Plantar fasciitis is not something to be taken lightly. Wearing the wrong shoes can aggravate and inflame the fascia which can cause plantar fasciitis. There are many work boots on the market but not all of them can help keep your feet comfortable throughout the day.
If you have plantar fasciitis and are looking for comfortable but supportive work boots, we have some recommendations for you.
For the best work boots for plantar fasciitis, we recommend the Thorogood American Heritage 6” Moc Toe Work Boots for their removable shock-absorbing footbed These work boots also have fiberglass shanks that are lightweight and flexible which flex and move with the feet.
If you are looking for other work boots that can fit your needs, we have 6 other work boot recommendations that you can choose from to keep your feet comfortable and supported. We also have a couple of things to look out for when buying work boots for plantar fasciitis. This will help you choose work boots that can help if you are experiencing pain in your heels or have an inflamed fascia.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the foot when the plantar fascia gets inflamed. This is a tissue that runs along the base of the heel bone towards the ball of the foot. Plantar fasciitis happens when the fascia experiences repeated pressure from overuse of the ligament and other factors such as overstretching, wearing work boots that are worn out, or being on your feet for too long.
Plantar fasciitis can cause intense pain on the bottom of the heel or the arch of the feet making it difficult to walk or use the feet for different activities like running.
Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis
Since we use our feet all the time, it is common for most people to develop plantar fasciitis. As we talked about earlier, plantar fasciitis can cause pain in the bottom of your heel but, that is not the only symptom of this condition. Stiffness in the feet, especially early in the morning before taking your first few steps is common with plantar fasciitis. You can also experience pain in the arches of your feet and tightness in the Achilles tendon.
Plantar fasciitis can occur in both feet at once. If you have severe pain in your heel, it is best to go and see a doctor for treatment. A general practitioner may refer you to a physiotherapist or a podiatrist, which is a foot specialist. Most people with plantar fasciitis do physical therapy for exercises or be asked to wear orthotics to cushion their heels.
Best Work Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
If you are on your feet all day and worried about developing plantar fasciitis or already have the condition, wearing supportive shoes can help reduce the pain.
We have 7 work boots that are comfortable and can support the feet if you have plantar fasciitis.
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Thorogood American Heritage 6” Moc Toe Work Boots for Men – Soft Toe, Premium Full-Grain Leather with Slip-Resistant Wedge Outsole and Comfort Insole; EH Rated
For those who are on their feet all day, the Thorogood American Heritage 6″ Moc Toe work boots have a removable shock-absorbent footbed that absorbs impact and keeps the feet comfortable. The dual-density polyurethane (PU) material is concentrated under the heel and ball of the footbed where the impact is usually the hardest.
These Thorogood work boots also have a Maxwell Wedge Slip-resistant Outsole which also absorbs impact, protecting your feet and ankles when walking on hard surfaces. Since the footbed has absorption properties, it can wick away moisture and sweat keeping your feet dry and comfortable throughout the day. The fiberglass shank construction of these work boots gives you a lightweight, flexible, and strong shank. This helps maintain the shape of the boot making them last longer.
Thorogood also has a Goodyear welt construction which attached the sole to the leather upper making the boots wear-resistant and sealed from moisture. Another good thing about these work boots is that they meet the ASTM F3445-21 slip-resistance standards and the ASTM F2413-18 or ASTM F2892-18 Electrical Hazard safety standards. These work boots are rated EH so they are perfect for people who work in the electrical industry.
Users have said that these boots are comfortable to wear throughout the day. These boots are not waterproof but some users applied a little bit of wax to make the boots water-resistant. Users have also said that the boot itself is flat but has decent support for normal arches. You might have to insert your own insoles if you have high arches if you plan on getting these boots.
Pros | Cons |
Have removable shock-absorbing footbeds | Not waterproof |
EH rating | Size runs large |
Slip-resistant outsoles | Might not have much support for people who have high arches |
Goodyear welt construction | Not Steel toe |
CAT Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe Work Boot
If you are looking for a work boot that will last long, the CAT Men’s Second Shift Steel Toe work boots have a Goodyear welt construction that provides both durability and flexibility. This means you won’t be wearing out the boots anytime soon, letting your plantar fascia be less inflamed which can be caused by wearing worn-out footwear.
The steel shank of these work boots will also offer added support and stability to your feet which can provide a more stable footing. The padded ankle will also provide stability as you go through your work day, keeping the ankle secure and less prone to injury.
