Best Pressure Relief for Heels in Bed 2024
Pressure sores can develop in anyone who spends long stretches of time lying down, regardless of whether it's due to illness, age or injury. When this happens, special measures must be taken to keep friction, shear and pressure to a minimum, as these are the most common causes of pressure sores. While pressure relief cushions and mattresses are often enough to prevent pressure sores, some people need additional help to protect one of the most at-risk areas of the body: the heels.
Our Favourite Solutions
- Softform Pressure Relief Heelpad
- Slippy Lambswool Heel Protectors
- Harvest Pressure Relief Heel Padding
- Systam Pressure Relief Heel Pad
- Systam Memory Foam Pressure Relief Boot
- HeelPro Heel Protection Boot
Softform Pressure Relief Heelpad (Double)
Why We Love It...
✔ Gel-filled pad reduces pressure on both heels
✔ Ideal for bedridden and immobile patients for all-day pressure relief
✔ Supplied with three covers to avoid contamination
Ideal For...
✔ General use throughout the day and night
✔ Bariatric and non-bariatric patients needing constant relief
✔ Bedridden individuals
Our Verdict: With two pressure-reducing gel heel sacs, the Softform Pressure Relief Heelpad (Double) provides excellent weight distribution to all but eliminate the risk of pressure sores and discomfort on the heels. Each heel is immersed in its own gel sac that is filled with a controlled volume of fluid, ensuring remarkable comfort and consistency in pressure distribution.
Customer Verdict: "[I] decided to buy the pressure reducing heel-pad like I had in hospital and I now sleep soundly every night...would definitely recommend this company and product." Charlotte ★★★★★
Winner: Slippy Heel Protectors with Lambswool (Pair)
Why We Love Them...
✔ Lambswool heel protectors are soft and comforting
✔ Soft strap for extra comfort and adjustment
✔ Perfect for insulation during winter
Ideal For...
✔ Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers
✔ Patients needing constant pressure relief
✔ Bedridden individuals wanting insulation
Our Verdict: The Slippy Heel Protectors with Lambswool give you luxurious comfort without a luxurious pricetag. Made of lambswool, your heels will feel extremely comfortable an dlight, reducing friction and pressure that is often felt after house of lying down. Supplied as a pair, these are the perfect solution to boost comfort and get rid of heel pain in bed.
Customer Verdict: "Excellent product, easily fitted, very comfortable and does the job perfectly. No more sore heels." G. ★★★★★
Runner Up: For a great value alternative, try the Pair of Pressure Relief Fleeced Heel Protectors.
Winner: Harvest Pressure Relief Heel Padding (Pair)
.jpg "Harvest Pressure Relief Heel Padding is great for bedridden and less mobile patients")
Why We Love Them...
✔ Protects patients when seated and in bed
✔ Generous fibre filling protects heels from ulceration and irritation
✔ Waterproof, vapour-permeable design reduces maceration
Ideal For...
✔ Easy to care for relief of the heel area
✔ Breathable design ensures hygiene and cleanliness
✔ For sensitive, painful skin and heels
Our Verdict: The Harvest Pressure Relief Heel Padding provides excellent support, comfort and protection to sensitive heels, and are fully adjustable to ensure they stay put throughout the night. These provide a high degree of comfort, and are made with a generous amount of fibre padding. The Velcro strapping makes adjustment simple, and each pad is supplied with a hygienic and soft two-way stretch, vapour-permeable cover for comfort.
Customer Verdict: "Very good, I really like them." Rachel ★★★★★
Runner Up: If you need heel protection in a lightweight 'boot' style, try the Slippy Heel Protectors with Lambswool (Pair).
Winner: Systam Pressure Relief Heel Pad
Why We Love It...
✔ Viscoelastic foam with memory effect contours around the heels
✔ Bi-stretch Polyurethane coating reduces shear and friction
✔ Non-slip cover stops slipping with foot and heel movement
Ideal For...
✔ Moderate loss of mobility on lower limbs
✔ Bariatric and non-bariatric pressure ulcer sufferers
✔ Bedridden individuals - easy to use for carers and patients
Our Verdict: Raised sides prevent slippage and stabilise the leg, while the soft, viscoelastic foam provides a soft and forgiving surface to minimise pressure on skin. Well suited to those with restricted lower leg mobility, this pad is complete with a cover coated in bi-stretch polyurethane, allowing it to move with skin to reduce shear and friction.
We spoke to the Systam, who said: "This heel pad uses incredible quality materials to prevent and treat existing pressure ulcers. This is also popular due to its application to a huge variety of issues - including people with little to no mobility in their lower body, plus people with pressure ulcer issues. For long-lasting pressure ulcer prevention, try the Systam Pressure Relief Heel Pad."
Runner Up: For half heel pressure relief, consider the Systam Pressure Relief Half Heel Pad.
