Best Socks for Plantar Fasciitis Fully Reviewed
James
Where do we start when we talk about the plantar fasciitis socks? Nothing can sabotage your fitness goals faster than a chronic injury. If you have pain in a heavily used area, it is especially frustrating.
Equally frustrating is a condition called plantar fasciitis. It is an inflammation in the fibers connecting your heel and toes. Its symptoms are pain and tenderness on the bottom of your feet.
You can treat plantar fasciitis with ice, over the counter pain relievers, rest, and stretching.
You can also relieve the pain with special socks for plantar fasciitis. These put pressure on the inflamed area. Compression socks may not get you moving again, but they can reduce pain in the meantime. Read on and learn about the top ten plantar fasciitis compression socks we found in our research.
Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
Sox Sport Compression Socks
Orthosleeve FS6
Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve
SureSport Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Sleeve
Feetures Elite Sock
Rymora Plantar Fasciitis Foot Compression Sock
U Men’s Hyoptik
Bitly Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Brace Socks
CEP Women’s Progressive+
This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:
5 levels of graduated compression
Enhanced arch support
Firm but flexible
Antimicrobial
10 Plantar Fasciitis Socks Reviews
1. Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
Long lasting
Vent holes
Uses organic wool
Company tests each product
Expensive
This tough organic wool sock uses European engineering with ventilation holes so your feet won't sweat.
Read moreWool blocks odor naturally, as well, and eases the pain of blisters while also preventing new ones. The plantar fasciitis socks will reduce friction, even when you are highly active.
The socks are machine washable. Rockay promises the socks will not fall apart after multiple wash cycles, too. Each pair of socks is tested, and Rockay is confident that you will get years of use out of these socks.
Another clever feature is the elastic cuff. It keeps dirt and tiny pieces of rock from getting in and irritating your feet. As any runner knows, a few pieces of sand can derail an entire outing by rubbing against your skin or getting trapped beneath your foot. Compression centers on your arches.
These all-natural plantar fasciitis socks are a great value that will treat your pain while keeping your feet cool and dry.
2. Sox Sport Compression Socks
5 levels of graduated compression
Enhanced arch support
Firm but flexible
Antimicrobial
May not be enough compression for people with severe plantar fasciitis
The Sox Sports compression sock provides 5 levels of graduated compression to battle the pain of plantar fasciitis.
Read moreThese plantar fasciitis socks deliver a high degree of stability to ensure that your foot is correctly aligned in your shoe for walking. They provide enhanced support to the arch, making the sock ideal for people who either over or under pronate. The firm support will keep the arch mostly immobilized so that micro-tears can heal quickly.
The socks for plantar fasciitis are low cut, for wearing with shorts, and they come in three different colors.
The Sox Sports compression sock is a stylish and comfortable sock. It delivers efficient moisture-wicking and is also both antibacterial and anti-static. These plantar fasciitis socks are firm yet flexible, providing you with a more excellent range of motion.
The socks are low cut, for wearing with shorts, and come in three different colors. The material is breathable. The socks are made of silver drystat polypropylene, Lycra, Nylon, and Spandex. The socks are infused with silver, and the polypropylene stops bacteria from growing, so your feet stay fresh and clean.
3. Orthosleeve FS6
Enhanced plantar support
Breathable and airy
Reduces swelling
Anti odor properties
Sizing chart inaccurate
Orthosleeve FS6 socks have a low profile design with a toeless end, making for an exceptionally airy and breathable feel when you wear the socks.
Read moreThe fabric is a blend of 76% micro-nylon and 24% spandex to give you a light and flexible form. The sock will feel a little tight when you first wear it, but it breaks in quickly, and soon you will forget you are wearing it.
The Orthosleeve FS6 sock provides enhanced support and comfort where the fibers meet the heel to bring immediate and lasting relief to your plantar fasciitis pain. The graduated compression increases blood circulation to bring in extra oxygen and nutrients while removing lactic acid and excess water.
These socks for plantar fasciitis come in five colors, including bright pink and yellow. The sock provides pain relief by stretching the fiber when you wear it. There are odor blockers in the plantar fasciitis socks, and they can be customized for a perfect fit. The fibers are breathable and will let you move.
4. Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve
Rigid plantar support
Breathable and airy
Open toe design
Machine washable
A little tight for some people
The Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve is supportive, responsive, and lightweight, so you get exceptional support and comfort.
Read moreThe toeless design enhances the breathability and airiness of the support, providing moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial properties. The rigid support around the heel and midfoot keep the plantar area adequately aligned while you walk. This sock offers enhanced padding to keep your hot spot areas protected throughout the day.
The Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve offers lightweight support with a reasonable degree of mobility. It will ensure that the foot area remains cool and dry with its moisture-wicking abilities. You will stay cool, dry, and comfortable all day while you wear these socks for plantar fasciitis. You can wear them at all times during healing, even when you sleep, provided you have more than one pair.
These socks are 100% polyester and can go in the washing machine. Many similar products have to wash by hand. These plantar fasciitis socks promise a quick response when you first get out of bed, or after sitting for a long period. Often, those first few steps will be the worst. It is an effective product that you can rely on.
5. SureSport Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Sleeve
Comfortable and breathable
Keeps ankle correctly aligned
Graduated compression
Coolmax fabric fights sweat
Socks are not sold in pairs
The SureSport Plantar Fasciitis ankle sleeve has a toeless design which can be worn under the slock or by itself, giving you discreet graduated compression throughout your day.
Read moreThe bulk of the compression is centered around the heel and ankle, providing immediate relief from plantar fasciitis pain. The sleeve does a decent job of keeping your ankle in the correct alignment while you wear it.
These special socks for plantar fasciitis are flexible and breathable, preventing your foot from overheating or itching. It has built-in antistatic and antibacterial properties, in addition to odor control. Be aware that your purchase is for a single sock, not a pair as is the case with most products.
The sewing inside the sleeve is meant to emulate the figure-eight shape you would use with sports tape. Coolmax and Lycra make up the fabric. Coolmax has sweat fighting properties, and the Lycra is known for being breathable. Sizes are based on shoe size, and go up to size 10.5 for women and 13.5 for men.
6. Feetures Elite Sock
Can help with other conditions
Breathable
Flexible
Cost effective
Not specifically made to treat plantar fasciitis
This lightweight toeless sock from Runner FX will support your arch, bolster your ankles, and give relief for bone spurs, all while relieving your plantar fasciitis and promoting healing.
Read moreCompression benefits are targeted in the splint area and also extend to the bottoms of your feet to help with the inflamed plantar fascia. The socks for plantar fasciitis help increase blood circulation, too, ridding you of that tingly or heavy feeling you may get in your legs on first standing up.
The nylon and polyester blend fabric promise to repel moisture, and the fabric is thin enough to let your feet breathe, discouraging itching or excess sweat. Your feet will remain dry, with no feeling of constriction. The plantar fasciitis socks are flexible enough to allow for free movement of your foot.
7. Rymora Plantar Fasciitis Foot Compression Sock
Shock absorber bottoms
Thin and sweat free
Ergonomic design
Thin enough to use with other pain aids
May fit a bit snug
The Rymora compression sock supports your entire foot while relieving plantar fasciitis pain and aiding in recovery.
Read moreThe compression in the socks will also increase blood circulation while it lessens the inflammation. Rymora designed their socks with comfort in mind. The blend of nylon and elastane in the fabric makes for a breathable product, with a generous bit of giving, that is durable and will last a long time. The nylon is lightweight to cut down on sweating, and your foot feels free to move inside the socks.
Another feature of the Rymora socks is how ergonomic they are. They do not limit your range of motion. You can wear them alone or under your favorite socks, with no discomfort or extra heat. The plantar fasciitis socks are made to be worn during physical activity, while you sleep, as you sit at a desk--you could make these your favorite socks and wear them every day if you wanted.
Extra fabric on the heel gives you shock absorption, reducing the impact of walking or jogging on hard surfaces. You can use the socks for plantar fasciitis alongside orthotics, braces, and even sports tape for a powerful combination of protective gear.
8. U Men’s Hyoptik
High compression
Linked toe cage
Moisture management technology
Extra support
Pricey
The 2XU Men’s Hyoptik compression sock provides graduated compression that targets the heel area to bring relief to plantar fasciitis sufferers.
Read moreIt also provides a stable bed for the ankle to prevent irregular movement, including over and under pronation. These plantar fasciitis socks are made from a unique blend of Invista lycra, making it exceptionally breathable and stretchy for comfort.
2XU Men’s Hyoptik is a great sock to select when you are playing sport, running or hiking, or just spending a lot of time on your feet. It has three built-in reflective strips for night visibility and safety. The linked toe cage and extra heel padding make this a functional and comfortable sock.
Hyoptik also promises increased bloodflow and less muscle fatigue. These special socks for plantar fasciitis can energize you. They use a linked toe cage, so each toe gets its spot. It cuts down on friction and overheating during warm weather, and also adds to keeping the foot still for healing.
Although the Hyoptik is a men's sock, women can wear it by simply going to sizes down from their regular size.
9. Bitly Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Brace Socks
Graduated compression
Reduces vibration
Padded zones
Helps with circulation
Hard to get on and off
These toeless socks can be worn alone or under regular socks, as inserts, to offer relief from plantar fasciitis pain.
