The right shoes can minimize the pain if you have arthritis. The best shoes for arthritic feet can improve your life, and here’s the guide to find them. Some people seem to think that arthritis is just for old people and that it’s rare to begin with. That’s not exactly true. About 350 million people all over the world have this problem. More than half of them are not yet senior citizens, and 87.5 million of them are children. That means there’s a greater demand for the best shoes for arthritic feet than you might think. Even for a person who’s perfectly healthy, the wrong pair of shoes can lead to excruciating pain. It’s even worse for people with arthritis, as the wrong pair of shoes can actually make things worse. But the right shoes can instead reduce or even eliminate the pain in the feet, and improve mobility as well. To help you find the right shoes for your arthritis, check out the following standouts:
6 Best Shoes for Arthritic Feet Reviews 2022
Orthofeet Tahoe Women’s Orthopedic Athletic Shoes
Shoes designed for arthritic women are definitely not niche products. That’s because among the people with arthritis, fully 60% of them are actually women. So women have a greater need for these shoes than men. The Orthofeet brand is our top recommendation because the simple fact is that the more famous athletic gear brands are focused more on the needs of healthier people. The “Ortho” in the Orthofeet brand name emphasizes the fact that this brand concentrates more on the needs of those with orthopedic issues. They’re excellent at it too, with lots of tech features that really help:
Features:
- This has the Ortho-Cushion system. You have the contoured orthotic insole with anatomical arch support, ergonomic sole with the air cushioning, and also gel padding below the heel.
- The anatomical orthotic insoles offer both support and cushioning.
- It uses antimicrobial foam and fabric, and the foam also wicks away sweat.
- The interior doesn’t have seams, for a better fit and greater comfort.
- You also have foam padding all over the upper.
The vast majority of those who have painful feet after wearing other shoes have noted that once they’ve switched to the Orthofeet Tahoe, their pains went away. It’s just fantastic for those who need to walk or stand around for an extended period of times. These include servers and cooks, doctors and nurses, and everybody else who aren’t tied to a desk.
- It alleviates heel pain and other aches on your feet
- Gives your steps extra energy
- Reduces the pressure under the heel
- Every step you take is much softer
- Offers excellent support
- Comfortable
- Doesn’t smell as bad
- Has Velcro for easier lacing
- You’ll probably need to order a half-size your usual shoe size
- Only 3 color scheme options
Orthofeet Gramercy Men’s Dress Shoes
Dress shoes can be rather uncomfortable to wear, as they seem designed more for the look rather than utility. It’s even worse if you have arthritic feet that generally aches after being out and about all day. But this pair of dress shoes has more to offer than smart aesthetics. This has been designed to reduce pain for men. It’s for those with arthritis or diabetes. If you have pain in the ball of your feet, the arches, or the heels, then you need the Gramercy. If you also have plantar fasciitis, you have to switch to this one as well.
Features:
- The premium orthotic soles offer both excellent anatomical arch support as well as extremely comfortable layers of cushioning.
- The soles are lightweight with air cushioning and “Ergonomic Stride” design.
- The interior lining is seam-free and soft to avoid friction against the skin to ease the pressure on sensitive feet (and on bunions).
- The orthotic soles are removable to give you extra space for your custom orthotics.
- You have a couple of removable spacers (with different thicknesses) to help you get a perfect fit after adjust the space inside the shoe.
- You have different widths available, from medium, wide, and X-wide.
- The fabric has antimicrobial and antifungal treatment, while the foam wicks away the sweat for odor control.
So now you don’t have to get to the office or attend a formal function with an overly casual pair of shoes for your arthritic feet. These shoes are technological marvels, as every feature has been specifically designed to maximize the benefits for those with arthritic feet.
- It can eliminate pain in your feet.
- You’ll be able to walk more frequently with friends and family.
- Your every step will seem to have an extra bounce.
- It doesn’t really smell bad.
- You get proper support and cushioning.
- You only get to pick between black and brown.
- Some think it’s a bit more expensive than other “ortho shoes” but you have to pay for quality.
Propét Women’s Cush N Foot Slipper
This pair of shoes proves that you really don’t have to spend too much money to find shoes that work well with your arthritic feet. Most of the time, you probably just want enough cushioning in your shoes to help you out, especially when you’re chilling at home. That’s what you get with the Cush N Foot. With this, you get soft neoprene and stretchy corduroy for that nice softness your painful feet will certainly appreciate. Once you’re home, just take off your shoes and get into this pair of slippers. The opening is extra-large so your feet slip in easily. There are a secure hook and loop closure to firmly keep the slippers on. It also has a rubber sole to prevent slipping on the floor.
Features:
- The cushioning is truly comfortable, and it’s great after a hard day’s work.
- It’s easy to put on or take off from your feet.
- These slippers can be secured to your feet.
- The rubber sole keeps you from worrying about slips and falls.
As you get older, you really should consider getting one of these slippers. But even if you’re young and healthy, these look great as well as comfy. Get them on and just relax.
