Sneakers Diabetes: What to Look For

Turn off foot protection, circulation, and pressure distribution for diabetics. Some key features to look for are a toe box, seamless interior lining, additional depth, cushioned soles,es and breathable materials. Brands such as New Balance, Brooks and Orthofeet honor diabetic foot protection with podiatrist-approved footwear.

Foot care is perhaps one of the most vital — and frequently disregarded — components in controlling diabetes. Many years of uncontrolled high blood sugar levels lead to a condition called peripheral neuropathy, where nerves and blood vessels are damaged over time, reducing sensation in the feet and also slowing wound healing. A blister or pressure sore would seem inconsequential to a non-diabetic, but for someone with diabetes it can turn into a life-threatening wound.

The proper shoes can make an impact. Not only in comfort, but also in preventing complications that can lead to infection or amputation in the most serious cases. People with diabetes have a 15% lifetime incidence of foot ulcers, and ill-fitting shoes are one of the most common precursors, according to the American Diabetes Association.

In this ultimate guide, we explain everything you need to know about finding the ideal sneakers for diabetics. You will find out what features people need the most, who has been providing it better than the others, and whether a shoe is really diabetic-friendly or just being presented that way.

Why Do People With Diabetes Need Special Sneakers?

Diabetes influences foot health by two main alterations: nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) and blood vessel disease (peripheral vascular disease). These conditions, taken together, constitute a perfect storm.

A person may not feel that a spot is becoming hot, blistering, or a pressure point within the shoe because of a nerve condition known as peripheral neuropathy. But without that pain signal, small issues get ignored and left untreated. The lack of adequate blood flow then impedes the body's ability to repair these damaged tissues, causing tiny injuries to develop into serious infections.

Regular sneakers—even premium athletic ones—aren't made for these hazards. They might have interior seams that rub, too-shallow toe boxes that compress the toes, or soles that give you uneven pressure underneath. These are trivial annoyances to most of us. This can become a medical issue for somebody with diabetes.

Diabetic shoes, on the other hand, are designed to reduce these risks. What we ultimately want is a shoe that shields the foot from injury but doesn't produce friction, pressure, or heat while remaining comfortable and supportive all day long.

Top 9 Features to Look for in Diabetic Sneakers

Wide toe box, deep toe box

The front part of the shoe, known as the "toe box," should be wide and deep enough to allow for horizontal splaying of your toes—like fingers. Narrow or tight toe boxes are often the first reason for sore feet, blisters, corns, and ulcers in a diabetic person.

Seek out shoes labeled "wide" or "extra wide," and consider "extra depth" designs if you use custom orthotics or have certain foot problems, such as hammertoes with mild to moderate overlapping toes or bunions.

Do you have as few seams on the inside as possible or none?

If there are seams on the inside of a shoe, they can rub against the skin as we walk, which will create friction and cause sores. A few types of diabetic sneakers have seamless/flat-seam interiors, which are key to avoiding this risk entirely. The high-end versions use a seamless one-piece knit upper.

Does the shoe help to evenly distribute pressure over the foot?

You rely on data until October 2023; uneven pressure concentration—mainly at the edge of the foot or heel — can cause calluses and ulcers over time. You should have a cushioned midsole with evenly distributed pressure. Choose shoes with cushioned insoles made of memory foam or EVA (ethylene–vinyl acetate) and a rocker sole design that transfers weight away from high-risk areas.

Is the upper material breathable?

When a shoe is wet, it encourages certain bacteria and fungi to flourish. The mesh upper allows air to circulate freely around the shoe, keeping your feet comfortable and dry. We place more emphasis on this feature, especially for people living with diabetes who have higher susceptibility to skin infections.

Does the shoe accommodate orthotics?

Custom orthotics are common for people with diabetes who have been prescribed by a podiatrist. A shoe should be shallower, wider, and with a removable insole for an orthotic to fit properly without cramping the foot. Always verify whether the inner sole is removable while making a purchase!

Top Shoes for Diabetics

Best For Everyday Walking and Wide Widths: New Balance

New Balance: The most suggested diabetic shoes by podiatrists. They include a wide assortment of widths from standard (D) to extra-extra-wide (4E and 6E), and many styles are available in extra-depth. One shoe in particular, the New Balance 928 series, is designed with a ROLLBAR stability post and cushioned Midsole; it also has a wider toe box. Available in a number of styles that boast the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.

Brooks: Top Picks For Active Diabetics and Runners

Brooks Athletic: Brooks specializes exclusively in running and walking shoes, so its biomechanical engineering is among the most focused. Per a recommendation from Dr. Spencer, we chose the Brooks Addiction Walker 2—a diabetic-friendly shoe with a slip-resistant outsole, an oversized platform, and leather components without visible upper seams. Another of Brooks' technologies, BioMoGo DNA cushioning, adapts to runners' strides and weight to spread pressure evenly.

BEST FOR: Severely Neuropathic & Custom Orthotic Users

Orthofeet is specifically geared towards consumers with foot diseases such as diabetes, and their entire product line has been designed from a shoe perspective. Each shoe has an extra-wide and extra-deep style, with no seam inside the shoe, as well as an arch support system and wide toe box. The Gramercy and Sprint styles from this brand are especially well-liked for peripheral neuropathy. Orthofeet has a 60-day comfort guarantee, meaning that customers can give them a full test drive before committing to purchase.

