Suffering from plantar fasciitis? Is your running injury bringing you down? Don’t think you’ll be able to recover and compete in the next racing event which probably will be organized in a couple of months? Feel like you’ve lost the race already? Wish you could turn back time or had some kind of magic spell that could alleviate the pain and treat your problem quickly? Well, then let’s just say you have come to the right place! No, we don’t have any magic tricks up our sleeves or potions to cure plantar fasciitis, but we can spell out the four words that are proven to heal your heel pain – plantar fasciitis night splint. But remember, not all night splints are equal. You need to get your hands on the best plantar fasciitis night splints for effective results.
The ugly truth about running is that injuries happen, but how you overcome your running injuries is what really shows your passion. Where some runners take plantar fasciitis as a setback and a season-ending running injury; others take it as an opportunity to make history and prove to the world that nothing – no pain or no injury – can stop them from running like a real champion and setting the tracks ablaze. And if you fall in the latter category, then you’ll know exactly what we are trying to say here!
Now let’s cut to the chase and talk some more about night splints that can help you relive your dream of running long distances. Did we just turn that downward curve on your face into a big smile? If yes, then we are glad and we can promise you that this smile will get wider as you continue to read on, because we have compiled great information for you on this amazing device and that’s not all, wait till you here this.
For your ease, we conducted a comprehensive market research and based on it, we have exclusively created a list of the top 10 plantar fasciitis night splints that we think are the best and the most effective to alleviate plantar fasciitis.
Top 10 Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints Comparison Guide
Are you super-excited to find out the names of the brand that have earned a spot in our top 10 list? Itching to learn? Don’t want to wait more? Want us to spill the beans already? We know curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back, so we will not build more drama and make you more impatient than you are now!
Here’s a sneak peak at the 10 best night splints on the market:
| Picture | Night Splints | Type | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bird & Cronin | Boot | $ |  |
 | Alpha Medical | Boot | $ | |
 | Futuro Sleep Support | Dorsal | $$ |  |
 | Active Ankle Dns Dorsal | Dorsal | $ | |
 | Swede-O Deluxe | Soft | $$ | |
 | Thermoskin Night Time Relief | Dorsal | $ |  |
 | Nice Stretch 90 | Soft | $$ | |
 | United Surgical | Boot | $ | |
 | Flexibrace Soft Extra Comfort | Soft | $$ | |
 | Ortho Heal Pneumatic Daytime Brace | Dorsal | $$ | |
The interactive comparison table has 5 columns which are:
• Night Splint pictures
• Brand and product name – (click to view more details or to purchase)
• Night Splint Type
• Price – These are approximate prices on Amazon.com. Here is the price legend.
- $ = under $20,
- $$ = $20 to $50,
- $$$ = $50 to $100
- $$$$ = $100+
• Rating – These are our ratings on a 1 to 5 scale.
A word of advice, take your time to analyze this chart. Compare and evaluate your options carefully to make an informed decision. We suggest you to read our reviews on each of the ten night splints first to get a clear and better idea.
Do You Recognize the Three Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is either a traction or compression injury, most often associated with running or impact sports. This type of running injury is commonly diagnosed in runners with poor foot biomechanics; such as runners with flat feet or weak foot-arch control muscles. Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining of the ligament that supports arch of the foot, while repeated strain causes tiny tears in the ligament that result in pain and inflammation.
Here are three common symptoms of plantar fasciitis:
- Severe pain under your heel and in your foot arch
- The pain gets worse in the morning or after resting
- The first step you take when you get out of the bed is excruciating
Night Splints – See How You Can Alleviate Plantar Fasciitis Injury and Enjoy Running on the Tracks Like Before
We don’t say that night splints are a guaranteed way to treat your morning woes for good, but we are pretty confident that it is one of the most effective ways to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis injury and set you on the path to recovery.
If you are new to this device, then let us walk you through what night splints are and why are they effective for runners suffering from plantar fasciitis.
A night splint is a device ideally designed to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. Its therapeutic benefit is based on maintaining the length of the plantar fascia by holding your foot with your toes pointed upward. Yes, it looks slightly dorky but you’ll be willing to look like a dork once you see the results it delivers.
It strategically positions your foot in a 90° dorsiflexion angle which provides a gentle and a constant stretch to the plantar fascia while you sleep; and relieves you from that hot spike in the heel when you take your first step in the morning. It also stretches the Achilles tendon at the back of your heel and prevents it from contracting. Wearing it ensures that the inflamed area of your foot experiences very little stress.
Wait; there is more that is does! If you are wondering about the long-term benefits, then you should know that continuous use of night splint repairs the degenerative condition and promotes healing in the long-run; thereby helping you recover from plantar fasciitis with time and do what you were born to do – run like a pro.
However, you should now that the effectiveness of a night splint depends on certain factors like:
- Your sleep regimen
- Compliance with your physician’s instructions
- The quality of your splints
Here are Different Types of Night Splints that Runners Use to Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Since each plantar fasciitis case is different from the other, there are different types of night splints available on the market. However, these can be divided into 3 broad categories: boot night splint, dorsal night splint, and soft night splint as shown in the picture below.
