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Alyssa SybertzUpdated: 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.)
via amazon.com
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.)
via amazon.com
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 mistakesthat may be hurting your feet.)
via amazon.com
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.
via anodyneshoes.com
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.)
via amazon.com
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.)
via amazon.com
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.”
via amazon.com
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.)
via amazon.com
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 theseshoes for neuropathy.)
via zappos.com
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.
via kurufootwear.com
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.)
Sources
- 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
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Diabetic Shoes for Men: Comfort and Protection for Foot Care
Diabetic shoes for men are specifically designed to provide comfort and protection for individuals living with diabetes. These shoes play a crucial role in foot care, as they can help reduce the risk of foot problems associated with peripheral neuropathy, such as blisters, ulcers, and infections that could potentially lead to serious health issues like amputations [[1]].
Key Features of Diabetic Shoes for Men
When it comes to choosing diabetic shoes for men, there are several key features to consider. According to board-certified podiatric surgeon Miguel Cunha, DPM, founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City, diabetic shoes should provide full coverage of the foot to avoid any unnoticed injuries that could lead to infection. Additionally, a wide toe box and extra cushioning in the arch can provide much-needed comfort and support, preventing pain and rubbing during movement [[1]].
Recommended Diabetic Shoes for Men
Here are some of the best diabetic shoes for men, as recommended by experts:
-
Dr. Comfort Men’s William-X Double Depth Diabetic Casual Shoes: These shoes are made of soft leather and feature a protective toe box, firm heel counter, and cushioned insoles. They provide great stability and come in wide and extra-wide options [[1]].
-
Dunham Douglas Oxford: These oxfords are designed to accommodate men with diabetes who need a wider, roomier shoe. They offer wide and extra-wide variations, a removable Ortholite footbed for maximum comfort, and a moisture-wicking lining to prevent blisters [[1]].
-
Vionic Men’s Walker: Vionic shoes have received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. These trainers are podiatrist-designed and offer excellent support. They are recommended by customers with diabetes and neuropathy for their support and comfort [[1]].
-
Anodyne No. 56 Trail Boot: Anodyne specializes in designing boots for people with foot concerns like diabetes and neuropathy. These stylish boots are Medicare-approved as diabetic shoes and come with gel-foam inserts. They also feature a Velcro strap for adjustable fit [[1]].
-
Orthofeet Bismarck Men’s Shoes: These shoes are ideal for diabetics, offering wide, extra-wide, and extra-extra wide options. They have a roomy square toe box to prevent rubbing and blister formation, and their triple-layer insoles provide padding where needed [[1]].
-
Skechers Afterburn M. Fit: These Skechers shoes are a popular choice among men, with over 14,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. They feature a memory foam insole and optimal arch support, making them comfortable for individuals with diabetic neuropathy [[1]].
-
New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer: New Balance cross trainers are known for their large and wide sizes, going up to size 18 extra-wide. They offer cushioned inserts, extra padding in the heel, and a soft collar for added comfort [[1]].
-
Propét Men’s Pucker Moc Strap Shoe: These 100 percent leather loafers from Propét have a mesh lining to limit foot sweat and a cushioned, shock-absorbing foam footbed. They are approved as diabetic shoes and can be covered by Medicare [[1]].
-
Drew Aaron: These stylish sneakers from Drew have a specially designed lining that provides odor control and features an antimicrobial agent to help kill infection-causing bacteria. They come in additional width options and have removable footbeds for personalized fit [[1]].
-
KURU Kivi Wide: These casual slip-ons offer arch support and a broad, roomy toe box. They feature KURU's proprietary insole, which flexes with the foot to keep weight balanced and prevent excess rubbing. They are available in wide options and timeless colors [[1]].
These are just a few examples of diabetic shoes for men that provide both comfort and protection for individuals with diabetes. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional or podiatrist to determine the best shoe options based on individual needs and foot conditions.
Remember, proper foot care is essential for individuals with diabetes, and wearing appropriate footwear is an important aspect of maintaining foot health.
