- Best overall shoes: Dr. Comfort William X, Orthofeet Sanibel Mary Jane
- Best dress shoes: ABEO 24/7 Dawson, ABEO B.I.O.system Vanessa Neutral, Hush Puppies Angel II
- Best for support and cushioning: Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit, Orthofeet Edgewater Stretch Knit
- Best athletic shoes for hiking: Apex Trail Runner
- Best for reducing falls: Apex Balance Shoe Hiker
- Best walking shoes: Alegria TRAQ Qwik Smart Walking Shoe
- Best for wide feet: Hush Puppies Men’s Gil
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If you have neuropathy, your shoes are way more than just a fashion accessory.
In fact, your footwear can either ease or worsen the numbness, pain, and tingling caused by neuropathy.
This article reviews functional, attractive footwear designed for neuropathy to help you choose your next pair.
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a nerve condition that often begins in the hands or feet. It can be caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions and usually causes chronic shooting or burning pain.
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To choose the best shoes for neuropathy, we researched specialty brands designed for this purpose.
We read scores of consumer reviews on multiple sites to gauge the user experience for comfort, safety, and wearability.
We only selected shoes that come from transparent manufacturers who stand behind their products and provide quality customer service.
Shoes designed to accommodate conditions like neuropathy rarely prioritize trends or attractiveness. While having neuropathy may mean that comfort comes first, you still deserve shoes that look good. For that reason, we also took style into account.
Additional features we analyzed include:
- cushioning
- fit
- fabric
- shape
- support
- deepness
- durability
- comfort
- attractiveness
- safety
We considered the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance program, which evaluates products such as shoes for their benefit to foot health and safety.
Pricing guide
General price ranges are indicated below with dollar signs, from $ to $$$. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable. Three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100–$150
- $$$ = over $150
Will insurance cover shoes?
Well designed shoes for neuropathy can be costly. If you have insurance, check to see if your provider covers shoes for neuropathy before you buy.
If you have Medicare, you may be covered for certain styles — provided that you have diabetes and a prescription for therapeutic shoes from a foot doctor like a podiatrist. In some instances, you need to make the purchase from specific Medicare-approved sellers.
Best overall shoes
Dr. Comfort William X
Price: $$
This casual, popular shoe has extra depth for comfort and is a good choice for people with neuropathy and edema.
The shoes are designed with deep, protective toe boxes that help prevent toe stubbing. They’re also lightweight and skid-resistant.
A contact closure lets you adjust the fit as needed, a firm heel counter provides stability and support, and a seamless liner eliminates chafing and rubbing.
You can use flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) dollars to pay for this shoe.
Orthofeet Sanibel Mary Jane
Price: $$
These most-occasion shoes are attractive, comfortable, and durable. They come in medium, wide, and extra-wide options.
They’re designed with a wide toe box, stretchable uppers, and ergonomic sole. Two adjustable straps give you easy on-and-off access. The straps also allow for support changes, in case your foot size changes throughout the day due to swelling.
A removable, orthotic insole and an arch booster are included.
The shoes come with a 60-day trial period. You can return them for a full refund with no added shipping costs during that timeframe.
They have many excellent reviews on multiple websites, often mentioning durability and comfort.
Best for support and cushioning
Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit
Price: $$
Orthofeet shoes for neuropathy have a wide toe box and a deeply cushioned heel. An ergonomic cushioning sole provides comfort and balance stability.
This women’s sneaker is made from flexible, moisture-wicking fabric. They’re offered in regular, wide, and extra-wide options.
They include a free orthotic insole that provides anatomical arch support and extra cushioning.
In addition, they come with a 60-day wear test manufacturer’s guarantee. If the shoes cause you any discomfort during that timeframe, you can return them for a full refund with no added shipping costs.
Orthofeet Edgewater Stretch Knit
Price: $$
These athletic shoes for men have a wide toe box and stretchable uppers. They come in regular, wide, extra-wide, and extra-extra wide options.
A triple-layered insole provides layers of deep foam cushioning plus an antimicrobial fabric lining.
A separate arch booster can be inserted for added stability and arch support.
Further features include an ergonomic sole, heel cushion, and anti-slip traction treads that support balance and stability on all types of surfaces.
They come with a 60-day wear test manufacturer’s guarantee. You can return them for a full refund during that timeframe for any reason with no added shipping costs.
Best athletic shoes for hiking
Apex Trail Runner
Price: $$
These water-resistant hiking boots are designed to protect the feet of people with diabetes from chafing, impact, and instability. They come in medium, wide, and extra-wide options.
They include two removable innersoles, as well as a medial support pod that protects your feet from overpronation.
Heavy-duty foam provides cushioning, while an external heel counter keeps you secure in the shoe with no sliding or chafing.
Amazon reviewers say they’re lightweight and break in quickly.
Best for reducing falls
Apex Balance Shoe Hiker
Price: $$
These shoes are designed to reduce the risk of falling or stumbling. They feature a hard rubber sole and can be worn anywhere you enjoy outdoor activity.
They feature a low profile heel to aid posture, balance, and stability.
Their lugged soles lower the risk of slipping, and an angled toe bed helps you avoid tripping.