Read moreBitly Plantar Fasciitis socks are a toeless low profile sock specifically designed to bring relief to plantar fasciitis pain. It is a tight, compressive sock that places the highest level of compression around the heel to provide a constant massage while wicking away lactic acid and excess water. It will reduce pain and swelling in addition to bringing in extra oxygen and nutrients — the compression aids in circulation to speed up healing of micro-tears.
These special socks for plantar fasciitis feature a special lightweight fabric that has high moisture-wicking abilities and antibacterial properties. The fabric helps prevent static build-up, and the sock is stretchy and flexible. The socks will help keep your feet in a neutral walking position.
10. CEP Women’s Progressive+
Soft and breathable
Durable
Thin, stretchy material
Can be worn during sleep
Knee sock may not always be comfortable
This stretchy, breathable, lighter than air sock uses compression to deliver pain relief where your legs and feet need it most.
Read moreThe CEP Women’s Progressive+ compression sock provides you with 20-30 precise mmHg of graduated compression. The tightest portions center around the heel and ankle. It makes the sock very responsive to plantar fasciitis issues. These plantar fasciitis socks bring immediate relief by providing a gentle massage while wicking away lactic acid and excess water to fast track oxygen and nutrients to the area. It also has anti-vibration properties to keep the foot from shaking.
The CEP Women’s Progressive+ compression sock is made from a lightweight, breathable blend of 85% lycra and 15% spandex. It gives the sock plenty of flexibility and mobility, while also making it airy and light. As a result, you will have no issues with sweat build-up and overheating. The sock is moisture-wicking and odor resistant.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is the product's ability to do the job you bought it for.
In our reviews, we are not as interested in what a product says it does as we are in what it does. Can it deliver results? Will it decrease healing time and prevent further flare-ups? Questions like these are why we spend so much time researching and sifting through the reviews of others, to see what they had to say.
Plantar fasciitis socks have to do one thing: help you recover from that particular injury. We are confident in saying that each sock on this list will do precisely that. More often than not, compression socks can do more. These socks for plantar fasciitis can go as high as your ankle, so there is no reason for the benefits to stop at your heels and toes. If you find a sock that can prevent blisters, increase blood flow, and experience less ground impact because of shock absorption, you have something of value that you can feel good about using. We are here to help.
Comfort
A sock designed to reduce discomfort is not much good if it's uncomfortable to wear.
We could almost comfort the only criteria for review, but not quite. There are other factors. However, a reasonably priced, supportive, breathable, water-resistant sock will probably not fly off the shelves if nobody feels comfortable wearing it.
Padding, tightness, material, and thickness are all comfort factors. Some comfort points are subjective. For example, not everyone will like a connected toe cage. But for those who do prefer it, we have included several socks herewith connected toes.
In the end, the most comfortable special socks for plantar fasciitis are the one that you forget you are wearing after a while. We think you can achieve that level of ease with our reviews and your research.
Breathability
Just like you, your feet can face serious problems if they aren't able to breathe.
Breathability, when talking about plantar fasciitis socks or other sports apparel, refers to the fabric's ability to let cooling air in and then back out, so your feet do not become overheated. Sweaty feet are unpleasant and smelly, but they also promote the growth of bacteria, which can make your shoes smell too, and even affect your health.
For this reason, we added breathability as criteria for these socks. It goes hand in hand with comfort and effectiveness. If your feet are coated in sweat and they feel hot, trapped inside socks that you will need to peel off, you won't be comfortable. And is a pair of socks fail to provide airflow, the resulting bacteria growth can cause more problems than the socks solve.
Weather Resistance
Plantar fasciitis mostly affects people who are the outdoors type.
Plantar fasciitis, for years, has been known as a runner's injury. It does not always develop only in runners, but runners are more prone to it because they spend so much time with their feet hitting hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt.
Knowing this, we feel that socks must stand up to the elements as much as possible. If you are runner, you have to be able to trust that your socks will not lose their effectiveness because of rain or heat. The best plantar fasciitis socks are tough and will remain tough throughout their life cycle. All socks deteriorate over time. They become house socks or perhaps get recycled. Plantar fasciitis socks are expensive, so the expectation is that they will last much longer than ordinary tube or dress socks.
Support
A compression sock with no support can cancel out all the other benefits.
Compression socks or sleeves, which is what plantar fasciitis socks are, are supportive by nature and design. But the ones we chose for a review go the extra mile, with padding, unique materials, and shock absorption to increase the level of support.
Whether we are runners or not, our feet have a hard life. They bear all the pressure of keeping us mobile and balanced. When you have plantar fasciitis or just a bister, life suddenly becomes a lot more complicated. You may be reluctant to go anywhere or do anything because each step puts pressure on the affected area and causes pain.