This CAT work boot has a removable PU sockliner which provides all-day comfort for your tired and aching feet. If you have your own insoles or orthotics, you can use them for your plantar fasciitis instead of the CAT’s sockliner for better relief.
These steel-toe work boots are also OSHA approved which can protect your feet against impact and compression. These boots can also be worn by people in the electrical field as they are EH-rated. This can protect you against open circuits up to 600 volts under dry conditions.
Most users have said that these boots are easy to break into and are very comfortable. The boot itself is lightweight for a steel-toe boot and does not add to any foot pain. The boots are not waterproof so these might not be for you if you primarily work in wet conditions. Some users used mink oil to make the boots water-resistant. If you coat these boots with mink oil, the boots will become darker in color.
Pros | Cons |
Goodyear well construction | Not waterproof |
Removable PU sockliner | |
Steel safety toes | |
EH rating |
Skechers Men’s Sergeants-Verdict Waterproof Boot Fashion
Skechers may be the last thing on your mind when it comes to working boots as they are primarily known for athletic and casual stylish shoes.
Skechers is also known for its comfortable footwear and these boots are no exception. The Skechers Men’s Sergeants-Verdict boots are made from 100% leather and have a 100% waterproof Nubuck leather upper. These work boots have a cushioned insole that will keep your feet comfortable throughout the day. The memory foam insole is soft and compressible which molds to your feet. It has an added cooling effect which keeps your feet warm and dry. The lugged outsole can provide traction and stability when used in rough terrains.
Users have mentioned that these boots need a couple of weeks to break into but when they do, the boots are very comfortable to wear. These boots do not have an arch but the memory foam mold to your feet. This is great for people with all kinds of arches to give them that extra support they need. Some users have said that the size guide is accurate but some mentioned that the boots did not fit their wide feet. The boots also feel heavy to some but they do feel sturdy and durable.
While these boots are called fashion boots, users have said that they are also great boots to use for work. Do keep in mind that these are not steel-toe and have no EH rating.
Pros | Cons |
Waterproof | Needs time to break into |
Cushioned insole | Quite heavy |
Heavy-duty lugged outsole | Not rated as safety boots |
WOLVERINE Men’s Overpass Mid Cm Boot
The Wolverine Men’s Overpass work boots are made from premium waterproof leather. These boots have abrasion-resistant toes which meet the OSHA safety boot requirement. People with inflamed fascia will benefit from the boots’ advanced comfort polyurethane midsole.
The Wolverine Overpass boots have a removable OrthoLite® cushioning footbed that molds to your feet for all-day comfort. Aside from the OrthoLite® technology, these boots also have a ContourWelt® technology. This means that the boots conform and flex the same way your feet move. With a nylon shank, these boots will provide extra strength and flexibility that will keep your feet supported throughout the day.
The lightweight and shock-absorbing outsoles can keep your plantar fasciitis at bay and prevent it from flaring up even further.
Users have said that these boots need time to break into and are very comfortable after the breaking period. Users have also said that the waterproof leather holds very well and stayed waterproof for a long time. Most users said that the boots fit well but they do run small so they needed to size up and some said that the toe box is too tight.
Pros | Cons |
Waterproof | Boots run small |
OrthoLite® and ContourWelt® Technology | The toe box may feel too tight |
Lightweight and shock-absorbent | |
EH-rated composite toe |
Timberland PRO Men’s Pit Boss 6 Inch Soft Toe Work Boot
Timberland makes high-quality work boots and the Timberland Pro Men’s Pit Boss is one of their popular boots.
This work boot has the Timberland Pro® 24/7 Comfort System™ which provides a unique-comfort system 24/7. This technology will help reduce foot fatigue and supports the arch for all-day comfort. These boots will keep your feet comfortable, especially if your plantar fasciitis is on the verge of flaring up.
These work boots meet the ASTM F2412-18a and ASTM F2413-18 I safety toe standard and the ASTM F2412-18a, ASTM F2413-18, ASTM F2892-18 Electrical Hazard rating. Since these are steel-toe work boots, they can be quite heavy.
Users have said that these boots are heavy-duty and very stiff. They require a break-in period for them to be comfortable. While most users deem these boots comfortable, some of the said that the boots have little flex and do not contour to their feet that much even after the break-in period as the material is very stiff.