- It’s easier to relax with these on your feet.
- Offers lots of room for swollen feet.
- The ample cushioning takes care of your feet.
- It stays on securely with Velcro.
- You don’t have to deal with fussy laces.
- There are 3 mice colors to choose from.
- The soles are non-slip.
- These are mostly for home use, though some choose to use this outdoors.
- The biggest size is size 12.
Vionic Walker Shoes
The first thing you’ll probably notice is that there are lots of color options to choose from (13, to be exact). So at least they’ll look great. What’s more, they’ll feel great. You can choose between leather and suede for your upper. You also enjoy dual-density EVA tech for comfort and optimal stability. It only has a half-inch elevation so your motions transition smoothly from heel to toe.
Features:
- Podiatrist-designed orthotic
- Has the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance
- Good gait efficiency
- Durable yet flexible rubber outsole
- It helps with plantar fasciitis.
- Good quality
- Recommended by podiatrists
- Lots of color options
- Sizing runs a bit small
Brooks Men’s Addiction Walker Walking Shoes
Compared to the other shoes on this list, a pair of shoes may be a bit more on the expensive side. But it’s full of tech features that offer great support for low arches and overpronation.
Features:
- Enhanced midsole cushioning and shock absorption
- Dynamic gooey fluid units in the heel and forefoot
- Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) permits progressive pronation control
- The outsole is environmentally friendly and also offers get traction for wet and dry conditions.
- Lots of support for the feet
- Great cushioning
- Skid-resistant soles
- Only 3 color choices
- A bit pricey
New Balance Women’s W1540V2 Running Shoe
This is the priciest of the lot, but it still deserves a mention on this list because it’s that good for those with aching feet.
Features:
- Breathable mesh panels
- Dual-density foam collar
- 10mm heel-to-toe drop
- Lateral and medial rearfoot stability with the Rollbar
- If your doctor asks you to get this for your arthritic feet, you may get Medicare reimbursement.
- The toe to heel height difference is just right
- It’s wide enough and the mesh upper can stretch to accommodate swollen feet
- May be expensive
Criteria for Selecting the Best Shoes for Arthritic Feet
You should read reviews to make sure that your shoes are suitable for your arthritic feet. Of course, durability is important, but then these are factors you’d consider whether or not you have arthritic feet. Other normal considerations include price and aesthetics.
But if you have arthritic feet, make sure you focus on these considerations:
The Right Fit
Picking the right size for your shoes is always important, but that’s even more crucial when you have arthritic feet. That’s because you need to factor in the probability of pain and swelling.
So you should pick wide shoes, and perhaps go a size bigger than your usual shoe size. You need to make sure you have a toe box wide enough to let you wiggle your toes.
Soft and Flexible Materials
The shoe should allow for movement without rubbing or pinching your feet. You’ll want EVA foam midsoles for the proper cushioning. The whole shoe should be lightweight, and you should go with breathable mesh uppers that can better able to accommodate the shape of your feet.
How Easy Is It to Put On?
This is normally not something you think about with shoes, but then you actually have to consider it if you have arthritic feet. Some people, especially older folks with arthritis, just don’t have the range of motion to easily use complicated laces.
No High Heels!
These are simply not good for you—or for anyone, really. You can find formal flats instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t there any options for high heels?
That’s because high-heeled shoes are the last thing you should look for if you have arthritic feet. They’re bad enough for those with healthy feet. Add arthritis to the situation and it’s a lot worse. You put unnecessary pressure on the arch and ball of the foot and your joints can wear down. High heels have been proven to cause foot pain and arthritis by numerous studies.
What’s the first question I need to ask when it comes to footwear?
When you have arthritic feet, you only need to ask a single basic question to determine the suitability of a pair of shoes for your needs. Is it painful? That’s the core issue at hand, because the first rule of picking shoes is that if your shoes gives you pain, then they’re also damaging your feet.
Aside from high heels, what other features should I avoid?
You should also stay away from shoes with pointy toes. This feature leads to problems like pinched nerves and hammertoes.
What about clogs?
They can be good choice if you don’t have knee or foot arthritis. But if you do, then you have better options. Clogs (and especially the light plastic ones) cause more problems for those who have swollen and stiff foot joints. They’re not suitable for arthritis in the ankle, big toe, or arch.
What are good shoes for osteoarthritis?
You’ll want shoes with terrific midsoles for the shock absorption. Then you need proper arch support to prevent the pain from your feet flexing up and down a lot. Of course, you also need ample room in the shoes to accommodate the swelling. You need wide shoes and a spacious toe box.
What about RA?
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may be using orthotics for your condition. So basically you need shoes that can accommodate orthotics. Proper support is your highest priority. Comfort and midsole support are also important factors.
Conclusion
There’s no need to suffer the foot pain that comes with having arthritis at all. Not when you can just pick among the best shoes for arthritic feet that suit your needs. The right one will make walking a much less painful activity, and you may even find yourself able to work out energetically at long last!
