When I think of plantar fasciitis, I automatically cringe and think ouch! Anyone who has ever suffered from this condition knows exactly what pain is and how problematic it can be at work, especially if you have a job that requires physical labor.
How We Tested
We asked for help from foot specialists and professionals suffering from this condition to establish if work boots helped or hindered work and increased pain on the job.
We looked for standard protective capabilities like toe protection, and anti-slip heels. Durability, materials, and boot construction were considered.
But foremost on our list was the ergonomics of the work boot, could professionals stand on their feet for eight hours or more.
Our Selection
In the end, we chose the Wolverine Overpass Men’s Six-Inch Work Boot as our overall best work boot for professionals suffering from Plantar fasciitis. We liked the removable “Ortholite” footbeds and the polyurethane midsoles with superior shock absorption convinced us that these work boots would help workers with support and reduction of pain while protecting feet with composite safety toe caps.
Other work boots that merit attention for comfort are the Keen Utility Flint Low Work Boots. These are very comfortable work boots if you prefer low work boots. They feature removable metatomical EVA footbeds and dual-density midsoles EVA midsoles with improved shock absorption.
| Work Boot | Uppers | Soles | Safety | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverine Overpass Men’s Six-Inch | Leather and Textile | Rubber | Composite toe | Waterproof, Ortholite footbed |
| Timberland PRO Pit Boss Men’s | 100% leather | Rubber | Steel Toe | Comfort suspension technology, Goodyear Welt |
| Timberland PRO Rigmaster Men’s Waterproof | 100% leather | Synthetic | Steel toe | Waterproof, Anti-fatigue technology, Ortholite footbed |
| Keen Utility Flint Low | Nubuck | EVA | Steel toes, EH protection | Low-cut boot, Resistant to oil and slippage |
The Reviews
Best Overall Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
1.) Wolverine Overpass Men’s Six-Inch Work Boot
- Flexible, athletic Contour Welt construction moves with you by bending and flexing at essential points
- Premium waterproof leather with abrasion resistant toe
- Removable Ortholite cushioned footbed for all-day comfort
- Slip, oil, water, abrasion, and chemical-resistant outsole for added protection on the job site
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This pair of work boots from Wolverine boasts some great ergonomic features to aid you in both pain control and avoiding excessive pressure to worsen your condition.
Polyurethane midsoles are impressively shock-absorbing regardless of the surface you’re walking on. Ortholite footbeds do a good job of cushioning to help with pain management.
These boots also offer moisture-wicking properties in that the boot linings wick moisture away and a waterproof membrane to keep feet dry and comfortable, as well as odor-free. Composite safety toe caps keep feet safe from impact but don’t weigh down boots in the process.
The outsoles are resistant to both oil and slippage making this a comfortable but protective work boot, especially for professionals suffering from Plantar fasciitis.
Pros
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- Composite safety toe caps
- Outsoles resist oil, slippage, abrasion, and chemicals
- Waterproof membrane
- Ortholite removable cushioned footbed
- PU midsoles that absorb shock
- Moisture-wicking mesh lining
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Cons
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- Can initially seem a bit stiff
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Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis with Safety Toe Protection
2.) Timberland PRO Pit Boss Men’s Six-inch Work Boots with Steel Safety Toe
- STAY ON YOUR FEET: Our Pit Boss is everything a steel toe boot should be: Safe, tough & comfortable. These leather work boots meet ANSI safety standards and feature slip-, oil- and abrasion resistant outsoles for traction & padded top collars for comfort.
- SAFETY AND COMFORT: PRO 24/7 Comfort Suspension technology is a unique comfort system that meets the most rigorous work site demands -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It helps reduce foot fatigue, support the arch and cushion every step.
- A SOURCE OF PRIDE: We know you take pride in your work, so our soft-toed shoes and boots and steel-toe boots and shoes are designed to provide you with enhanced job performance day in and day out. Wear them at work well as at home with comfort & style.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For professionals requiring excellent impact injury protection, often a work boot with a steel toe is the preferred choice. These Timberland work boots from the PRO series have built-in steel safety toe caps for great toe protection.
Outsoles are manufactured in rubber and are resistant to abrasion, oil, and slippage, giving you a good grip despite Plantar fasciitis. What makes them great for this condition?
The midsoles are in PU and superbly cushioned for shock absorption, so if you work long shifts, these boots will help you out.
