Do you dread getting out of bed due to an excruciating step out of bed, a feeling of a hot spike being driven through your heel?
Are you suffering from Plantar Fasciitis and are looking for an affordable night splint?
Night splints are foot braces which are worn at night as you go to bed to provide a gentle but constant stretch of the plantar fascia ligament while you sleep. They provide the much-needed relief from the plantar fasciitis pain.
They are designed to maintain the foot in a position with the toes pointed up, immobilizing your foot and supporting the ankle.
The list below presents the best plantar fasciitis night splints and braces.
Best Night Splints & Braces For Plantar Fasciitis 2017
| Image | Name | Editor Rating |
| Cramer Dorsal Night Splint | 5/5 | |
| Futuro Night Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support | 4/5 | |
| Thermoskin Plantar FXT | 4/5 | |
| Bird and Cronin Night Splint | 4.5/5 | |
| AlphaBrace Night Splint | 4.5/5 | |
| StabilityAce Night Splint | 4.5/5 | |
| Mars Night Splint | 4/5 |
1. Cramer Dorsal Night Splint
Made of hard well-molded plastic material with a padded fabric liner interior, this splint has two velcro straps which wrap around the leg and one on the foot.
This makes it very forceful and comfortable for effective relief from plantar fasciitis pain.
It has a strong construction with minimal weight and heat retention making it especially comfortable to wear during sleep.
Moreover, it has great support for the arch of the foot thus allowing for proper healing.
What We Like
- Light weight
- Low profile design
- Comfortable to wear
- Less bulky
- Triple-stitch strap for solid fit and support.
What We Don’t Like
- Runs a bit wide for people with small feet
- Make the foot numb if adjusted too tightly
- Might slip while sleeping
2. Futuro Night Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support
Futuro is made of 60% polypropylene and is fully adjustable to fit feet from size 8 to 15 and maintains a therapeutic angle of 85-90 degrees angle.
It has breathable soft foam on the inside to enable comfortable support all night.
The splint has comfortable straps which maintain the brace in place, allowing you to walk even while wearing it.
Additionally, it is made of a combination of power stretch and non-stretch materials making it capable of providing a higher level of support.
It may include shock absorbing materials to help relieve the symptoms.
What We Like
- Highly portable
- One-size fits all
- More breathable than the foot design models
- Easy to wear or remove
- Less intrusive design
- Low-profile support made with lightweight materials
- Moisture-wicking straps are soft and durable
- Cushion pad for optimal comfort
What We Don’t Like
- Might reduce circulation
- Foot can slip
- Needs time to get accustomed to and to get the best fit
- The adhesive material is problematic and the straps may keep falling off
3. Thermoskin Plantar FXT
Thermoskin FXT has a low profile, comfortable design and uses a semi rigid strap to pull the toes back comfortably stretching the Plantar Fascia.
It has a softer profile which makes it feel more of a sock than a splint since the material is less binding than hard plastic.
The splint comes with a Trioxon lining which increases the subcutaneous skin temperature allowing for optimal heat therapy and blood flow to the tissue.
What We Like
- Less intrusive than a brace
- Small and easy to use
- Light but firm compression
- Available in six sizes
- 12 months guarantee against material and poor workmanship
What We Don’t Like
- Heat technology material causes sweating
- A bit of discomfort due to pulled back toes
4. Bird and Cronin Night Splint
Bird and Cronin has a lightweight design and slip-resistant sole which ensuring that your foot remains stretched all night in a dorsiflexed position.
This splint is particularly lightweight and adjustable making it an excellent choice for plantar fasciitis pain relief. It has a well-padded interior and highly breathable material for improved comfort.
The splint has foam-padded side straps for extra comfort and which pull up to increase the angle. It does not come with a wedge. The foam inside is made of Lycra and is washable and breathable.
What We Like
- Soft padding makes it comfortable to wear
- Fits on both legs
- Available in multiple sizes
- Suitable for people who are allergic to natural rubber latex since it does not contain it.
- Open front design allows flexibility on types and sizes of feet
What We Don’t Like
- May cause numbness if strapped too tight
- Difficult to move around in
- Sizes run small
5. AlphaBrace Night Splint
The AlphaBrace splint is designed to position your foot in a dorsiflexed position for a gentle stretch contracting the muscle and reducing the inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.
It is made of a lightweight material and the foam is soft, breathable and stays cool to your foot.
It comes with three padded straps with buckles so that you can adjust the angle to your convenience.
What We Like
- May come with a toe-support wedge
- Padding provides extra support
- Available in multiple sizes
- Fits on either foot
- 30 days money back guarantee
What We Don’t Like
- Reported instances of middle strap not locking firmly into place
- May take time to get used to
- Incorrect strapping may cause numbness
6. StabilityAce Night Splint
StabilityAce is a soft splint with latex-free foam padding and comes with two stretch wedges and a foot massage ball for effective plantar fasciitis pain relief.
It is lightweight and the padded buckles help to immobilize your foot so that it remains in steady throughout the night.
