Hello—my husband and I are looking for some guidance on footwear for my father-in-law. He’s quite active and spends most of his time on his feet, so comfort and support are vital. I’m not entirely sure about his specific symptoms or daily management, so I’m just searching for brands that people with neuropathy find reliable for everyday use. Which brands have worked for you or your family? Are there specific features like cushioning, width, or stability that stand out? Also, is there anything we should avoid? Cost isn’t an issue for us; we plan to provide a gift card for whatever brand we choose. He’s very frugal and often picks the cheapest option even though he’s clearly struggling with foot pain, so we want to help him find a real solution. Thank you!
I swear by Skechers Go Walk Slip-Ins these days. They are a 10/10 for me, and I own three different pairs.
Hoka One One shoes are great. They are marketed for athletes, but as someone with neuropathy, I find them very helpful. Many of their models have wide toe boxes that don’t pinch.
New Balance has been my go-to for years; I find they actually feel better once they’ve been broken in a bit.
For DN, I’d suggest looking at Orthofeet online or Propet. New Balance is another very solid choice!
My father and I both deal with significant peripheral neuropathy. For about 13 years, we’ve both been using Orthofeet shoes. In my experience, they are the most comfortable brand for PN. They are lightweight, hold up well over time, offer various designs, and don’t have any interior seams that cause rubbing. The cushioning is superb. My dad, who is in his 80s, walks nearly 8 miles a day at work, so Orthofeet has been a lifesaver. He used to come home and irritably kick off his shoes because of the discomfort, but I haven’t seen that happen in over a decade. It’s been such a relief. Since he needs dress shoes for his job, he uses their professional styles, but he loves their sneakers for his days off. I wear their sneakers all the time myself. They’ve been essential for me; I tried putting on some old New Balances the other day and my toes started hurting right away. The wide toe box in Orthofeet ensures there’s no squeezing.
I’ve had neuropathy and foot drop for decades, and Skechers are the only shoes I’ll wear. They usually cost between $60 and $110, but they have sales often. My husband also has diabetes and neuropathy, and he wears them as well. They have a variety of styles, including many slip-ons for convenience. I’ve been wearing the Cozy Fit style lately—they’re light, easy to put on, and offer great support.
As someone with neuropathy, I find the wide toe box on Altra shoes feels fantastic on my feet.
For neuropathy, brands like New Balance, Brooks, and Orthofeet are excellent because of their cushioning and wide fit options. Seek out shoes with flexible soles and plenty of room for the toes. It might also be worth looking into Nervala(i buy here) for some extra relief alongside the better footwear. These small changes can make a huge difference during long days on his feet.