Winner: Systam Memory Foam Pressure Relief Heel Boot
.jpg "Systam Memory Foam Pressure Relief Heel Support Boot gives intensive heel pressure relief")
Why We Love It...
✔ Length and shape of the boot prevents hyperextension
✔ Cut out ensures the heel is 100% free of pressure
✔ Prevents equinus distortion and rotation
Ideal For...
✔ Plantar flexion hypertonus (helps to reduce spasms)
✔ Absorbs pressure on sides of leg in cases of hip and heel rotation
✔ Intensive pressure relief for all over the leg and heels
Our Verdict: For patients at particularly high risk of pressure sores, or for those already suffering from ulcers, more serious measures may be necessary. Suited to post-surgical recovery or patients in intensive care, the Systam Memory Foam Pressure Relief Heel Boot provides powerful pressure relief with moulded memory foam that is shaped to prevent equinus distortion and rotation – a particular risk factor for pressure sores.
We spoke to the Systam, who said: "This support boot is perfect for patients at high-risk of developing pressure ulcers. It works by reducing friction and shear effects from bed contact, making it perfect for people who are bedridden a lot, or most of the time. This material also adapts to movement in the case of plantar flexion hypertonus, helping to reduce spasms."
Runner Up: For intensive but great value heel pressure relief, opt for the HeelPro Advance Heel Protection Boot.
Winner: HeelPro Heel Protection Boot
Why We Love It...
✔ Generous low-friction cushioning is soft and comforting
✔ Heel arperture is perfect for offloading and inspection
✔ Secure strapping ensures optimal positioning, prevents foot drop
Ideal For...
✔ Sizing is universal making this perfect for all users
✔ People from low-very high risk of ulcer development
✔ People with existing wounds on feet and ankles
Our Verdict: The HeelPro Heel Protection Boot protects heels from pressure ulcers to aid a faster recovery. This boot provides excellent preventative and restorative care to people with existing problems in the heel and feet areas. This is particularly brilliant for carers and patients, since the arpeture allows carers to assess the condition of the foot without needing to be removed, making this ideal for use in medical and home environments.
We spoke to the supplier, who said: "This support boot is perfect for patients at high-risk of developing pressure ulcers. It works by reducing friction and shear effects from bed contact - making it perfect for people who are bedridden a lot, or most of the time. This material also adapts to movement in the case of plantar flexion hypertonus, helping to reduce spasms."
Runner Up: For a great value alternative, give the Heelmedix Pressure Relief Heel Protector a go.
Why Do Heels Get Pressure Sores?
Areas of the body like the sacrum and the heels are more at risk than others – mostly due to their bony prominences and lack of subcutaneous tissue. Since these areas are rather isolated, they will often bear the lion's share of the weight in their section of the body, leading to painful pressure sores that are difficult to heal. To avoid sores and ulcers, pressure, shear and friction must all be dealt with, which are the main factors to consider when choosing a heel pressure relief product.
Get Rid of Your Heel Pain for Good
Whatever your reasons for seeking relief from heel pain and pressure in bed – be they comfort and relaxation or a more serious risk of pressure sores – we're sure to have the heel pressure relief solution for you. Since the heels are a particular risk area for pressure ulcers, it may be wise to tackle your pressure problems in yourself or your loved ones before they begin.
Want to take a look at our entire range of products for heel pressure, ranging from the simple to the more elaborate? Take a look at our Heel Pressure Relief category, all available with free UK delivery on all orders!
Do you have any questions about these products, or one of our other pressure relief options? Let us know in the comments, or find us on Facebook and Twitter!
Tags: Health and Care Expert Series, Learn about Conditions, Top 5 Guides
Invacare Softform Double Pressure Relief Heelpad
- Gel-filled pad to reduce pressure on both heels
- Ideal for bedbound and immobile patients
- Made with two gel sacs to allow excellent pressure displacement
- Also available in a single size for only one heel
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Pair of Pressure Relief Fleeced Heel Protectors
- Plush wool pile heel protectors for pressure relief
- Essential wear for those with pressure sores or ulcers
- Soft strap for extra comfort and an adjustable fit
- Sold and supplied as a pair
Harvest Pressure Relief Heel Padding
- Offers a high degree of patient comfort and protection
- Protects the heel area from pressure damage
- Protects the patient while they are seated or in bed
- Edges are fixed with Velcro strapping for secure support
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Systam Pressure Relief Heel Pad
- Made of Viscoelastic foam with memory effect
- Bi-stretch Polyurethane coating reduces friction and shear effects
- Well suited to cases of moderate loss of mobility of the lower limbs
- Ideal solution to people at risk of pressure sores on heels
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Systam Memory Foam Pressure Relief Heel Support Boot
- Cut out ensures that the heel is totally free of pressure
- Length and shape of the boot prevents hyperextension
- Suitable for patients at high risk of pressure sore development
- Reduces friction and shear effects from bed contact