Best Shoes for People With Diabetes

Keeping your feet happy and healthy is important for everyone. Those distant appendages at the ends of your legs support your weight and play an essential role in walking and running. If they’re injured or in pain, then it’s going to be a lot harder to stand up and move around.

That’s why it’s so important to wear shoes that fit. Wearing uncomfortable shoes for just a day can leave you with painful scrapes and blisters. If you make a habit of it, you’re setting yourself up for progressive issues like hammertoes and bunions that can cause chronic pain and may require surgery to correct.

Diabetes can make foot problems more likely and more serious, so picking good shoes becomes even more crucial. It’s a good idea to talk to a podiatrist or another qualified healthcare provider about footwear if you have specific needs, but below you’ll find some general advice from experts that may help as you shop for your next pair of shoes.

How diabetes affects your feet

The complications of diabetes can be particularly hard on the feet. For starters, the condition slows wound healing. Consequently, scrapes and blisters may linger, making them more susceptible to infection and foot ulcers.

Additionally, poor circulation, which may be caused by damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels, can make it harder for your body to pump fluid up your legs. With nowhere to go, that fluid accumulates in your feet and ankles, causing swelling.

Finally, it’s estimated that half of all people with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, which occurs when the nerves in your extremities are damaged, leading to pain, tingling, and numbness. 

Not only can neuropathy make your feet weaker and more susceptible to things like hammertoe, but it can also make it harder for you to notice when your foot has been injured, increasing your chances of developing an ulcer.

What to look for in a shoe

For people with particularly bad cases of neuropathy, healthcare providers may prescribe footwear specifically designed for people with diabetes, which can often be customized to meet an individual’s needs. According to Dr. Samantha Landau, a podiatrist at Touro University’s New York College of Podiatric Medicine, diabetes shoes can be beneficial for people with deformities or a history of ulcers.

“However, many well-designed athletic or walking shoes can be equally appropriate if they meet biomechanical and protective requirements,” she said.

If you’re shopping around for your next pair of walking shoes, popular brands like Brooks and Hoka are a great place to start, but the most important thing is to find something that works for you. You want a shoe that feels good the minute you put it on. 

“Shoes should fit well from the start and not require a ‘break-in’ period,” Landau said.

Here are some key features to look for when shopping for shoes.

Wide and deep toe box

When you try a shoe on, there should be plenty of space for your toes to splay out and wiggle around without rubbing against the sides or top. You shouldn’t feel like the sides of the shoe are pinching the sides of the front of your feet. 

One good way to test the toe box is to remove the shoe’s insole and stand on it. If your toes hang over the edges, then the toe box won’t have enough room for you.

Firm heel counter

This structure in the back of the shoe should wrap around your heel and hold it in place as you move. There should be very little give when you press on the back of the heel with your thumb or squeeze the sides of the heel between your fingers.

Cushioning

There should be plenty of cushioning under your foot to absorb shock as you walk. That means you want a thick sole to stand on and a cushioned insole within the shoe. Over time, cushioning can break down, so look for shoes with removable insoles that can be replaced.

Resistance to bending and twisting

The sole of the shoe should stabilize your foot to protect you from sprains and strains. You can check if it’s resistant to twisting by gripping the front and back ends of the shoe and twisting them in opposite directions. It should be difficult to twist.

On the other hand, you do want a shoe that can bend up and down, but it’s important that it only bends at the ball of your foot. It should not bend further back at the arch.

Adjustability

It’s important to have an option to loosen your shoes if you ever experience swelling in your feet. Shoes should have laces or adjustable strap closures that connect with Velcro or buckles. These adjustability options should be present even on shoes that you can slip on.

Seamless interior

Material that protrudes into the interior of your shoe can scrape your foot, potentially breaking the skin or prompting a callus to grow. It’s best to pick shoes that minimize internal seams.

What to wear when you have somewhere to be

While you can wear a nice pair of walking shoes in a lot of different places, they probably won’t work for every occasion. You may want a dressier pair for formal events. And if you’re spending time in someone else’s house (or your own), you may want another option than the shoes that have trudged through muddy trails and over city streets.

Here’s some advice to consider when you’re choosing footwear for social events and leisure time.

Formal occasions

All of the general points above still apply when you’re shopping for dress shoes. You want to find sturdy shoes that can support you while you walk around. At the same time, they should be made of soft materials that won’t damage your skin. Any heel should be low and wide, and ideally, the insoles will be removable in case you need to swap them out.

