Wearing the wrong boots on the job site can feel like torture after a long work day.
If you’ve got plantar fasciitis, the wrong work boots can literally be torture devices.
That stabbing pain near your heel. The pressure on the ball of your foot. The overall agony and foot fatigue.
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. This isn’t just painful, but can cause real damage.
Relieve your suffering with my seven favorite work boots for plantar fasciitis.
IN THIS GUIDE
How Did I Come Up With My List?
Since they’re built to be sturdy, it’s difficult to find work boots that can soothe your feet, regardless of whether you even have plantar fasciitis. With a little creativity and a lot of research, we got over this challenge.
Yes, I love doing hands-on research on boots, but we’re all built differently. When a long-suffering welder and warehouse worker tell you that one model of steel toes is better than the other for plantar fasciitis, you listen to them.
My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Thorogood Moc Toe
1.
Thorogood Moc Toe
The design of the Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe not only considers the heel pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis, but all the associated problems that typically come with it. Its comfort technology is sophisticated, from the clever lightweight lug design to the protective, soft, and actively supportive footbed. This boot is perfect for alleviating and preventing heel pain.
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The Thorogood Moc Toe boasts several features that prevent fatigue and pain, but they also ease pressure that may already be there. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you know that heel pain can often come at you in the morning after a hard day’s work.
This boot’s soft cotton lining is loosely woven and prevents damage from abrasion. The composite shank, built right into the outsole, is made from fiberglass. This provides stability that’s far more lightweight than even the lightest steel shank. It’s also shock absorbing and flexible, ideal for you loggers and firemen whose jobs require both sturdiness and agility.
Thanks to the dual-density foam footbed, your foot is cushioned and protected from the pressure of hard floors or being on your feet all day. The cushioned poron insole actively retains your foot shape without dulling each time you use it.
The rubber midsole—one of Thorogood’s distinct trademark features—is bendy and light, while the outsole’s lugs are comfortably unaggressive. Any kind of heel pain can cause additional strain to your ankle and knee, and this shallow tread prevents that. Still, the tread’s creative zig-zag waves provide excellent traction. It works smart, not hard.
Further Reading
Red Wing Vs Thorogood: Which Moc toe is Best? My ReviewDing ding ding. It’s time for the greatest moc toe debate of the century: Red Wing vs Thorogood. Which is right for you? Come find out once and for all.
Thorogood also makes their own polyurethane outsole, which lasts 25 percent longer than Vibram.
Its upper is made of durable full-grain leather, triple-stitched and Goodyear welted right here in the USA.
What I Like
The soft cotton lining prevents abrasion damage.
Providing shock-absorbing stability, the fiberglass shank is more flexible and lightweight than a steel shank.
The supportive dual density footbed actively maintains the contours of your foot, while also giving the soft comfort needed to alleviate plantar fasciitis.
Thorogood’s own polyurethane outsole features cleverly designed lugs for lightweight traction that protects you from ankle and knee pain related to plantar fasciitis.
This full-grain leather boot is made in the USA.
What I Don’t Like
During the break-in period, the upper’s triple stitching rubs uncomfortably on the top of your foot.
What Other Reviewers Say
From construction workers to warehouse guys, this highly rated boot is a popular choice for those with plantar fasciitis. True to its reputation, many reviewers are shocked at how light this heavy-duty shoe is.
A few mention that they didn’t experience a break-in period, but most report a short break-in anywhere from two to five days.
Many reviewers agree that this boot runs large, so you’ll want to size down.
The Verdict
The design of the Thorogood Moc Toe not only considers the heel pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis, but all the associated problems that typically come with it. Its comfort technology is sophisticated, from the clever lightweight lug design to the protective, soft, and actively supportive footbed. This boot is perfect for alleviating and preventing heel pain.
Best Overall
Thorogood Moc Toe
The design of the Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe not only considers the heel pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis, but all the associated problems that typically come with it. Its comfort technology is sophisticated, from the clever lightweight lug design to the protective, soft, and actively supportive footbed. This boot is perfect for alleviating and preventing heel pain.
