Selecting appropriate footwear is an important consideration for professionals who spend long hours on their feet at work. Wearing improperly fitted or inadequate shoes can lead to short and long-term physical ailments like plantar fasciitis or arthritis, detracting from both comfort and performance.
No two feet are alike, so taking the time to find footwear that fits your individual foot shape and gait is crucial for comfort. With the multitude of work environments and conditions, we will review boots optimal for settings ranging from construction sites to warehouses to processing plants.
In the following article, we’ll cover the top safety toe work boots to provide both protection and relief from foot discomfort. We’ve picked these from Zappos.com, which is one of the most popular footwear retailers on the web. Aside from an extensive inventory, they’re also renowned for generous return policies and customer service.
Reference this guide to choose the right size and proper break-in period for maximum comfort. With the top safety-approved work boots for foot pain, you can get through those long shifts while being protected and keeping your feet feeling good.
Why Buy Safety-Approved Work Boots?
When it comes to work boots, you want footwear that is up to the task at hand. Opting for safety-approved work boots is critical for a few key reasons:
Protection: Work environments can present many hazards to feet, whether from falling objects, sharp materials, chemicals, or otherwise. Safety toe boots help shield your feet from injuries that could cause long-term issues. Look for puncture-resistant soles, steel or composite toes, and compliance with safety standards.
Traction: Slippery conditions are common on many worksites. Boots with grippy, lugged soles provide the traction you need to maintain stability and avoid dangerous slips and falls on the job.
Support: Durably constructed upper materials, well-cushioned insoles, and shank reinforcement provide essential stability and arch support for extensive time spent on your feet. This helps ward off strains, sprains, and fatigue.
Comfort: From breathable linings to well-padded collars, the best safety work boots incorporate design elements to keep your feet feeling good even after long hours. Prioritizing comfort leads to higher job satisfaction and productivity.
In hazardous work conditions, compromised footwear can quite literally cripple your ability to perform safely. Investing in quality safety-approved work boots gives your feet the protection and performance they deserve.
If you already own work boots and want to know whether they’re appropriate, you can simply check in the following areas:
- Tongue
- Quarter Lining
- Gusset
- Shaft
If you find an inscription in these areas, it means that your boots’ protection has been tested and potentially approved for the following:
- Impact Resistance (I)
- Compression Resistance (C)
- Metatarsal Protection (MT)
- Conductive Properties (CD)
- Electrical Hazard (EH)
- Static Dissipative Properties (SD)
- Puncture Resistance (PR)
Plantar Fasciitis & Work Boots
Aside from the ASTM standards and aesthetic choices, work boots are often sold with a lot of accompanying jargon promising the best fit and performance yet. However, there is some truth to their claims, which offer certain benefits to the wearer.
Firstly, Plantar Fasciitis is a very common disorder that affects a great number of Americans. Sufferers experience what is described as a stabbing pain at the bottom of the foot near the heel.
Often caused by over-exercise and repeated stress on the plantar, a band of connective tissue at the base of the foot, it appears as an inflammation but actually consists of small tears and micro-trauma.
Unfortunately, the symptoms increase and may become chronic for those that exercise a lot or stay on their feet all day. Furthermore, rest isn’t always possible as we often depend on our livelihoods.
Boot Features That Help With Plantar Fasciitis
In most cases, orthotic shoes are all that’s necessary for treating Plantar Fasciitis. However, if you have begun to suffer from it, it’s best to consult a physician as early as possible.
However, if you’re looking for the best work boots that will alleviate Plantar-Fasciitis symptoms, consider the following features:
- Lightweight Construction: Reduce pressure on the plantar by decreasing the load they feet carry. Opting for boots with composite alloy safety toes rather than steel is an excellent first step.
- EVA Inserts & Insoles: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is one of the world’s best materials for shock absorption. Therefore, it’s highly desirable to find in your boots in order to reduce pressure on the plantar.
- Maximum Cushion: A common trait among modern athletic shoes, maximum cushion offers extra comfort with materials including memory foam and gel. This also reduces stress on the plantar.
- Arch Support: Often a characteristic of the footbed an inserts, ensure that the arch support matches those of your foot shape. Too much support can cause further damage while too little won’t provide sufficient support.
- Stability: Stability, specifically in the heel, locks your feet in place and prevents them moving inside the boot. Consequently, your feet won’t over or underpronate, which can aggravate symptoms.
