As a sports medicine doctor, I’ve seen how debilitating plantar fasciitis can be for many of my patients. As someone who’s on her feet all day at work, I’ve also personally experienced pain from plantar fasciitis.
A lot of patients have asked me for sock recommendations, so I’ve compiled this list of the best socks for plantar fasciitis.
Of course, socks are just one tool in the fight for heel pain relief. Make sure you also stretch and wear proper shoes!
As you probably already know, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia gets torn or injured. If you suffer from this pain, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common conditions I see in my practice! I made this website so that I could put all my tips and recommendations in one easy-to-find place.
Socks For Plantar Fasciitis
I’ve given a brief overview of each sock, and then I’ve listed the strengths and weaknesses. To be honest, many of these socks are pretty similar. It’s really about finding what pair works best for you. Here’s my list of the best plantar fasciitis socks.
Strassburg Socks
These men’s socks are a little pricey but highly recommended by many wearers. They’re sold by the single sock instead of by the pair.
Key Features
- Velcro strap goes around the calf for an adjustable fit
- Durable fabric designed to retain its shape
- Non-rigid sole for a natural flex
- Can be worn as a night splint
- Available in different sizes
What People Love
- Easy to use
- The sock reduced pain for many wearers
- The fabric is soft and comfortable to wear
- Generally a very high-quality product
What People Hate
- Caused toe numbness in some people
- Irritated some wearers’ toes
- The snug fit can be difficult to get used to
- On the pricier side
Recommended For
- Wearing while sleeping
- Achilles tendonitis
- Tight calves
Not Recommended For
- Tall people (sock doesn’t stay up on longer calves)
- Everyday wear
SB Sox Foot Compression Sleeve
This plantar fasciitis compression sock for men and women are reasonably priced and a very popular choice among plantar fasciitis sufferers. They are available in a multitude of sizes and colors.
Key Features
- Compression support sleeve boosts blood circulation
- Ribbed arch support provides pain relief and comfort
- Breathable, moisture wicking material ideal for athletic use
- Available in four sizes for an accurate fit
What People Love
- Ideal amount of compression in this foot sleeve
- Thin enough to be worn under other socks
- They extend down to the ball of the foot for added support
- Can be worn with flip-flops
- Reduces swelling in feet
What People Hate
- Some people find that these socks don’t relieve enough pressure in the feet because they don’t go up the entire calf
- Sizing can be a bit tricky
- Some people find they don’t stay put
- Too tight for some people
Recommended For
- Everyday use
- Sleeping
Not Recommended For
- People who require heavier support in their feet
- People with high arches
NAK Fitness Plantar Fasciitis Sock
This sock for men and women is a lower-priced option available in a few colors. It works well for some people, but others find the band a bit tight.
Key Features
- 20-30 mmHG pressure
- Targeted compression ankle support provides pain relief for ankle issues, heel spur pain, and PF pain
- Compression improves blood circulation and compresses the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation and ease pain
- Made from 80% nylon and 20% Spandex
- Lightweight and durable
What People Love
- Comfortable material
- Reduces pain and swelling for many wearers
- Thin enough to be worn under other socks
- Can be worn with sandals or flip-flops
What People Hate
- Cut off some people’s circulation
- Should be hand-washed to retain the shape
- Finding the perfect fit can be difficult
- Band too tight for some people
- Not very durable
Recommended For
- Sleeping
- Everyday wear
Not Recommended For
- People with diabetes (causes pain for some diabetics)
- People who need more intense durability, such as Cross Fit participants
CompressionZ Socks
These toeless compression sleeves are available in three colors and three sizes. They are moderately priced and can be worn by men and women.
Key Features
- Graduated compression for pain relief and swelling reduction
- Targeted ribbing for stability and Achilles tendon support
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Can be combined with everyday socks, orthotics, inserts, or a night splint
What People Love
- Comfortable, smooth material
- They dry quickly
- Good arch support
- Thin enough to wear with regular shoes
What People Hate
- Material is thin and doesn’t provide enough compression for some people
- Lacks durability and start to come apart if you wash them in the washing machine
- Some people experienced sizing issues, and the socks were too long for some
- Caused toe discomfort for some people
Recommended For
- Mild PF
- Everyday wear
- Sleeping
Not Recommended For
- Severe PF
- People with larger feet
CopperJoint Copper-Infused Compression Ankle Sleeve
This mid-priced toeless ankle brace is made for men and women and is available in a range of sizes. Note that it’s sold as a single brace, not as a pair.
