According to a study by Danielle L Sher et al., the incidence of Plantar Fasciitis in the United States military is 10.5 per 1000 person-years. Despite the sex, age, race, and service, anyone could be diagnosed with heel pain and if not treated can result in plantar fasciitis.
As a military, construction worker, police, or law enforcement, you need supportive and protective footwear to keep your feet safe and pain-free in every situation. The best tactical boots for plantar fasciitis can help keep your feet healthy in the first place.
Here are our picks for the best tactical boots for plantar fasciitis:
- Best Overall: Bates Men’s Ulta-lites 8 Inches Tactical Sport Comp Toe Work Boot
- Best Runner Up: Under Armour Men’s Stellar Military and Tactical Boot
- Best Budget: NORTIV 8 Men’s Military Tactical Work Boots Hiking Motorcycle Combat Boots
- Best Waterproof: Bates Men’s Gx-8 Gore-Tex Composite Toe Side Zip Work Boot
- Best Value: Garmont Men’s T8 Bifida Tactical Military
- Best for Wet Environment: 5.11 Men’s Speed 3.0 Jungle Tactical Boot Military & Tactical
- Best for Women: Bates Women’s Gx-8 Gore-tex Waterproof Side Zip Boot
- Best Composite Toe: Reebok Work Duty Men’s Rapid Response RB RB8874 8″ Tactical Boot
- Best Flexible: 5.11 Men’s ATAC 2.0 8″ Military Tactical Boot
- Best Lightweight: Reebok Men’s Sublite Cushion Tactical 6 Inch Boot Military & Tactical
The Top 10 Best Tactical Boot for Plantar Fasciitis
Best Overall: Bates Men’s Ulta-lites 8 Inches Tactical Sport Comp Toe Work Boot
Key Features
- Durable leather and performance nylon upper
- Moisture-wicking, breathable lining
- Removable cushioned insert
- Lightweight cushioned EVA midsole
- Non-metallic ASTM F2413-15 rated composite toe
Pros
- Lightweight, breathable and comfortable
- High shock absorbency
- Superior arch support
- Electrical hazard protection
- Quick on and off
Cons
- It can be tight to get into
Bates is one of the most reliable brands when it comes to tactical boots.
The Bates Men’s UltraLite 8 Inches is a classic Lightweight, breathable, and provides all-day comfort to relieve plantar fasciitis, one of Bates’ best-selling tactical boots and is the best tactical boot for plantar fasciitis.
The boot features a removable cushioned insert and a lightweight EVA midsole that provides cushioning, high shock absorbency, superior arch support, and all-day comfort.
The boot comes with a non-metallic ASTM F2413-15 rated composite toe to protect your toe against impact and compression and electrical hazard protection to protect you against open circuits.
Best Runner Up: Under Armour Men’s Stellar Military and Tactical Boot
Key Features
- DWR treated Leather & 900D nylon textile upper
- Molded EVA midsole with reinforced TPU shank
- Anti-odor technology
- Ortholite sockliner
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole
Pros
- Light, comfortable and tough
- Quick-dry minimalist design
- Excellent ankle support and protection
- Quality materials and construction
- Breathable and with anti-odor technology
Cons
- No side zipper
The Under Armor Stellar Military and Tactical boot feature an ortholite sock liner, a molded EVA midsole, anti-odor technology, and a quick-dry minimalist design ideal for plantar fasciitis.
The ortholite sock liner and the EVA midsole of this boot provide excellent shock absorbency, superior cushioning and arch support, lightweight comfort, and protection to help relieve your plantar fasciitis.
The Under Armor Stellar comes with a slip-resistant low-profile rubber lug outsole that provides grip and traction on the various surfaces and anti-odor technology to provide ventilation and keep your feet smelling fresh all day.
Best Budget: NORTIV 8 Men’s Military Tactical Work Boots Hiking Motorcycle Combat Boots
Key Features
- Premium leather upper
- Foam padded collar
- Rugged rubber outsole
- Removable shock-absorbent insole
- Flexible EVA midsole
Pros
- Reduces foot fatigue
- Ankle-high protection
- High shock absorbency
- It offers a combination of comfort, breathability, and long term protection at the same time
- Flexible to various outdoor terrain
Cons
- Need breaking-in
At less than $64, the Nortiv 8 Men’s is the best budget tactical boot for plantar fasciitis and comes with premium features to help relieve your plantar fasciitis.
The boot features a removable shock-absorbent insole that offers support all day and a flexible EVA midsole that reduces fatigue and absorbs shock to help relieve and alleviate plantar fasciitis.
The boot features a YKK side zipper for quick on/off, durable and breathable fabric to keep your feet cool and dry, and a slip-resistant rubber outsole to provide a flexible response to various terrain.
Best Waterproof: Bates Men’s Gx-8 Gore-Tex Composite Toe Side Zip Work Boot
Key Features
- Waterproof Leather and Nylon Upper
- Breathable Gore-Tex membrane with an interior moisture-wicking lining
- Non-Metallic Composite Toe ASTM F2413-11 rated.
