Shoes for neuropathy help reduce foot pain caused by damaged nerves and protect the feet from serious complications.
Whether caused by diabetes or chemotherapy, peripheral neuropathy seriously affects the feet. Symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning feet, or shooting pain varies from mild to severe, sometimes causing significant pain and difficulty walking.
Neuropathy shoes are designed to create a pressure-free environment, stimulate blood circulation, and bring extra comfort and protection to your feet.
If you’ve been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, wearing appropriate shoes can considerably ease your pain and prevent severe foot problems. On the contrary, wearing poorly fitted or non-protective shoes can quickly worsen your symptoms.
A proper fit is the most important thing to look for in neuropathy shoes.
Poorly fitted shoes can harm your feet if they’re too tight or cause balance issues if they’re too loose. Neuropathy shoes must be non-binding, help boost blood circulation, and prevent any pressure point.
They provide extra room for your feet and toes and come with adjustable features such as stretchable uppers, velcro closures, and removable fitting spacers, so you can fully customize the fit.
Good shoes for neuropathy must also have a protective interior lining. With neuropathy, tiny blisters and skin friction points quickly get infected and can lead to severe foot problems such as diabetic foot ulcers or gangrene, sometimes requiring amputation.
Look for shoes with soft and seamless interior linings and extra padding around the foot.
Breathable shoe design and moisture-wicking materials help prevent fungus and bacterial infections and wet skin problems that could lead to ailments.
A professional therapeutic shoe design can considerably help prevent complications caused by peripheral neuropathy. It also significantly reduces pain while walking and improves stability.
Look for neuropathy shoes with arch support and cushioning insoles.
Last but not least, be sure the outsoles of your shoes are of good quality. Great outsoles for neuropathy should be ergonomic, lightweight, flexible, shock-absorbing, and slip-resistant.
Best overall neuropathy shoes for women
Orthofeet is the most podiatrist-recommended shoe company for diabetes and neuropathy patients. The Quincy Stretch Slip-on shoes for women are incredibly comfortable and offer complete protection.
Designed to alleviate neuropathy foot pain, they provide an entirely pressure-free environment with stretchable uppers and a seamless interior lining that prevents blisters and frictions. Orthofeet’s premium orthotic insoles (worth $40) are included but removable, so you can also accommodate your shoe inserts.
Neuropathy patients must find the perfect fit so their shoes are supportive enough but don’t impede blood circulation. These shoes are fully customizable: they are available in different widths and come with removable fitting spacers and an optional arch booster.
The cushioning is thick and durable. It provides real pillow-like support. The interior of the shoe is entirely seamless and foam-padded for extra protection. There’s anatomical arch support, and the ergonomic outsole is lightweight to help correct posture and foot alignment.
These glove-like slip-on shoes are the best women’s casual shoes for neuropathy. Besides, they’re free to try as if you buy on Orthofeet’s website; you get free shipping, a 60-day wear test, free returns, and a 100% money-back guarantee.
The only drawback here is the price. Orthofeet shoes are pretty expensive. However, they do last for years and are well worth the money!
More Women’s Neuropathy Shoes from Orthofeet:
Related: The 6 Best Socks for Neuropathy
Best overall neuropathy shoes for men
If you’re looking for pain-relieving, comfortable, protective, and stylish neuropathy shoes for men, search no more! Over 250 costumers reviews vouch for these Orthofeet shoes’ pain-relieving effects.
Tacoma sneakers have been designed with neuropathy foot pain and sore feet in mind. Made to promote blood flow, the stretchable uppers, a non-binding design, a broader and deeper toe box, and extended widths options guarantee you can find a snug-enough fit without friction or pressure points. You get additional fitting spacers in the package to adjust the fit even more.
The shoe interior and the collar are fully padded, and the lining is soft and seamless, protecting you against blisters and frictions.
These tennis shoes come with Orthofeet’s premium orthotic insoles (worth $40), providing enhanced arch support and durable pillow-like multi-layer cushioning. They help realign the foot and the body to ease the pain from your feet up to your lower back. The insoles’ top layer is made with Dryplex anti-odor fabric and Poly-U moisture-wicking foam.
Last but not least, I find these sneakers to be quite fashionable, which is rare for men’s neuropathy shoes! You can try them out for free: if you buy on Orthofeet’s website, you get free shipping, a 60-day wear test, free returns, and a 100% money-back guarantee.
The only downside is the price. Orthofeet shoes are premium-quality and cost around $100, depending on the model. They’re well worth it, though!
