What Is The Best Diabetic Shoe?

We get sent many footcare catalogs, because that is the industry that I am in. Many of them used to be good. They would show proper, "wholesome" shoes. But now they are tending to divert their attention away and focus more on what people want rather than what they should have. They post different pictures and then state that "these are the best for diabetics".

Many people go for it because they don't want to wear "grandma shoes".

Oddly enough a lot of Diabetics that we have seen will not change their footwear even though it has caused them issues in the past or it is causing callus or corn formation. "They are comfortable" or they "don't hurt".

Well if you are neuropathic, they won't. And your shoes collapsing under your foot weight doesn't mean that that foot now fits.

In most cases Diabetic chosen shoes are poor. So what actually make a good Diabetic shoe?

- It needs not to have any seams or bumps inside that can rub your feet.

- They need to fit your feet- rubbing or "breaking in" is just wrong. If your feet swell then you need to get a specialty pair. Squishing your foot into a shoe does not make a good shoe. If there is redness on the toes or sides of the foot, those shoes do not fit.

- Lace or Velcro only. No slip-ons... Buckles can not give you precise tightening.

- Running shoes if you can. They are soft, easy to put on and are designed for walking. They usually have a replaceable insole which is handy. They do come in black so that you can wear them in nicer settings.

- No dress shoes, court shoes or "office shoes". They are not meant to be used for walking far. We had someone come to see us with court shoes and she used then for shopping... and everything else.

- No court/ heeled shoes. It repeated for a reason, too many people get used to them and become their favorite shoe. They cause too much damage.

- Slippers are soft but inelastic, have a soft sole so things can penetrate easily and have no support. If you are having issues getting your foot into them, they don't fit (breaking the heel doesn't count either).

- Buy your shoe in the afternoon, around 2pm. By this time you foot would have swollen to a better amount, but not too much that once "deflated" your shoes are too loose.

Always remember the following:

- width

- depth (always forgotten)

- cushioning

- fastening.