Check PriceRead Our Review
Best on a Budget: Ariat Treadfast
Best on a Budget
Ariat Treadfast
Steel toe waterproof ruggedness at a very fair price. Ariat's nylon shanks and low heel drops are fantastic for those who need extra arch support.
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Sometimes, something as simple as fit can do wonders for pain. The Ariat Treadfast features a roomy toe box that secures your heel while also giving effective ventilation. This helps alleviate the swelling and inflammation that plantar fasciitis brings on.
Despite this support, the air-cooled memory foam provides low resistance, comfort, and flexibility. Pair that with a lightweight and shock-absorbing midsole, and you get a great balance of reinforcement and comfort.
The Ariat Treadfast is a genuine work boot, with a steel toe and an EH-safe design to safeguard you from electrocution, perfect for linemen and anyone else working with open wires.
What I like
Ariat’s signature fit gives a spacious toe box for breathable comfort to combat swelling.
Its air-cooled memory foam offers soft cushioning and heel support.
The midsole is sturdy, shock absorbing, and flexible.
What I Don’t Like
The outsole isn’t slip-resistant in wet conditions.
What Other Reviewers Say
Several reviewers who suffer from plantar fasciitis and general heel pain agree that the Ariat Treadfast is the best budget boot for comfort. Even reviewers whose shoe fell apart after a year (the lower end of the average lifespan), mention they’ll buy the same pair again because of how comfortable it is.
A few point out that the boot is comfortable enough for them, but use inserts to get the perfect fit, support, and cushion.
The Verdict
For a shoe easily that hovers right around $100, the Ariat Treadfast boot offers excellent support and pain alleviation. If you don’t find it perfectly satisfying, experiment with some inserts to fill in any comfort gaps. At this price, additionally shelling out for a pair of new insoles will still have you at a lower price point than the next best thing.
Best on a Budget
Ariat Treadfast
Steel toe waterproof ruggedness at a very fair price. Ariat's nylon shanks and low heel drops are fantastic for those who need extra arch support.
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Best Steel Toe: Timberland PRO Pit Boss
Best Steel Toe
Timberland PRO Pitboss Steel Toe
If you think it’s impossible to find a steel toe boot that’s equally as comfortable as a non-safety work shoe, allow the Timberland PRO Pit Boss to prove you wrong. Its asymmetrical toe is breathable and roomy, while Timberland’s Anti-Fatigue Technology brings energy back to your foot throughout the day.
The Timberland PRO Pitboss is equipped with an asymmetrical steel toe, which is roomier and more unobtrusive than a symmetrical one, with just as much protection. It also boasts a rugged nubuck leather construction, Goodyear welting, and a slip-resistant outsole that won’t mark the floors.
Despite this robustness, it’s virtually pressure-free, making it an efficient work boot for those with plantar fasciitis. For support and structure, its contoured shock-diffusion plate disperses heel discomfort and inflammation. Meanwhile, the open-cell foam footbed is soft and antimicrobial. The shock-absorbing midsole is also pretty flexible for such a big and robust shoe.
Timberland PRO is known for their proprietary Anti-Fatigue technology, which brings energy back to your foot. This helps reduce the pain generated from plantar fasciitis over time.
Further Reading
Timberland PRO Boondock Review: Is It the Best Work Boot for Long Shifts?Do you work long hours on your feet? Read our Timberland PRO Boondock review to find out if it’s the comfort game-changer your feet have been pining for.
What I Like
The asymmetrical steel toe provides roomy and breathable protection.
Its sophisticated comfort system includes shock diffusion and energy-returning Anti-Fatigue technology. This eases pain generated by plantar fasciitis and provides more comfort over time.
It’s a rugged and protective shoe, featuring a durable nubuck leather upper, a non-marking slip-resistant outsole, and a Goodyear welt construction.
What I Don’t Like
They run small and narrow, so definitely size up.
