About half of the thirty plus joints in your feet are located in the metatarsal and the toe area, meaning that if you have arthritis in any of these, you are most probable to experience swelling and pain from the slightest touch. When choosing your next pair of everyday shoes for arthritic feet, you need to think about how they are going to hug this area of your feet, and how much motion the chosen footwear is going to allow for. Even for people with completely healthy feet, wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes (especially pointy toe shoes) is a surefire way towards bunions, hammertoes, corns, and blisters. What you need to look for in your next pair, instead, is a wide toe box that will allow enough room to wiggle your toes, that will not put unwanted pressure on any part of your forefoot, and that is deep enough so as not to rest on any joints. It is, also, a good idea to go a width or even a size up when purchasing shoes, as you want to both eliminate pressure but, also, to accommodate any swelling that may occur.

High heels are out of the question if you suffer from arthritis in your feet. Even if you have absolutely healthy feet, podiatrists don’t recommend wearing high heels for more than three hours per day and more than two days in a row. With a heel height of over 1 ½ inches, you put unnecessary pressure on the balls of your feet, increase the bend in the foot joints, shorten your Achilles, and distribute your weight in a way that is unnatural, bringing your knees, hips, and lower back out of alignment; thereby, creating room for a variety of joint issues down the road.

Skip any high heels if you suffer from arthritis but, also, make sure that the shoes for arthritis you opt for will provide an adequate drop in height. Makers of athletic shoes will always list the drop of the shoe, so you can look for that in order to ensure you are choosing a correct fit. Furthermore, what you want, in addition to a correct heel-to-toe drop, are shoes that are secure, that won’t jam your fingers in the front (like high heels do), that will provide plenty of arch support, and that will cup your heels; so, they are completely secure when walking. If you work at an office or are attending a special event, opt for formal flats instead of high heels or sandals. Just be sure that they are wide enough in the toe area and are made out of a soft and flexible upper.

One of the most important qualities you want to look for in your next pair of shoes is a high quality upper that is soft, flexible, and allows for a good range of movement without constricting, pinching, or rubbing your feet in any way.

The ideal shoe will be made out of a soft and flexible upper – canvas, mesh, or knit. Certain types of leather can, also, be a good choice, provided that they are soft enough to mold to your feet – you can ensure this by taking some time to break in your shoes, choosing an appropriate length and width, and by treating the leather with the correct nourishing products that will make it more supple and keep it from drying out. Some makers are using new and innovative materials that are specially chosen due to their flexible and soft traits, such as the neoprene upper in the Propét Cush’N Foot which was developed with arthritic feet in mind.

Padding is another crucial feature, as you want both the over and underfoot parts of the shoe to be soft. Gel or silicone inserts in the forefoot and rearfoot areas are an excellent addition to have in your shoes, but so are memory foam features that can be found in the insole and, also, in the collars of some shoes. With the right amount of padding, you can ensure the footwear you wear day in and day out do not have any hard surfaces that could be causing unneeded pain to your already irritated joints.

When speaking about the collar of your shoe, it is important to mention that this needs to provide plenty of padding so that it does not rub your feet the wrong way, especially if your ankles are suffering from arthritis. In addition, if you are getting lace-up shoes, you should consider opting for footwear with a padded tongue which will prevent the laces from cutting into your feet and causing irritation.

Another thing to look for in the upper of your next pair of shoes is a seamless design which means that there is no stitching exposed inside the shoe that would create bulk and that could possibly cut into parts of your feet. ASICS and Orthofeet models offer this feature and are an excellent choice for a pair of shoes that will serve you well and with comfort.

Rheumatologists agree that what is below your feet is just as important as what is on them. That’s why choosing footwear with the correct type of sole is crucial. A perfect pair for arthritic feet will have durable, grippy outsoles that work well on all surfaces (inside and outside). They will also have a cushioning midsole that has shock absorbing properties, and that offers plenty of support for your foot type and pronation tendencies, as well as, an insole that is cushioned to make your daily steps as comfortable as possible.

The most important of these properties are provided by the midsole which acts as the part of the shoe that will make sure the balls of your feet, your heels, ankles, knees, and hips do not have to suffer too much stress when walking or exercising. Most midsoles, today, will be made out of EVA foam, which is excellent for this use, as it’s durable but provides just the right amount of softness to take the stress off your joints. Furthermore, much of the supportive properties of shoes come from the midsoles, so if you tend to overpronate (or underpronate for that matter), the midsole can help with ensuring the correct alignment you need to keep weight distributed over the whole foot and to reduce the pressure on the ankles, knees, heels, and toe joints.

Another aspect that the soles of your shoes will greatly contribute to is the weight of your shoes. What you want is footwear that is light – not only will this allow you to walk longer distances, but it will, also, lower the pressure that is put on the upper part of your feet when taking a step. Running and athletic shoes are an excellent choice, as they are always weight-conscious and will aim for an as little load as possible. An added bonus is that they will usually have woven uppers that are breathable and flexible so as to accommodate the shape of your feet.

Although a considerable portion of people suffering from arthritis in their feet is under 65 years old (almost half), it is still important to note that this condition can, also, mean a limited range of mobility. That’s why it’s important to consider how easy or difficult it can be to put on a pair of shoes. Some users may find laces too fidgety, which is why sandals or hook-and-loop closures are a good choice. So are slippers and slip-on shoes that do not require too much motion to be used.

If you are choosing a pair of shoes for someone who is elderly, has just had surgery, or is overweight, it is best to opt for these types of shoes; so, they can use them with ease and with little help from others as possible. Also, it isn’t a bad idea to purchase a long shoe horn, as this will minimize movement and make putting shoes on that much easier. Additionally, if available, you might consider shoes with heel pull tabs; albeit, shoe horns are probably the best bet.