Best Shoes For Arthritic Knees: Top Picks And Tips!

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Shoes for Arthritic Knees

The solution to treating any foot or knee problems can be found in your closet.

The challenging part is, an uncomfortable shoe is the first red flag if you feel when you know the shoes are damaging your foot.

When it comes to arthritis, it’s essential that you opt for the right shoes, known as the best shoes for arthritic knees, and insoles that can help you take away the pressure from your knees.

We often neglect this important part of our lives and abuse our shoes to fit regardless of their size, materials, and comfort level.

Doesn’t this remind us of Cinderella’s ugly stepsister? It sure does. A bad pair of shoes can not only make the whole journey unbearable but it can also worsen your arthritic knee as well. We understand that.

Therefore, our team of experts carried out thorough research to come up with the best shoes for ethics that you can find in the market today.

Best Shoes for Arthritic Knees Reviewed

1. New Balance 813 Walking Shoe – Best for Narrow Feet

2. Nike Men’s Air Max Typha 2 Training Shoes – Best for Running

3. ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoe – Best for Comfort

4. Aravon Women’s REVsavor Flat – Best Low Heel Shoe

5. Brooks Glycerin 18 Running Shoe – Best for Cushion Support

6. isotoner Women’s Ballerina Slippers – Best for Formal Use

7. Merrell Women’s Hut Moc Moccasin – Best for Casual Wear

8. PUMA Men’s Carson Runner – Best for Affordability

9. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes – Best for Pain Relief

10. Columbia Men’s Redmond Low Hiking Shoe – Best for Hiking

Comparison Table For Best Shoes for Arthritic Knees

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
New Balance womens 813 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoes

New Balance womens 813 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoes

  • Leather Upper
  • Available in extended width sizes
  • Medicare/Hspcs Code = Pdac A5500 Diabetic Shoes
  • ROLLBAR stability post system helps control rear-foot movement for enhanced support
  • Walking Strike Path
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Nike Men's Air Max Typha 2 Training Shoes

Nike Men's Air Max Typha 2 Training Shoes

  •  
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ASICS Women's Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoes

ASICS Women's Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoes

  • FlyteFoam Midsole Technology. 3mm of additional height on women's models helps relieve achilles tension.
  • FluidRide Midsole: FluidRide provides the ultimate combination of bounce back and cushioning properties with reduced weight and exceptional durability.
  • Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Cushioning Systems: Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
  • FluidFit Upper: ASICS FluidFit upper technology combines multi-directional stretch mesh with stretch reinforcements that adapt to the athlete's foot, creating a truly customized glove-like fit.
  • Heel Clutching System Technology: Exoskeletal heel counter provides improved support and creates improved heel fitting environment.
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Aravon Women's Revsavor Flat

Aravon Women's Revsavor Flat

  • Extended sizes and width available
  • Rocker walking outsole
  • Removable molded polyurethane and memory foam insole with extra cushioning
  • Stretch upper for fit
  • Heel height 1 1/2
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Brooks Mens Glycerin 18 Running Shoe

Brooks Mens Glycerin 18 Running Shoe

  • THIS MEN'S SHOE IS FOR: The Glycerin 18 is perfect for runners who think there's no such thing as too much cushioning. The upper enhances comfort by perfectly balancing stretch and structure.
  • SUPPORT AND CUSHION: Provides neutral support while offering the maximum amount of cushioning. Ideal for road running, cross training, the gym or wherever you might want to take them! Predecessor: Glycerin 17.
  • SUPER-SOFT CUSHIONING: Increased DNA LOFT super-soft cushioning allows for even more extreme softness, without losing responsiveness or durability, while the OrthoLite sockliner provides premium step-in comfort.
  • PLUSH FIT: The plush feel of an internal stretch bootie surrounds your foot and moves and expands with your stride. The engineered mesh upper enhances the fit.
  • SMOOTH TRANSITIONS: The plush transition zone makes every move from heel to toe feel incredibly soft and smooth.
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isotoner womens Ballerina Slippers