1) Boot Night Splint
And yes; you guessed it right! It looks exactly how it sounds – a boot. The way it is engineered makes it quite different from dorsal night splint. The spine of the splint is located at the back of the leg and calf which runs under the foot. It provides dorsiflexion to the foot and also stretches out the Achilles tendons. You can easily adjust the level of flexion with this boot and achieve about 10 to 30° of flexion of the foot. Normally, the boot splint is larger than the dorsal style splint and has a hard cover on the side while the interior of the splint is quite soft.
2) Dorsal Night Splint
As the name suggests; this type of splint rides smoothly along the shin and top of the foot. It provides a hard plastic support that keeps your foot firmly in a 90° angle and leaves your arch and heel free to breathe. It basically pulls your toes towards your knee while keeping calf muscle and Achilles tendon stretched out. It is light in weight and is much easier to sleep in due to its unique design. Simply put, if you are a toasty sleeper, then you’ll love it.
3) Soft Night Splint
A soft night splints is engineered like a sock that can be easily worn over the foot and heel. The strap of this splint type runs from the toes to the top at the ankle to provide users the flexion.
What Medical Science Say about Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints?
When it comes to plantar fasciitis night splints, there are two schools of thought. One that says that these are quite effective and the other school of thought says, not so much! But we are not here to take sides; we are here to provide you with a solution for your problem based on research and facts. Let’s dig in deep to learn what medical science has to say about night splints for plantar fasciitis.
After conducting a comprehensive research, we found out that there is plenty of evidence that suggests that night splints are actually quite effective for people suffering from plantar fasciitis. It is believed that both custom-made prescribed orthotics and tension night splints are equally effective in relieving the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Here are some studies that prove the effectiveness of night splints:
A research was conducted on 14 patients with a total of 18 symptomatic feet for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis condition, which they had been suffering from more than 1 year and had previously undergone treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, shoe modifications and physical therapy without resolution. During the research study, all patients were provided night splints while they continued to use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, spenco liners and also performed general stretching exercises. In less than 4 months, 11 patients recovered successfully.
Another study conducted on the effective treatment of plantar fasciitis with dorsiflexion night splints sampling a total of 37 people for 6 months showed some jaw dropping results which yet again proves the effectiveness of splints. All 37 people suffering from plantar fasciitis were treated with dorsiflexion night splints for a month and no other medication or strengthening/stretching exercises were prescribed.
They were into 2 groups where group A were treated to splints for the 1st month while group B for 2 months. No splints were used in the remaining four months of the study. The results from the study were amazing, 88 percent of the individuals experienced improvement in their condition and the improvements were maintained until study completion.
A similar study was performed by the University of Pittsburgh to determine the efficacy of using night splints. Three control groups of 30 persons were set up under this study. One group used only night splints; the second one used arch supports; while the third group in the study used both arch supports and night splints. The study concluded that, the use of both arch supports and night splints was more effective than when they are used individually.
Based on these research studies and a growing consensus among the medical science community on the effectiveness of plantar fasciitis night splints, we rest our case.
Discover the Amazing Benefits of Wearing Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints
Now that you know that it is scientifically proven that splints are great for plantar fasciitis condition, it’s time to count down the number of amazing benefits this device offers. Here we go:
- The first step you take after waking up from deep slumber is less painful
- Promotes healing of the damaged ligament
- Alleviates heel pain
- Offers comfort
Albeit, night splints are beneficial for individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis, but there are some issues or call them complaints that sometimes make users dread these devices, such as the feet numbing from the pressure of the splint straps. This is a common complaint in boot style splints.
Other than that; they are cumbersome and sleeping in them initially may be a quest for some. But let’s not forget; good things don’t come easy in life, you need to work for it; right? So, we guess little issues like these are okay to enjoy the bigger benefits splints have to offer.
10 Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints – Make an Informed Investment Decision about Night Splints in the First Go
Here comes the part that you’ve been waiting for – the reviews! If you are a first time buyer; then you’ll definitely find this section of our post extremely helpful as we navigate through the 10 best plantar fasciitis night splints in the market.
1. Bird & Cronin Plantar Fasciitis Adjustable Night Splint
Bird & Cronin Plantar Fasciitis adjustable night splint earns a spot in our list of top 10 night splints for all the right reasons. This boot style slip resistant splint is ingeniously engineered to provide individuals relief from pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis. It is light weight, which makes it quite easy for individuals to sleep. Besides this, it is latex free, adjustable and the slip resistant sole offers unmatched patient safety. This night splint holds the foot in gentle dorsiflexion, allowing the user to apply consistent stretch to the plantar fascia. Its soft padding on the inside makes it extremely comfortable and prevents irritation.
If you thought that’s all that Bird & Cronin has to offer; then no sir, there is definitely more! This night splint is breathable and its center release buckles make it user-friendly. Besides that, it fits both the left and right foot perfectly and is available in all sizes – small, medium and large. However, what we don’t like is that the foot goes numb if it is strapped too tight. Overall; we give it a 9.5/10.