Key Features
- Comfortable joint support that stays put
- Copper-infused material provides optimal articulation and support
- Copper ions stimulate oxygen delivery to the muscles for pain relief
- Made from moisture-wicking fabric that provides temperature regulation in hot or cold weather
What People Love
- The sleeve fits comfortably
- Supportive, especially around the ankle
- Holds up and doesn’t smell from athletic use
- Fits comfortably under socks
What People Hate
- The back seams dig into the heel for some people
- Didn’t make a huge difference for PF pain for some people
- Cuts off circulation in some people
- Not supportive enough for some wearers
- Sizing is tricky
Recommended For
- Walking
- Daily use
Not Recommended For
- Sleeping
- Athletic use
Plantar Fasciitis Socks by Treat My Feet
These toeless socks are reasonably priced and available in a range of sizes to fit both men and women.
Key Features
- Interlocked stitching provides a high level of foot and ankle compression
- Available in many sizes and packs
- Thin enough to wear under normal socks
- Compression eases arch pain and boosts circulation to feet
What People Love
- Sleeve stays put
- Heel material is the same as the rest of the sleeve (some sleeves have thinner heel material)
- Comfortable arch support
- Heavy compression great for pain relief and reducing swelling
What People Hate
- Causes blisters in some wearers
- Can feel very tight at first, which takes some getting used to
- Can be uncomfortably tight to sleep in
- Some durability issues
Recommended For
- Everyday wear
- Flat feet
Not Recommended For
- Sleep
- Those bothered by a tight fit
Physix Gear with Arch Support
These arch support sleeves are a very popular choice among PF sufferers. They vary in price based on size and color.
Key Features
- Targeted compression and ankle support
- Compression boosts circulation and encourages a faster recovery
- Made from 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex for a snug yet comfortable fit
- Can be worn under any shoes or socks
- Breathable, moisture-wicking material keeps your feet dry
What People Love
- They’re high quality and maintain their shape very well
- Good compression and arch support
- Can be worn with any type of shoes or under other socks
- Provide significant pain relief for many wearers
What People Hate
- Very tight and can be difficult to put on
- Caused toe discomfort and squeezing in some people
- The material is quite thin
- Sizing can be tricky
- Too tight around the ankle area for some
Recommended For
- Everyday wear and walking
- Athletic use
Not Recommended For
- Sleeping
- Overweight people or people with larger ankles and calves
- Wide feet
- High arches
Actinput Plantar Fasciitis Support Compression Socks
These athletic socks come in 7-packs and represent very good value for money. They’re suitable for both men and women.
Key Features
- Built-in arch and ankle support
- Circulation support for pain relief
- Warming effect helps to reduce the risk of further injury
- Moisture-wicking material keeps feet dry
- Antibacterial material keeps feet hygienic
What People Love
- Comfortable for daily wear
- Easy to put on and take off
- Lightweight and cool for summer months
- Compression is just right–not too tight, not too loose
- Hold up well through washing and drying
What People Hate
- Toe area has extra fabric, which annoys some wearers
- Can’t be worn with all shoes
- Socks do not come in solid colors
- Thin material doesn’t provide enough heel cushioning
- Some quality and durability issues
Recommended For
- Athletic use
- Everyday wear
Not Recommended For
- Winter wear
- Those needing more intense support and compression
Bitly Plantar Fasciitis Compression Sleeves
This compression sleeve comes in a pair. It’s designed to fit both men and women and is a reasonably priced option that can also be worn overnight.
