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Best Orthotic Shoes – 2021 Reviews
Built specifically to support the heel and the arch of the foot, orthopedic shoes ensure healthy, normal feet and thus lower the risk of back pain, joint damage, limb swelling, and any related discomfort or pain.
Even if your feet are fine right now, wearing this type of footwear could prevent you from having issues with mobility or requiring surgery for any unforeseen complications that you may develop in the future.
Let's take a look at these best shoes for various foot-related ailments!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Comfort
Added cushioning, padded collars and removable foam midsoles are the key to lasting comfort.
An orthopedic design that isn’t comfortable wouldn’t be a good choice, seeing that it would fail at performing its most important task. It’s critical that any orthopedic footwear you consider gives you comfort features that will make your steps feel pain-free, even effortless, while also reducing the likelihood of foot injuries.
One of the best comfort features that you can look out for is located in the midsole. You can look for midsoles made out of polyurethane, or PU.
Another great option is to get a pair that features EVA foam components. Some footwear will feature a dual-density EVA footbed which is excellent for shock absorption, especially for those who carry a bit more weight.
One thing to consider when making a purchase is whether the footbed or insole is removable. Although some footwear may have really comfortable insoles, it is recommended that these are changed every three months in order to ensure a healthy environment for your feet.
You can also look for a pair of sneakers that have a foam padded collar and tongue, as these will help give that all-around comfort on your feet and ankles.
Support
Support comes in the form of a deep heel cup, arch support, a flexible outsole, and a wide, stable fit.
Foot support is another essential component to have in a design you’re getting for its health benefits. When walking, it’s important that your feet have a full range of motion, and that your weight is properly distributed across the entire foot, lessening the strain on any particular part of the foot or joint.
A deep heel cup can greatly improve your overall walking and standing experience, as it is designed to realign the foot back to its natural position for a better stepping motion. One of the best signs that a design is healthy enough to wear if you suffer from any foot conditions is the APMA Seal of Acceptance. In addition to an APMA Seal of Acceptance, you can also look for footwear that is labeled as having been designed by a podiatrist.
Arch support is crucial for minimizing the pain or discomfort you may be experiencing from walking and standing. An anatomical or contoured footbed with a good level of arch support will softly hug your foot from underneath, preventing you from putting too much strain on the tendon at the bottom of your foot.
If the pair of orthotic shoes of your choice advertises a flexible outsole, that means that you’ve got yourself a pretty good option. An outsole that allows unhindered movement of the foot will let you walk more naturally, thus preventing unnecessary strain or fatigue.
Finally, try to look for footwear that will be of the correct width, especially on the forefoot.
Traction
Slip-resistant footwear is essential in preventing slips and skids and fall-related injuries.
Once you’ve found the orthopedic shoe with the right comfort and cushioning features for your unique needs, it is important to consider the outsole as well. The outsole of your footwear is in charge of keeping your footing secure, which includes preventing slips and falls that could result in nasty injuries that may take months to heal.
Your best bet will usually be a rubber outsole with a good traction pattern. If you find footwear that is advertised as water-friendly, slip-resistant, or even appropriate for wear on oily surfaces, this means that it’ll be a good choice for walking on a large number of surfaces, including tile, hardwood floors, and highly polished surfaces.
Once you’ve got the comfort and foot support checked for in your potential orthotic shoe purchase, it’ll be helpful to see if the design has some good traction. Preventing foot injuries includes preventing ones that can occur as the result of a fall.
Breathability
Airy, breathable materials such as mesh and fabric will keep your feet feeling fresh and will prevent any bad odors from developing.
Breathability will only add to the comfort you’re looking for in your orthopedic footwear. The less sweaty and hot your feet feel, the better.
One obvious thing that will give you the most breathability is an open-toed design. It allows for maximum airflow to your feet, which will keep them dry all day.
The next best thing to having an open-toed design would be orthotic shoes that feature a mesh upper. Mesh is a net-like material that lets air into your footwear, allowing your feet to be cool and dry throughout the day.
Fabric lining is another good option as it’s designed to wick away moisture, reducing the amount of sweat that builds up in your orthopedic footwear.