isotoner womens Ballerina Slippers

  • BRIDAL CLASSIC: These specially designed ballerina slippers surround your feet in the highest quality materials include a beautiful embroidered pearl accent, perfect for you and your bridesmaids on your wedding day.
  • SUPREMELY SOFT SLIPPERS: classic; luxurious breathable and lightweight for easy to wear comfort with flexible fit and satin bow adds sophisticated style. Slip Pumps and dress shoes off and wear this ballerina slipper for ultimate comfort
  • COTTON BLEND TERRY CUSHION: genuine suede sole for comfort, this indoor house shoe is versatile, supremely soft, breathable and features cotton terry lining for cozy comfort all year round. Foldable and perfect to throw in your bag while traveling or at work
  • FLXIBILTY & COMFORT: isoflex comfort insoles conform and flex with your feet for a secure, custom fit to suit your active lifestyle. Weddings, events, parties, great for the bride, bridal party, and gifting
  • DURABLE & MACHINE WASHABLE: Machine Wash in cool water, dry flat away from heat. Sizing tip: this slipper runs small; We recommend ordering the next size up for the most comfortable fit. Sizes: Small (5-6), Medium (6.5-7.5), Large (8-9), X-Large (9.5-10.5)
  • Padded 100% polyester velour knit insoles with nylex lining
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Merrell HUT MOC Moccasin

Merrell HUT MOC Moccasin

  • Quilted Nylon upper
  • Lightweight EVA outsole
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PUMA Men's Carson Runner Speckle-M

PUMA Men's Carson Runner Speckle-M

  •  
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Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women's G-Defy Mighty Walk Salmon Gray Athletic Shoes

Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women's G-Defy Mighty Walk Salmon Gray Athletic Shoes

  • VersoShock Patented Technology: shown to relieve pain in the knees.
  • Roomy Toe Box extra room for comfort and better blood circulation.
  • Front Rolling Design designed to reduce foot stress by isolating 28 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles from harm.
  • Durable Breathable Mesh provides proper ventilation & flexibility.
  • BONUS FREE PAIR CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles in every box - designed to correct body alignment and help with plantar fasciitis.
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Columbia Men's Redmond Trail Shoe

Columbia Men's Redmond Trail Shoe

  • ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: The Redmond Waterproof Hiking Shoe features our Omni-Tech seam-sealed membrane bootie construction, combined with our Techlite lightweight midsole, for long-lasting comfort with superior cushioning and high energy return
  • DURABLE HIKING SHOE: The perfect combination of high function and performance designed into a hiking shoe. This all-purpose hiker will deliver nimble and comfortable service
  • ALL TERRAIN TRACTION: Our signature Omni-Grip non-marking traction rubber outsole provides high grip across a wide variety of off pavement terrain, and versatile 3 season use
  • HANDY FEATURES: It features strong top metal lacing aglets, along with our reinforced and trail proven main webbed lacing aglets
  • REINFORCED CONSTRUCTION: Designed for extended use, we’ve reinforced the toe and heel barriers, and extended the outsole toe and heel overwrap to guard these key wear points
  • Combination suede leather, mesh and webbing
  • Techlite lightweight midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return
  • Omni grip non marking traction rubber
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Top 10 Best Shoes for Arthritic Knees Compared

Now that we’ve revealed the names, you’re free to do your part of the research and make up your mind. And if that’s too daunting for, well, we have got your back again! Here we have the in-depth research and comparison among the top 10 best shoes that are second to none.

1. New Balance 813 Walking Shoe – Best for Narrow Feet

31wQMenqzVL. SL500

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This outstanding New Balance 813 Walking Shoe is highly recommended by rheumatologists for all sorts of knee pain. It comes with a Rollbar stability post system that ensures utmost support and control over the rear-foot movement to make it effortless for you to walk in these. Although this pair of shoes don’t come in a variety of aesthetically appealing colors and styles, one basic shoe is ideal to fit both women and men.

