Updated: 28-11-2022| Written by: Jennifer Amy Bailey
Shoes for arthritis are hard to come by, but in this post, we've compared our top picks for women.
In the UK, around 10 million people suffer with arthritis, and it actually affects people of all ages (although it's associated with older people).
It can be very tough to find suitable footwear for these conditions. However, options are available whether you need shoes for osteoarthritis (OA) or inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Best Shoes for Women with Arthritis
Here are our top picks for shoes for arthritis by type and style:
Best Boots for Arthritis
Winner: Extra Wide Fit Boots
Pros:
- Cushioned and arch supported insole.
- Inside zip.
- Leather upper kid leather lining.
- Synthetic stretch toe lining.
- Non-slip sole.
Click here to check the price
Best Court Shoes for Arthritis
Winner: Extra Wide Fit Court Shoes
Pros:
- Cushioned and arch supported insole.
- Large size.
- Soft leather.
- Stylish and comfortable.
- Non-slip sole.
Click here to check the price
Best Ballet Flats for Arthritis
Winner: Charlotte Flat Leather Shoe
Pros:
- Excellent comfort, with a wide fit that can be worn all day (and night!)
- 1 cm hidden heel for comfort
- Leather upper and lining
- Cushioned and arch supported insole
- Non-slip sole
- Handmade in Portugal by master shoemakers
- Available in a range of colours
Click here to check the price
Best Trainers for Arthritis
Winner: Extra Wide Fit Trainers
Pros:
- Extra wide fit.
- Perfect for swollen feet.
- Cushioned arch.
- Supportive insole.
- Fully lined toe box (no seams).
- Wider toe box.
- Laces to adjust forefoot width.
Click here to check the price
Best Smart Flat Shoes for Arthritis
Winner: Extra Wide Fit Flat Shoes
Pros:
- Hidden stretch panel in the toe box.
- True to size.
- Fits up to EEE toe width.
- Cushioned and arch supported insole.
- Leather upper.
- Non-slip sole.
Click here to check the price
Best High Heels for Arthritis
Winner: Emily II Black Leather High Heels
Pros:
- Luxuriously soft shoe.
- Perfect for standing all day.
- 3.5 inch heel
- Lamb leather upper and lining
- Cushioned and arch supported insole
- Non-slip sole
- Handmade in Portugal by master shoemakers
- Available in a range of colours
Click here to check the price
Best Strappy Sandals for Arthritis
Winner: Selena High Heel Shoes
Pros:
- Ultimate comfortable occasion shoe
- 3.5 inch heel
- Pointed toe with a vamp that comes high up
- Lamb leather upper and lining
- Cushioned and arch supported insole
- Non-slip sole
- Handmade in Portugal by master shoemakers
- Available in a range of colours
Click here to check the price
Features of Shoes for Arthritis
Wide width shoes
Many people agree that wide-fit shoes are the best type of shoes for arthritis. One of the reasons for this is that they deliver more space for your feet to manoeuvre.
They can also help you avoid slipping and rubbing. It is essential to ensure that your shoe shape is a good match for your foot shape.
Narrow shoes can place much more pressure on feet which are already tender. The best shoes for arthritis also take other foot conditions into consideration.
These can include hammer toes, deformed joints and bunions.
Related: Wide Fitting Shoes
Wide toe boxes
The toe box area is the area that’s located at the front of the shoe. This should be wide so the pressure points on tender feet are minimised. Shoes that have a wide tox box to enable maximum toe movement, and protect the bunions, hammer toes and other kinds of foot conditions that can come with arthritis. This explains why it’s essential to see out wide feet shoes if you have arthritis.
Related: Wide Toe Box Shoes
Low heels
High heels certainly aren’t the best shoes for arthritis. Most shoes for this type of joint pain are flat. However, you don’t always need to wear flat shoes if you do have arthritis. Heels for arthritis are available, though it’s wise to opt for a lower heel.
High heels will put too much pressure on the soles and balls of your feet. This can cause a great deal of pain. Low heels tend to have a wide tox box and give plenty of support and cushioning to soothe the pain of arthritic feet.
Underfoot cushioning and support
If you do need shoes for joint pain and arthritis, don’t just think about the width. You’ll also need to pay attention to what’s underneath your feet. Quality shoes for arthritis have soft underfoot cushioning which will protect sensitive soles.
Shock absorption is essential if you are to reduce the strain on cartilage which is already fragile.
Soft uppers
The best shoes for people living with arthritis are made from soft and flexible uppers. It’s a good idea to seek out shoes manufactured from long-lasting and supportive soft leather. Rigid materials can make tender arthritic feet feel more painful and can reduce your mobility.
Avoid laces if possible
Many people living with arthritis avoid lace-up shoes. This is often because they don’t want to fuss with their hands and fingers which may also have joint pain. Slip-on shoes and zippers can deliver a comfortable fit and mean you don’t need to worry about dealing with laces.
Related categories:
- Bunion Shoes
- Bunion Boots
- Bunion Flats
- Bunion Heels
- Bunion Sandals
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our post on the best women's shoes for arthritis.
If you have any questions, contact us at hello@callashoes.co.uk or leave your questions in the comments.
Author: Jennifer Bailey
Jennifer Bailey is the founder of Calla Shoes, and has suffered from bunions for over 20 years. She specialises in footwear designed for people with foot problems, including bunions, plantar fasciitis, and swollen feet. Linkedin | Twitter
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The article discusses the best shoes for women with arthritis. It highlights different types of shoes suitable for individuals with arthritis, such as boots, court shoes, ballet flats, trainers, smart flat shoes, high heels, and strappy sandals. The article provides specific features to consider when choosing shoes for arthritis, including wide width, wide toe boxes, low heels, underfoot cushioning and support, soft uppers, and slip-on options.
Wide width shoes: Many people find that wide-fit shoes are the best type of shoes for arthritis. Wide-fit shoes provide more space for the feet to maneuver and can help avoid slipping and rubbing. They are especially beneficial for individuals with tender feet and other foot conditions like hammer toes, deformed joints, and bunions.
Wide toe boxes: The toe box area, located at the front of the shoe, should be wide to minimize pressure points on tender feet. Shoes with wide toe boxes allow for maximum toe movement and can protect bunions, hammer toes, and other foot conditions associated with arthritis.
Low heels: High heels are generally not recommended for individuals with arthritis as they can put excessive pressure on the soles and balls of the feet, causing pain. Low-heeled shoes, on the other hand, provide a wider toe box and offer support and cushioning to alleviate the pain associated with arthritic feet.
Underfoot cushioning and support: Quality shoes for arthritis should have soft underfoot cushioning to protect sensitive soles and reduce strain on fragile cartilage. Shock absorption is essential to minimize the impact on joints and provide comfort.
Soft uppers: The best shoes for arthritis are made from soft and flexible uppers. Shoes manufactured from long-lasting and supportive soft leather are recommended. Rigid materials can increase pain and limit mobility for individuals with arthritic feet.
Avoid laces if possible: Many individuals with arthritis prefer slip-on shoes or shoes with zippers instead of lace-up shoes. This is because dealing with laces can be challenging for people with joint pain in their hands and fingers. Slip-on shoes and zippers provide a comfortable fit without the need for laces.
These features aim to provide comfort, support, and minimize pain for individuals with arthritis. It's important to note that this article is specific to women's shoes and focuses on options available in the UK.
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