A device protects the plantar padding of a foot, wherein: a cushion including a viscoelastic material, configured to be held against the skin of the plantar region, and covering all of the metatarsal heads and the metatarsophalangeal joints of the foot, and an elastic band attached to the cushion along two opposing transverse edges, and by a tab configured to pass between the big toe and the adjacent toe of the foot, the band having a width configured to entirely cover side bulges formed by the metatarsophalangeal joints of the small and big toes, wherein a portion of the band configured for contacting the top of the foot includes tacky elements on both sides thereof, thereby preventing the protective device from sliding on the skin when it is placed on the foot and inside a sock surrounding the foot.