More Neuropathy Shoes for Men from Orthofeet:
Best shoes for severe nerve pain in the feet
Apex is another great footwear company with a wide choice of orthopedic footwear for people with foot problems caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Ambulator T2000 stretchable shoes are both for men and women. They’re the most pain-relieving and comfortable shoes for severe neuropathy and diabetic foot pain.
They’re made with a super-stretch material that guarantees no pressure point and no stress on your feet. The interior is protective, seamless, and blister-proof. The hook & loop closure allows an easy foot insertion even for those you can’t bind. You can remove the insoles and add the fitting spacers to accommodate your ones.
The toe box is high and wide, so it does not limit movement. They provide good arch support, foot stability, and sock absorption.
The Ambulator T2000 neuropathy shoes from Apex are available in all men’s and women’s sizes and extended widths. They’re Medicare-approved and eligible for diabetic shoe reimbursement under code A5500. Both shipping and returns are free.
The price is a bit higher than for other neuropathy shoes. However, getting rid of nerve pain and finding relief when walking is priceless.
More neuropathy shoes from Apex:
Best New Balance Medicare-approved shoes for peripheral neuropathy
New Balance has worked on a few orthopedic shoes to be eligible by Medicare for reimbursement under the A5500 code as diabetic shoes. It guarantees the shoe design is officially recognized as diabetes and neuropathy-friendly.
The Hook & Loop 813 V1 sneakers are effortless to insert thanks to a tie-less closure system with adjustable leather straps. Upper straps are handy for neuropathy patients as they allow easy adjustment and readjustment as the days go by and the feet swell.
The shoe interior is padded and soft, and the insoles are well-cushioned. These shoes are best at shock absorption, foot support, and ankle stability. Limiting harmful impacts and softening footsteps are essential if you live with peripheral neuropathy.
All in all, these New Balance shoes are good walking shoes for those suffering mild to severe neuropathy symptoms. We regret that the company’s Medicare-approved choices are limited to the most basic models.
What are the cons? Although they’re top quality, the insoles are not removable, so you won’t be able to wear these shoes with custom-made orthotics.
Best neuropathy shoes for extra-wide or swollen feet
Propét is the leading company in extended-widths footwear. Whether you need wider shoes because you have wider feet, swollen feet, or feet extremely sensitive to touch, you should look at the company’s extensive catalog of choices.
All Propét shoes are available in 3 to 5 widths to comfortably accommodate any foot type. The Olivia style for women and the Scandia style for men is 100% leather shoes. They’re easy to put on with sizeable adjustable velcro straps. They need to be broken in, but they’re remarkably comfortable once they do.
The shoe’s interior is smooth, seamless, and fully padded to avoid blisters and friction points. The collar and tongues are fully padded for extra protection. The insoles are doubled to offer enhanced cushioning. They’re removable if you prefer to insert your orthotics.
Both these styles are Medicare-approved as diabetic shoes (code A5500) and are great for people living with peripheral neuropathy.
Any drawbacks? These are 100% leather shoes, so they must be broken in. Their price might also be an obstacle for some, but Propét shoes are among the best and most durable extra-wide shoes.
Related: New CBD Creams for Neuropathy
Cheapest walking shoes for diabetic neuropathy
Because of their exceptional comfort and advanced technology, Skecher’s iconic shoes are among neuropathy sufferers’ favorites. Podiatrists themselves often recommend them. There are numerous Skechers shoes suitable for neuropathy feet, but I find the Go Walk ones to be the most versatile and coziest.
First, they have a back pull-on loop for easy insertion and tie-less closure. Then, the upper mesh fabric is highly breathable, incredibly soft, and naturally expandable to create a natural fit without pressure on the feet. The collar is padded for extra protection against blisters.
The high rebound insoles are well-cushioned and provide good protection. The top layer is air-cooled and moisture-wicking, so your feet stay in a dry and healthy environment away from fungus and bacteria.
The outsoles are lightweight and flexible to help ease neuropathy foot pain and promote foot traction. These Skechers walking shoes are available in different widths (narrow, medium, or wide for women / regular, vast, or x-wide for men). It’s ideal for people with sensitive and achy feet, swollen feet, edema, or broader feet!
The only drawback is that Skechers shoes are not officially medicare-approved as diabetic shoes. Skechers isn’t an orthopedic footwear company. Even though these shoes are incredibly comfortable, they won’t be as protective as shoes specially designed for neuropathy, such as the ones from Orthofeet or Apex Foot. Also, the insoles are not removable, so you can’t insert your orthotics.
Best shoes for chemo-induced neuropathy & burning feet
Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) concerns 30 to 40% of people with cancer treated by chemotherapy. It mainly affects the feet and hands with the same symptoms as diabetic neuropathy: tingling, needle sensation, sharp, stabbing pain, burning, numbness, over sensitivity to touch, or others.
