When your arthritis affects your feet, then everyday things like walking, standing for long periods of time, and running errands can be difficult.
Investing in a pair of the best shoes for arthritis feet can help give you your life back. Although changing your footwear should be done together with other treatments, this one small step can make a world of difference.
The Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2 is our first choice for arthritic feet. It’s a motion-control shoe with an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar. It features a supportive leather upper and has a shock-absorbing midsole.
Whatever your daily goals are, the shoes on this list will provide the best support for feet that need some extra stability and protection.
Top 3 Best and Favorites
Best Overall
| Best Overall | Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2 |
| CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
Top With Gel Cushioning
| Top With Gel Cushioning | ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 |
| CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
Most Comfortable
| Most Comfortable | New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 |
| CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
Best Overall
1. Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2
The Brooks Addiction Walker V-Strap 2 is an excellent and supportive walking shoe that can help relieve arthritis pain.
Padding inside the shoe, on the tongue, and around the ankle make wearing this shoe soft and non-chafing.
Two Velcro hook-and-loop straps across the top of the foot make it easy to tighten or loosen the shoe. Some may find that the straps are slightly too short, especially if the foot is swollen or you have high arches.
The midsole is designed to absorb shock, which reduces stress on the joints of the feet. BioMoGo DNA cushioning molds to the feet and provides the right amount of support for the arch.
You’ll also find a stability feature in the midsole, an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar. This is a firm section in the medial side of the shoe designed to prevent overpronation.
If this isn’t enough arch support for you, you can remove the insole if you need to make space for a custom orthotic.
The slip-resistant rubber outsole offers exceptional traction so you can also stay stable on your feet and keep your joints safe.
PROS:
- Supportive leather upper
- Dual hook-and-loop closure
- Shock-absorbing BioMoGo DNA cushioning
- Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar
CONS:
- Some may feel that the Velcro straps are slightly too short
Top With Gel Cushioning
2. ASICS Gel-Kayano 28
Gel is an excellent form of cushioning and can make a big difference in protecting arthritic joints. We recommend the ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 if you want a shoe that has plush, gel cushioning in the midsole.
Besides gel, the midsole is made from FlyteFoam Blast foam, which is lightweight, responsive, and flexible. This provides some cushioning on its own but works with the gel pods in the forefoot and the heel to offer great shock absorption and joint protection.
Even more cushioning is provided by the 3D Space Construction in the forefoot. This is gender-specific foam that compresses at different rates, to provide the best support for the wearer’s feet.
Other stability features include a DuoMax posting system that provides a firm foam post on the medial side to stop overpronation. And the Guidance Trusstic System keeps the midfoot structurally sound while remaining flexible.
An external heel counter helps to keep the rearfoot firmly in alignment. To keep you as stable as possible on a number of different surfaces, there’s highly durable AHAR Plus rubber on the outsole.
Just keep in mind these are great for everyday wear but were made for runners. Some people may not appreciate the runner shoe styling.
PROS:
- External heel counter
- Plush midsole cushioning
- Gel units in the forefoot and heel
- Enhanced stability
CONS:
- These shoes have a running shoe look
Most Comfortable
3. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 is designed for comfort.
The engineered Hypoknit upper is a soft and stretchy knit material that comfortably hugs the foot and moves easily with you as your foot flexes.
A bootie-like construction creates an excellent fit on the foot, although some may miss extra padding in the ankle collar. There’s a molded heel counter, which hugs the heel and keeps it aligned in its correct position.
A Fresh Foam X midsole is light and soft on every step, but it also provides some responsiveness.
On the outsole there are two different types of rubber, for the best grip. Blown rubber in the forefoot allows for quick movements, and Ndurance rubber on the rest of the foot is highly durable and features flex grooves for easy flexibility.
A light rocker design helps to promote easy walking and lower foot fatigue. This rocker extends from the heel to the toe, creating a pleasing rocking effect when walking or jogging.