And they feature shock-diffusion plates for shock management and consequentially pain management as well.
Pros
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- Flexible Nubuck leather uppers
- Easy to keep clean
- Steel toe caps
- Outsoles resist oil, and slippage
- Goodyear Welt construction
- PU cushioned footbeds
- PU shock-absorbing midsoles
- Goodyear Welt
- Shock diffusion plates
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Cons
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- Sizing is somewhat narrow
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Best Waterproof Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
3.) Timberland PRO Rigmaster Men’s Waterproof Work Boots
- TRUSTED PERFORMANCE: Waterproof work boots built to provide workers in the oil and gas industries with exceptional slip resistance: steel toe boots designed for industrial traction, with anti-fatigue and shock-diffusion technologies for added performance.
- ANTI-FATIGUE TECHNOLOGY: A comfort system designed with shock-absorbing, geometrical technology that returns energy back to the foot to deliver all-day support and comfort.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Ortholite footbeds fight foot fatigue in these Timberland PRO Rigmaster work boots and PU midsoles are conical support feet all day long making them particularly efficacious for those suffering from Plantar fasciitis. A breathable mesh lining works to keep ventilation functioning and feet dry and comfortable.
Extras include padded collars and finger pulls to help you get your boots on. Outsoles are produced in polyurethane and offer resistance to slippage and oils.
Steel toe caps protect and are compliant with ASTM standards. Durability features are impressive thanks to Goodyear Welt construction and leather guards in boot areas that are exposed to more wear.
Pros
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- Cushioned Ortholite footbeds
- Antimicrobial treated mesh linings for breathability
- Conical PU midsoles
- Padded collars
- Pulls for easy pulling on and off
- Waterproof membrane
- Steel toes
- PU outsoles
- Goodyear Welt
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Cons
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- A bit stiff when brand new
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Best Slip-resistant Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
4.) Keen Utility Flint Low Work Boots
- Left and Right Asymmetrical Steel Toes
- Nubuck Waterproof Leather Upper
- Torsional Stability Shank (TSS) for Midfoot Support
- Removable Metatomical Dual Density EVA Footbed
- Oil- and Slip-Resistant Non-Marking Outsole
- Dual Density Compression Molded EVA Midsole
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
EVA dual-density footbeds and EVA midsoles cushion and absorb shock to assist in pain management. Uppers are made in water-resistant Nubuck leather that is flexible and helps keep feet dry.
For professionals that prefer a low-cut boot, these work boots still protect with steel toe caps. Outsoles offer substantial traction as they resist oil and slippage, and these boots offer EH protection.
Pros
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- Steel toe caps
- EH protection compliant
- Resistant to slippage and oily surfaces
- Nubuck leather uppers are water-resistant
- EVA midsoles and footbeds
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Cons
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- Steel toes add to the boot weight
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Plantar Fasciitis
The term “plantar” signifies the foot bottom. Considering that your foot bottom rests completely on work boots’ insoles or footbeds, the correct type of work boot can make a difference.
“Fascia” refers to the ligament in your foot that stretches from your heel to the toes, along the complete length of your foot. Its primary function is providing support for the arch of your foot.
Plantar fasciitis is the name for the medical condition where this ligament is extremely inflamed and exceptionally painful.
It also opens the door to more serious and painful injuries, because the ligament is more susceptible to small tears that can develop into something more.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Paralyzing pain is the number one symptom. The “fascia” is right smack in the middle of various muscles and nerves, so when it is inflamed, you’ll know it.
Pain can manifest itself in more than one way. These include
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- Stabbing heel pain
- Difficulty standing or placing pressure on the foot for lengthy periods.
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This pain can be terrible upon awakening in the morning because the foot is cold so to speak, and then fade some as it warms up through use. However, depending on the individual, it can be just the opposite.
Whether your pain worsens in the morning or at the end of the workday, simply said, it is awful and quite debilitating. If you suspect having Plantar fasciitis, see your doctor, and the sooner the better.
How Does One Develop Plantar Fasciitis?
Some common conditions that lead to the development of plantar fasciitis include:
1.) Being Overweight – Excess weight adds pressure to the fascia whether standing or walking. (Best Work Boots for Overweight Guys)
2.) Excessive Walking – If you walk on exceptionally hard surfaces for long periods it will strain and stress the fascia.