Key Features
- Premium support for pain relief
- Available in a range of sizes and colors
- High arch support
- Moisture-wicking fabric for odor prevention and comfort
- Targeted compression for increased blood flow
What People Love
- Comfortable for overnight wear
- Can be worn under regular socks for discreet support
- Good heel support and compression
- Provides really nice arch support for fallen arches
What People Hate
- Irritated some people’s skin
- Sizing issues meant sleeves were too tight or too loose for some wearers
- Too tight around the ankles for some
- Material is thin, so some people felt there was not enough cushioning
- Requires hand-washing
Recommended For
- Sleeping
- Workwear/everyday wear
- Runners
Not Recommended For
- People with sensitive feet
- People with sensitive skin
Rymora Plantar Fasciitis Foot Compression Sock Sleeves
These socks have extra padding in the heel area and are on the lower end of the price spectrum. They are made for men and women and come in a few different colors and sizes.
Key Features
- Compression to encourage blood circulation and reduce inflammation
- Material made from 80% nylon and 20% elastane for breathability and elasticity
- Ergonomic design for comfort
- An additional layer of material at the bottom for shock absorption
What People Love
- Good level of support
- Colors are nice
- Extra padding on the heel makes a big difference for some people
- Comfortable and soft material
- Nice support for tired and overused feet
What People Hate
- Sizes run a bit small
- Too tight and uncomfortable for some wearers
- Sometimes shrank in the wash
- Durability issues for some people
Recommended For
- Sleeping
- Running and athletic use
Not Recommended For
- Thick ankles
- People who are bothered by tighter compression
How To Buy Socks If You Have Plantar Fasciitis
There are lots of ways to treat plantar fasciitis pain. Whether or not you decide socks are right for you, I really suggest you invest in a good pair of shoes. You can check out my list of the top running shoes here. If you’re looking for tips on buying shoes for plantar fasciitis, check out my guide.
I’m a big advocate of physical therapy. I believe the best way to reduce foot pain is through stretching, rehab, and other home remedies. Explore my list of home remedies for plantar fasciitis here.
And now, on to the socks. To be perfectly honest, plantar fasciitis socks on their own aren’t going to make a huge difference. However, they might give just a little extra boost to your pain-fighting efforts.
Benefits of Plantar Fasciitis Compression Stockings and Socks
Compression socks are easy to wear, and unlike night splints, you can wear them all day. If you find a pair with good compression, the increased circulation can help reduce inflammation and pain.
An effective pair of socks should provide additional stability. They should also gently stretch the plantar fascia, leading to reduced pain.
How to Choose Plantar Fasciitis Socks
Look for a material that is lightweight, soft, and breathable. Some people find that the toe area can be irritating in compression socks. If you don’t like having your toes squeezed, you might want to look for a toeless sleeve model.
Some socks come with an adjustable strap that allows you to customize the level of compression and stretch you receive. A proper fit is also really important, so make sure you read the sizing chart.
Popular Sock Brands
- Strassburg
- Dr. Sock Soothers
- SB Sox
- CompressionZ
- NAK Fitness
- CopperJoint
- Treat My Feet
- Physix Gear
- Actinput
- Bitly
- Rymora
Common Questions About Socks
Do Compression Socks Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Good PF socks should also provide arch support. Arch support socks lend additional support and stability to your feet.
All of these things work together to help reduce pain.
Can you sleep in plantar fasciitis socks?
Are Dr. Sock Soothers good for plantar fasciitis?
How Much Should I Pay for PF Socks?
Can I Wear Compression Socks with Shoes, Socks, or Inserts?
There’s no rule about this. It’s all about whether or not a particular combination is comfortable for you. You’ll see that many of the socks I included on my list can usually be comfortably worn under another pair of socks and/or with a pair of shoe inserts
Conclusion
And that’s it for my recommendations!
Although many of the socks on this list are fairly similar, the standout for me is the SB Sox. Many people feel these sleeves have the perfect amount of compression. They can be worn comfortably with most shoes, and the moisture-wicking material makes them ideal for athletic use.
I also love the Strassburg Sock. It’s a bit pricier, but if you’re also using it as a night splint, it might be worth the cost. It’s a high-quality sock, and it made a big difference in PF pain for many of the people who tried it.
As I said earlier, PF socks don’t do much on their own, but if you pair them with a good set of shoes they can make a difference.
I hope this list has made it easier for you to find the right pair of socks to help your plantar fasciitis!
