The first chilly evenings and crisp breezes are your cue to start looking forward to fall football games, cozy evenings by the fireside, and Aunt Edith’s famous spiced eggnog.

Those first signs of fall are also your reminder to prepare your feet for the coming chilly weather!

And if you have heel pain or plantar fasciitis, knowing your options for the best fall footwear means more than sleuthing out the cutest pair of elfin buckle boots.

Supportive, comfortable boots, slippers, and socks that help your feet stay warm and pain-free are just what the doctor ordered.

Best Socks For Heel Pain

Let’s start with your average-joe, everyday socks for fall. First choice is cotton, right? The fabric of our lives, right? That may be true, but when it comes to socks, wool is actually your best bet for keeping feet dry, warm, and insulated without the odor. Cotton doesn’t do a great job at wicking moisture and can actually trap sweat and odors. Merino wool in particular is soft, light, and wicks moisture away while allowing your feet to breathe. Its insulating properties mean your feet will stay the right temperature whether it’s cool or hot outside (a big plus for rapidly changing fall weather!)

Now that you have your base socks for fall, it’s time to make them plantar-fasciitis worthy. Wearing compression socks that improve blood flow to the feet and gently support your arch throughout the day is a terrific way to supplement your socks. Wear your compression socks with or without regular socks, and add orthotic inserts for additional support!

Feel like padding around the house in a pair of extra-fluffy fuzzy socks, but want to give your arches some support? Simply slip on a pair of lightweight Heel Seat Wraps to wear underneath your fuzzy socks. Instant support and warm, fuzzy goodness.

Best Slippers for Plantar Fasciitis

While traditional slippers aren’t exactly renowned for their arch and heel support, they’re a fall staple for a reason. Lightweight, cozy, and warm, slippers are easy to wear and easy to love.

Unfortunately, most slippers are flimsy and provide minimal arch support. You have two real options when looking at heel pain-friendly slippers: orthotic slippers or supplementing extra support with regular slippers. Orthotic slippers like Heel Seat Slippers have a built in Fascia Bar, which provides not only arch support but targeted plantar fascia support as well.

You can also wear regular slippers with Heel Seat Wraps. Look for slippers with good traction on the soles, to stay safe on slippery wood flooring and stairs. And seek out slippers with some degree of structure in the heel and arch, to keep your heel from sliding around as you walk. While soft, structureless slippers might be comfortable, they do carry some risk of worsening plantar fasciitis, since your arch is forced to work harder and absorb more impact from daily activities.

Best Rain Boots for Heel Pain

 

If you’re donning a pair of rain boots, your primary goal is to keep your feet dry and protected from the wet and cold. But if you have plantar fasciitis, don’t forget to protect your arches at the same time. Many rain boots have very little in the way of arch support, leaving your heels to absorb the full impact of every step you take.

Look for rain boots that not only have superior water resistance and good treading on the soles to avoid a slip, but have thick, rubbery soles that give your arch some support and cushioning. Having trouble finding the right pair of rain boots, or have a favorite pair that gets the job done but doesn’t exactly shine in the arch department? Just slip in a pair of orthotic inserts to add instant cushioning and support for your arches.

Best Snow Boots for Plantar Fasciitis

Snow boots are typically more fortified in the cushioning department than rain boots, since their job is to provide warmth in freezing conditions. However, you may find that most of that cushioning is located on the top of the boot, and around your ankle and calf, rather than beneath your heel and arch.

Look for a roomy toe box in your snow boots to keep hammer toes and ingrown toenails at bay, and pay as much attention to the cushioning at the heel and arch as it does on the top and sides. For the best snow boots for plantar fasciitis, you’ll want to opt for lace-ups rather than slip-ons. While slip-on snow boots are quick and easy to put on, the lace-ups offer more support and structure for your heel and ankle.

Best Work Boots for Heel Pain

Many jobs require workers to be outside, even during brisk and snowy weather. Keep your feet supported, warm, and dry with these recommendations for work boots in fall weather:

Previously, there weren’t a lot of options for good, supportive work boots. Thankfully, options have improved, and there are now quite a number of brands and styles that offer good support and protection for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Look for thick cushioning and extra padding along the fascia and arch, along with thicker soles that will absorb shock and impact as you work. Choose laces instead of zippers and straps whenever possible, so you can always ensure the perfect fit at your ankle, heel, and foot.

As always, add compression socks or orthotic inserts to your boots for additional, targeted support and healing for plantar fasciitis!

Whether you’re planning on spending the crisp fall weather bundled up in the bleachers to cheer on your favorite team, snuggled up on the couch with a good book, or braving the rain and snow as you work or play, having the right shoes and socks will keep your feet healthy, warm, and ready to take you wherever you want to go this fall.