Treat Your Feet Well With the 8 Best Orthopedic Shoes

Although these shoes have laces, their patented Skechers hands-free slip-in technology offers a perfect hybrid between sneakers and slip-on shoes. That makes them especially convenient for slipping on and heading out the door, whether you’re taking the kids to school, walking your dog, or going to the grocery store. With no-tie laces, you never have to worry about them becoming undone.

These shoes hold the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which means that they’ve been reviewed by APMA podiatrists to make sure they promote foot health. They also have a removable insole with arch support designed for comfort and support; you can also swap in your own custom orthotic insole if needed. The higher heel height helps disperse your weight along your foot with each step.

One sticking point with the shoes is that they felt stiff out of the box and had a break-in time longer than a week, says writer Emily Hirsch, RD. Hirsch also says the pair struggled to accommodate her high arches. But once the shoes softened and started to mold to her feet, things got better, especially when spending time on her feet.

“These were comfortable for standing for long periods because of the cushioned memory foam footbed and noticeable arch support. While they felt a bit clunky when walking, the firm structure actually provided good stability when standing, which helped reduce foot fatigue,” she says.

Given that they’re constructed well, Hirsch expects them to hold up over time. Made with machine-washable fabrics, these also clean up nicely.

If you’re looking for ankle stability, a shoe designed for court activity (like tennis or pickleball) may be an option. These Reebok Nano Court Training Shoes are designed with extra support around the ankles to improve stability. And the herringbone-style rubber tread on the bottoms helps prevent slipping.

“I loved the amount of support, comfort, and stability these shoes provide. I felt balanced overall,” says writer Jacquelyn Smith. While the ankles are secure, they can be too secure sometimes, she says. She found it tough to wiggle her foot in.

It was worth it once the shoes were on, though. “I intend on wearing them much more than my other pair of tennis shoes,” says Smith. She says these Reeboks stand out in terms of support, comfort, and lightweight feel.

That translated into real benefits when moving, says Smith, who has heel spurs, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. “I could keep up with our new puppy far more easily than in my other sneakers and play ball with my kids without worrying about rolling an ankle. I was amazingly pain-free after several hours of wear, something I’m not accustomed to.”

Right out of the box, this pair was comfortable and supportive to wear, says editor Katie Tuttle, who has plantar fasciitis. The footbed has a removable foam insole that sits on a shock-absorbing outsole.

The Winona is also super-portable: “The back of the shoe has a flexible, suede-like insert that folds down and makes these more packable,” says Tuttle. She points out that the way the shoe is constructed, you can easily smush it into a bag or suitcase and expect it to spring back into shape. “It’s also quite lightweight; these would be good on the plane or hustling around the airport.”

The shoes are light and airy, which is perfect for warm or temperate conditions. But Tuttle does not expect that they will hold up outside in the cold or rain, and the white pair gets easily dingy. Save these for travel days at the airport or exploring a city on a warm and sunny day.

These recovery sandals are outfitted with plush cushioning, neutral stability, and a curved rocker sole to help propel you forward while walking and cradle your feet after. Although they’re billed as recovery shoes, they hold up well during light activity.

“These are great shoes for walking, and I feel no pain in my bunion area at all,” says editor Alexandra Klausner, who tried out the previous version, Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 2.

The updated model features airflow vents for enhanced breathability. Despite her narrow ankles that make the back of the shoe slightly large and slip up and down, Klausner didn’t get any blisters while wearing them (an early worry for her). “The material in the back is so soft and cozy that I have no pain in the back or blistering at all.”

Many reviewers on Hoka’s site say that they prefer to wear these as “house shoes” to give their feet support when at home.

This all comes from the orthotic insole that’s made up of three layers: one for support, another for cushioning, and the top a breathable layer to keep feet cool. Frost liked how the combination of the heel cup and arch support helped distribute her weight and step.

After a break-in period of about a week, Frost liked that she could use these shoes for walking, standing, and exercise. But she says that because they come up higher around the ankles (for stability), they weren’t great for slipping on and off.

OluKai says that its inspiration is to provide a sensation of bare feet walking on wet sand. One thing’s for sure: Our tester gave these high marks.

“I absolutely love these shoes,” says editor Ashley Ziegler. “I literally sighed because they felt so good on my arches.” She also liked the cushion and mesh upper for breathability.

This shoe also focuses on the small details that make a big impact, says Ziegler. For example, the sewn-in tongue doesn’t move around during activity, something that often causes discomfort. A stretchy, drop-in heel and elastic laces mean that these shoes slip onto your feet quickly.

All of those qualities make them especially good for supporting your feet while walking, running, taking a fitness class, and more. Because they have a drop-in heel, these shoes can transform from an athletic shoe to more of a casual slip-on shoe for everyday wear.

Despite how well they fit, Ziegler says that when they were new, they did rub the back of her feet a bit. She expects that this will resolve once they become more broken-in.

Sometimes you need a shoe that looks great with jeans but also offers support and cushioning. These leather sneakers have that perfect mix of fashion and comfort, says editor Olivia Campbell.

These aren’t designed for fitness, so they’re not for the gym. But they do excel during lighter activities like daily walking, standing, or strolling around a museum. Arch support in the insole may help relieve arch and heel pain.

If you’re not familiar with the company, Aetrex designs shoes that are largely APMA-approved. A huge plus is the ability to customize your shoes, if needed. If you want more cushioning, you can easily remove the insole and add your own orthotic. The company also sells orthotics, including those with memory foam, so you can feel confident that they’ll fit inside your shoe.

For a reliable stability shoe that supports your foot during exercise and helps prevent excess pronation, this pair from Brooks fits the bill.

Writer Brittany Vargas, who tried the earlier GTS 23 model, says her immediate impression was that they were comfy with no break-in time needed. “I wore them for a run right away and had no discomfort, rubbing, or pain,” she says. The typical knee twinge she feels while running wasn’t there when wearing these. The updated GTS 25 adds even more cushion for the heel and forefront.

These are excellent walking shoes, providing ample cushion and bounce for walking on concrete or softer surfaces like a trail. “My joints feel supported in them,” says Vargas. Still, the shoes can appear a bit clunky, which was her only complaint.