- Lightweight EVA Cushioned Midsole
- Slip Resistant Rubber Outsole
Pros
- Superior arch support
- Excellent shock absorbency
- Lightweight cushioning
- Highly breathable and waterproof
- Exceptional stability and traction
Cons
- A little bit expensive
The Bates Men’s Gx-8 Gore-Tex Composite Toe Side Zip Work Boot is the best waterproof tactical boot and comes with all essential features to heal and relieve plantar fasciitis.
The boot is waterproof full-grain leather and performance nylon upper with protective panels. It features a Breathable Gore-Tex membrane with an interior moisture-wicking lining to keep water away while providing ventilation to your feet.
The Bates Men’s Gx-8 Gore-Tex Composite Toe Tactical boot comes with a non-metallic ASTM F2413-11 rated composite toe cap to protect your feet against impact and compression and a slip-resistant rubber outsole to provide grip and traction on various surfaces.
This best tactical boot for plantar fasciitis offers superior arch support and excellent shock absorbency. It features a lightweight cushioned EVA midsole and removable cushioned insert to help heal and relieve your plantar fasciitis.
Best Value: Garmont Men’s T8 Bifida Tactical Military
Key Features
- Suede nylon
- PU breathable footbed
- Durable nylon webbing and metallic eyelets
- Zero optical refraction hardware at the instep
- Vibram rubber soles
Pros
- Outstanding quality and attention to detail
- Flawless performance in all environments
- Lightweight comfort and protection
- Suitable for amphibious environments or extremely wet climates
Cons
- The tongue design needs improvement
The Garmont Men’s T8 Bifida Tactical Military is a multi-terrain tactical boot for plantar fasciitis that offers unsurpassed comfort and protection even under heavy loads and in demanding situations.
The foot is made of durable nylon webbing and metallic eyelets and features a breathable PU footbed and EVA midsole for flawless performance and comfort in all environments.
The tactical boot is Lightweight and offers unsurpassed comfort and protection in any situation that requires long periods of excessive walking and standing.
The Garmont Men’s T8 Bifida Tactical Military is highly breathable. It features durable upper construction that provides ventilation and quick-dry materials that make it suitable for an extremely wet climate and amphibious environment.
Best for Wet Environment: 5.11 Men’s Speed 3.0 Jungle Tactical Boot Military & Tactical
Key Features
- Quick-dry suede and nylon
- Ortholite imperial footbed
- Shock mitigation system
- Slip and oil-resistant rubber outsole
- Interior odor-resistant fabric
- Innovative fence climbing toe
Pros
- Superior shock absorbency
- Excellent ankle support
- Very durable and comfortable
- Built to handle harsh and wet environments
- Steady and reliable traction
Cons
- Short laces
Built to handle harsh and wet environments, the 5.11 Men’s Speed 3.0 Jungle Tactical Boot Military & Tactical is the best plantar fasciitis tactical boot for wet environments.
The boot features 5.11’s newly developed speed cup sole platform for stability, comfort, shock absorbency, fence climbing toe, and other features to help relieve your plantar fasciitis.
The boot features an ortholite imperial footbed and shock mitigation system for superior ankle support and shock absorption. It features quick-dry suede and nylon materials and a slip-resistant multi-terrain train, ideal for wet and harsh environments.
Best for Women: Bates Women’s Gx-8 Gore-tex Waterproof Side Zip Boot
Key Features
- Waterproof full-grain leather and performance nylon upper
- Breathable waterproof GORE-TEX membrane with a moisture-wicking lining
- Lightweight cushioned EVA midsole
- Removable cushioned insert
- YKK side zipper
Pros
- Breathable and waterproof
- Durable, Lightweight, and comfortable
- Provides all-day comfort
- Excellent ankle support and protection
- Excellent cushioning
Cons
- Not made to attain high shine
The Bates Women’s Gx-8 Gore-tex Waterproof Side Zip Boot is the best women’s tactical boot and comes with advanced features for relieving plantar fasciitis.
The tactical boot features a removable cushioned insert and a lightweight EVA midsole that provides lightweight cushioning, shock absorbency, comfort, and ankle support for plantar fasciitis.
The boot is durable, lightweight, breathable, and features a breathable waterproof GORE-TEX membrane with a moisture-wicking lining to provide ventilation to your feet and comfort all day.
Best Composite Toe: Reebok Work Duty Men’s Rapid Response RB RB8874 8″ Tactical Boot
Key Features
- Leather and ballistic nylon
- ASTM F2413, XTR Brand Composite Toe Cap
- Foot Force F2A Athletic Footbed
- Electrical Hazard Protection
- Shock Eliminator Heel Cushion
Pros
- Composite toe is airport friendly and meets ASTM F2413-11 safety standards
- High shock absorbency
- Superior arch support
- Comes with advanced comfort and protection technology
- Provides all-day cushioning and comfort to relieve plantar fasciitis
Cons
- It can take some getting used to
The Reebok Response RB8874 is the best composite toe tactical boot for plantar fasciitis and comes with advanced comfort and protection features to help relieve your plantar fasciitis.