Pros

  • Stabilizes foot to aid natural walking gait cycle
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Lightweight foam midsole
  • Soft comfort collar

Cons

  • Poor material on the tongue
  • Too narrow for some people

2. Nike Men’s Air Max Typha 2 Training Shoes – Best for Running

41t9buCVfUL. SL500

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The Nike Air Max 90 shoes are also recommended by doctors for people who suffer from arthritic knees. This is because, during running, we put the most pressure on our knees and this Nike Air Max comes with extra cushioning to take away the focus off your knee.

The shoe comes in a wide array of styles and colors that are originally designed to suit the personality of runners. Other than that, its padded collars give the ever-needed comfort and sleek style look.

Pros

  • Traction
  • High durability
  • 90’s style of aesthetics

Cons

  • Complaints about not being true to size

3. ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoe – Best For Comfort

51fhP7zcSYL. SL500

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Asics, in general, has a well-known reputation for providing shoes that are not only excellent for knee and foot pain but are also cost-efficient as well. This specific GEL collection comes with FlyteFoam and FluidRide Midsole that distributes your weight evenly across the entire shoes, which, as a result, decreases pressure from your knees.

Be it running, walking, or casual wear, Asics Gel Nimbus 19 offers high comfort for both men and women to help relieve their arthritic knees.

Pros

  • Rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning for shock control
  • Fits snugly
  • Good toe box fit

Cons

  • Not true to zie so buy a size bigger
  • You have to pay to buy a different color

4. Aravon Women’s REVsavor Flat – Best Low Heel Shoe

410pFDSW0NL. SL500

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In general, low heel shoes with spacious toes are likely to help you with arthritis since point toes can cause deformities for people with psoriatic arthritis and lupus. Aravon Women’s REVsavor is incredible footwear that is specifically constructed with a memory foam insole, removable

polyurethane and added cushioning to give maximum comfort while you’re walking.

Pros

  • Extreme all-day comfortable
  • Versatile
  • Can be worn in rain

Cons

  • Pricey for some

5. Brooks Glycerin 18 Running Shoe – Best for Cushion Support

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The extra cushioning provided by Brook Glycerine 18 is ideal for gym enthusiasts who also like road running and cross-training. It features an increased DNA loft that adds extra softness to the cushioning all without losing the durability and responsiveness of the shoe.

The OrthoLite sock liner also adds to its irresistible comfort and the plush transition zone helps to spread your weight evenly around the entire shoe, thus diverting the pressure from your knee.

Pros

  • Engineered mesh upper to enhance the fit
  • Ideal for road running
  • Extremely durable

Cons

  • Not high arch shoes

6. isotoner Women’s Ballerina Slippers – Best For Formal Use

41QnWJXR8GS. SL500

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Who said you have to compromise with the comfort of your feet on formal occasions. In fact, Rockport comes with a huge collection of comfortable arthritis-friendly shoes for men and women. This particular ballerina slipper offers excellent flexibility, shock absorption, and support for people who constantly complain of knee pain.

These slippers can also be worn for business or fancy occasions due to their simple versatile design.

Pros

  • Shock absorption and maximum flexibility for ballet dance
  • Removable retention foam footbed
  • Lightweight
  • Slip resistance

Cons

  • Too wide for some women

7. Merrell Women’s Hut Moc Moccasin – Best for Casual Wear

31gu0wlr7JL. SL500

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Merrell, in general, is known for offering athletic and casual styles that are suitable for people with arthritic knees. Although you can pick any of Merrell’s shoes and can rest assured that they will take care of your feet, this exceptional Merrell Hut Moc Moccasin takes an upper hand in comfort and lightweight.

Quilted with nylon upper and ultra-comfortable income, this pair of shoes aid a barefoot-style to help you enjoy adventures anytime you want.

Pros

  • Excellent support
  • Bang for your buck
  • True to size

Cons

  • Slippery on smooth surfaces

8. PUMA Men’s Carson Runner – Best for Affordability

41oWyubJ iL. SL500

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The air mesh upper in PUMA Men’s Carson is ideal for providing breathability and sleek style一all while staying within your budget.

