Whether you experience plantar fasciitis or know a loved one who does, you know just how unpleasant this inflammatory podiatric condition can feel, especially at the bottoms of your feet. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re likely searching for ways to provide relief (even if just temporarily) — that’s where socks for plantar fasciitis come in.
“Socks designed specifically for plantar fasciitis provide targeted support and compression to alleviate pain, improve circulation and promote healing,” says Suzanne Fuchs, a Florida-based board-certified podiatrist. “Wearing the correct socks can help maintain the foot’s alignment, reduce strain on the plantar fascia, and enhance comfort during daily activities.”
Shop TODAY tapped several board-certified podiatrists and podiatric surgeons to learn about socks for plantar fasciitis, regarding how they work and key characteristics to look for when shopping for the best pairs.
We even included some of their expert recommendations you can slip your feet into ASAP (with your doctor's permission, of course).
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Best socks for plantar fasciitis, according to experts
“These socks provide excellent arch support and cushioning, helping to alleviate pain associated with plantar fasciitis,” says Fuchs. As if that wasn’t enough to convince you to add these low-cut socks to your cart, they offer graduated compression ranging from 20 to 30 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
You can wear these polyester and spandex socks during the day and at night — just make sure to acquire approval from your physician first.
Anne Sharkey, a Texas-based board-certified podiatrist, deems these plantar fasciitis socks from OrthoSleeve to be stellar and for good reason. “The OrthoSleeve is anatomically designed for both the right and left foot with medical-grade compression,” says Sharkey. “There are four zones of light to firm compression to support the fascia and cushion the heel.”
It's important to note that you are unable to machine wash and dry these socks — and although it may take some extra elbow grease to put them on and take them off, their compressing effects are worth the investment.
When it comes to socks for plantar fasciitis with arch support, Najwa Javed, a California-based podiatric surgeon, recommends these ankle socks from Bombas. Unlike some other socks, these are made with honeycomb-style fabric specifically designed to wrap around the arch of your foot for added protection.
Regardless of whether you plan on wearing these while running or doing chores, these socks have cuffed ankles that'll help support your feet all day without showing too much.
If a pair of lightweight socks is what you seek, add these plantar fasciitis relief socks from Feetures to your cart. “These socks offer snug, anatomical contoured compression to stabilize and support the plantar fascia, and reduce pain,” explains Miguel Cunha, a New York-based board-certified foot surgeon.ve “Their ultra-light, moisture-wicking iWick fibers keep feet dry, and they are designed with a seamless heel and blister tab to prevent irritation.”
Although a $25 price tag accompanies these socks, they’re worth the investment for their ability to compress key areas. And, they can easily be machine-washed and tumble-dried.
Kamari Stewart, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, is also a fan of these socks. She says, "I don't have plantar fasciitis but I have used these socks for some extra support for my arches on long runs. They are intense and very compressioned but are actually really helpful. I find that my feet don't feel as tired at the end of long runs with these and they also don't hurt as much (so maybe I do have plantar fasciitis, but I'll let a doctor diagnose me first)."
Looking for some crew socks? Opt for this pair from OS1st. Cunha recommends these socks as they offer medical-grade support and feature proprietary Compression Zone Technology to prevent plantar fasciitis symptoms from occurring or flaring up.
In addition to their innovative (and seamless) design, these compression crew socks are made with breathable spandex and nylon fabric that wicks away moisture to keep your feet dry. “These socks are ideal for daily wear and injury prevention,” adds Cunha.
Best socks for plantar fasciitis, according to editors
Jannely Espinal, an SEO writer at TODAY who experiences plantar fasciitis, calls these her "go-to socks for running." She continues, "I like the light compression around the arches and how they separate my toes. The material is super soft and doesn't constrict my toes or skin, unlike other toe socks. I even wear them for casual days since the material is sweat-wicking and doesn't cause any blisters."
Espinal also recommends these crew socks for "intense workouts" and "those who need extra compression." She goes on, "I wore these for my short runs and high-intensity classes. The socks are designed for those with plantar fasciitis and has a light arch support that helps to keep the foot in place. I have worn them for 9-mile runs and my feet doesn't get blisters. "
"If you're into HIIT or other strength training workouts, then you need these socks," Espinal says. "These are excellent for people with arch pain since it hugs your foot while offering that cushion. Each sock is designed for the left or right foot and is labeled on the top of the sock. And it doesn't matter if you sweat; the material has a thermo-regulating component that keep your feet dry through each mile. I've worn these for the past month for my marathon training and they have been a game-changer."
