Pain or Tingling in Your Feet? Podiatrists Share the Best Shoes for Neuropathy (2024)

Constructed with breathable mesh and 44% recycled materials, these popular sneakers from On Running feature “cushioning to increase shock absorption and comfort” and are designed “to reduce the energy required for forward motion,” notes Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute. “These features make this a shoe that is comfortable for walking and everyday activities like errands and shopping,” she says.

Reviewers rave that the walking shoes feel like “walking on a cloud.” One Zappos shopper wrote, “I have peripheral neuropathy...I am amazed at how much better the Cloud 5 feels than any other shoe I have. I didn’t think anything would improve my PN for walking, but these do.”

The Naot Adonis sneakers are a “great choice” for those with neuropathy, says Oldani. “The cork and latex footbed has a built-in metatarsal pad to reduce pressure across the ball of the foot. The rubber and foam sole absorbs shock with each step,” he explains. “Also, I like the knit material that can accommodate and conform to deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes.”

Along with the cushy insole and a breathable, flexible knit upper, the stylish Adonis sneakers also come with a round toe design and an easy slip-on style, complete with pull tabs—making them especially great for casual everyday wear.

Sharkey recommends this pick from Asics for its lightweight cushioning, calling it “a comfortable shoe that will leave each and every step cushioned.” Along with the impact-absorbing Flytefoam cushioning in the midsole, these sneakers are designed with synthetic leather overlays and breathable mesh underlays. “The breathable material in the upper makes this great for anyone who has feet that are warm and sweaty,” adds Sharkey.

“The shoe is extremely light but supportive,” one Amazon reviewer shared. “Super comfy walking shoes. Fit well and provide comfort all over,” another shopper wrote on the Asics website. “I am on my feet all day on various types of terrain, and these are one of the most comfortable sneaker I have found yet!”

The Skechers Ultra Flex 3.0 Smooth Step sneakers come in a slip-on design, which make them easy for those with balance issues to slip on and off quickly. They also feature a cushioned memory foam insole, a stretchy knit upper that provides “sock-like comfort,” as well as a heel pillow that helps hold your foot securely in place with every step. Plus, they come in wide sizes.

“These shoes are more than I had hoped for. I was able to walk in them and the arch support helped so much,” shared one Amazon reviewer. “My balance is really off due to the neuropathy, I have one foot with a hammertoe and the other toes are attempting to fold under my foot. These shoes certainly were a plus helping me walk...I cannot recommend them enough.”

Recommended by Oldani, Orthofeet’s Coral Stretch Knit sneakers “feature a wider-than-average toe box as well as a knit upper that will reduce pressure on those with hammertoes and bunions,” he says. Plus, they’re designed with removable orthotic insoles that offer great arch support and are available in multiple widths on the brand’s site, including narrow, wide, and extra wide sizes.

“Most comfortable shoes ever!” wrote one Amazon customer. “I have neuropathy, hammertoes on one foot, and plantar fasciitis as well. My feet have never been so comfortable!” Another reviewer said, “I have neuropathy in both feet, and these keep feet warm and feeling less pain than usual.”

This best-selling pair from Hoka has Sharkey’s stamp of approval for being “well-cushioned” and offering “neutral stability.” With a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, these walking shoes boast thick, plush cushioning, a padded tongue and collar, and an extended rear crash pad on the heel.

These Hokas are also a personal favorite of Prevention’s senior commerce editor Christie Calucchia. “They kept my feet comfortable and helped me ease back into physical activity after bruising my tailbone,” she wrote in a review of the sneakers. Reviewers love them, too: “I’m a nurse and a diabetic with neuropathy in my feet and lower legs, and this shoe is a godsend,” one Zappos shopper wrote. “Very comfortable and supportive...Well worth the investment.”

These lightweight sneakers boast contoured cushioning with a shock-absorbing heel cushion. They’re designed with Dansko’s Natural Arch Plus Technology, which offers great arch support and heel stability, as well as a recycled mesh upper with a soft padded collar.

Reviewers rave that they’re “super lightweight” and support high arches. “These are really comfortable sneakers! I’m a nurse, so I’m familiar with Dansko in general,” said one Amazon shopper. “I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet, flat feet, post surgery to one foot, so I’m always looking for the most comfortable shoe. These fit the bill!”

Specifically designed to provide pain relief for foot pain, these shoes are constructed with a breathable canvas upper and an orthotic insole that offers strong arch support and shock-absorbing, pillow-like cushioning. The slip-on loafer style comes with a durable rubber outsole. They’re great to wear as both outdoor shoes while you’re running errands and indoor slippers while you’re in the house.

“I have ordered many shoes and had to send them back looking for something with enough support for my planters fasciitis and neuropathy. This shoe is finally the one!” wrote one Amazon customer. “I can wear it around the house all day and it feels great. It even came with a separate pair of inserts that I can use in other shoes that I wear outside and they feel better than ever.”

Looking for a comfy pair of sandals to wear during warmer months? These top-rated orthopedic sandals feature three adjustable straps at the heel, forefoot, and instep to ensure the perfect, secure fit to your feet—plus, the soft, stretchable interiors have foam padding to prevent irritation. They also provide great cushioning, thanks to orthotic insoles that have built-in arch support. Bonus: They come in wide and extra wide sizes on the brand’s website.

Shoppers with neuropathy swear by them in the reviews. “Happy feet! I suffer from neuropathy and need comfortable shoes, and these well-padded and attractive sandals have made a huge difference in my walking ability,” said one Amazon customer.

✔️ Look for good cushioning and shock absorption. “Generally speaking, those with neuropathy need shoes that provide shock absorption and cushioning through the heel and under the ball of the foot,” says Oldani.

✔️ Opt for roomy toe boxes and flexible uppers. “Shoes with a taller and wider toe box can be helpful to avoid rubbing sores that lead to complications,” Oldani notes. Sharkey also recommends looking for uppers that are “made with materials that are flexible and non-constrictive”—including toe boxes that are “made of mesh or breathable fabric that has flexibility and give to accommodate for different foot shapes.”

✔️ Choose a durable rubber outsole. Neuropathy can cause numbness or weakness in your feet, which can lead to balancing issues—and therefore leave you prone to accidents. To address this, Sharkey recommends looking for a rubber outsole for traction to avoid slips and falls.

✔️ Make sure that it’s the right fit. “It is imperative that shoes fit adequately,” says Sharkey. “With altered sensation, care should be taken to make sure shoes are not too tight and that there isn’t any debris or material in the shoes that could rub and cause blisters and open wounds.”

When it comes to the type of shoe that is best for neuropathy, experts generally recommend athletic shoes or sneakers that are designed for walking. “Walking shoes are the perfect mix of function and comfort. They are constructed to provide stability throughout the gait cycle,” explains Sharkey.

Whatever kind of shoe you’re shopping for, it’s important to look for good cushioning and shock absorption, as well as a wide toe box. You can also opt to add in orthotic shoe inserts to further improve foot pain. “Sometimes the best choice is to pair a cushioned shoe with a roomy toe box with an accommodative type insert to evenly distribute pressure,” notes Oldani.

There are several different factors that can worsen or exacerbate neuropathy in your feet. “Neuropathy can be aggravated by uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetics. Vitamin deficiencies can also affect nerve function,” Sharkey explains.

Another factor that certainly doesn’t help with neuropathy symptoms? Wearing uncomfortable, poor-fitting shoes—which is why finding the right pair of supportive, well-cushioned shoes is so important. “While neuropathy cannot worsen due to shoes, having poor shoes can absolutely wreak havoc for those who suffer from neuropathy,” notes Sharkey.