Best Shoes for Arthritis: A Physiotherapist’s Guide

Arthritis can make something as simple as walking to the shops, getting around the house, or standing in the kitchen feel uncomfortable and tiring. When joints in the feet, knees, hips or lower back become painful or stiff, your shoes can either help support your movement — or make every step harder.

So, what are the best shoes for arthritis?

The best shoes for arthritis are usually shoes that provide stability, cushioning, extra room, adjustability and support. For many people, this means moving away from narrow, flat, unsupportive footwear and choosing shoes designed to reduce pressure on painful joints, accommodate swelling, and improve comfort during walking.

At Barefoot Freedom, we help people with arthritis, swollen feet, diabetes, bunions, foot deformity, reduced mobility and complex fitting needs find footwear that is supportive, comfortable and easier to wear day to day.

This guide explains what to look for in arthritis-friendly shoes, why each feature matters, and when orthopaedic or medical-grade footwear may be worth considering.

Why Footwear Matters When You Have Arthritis

Arthritis is not just “joint pain.” It can affect how you walk, how much pressure goes through your feet, how stable you feel, and how confident you are moving around.

Common arthritis-related issues include:

• Pain in the toes, midfoot, heel, ankle, knee or hip
• Morning stiffness
• Swelling around the joints
• Reduced walking tolerance
• Bunions, hammertoes or changes in foot shape
• Difficulty bending down to put shoes on
• Difficulty tying laces due to hand arthritis
• Reduced balance or fear of falling

When shoes are too tight, too flat, too flexible, too heavy or too difficult to fasten, they can increase discomfort and make walking feel more unstable.

The right footwear will not cure arthritis, but it can help by improving comfort, reducing pressure points, supporting the foot and making daily movement easier.

1. A Wide and Deep Toe Box

For arthritic feet, this is one of the most important areas. Arthritis can cause joint swelling, bunions, hammertoes or changes in toe position. If the front of the shoe is narrow or shallow, it can rub against painful joints and create pressure.

Look for shoes with:

• Extra width across the forefoot
• Extra depth above the toes
• A rounded or square-shaped toe box
• No tight stitching pressing into the toes
• Enough space to wiggle the toes comfortably

This is especially important if you have arthritis in the big toe, bunions, hammertoes, rheumatoid arthritis changes, or swelling that gets worse throughout the day.

2. Adjustable Fastening

Arthritis can fluctuate. Some days your feet may feel relatively normal. Other days they may feel swollen, stiff or tender.

This is why adjustability matters.

Good options include:

• Velcro straps
• Adjustable laces
• Zip and lace combinations
• Extra-long straps for swollen feet
• Open-up shoe designs that are easier to get on

Velcro shoes can be especially helpful for people with arthritis in the hands, fingers, hips or lower back, because they reduce the need to bend down and tie laces.

3. Firm Heel Counter

The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that cups the heel.

A firm heel counter helps hold the rearfoot in a more stable position. This can be useful for people with arthritis who feel unsteady, roll their feet in or out, or need more support when walking.

To test the heel counter, press the back of the shoe with your thumb. If it collapses easily, it may not provide enough support. A supportive arthritis shoe should feel firm at the back, not flimsy.

A firm heel counter may help with:

• Rearfoot stability
• Balance confidence
• Orthotic support
• Reducing excessive foot movement inside the shoe

4. Stable Midsole

The midsole is the layer between your foot and the outsole. It provides cushioning, shock absorption and support.

For arthritis, the midsole should not be too thin or too unstable. A thin sole may increase impact through painful joints. A very soft, unstable sole may make balance worse.

Look for a midsole that is:

• Cushioned but not collapsing
• Stable under the heel and arch
• Supportive during walking
• Not excessively flexible through the middle of the shoe

5. Rocker Sole or Forefoot Rocker

A rocker sole is a curved sole that helps the foot roll forward during walking.

This can be particularly helpful for people with arthritis in the big toe, forefoot or ball of the foot, because it can reduce how much the painful joints need to bend during push-off.

A rocker sole may help if you have:

• Big toe arthritis
• Hallux limitus or hallux rigidus
• Pain under the ball of the foot
• Forefoot arthritis
• Reduced toe movement

6. Removable Insoles for Orthotics

Many people with arthritis also use orthotics or custom foot supports.

If your shoe does not have enough depth, adding an orthotic can make the shoe too tight. This can create pressure over the toes, top of the foot or heel.

That is why orthotic-friendly shoes are important.

Look for shoes with:

• Removable insoles
• Extra depth
• A stable base
• A firm heel counter
• Enough volume to fit the foot and orthotic together

Arthritis in the Toes

If arthritis affects the toes or forefoot, look for:

• Wide and deep toe box
• Soft upper materials
• Rocker sole
• Minimal seams over painful joints
• Extra depth for deformity or swelling

Big Toe Arthritis

For big toe arthritis, also called hallux limitus or hallux rigidus, the big toe may not bend well during walking. Helpful features may include:

• Rocker sole
• Stiffer forefoot sole
• Wide toe box
• Stable base
• Orthotic-friendly depth

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause swelling, forefoot widening, toe changes and pressure areas. Helpful features may include:

• Extra wide fit
• Extra depth
• Soft or stretch upper
• Removable insole
• Adjustable fastening
• Seam-reduced internal lining

Knee Arthritis

For knee arthritis, footwear needs can vary. Many people benefit from comfortable, stable and cushioned shoes that reduce hard impact during walking. Helpful features may include:

• Stable midsole
• Cushioned sole
• Good heel support
• Lightweight design
• Secure fastening