Plantar fasciitis is common in people who spend their working day on their feet: nurses, teachers, retail and warehouse staff, chefs, tradespeople. The 2023 physical therapy guideline for heel pain names prolonged weight-bearing at work on surfaces with poor shock absorption as a risk factor. Concrete, tile and hospital vinyl do not give, and a twelve-hour shift can mean many thousands of steps on them.

You usually cannot change the floor or the hours. You can change what sits between your heel and that floor.

How we choose: picks are judged against the clinical criteria in the four features that matter, with workplace requirements (slip resistance, safety toes, wipe-clean uppers) added; no brand pays for placement. Links to Amazon are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no cost to you (disclosure).

Quick picks

What work shoes need for plantar fasciitis

Standing still is in some ways harder on the heel than walking. When you walk, load moves from heel to forefoot and back again. When you stand at a bedside, a till or a workbench, the heel and arch take a steady load for long periods and the small muscles under the foot tire. As they tire, more strain passes to the plantar fascia.

The features that help are the same ones I look for in any shoe for plantar fasciitis, with a slightly different emphasis:

• Midfoot stability. The shoe should resist twisting through the middle. A shoe that folds in half lets the arch sag under a long standing load.
• A firm heel counter. Squeeze the back of the shoe. It should hold its shape and keep the heel centred over the cushioning.
• Some heel height. A heel-to-toe drop of around 8–12 mm takes tension off the calf and plantar fascia. Very low-drop shoes can be harder on a tight calf over a long shift.
• Cushioning that does not bottom out. Enough foam under the heel to soften hard floors, but firm enough to stay stable.
• A rocker sole. A curved sole reduces how much the toes bend at push-off, which lowers the pull on the fascia when you do walk.
• A removable insole. So you can add an over-the-counter arch support or your own orthotics.

Then add what the job demands: slip resistance, wipe-clean uppers or safety toes.

Best shoes for standing all day

These suit nurses, healthcare assistants, teachers, retail and hospitality staff, and anyone else who stands or walks on hard indoor floors without needing a safety toe.

1. Brooks Ghost 18 — best for hospital and retail floors

The Ghost is one of the most common shoes I see on nurses’ feet, and the current version suits plantar fasciitis well. Doctors of Running lists the Ghost 18 at a 10 mm drop, with 36 mm of foam under the heel and 26 mm under the forefoot. Their reviewers call it neutral but rate it one of the more stable neutral shoes available, citing a firmer midsole, a flared base and a stiff heel counter.

That combination — moderate drop, stable base, firm heel — is what a long standing shift needs. It uses a standard running-shoe sockliner, which normally lifts out to make room for an arch support. Wide and extra-wide versions are sold. Expect around $150 list.

• Drop: 10 mm
• Type: neutral, stable cushioned trainer
• Widths: standard, wide and extra wide (2E)
• Removable insole: standard sockliner (not specified in the reviews I checked)

Good for: nurses, teachers and retail staff on hard floors; people who add their own insoles.
Skip it if: your workplace requires a certified slip-resistant sole or a wipe-clean leather upper; the mesh upper is not fluid resistant. If you want more cushioning, our Ghost vs Glycerin comparison covers the step up.

2. Hoka Bondi SR — best slip-resistant trainer

The Bondi SR is Hoka’s work version of its most cushioned shoe. It swaps the mesh upper for water-resistant full-grain leather and adds a slip-resistant rubber outsole that Fleet Feet says is tested on wet, oily and soapy surfaces. The thick EVA midsole and wide base give a lot of foam under the heel, which helps on concrete and tile.

Two caveats. Fleet Feet lists the drop at 6 mm, lower than I would choose for someone with tight calves, and the shoe is heavy (about 11.5 oz in women’s sizes). Wear a few short shifts before committing to a full week. It lists at around $180.

