5 Best Shoes for Chemo Induced Neuropathy [2024 Updated]

Last Updated on October, 2024

Feet under fire after chemotherapy? No need to worry; you’re in the right place!

Neuropathy, in general, is a nuisance and getting that as a side effect amidst ANOTHER major issue only irritates you more. But I know the effect peaks whenever you keep your feet on the ground.

That’s when you need shoes.

But you know already that ordinary shoes can only make things worse. So, After trying and testing countless shoes, we’ve handpicked the crème de la crème of footwear for your delicate toes.

How did we do that? We teamed up with a devoted set of medical experts. They brought their medical knowledge to ACTUALLY evaluate the quality, and we found the BEST shoes.

So, put your best foot forward and join me as I explain why each of these shoes brings the utmost comfort and support into your life.

Let’s start.

Editor’s Choice
Orthofeet Tacoma
Orthofeet Tacoma (Men)
Comfort
Arch support
Material
Toe box
Design
Price

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

Overall Score

5.0

#2nd Best Choice
Orthofeet Quincy
Orthofeet Quincy (Women)
Comfort
Arch support
Material
Toe box
Design
Price

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

Overall Score

5.0

#3rd Best Choice
Propet Women's Tour
Propet Women’s Tour
Comfort
Arch support
Material
Toe box
Design
Price

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

Overall Score

4.9

5 of the Best Shoes for Chemo-Induced Neuropathy

1. Orthofeet Tacoma (For Men)

Orthofeet is one of the most recognized brands among neuropathic patients. The most substantial reason is that the company produces shoes that are incredibly relevant to specific conditions.

That’s how Orthofeet Tacoma comes into the picture.

Tacoma is one of the shoes designed specifically to tackle neuropathic complications caused by chemo. But before we get into the features, you should know that Tacoma comes with the A5500 code accommodation.

You may already know that it basically means that the shoe is MEDICALLY RECOMMENDED for neuropathic patients. With that in mind, let’s look at how the shoe makes your life more comfortable.

The shoe is made with a soft and stretchable upper that conforms to your foot’s shape; that’s basically getting a customized shoe for the regular price. 

The shoe comes in blue and black across 13 sizes from men’s sizes 7 and 14. 

The seamless interior can and will eliminate pressure points that ultimately reduce comfort. Not only that, but the shoe’s interior is also plush, with an anatomical arch support with a contoured footbed. The combination of these features gives you superior comfort and stability.

The shoe’s extra depth design provides ample room for orthotics, custom inserts, and extra toe space — which gives a chance for you to modify the shoe for other conditions as well.

The outsole of the Orthofeet Tacoma is made of durable and slip-resistant materials that provide increased stability and traction on various surfaces. The heel of the shoe is cushioned to help reduce shock, which in turn improves walking comfort. 

In addition to these features, thisroomy shoe has a deep and wide toe box. This crucial feature prevents your toes from rubbing and developing blisters. The padded collar is the cherry on top that brings extra comfort.

Orthofeet Tacoma has a flexible outsole, a heel cup and counter, and a rocker’s bottom. The combination of these features helps you experience little or no shock when walking with the best stability. 

Its antimicrobial lining allows you to keep your feet fresh and odor-free. What more can you ask for?

Key features:

  • Comes with the A5500 code accommodation
  • Soft stretchable upper 
  • Seamless interior 
  • Anatomical arch support 
  • Slip-resistant outsole
  • Padded collar 
  • Antimicrobial lining
  • Rocker’s bottom

Pros

  • Medically recommended for neuropathic patients
  • Soft and stretchable upper for a customized fit
  • Seamless interior and plush anatomical arch support for superior comfort and stability
  • Extra depth design for orthotics and extra toe space
  • Durable and slip-resistant outsole for stability and traction
  • Cushioned heel and padded collar for walking comfort
  • Roomy toe box to prevent rubbing and blisters
  • Flexible outsole, heel cup and counter, and rocker bottom to reduce shock
  • Antimicrobial lining to keep feet fresh

Cons

  • Limited color options

2. Orthofeet Quincy (For Women)

When Orthofeet has made Tacoma for men with neuropathy caused by chemo, they have the “Quincy” shoe for women.

This slip-on shoe eliminates the slight trouble of tying up laces. Simultaneously, the design is very diabetic-feet-focused, as you will experience a secure fit. 

The shoes are made with a combination of premium materials, including a soft and breathable upper, a cushioned insole, and a durable sole that provides excellent shock absorption and stability. 

