Night
A gentle stretch while you sleep
Slip on the soft night splint and set a light stretch with the toe strap. Start with an hour or two, then build up to the whole night.
For the first step out of bed
Wake up to a gentler first step.
A soft night splint, cushioned heel cups and a 30-day stretching plan, built around the at-home care in the 2023 clinical guideline for heel pain that's worst in the morning.
- Holds a gentle stretch while you sleep
- A 2-minute routine before your first step
- Extra heel cushioning for long days on hard floors
60-night money-back guarantee
Free US shipping
Real people answer every message
Worn at night: a soft padded shell, breathable mesh and an open heel.
60-night guaranteeFull refund, opened is fine
Free US shippingTracked, with a delivery estimate
Guideline-based planBuilt on the 2023 heel pain CPG
Secure checkoutEncrypted, trusted payments
The morning moment
The first step shouldn't be the hardest part of the day.
For a lot of people, it goes something like this:
Holding the wall on the way to the bathroom.
Tiptoeing to the coffee maker, waiting for the heel to “warm up.”
Feeling fine by lunch, then aching again after a long shift, or after sitting for a while.
There's a reason the first step hurts most, and a simple plan that targets it. Most people with plantar fasciitis get better with at-home care. The key is doing the right few things, every day.
Why mornings hurt
It starts while you sleep.
Once you understand the pattern, the plan makes sense.
1 · Overnight
The tissue rests short
While you sleep, your foot naturally points down. The plantar fascia (the band under your foot) stays in a shortened position for hours.
2 · The first step
Then it’s pulled all at once
Your full weight lands on tissue that’s tight and cold. That sudden pull where it attaches at the heel is why the first steps often hurt the most.
3 · The idea
Keep a gentle stretch overnight
A night splint holds the foot at a gentle angle while you rest, and a short stretch before standing prepares the tissue for the first step.
The plan starts before your feet touch the floor.
How the kit works
Three small habits. One simple kit.
About 10 minutes a day, built into moments you already have.
Before the first step
Stretch and roll: 2 minutes
Before you stand, pull your toes back for the arch stretch, then roll your foot on the massage ball. The guide shows you exactly how.
All day
Cushion every step
Slip the gel heel cups into your everyday shoes for extra heel cushioning on hard floors and long shifts.
Plus the 30-Day Morning Relief Guide: a day-by-day plan with the stretches, a checklist and a simple morning pain tracker, so you can see your progress.
Choose your kit
One foot or both?
Everything you need for the 30-day plan. Free US shipping and a 60-night guarantee on every kit.
One Foot Kit
For pain in one heel
$59.99Save $7.98 vs. buying separately
- 1 soft night splint
- 1 pair of gel heel cups
- 1 spiky massage ball
- The 30-Day Morning Relief Guide
Best value
Choose Both Feet
Both Feet Kit
For pain in both heels, or to alternate
$79.99Save $22.97 vs. buying separately
- 2 soft night splints
- 1 pair of gel heel cups
- 1 spiky massage ball
- The 30-Day Morning Relief Guide
Built on the clinical guideline
The same approach physical therapists use.
We built the kit around the at-home steps in the 2023 clinical practice guideline for heel pain from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. It’s the same approach physical therapists use.
8 in 10
people with plantar fasciitis improve within a year with non-surgical care (American Family Physician, 2019).
Read the evidence
The guideline recommends a 1- to 3-month program of night splints for people who consistently have pain with their first steps in the morning.
Koc TA Jr, et al. Heel Pain – Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(12):CPG1–CPG39.
It also recommends plantar fascia–specific stretching and calf stretching, and shoe inserts used together with other care.
Same guideline, 2023 revision.
Honest note: research on night splints is mixed. A 2019 review called it inconclusive. That’s why the kit pairs the splint with stretching and heel support, and why you get 60 nights to decide.
Trojian T, Tucker AK. Plantar Fasciitis. Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(12):744–750.
Dawnstep is not affiliated with or endorsed by JOSPT, the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, APTA or AAFP. The guideline describes types of care, not our specific products.