Hoka: Best for All-Day Cushioning

Due to their maximum cushioning and rocker-sole geometry, Hoka sneakers are popular with medical professionals. Well, the meta-rocker design alleviates pressure on the forefoot, a prime spot for diabetic ulcers. The Hoka Bondi series still offers one of the max-est stack heights you can find in a daily wear sneaker; thus, it works so well for those on their feet for hours and hours.

Skechers Go Walk: The Best Budget Option

If you are looking for an entry-level diabetic footwear, Skechers Go Walk is a lightweight, minimal step-in shoe with a seamless knit upper, wide toe box, and flexible outsole. Several styles are APMA-approved. The shoe isn't quite the medical-grade engineering that Orthofeet shoes provide, but Skechers Go Walks are some of the best everyday comfort shoes for much less money.

Proper Fitting for Diabetic Sneakers

Selecting a shoe is only half of the equation. Just like the features themselves, fit also matters.

Shop in the afternoon. Your feet are not like this naturally; they swell throughout the day. The shoe fits your foot at its largest when shopping later in the day.

Always measure both feet. Your foot size continues to change over time, and for most people one of your feet is slightly bigger than the other. Always make room for the bigger foot.

Put on socks you will actually wear. Come to the fitting with your thick diabetic socks (recommended). The shoe can work for regular socks, but thicker ones may be too tight.

Check for pressure points immediately. Be sure to get up and walk around in the store and notice if there are any tight spots or rubbing. Never think the shoe will "break in"—diabetic shoes should fit comfortably from the moment they're worn.

Consult your podiatrist. If you have a fair amount of neuropathy, previous foot ulcers, or if you wear custom orthotics, ask your podiatrist for suggestions on specific styles/brands. All patients who are eligible for Medicare receive diabetic shoes that fall under the Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes coverage.

Should People With Diabetes Wear Regular Athletic Sneakers?

Short Answer: It depends on how severe your case is.

For a patient with well-controlled diabetes, no neuropathy, and no history of foot problems such as ulceration or fragility fracture, some athletic shoe of adequate fit from an established brand may be all that is required. The trick is fit: a shoe that does not cause pressure points has the fewest possible seams on the interior and provides decent padding.

But for those with peripheral neuropathy, questionable circulation, past foot ulcers, or structural foot conditions (bunions or hammertoes), diabetic footwear made for purpose is also advisable. The danger of needing a new shoe to do hidden damage is simply too great.

When considering virtually any footwear, the APMA Seal of Acceptance is an excellent place to start. Shoes with this seal have been clinically reviewed by podiatrists and are designed to promote good foot health. The easiest way to vet your options before you purchase is to search the APMA database of approved products.

Your Next Step for Healthy Feet

Foot and diabetes are two things that you cannot separate. The right shoe isn't going to control blood sugar, but it can considerably minimize the probability of the complications that make diabetes sickest. Focus on a wide toe box, no seams, equal pressure distribution, and breathability, and you will do well with pretty much any brand at any price.

If you haven't done so already, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist before anything else. A professional gait/foot-shape evaluation and/or additional assessment of existing neuropathy, etc. will provide you with precise details on what to shop for—and more importantly, what to stay away from. When paired with judicious footwear, that move alone can safeguard your wellness for years more than you might think.

Common Questions About Sneakers and Diabetes

What makes a sneaker "diabetic-friendly"?

Diabetic-friendly footwear reduces the likelihood of friction and pressure as well as moisture-related issues that can lead to site complications. Important features include a broad and deep toe box, soft or flat-seam inner lining, pressure-dissipating soles, upper materials that breathe well, and fully removable insoles to fit orthotics.

Are diabetic shoes covered by insurance?

Beneficiaries of Medicare Part B in the USA are eligible for one pair of diabetic shoes and up to three pairs of custom insoles per calendar year, classified under the Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes benefit. To be eligible, you need a diabetes diagnosis, a written order from a podiatrist or physician, and documentation of one foot-related complication. For private insurance, check with your individual insurer.

In this regard, how often should diabetics replace their sneakers?

As such, however, most podiatrists recommend changing diabetic sneakers every 6 to 12 months of normal use, or more frequently if you see apparent wear on the sole or cushioning. Cushioning becomes less effective at dispersing pressure and increases the risk of ulcers as it wears down.

Benefits of Running Shoes during Your Everyday Use: If you are diabetic, you may wonder if that same pair can also be worn for your everyday use.

Certainly, if the running shoe has the criteria for diabetic footwear—a wide toe box, no seams in the interior, plenty of cushion, and ventilation. Some brands make running shoes that doctors recommend, such as Brooks and New Balance. Always get in touch with a podiatrist to confirm fit before attending a design.

Which socks can other diabetic persons put on with their tennis shoes?

Diabetic socks are specially made to match diabetic footwear. The 3rd type is non-binding (meaning there won’t be any interruptions in the circulating blood), moisture-wicking, and non-chafing, which are made without inter-seams. Major brands like Thorlos, Wrightsock, and Dr. Scholl's make some of the best-rated lines of diabetic socks you can buy over the counter in most pharmacies.

Diabetic shoes and orthopedic shoes—what is the difference?

Yes. Certain types of orthopedic shoes are constructed for use in structural problems with the foot like flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or arthritis. In contrast, diabetic shoes target the complications of diabetes specifically—friction, pressure points, and moisture. As for shoes, well, some are both but with different design priorities. Your local podiatrist can advise which type is suitable for your needs.

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