These features might remind you of the Orthofeet Tacoma, but while there are similarities, Orthofeet Quincy’s primarily focuses on comforting female feet undergoing chemo-induced neuropathy.

The patented orthotic insole is one of the key features of the Orthofeet Quincy. It provides arch support, a deep heel cup, and additional cushioning by design. That helps you relieve foot pain and improve overall foot comfort. 

The Dryflex™ fabric in the insole resolves perspiration issues, while the Poly-U foam eliminates odor. Let’s not forget the anti-microbial fabric and foam as well. That reduces bacteria multiplying way more than regular synthetic fibers.

Similar to Tacoma, the insole is designed to accommodate custom orthotics. That lets you have that customizable space for more feet conditions.

The roomy toe box is another feature seen in almost all Orthofeet shoes designed for neuropathy. Having enough space reduces pressure on the toes and averts the risks of developing blisters. 

Quincy shoes come with extra padding around the heel and ankle for women’s utmost comfort. This lets you wear the shoe for extended periods of time without having to worry about ankle aches.

Orthofeet is a company recognized for its attractive designs. Even if this shoe is designed to help you deal with a medical condition, it doesn’t look so different from a stylish women’s slip-on shoe. From the shape to surface designs and even the outsole, Orthofeet’s Quincy positions itself as a stylish women’s shoe.

You can buy the shoe in 15 sizes, from women’s sizes 5 to 12. The shoe also comes in three width sizes such as standard (B), wide (D), and extra wide (2E), ensuring superior comfort. Although Quincy’s black design is the most popular, you can also find it in brown and navy.

Key features:

  • Patented orthotic insole
  • Soft breathable upper 
  • The insole is designed to accommodate custom orthotics
  • Roomy toe box
  • Slip-resistant outsole
  • Arch support
  • Antimicrobial lining
  • Deep heel cup

Pros

  • Slip-on design eliminates the need for laces
  • Made with premium materials for a soft and breathable feel
  • Patented orthotic insole provides arch support, deep heel cup, and additional cushioning
  • Dryflex™ fabric insole resolves perspiration issues and Poly-U foam eliminates odor
  • Anti-microbial fabric and foam reduces bacteria growth
  • Roomy toe box reduces pressure on toes and prevents blisters
  • Extra padding around heel and ankle for added comfort
  • Stylish design that looks like a regular women’s slip-on shoe

Cons

  • Vast color options would have been great

3. Propet Women’s Tour

Since 1985, Propét has built a reputation as a comfortable footwear brand. But Propét is not a medical footwear maker like Orthofeet. 

But their Women’s Tour walker shoe makes you question that.

The Propét Women’s Tour Walker is a strap sneaker. The shoe’s features make it highly suitable for women fighting neuropathy caused by chemotherapy. 

The shoe features adjustable straps that allow a customized secure fit, ensuring the foot stays firmly in place. It’s this same twin strap that makes the shoe so unique.

The interior of the shoe is lined with a padded collar and tongue.

That immensely reduces friction that prevents blisters. After all, who doesn’t love extra cushioning inside a well-fitted shoe?

I don’t need to tell you how important it is not to have foot blisters when you have neuropathy or cancer.

What about its sole?

Tour Walker’s herringbone tread rubber sole is made of a durable and non–slip rubber that provides excellent traction. It also provides your feminine feet with excellent arch and heel support. 

The combination of these two features guarantees that you will not fall by slipping or losing balance, regardless of how numb your feet are.

You’ll find it relatively easy to clean the shoe’s upper as it is made of breathable leather and lasts for a very long time. It’s not merely the ease of cleaning; it also provides ample ventilation. It’s imperative to hinder moisture build-up when you wear shoes. It’s one of the main reasons to increase odor and chances of developing blisters.

Did I tell you that you could remove the footbed? Having a neuropathic shoe whose footbed can be replaced helps you in two ways. It allows you to use custom orthotics suitable for unique foot conditions. On the flip side, you can replace the footbed instead of the entire shoe.

That’s smart design thinking that saves you a little fortune.

The overall design decisions and material selection have allowed the Propét Women’s Tour Walker shoe to absorb more shock when walking. But I would not recommend this shoe for running as that’s a different topic.

In conclusion, the Propét Women’s Tour Walker is one of the best shoes to wear to battle neuropathy caused by chemo.