Brand
The brand name is not a crucial factor, but it may play a role in your decision-making process.
When it comes to orthopedic footwear, the brand might not be the first thing that crosses your mind, but it could be the deciding factor when you've narrowed down your options.
The brand behind the design plays an integral role. Some orthopedic footwear brands are much more reliable than others, using specific materials that are known to help your feet stay comfortable and protected. Furthermore, some names - such as Vionic - have entire medical studies dedicated to ways their footwear helps prevent pain.
The options featured on this list are some of the most well-known designs from the brands in the orthotics business. They're known to be comfortable, well-made, and will protect your feet.
Our Favorites
1. OluKai Nohea Moku
This is a pair of versatile shoes that will work great for everyday wear, but also holidays and the beach, seeing that the mesh upper is quick to dry and provides you with excellent airflow throughout the day. What is more, they come with a one-year warranty against any manufacturer’s defects from the date of purchase, meaning that you can rest assured that you are getting footwear that is of high quality.
One of the aspects of these orthotic shoes that make them a good choice for anyone suffering from foot problems is the heel which can be worn both as a regular shoe or can be lowered to be worn as a slide-in slipper. If you are recovering from surgery or have limited foot mobility, you will love this feature.
The long-lasting anatomically contoured footbed is lined with a microfibre Dri-Lex cover, making it quick to dry and suitable for summer use.
Also, it is removable, meaning that you can wash it whenever you feel like you need fresh ergonomic footwear, or replace it with your own custom orthotics for maximum comfort and support.
2. Propet Travelactiv
The Propet Travelactiv is a pair of orthopedic sneakers that’s a marvelous mix of practical and trendy! They check off all the criteria of what you would want in an orthopedic shoe, but they look like normal, lightweight sneakers. Some colors even have lacy designs on the top (and yes, you can choose from several different colors).
The synthetic material is designed specifically to make them wearable for anyone, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a pair that feels like it was made for your feet. Furthermore, if you need to remove or replace the cushion for any reason, you can.
The Propet Travelactiv boasts several advantages over your regular pair of lifestyle sneakers. Firstly, it is incredibly lightweight while providing you with all the necessary features to prevent any foot pain. Secondly, it looks incomparably better than any other pair of orthopedic footwear you can find on the market.
One of the greatest advantages of these orthopedic sneakers is the flexible upper which will perfectly fit your foot. This is especially important for those who suffer from sensitivity issues, bunions, or metatarsal pain. The EVA foam outsole provides plenty of cushioning and is so lightweight you may even forget you’re wearing these.
3. ASICS Gel-Venture 8
The ASICS GEL-Venture 8 are a pair of trail runners that were made to give you the best possible support and comfort features, on all types of terrain. Made for runners, these feature plenty of cushioning and shock-absorbing features, but thanks to their simple aesthetics, they can also be worn as a pair of everyday casual sneakers if you need some extra support and comfort.
If you find yourself underpronating - carrying most of the weight on the outside part of your feet - you need to invest in a pair that will make up for the lack of shock absorption that happens during your gait cycle.
With rearfoot GEL cushioning, these will cup the heel and allow for a smoother transition to midstance, without sending too much stress up the entire leg.
The sockliner in these orthopedic sneakers is removable, which means that you can substitute them for your own custom orthotics. If you don’t need to use custom orthotics, you will be very happy with the high-quality foam insoles that come with the GEL-Venture 8s, seeing that they mold to the feet and give the feeling of a custom fit.
4. Birkenstock Boston
These classic clogs by Birkenstock make a great pair if you need supportive and comfortable slide sandals that will work just as well for the home as they will for running errands and going on walks. Featuring a rich oiled leather upper, the famous Birkenstock cork footbed and an EVA foam outsole that is water-friendly, you’ll find that the Boston is a classic pair that will never go out of style.
The upper of the Boston clog is made out of oiled, untreated leather. Using sturdy leather with a thickness of 2.8 to 3.2 millimeters, these will last a lifetime but will give you a breathable and personalized fit as they adapt to your personal foot shape. The insole is made out of suede which is very soft and gives excellent airflow, allowing you to wear these even at high temperatures or during strenuous activities.