PROS:
- Stretch knit upper
- Soft, Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- Lightly rounded outsole supports the foot
- Durable rubber outsole
CONS:
- Some may find the lack of padding in the ankle collar to be uncomfortable
Best Leather
4. Apex Active Athletic Strap Walker X-Last (men’s)
5. Apex Active Walkers (women’s)
These athletic-style shoes feature full-grain leather uppers that are soft and structurally stable on the feet.
Both have mesh tongues to allow for breathability throughout the shoe, and wide, high toe boxes for comfort.
There’s space for custom orthotics in these shoes, thanks to removable insoles in two layers. They are both black in color, making them suitable for working out, wearing casually, or going to the office.
The men’s shoe features a lace-up system with a single hook-and-loop strap, while the women’s shoe has no lacing but two Velcro straps.
The men’s shoe, the Active Athletic Strap Walker X-Last, is built on a X-shaped last for overpronation control. It has a Carboplast footbridge which assists with controlling unnecessary motion and keeps the foot much more stable.
There’s also a slip-resistant outsole to keep you safe on all surfaces. This shoe qualifies for A5500 Medicare reimbursem*nt.
The women’s shoe, the Active Walker, has an EVA footbed and uses Apex Conform foam for comfort. For stability, there’s a reinforced shank in the midfoot. It works with the firm heel counter to offer exceptional rearfoot stability.
The midsole and outsole act as one unit, and are made of durable polyurethane.
PROS:
- Soft, full-grain leather upper
- High, wide toe box
- Removable insole
- Hook-and-loop strap(s)
CONS:
- Some may feel that these shoes are slightly heavy
Top Slip-On
6. Klogs Arbor (men’s)
7. Klogs Naples (women’s)
These shoes are smart enough to wear to work in a professional setting but can still be worn casually.
The men’s and women’s shoes are very similar. Both have sophisticated leather uppers with elastic gorings for slipping them on and off easily.
Both of them have a shock-absorbing midsole and TRUComfort insoles which provide cushioning, a deep heel cup, and arch support. Each one also features a slight rocker shape to the sole, which helps to promote forward movement while reducing foot and leg fatigue.
TRUBase Outsoles are slip-resistant, oil-resistant, and non-marking thanks to integrated PURGrip technology.
PROS:
- Leather upper
- Shock-absorbing midsole
- Easy on and off
- Rocker design outsole
CONS:
- They are not as durable as others, especially if you walk in them a lot
Best Boots
8. Propet Brock (men’s)
9. Propet Waverly (women’s)
If you’re looking to find a boot that’s suitable for arthritic feet, we recommend these. The Propet Brock and Waverly shoes are very similar. Both feature leather uppers that come up over the ankle for style and support.
Rounded toe boxes allow space for the toes to splay comfortably and will protect the hallux rigidus. Two zippers—one running down each side—make the shoe easy to get on and off without hurting your toe or damaging the shoe.
Open-cell PU insoles offer cushioning and light shock-absorption to keep your feet and joints safer when you walk. They’re also breathable and moisture-wicking.
Both shoes feature a rubber outsole that offers great traction on various surfaces. The biggest difference is that the men’s shoe is water-resistant while the women’s is not.
PROS:
- Ankle-length leather upper
- Moisture-wicking lining
- Cushioned insole
- Durable rubber outsole
CONS:
- The women’s shoe is not water-resistant
Top Non-Slip
10. New Balance 626v2
These athletic-style sneakers are only available in black, which gives them a smart look for wearing to work if necessary.
They’re ideal for working in environments that may be slippery, as they have a certified slip-resistant and oil-resistant outsole with light texture.
The leather upper is supportive and a traditional lace-up closure allows you to get a good lockdown on your foot. A round-toed front gives the toes plenty of room, and the tongue and ankle collar are padded for comfort.
An EVA footbed in the midsole absorbs shock with Abzorb cushioning, to bring comfort and softness underfoot.
For better support, there’s an internal shank in the midfoot. While this will help overpronators, people with neutral feet may find it intrusive and uncomfortable.