What Other Reviewers Say
The reviews of this boot are remarkably consistent. The Pitboss is a steel toe boot that doesn’t feel as heavy or burdensome as steel toe boots tend to be. Additionally, the break-in period is fast and easy—just a quarter of a mile walk around the neighborhood, in one case.
Another consensus? They run small and narrow. If you don’t size up, the back seam will likely irritate your ankle.
The Verdict
If you think it’s impossible to find a steel toe boot that’s equally as comfortable as a non-safety work shoe, allow the Timberland PRO Pitboss to prove you wrong. Its asymmetrical toe is breathable and roomy, while Timberland’s Anti-Fatigue Technology brings energy back to your foot throughout the day.
Best Steel Toe
Timberland PRO Pitboss Steel Toe
If you think it’s impossible to find a steel toe boot that’s equally as comfortable as a non-safety work shoe, allow the Timberland PRO Pit Boss to prove you wrong. Its asymmetrical toe is breathable and roomy, while Timberland’s Anti-Fatigue Technology brings energy back to your foot throughout the day.
Best Safety Toe: Ariat Endeavor Carbon Toe
Best Safety Toe
Ariat Endeavor Carbon Toe
This 8-inch boot has firm arch support and a thick nylon shank, plus very little drop in the heel, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for relief from plantar fasciitis or lower back pain.
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Armed with a carbon safety toe, the Ariat Endeavor offers exceptionally tough protection, while also being lighter than both metals and composites. Also, it doesn’t get as warm as steel toes, but is still EH rated. It’s an outstanding work boot for an electrician or a wireman.
Ariat is known for infusing athletic shoe technology into their boots. Their ATS comfort system supports and energizes your foot as you move, thanks to its rebounding cushion insole and a lightweight, shock-absorbent dual-density foam midsole.
Not only does this reduce pressure and fatigue, but it promotes good posture. This is an especially helpful quality if your plantar fasciitis is putting pressure on your knees,
The moisture-wicking footbed ensures a dry and odor-free boot at the end of a long day.
What I Like
The carbon safety toe is lighter and cooler than metal and composites, but still offers EH rated protection.
Ariat’s ATS comfort technology reduces the heel pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis, and also promotes good posture.
This shoe is impressively waterproof, even in heavy rain.
What I Don’t Like
Its large silhouette makes this boot quite bulky. It’s still light, but it’s difficult to get through tight spaces and to discern just how much power you have on your feet.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers love the lightweight protection of this Ariat. Many rave about the easy break-in period, comparing it to that of an athletic sneaker.
A few reviewers point out that the lightness in weight combined with the bulky shape and strong toe can be confusing. One farmer mentions that he once tried to separate one part of his wooden fence from the other by kicking it off, accidentally breaking one of the pieces of wood in half.
The Verdict
If you’re an electrician, a wireman, or are looking for an EH-rated safety toe without the extra weight and warmth, go for the Ariat Endeavor. Its posture-promoting ATS comfort technology also alleviates heel and knee pressure.
Best Safety Toe
Ariat Endeavor Carbon Toe
This 8-inch boot has firm arch support and a thick nylon shank, plus very little drop in the heel, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for relief from plantar fasciitis or lower back pain.
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Best Composite Toe: Carhartt CMF6366 Composite Toe
Best Composite Toe
Carhartt CMF6366 Composite Toe
If your plantar fasciitis is affecting your joints, go for the Carhartt CMF6366. It’s also an excellent boot if you need a safety toe that’s lightweight, EH-rated, and meets all the safety standards as a steel toe.
The composite toe on the Carhartt CMF6366 is 30% lighter than a steel toe, which obviously makes moving around easier. In addition to this, composite toes help reduce leg fatigue. If your plantar fasciitis is affecting your ankle or knees, this is a good shoe to consider.
Still, this boot meets the exact same safety standards as a shoe with a metal safety toe, even meeting EH standards of up to 18,000 volts in dry conditions.
On the pain relief front, this shoe combines stability and comfort qualities. It has an EVA midsole, similar to a trail running shoe, to deflect high-impact stepping. The polyurethane footbed is low density, with high elasticity, and soft texture.