The Boston features the famous Birkenstock cork footbed which is anatomically correct and provides excellent stabilization, arch support and plenty of room in the toe area, helping you distribute your weight evenly over the entire foot.
You’ll love the EVA foam outsole which gives additional shock absorption, making these ergonomic shoes perfect for when you need to stay on your feet for longer periods.
5. Vionic Tide II Toe Post
Just because you’re conscious about foot health, doesn’t mean you can’t also be stylish. It also doesn’t mean you have to suffer sweaty feet in warm weather. These sandals have all the advantages of orthopedic designs such as arch support, shock absorption and padded soles with none of the bulky aesthetic. In fact, they come in various attractive colors and designs. Take a look at the numerous options!
The Vionic Tide II features some of the best arch support you can find in a pair of orthotic shoes. The EVA midsole provides good shock absorption without adding unnecessary weight, while you will find that the arch support and heel cup cradle your feet and align them properly, ensuring a pain-free experience.
Again, ease is of the essence; it doesn’t make sense for shoes that are focused on foot health to be difficult to put on or take off.
These sandals are as uncomplicated as any regular flip-flop, and the soft material of the toe post ensures that the space between your toes won’t get rubbed raw. What you’ll also love about these is the neoprene lining on the upper which is soft to the touch.
6. Hush Puppies Gil
The Gil by Hush Puppies is one of our favorite options that promote foot health seeing that it offers excellent comfort features for anyone with arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, or even for post-operative recovery. This model is easy to put on thanks to the hook and loop closure, and is very lightweight, making it perfect for prolonged use. Additionally, it's made with an aesthetic appeal that will work well even at work or on occasions that require more sophisticated attire.
The Hush Puppies Gil is exceptionally lightweight, thanks to the ZeroG System which it incorporates, eliminating weight and bulk that are often found in insoles.
These shoes have an outsole which is four times lighter than most other footwear. Made out of rubber, it will provide protection against slips on highly shined surfaces.
The upper of these orthotic shoes was also made with comfort in mind. Being a full-grain leather shoe, the Gil will adapt to the foot and can be bought in a wide variety of sizes and widths to ensure you get a proper fit. The hook and loop closure enables easy on and off, while the choice of three colors gives you solid styling options.
7. Propet Wash & Wear II
If you’re not a fan of velcro but still want a design that’s easy to put on or remove, the Propet Wash & Wear is an excellent choice. The quilted top is washable and looks nice, and you can get it in various colors, all of which are neutral enough to pair well with almost any outfit. Additionally, the cushion inside is removable, so if you want to clean, replace, or readjust it, you can do so.
To prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and the development of odors, podiatrists will often suggest replacing your insoles every three months. With the Propet Wash & Wear, you won’t have to purchase new orthopedic sneakers so often; rather you can just wash yours, making them fresh on the inside and shiny new-looking on the outside.
These orthotic shoes use EVA foam in the midsole, which means that they provide excellent arch support but don’t come at a big weight.
The upper features a padded stretch collar that additionally contributes to the level of comfort you will feel when wearing these.
8. Clarks Janey June
Made in the United States using a leather upper, the Janey June is absolutely remarkable, especially considering the fact that it comes in such a stylish design. With buckle closure, you would wear these with almost anything and you would never know they are an orthopedic design.
Laces can be time-consuming and dangerous and can pose a problem for people with mobility issues, the elderly, or even women who are pregnant and need footwear that is supportive and cushioning.
If you’re getting orthotic shoes to help correct a foot health problem, then it's important that the model you get is hassle-free, ensuring that you actually enjoy and look forward to putting it on.
The rubber sole on the Janey June is non-marking and non-slip. You won't have to worry about staying on your feet in these ergonomic shoes. And the low 0.5-inch heel won't pose any issues if you're not comfortable with additional height.
Sources
- , What Are Orthopedic Shoes?, Consumer Website
- , What Are Orthopedic Shoes?, Informative Website
- , Healthy Foot Benefits of Orthopedic Shoes, Consumer Website
- , Plantar Fasciitis, Consumer Website