What Are Diabetic Shoes?
Reviewed by: Mallory Lor
What Are Diabetic Shoes and Why Are They Important?
Every diabetic patient has unique needs—even when it comes to their feet. For people with diabetes, shoes aren’t just a matter of comfort, but a critical component in managing overall health.
Understanding what diabetic shoes are and why they’re important can help individuals with diabetes make informed decisions about their foot care and overall well-being.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about diabetic shoes, including their key features, frequently asked questions, and how to choose the right diabetic shoe for you.
What Are Diabetic Shoes?
So, what are diabetic shoes? Diabetic shoes are specially designed footwear intended to support and protect the feet of individuals with diabetes. These shoes are crafted to address the day-to-day concerns of diabetic feet while offering preventive care.
Despite their specialized design, diabetic shoes come in several styles that make them suitable for every occasion, from casual sneakers to dress shoes. What’s more, these styles include key features that make them effective in supporting diabetic foot health.
Key Features of Diabetic Shoes
Diabetic shoes go beyond standard footwear, with features that focus on:
- Optimizing mobility for maximum daily activity
- Relieving common aches and pains related to diabetic feet
- Maintaining foot health and preventing complications
Every element of diabetic shoes (from pressure-relieving insoles to seamless interiors) is tailored to provide ultimate protection, comfort, and support, enhancing the quality of life for those managing diabetes.
Let’s dive deeper into these features and how they set diabetic shoes apart from standard footwear.
Extra Depth and Width
Diabetic shoes are designed with extra depth and a wider toe box to provide sufficient room for the feet to expand without causing pressure or restricting circulation. This extra room minimizes the risk of issues that can arise from overly tight footwear such as:
- Daily discomfort
- Blisters
- Skin irritation
What’s more, ample room and deeper interiors allow space for removable insoles, making it easy to replace standard insoles with custom orthotics. The extra depth ensures that the orthotics fit comfortably while maintaining a proper fit for the foot, preventing excessive tightness or pinching.
Seamless Interiors
Diabetic shoes feature seamless (or minimally seamed) interiors to prevent rubbing and irritation. Even minor abrasions caused by seams or rough materials can escalate into ulcers, especially in individuals with reduced sensation due to diabetic neuropathy.
Specialized Soles
Specialized soles are designed to redistribute pressure evenly across the foot, relieving high-pressure areas that could be susceptible to blisters or ulcers. Made from cushioning materials, these specialized soles:
- Absorb shock
- Minimize the impact on the feet during walking or standing
- Improve stability and help prevent falls
Additionally, the extra cushioning in diabetic shoes can reduce friction—again, protecting the skin from irritation or minor injuries.
Why Are Diabetic Shoes Important?
Diabetic shoes are essential for individuals with diabetes as they play a critical role in preventing foot complications and maintaining overall foot health.
As mentioned, diabetic shoes are expertly crafted with features that can prevent ulcers, improve circulation, and provide essential protection by reducing pressure and preventing friction.
Preventing Foot Ulcers
Diabetic shoes work to reduce the risk of foot ulcers by addressing common factors that contribute to ulcer formation, such as:
- Pressure points
- Friction and irritation
- Reduced sensation caused by neuropathy
By evenly distributing weight across the foot, diabetic shoes help minimize pressure on high-risk areas like the heels and balls of the feet, which are prone to skin breakdown. The extra cushioning absorbs impact and reduces friction, while the seamless interiors eliminate the risk of rubbing.
Enhancing Blood Circulation
Healthy blood flow is critical for individuals with diabetes, especially those with impaired circulation. Luckily, diabetic shoes enhance circulation by providing a comfortable, well-fitting interior that reduces pressure on the feet and promotes proper alignment.
What’s more, features such as a roomy toe box and adjustable closures help eliminate tight spots that could constrict blood flow.
Who Should Wear Diabetic Shoes?
While all individuals with diabetes can benefit from proper footwear, certain groups are at a heightened risk of foot problems. For these individuals, diabetic shoes aren’t just a preventive measure, but a crucial component of maintaining overall health and mobility.
Consider wearing diabetic shoes if:
- You have diabetic neuropathy or poor circulation
- Your feet are prone to swelling
- You have a history of foot ulcers
- You experience discomfort from abnormalities in foot structure
How to Choose the Right Diabetic Shoes
With a wide range of styles and features available, selecting the appropriate diabetic footwear can feel overwhelming.
Luckily, we’re here to help with expert guidance and easy-to-follow tips.
