My grandmother used to tell me, "If your feet hurt, then everything hurts." And after seeing her and my grandfather deal with arthritis for years, I know what she means! Arthritis is no mere joint pain. It can turn daily actions into battles and make putting on shoes feel like an uphill climb. However, choosing the right shoes can help reduce pain and bring back some level of freedom and confidence. That's what arthritis friendly shoes provide. It's not just about comfort. It's about empowerment.
Many people living with arthritis deal with pain, swelling, and stiffness. And while medications and therapies are likely to alleviate some of the symptoms, something as basic as putting on shoes can seem like a mountain to climb. Once I started observing how much time and effort it took my grandparents to get dressed every day, I realized the importance of finding solutions that seamlessly fit into their everyday lives. While shoes may seem like a small piece of the puzzle, they can make or break a day when you live with joint pain.
Having supported my grandparents through their health journeys, I have seen how the right shoes can help alleviate suffering and create opportunities for independence. In this blog, I'll outline the basics of finding suitable, arthritis-friendly shoes as well as share three fantastic options from June Adaptive that are comfort-oriented, functional and designed with consideration.
Cushioning Vs. Support: What Matters Most?
One of the most common misgivings regarding shoes that are arthritis-friendly is the assumption that cushioning is a fix-all, and while cushioning is important for softening the impact on the sensitive joints, it is only half of the solution. Support (specifically arch support and heel support) is equally important.
Cushioned soles absorb shock, which is helpful for people with knee or hip arthritis. However, without support structures, that cushioning can provide instability, increasing the person's chance of awkward foot positions and falls. For someone who has rheumatoid arthritis in their ankles, the best change is to wear shoes with both cushioning from memory foam as well as built-in arch support, and the difference in their mobility is evident immediately.
Supportive shoes stabilize the foot and help to distribute weight better (causing less fatigue on already inflamed joints). Imagine standing on a trampoline, and then imagine standing on a firm, supportive mat. Too much cushion without structure can worsen alignment issues, and in fact, walking can potentially be more painful.
The ultimate arthritis-friendly shoe should provide a delicately balanced range of soft cushioned materials inside the shoe with firm support around the arch, heel, and midfoot. Although there are a lot of soft shoes, stability vs. softness is the most vital part.
Best Shoe Styles For Arthritic Feet
Style should not have to outweigh comfort when looking for shoes that are arthritis-friendly. Certain styles are more naturally better for arthritic needs:
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Slip-on Shoes: Easy to put on and take off without bending down or tugging. These shoes work great if you have limited hand dexterity or limited shoulder mobility.
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Adjustable Shoes: Styles with Velcro or zippers can adjust for the swelling your feet will experience throughout your day. This can also relieve pressure your foot might be experiencing, contributing to a more comfortable fit.
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Wide Fit Sneakers: These allow your toes some more breathing room and help relieve potential pressure and friction points that can lead to pain, calluses, or worse, toe deformities.
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Orthopedic Sandals: Perfect for warm weather, these typically offer excellent arch support and provide appropriate airflow and relief while wearing.
My grandmother is a huge fan of her wide-fit slip-ons. She refers to her shoes as "little hugs for my feet" when talking about how they help her stay comfortable on her walk to tend to her garden or when going to Sunday mass. What’s even better is that they are stylish too, so she never feels like she is “settling” for her “old people's shoes.”
A great example of shoes that cover these criteria is in June Adaptive's Men's Extra Wide Comfort Shoes with Easy Touch Closures - Best Walking Shoes. This walking shoe is a great solution that offers arch support with a wide fit (it also minimizes painful pressure points while being extremely easy to wear). These shoes breathe well, are lightweight, and are built to meet the needs of those living with joint pain.
How To Find Shoes That Reduce Pressure Points
Pressure points can become flare-up points for anyone who has arthritis. The best way to avoid those pressure points from forming is to select shoes that have some specific design features to reduce friction, constriction, and uneven weight distribution on your foot.
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Stretchy Uppers: These conform to your foot, accommodating bunions or swelling without the squeezing. Also, when the upper stretches, it moves with your foot, not against it.
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Padded Collars and Tongues: Help minimize rubbing against the top of the foot and ankle. This can be an issue with inflexible and stiff materials, which do not flex.