2. Alpha Medical Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint Brace Heel and Foot Pain
If we were to describe Alpha Medical plantar fasciitis night splint in 4 words we’d say ‘Good Value for Money’. It is comparatively expensive than other night splints on the market, but it’s worth the money spend. Alpha Medical plantar fasciitis night splint is specifically designed to provide users a comfortable position the foot with a controlled amount of dorsiflexion.
It has a low-profile shell and the soft foam on the inside increases its breathability, thereby eliminating heat buildup. This night splint provides a gentle stretch to Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. It keeps the ankle in a neutral position overnight and smoothly stretches the plantar fascia and calf while you sleep. It is great to alleviate night time heel and foot pain, reduce inflammation and muscle contracture.
3. Nice Stretch 90 Patented Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
Nice Stretch 90 patented plantar fasciitis night splint provides you a fixed-angle support with a low-profile design that tightly holds the flexion and allows the plantar fascia to gradually heal. When coupled with cold therapy, it significantly reduces inflammation. You can use a polar ice insert for cold therapy. Its toe-lift is great for toe extension and mid-foot strap provides improved stretching.
In addition to this, its secure heel and adjustable bilateral straps offer excellent stretching of soft tissue, which is effective for healing not only plantar fasciitis but also plantar flexion contractures and tight triceps surae. The only thing that might be a turn off for many is that this splint is pricey and will put a big dent on your pocket.
4. United Surgical Adjustable Night Splints
If you are looking for splint with a cool foam liner with a soft padding; then United Surgical Adjustable Night Splint is your best bet. It is all you need and offer much more. This splint is perfect to relief the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. It is adjustable from 10 to 90 degrees dorsiflexion, providing you a controlled application for a prolonged stretch. It’s available in all sizes.
5. Plantar Fasciitis Soft Night Splint Extra-comfort By Flexibrace
For those who don’t like bulky and hard plastic splints, soft night splint by Flexibrace is an excellent alternative. It is provides a firm support and is super soft like a sock. If you are wondering about its effectiveness, then we’ll just say this splint has you covered. It is actually quite effective for treating plantar fasciitis, heel pain, plantar flexion contractures and heel spurs. It is proven for faster healing and minimizes pain. It features padded straps with contact closures for unmatched comfort. What more can you ask for? For female runners suffering from plantar fasciitis, this splint is no less than a fashion statement, however, for men the look of this splint may be a turn off.
6. Futuro Night Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support
Futuro night plantar fasciitis sleep support is right on the money. It features comfortable straps that help maintain position of brace on foot and helps you even walk comfortably. It has breathable foam on the inside so you can be confident that you will not feel uneasy at night. It positions at 85 to 90 degree angle of the foot and securely stabilizes your foot. It’s perfect for light sleepers with plantar fasciitis problem.
7. Active Ankle Dns Dorsal Night Splint Small
This splint may be small but in performance it is second to none. It is 10/10 on comfort and user-friendly. You can easily adjust it and wear it all night long without feeling uneasy. In terms of price, we can assure you that it’s affordable. However, what we don’t like is the fact that it comes in only one size.
8. Swede-O Deluxe Padded Night Splint
The name spells out it unique proposition perfectly. If you are looking for a luxury experience then this one’s for you. It is by far one of the most comfortable night splint in the market. It is soft and stylish, keeps your foot at a 90° degree angle and effectively treats plantar fasciitis condition. In addition to this, it provides fantastic support and reliefs you from plantar fasciitis pain and discomfort. Unlike Active Ankle Dns Dorsal Night Splint, Swede O Deluxe is available in all sizes.
9. Thermoskin Night Time Relief FXT
Out of all the splints on our list, in terms of style Thermoskin Night Time Relief FXT stands out. Its design is very different and we mean it. It is made of Thermoskin patented Trioxon-lining. The Plantar FXT increases the skin temperature up 3°F for optimal heat therapy. Plus, it also improves blood flow to the tissue. It is soft and comfortable. If you are concerned about the breathability factor, then don’t be! The dexterous spiral structure of their patent Trioxon-lining helps wick moisture away from the skin and prevents excessive perspiration. However, foot slippage may be a concern.
10. Ortho Heal Pneumatic Daytime Brace for Plantar Fasciitis
Made from nylon, this splint is designed for fast heel pain, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. It has a horse shoe shape on the bottom and features air bladder system that provides a cushioned landing when you walk in it, alleviating you from heel pain during activities and from that epic first step that all individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis dread. It’s available in 3 sizes and fits both feet.
Get the Best Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint for Your Feet
As we said earlier that injuries happen, but how you cope with them really matters. You can take it as a setback and give your dream of becoming a world-class runner a back seat or take control of your life, look for a solution to bounce back from your challenging situation and show the world that nothing can stop you from realizing your dream, not even an injury like plantar fasciitis.
Keep your spirits high and browse through our chart of 10 best plantar fasciitis night splint to make your pick. Select the one that suits your needs and get ready to rewrite your destiny.