• Drop: 6 mm
• Type: max cushion, neutral, slip-resistant leather
• Widths: regular and wide
• Removable insole: not stated by retailers

Good for: kitchens, hospitals and food service; people who want maximum cushioning with a wipe-clean upper.
Skip it if: you have tight calves or Achilles symptoms, where a lower drop adds strain, or you dislike a heavy shoe. For a non-work Hoka option, see Bondi vs Clifton.

3. Brooks Addiction Walker — best for flat feet and overpronation

The Addiction Walker is a leather walking shoe in Brooks’ maximum-support category, with built-in arch support aimed at feet that roll inward. For people whose arches collapse during a long shift, that extra control can reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Fleet Feet lists the newest version, the Addiction Walker 3, at a 12 mm drop with a slip-resistant outsole certified to SATRA TM144, at around $130. The Addiction Walker 2 is still widely sold, and Brooks lists it in narrow, medium, wide and extra-wide fittings.

It is a firm, heavy, traditional-looking shoe. The leather wipes clean, which suits clinical work.

• Drop: 12 mm (Addiction Walker 3)
• Type: maximum support walking shoe, leather
• Widths: narrow to extra wide (Addiction Walker 2)
• Removable insole: not stated by retailers

Good for: flat feet, overpronation, people who want a stable leather shoe with a higher heel.
Skip it if: you have high, rigid arches, want a light shoe, or need a rocker sole.

4. Dansko XP 2.0 — best clog

Professional clogs have stayed popular in hospitals for decades, and for plantar fasciitis there is a sound reason. The XP 2.0 has what Dansko calls an anti-fatigue rocker bottom, so the foot rolls forward without the toes bending much. The heel sits noticeably higher than the forefoot, which eases calf tension. REI lists a slip-resistant rubber outsole for dry, wet and oily surfaces, and a removable dual-density footbed that can be swapped for most standard and custom orthotics.

The open back is the main drawback. The heel can lift as you walk, so the clog has to fit snugly across the instep. Clogs also take some getting used to; build up over a week or two. REI lists the XP 2.0 at around $165.

• Drop: not published; a pronounced heel lift
• Type: rocker-sole professional clog
• Widths: one fit per size; reviewers report it runs slightly large
• Removable insole: yes

Good for: nurses, surgeons, chefs; stiff big toes; people who want a rocker and an orthotic-friendly footbed.
Skip it if: you have weak ankles or a history of ankle sprains, work where you climb ladders or move quickly, or have pain at the back of the heel. More on clogs in are Crocs good for plantar fasciitis.

5. Clove Classic — best fluid-resistant shoe for nurses

Clove designs specifically for healthcare workers. The uppers are a fluid-repellent, stain-resistant fabric that wipes clean, the insoles are washable OrthoLite, and the rubber outsoles are designed for grip on slippery floors. The Classic is the original model; Clove now also sells others, including the Strada and Forte 2.

I include it with a caveat. Clove publishes little about drop, heel counter stiffness or midfoot structure, so I cannot assess it against my criteria as confidently as the trainers above. It is a practical choice where wipe-clean uppers are the priority. If your heel pain is significant, add a supportive insole, or choose the Ghost or Dansko.

• Drop: not published
• Type: cushioned healthcare sneaker, fluid-resistant upper
• Widths: standard, with a wide-fit range
• Removable insole: not clearly stated by the brand

Good for: clinical settings where uppers must be wiped down; mild heel pain.
Skip it if: you need a defined arch, a firm heel counter or a published spec to judge it by.

Best work boots for plantar fasciitis

Safety boots bring extra challenges. A steel or composite toe adds weight at the front of the foot, the boot is stiffer, and many stock footbeds are thin. The good news is that a stiff boot already resists twisting, which helps the plantar fascia. What usually needs attention is the cushioning under the heel and the arch support, which is why a removable footbed matters so much.

6. KEEN Utility Pittsburgh Energy 6″ — best work boot overall

The Pittsburgh Energy combines a carbon-fibre composite safety toe with KEEN’s ReGEN midsole, which the brand says returns more energy than standard EVA. It has a TPU shank for midfoot support, a waterproof leather upper with a breathable membrane, and a removable cushioned PU footbed. Retailers list ASTM F2413 impact and compression ratings and a slip-resistant outsole.