Espinal also recommends these socks for their breathable, moisture-wicking and supportive composition. "These have become one of my favorite pairs to wear when running and training at the gym since they offer compression around my arches. While they're challenging to put on at first, the socks keep their shape after use and keep my feet dry all day — a true game-changer in my sock department!"
Do plantar fasciitis socks work?
Although plantar fasciitis socks can work to manage symptoms, they should not be thought of as a complete cure for this podiatric condition or a replacement for custom-molded orthotics.
That said, “They [plantar fasciitis socks] are very effective in managing symptoms, especially when used in conjunction with orthotics, proper footwear and stretching,” explains Cunha.
Bruce Pinker, a New York-based, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, adds that other treatments including (but not limited to) physical therapy, orthopedic strappings and sometimes surgery may also be required to effectively treat plantar fasciitis.
What socks are best for plantar fasciitis?
While there aren’t any socks that can single-handedly cure plantar fasciitis (as mentioned above), there are some types of socks that are better suited for managing symptoms.
“Look for socks that offer targeted compression, arch support and cushioning,” advises Fuchs.
Javed notes that these qualities can typically be found in arch-support socks, compression socks (mild to moderate) and night-splint socks.
What to look for in socks for plantar fasciitis
The most important things to consider when shopping for socks for plantar fasciitis are materials, fit and features.
- Materials: Pinker emphasizes the importance of selecting socks for plantar fasciitis with high-quality and balanced materials. He notes that cotton and polyester are two of the main materials you should look for and adds that synthetic materials are effective at wicking away moisture. Furthermore, nylon, spandex and elastane work especially well for compression socks, as they offer adequate stretch and structure, adds Sharkey.
- Fit: Fit is essential when shopping for socks for plantar fasciitis. “They should securely hug the arch and heel for proper support and comfort. The right fit will feel supportive and offer compression without causing discomfort, numbness or tingling,” says Cunha. Pinker notes that a snug fit is good, but a tight fit is not. If you’re experiencing any pinching, irritation or limitations when it comes to your range of motion or breathability, this is a sign that your socks do not have the proper fit, adds Fuchs.
- Features: As far as features go, Pinker notes that you should seek out socks with extra padding (especially at the heel) and additional medial arch support. If your socks contain arch support bands, that’s even better. That said, Javed notes the main feature you should be looking for is targeted compression.
Frequently asked questions
Javed notes that you should aim to wear socks for plantar fasciitis daily and especially when you’ll be standing for long periods or walking a lot.
Although you don’t necessarily have to wear socks for plantar fasciitis every day, making them a regular part of your foot care routine can help you effectively manage many plantar fasciitis symptoms to make yourself (and feet) more comfortable, explains Fuchs.
Cunha adds that you can also wear socks for plantar fasciitis at night to prevent your feet from experiencing any unwanted stiffness or pain.
Javed notes that individuals with poor circulation should avoid wearing socks for plantar fasciitis.
If you experience any blisters or rashes or have surgical incisions on your feet, it is best to stay away from socks for plantar fasciitis as many offer compression, which may irritate open wounds, adds Sharkey.
Regardless of whether or not you fit the criteria described above, you should consult with your doctor first to decide whether or not socks for plantar fasciitis are right for you.
It's also best practice to ensure you’re not allergic to synthetic fabrics (as many socks for plantar fasciitis are made with them) before adding them to your cart.
How we chose
To compile our list of the best socks for plantar fasciitis, we considered the recommendations provided by the podiatrists and podiatric surgeons we interviewed. We also included editor-favorite pairs from the Shop TODAY team.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Suzanne Fuchs, MD, is a board-certified podiatrist and owner of LuxePodiatry in Jupiter, Florida.
- Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a board-certified foot surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare in Manhattan, New York.
- Najwa Javed, DPM, is a podiatric surgeon at Silicon Valley Podiatry Group in San Jose, California, and the founder of E’MAR.
- Anne Sharkey, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist at Solely Podiatry in Austin, Texas.
- Bruce Pinker, DPM, is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon at Progressive Foot Care in New York.
