Having comfortable work boots is vital, if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. Which brands and styles have the right arch support and cushion, so you can work without pain? Try these brands, if you searching for the best comfortable and supportive work boots for plantar fasciitis.
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Being on your feet all day at work can make plantar fasciitis heel pain even worse. Wearing the wrong work boots or shoes can injure your feet. Here are tried and true work boots that plantar fasciitis sufferers swear by.
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🥾 What to look for in a work boot
Work boots come in lots of different varieties, for different types of work. So, first, you need to determine what safety and functional features your work boots need to have, before you start shopping.
This will help you narrow down the type of boot you need.
Two most important features in work boots for plantar fasciitis
For plantar fasciitis sufferers, the top two features to look for are:
- Cushion in the heel
- Firm and substantial arch support
Cushion in the heel is especially important if you have plantar fasciitis pain every day or are in the middle of a flare-up. Since plantar fasciitis causes intense heel pain, work boots that have shock-absorbent, memory foam or a gel heel are especially comfortable.
Firm and substantial arch support is equally important in a work shoe for plantar fasciitis sufferers. Why? Wearing shoes without proper arch support is one of the causes of plantar fasciitis. Feet need arch support to function properly.
Also, wearing shoes with proper arch support regularly can improve or eliminate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. So, for shoes you will be wearing all day, it is very important that they have firm (not too squishy/soft) and substantial (tall enough) arch support to support you feet while you work and help them heal in the long run.
Safety and functional features
Depending on the type of work you will be doing, you may need certain safety or functional features in your work boots. Here are some of the features you may need to look for when shopping.
Safety toe - safety toes can be made of different materials, so you need to decide what type, if any, you need.
- Steel toe - steel safety toes are an industry standard for many occupations. They provide protection from falling objects and equipment.
- Composite toe - composite safety toes are non-metallic, so they are lighter than steel toe boots and can be used for those working in electrical environments. Also, since they do not conduct heat and cold, they are good for people working in extreme high or low temperatures.
- Alloy toe - alloy safety toes are made of aluminum, which is a lightweight metal. They provide the same level of safety as steel, but are lighter and a bit roomier in the toe box, since aluminum is thinner.
- Soft toe - a soft toe means that there is no extra layer of metal or composite material in the toe of your work boot. This may be acceptable footwear for your work, if your work does not require a safety toe.
Slip resistant
Electrical hazard prevention
Waterproof
Insulated
Static dissipative
Non-metallic
Metatarsal guard
Anti-fatigue
Height - boots come in different heights, so you need to decide if you want 6-inch, 8-inch, 11-inch high boots.
Pull-on vs laces - do you want boots you can just pull-on? Or, would you rather have the option to tie them and adjust the tightness? Usually, laces are better because you can adjust how loose or tight to secure the boots. After working all day, our feet tend to swell. So, it may be helpful to be able to loosen the boots when you need to.
The right size and width - Don't overlook the importance of buying work boots that are the right size for your foot and are the proper width for your foot. Try them on first before purchasing, if you can. Or, buy a pair that you can easily return, if they don't fit.
Other factors to consider are:
- Cost or your budget for a pair of boots
- If you have to order online, how much is shipping? And, how soon will they arrive? Can I return them, if they hurt my feet?
Timberland Pro
Timberland Pro - work boots with steel toe, alloy toe, composite safety toe or soft toe options.
Salomon
Salomon - athletic, hiking and sports shoes
Red Wings
Red Wings - work boots with safety steel toe and soft toe options, as well as waterproof boots.
Wolverine Raider
Wolverine Raider - shock absorbent work boots in various styles and features
Oboz
Oboz boots are typically thought of for hiking, but if you work in an environment that doesn't require a specialized work boot, hiking boots may be your best option. These rugged Oboz hiking boots are waterproof, non-slip and well made.
I wore these on a construction site 1-3 days a week for 6 months. This picture was taken at the end of the 6 months and you can see they are still in great shape, save for a few scratches and some dirt.
According to the shoe department employee at Whole Earth Provision, Oboz boots have even more firm and stable arch support than KEEN boots have. I asked him for a safety boot that could work on a construction site and to go hiking (so I didn't have to buy two pair) that have the support of Birkenstocks and he recommended these. I'm very happy with them! My feet didn't hurt once during the project.
KEEN
KEEN boots are typically thought of for hiking, but if you work in an environment that doesn't require a specialized work boot, hiking boots may be your best option. KEEN are a very good option for firm arch support.
Merrell
Merrell hiking boots have also been recommended as a good boot option that doubles as a work boot and a hiking boot for plantar fasciitis.
❓ FAQ
It's not the steel toe in your boots that can cause plantar fasciitis. If your steel toe boots do not have firm arch support or enough arch support and you wear them a lot, then they can cause or exacerbate plantar fasciitis. This is especially true if you are on your feet a lot. If possible, buy steel toe boots with firm arch support in the proper size for your feet and take breaks off your feet as often as possible at work.
The best kind of boots for plantar fasciitis have firm and substantial arch support, as well as cushion, gel or memory foam in the heel.
If the work boots you choose are the right size and width for your feet, have firm arch support and anti-fatigue features, especially cushion, memory foam or gel in the heel, then yes, they can help improve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
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