The boot is sold in D and 2E widths, although retailers stock the 2E in only a few sizes. It lists at around $210.

• Drop: not published
• Type: composite-toe waterproof work boot
• Widths: D and 2E (2E in limited sizes)
• Removable insole: yes

Good for: construction, warehouse and maintenance work on concrete; people who want a lighter safety boot.
Skip it if: you have narrow heels that slip in a boot, or need a 2E outside the stocked sizes.

7. Timberland PRO Boondock 6″ Composite Toe — best for long shifts on hard floors

Timberland PRO builds its Anti-Fatigue Technology into the Boondock: a polyurethane footbed designed to absorb shock and return energy, over a fibreglass shank for arch support. Timberland lists an asymmetrical composite safety toe, a waterproof leather upper with a membrane, and OrthoLite insoles. It is offered in several widths. Timberland lists it at about $230.

The shank resists twisting through the midfoot, which suits plantar fasciitis. If the stock insole feels flat, add an arch support.

• Drop: not published
• Type: composite-toe waterproof work boot
• Widths: several, including wide
• Removable insole: not stated by the brand

Good for: long shifts standing on concrete; wet or outdoor work.
Skip it if: you want a light, flexible boot for climbing and moving quickly.

8. Thorogood American Heritage 6″ Safety Toe Moc Toe — best wedge-sole boot

Wedge-sole boots are popular with tradespeople who stand on concrete, and this is one of the best known. The MAXWear Wedge outsole is slip-resistant and keeps the whole underside of the boot in contact with the floor, which spreads load. Inside, Thorogood lists a removable shock-absorbing footbed with a Poron cushion insole and a composite shank. The safety toe is steel and the boot meets ASTM F2413.

The wedge has a downside for plantar fasciitis: it is relatively flat, with little heel lift. People with tight calves sometimes find it harder going than a heeled boot. Thorogood sells it in D and EE widths.

• Drop: not published; wedge profile, little heel lift
• Type: steel-toe wedge-sole moc-toe boot
• Widths: D and EE
• Removable insole: yes

Good for: standing on flat concrete, electricians and indoor trades, people who want a removable footbed for orthotics.
Skip it if: you have tight calves or Achilles pain, or work on uneven ground where a lugged heel grips better.

9. Red Wing King Toe — best for wide feet

Red Wing’s King Toe line exists for one reason: room. Red Wing says the King Toe gives considerably more toe space than a standard work boot, which matters if wide forefeet, bunions or swelling make safety toes painful. The 8-inch insulated #2244 has a non-metallic safety toe rated to ASTM F2413-24 with electrical hazard protection, a nylon-covered polyurethane footbed, and widths of D, EE and H.

A boot that pinches the forefoot changes how you walk, which can add strain at the heel. Red Wing lists the #2244 at about $275.

• Drop: not published
• Type: non-metallic safety toe, waterproof, insulated
• Widths: D, EE and H
• Removable insole: not stated by the brand

Good for: wide feet, bunions, cold outdoor work.
Skip it if: you have narrow feet, work in warm conditions (this model is insulated), or want a light boot.

Comparison table

Rotate two pairs

If you work long shifts, own two pairs of work shoes and alternate them. This is one of the most useful, and least used, pieces of advice I give.

Midsole foam compresses during a long day and needs time to recover its shape. A shoe worn every day for twelve hours never fully recovers, so it loses cushioning faster. Alternating also changes the pattern of load on your feet slightly from day to day, which many people find easier on sore tissue. Clinical reviews of plantar heel pain suggest rotating between shoe styles during the week for this reason.