Pros | Cons |
Steel toe | Stiff material |
EH-rated | Long break-in period |
24/7 Comfort System™ Technology | Quite heavy |
KEEN Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6″ Leather Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boots
These Keen work boots are made from 100% fabric and they meet the OSHA safety requirement as well as the Electrical Hazard standards. The Keen Utility Men’s Pittsburgh 6” work boots have removable polyurethane insoles which you can change into your own insoles or orthotic inserts. The Keen Key-Tech™ technology offers flexibility and stability to the boots which keeps your feet comfortable but still protected.
These boots have an EVA footbed which provides excellent arch support. This is a great feature for people who have plantar fasciitis. The 90-degree heel provides added stability and keeps the feet in place.
These Keen boots also have a waterproof membrane which keeps your feet dry in wet conditions. The breathable KEEN.Dry™ wicks moisture away and lets the moisture escape. Aside from being waterproof, these boots are also oil and slip-resistant which can provide you with ease of movement throughout the day.
Users have said that these boots are true to size and have a great fit. These work boots are also durable but quite heavy as most users have said. Like most footwear, these boots do need a breaking period and you can form blisters if the boots are not broken in properly. Some users also said that the boots have a tighter fit for their wide feet.
Pros | Cons |
EVA footbed | Heavy |
Steel toe and EH-rated | May feel tight for people with wide feet |
Slip and oil-resistant outsoles |
Carhartt Men’s CMF6366 6 Inch Composite Toe Boot
For plantar fasciitis, great support in footwear is a must. The Carhartt Men’s CMF6366 has an EVA midsole with cushioned polyurethane insole that offers support and absorbs shock and impact from walking. These boots also prove great traction and flexibility with its Rugged Flex® rubber outsole.
This Carharrt work boots meet the ASTM 2413-18 safety toe standards with their composite safety toes as well as meet the ASTM 2413-18 EH standards. These work boots can protect your feet from electrical circuits of 18,000 or less under dry conditions.
These boots are not waterproof but some users put a waterproofing agent to make the Carhartt boots waterproof or water-resistant.
Users have said that these Carhartt work boots are durable and comfortable to wear for longer periods. They have also said that these boots do not need a long break-in period. While users have said that these boots are comfortable, the tongue of the boots feels uncomfortable at times as they do not sit comfortably against the boots. Users with flat feet have said that the boots feel uncomfortable for them and offer little arch support.
Pros | Cons |
EVA midsole and cushioned insole | Might offer little arch support for people with flat feet |
Composite safety toe caps | |
EH-rated |
What To Look For In Work Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can be intensely painful and wearing the wrong work boots can only aggravate and cause the fascia to flare up even more. Here are some of the things to consider when buying work boots if you have plantar fasciitis:
Shock-absorbing Midsole And Cushioned Insole
Plantar fasciitis causes intense pain in the heel. When you wear work boots with cushioned insoles and shock-absorbent midsoles, they can help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain, especially when you are on your feet all day. The boots in our article have cushioned insoles and most of them have shock-absorbing properties that can help with your plantar fasciitis.
Fit
If your work boots are too tight, they will cause pressure on your feet and can cause plantar fasciitis. Make sure that the work boots fit you correctly to avoid flaring up the fascia. While work boots that are too large will feel unstable and have no support. It won’t keep your heel in place when you walk making your feet more prone to injury. Be thorough about the sizing chart and check if the store has a return and exchange option, especially if you are buying work boots online.
Slip-resistant
Slip-resistant work boots can make you feel at ease when you work and you won’t have to worry about slipping and further hurting your feet. Work boots with oil and slip-resistant features help with traction and keep your feet safe. Most of the work boots in our recommendation list have oil and slip-resistant features.
Conclusion
For the best work boots for plantar fasciitis, we recommend the Thorogood American Heritage 6″ Moc Toe Work Boots. These boots have shock-absorbing footbeds which can absorb shock and impact when in use.
We have also recommended other work boots so you can choose what fits your needs. Please keep in mind that these are just recommendations and are not a treatment for plantar fasciitis. If you are experiencing intense pain in your feet, make sure to visit your doctor so they can recommend proper treatment for your plantar fasciitis.
Having said that, we do hope our recommendations help you choose work boots that will keep your feet comfortable throughout the day to help with plantar fasciitis pain. If you have any questions, let us know via the contact form on our website.