It’s also equipped with a rubber outsole and heel bumper, which keeps you balanced even on uneven terrain. You can walk over rocky surfaces without putting pressure on your heel, toes, ankles, and joints.
What I Like
The composite toe is lighter and cooler than metal, while still meeting the same safety standards as a steel toe.
The EVA midsole, PU footbed, rubber outsole, and heel bumper provide relief from heel pain and joint pressure.
Carhartt’s FastDry technology wicks away sweat, which can aggravate plantar fasciitis.
What I Don’t Like
It’s embarrassingly squeaky the first few weeks in.
What Other Reviewers Say
Carhartt reviews praise this boot’s superior arch support, quick break-in time, and spacious toe box. Even those with extra wide feet find the Carhartt comfortable and roomy.
Reviewers who have worn this boot for far longer than I have report a two to three-year lifespan with regular use.
A common complaint is the squeaky insole. A few people claim to have returned the boot because of this, but I think they should have given it a few weeks. It eventually goes away once it’s perfectly conformed to your foot.
The Verdict
If your plantar fasciitis is affecting your joints, go for the Carhartt CMF6366. It’s also an excellent boot if you need a safety toe that’s lightweight, EH-rated, and meets all the safety standards as a steel toe.
Best Composite Toe
Carhartt CMF6366 Composite Toe
If your plantar fasciitis is affecting your joints, go for the Carhartt CMF6366. It’s also an excellent boot if you need a safety toe that’s lightweight, EH-rated, and meets all the safety standards as a steel toe.
Most Comfortable: Wolverine Overpass Boot
Most Comfortable
Wolverine Overpass Boot
Comfort plays a big factor in alleviating pain from plantar fasciitis. The Wolverine Overpass Boot is breathable, ergonomic, and flexible in the outsole, which provides a custom level of long-lasting relief.
The superior comfort offered by the Wolverine Overpass Boot comes from several sources.
The PU midsole is durably shock absorbing, while the OrthoLite footbed’s open-cell structure is airy, soft, and compresses less than five percent than regular foam. The result is ergonomic comfort and long-term cushioning.
OrthoLite technology is also 95% to 100% breathable, letting air circulate around and in the foam. This provides moisture-wicking and cooling properties. As mentioned, letting your feet get too sweaty in boots can aggravate your plantar fasciitis.
It’s built with Wolverine’s Contour Welt technology and MultiShox Comfort System, which utilizes individual compression pads that absorb shock, return energy, and allows the rubber sole to flex with your foot like an athletic shoe.
What I Like
A clever combination of ergonomic technologies provide nuanced and long-lasting comfort.
Wolverine’s Contour Welt Technology ensures the rubber sole bends and flexes with your foot like a sneaker does.
Waterproof membrane effectively keeps splashes and rain from seeping into the boot.
What I Don’t Like
It’s stiff in the beginning, but this goes away after a few days.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers love that this boot’s ergonomic qualities provide comfort that’s specific to your foot shape. One even points out how impressively soothing these boots are to his aches and pains, since he’s 300lbs and suffers significant joint and heel pressure.
A few reviewers mention that the soles aren’t as grippy as others, especially in dusty situations.
The Verdict
Comfort plays a big factor in alleviating pain from plantar fasciitis. The Wolverine Overpass Boot is breathable, ergonomic, and flexible in the outsole, which provides a custom level of long-lasting relief.
Most Comfortable
Wolverine Overpass Boot
Comfort plays a big factor in alleviating pain from plantar fasciitis. The Wolverine Overpass Boot is breathable, ergonomic, and flexible in the outsole, which provides a custom level of long-lasting relief.
Best Non Slip: Tecovas Knox
Best Non Slip
Tecovas Knox
This wedge sole roper offers more arch support and more comfort if you work long days standing on concrete. A lot of guys who struggle with knee or back pain find that the wedge sole is game-changing and allows you to go through a 12 hour shift without getting tired.
