Diabetic Shoe Shopping - Questions Answered & Recommended Styles

Published by Brady S. on Jun 4th 2018

Considerations when Shopping for Diabetic Shoes

Diabetic people have special requirements when it comes to footwear. Diabetes causes foot issues which must be addressed with proper footwear in order to avoid serious health complications. Three of the main concerns related to the feet from diabetes are numbness, swelling, and reduced circulation.

Numbness can lead diabetic patients to not notice foreign objects, hot spots, or rubbing within shoes. This allows blisters to form on the foot. For this reason it is important to find shoes with ample toe box space. Most diabetic shoes feature extra depth and width in the toe box area to allow ample room for the toes. Another factor to consider when shopping for diabetic footwear is the material and construction of the shoe. Soft leathers and minimal seams are important to minimize the risk of blisters and sores. Another cause of blisters can be an uneven walking stride. An uneven stride can cause rubbing and blisters, in addition to other joint issues. Therefore, many diabetic shoes feature stability technology, such as the New Balance RollBar, that help correct the walking stride.

Reduced circulation, narrowed blood vessels, and foot swelling are often caused as a result of diabetes. Foot swelling can cause increased friction and added risk for blisters. Reduction of blood flow can cause healing times to significantly increase for cuts, sores, and blisters. Increased healing times combined with the numbness and swelling can lead to serious injury, infections, and more. Lace up shoes are recommended as they allow adjustable fit for people with swollen or wide feet. Ample toe box space and proper fit should thus be very important for any diabetic patient shopping for shoes. Foot swelling tends to increase through the day (particularly on warmer days) and therefore shopping for shoes toward the end of the day is ideal.

Most diabetic footwear are considered walking shoes or casual walking shoes. Some running shoes also work well for diabetic patients as long as they meet the recommendations mentioned in the paragraphs above. Thong style sandals are not recommended because the strap between the toes can cause blisters and sores. Many diabetic patients wear orthotic insoles to help distribute weight evenly and for extra support. It is necessary to find shoes that are available in wide widths to accomodate orthotics.

Below are some of the most highly recommended shoes for those with diabetes. Each of the styles listed meets the requirements mentioned above and have been proven as excellent options for diabetic patients.

Shop Diabetic Friendly Men's Shoes

Shop Diabetic Friendly Women's Shoes

Top Recommended Diabetic Shoes