Whether you’re suffering from chemo-induced neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, or neuropathy caused by other factors, symptoms in the feet can go from unpleasant to extremely painful. Wearing adaptive shoes considerably reduces pain and alleviates most symptoms.
Secret Slippers indoor & outdoor shoes make great pain-relieving shoes. Very cozy, their roomy adjustable design helps stimulate blood flow and guarantees no pressure points nor frictions. They’re easy to put on and off, so the insertion is pain-free.
A generous heel-to-toe padding and high-density 70D memory foam insoles enhance comfort and give a pillow-like feel while reducing stress on the foot. The interior is protective and blister-guard.
The air-cushioned ergonomic soles are made with anti-skid slip-resistant rubber, so these neuropathy slipper-like shoes are suitable for indoor and outdoor activities. To keep your feet healthy and away from bacterial and fungus infections, the fabric is breathable, and the shoes are machine washable.
Any cons? These shoes are great for neuropathy and burning feet as they put zero pressure on your feet and help alleviate the pain. However, they’re not the best quality and don’t last very long, which is fair considering their low price! Also, note that these are not Medicare-approved diabetic shoes, so you won’t be able to ask for a reimbursement.
Best Sport Shoes & Trainers for Neuropathy
Hoka One One is a French athletic shoe company famous for its lightweight and maximum cushioning combination that promotes stability and comfort. Now easy to find in the USA, some Hoka One models have even received acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The Hoka One Challenger ATR 6 are all-terrain trainers versatile enough to make excellent trail running shoes and city walking ones. They show numerous neuropathy-friendly features I’m sure your feet will thank you for!
The cushioning is extreme, but the shoes stay lightweight enough to improve traction and foot mobility. The interior lining is blister-proof, and the fabric is super breathable.
The compression-molded EVA midsoles are foam-padded, improve foot stability, and absorb impacts like no other ones! The shoe adherence is reinforced with rubber inserts on the outsoles. As a bonus for fragile neuropathy feet, a protective toe rand adds even more support and protection.
Cons? Of course, these high-tech orthopedic shoes come at a higher price. But if you can afford it, you won’t regret it!
Best dress shoes for men with neuropathy
Specially designed for people living with diabetes, neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, swollen feet, arthritis, and other painful foot conditions, you get all the protection and comfort you can expect: a non-binding design to boost blood circulation, a protective interior to prevent blisters and wounds, anatomical insoles with good support and cushioning, ergonomic, durable outsole, and more.
Dr. Comfort is one of the most podiatrist-recommended footwear companies. It offers an extensive catalog of shoes, insoles, and socks for diabetes and neuropathy patients.
Best dress shoes for women with neuropathy
Biomechanically engineered
Heel shoes are not the most recommended shoe style for women with neuropathy. Because of the uneven distribution of the weight and pressure they create, high heels destabilize the foot and cause painful points and injuries.
Orthofeet is the only footwear company I know of that has managed to design orthopedic dress shoes suitable for women with neuropathy and other foot conditions.
To avoid blocking blood circulation and creating pressure points, the Sanibel May Janes has a roomy design with a broader toe box. They come with orthotic accessories to help you find the perfect fit: removable insoles, fitting spacers, and a forefoot pad. You can get them in medium width or extra-wide.
As usual with Orthofeet, the shoe interior is remarkably comfortable. The lining is soft and foam-padded from heel to toe. There’s no apparent seam that could cause blisters or skin irritations.
The insoles are made with quality cushioning foam and an antimicrobial top cover. You can adjust the arch support to your foot shape with an arch booster. The heel is extra-cushioned, and the forefoot pad is a welcome pain-relieving addition.
Orthofeet offers free shipping on all products, a 60-day wear test, free returns, and a 100% money-back guarantee. Definitely worth the try (and the price!)
Related: Are nano socks good for neuropathy?
According to the Therapeutic Shoes Bill, Medicare covers shoes for neuropathy if you have diabetes and qualify for Medicare Part B. Diabetic shoes must be prescribed by a foot specialist (podiatrist, orthopedist, prothesis, pedorthist) and must have received approval from Medicare first.
Check the product description to know if a shoe qualifies for Medicare reimbursement. You should see the code A5500. I have not found any information about shoe coverage for chemo-induced neuropathy or other peripheral neuropathy.
Theoretically, wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes could cause neuropathy. But you would have to wear them for a very long time every day, so the repetitive pinching and friction by the shoe permanently damage the nerves of your feet and cause neuropathy. Who would do that?
However, wearing ill-fitting shoes increases the pain and the risks of complications in patients already diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
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