10 Best Diabetic Shoes for Men, According to Podiatrists
Updated: Sep. 21, 2020
Protect your feet with comfort and style with podiatrist-recommended diabetic shoes for men. Great for everyday use, travel, exercise, and more.
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What are diabetic shoes for men?
People who live with diabetes know that when it comes to a treatment plan, footwear and foot care is nearly as important as maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Proper foot care can reduce the risk of foot problems related to peripheral neuropathy, including a lower risk of blisters, ulcers, and other infections that could potentially lead to serious health problems like amputations.
Shoes that work for people with diabetes come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a good-fitting pair.
“Diabetic shoes for men should provide full coverage of the foot,” says board-certified podiatric surgeon Miguel Cunha, DPM, founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City. “This is especially important to avoid any injury to the foot that can go unnoticed and lead to infection.”
A wide toe box and extra cushioning in the arch can also provide much-needed comfort and support that will prevent pain and rubbing during movement. “Some shoes provide extra depth in the toe cage, which tends to be more comfortable for diabetics because it offers extra room to help protect the nerves when the foot swells,” adds Dr. Cunha.
To help take the guesswork out of choosing a pair, we rounded up the best diabetic shoes for men. (Also, check out the best diabetic shoes for women.)
Dr. Comfort Men’s William-X Double Depth Diabetic Casual Shoes
$99-$145, depending on size and color
“These shoes are made of soft leather and have a protective toe box, firm heel counter, and cushioned insoles,” says podiatric surgeon Rebecca Pruthi, DPM, owner of Foot Care of Manhattan in New York City. “They provide great stability through the middle of the shoe.” Dr. Comfort also offers wide and extra-wide options, a hook and loop strap across the top, and extra space inside the shoe (“double depth”) ensure that they will fit everyone equally snugly and comfortably. (For home comfort, these are the best diabetic slippers for men.)
Dunham Douglas Oxford
$69-$120, depending on size
Men’s dress shoes tend to run narrow, making them difficult to wear for men with diabetes, who need a wider, roomier shoe. These Dunham oxfords, which are made in up to size 15 and offer wide and extra-wide variations, are the perfect solution. They even have a removable Ortholite footbed for maximum comfort and a moisture-wicking lining to get rid of blister-promoting sweat—plus they are light and flexible, making it easier to break them in and cut a rug at your next formal gathering. (Beware of making these shoe mistakes that may be hurting your feet.)
Vionic Men’s Walker
$100-$150, depending on size and color
Vionic’s shoes have received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association for their podiatrist-designed styles and ultra-supportive construction, and these men’s trainers are no exception. “My husband loves these shoes. He is diabetic and has neuropathy in both feet and legs,” writes one five-star reviewer. “These shoes offer him the support he needs and look good, also.” While customers with diabetes are often say they are pleased with these shoes, they recommend purchasing one size up from your normal size to ensure that there will be enough room in the toe box.
Anodyne No. 56 Trail Boot
$145
Sold through many doctor’s offices and diabetic shoe programs, you can also purchase these stylish and functional boots directly from Anodyne, a company focused on designing boots for people with foot concerns like diabetes and neuropathy. Medicare-approved as diabetic shoes, these boots come in brown and black and two extended widths, plus have a Velcro strap at the ankle that allows you to loosen or tighten the top of the shoe, as necessary. They even come with a pair of gel-foam inserts that are normally sold separately for $30. (Looking for more shoes without lacing? Try on these slip-on sneakers.)
Orthofeet Bismarck Men’s Shoes
$125
“These shoes are ideal for diabetics,” cheers Dr. Cunha. Wide, extra-wide, and extra-extra wide options and a roomy square toe box provide ample room inside the shoe to prevent rubbing and blister formation, while Orthofeet’s ultra-cushioned, triple-layer insoles provide padding where it’s needed to avoid pain and injury. Finally, the hook and loop Velcro strap make them easy to put on and secure to the best fit for you. (Here’s how to prevent falls.)
Skechers Afterburn M. Fit
$44-$67, depending on size and color
The number one bestseller in men’s fashion sneakers on Amazon, these Skechers shoes have over 14,000 five-star reviews. With 11 color combinations and extended width options, these kicks have a memory foam insole and a raised heel for optimal arch support. “I have diabetic neuropathy and my toes typically hurt and are constantly numb. Most shoes, even some wide running ones, have always left my toes hurting after several hours,” writes one purchaser. “I can wear these all day and my toes don’t hurt and are not pinched.”
New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer
$55-$70, depending on size and color
Men who have trouble finding sneakers that are large and wide enough need look no further than these classic New Balance cross trainers, which go all the way up to size 18 extra-wide. With so many sizes, 11 color options, and comfort technologies (like a cushioned insert, extra padding in the heel, and a soft collar around the ankle), it’s no wonder they’re the bestselling men’s walking and cross-training shoe on Amazon.
“This is my 5th pair of New Balance shoes. A pair will last a good 2 years with daily rough use, and 3 if you care for them properly (unlace before removing, use shoehorn as needed, buy correct size, clean and store correctly),” shares one of over 8,000 five-star reviewers. “They come in a variety of widths, from x narrow to xxxx wide. They are very comfortable, and have decent arch support without special inserts. Companies that sell special shoe inserts for diabetics have New Balance shoes in their catalogs, which is how I discovered them. They are well worth the money! I have never purchased poor quality shoes from this company.” (If you’re going for a walk, try these walking shoes for your feet.)
Propét Men’s Pucker Moc Strap Shoe
$54-$100, depending on size
A brand recommended by podiatrists Dr. Cunha and Dr. Pruthi, these 100 percent leather loafers from Propét have a mesh lining to limit blister-promoting foot sweat and a cushioned, shock-absorbing foam footbed. The Velcro strap across the top makes it easy to put on and remove these shoes as well as adjust the width as needed (three extended width options help with this as well). Bonus: These shoes are approved as diabetic shoes that can be covered by Medicare. (Limit nerve damage with these shoes for neuropathy.)
Drew Aaron
$150
These stylish sneakers from orthopedic and diabetic shoe company Drew have a specially designed lining that provides odor control to keep your feet feeling and smelling fresh and clean, plus they feature a unique antimicrobial agent to help kill infection-causing bacteria. Medicare-approved, these shoes come in three additional width options and have two removable footbeds that allow you to personalize the fit.
KURU Kivi Wide
$139
These casual slip-ons offer arch support and a broad, roomy toe box in a style of shoe that typically doesn’t offer as much. The secret is KURU’s proprietary insole, which flexes with the foot as you walk to keep your weight balanced and prevent excess rubbing on any one particular part of the foot. Wide options and two timeless colors round out the reasons the Kivi Wides are perfect for men with diabetes. (Next, beware of these diabetes complications.)
- Miguel Cunha, DPM, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City
- Rebecca Pruthi, DPM, owner of Foot Care of Manhattan, New York City
Originally Published: September 17, 2020