No sock can completely take away that pain overnight. But the ones with extra support, like we have reviewed here, can go a long way towards managing your pain to keep you going until you can recover.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Effectiveness Comfort Breathability Weather Resistance Support
In the old days, compression socks or sleeves were called compression stockings. They were associated with sickly or older people, who needed them to treat their medical conditions.
In the last ten years or so, though, it is easy to believe that everyone is wearing compression socks. They are popular, and there is no question that they can with pain management and performance. But how exactly do they do that?
The answer is pretty simple. Compression sleeves, which you can find for virtually every body part, work by gently compressing your blood vessels so that they become more efficient and increase the flow of blood. It, in turn, gives your muscles more oxygenated blood to work with. The blood flow can also relieve pain and prevent severe conditions, like a blood clot.
With so many compression sleeve manufacturers scrambling for your dollar, it is easy to write compression sleeves off as a fad. But the truth is, they are anything but that. If you are physically active, or suffer from chronic pain, looking into compression sleeves is well worth your time.
As great as compression sleeves are, remember that none of them are designed for all-day continuous wear. Wearing one for too long can cause painful pinches and binds.
Read and follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Many times, they will advise you to take the sleeve off and give the affected area a break in 8 or 10 hours.
Not all the plantar fasciitis socks we reviewed here use compression. Some of them can safely be worn even when you sleep. Again, consult the manufacturer's directions so you can use these products safely and get the maximum benefit.
Other Factors to Consider
Durability
Durability is vital for any product we review, but socks for plantar fasciitis need a bit of extra strength because they can dirty and worn so quickly, being rubbed between your feet and the insides of your shoes. We have all had the experience of getting ready for a workout, only to find a hole in the toe of our favorite pair. It makes the sock useless since now your toe will sweat while rubbing against your shoe and setting you up for a blister.
These plantar fasciitis socks in this review are all dependable. We made sure only to include socks that use professional grade materials and manufacturing processes. They will stand up under frequent use and can be washed again and again according to the product directions.
Ease of Use
An easy to use plantar fasciitis socks will be easy to put on and take off, even when damp with sweat. The socks in our reviews will not stick to your skin in the heat, and will not slide down into your shoe during wear. Cheaper, inferior socks will often do this.
The washing method of a sock, also, will play into the ease of use rating. Hand washing a sock is not hard, but it takes more time than machine washing. You also have to wait while they air dry instead of throwing them in the drier. You may prefer a machine washable sock, so we made sure to share in the reviews when we found such a product.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Why is blood flow so important?
Poor circulation can cause swelling, heaviness in the legs, fatigue, and even blood clots, which can be serious. Other than wearing compression items, you can increase blood flow through regular exercise and movement. Also if you work a desk job, you can get up once an hour or so and move or stretch for a few minutes. It will help you avoid that pins and needles feeling we all get sometimes.
q: Can I wear toeless socks by themselves?
You can, whether you are barefoot, wearing barefoot shoes, or wearing your exercise sneakers. However, when you wear toeless socks with shoes, we strongly recommend putting a toed sock over them. The two layers of socks will not cause you to overheat, and the toeless socks will retain their moisture-wicking properties. If you work out with just the toeless socks, you risk friction injuries and blisters on your toes.
q: What's the difference between compression socks and sleeves?
Essentially there is no difference. Anything that provides decent compression and helps with injuries, while increasing blood flow, is a compression sleeve. They may be called compression socks, leggings, or sleeves depending on what part of your body they are designed for.
q: Will my socks for plantar fasciitis retain their shape over time?
Yes, they will, because of the fabric and stitching that goes into these products. No sock is perfect, of course, so be sure and monitor your frequently worn pairs for signs of aging. Replace them if they are frayed or twisted, or if you can see any splitting or tearing.
q: How are men's and women's socks different?
They are not. There is no difference in the shape and function of male and female feet. Sometimes plantar fasciitis socks will feature different colors and patterns to be marketed at one gender or the other, but they have the same shape and same manufacturing processes.
If you find a sock that is being sold for a different gender than yours, you can still wear it. Typically, a man's sock will be two men's sizes down from a women's sock. For example, if you wear a men's size eight, you can fit a women's size ten. Shoes are the same way.
Sources
- , How to Choose and Use Compression Stockings, Health website
- , 15 Scientific Studies on the Benefits of Compression Sleeves, Fitness website
- , Effect of 3 Weeks Use of Compression Garments on Stride and Impact Shock during a Fatiguing Run, International Journal of Sport Medicine
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Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
-
Sox Sport Compression Socks
-
Orthosleeve FS6
-
Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve
-
SureSport Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Sleeve
-
Feetures Elite Sock
-
Rymora Plantar Fasciitis Foot Compression Sock
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U Men’s Hyoptik
-
Bitly Plantar Fasciitis Ankle Brace Socks
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CEP Women’s Progressive+
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