“Style should never come at the expense of fit or stability,” Landau said.

Spending time in the house

Floors aren’t exactly easy on the feet. “Prolonged barefoot walking, particularly on hard indoor surfaces like tile or hardwood, can increase strain on the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and forefoot in many individuals,” Landau said. 

Indoor shoes can take the pressure off your feet if you plan to be standing and walking around a lot in the house. 

A well-designed slipper could work, as long as it provides adequate support for the foot. However, dedicated house shoes that meet the general rules above are most likely the best option. It may also be a good idea to bring these along if you’re visiting someone else’s home where outdoor shoes are discouraged.

How to dress for the season and the weather

Seasons change, and so do your footwear needs. If you plan to enjoy the snow in the winter or the beach in the summer, you’ll need the right shoes.

Here’s some advice to help you keep your feet comfortable all year round.

Summer trips to the pool, lake, or beach

According to Landau, people with peripheral neuropathy should never walk barefoot outside. It’s simply too risky. Something may scrape your foot and introduce an infection that can be difficult to treat and may ultimately require an amputation.

Water shoes and sturdy sandals that are comfortable, have firm soles, adjustable heel straps, and toe coverage are the best options. 

Landau did not recommend slip-on flip-flops. “However, something is always better than nothing, and barefoot should be avoided at all costs,” she said.

Winter walks through the snow

Snow and ice are cold, wet, and difficult to walk on. That’s why winter conditions can be particularly challenging for someone with peripheral neuropathy to navigate. Therefore, you’ll want to find shoes and boots that keep your feet warm and dry and that have enough traction to keep you from slipping.

Landau recommended looking for boots with insulating material like Thinsulate or PrimaLoft and waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex. 

Thick, rubber boots would also keep wet snow away from your feet, but Gore-Tex is an appealing choice for waterproofing because it’s breathable, meaning that moisture from your sweat won’t be trapped in the shoe. Moisture-wicking socks made from merino wool or a synthetic blend can keep your feet even drier.

As for traction, you want to find boots or shoes with deep lugs, which are the grooved patterns on the bottom of the soles. This will give you more grip as you walk. Landau also recommended looking for soles made of rubber compounds that have been specifically formulated to stay flexible in cold conditions.

Once again, the general rules above still apply to make sure your feet are getting the support they need. In addition, you may want to think about high-top options to support your ankles.

If you’re looking for brands to start your search, Landau said that Sorel, Columbia, Kamik, and The North Face are all good options.

Rainy days and wet trails

A winter snowstorm is not the only time you’ll encounter wet conditions. If you plan to be out for a while while it’s raining, it’s important to wear shoes that will keep your feet dry. 

Waterproof hiking shoes are great for these situations. Landau said that Sorel is her favorite brand, but she also mentioned Salomon, Keen, Vasque, and Lowa as quality options.

What about socks?

Ideally, you should pick socks that are seamless, lightly cushioned, and moisture-wicking. Landau recommended avoiding socks with fun designs and patterns if you have numbness in your feet, as stitching in the socks can leave impressions in your skin, which can cause subtle damage that may be difficult to notice if you have impaired sensation.

Landau also mentioned compression socks as a way to increase circulation and reduce swelling. They can be especially helpful when you have to be upright – either sitting or standing – for much of the day, for instance, when you’re flying or traveling long distances or working a long shift.

“When I am working a longer day, I myself tend to wear compression socks of at least 20-30 mmHg strength, which can be found easily online,” she said. 

However, she doesn’t think compression socks are for everyone. It might be a good idea to talk about them with your podiatrist or foot specialist if you are interested.

The bottom line

At the end of the day, everyone needs to take care of their feet. That means wearing comfortable shoes that provide adequate support and protection.

Whether you’re shopping for casual sneakers, formal dress shoes, or seasonal footwear, always try them on and make sure they fit before you buy them. If you’re unsure about what your feet need, talk to a podiatrist or another foot specialist. The most important thing is figuring out what works best for you.

Learn more about foot health here:

• How to Avoid Nerve Damage in Your Hands and Feet With Diabetes
• How To Keep Your Feet Healthy With Diabetes
• Taking Care of Your Feet: How to Exercise Safely With Peripheral Artery Disease