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The Vibram wedge sole on the Tecovas Knox helps a ton in keeping you from slipping and sliding in wet, oily, and dusty situations. Despite how heavy-duty its traction-strong polyurethane outsole is, it miraculously won’t mark your floors.
Tecovas outfits the Knox with a custom insole which absorbs shock, then brings that back to your foot as you walk.
The arch design is lightweight and flexible, serving up support to every foot shape and level of arch. And because the outsole is a wedge, there’s fantastic arch support, regardless of whether you’re on a ladder or on concrete.
So yes, thanks to this reliable cushioning, you can stomp around in these slip-resistant heavy-duty outsoles without putting pressure on your hotspots.
What I Like
Thanks to the wedge sole design, the outsole of this boot boasts superior traction, even in wet, oily, and dusty situations.
The Anti-Fatigue footbed and dynamic arch support system ensure that plantar fasciitis pain is lightened despite how heavy-duty the boot is.
It features finger grip pulls making it easy and comfortable to take this robust boot on and off.
What I Don’t Like
It can be difficult to slip on and off.
What Other Reviewers say
Most reviewers agree that the Tecovas Knox is a fantastic wedge sole shoe if you have heel pain or inflammation.
They also agree that getting them on can be a pain at first until they break in.
If you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis, you don’t want to overdo it when you’re breaking this boot in. Many suggest wearing them every other day, with each session lasting as long as you can, without pressure mounting. Some even suggest having someone who doesn’t have foot inflammation to break them in for you.
Regardless, it’s an involved process that many deem worth it.
The Verdict
Though you have to work to get there, the Tecovas Knox is a high-traction boot option that, eventually, soothes pain, even if you have plantar fasciitis. If you work in slippery conditions, go for this rugged piece of footwear.
Best Non Slip
Tecovas Knox
This wedge sole roper offers more arch support and more comfort if you work long days standing on concrete. A lot of guys who struggle with knee or back pain find that the wedge sole is game-changing and allows you to go through a 12 hour shift without getting tired.
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3 Key Things to Consider
When you’re looking for work boots, but suffer from plantar fasciitis, you absolutely must consider the following questions:
- Where do you feel the worst pain? Everyone who suffers from this condition will feel inflammation in the midfoot and pressure in the heel. If it’s worse in the heel, you must prioritize support and softness in that area. If the midsection is especially inflamed, you need breathability and room.
- Do you feel pain outside of your feet? Often, plantar fasciitis can also indirectly affect your ankles or knees. If your chosen boot is only alleviating your feet, the task is incomplete.
- Seek medical help. Bad plantar fasciitis can lead to other problems, like bone spurs, which will make the pain worse. If it’s unbearable, you can’t bend your foot downward, or you can’t walk normally, see a doctor.
Heal Your Heels
The Thorogood provides the most comprehensive pain treatment, while the Ariat Treadfast is affordable and flexible.
Ariat Treadfast
Steel toe waterproof ruggedness at a very fair price. Ariat's nylon shanks and low heel drops are fantastic for those who need extra arch support.
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If you’re looking for a safety toe, the Timberland PRO Pit Boss is a steel toe without the bulk of a steel toe. Meanwhile, the Ariat’s carbon toe and the Carhartt’s composite toe are both lighter and less prone to heating up than metal protection.
Thanks to its ergonomic approach, the Wolverine Overpass is comfortable to wear all day. Work in slippery conditions? The heavy treads on the Tecovas Knox have you covered.
Soothe your pain and work hard long days, even in the face of plantar fasciitis.
FAQs
Do boots help plantar fasciitis?
Yes, boots with the right support and comfort systems can reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis by alleviating stress and inflammation. Without this, the plantar fascia will inflame more.
Are Ariat work boots good for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, Ariat infuses work boots with athletic shoe technology. Many of their models offer arch support and all-day comfort.
What can you not do with plantar fasciitis?
While ice packs and cold compresses are a good way to relieve inflammation pain, never apply pure ice directly to your heel. This can create a backflow of fluid in the lymphatic system and make the inflammation worse.