The boot features an airport-friendly ASTM F2413-11 rated composite toe cap and electrical hazard protection for safety.
The Reebok Response RB8874 comes with an EVA midsole, embedded Shock Eliminator heel cushion, and Foot Force F2A footbed to provide all-day comfort and plantar heel fasciitis.
The Rapid Response RB is a field-proven tactical boot with advanced comfort, durability, and protection technology ideal for plantar fasciitis.
Best Flexible: 5.11 Men’s ATAC 2.0 8″ Military Tactical Boot
Key Features
- Full-grain leather toe and 840D nylon
- Full-length dual durometer ortholite footbed
- Achilles heel flex zone
- Ortholite Achilles cuff
- Shock mitigation system
- Built-in knife pocket
Pros
- Enhanced comfort and flexibility
- Light, tough, and durable
- Excellent shock absorbency
- Superior arch support
- Provides rugged protection
Cons
- It takes time to break-in
The 5.11 Men’s ATAC 2.0 8″ Military Tactical Boot is very flexible and comfortable and the best flexible tactical boot for plantar fasciitis.
The boot features a full-length dual durometer ortholite footbed with an Achilles heel flex zone and an ortholite Achilles cuff for enhanced comfort and flexibility.
This flexible tactical boot is very durable and built with a shock mitigation system and Strobel construction to provide superior shock absorbency for plantar fasciitis.
The boot features a breathable tongue for maximum airflow and an Achilles flex zone for better maneuverability while on the job, plus ortholite X25 foam for better cushioning and rebound.
Best Lightweight: Reebok Men’s Sublite Cushion Tactical 6 Inch Boot Military & Tactical
Key Features
- Leather and textile
- MemoryTech Massage footbed
- Full-foot flex grooves
- Sublite foam midsole
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Breathable, comfortable, and flexible
- Excellent shock absorbency
- Adapts to the contours of your foot
- Not stiff like other leather tactical boots
Cons
- You may need heel cushion insoles
Weighing less than a pound, the Reebok Men’s Sublite Cushion Tactical boot is super lightweight and comes with essential comfort and protection features to help relieve your plantar fasciitis.
The tactical boot is made with 100% textile and synthetic with a shaft that measures approximately ankle-high from the arch and features a full-foot groove for improved mobility and flexes with every step.
The Reebok Men’s Sublite Cushion Tactical is very comfortable, flexible, and shock absorbent and comes with a MemoryTech Massage footbed that adapts to the contours of your foot to provide immediate cushioning and a sublite foam midsole for lightweight cushioning and soft support.
Buying Guide: Things to Look for in the Best Tactical Boots for in the Best Tactical Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
Adequate Cushioning:
A common myth about cushioning is that only those who need to run for miles need cushioning. But the truth is that any person needs cushioning in their footwear, and cushioning is an essential factor for comfort.
Cushioned insoles are one of the most important factors to look for when choosing the best tactical boots for plantar fasciitis. They help alleviate pain by reducing the pressure your feet experience when running, walking, or standing and also safeguards you against heel pain in a more demanding job and on longer days.
Superior Arch Support:
Your weight is not properly distributed when suffering from plantar fasciitis, causing heel pain. Proper arch support protects you from feeling a sharp stab of pain when your foot strikes the ground and protects your feet from swelling and injuries.
The best tactical boots for plantar fasciitis will propel your movement by offering much arch support.
Safety Toe:
Safety toe is another essential feature to consider when buying the best tactical boot for plantar fasciitis. Safety toe provides toe protection for plantar fasciitis and is composed of either steel or composite materials.
Steel is the most common and least expensive and are great for protecting you against impact and compression. However, they are very heavy and can be uncomfortable, which can cause more harm than good for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Composite are lightweight and offer more comfort and support, making them the best choice for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. They are ideal for those working in environments with electrical hazards as they are non-metallic and do not conduct electricity, heat, or cold.
Shock Absorption:
The more your feet contact the ground or hard surface, the more the chances of feeling heel pain. A tactical boot with high shock absorption will soak up the pressure from the impact, leaving your feet safe.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Tactical Boots for Plantar Fasciitis
Q. What is the Best Tactical Boot for Plantar Fasciitis:
A. Bates Men’s Ulta-lites 8 Inches Tactical Sport Comp Toe Work Boot is the best tactical boot for plantar fasciitis we tested for this review article with superior arch technology
Q. Is a Boot Good for Plantar Fasciitis?
A. Yes, a boot is good for plantar fasciitis and forces you to rest your foot and help to relieve plantar fasciitis.
Jesse is the main author of Tactical Angle. He’s also an avid survivalist, backpacker, and fishkeeper. He spends time setting up/maintaining my fish tanks, hiking, hunting, and climbing mountains.