PROS:
- Soft, leather upper
- Comfortable EVA foam footbed
- Internal shank provides stability
- Certified slip-resistant outsole
CONS:
- Those with a neutral foot may find the internal shank to be uncomfortable
Best Sandals
11. NAOT Julius (men’s)
12. NAOT Etera (women’s)
If you’re looking for sandals that will support arthritic feet, these shoes have both received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting good foot health.
The men’s—the Julius—is a fisherman-style sandal made of heavy leather, with a single buckle strap. A semi-closed toe provides protection but still allows for excellent ventilation.
The anatomical footbed is made from cork, which molds to the foot and is sustainable. It contains latex, though, so be careful if you happen to have an allergy. It has a 1.5-inch polyurethane sole that’s durable and slip-resistant.
On the women’s shoe—the Etera—the leather straps are narrower and come in a variety of colors. A hook-and-loop strap across the foot allows for tightening, and the straps are padded for comfort.
The Etera features the same cork and latex footbed as the men’s shoe. It also has a 1-inch PU outsole which is slip-resistant.
PROS:
- Leather upper with suede lining
- Removable anatomical footbed
- Adjustable closure
- Polyurethane sole
CONS:
- Contain latex and may not be suitable for those with an allergy
Most Stable
13. Propet Stability X Strap
This is not a true stability shoe, but it does keep the foot very stable.
A mesh upper allows for ventilation and contours to the foot, and you can get a good lockdown on the midfoot with the wide hook-and-loop strap across the foot.
This also allows it to open up very wide so it can fit swollen or sore feet as well. The ankle collar and tongue are padded to provide extra comfort to arthritic feet.
There’s a spacious toe box, which helps the toes to splay in a natural manner that won’t aggravate the frozen toe. One of the features that makes this shoe extremely stable is the addition of both internal and external heel counters to stabilize the rearfoot.
An EVA midsole with good arch support also absorbs impact when you walk. For extra shock absorption and comfort, there’s a polyurethane insole that also features a gel pad in the heel for excellent protection.
The insole is removable, so if you do want to add your own custom orthotic it won’t be a problem. The shoe also features Propet’s double-depth removable spacer system, so you can make as much space as you need.
A rubber outsole with light texture helps you to keep your footing on any ground. The shoes also come in a variety of colorways.
PROS:
- Mesh upper
- Roomy toe box
- EVA midsole with arch support
- Removable insole with gel heel pad
CONS:
- These shoes run small and narrow
FAQs
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. It causes the linings of the joints to become inflamed, which leads to stiff and painful joints.
It begins in the small joints of both the hands and feet, and usually affects both of the same joints on either side of the body. The early warning signs of RA include fatigue and fever, so it’s very different to regular arthritis.
As rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease, changing your footwear may help less with this condition than it does with arthritis caused by overuse.
Although cushioning and shock absorption will reduce strain on the joints in the feet, you will need to take anti-rheumatic medication to reduce the inflammation.
How Do Shoes Help With Arthritis in the Feet?
Wearing the right shoes can help relieve the pain of arthritis. They keep the joints aligned so there’s less stress on joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the foot.
This also helps to remove pressure points that could be causing more pain, as well as reducing inflammation.
The right support in a pair of shoes also helps to improve mobility. When the joints are properly aligned, one can move more effectively through their full range of motion with less pain.
Buying the Right Shoes for Arthritic Feet
When looking at the best shoes for arthritic feet, you want to make sure that the shape of the shoe matches the shape of your foot. The shoe should fit snugly, regardless of if you have a wide or narrow foot.
There should also be enough arch support for your particular foot shape. If you overpronate, you should be wearing a stability shoe with features to support the arch and prevent the foot from rolling as you walk.
The shoe you choose should have a removable insole so you can substitute it with a custom orthotic if you need extra support in the arch.
Rocker soles can also help to reduce foot fatigue by promoting a natural rolling movement of the foot in a forward direction.
Also, make sure to choose a shoe with soft material that doesn’t chafe. The shoe should be easy to adjust and get a tight but comfortable fit. If the ankles are also affected by arthritis, you may want to choose a shoe that has a high ankle collar.
Avoid high heels, as they place a high amount of stress on the feet and the legs.