Regularly Measure Your Feet
Diabetes can cause changes in foot size, shape, and structure, so regularly measuring your feet will help ensure you find the most appropriate fit. An accurate foot measurement allows you to determine the correct shoe size, which can prevent issues like tightness or rubbing. And, when shoes fit properly, they can provide optimal support, which can reduce the risk of foot injuries, too.
Ultimately, by measuring feet regularly, individuals with diabetes can select shoes that offer the most support (and protection) for everyday wear.
Consult a Specialist
Professional guidance can be a game-changer when fitting diabetic shoes—every diabetic foot is unique, and a trained professional can provide personalized advice based on your condition.
For instance, a podiatrist or certified shoe fitter can:
- Evaluate your foot structure
- Determine your level of swelling
- Address any existing conditions like bunions or hammertoes
This personalized approach ensures that the shoes not only fit comfortably but also accommodate any custom orthotics to address specific needs.
Consider Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are specially designed insoles or inserts that are tailored to an individual’s unique foot structure and concerns. They enhance comfort and foot protection through:
- Personalized fit and support
- Pressure relief
- Enhanced cushioning
In turn, you may experience improved foot function and increased stability and balance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Shoes
As mentioned, diabetic shoes are essential for managing foot health for individuals with diabetes. But many people have questions about their accessibility and wearability.
Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions, offering insights into healthcare coverage for diabetic shoes, and how diabetic shoes can seamlessly integrate into your everyday life.
Are Diabetic Shoes Covered by Insurance?
While many insurance plans provide coverage for diabetic footwear, it’s important to check with your specific insurer to understand the eligibility criteria, coverage limits, and any associated costs, such as copayments or deductibles. Insurance coverage for diabetic footwear can vary depending on:
- The type of insurance plan
- The provider
- The specific medical conditions of the individual
However, many health insurance policies (including Medicare and private health plans) offer coverage for diabetic shoes and related foot care items under certain circumstances.
Can I Wear Diabetic Shoes for Everyday Activities?
Diabetic shoes are incredibly versatile, offering both functionality and comfort for everyday wear. What’s more, these shoes also blend seamlessly into your daily life by offering:
- Stylish designs – Modern diabetic shoes come in a variety of styles that cater to different preferences, from casual sneakers to more formal shoes. In fact, diabetic shoes are available in numerous colors and materials, making them suitable for various occasions—whether you're at work, running errands, or attending social events. This means you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort or foot protection.
- Comfort for extended wear – Diabetic shoes are designed with extended comfort in mind, making them ideal for daily use. With features like soft, breathable uppers, cushioned insoles, and padded collars, these shoes help reduce fatigue and discomfort during long hours of standing or walking. This makes them perfect for individuals who spend much of the day on their feet.
- Daily foot protection – Their extra depth, seamless interiors, and pressure-relieving features help shield feet from friction and impact, making them suitable for daily activities, including walking, exercising, and other routine tasks.
- Easy maintenance – Many diabetic shoes are made from durable, easy-to-clean materials. This is particularly beneficial for those who need a reliable, long-lasting shoe that can withstand daily use without losing comfort or structure.
To find the right diabetic shoes for you, partner with a trusted retailer that can address your unique needs—from foot shape to function to fashionable styles.
Find the Support You Need with Dr. Comfort
At Dr. Comfort, we understand the critical role that proper footwear plays in managing diabetes and maintaining overall foot health. That’s why our diabetic shoes are designed with the highest standards of comfort, protection, and support in mind. By prioritizing key features such as pressure relief, cushioned insoles, and a secure, comfortable fit, Dr. Comfort ensures that each pair of shoes is tailored to meet the unique needs of diabetic feet.
Plus, our styles range from sneakers to sandals and more, so you can rest assured that your feet will feel and look their best.
Choosing the right diabetic shoes is an essential step in protecting your feet. With Dr. Comfort, you can trust that your foot health is in expert hands. Explore our collection of diabetic shoes today to get started.
The contents of this blog were independently prepared, and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.
Sources:
Foot Health Facts. Diabetic Shoes. https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/diabetic-shoes.
Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care. Can Diabetic Shoes Make That Much Of A Difference Vs. A Regular Shoe? https://cfac.net/2021/12/17/can-diabetic-shoes-make-that-much-of-a-difference-vs-a-regular-shoe/.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. Custom Shoes For People With Diabetes. https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/the-diabetic-foot/custom-shoes-for-people-with-diabetes.
Diabetes Canada. Finding the Proper Shoe Fit. https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Managing-My-Diabetes/Tools.
Pedorthic Association of Canada. Orthotics for People with Diabetes – Why are they Different? https://pedorthic.ca/orthotics-people-diabetes-different/.