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Minimal Seams: Fewer seams mean less friction and fewer blisters or skin irritation (especially in those sensitive areas).
My grandfather, who usually complains of pain due to the pressure on the joints of his big toes, often wore shoes that relieved some pain and were made of soft uppers and featured adjustment straps. June Adaptive’s Men’s Extra Wide Comfort Slippers are a great example. These slippers have soft uppers that provide a secure fit without compressing or digging into painful areas. The Velcro closures are a benefit for individuals with arthritis affected hands.
Another feature not often talked about is anti-slip soles. Arthritis can affect balance, and shoes with anti-slip outsoles can help prevent falls, which is a major concern my grandparents constantly worry about. Make sure to keep an eye out for this feature, whether you are buying shoes/slippers for yourself or a loved one. Many supportive shoes for arthritis appear to have a rocker sole, which diminishes pressure on the forefoot and aids in creating a more evenly distributed stride (i.e., slow and pain-free).
If you have ever been in pain while walking in a pair of shoes and had to stop due to being pinched, you understand how important it is to reduce pressure. Shoes designed well ultimately aid in allowing people to wear their shoes longer, and leave less time/delivery, reducing thoughts of pain in relation to their joints.
Orthotic-Compatible Options For Arthritis
For many people with arthritis, custom orthotics are an integral part of life, whether prescribed by a physician or physiotherapist. However, not all footwear is orthotic-friendly; some shoes are shallow or do not have removable insoles. Thus, orthotics will likely not fit correctly.
When looking for footwear that accommodates orthotics, there are a few key features that you can look for:
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Removable Insoles: This will allow you to put your orthotic insert into a shoe while enjoying a comfortable and snug fit.
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Deep Heel Cups: This feature helps keep the foot in alignment, which reduces available motion at the knee and hip and also limits any additional pain from arthritis.
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Roomy Toe Boxes: This construction will not squish the forefoot, allowing the orthotic to provide optimal support for the feet. If a shoe is too narrow, the benefits of even the best orthotic can be lost.
June Adaptive's Women's Extra Wide Sherpa Lining Shoes are a really good product. These shoes will accommodate custom insoles and support natural movement with their breathable and flexible materials. The shoes give the feeling of "just like socks but with support."
Also, they are lightweight and can be thrown in the washing machine, so maintaining them is not cumbersome. When comfort, function, and medical need can be achieved, it is a total win-win!
Where To Buy Stylish Yet Supportive Shoes
Finding shoes that fit the criteria of comfort, support, accessibility, and style can often feel impossible. However, the lifestyle brands like June Adaptive exist to help individuals with a variety of abilities step into shoes that feel as good as they look.
I have always found online shopping a little overwhelming. But June Adaptive makes it easier to gather product descriptions, detailed sizing charts, accessibility filter options and real reviews from real customers. They know how people living with arthritis move in their day-to-day life, and they create footwear informed by true lived experience and not just fashion.
Their return policy is easy to navigate, and free shipping occurs on many orders. They help to take the extra stress of shopping away by allowing you to try a few different options without any obligation or pressure to buy something. For my grandparents, it's valuable to try on a pair of shoes from their couch and have the peace of mind that with the buying policy in place, they do not have to deal with a crowded store and trying to have someone understand their needs.
June Adaptive is more than just a store. They are a community that understands what it means to live life with mobility challenges because they listen. We can see that in every product they create.
Final Thoughts
Choosing arthritis-friendly shoes is more than choosing what shoes to wear; it is about gaining back independence and comfort. I have seen my grandparents regain parts of their daily lives and activities with just better footwear choices. Just small steps, such as walking to the mailbox to going out with us for dinner, could be accomplished by simply the right support, making those activities joyful again.
Better-fitted shoes that support the right areas and relieve pressure points can accomplish everything. They allow more mobility, better balance, and, more importantly, less pain. Purchasing the right pair is likely the best investment in your quality of life.
Whether you're looking for yourself or someone else, remember that good shoes can change lives. And companies like June Adaptive make it easier to find the right shoes.
To learn more and explore further supported footwear options, visit JuneAdaptive.com. Your joints will appreciate it.