Key features:

  • Twin strap enclosure for a secure fit
  • Padded collar and tongue for increased comfort
  • The insole is designed to accommodate custom orthotics
  • Roomy toe box 
  • Herringbone tread rubber sole 
  • Heel and arch support
  • Breathable leather upper
  • Replaceable footbed 
  • Shock absorption materials

Pros

  • Adjustable straps for secure fit
  • Padded collar and tongue reduce friction
  • Durable, non-slip herringbone sole
  • Excellent arch and heel support
  • Breathable leather upper
  • Removable footbed for custom orthotics
  • Smart design allows for shock absorption

Cons

  • Cannot be recommended for running

4. Dr. Comfort William-X

Dr. Comfort Men’s William-X is a casual diabetic shoe. But the ultimate use of it is to protect neuropathic feet. Let’s see what makes the shoe so unique.

For starters, this sleek-looking shoe comes with a hook-and-loop closure that guarantees the most secure fit. Not only that, it’s super convenient for people with limited mobility to wear and take it off.

The shoe is also made with a soft and flexible upper that more-or-less molds to the foot’s shape — that makes it a custom-fit shoe for you, especially according to the contours of your feet. You never have to worry about swelling up your feet with Willaim-X.

You’d also notice the dual-layer foam insole included to absorb shock and help distribute weight evenly across the foot. Shock absorption is a must-have feature for neuropathic shoes, but you don’t get to see the weight distribution capacity of most soles; that marks the William-X special.

Dr. Comfort recommends the shoe for a wide range of foot conditions. Some of these are diabetes, chemo-induced neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, hammer toes, bunions, and even arthritis.

This 100% leather shoe is also constructed with extra depth. Words can’t describe how comfortable this is for people with edema, internal braces, and AFOs when you already have neuropathy. 

Credit should be given to the protective toe box, as it prevents your sensitive toes from stubbing. There’s enough room for even hammer toes. So, if you don’t have hammer toes, it basically means your normal toes will be more than fine.

Did I mention how the shoe has room for custom orthotics? That lets you customize the shoe however you want while keeping the best features. 

The shoe is pretty impressive, and as a man struggling with neuropathy caused by chemo, you will be grateful for the comfort the shoe brings.

Key features:

  • Single strap hook-and-loop enclosure
  • Large toe box with added protection
  • Dual-layer foam insole 
  • Soft and flexible upper
  • 100% leather shoe
  • Extra-depth construction
  • Has room for custom orthotics

Pros

  • Hook-and-loop closure for secure fit and easy on/off
  • Soft, flexible upper molds to foot’s shape
  • Dual-layer foam insole absorbs shock and distributes weight evenly
  • Recommended for various foot conditions
  • Extra depth for comfort with edema, braces, and AFOs
  • Protective toe box prevents toe stubbing
  • Room for custom orthotics

Cons

  • The design could’ve been a little better (personal preference) 

5. Skechers Go Walk

Skechers is one of the BEST shoe brands for diabetic-caused neuropathy. Although they’re not as good as Orthofeet for chemo-induced neuropathy, they still do a remarkable job.

Skechers Go Walk is one such good example. Let’s see why it is so impressive.

Arch Fit technology is one of the signature features of Skechers that has it. This patented design helps you to distribute weight evenly across the foot, from toes to heel.

That reduces the pressure on specific areas, which can make those areas more vulnerable to damage.

Another feature that makes the Go Walk shoe special is the memory foam. Your feet will gently sink into the foam once, and that’ll give you a custom fit. The foam’s cushioning is strong enough to absorb shock. That’s why you can walk or even run very comfortably. 

The upper of the Go Walk is made from a soft and breathable mesh. The primary benefit of this mesh is that it’ll keep your feet cool and dry. If not, the built-up moisture will most definitely damage your feet in a matter of time.

The lace-up design allows you to adjust the fit to your liking, ensuring a snug and secure fit. It’s imperative to choose well-fitting shoes for neuropathic feet. If not, the shoe’s beneficial features cannot help you to their maximum capability.

What about the outsole?

Skechers Go Walk’s outsole is made of durable rubber. The brand ensures its buyers that the shoe will provide good traction on various surfaces. Not only that, you can wear it all day long and even when you’re working out — guaranteed versatility!

The shoe comes in multiple sizes from 7 to 16 in the brand size, mainly in two colors: gray & navy and black & blue.

Key features:

  • Unisex shoe
  • Arch fit technology 
  • Memory foam
  • Superior interior cushioning 
  • Soft and breathable mesh upper
  • Lace-up design 
  • Durable rubber outsole 

Pros

  • Arch Fit technology distributes weight evenly
  • Memory foam provides custom cushioning and shock absorption
  • Breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool and dry
  • Lace-up design allows for a secure fit
  • Durable rubber outsole provides good traction and versatility
  • Available in multiple sizes 

Cons

  • Limited color options

What is Chemo-Induced Neuropathy? How is it Caused?

