The 6 Best Shoes for People With Diabetes, According to Podiatrists

Diabetes often comes with myriad unpleasant side effects, including fatigue and weakness, blurry vision and foot damage.

That last one isn't talked about enough. Yet foot damage affects an estimated 15 to 25 percent of people with diabetes in their lifetime, per a March 2018 study in the ‌International Journal of Endocrinology.‌

High blood sugar can lead to diabetic neuropathy, a lack of sensory perception or feeling in the feet, says podiatrist, owner and CEO of Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, Patrick McEneaney, DPM. "In this case, a person can develop wounds on the feet since they cannot feel rubbing or irritation," he says.

Low blood sugar can also prevent wounds from healing, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, Dr. McEneaney says. This can lead to infections and even potentially amputation if it's not taken care of properly.

For these reasons and more, it's vital that people with diabetes choose the right footwear. Here are the best options, according to podiatrists.

We tapped five podiatrists, who offered product recommendations and broke down what to look for in shoes that can help alleviate diabetes symptoms. We selected these products based on their criteria, including:

• Comfort
• Depth
• Support
• Toe box width

"The right shoe should have a thick, supportive sole and a wide and high toe box to provide sufficient room for your toes and prevent your feet from injury," says William Spielfogel, DPM, podiatrist and medical advisor to The Good Feet Store. "A good shoe should also be deep enough to accommodate an arch support if needed."

Find more info on how we choose and cover products here.

Here are a few features to keep in mind when shopping for the best shoes to help relieve the symptoms of diabetes.

Comfort is always an important factor when shopping for a shoe, but especially so if you have diabetes.

"Softness, or the ability for the shoe to lie on top of your foot and not cause damage, is important in the prevention of ulcerations on the top of your foot," says Dr. Robinson.

Shoe depth is important, because it prevents rubbing on the toes and other parts of the foot, says Jason R. Hanft, DPM, podiatrist in South Miami and CEO and founder of Defender.

"Having extra depth in the toe box and upper space of the shoe can keep feet healthier," Dr. Hanft says.

Many people with diabetes have structural issues, such as calluses, in addition to peripheral neuropathy, so it's important to have appropriate support in the shoe.

"You need support to prevent injuries related to instability, particularly as you may not feel injuries in your feet if you have diabetes," says Dr. Robinson.

Dr. Robinson warns against any shoes that are rigid or tight, as they can cause injury to the top of the foot and even lead to ulcerations. For this reason, it's a good idea to buy shoes that have a wide and high toe box to provide sufficient room for your toes.