It can be worn with or without the socks and the lightweight shell is breathable. The padding is made of Lycra and is washable while the bottom sole is made of a non-slip material.
What We Like
- Massage balls are effective when you don’t have the splint on
- Multiple sizes
- Two wedges for extra support
- One year warranty
- The pads are washable and breathable
- Suitable for people allergic to natural latex
What We Don’t Like
- May take time to get used to
- Reported cases on initial discomfort
7. Mars Night Splint
The mars night splint comes with three padded straps with buckles for extra comfort and to hold you snugly in place.
Additionally, it has two tension straps on the sides to help you adjust the foot angle and increase flexion thereby giving you a good stretch.
It has a low profile breathable shell which is sturdy to hold you without slipping out. Moreover, it is more open thus helping to keep you cool and sweat-free.
What We Like
- Dual tension straps for increased flexion
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Multiple colors
- 30-days money back guarantee
What We Don’t Like
- Discomfort in the initial days
- Sizes run small
- Not ideal for people with shoe size less than 6.5
8. Brownmed Nice Stretch 90 Night Splint
This is a fixed angle splint for an improved therapy and is made of a rigid plastic enclosure that holds you securely. The non-slip bottom provides extra stability during walking.
The splint has three Velcro straps with buckles to attach around your ankle and arch. Additionally, it comes with sealed removable ice packs and a toe wedge to more adjustment on the angle.
What We Like
- Low profile design
- Sealed removable ice packs
- Open-toed for improved breathability
- Non-slip bottom
What We Don’t Like
- The one-sided Velcro wear out easily
- The strap at the ankle is fairly short
9. ACE Brand Plantar Fasciitis Sleep Support
This splint offers a firm stabilizing support and is adjustable making it ideal for many people looking for relief from pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
It comfortably holds your foot in position all night long thereby helping to relieve the morning foot and heel pain.
The straps are made of a breathable, moisture-releasing, soft and durable material.
The cushion pads provide extra comfort and the splint provides the highest level of support and stabilization by utilizing flexible, hinged, plastic and/or aluminum stabilizers.
What We Like
- Durable
- Low-profile customizable design
- Breathable and releases moisture for improved hygiene
- Plastic and/or aluminum stabilizers
- Soft edges feel smooth against your skin
- Cushion padding improved comfort
- Does not contain natural rubber latex
- One-size fits most
What We Don’t Like
- Slips off while you sleep
- Does not fit right
- Does not offer as much support as the boots variety
Do Night Splints Work For Plantar Fasciitis?
Research reveals that the use of a night splint has proven to be an effective treatment for one-third of the people suffering from plantar fasciitis.
In many experiments, one of which was conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), all the patients who used night splints were cured within an average of 13 weeks.
The night splint is worn overnight to prevent stiffening of the fascia tissue while you are resting as this would make it harder to treat the pain.
It can also be worn during the day as increased treatment time helps to speed up the healing process.
How long do you wear a night splint?
The duration of the pain determines the period you are required to wear the splint. The most recommended time is two weeks, but for other patients, it can be four weeks or more.
Night splints are proved to be effective both long-term and short-term for plantar fasciitis. So they can be worn up to 12 to 52 weeks.
How to wear night splints for plantar fasciitis?
- The first strap to be attached is the one in the middle. This ensured the heel is firmly secured on the crux of the splint.
It is advisable to wear the night splint with the knee bent. This makes it easy for the foot to bend upwards.
- Tie the other straps which are located on the foot and the sides of the leg. Ensure they are fitted comfortably, without being too tight.
- Adjust the Velcro straps on the side of the splints to determine how far the foot can bend upwards toward the knee.
- Using the toe wedge is optional but tactical as it bends the toes, therefore, allowing the plantar fascia to stretch.
It is advisable to wear it through the night, but some people may remove it due to the discomfort, which may interfere with sleep.
Types of Night Splints
- Dorsal Night Splints are designed to cover the front of the leg, leaving the heel and arc free. They are often considered the best as they are more comfortable than the other type.
For this type of splints, slide the foot inside with the inside flap resting on the arc. Set the flaps in a comfortable position and fasten the straps. Once the straps have been well adjusted, use the splint as you would a slipper.
- The Adjustable Splint has a hard plastic on the outside, and the interior is lined with soft material. It covers the back of the leg, the ankle, and the sheen. The design incorporates straps to adjust the fit of the splint for maximum comfort.
You can also use the materials at home to make a homemade night splint wrap.
One method is to pick a sock and sew in two loops, one on the middle of the sheen and the other at the location of the toes. Take an elastic string and pass it through the loop on the toes. Pull until you feel the tension at the bottom of the foot then secure it on the other loop.
Fasteners can also be used to design this homemade splint for increased efficiency.
Associated Risks/Problems
The use of night splints does not have any risk. Nonetheless, the pressure applied on the arc and ankle reduces the amount of blood being supplied to the toes. This results in a feeling of numbness in the toes.
Night splints are available online with the common retailers being: Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid. Unless you have the brand specified by the doctor, you are free to choose from a range of popular brands such as Thermoskin, Futuro, and Cramer.