If you struggle with knee pain, the Molded EVA in the insole yields the utmost cushioning, and the antimicrobial sock liner can always go the extra mile to give comfort. Thanks to its lace closure, you can expect the shoe to fit in your feet like a glove.

Pros

  • Very light and extremely comfortable
  • Breathable
  • Abrasion-resistant rubber

Cons

  • Can be too narrow at first

9. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes – Best for Pain Relief

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Gravity Defyer is an excellent choice for shoes with specific orthotic insoles with web-last technology to help you carry out athletic activities even in your arthritis. The shoe is designed with breathable mesh upper fabric and extra support to help protect your body from standing and walking.

If that wasn’t already enough, Gravity Defyer also comes with removable insoles to help you customize the shoe according to your preference.

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Flexible
  • Padded collar and tongue protect the skin from irritation

Cons

  • Relatively expensive to buy

10. Columbia Men’s Redmond Low Hiking Shoe – Best for Hiking

416uPajRmKL. SL500

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If your arthritis is resisting you to indulge yourself in your favorite hiking activities, this one’s for you. The Redmond Low Hiking Shoe is made with an amalgam of suede and mesh to keep your feet dry and the lightweight cushioning promises outstanding shock absorption. It also offers an advanced traction outsole which makes it ideal for hiking.

Pros

  • Omni-Grip non-marking traction rubber
  • Durable material
  • Can be worn casually too

Cons

  • Not true to size

Best Shoes for Arthritic Knees Buyers Guide

Now that you’re fully clear about the options out there, but if you think about it: these are the options that worked best for most of the people out there, not you. In order to find the best shoes that are the solution for _your _problem, you need to dig deep and get your fundamentals straight.

Therefore, here is what an ideal shoe for an arthritic knee sounds like.

1. Price

Considering your budget is definitely the first step when you want to buy something. Shoes for arthritic knees come in different price ranges from very expensive to affordable. So, looking in a particular category will help you choose a pair that doesn’t break your bank.

2. High Heels

High heels that are higher than 2 inches can contribute to many sorts of foot pain and arthritis. This is because of the hard arch on the foot and increases the pressure on joints. And considering you already suffer from an arthritic knee, it’s better you avoid shoes that have heels higher than 2 inches.

However, complete flats aren’t great either. The best height for a shoe should come with slight arch support and cushioning for the utmost shock absorption.

3. Material

When it comes to the material of the shoe, a rigid material is likely to cause sore feet. You can opt for leather and mesh, but the ideal material should be stretchy with synthetic stretchy fabric like neoprene for allowing natural movement of your foot.

4. Removable insoles

Orthotics is probably the only cure for people who suffer from Arthritic knees. Shoes that have removable insoles allow you to custom your shoe with added orthotics insoles which can help take the pressure off your painful spots like knee, midfoot, and big toe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are orthotics used for?

Orthotics are devices that people use inside their shoes to correct biochemical foot issues that can cause serious pain in the long term. It can help you relieve arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, and other problems involving who you walk, stand, and run.

Are flip flops good for Arthritic knees?

Generally speaking, completely flat flip-flops carry the risk of failing, especially for people who have balancing problems. But yes, flip flops can offer a few benefits for people with arthritic knees.

Conclusion

If you’ve reached till here, congratulations! You’re all set to embark on a journey where you don’t have to bear a single day with chronic knee pain because of a reckless choice you made with your shoes earlier.

So, reflect back on your problems, go through all the options mentioned above and decide which one of these 10 shoes falls into your definition of a “perfect shoe for arthritic knees”.

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AUTHOR
Under training to become your personal trainer of choice. If Nelson is not busy producing awesome content to improve your mental, physical health and wellbeing, he’s probably sweating it out at the gym or watching Arsenal break hearts. A salesman and digital marketer , an avid reader, plays tennis and adventurous. He’s a disciple of self-development and follows everything fitness religiously.