- Fibreglass Shank: A fibreglass shank will protect the plantar from extra strain without sacrificing too much flexibility. Whilst shanks in all materials will help, fibreglass is a bonus because it’s lighter.
The above list isn’t exhaustive and you’ll discover other features that can certainly help alleviate Plantar-Fasciitis symptoms and foot pain in general. However, if you still don’t get any relief even after getting boots like those above, see a physician before the disorder worsens!
Zappos’ Best Work Boots For Plantar Fasciitis
- Type: Versatile Work Boots
- ASTM: F2413-11 M I/75 C75 EH
- Pricing: $189.95 [Buy On Zappos]
By far our favorite work boots to date, the Wolverine Legend DuraShocks are among the most comprehensive and well-developed safety footwear. Comfortable and well-built, they’re also ideal for those who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis.
Firstly, the Legend Durashocks have all the necessary safety features that are ASTM approved. With regards to the needs of those with Plantar Fasciitis, you have shock-absorbing sidewalls as well as an H-plate suspension for a comfortable return. Finally, a comfortable insole provides extra cushion for cradling your feet in place.
The CarbonMAX version of the Wolverine Legends is currently only available in the Dark Brown colorway featured above, though other Legend models with similar specifications can be found in different color themes.
- Type: Versatile Work Boot
- ASTM: F2412-11 F2413-11 F2892-11 M I/75 C75 EH
- Pricing: $199.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
As we’ll touch on in greater detail in the above section of this page, footwear weight is a significant contributor to Plantar Fasciitis symptoms. Therefore, a lightweight boot will significantly improve your condition. We were very impressed by these complete and lightweight boots by Timberland.
Firstly, these offer full ASTM-approved protection, including slip, corrosion, and electrical resistance. With a composite toe and fiberglass shank, these are very lightweight boots whilst a Goodyear welt offers durable flexibility.
Only available in brown, there are black accents on the toe cap and quarters. Furthermore, there are a few hints of color, such as orange stripes through the midsole.
- Type: Versatile Work Boots
- ASTM: F2412-11 F2413-11 F2892-11 M I/75 C75 EH
- Pricing: $190 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Although a little heavier than the boots above, the Hyperions are another comfortable boot from Timberland. Instead, these offer a roomy and comfortable boot with complete safety protection thanks to alloy boots.
Again, the wearer can benefit from all the necessary ASTM safety features. Furthermore, he’ll experience a truly ergonomic fit thanks to being shaped on the Titan XL last. Likewise, a PowerFit comfort system protects the key areas, and a contoured, dual-density footbed offers Dynamic Anti-Fatigue Technology.
Like the Timberland boots above, these are also only available in a brown and black toe-tone color. However, instead of orange, you get a few red accents.
- Style: Versatile Work Boots
- ASTM: F3445-21E
- Pricing: $174.99 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Another great way to ensure all-day comfort when suffering from Plantar-Fasciitis is to use orthopedic inserts or insoles. These provide the necessary cushion to cradle the contours of the feet and offer shock absorption. We love that Carhartt offers Insite Technology footbeds in these work boots, which is a renowned brand.
Here you’ll benefit from the most necessary protection that has been ASTM-approved. Furthermore, there’s a heel stabilizer with an Achilles flex joint, which ensures that your feet don’t over or underpronate. In addition to the OrthoLite insole, you have a comfort tongue from the same brand for added comfort.
An apparent trend in work boots, here you can only opt for a brown and black two-tone design. However, there’s the added benefit that the brown is a burnished oil-tanned leather upper, which is further enhanced by a Storm Defender membrane that makes it even more waterproof.
- Type: Versatile Work Boots
- ASTM: F2412-11 F2413-11 F2892-11
- Pricing: $129.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Although equipped with a steel rather than alloy or composite toe, the Pit Boss by Timberland is still a great work boot for Plantar-Fasciitis. Whilst the steel toe makes these boots a touch heavier, they offer excellent arch support for added stability and comfort.
As well as meeting the ASTM standards mentioned above, there’s a very comfortable open-cell polyurethane footbed with antimicrobial treatment. Thanks to their Pro 24/7 Comfort Suspension technology, you can expect all-day comfort thanks to a nylon shock diffusion plate and a Goodyear welt.
With a selection of styles available, there’s something for everyone. You can choose between black, brown, or tan Nubuck leather. Our favorite is the tan leather, which is iconic in Timberland.
Shoe Content