Chemo-induced neuropathy is precisely what you’d expect it to be.

It is neuropathy caused by chemotherapy treatment when the chemotherapy drugs toxically affect the peripheral nerves. These drugs can damage the protective covering of nerve fibers (myelin, and the nerve fibers themselves. This leads to numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the hands, feet, and other affected areas.

The severity of the chemo-induced neuropathy depends on the type and dose of the drugs and the nature of the patient. 

Guide to Choosing Shoes for Chemo-Induced Neuropathy 

Chemo Induced-Neuropathy shoes on the ground

How did we choose these shoes in the first place? Below is that ultimate guide that even you can follow to find the best shoes for chemo-induced neuropathy.

  • Prioritize the comfort factor

Be sure to look for shoes with a soft, cushioned interior with a wide, roomy toe box. This helps you accommodate swollen feet effortlessly. 

  • Double-check the support capacity 

Choosing shoes with good arch support and a sturdy sole is vital as it ensures stability and balance.

A non-slip sole is also crucial for increased safety.

  • The breathability of the built materials

The breathability of the built materials prevents moisture build-up and keeps your feet cool and dry. If not, there will be odor issues which increase the chances of blisters.

  • Avoid getting unfitting shoes

You can get either slip-on shoes with adjustable straps or laces, but the critical point is not to get shoes that do not properly fit. If they don’t, your mobility and overall comfort will be severely affected.

  • Consider the brand reliability

Shoes for chemo-induced neuropathy are typically more pricey than regular shoes. So, it’s better to prioritize established shoe brands, so you know your feet will be perfectly fine. 

  • Extra features

Some shoes for chemo-induced neuropathy are loaded with features that elevate comfort and safety factors. This could be by patented features or typical design practices. But getting shoes with better features always brings the most value to your investment. 

How to Improve Neuropathy After Chemo? 

a human doing Hamstring Stretch

The first method is focussing on exercising. This could be gentle exercise such as stretching and light walking as that improves circulation and reduces neuropathy symptoms.

You can also invest in physical therapy as that can help you with balance and coordination as much as reducing pain and increasing mobility. If physical therapy feels too much, massage therapy should suffice.

Drinking prescription medicine is probably the easiest method to improve neuropathy after chemo. You can drink pain relievers such as acetaminophen or antidepressants, or even anticonvulsants based on your physician’s recommendation. 

Acupuncture is also one effective method, significantly reducing pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses mild electrical currents to stimulate peripheral nerves and reduce pain — that’s another method to improve neuropathy.

But while you do all this, it’s imperative to maintain a balanced diet, quit smoking, and reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption. The collective effort of these methods should surely help you improve neuropathy after chemo.

In Conclusion 

Finding shoes specifically for neuropathic feet caused by chemo is not easy. But each day without proper shoes only damages your feet more. But all your neuropathic problems resolve when you buy and walk in these shoes. Not only that, the condition of your legs will improve as well.

Orthofeet is a very dominant brand in the field, and Orthofeet Tacoma (for men) and Quincy (for women) are our top picks. As you saw, the reason is none other than their performance abilities.

Now that you know what to buy, it’s just a matter of getting it done.

Everyone at Extreme Health Guides, including myself, wishes for the fastest recovery and the best comfort for your neuropathic feet. Until next time!

FAQs

Chemo-Induced Neuropathy is generally a temporary problem, lasting only a few days or weeks, however there are cases where it can be permanent.

Unfortunately, chemo-induced neuropathy cannot be reversed as damaged nerves cannot be repaired and there is no precise treatment for the condition.

Around 30-50% of chemotherapy patients experience neuropathy, making it a fairly common side effect.

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
Orthofeet Tacoma
Comfort
Arch support
Material
Toe box
Design
Price

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

Overall Score

5.0

visa, master, amex & paypal logos
Pros
Medically recommended for neuropathic patients
Soft and stretchable upper for a customized fit
Seamless interior and plush anatomical arch support for superior comfort and stability
Extra depth design for orthotics and extra toe space
Durable and slip-resistant outsole for stability and traction
Get the BEST PRICE until the end of October
Cons
Limited color options

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Author
Milner Bradley
Milner Bradley has had over 15 years of experience in Health, Nutrition, research, and Journalism. His articles are extemely researched and experience and all the posts are verified by scientific findings. He shares his knowledge Here at Extreme Health Guides. Read more about us.

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