3.) Flat feet – This natural condition places more stress on the fascia.
4.) High arches – This is another natural condition that will pressure the fascia over time. (Best Work Boots for High Arches)
5.) Wearing bad shoes or footwear – Bad footwear will add strain to your feet because they lack proper foot support in design and construction.
The Benefits of Good Work Boots with Plantar Fasciitis
There are many reasons for looking for a pair of work boots if you are a professional suffering from Plantar fasciitis. Here are some noteworthy reasons to consider acquiring a pair of these boots.
Pain
If nothing else, the excruciating pain associated with Plantar fasciitis is a sufficient reason for finding the right work boots.
Once more this pain is constant and unrelenting, so any footwear that can alleviate the pain is worth the investment.
By reducing the pressure on your feet, you’ll reduce strain when having to stand on your feet for long periods on super hard surfaces.
See also: Can Concrete Floors Cause Plantar Fasciitis?
Increase Performance and Productivity
If you are not in constant pain, you will have more energy and better concentration while on the job. This will automatically improve work performance.
The reduction or the elimination of the pain associated with plantar fasciitis will also improve your ability to stand or work on hard surfaces for greater amounts of time.
You may also be able to prevent worsening the condition and an eventual need for surgery if you consult your medical professional, treat the condition, and wear the correct footwear.
Boot Features
What are some of the characteristics necessary for a quality pair of work boots for professionals suffering from Plantar fasciitis? We’ve detected some must-have qualities for the best work boots for this condition.
Breaking In
If you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, you will not want a pair of work boots that are stiff and require a great deal of breaking in. The pain will be unbearable. Look for boots that don’t require breaking in, or at the most very little.
Construction
The more flexibility that boot construction offers the better for your feet. A good construction method will also increase the durability of your investment.
Some construction methods allow for resoling like Goodyear Welt construction, so you won’t be tossing expensive wok boots anytime soon. Principal construction methods include
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- Cement construction
- Goodyear Welt construction
- Blake construction
- Molded construction
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Fit
Any good footwear will depend on the fit. You can have the best and most expensive pair of work boots on the planet, but if they don’t fit correctly, you’ll have a problem.
Fit should be secure and comfortably snug. Your feet should not move around within boots during wear.
A lace-up style can be a good option because it allows you to adjust how tight a fit is comfortable directly on your feet.
Footbeds
To relieve the pain in an inflamed ligament, contoured footbeds that are generously cushioned will take the shape of the foot and afford better support. Increased support will reduce the stress on the ligament, thus reducing inflammation and pain.
Heels
The way your heel sits within a work boot can either reduce pain or exacerbate it. Extremes such as high heel heights or flat heels should probably be avoided.
Look for a medium heel cup to limit the strain on the heel as much as possible and provide it with a comfortable position to rest in.
Materials
Quality materials correspond directly to comfort and durability. Full-grain leather, rubber, polyurethane, foam cushioning, and mesh linings are among the many quality materials you will want to look for when evaluating your investment in work boots. Spend a little more, but look for the best.
Midsoles
A primary stress factor in Plantar fasciitis is the need to stand or walk on hard surfaces for extensive periods. This will simply strain ligaments. A midsole that features shock absorption will reduce impact stress on feet ligaments.
Outsoles
Slippery surfaces will not aid you in your quest to reduce Plantar fasciitis pain. Hence outsoles that are resistant to both oil and slippage are good safety features to look for. An unfortunate foot movement while slipping can increase pain and ligament damage.
Safety
Depending on your profession, you may require work boots with safety features regardless of Plantar fasciitis.
Safety toe caps protect from impact injury in the toe area of your foot. You can find safety toes caps in
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- Steel
- Composite
- Alloys
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If you are even minimally at risk for impact injury from falling debris or tools, it is highly recommended to get work boots with safety toe caps. Plus, if you suffer from Plantar fasciitis pain, you may be slower in foot movement and in avoiding any sudden impact injury risks.
In Conclusion
When push comes to shove, the first thing you need to do is consult your physician for your treatment of Plantar fasciitis. Discuss any suggestions he or she can give and what type of work boot is recommended for your condition.
A final suggestion is to consider orthotic inserts for your work boots. These footbed inserts are placed in the boot bottom for improved cushioning and support and some can even be ordered specifically for your feet.