Plus, the footbed is textured to provide sensory feedback. According to the manufacturer, this helps people with neuropathy get a better understanding of how their feet are interacting with the ground surface beneath them.
Best walking shoes
Alegria TRAQ Qwik Smart Walking Shoe
Price: $$
Alegria by PG Lite shoes carry the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. Products with this seal have been found to benefit foot health.
This all-day walking shoe has “Q-chip” technology, which allows you to sync your steps with the TRAQ by Allegria step counter app.
They have no-skid polyurethane soles, a padded heel counter, and a patented interlocking footbed for cushioning and stability.
Users with conditions including neuropathy and bunions say the shoes don’t chafe or pinch.
Last, but not least, they come in a wide range of colors and fun patterns.
Best for wide feet
Hush Puppies Men’s Gil
Price: $
These leather shoes have a wide toe box and adjustable Velcro straps to accommodate varying levels of swelling. They’re easy to put on and take off.
Like many Hush Puppies shoes, these are available in medium, wide, and extra-wide options to accommodate a range of fit and comfort needs.
Hush Puppies also points out that this pair of shoes has an approved Medicare code, helpful for insurance.
Best dress shoes
ABEO 24/7 Dawson
Price: $$$
The ABEO 24/7 line of footwear carries the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
The Dawson is a men’s Oxford dress shoe that comes exclusively in black. It features a customizable orthotic that ranges in price from free to $30 in addition to the cost of the shoe. Shipping is free.
It has a breathable leather lining that reduces moisture retention and a flexible polyurethane outsole for added traction.
One user mentions that a broken sole was replaced by the manufacturer after a solid year’s worth of wear, no questions asked.
This shoe only comes in a medium width. People with swollen feet or bunions may not find these shoes as comfortable as some other styles on this list.
ABEO B.I.O.system Vanessa Neutral
Price: $$
Finding a comfortable high-heeled shoe when you have neuropathy can be challenging. These classic black leather Mary Jane pumps have a 2.75-inch heel. They have a neutral footbed that provides arch support and accommodates most foot types. From the ABEO B.I.O.system line of shoes, these also have the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
A built-in orthotic footbed provides cushioning and stability. They come with an extra-strength hook and loop closure, so you won’t topple to the side because the strap came loose.
They’re designed to reduce stress on the joints and foot fatigue. They’re also slip-resistant with a rubber sole for added safety.
Hush Puppies Angel II
Price: $
Another option for heeled women’s shoes comes from Hush Puppies. The Angel II has a heel height of 1.25 inches. A part of the Hush Puppies Soft Style line, these shoes include extra cushion in the insole and still have structure for support. The lower heel height helps disperse weight more evenly across your feet.
You can find this shoe in several colors and widths from narrow to extra wide.
| Shoe | APMA seal | Material | Available widths |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABEO 24/7 Dawson | yes | leather | medium |
| ABEO B.I.O.system Vanessa Neutral | yes | leather | medium |
| Alegria TRAQ Qwik Smart Walking Shoe | yes | synthetic | medium |
| Apex Balance Shoe Hiker | no | synthetic | medium, wide, extra wide |
| Apex Trail Runner | no | leather and synthetic | medium, wide, extra wide |
| Dr. Comfort William X | yes | leather | medium, wide, extra wide |
| Hush Puppies Angel II | no | synthetic and rubber | narrow, medium, wide, extra wide |
| Hush Puppies Men’s Gil | no | leather, rubber, and mesh | medium, wide, extra wide |
| Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit | no | polyester | medium, wide, extra wide |
| Orthofeet Edgewater Stretch Knit | no | synthetic | medium, wide, extra wide, extra extra wide |
| Orthofeet Sanibel Mary Jane | no | leather and synthetic | medium, wide, extra wide |
The pain, burning, and tingling caused by neuropathy can make it hard to walk. Some people experience numbness or weakness in their feet, which can leave them prone to accidents.
In addition to the right shoes, compression socks designed for neuropathy or diabetes may help. Compression socks contain padding that can help reduce blisters while increasing circulation.
Topical creams may also help reduce some of the uncomfortable sensations that make it challenging to be active. Some of these are available by prescription and others can be purchased over the counter. Ingredients to look for include:
- lidocaine
- capsaicin
- menthol
Doctors may prescribe medications for pain related to neuropathy, such as gabapentin or pregabalin. Physical therapy can also help to improve balance.
New or continued care for an underlying cause can help you step out in more comfort, too, since neuropathy can be caused by several conditions. They include:
- diabetes
- cancer and chemotherapy
- kidney failure
- injury
- infection
- malnutrition
- exposure to toxins
Symptoms of neuropathy in the feet
Symptoms of neuropathy in the feet include:
- muscle weakness
- swelling
- pain
- burning
- tingling
- numbness
- problems with balance
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Neuropathy in the feet can make it hard to walk and be active.
When choosing shoes, it’s important to avoid styles with limited cushioning or toe room. It’s also important to avoid shoes that rub or chafe, as these might cause blisters or wounds. These injuries can be hard to heal, especially for people with diabetes.
Shoes designed for neuropathy can provide support, comfort, and stability. This can enable you to be active and enjoy activities that are important to you.
