming up before exercise
- Avoiding high impact activities if you’re at risk
How to get rid of Plantar Fasciitis?
There are a few ways to treat plantar fasciitis, including:
- Resting
- Ice and heat therapy
- Stretching and exercises
- Orthotic devices
- Surgery (in severe cases)
Wrap Up
When compiling our list of best work boots for plantar fasciitis, we included a mix of styles and price points to fit everyone’s needs. If you’re developing plantar fasciitis, it’s important to consider wearing work boots that focus on alleviating your plantar fascia: contoured and cushioned footbed, shock absorbing midsoles, and a snug fit. You’ll also want to make sure the boot has a safety toe cap, as this will help protect your feet while you’re working. With these features in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect work boot to help with your plantar fasciitis.
If you’re looking relieve foot pain in your down time, look into relaxing with toe spacers to help naturally realign your foot.