What to expect
Honest timelines. Real progress.
Heel pain usually improves step by step, not overnight. Here’s what the plan looks like.
-
Nights 1–3
Getting used to it
Wear the splint for a couple of hours with a light stretch. Loosen it if your toes tingle or feel cold.
-
Weeks 1–2
The routine becomes a habit
Some people notice mornings feel a little less stiff. Many don’t yet, and that’s normal.
-
Weeks 3–8
When progress usually shows
With daily use, this is when many people see steady change in how their first steps feel.
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Weeks 8–12
The guideline’s 1–3 month window
Keep going. If nothing has changed by week 6–8, or you notice any red-flag symptoms, see a clinician.
Results vary from person to person. That’s exactly why you get 60 nights to decide.
The 60-Night Morning Guarantee
Use the kit for up to 60 nights. If your mornings don’t feel better, send us a message for a full refund of the product price. Opened and used is fine, and you don’t need to send anything back.
The Dawnstep team
Why Dawnstep
We built the kit we couldn’t find.
Dawnstep started with a simple question: why do so many heel-pain products feel like a gamble? So we read the clinical guideline, studied what thousands of buyers said about existing night splints and heel cups, and wrote down what they kept complaining about: bulky boots, straps that let go at night, and vague instructions.
The Morning Relief Kit is our answer: the at-home steps the guideline highlights, in one box, with a plain-English plan and a guarantee long enough to actually try it.
We’re new. Here’s how we earn your trust.
We don’t have reviews yet, and we won’t fake them. Instead: a 60-night money-back guarantee, real people answering every message, clear delivery estimates, and an evidence page that shows exactly what the research does and doesn’t say.
Bought a kit? We’ll ask for your honest review after 3 weeks, and publish it, good or bad.
Good questions
Questions, answered
Will this work for me?
Everyone is different, and no product can promise results. Most people with plantar fasciitis improve with consistent at-home care, and the kit is built around the at-home steps in the 2023 clinical guideline for heel pain. That's why you get 60 nights to try it, with a full refund if your mornings don't feel better.
Is it hard to sleep in the splint?
Most people need a few nights to get used to it. Start with 1–2 hours, keep the stretch light, and build up to the whole night. The padded shell, breathable mesh lining and open heel are there for comfort, and you can loosen the toe strap any time. If your toes tingle or feel cold, loosen it.
Which size should I choose?
S fits women's US 4–7 / men's 3–6. M fits women's 7½–10 / men's 6½–9. L fits women's 10½+ / men's 9½–13. Between sizes? Choose the larger one. If it doesn't fit, we'll exchange it free.
One foot or both?
If only one heel hurts, the One Foot Kit is all you need. If both heels hurt, or you'd like to alternate, the Both Feet Kit includes two splints and saves $22.97 compared with buying the items separately.
How soon will I notice a difference?
It varies. Some people notice mornings feel a little less stiff in the first two weeks; for many, steady progress shows up between weeks 3 and 8 of daily use. The clinical guideline describes a 1–3 month night-splint program, which is why our guarantee lasts 60 nights.
When should I see a doctor first?
Check with your clinician before using the kit if you have diabetes, neuropathy (numbness or reduced feeling in your feet), circulation problems, a recent injury, swelling, fever, pain at night while resting, or pain that keeps getting worse. See a clinician if nothing has improved after 6–8 weeks.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping is free to the US and fully tracked. Orders leave our fulfillment partner within 1–2 business days and usually arrive within 8–14 business days. You'll see an estimated delivery date on the product page and receive a tracking link by email.
How does the 60-night guarantee work?
Use the kit for up to 60 nights from delivery. If your mornings don't feel better, send us a message with your order number and we'll refund the full product price. Opened and used is fine, and you don't need to send anything back. One refund per household.
Still have a question? Send us a message. A real person will reply.
Tomorrow’s first step can start tonight.
The Morning Relief Kit: a soft night splint, gel heel cups, a massage ball and the 30-day plan.
60-night money-back guarantee · Free US shipping · Secure checkout