Most people with plantar fasciitis agree that taking care of healing our feet can take excessive amounts of time and energy which we just don’t have! Your podiatrist tells you that you need to roll out your arches every day, ice them, wear custom orthotics, buy supportive shoes, and consistently be cautious of the activities you engage in.
Although taking care of plantar fasciitis can be a pain, there’s a way that you can help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis without even thinking about it, during your day-to-day activities. How, you say?
Compression socks! There are many benefits to wearing compression socks. In this article, I’m going to share with you the best plantar fasciitis socks on the market so that you can worry less about your feet, and help expedite the healing process. Let’s get started.
Do Compression Socks Help Plantar Fasciitis?
If you’ve never heard of compression socks before, don’t worry. You’re not alone. I was not aware of them either until a friend suggested them to me. Only after purchasing and wearing my first pair did I realize the benefits of using them to heal plantar fasciitis.
Compression socks are specially designed with graduated compression zones along key areas of the feet. Those areas may include heel, ankle, and/or Achilles. For those of us with plantar fasciitis, the most important zone of compression is at the arch of the foot.
Compression socks help promote blood flow and improve circulation throughout the foot. They help stabilize the feet and keep the fascia ligament stretched. All of these features help aid in the proper healing of plantar fasciitis.
Many people wear them throughout the day with their socks and shoes. They can also be worn overnight to help stimulate blood flow while you sleep.
Best Plantar Fasciitis Socks and Sleeves Reviews
Not all compression socks are created equal. They can be made with varying types of fabric, with varying compression zones, and even varying lengths from low cut to high cut on the ankles. I’m sure you’ll find a sock that will suit you and your lifestyle needs from the top 5 compression socks for plantar fasciitis listed below.
1. Feetures Elite Merino+ Socks
Physix Gear Sports came out with the best plantar fasciitis foot sleeves available. These socks are highly rated for their comfort level, their solid construction, and the benefits users have gained from wearing them.
These compression socks are breathable and minimal, able to be worn under socks with shoes without taking up too much extra room. They stay out of the way while still being helpful and healing for your feet.
They are also made with moisture-wicking technology so that your feet stay dry and free of sweat. This also helps reduce odor causing bacteria from forming in your socks and shoes.
These socks brace around the ankles as well and feature a compression at the bottom of the sleeve. The sleeve support is targeted in the splint area to provide all day relief without being constricting.
Even after wearing and washing multiple times, these socks retain their shape and firm compression. The high quality of these socks from Physix is what makes these the best socks for plantar fasciitis.
Physix even backs this up with a 30-day money back guarantee. They are so confident in their product that they will happily take back any products that are not to their customer’s liking.
- Durable
- Supportive
- Minimal
- Some mention too tight
2. Plantar Fasciitis Socks with Arch Support
Next up, we have the Feetures Merino+ Socks. As per the name, these socks are made with Merino wool which is a special material that is special for a number of reasons.
Merino wool is special because it is able to breathe and manage moisture better than any other fiber. Merino wool is also better at moving moisture away from the skin, so even if the fabric is wet, your skin will feel dry. It’s great material to wear all year round.
Feetures uses their patented Sock-lock technology to ensure proper compression in the areas that you need it most. The Merino wool paired with the anatomical design keeps blisters from forming on your feet, a somewhat common complaint of other compression socks.
The heel pull tab fits snug on your feet. This helps to keep the sock from slipping when in shoes, also another common complaint of foot sleeves for plantar fasciitis. High density cushioning has been added to the areas of the feet that endure the most impact.
People love how durable these socks are, and the merino wool is a real game changer. They come in a variety of colors. A word of caution: the pink color has been known to run and stain other clothing and shoes.
- Merino wool- dry, comfortable, odor-free socks
- Firm compression
- Pink color runs- be careful!
3. Bitly Plantar Fasciitis Socks
The Bitly Plantar Fasciitis socks may not have that sweet Merino wool, but they’re still made comfortable and durable with a hygienic fabric that wicks moisture away and doesn’t trap air. This keeps your feet cool and dry even during your most intense activities.
Targeted compression zones help alleviate foot pain and improve blood circulation throughout the foot. They are made with interlocked stitching creating a strong supportive base to support your feet.
Good compression means that they won’t slip down your feet. They’re also able to be worn under socks and with shoes- they’re thin enough. They are comfortable enough to wear all day and even throughout the night to get some overnight relief.
They come in a variety of colors as well to match your mood. Make sure to measure your arch length before choosing a size to avoid any hassle of returns. Some people mention quality issues with these socks, but I think this is due to incorrect sizing.
- Breathable, lightweight fabric
- Durable construction
- Color options
- great to wear under work boots or hiking boots
- Quality issues
4. Foot Sleeves Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sock for Men & Women
The Foot Sleeves from CompressionZ are a great option for people who want more ankle support. These compression socks offer graduated compression in the key areas of the feet as well as ankle coverage. They’ve added a compression zone for the Achilles tendon as well for those who need it.
They are well-insulated, keeping your feet cool and dry. They are made anti-static as well, reducing friction when worn in shoes. This helps prevent blisters from forming on your feet.
They fit snug around the feet while still allowing for full range of motion. Many will find that these socks offer a softer, less intense compression than others. These may be well-suited for people who need a little less support in the ankles.
These socks are durable and retain their shape after washing. They don’t slip or move in your shoes. These are some of the best compression socks available. With many color options, you may want to get more than one pair!
- Graduated compression
- Anti-odor & anti-static
- Softer compression
- May not be enough compression
5. Plantar Fasciitis Foot Care Compression Sock Sleeve
Buttons and Pleats completes our list with their Compression Sock Sleeve. These are lightweight socks that maximize blood flow by hugging the feet in those target areas where they need the most help.
High quality construction ensures that these socks stay durable and retain their shape even after washing. They can be worn under athletic socks as well as daily wear due to their high comfort level, minimal style, and low profile design.
Since they are lightweight, they do not get hot after worn for long periods of time. They keep sweat at bay and keep your feet dry and cool.
You only get one color to choose from: black. As these are worn under socks most of the time, this shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
Ensure correct sizing before buying. This will ensure that the socks aren’t too tight or too loose on your feet. This will also ensure quality- the correct sizing will lower the chances or rips or holes occurring in the socks.
- Graduated compression
- Keep feet cool
- Lightweight
- One color- black
Conclusion
The right pair of plantar fasciitis socks can improve your quality of life beginning with healing your plantar fasciitis pain and subsequently allowing you to focus on the important things in life. There are many compression socks available, but only these five are known for providing the best support and durability for the money.
Whichever pair you choose, I wish you best of luck in your healing process! Here’s to happy, healthy feet.
Product images sourced from Amazon.com.