• Two pairs of the same model is the simplest option.
• Two different supportive models, for example a trainer and a clog, varies the load further. Choose both from the list above, not one good pair and one poor one.
• Replace on condition, not date. When the heel foam is visibly creased, the heel counter has softened, or the shoe tilts when placed on a table, it is time. For full-time standing work that is often well under a year.
• Change at the end of the shift. Put on fresh, supportive shoes for the trip home rather than staying in the pair you have worn all day, and use supportive house shoes once you are home.

Insoles for work shoes

Most work shoes and boots come with a thin, flat stock insole. Replacing it is often the single biggest improvement you can make. The 2023 guideline supports prefabricated or custom orthoses as part of a wider treatment plan for plantar fasciitis, rather than as a stand-alone fix.

• Choose a semi-rigid arch support with a deep heel cup. Soft gel insoles feel pleasant but do little to support the arch through a long day.
• Remove the stock insole first. Adding an insole on top raises your heel inside the shoe, crowds the toes and can make the heel slip.
• Match the volume. A full-thickness insole may not fit a slim trainer. A boot or a shoe with a removable footbed will usually take a supportive insole comfortably.

Our plantar fasciitis insoles guide covers specific options, and heel cups are worth considering if the heel itself is the sorest point.

Common questions

What are the best shoes for standing all day with plantar fasciitis?

Look for a stable, cushioned shoe with a firm heel counter, a heel-to-toe drop of around 8–12 mm and a removable insole. The Brooks Ghost 18 fits that brief for most hard indoor floors. Where slip resistance is required, the Hoka Bondi SR or Brooks Addiction Walker are better choices, and the Dansko XP 2.0 clog suits people who like a rocker sole.

What shoes do nurses with plantar fasciitis wear?

Nurses with heel pain commonly choose stable cushioned trainers like the Brooks Ghost, slip-resistant work trainers like the Hoka Bondi SR, or rocker-bottom clogs like the Dansko XP 2.0. Whichever you choose, add a supportive insole if the stock one is flat, and alternate two pairs across shifts so the foam has time to recover between wears.

Are steel-toe boots bad for plantar fasciitis?

The safety toe itself does not cause plantar fasciitis, but heavy boots with thin, flat footbeds can aggravate it. Composite or carbon-fibre toes are lighter. More important is what is under your heel: a cushioned, removable footbed you can replace with an arch support, a firm shank and a heel that is not completely flat. Getting the width right also matters.

Are clogs good for plantar fasciitis at work?

Professional clogs with a rocker sole and a contoured footbed, like the Dansko XP 2.0, work well for many people. The rocker reduces toe bend and the raised heel eases calf tension. Their weakness is the open back and high platform, which can be unstable. People with ankle instability, or who climb ladders or move quickly, are usually better in a supportive trainer.

How often should I replace work shoes if I have heel pain?

Replace them when the support has gone rather than on a fixed schedule. Signs include creased or flattened heel foam, a heel counter that collapses when squeezed, uneven wear that makes the shoe tilt, and pain returning late in the shift. For people standing full time, that often happens within six to twelve months, sooner if one pair is worn every day.

Should I put insoles in my work boots for plantar fasciitis?

Usually, yes. Most stock work boot insoles are thin and flat. A semi-rigid arch support with a deep heel cup, used in place of the stock insole, often makes a noticeable difference. Current guidelines support orthoses as part of a combined treatment plan. If over-the-counter insoles do not help after a few weeks, a podiatric assessment for custom orthotics is reasonable.

• Koc TA Jr, Bise CG, Neville C, Carreira D, Martin RL, McDonough CM. Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2023;53(12):CPG1–CPG39.
• Allam AE, Chang KV. Plantar Heel Pain. StatPearls Publishing.
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Heel Pain. OrthoInfo.
• Doctors of Running. Brooks Ghost 18 Review. Doctors of Running, 2026.

Related heel pain guides

• Best shoes for plantar fasciitis
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• Best Brooks for plantar fasciitis
• Best Hoka for plantar fasciitis
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• Best heel cups for plantar fasciitis
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• Plantar fasciitis treatment
• How long does plantar fasciitis last?