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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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”.
