7 Best Work Shoes for Diabetics [2024 Upd.] (Podiatrist-Picked)

Last Updated on April, 2024

Let’s be candid — life gets irritating when you have diabetes feet. But it’s a whole new level when you can’t seem to work peacefully. It’s not like you have a choice but to tolerate all that.

Is it?

You get more than enough choices! With work shoes made specifically for people with diabetes, you never will have to worry again about standing for long hours or even walking faster.

In this review, we will talk about seven of the absolute best work shoes for diabetic feet by six of the world’s best brands. That’s not the best thing about the review — all these shoes were chosen by a podiatrist.

If you’re a regular Extreme Health Guides reader, you know that’s our standard operating procedure — we NEED you to have the best for the BEST price.

So, let’s get started.

7 of the Best Work Shoes for Diabetics

1. Orthofeet Cobalt (For Men)

The bottom side of the shoes is even more impressive. 

At the topmost layer, there is the premium orthotic insole that makes your feet ideally grip onto the bottom. That ensures smooth mobility of movement. 

The reason is the Dryplex™ fabric that wicks away perspiration in the front. At the back, the poly-U foam eliminates odor whole. The insoles also have anti-microbial fabric & foam.

The cherry on top is the heel cushioning system and superior arch support that guarantees your balance, which is not seen in many shoes. You can even add an arch booster to enhance arch support.

What else does this shoe bring to the table?

The shoe has received the A5500 CMS designation that h gives that extra medical reassurance for you. 

In addition, Orthofeet Cobalt comes with the F2413-18 rating. That means the shoes come with the M I/75 impact resistance, C/75 compression resistance, and even resistance to electric hazards.

It’s amazing how the series of notches added to the outsole helps catch ladder steps.

With the Orthofeet 60-day comfort guarantee, Orthofeet Cobalt is THE BEST work shoe for men with diabetes. 

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2. Orthofeet Celina (For Women)

This insole boasts anatomical arch support, and the arch booster realigns the foot.

What does that do? It aligns your entire body. Although the weight varies based on the shoe size, Celinas are very lightweight by design. 

While the insole gives you the best posture, superior interior cushioning in the protective interior will make your feet feel as if they are hugged by cotton. There are no interior seams or stitching, ensuring that your feminine feet stay the safest at work.

These design details go a long way for women, especially those who stand and walk a lot at work. 

You’d also notice Orthofeet’s signature roomy toe box. Women’s skin tends to be softer and hence even weaker than male skin — having that toe box definitely helps prevent blisters.

Similar to the Orthofeet Cobalt, the sole is made from Poly-U foam, which fixes odor issues. Perspiration problems are resolved by the Dryplex™ at the toes-end of the sole.

Orthofeet Celina is a feminine shoe that almost doesn’t seem like a work shoe as it looks attractive. After all, while your diabetic feet are well supported and easy mobility is secured, it’s a relief not to sacrifice the style for comfort.

Whether it was the Orthofeet Cobalt or Celina, both shoes will meet and exceed your expectations.

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3. KURU KIVI

The combination of shock absorption and protection to your heel will simultaneously provide better balance and comfort.

The contoured, dual-density foam insole is a signature feature of all Kuru shoes. You will feel just how easy it is to move by applying pressure on this foam insole with each step — you won’t feel like you have sensitive diabetic feet at all.

This slip-on shoe has eliminated the trouble of tying up laces at work while being assured of a secure fit. 

That effortless wearing is complemented by the wide toe box that minimizes risks of toe blisters. You can walk with better stability thanks to its superior arch support as well.

You can buy it in thirteen sizes that change between size 7 to 13. You can get these shoes in five colors; black, three shades of brown, and even blue.

Similar to Orthofeet shoes, you do not have to sacrifice your fashion sense for safety with Kuru KIVIs. 

Kuru is also generous enough to give you free shipping, exchanges, and even returns. After all, the brand is recognized amongst people suffering from diabetic feet that crave comfort. If not for all these features, Kuru shoes wouldn’t be a top choice.

If not for the Orthofeet brand, Kuru would be the best diabetic work shoe brand, undoubtedly.

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4. Scholl’s Work Drive

Lock Step Outsole™ compliments the lace-up design as it ensures you do not slip. Since the shoe is oil resistant, it only increases safety when moving around in your workplace. 

The icing on the cake is the lightweight construction which promotes flexibility and effortless locomotion.

Female feet, especially with diabetic conditions, tend to be much more sensitive. Work Drive guarantees superior comfort with the highest quality interior cushioning, especially for the top side of your feet.

The insole takes care of the bottom side of your feet too. Work Drive has a molded memory foam insole. This anti-compression insole also consists of the Dri-Lex® lining that promotes moisture wicking. But that’s not all — the insole also has Aegis Microbe Shield® with anti-microbial linings.

The midsole is equally impressive as the design is focused on reducing foot pressure while absorbing shock. Its value further increases thanks to the harmonious performance of the spacious toe box and brand-specific superior arch support, by design.

Combining these features in the insole promotes breathability while giving you the utmost comfort.

Dr. Scholl’s Work Drive shoe comes only in black with ten sizes spanning women’s sizes 6 to 11 with medium and comprehensive shoe options. Even if it comes in black, Work Drive represents the power of the working woman, which is one of the most substantial reasons why it is so appealing to the female workforce.

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5. SAS Hangout

But you must ensure you get the right size for a secure fit. You can buy the shoe in 14 sizes, from 7.5 to 15, with three width options to find the perfect fit.

The shoe’s interior focuses on elevated comfort — the lightly cushioned collar is one feature that guarantees comfort for your diabetic feet. The smooth leather linings are another. Luckily, these linings are backed up by breathable leather, so you don’t have to worry about hygiene or the potential risk of blisters.

SAS Hangout features a comfortable footbed with generous foam padding from heel to toe. The design and material are acclaimed in the community for providing superior comfort. This padding is also easily removable — that helps you replace only the footbed when you want to repair your shoe, saving a little fortune.

You will also find SAS Tripad® Cushions designed to comfort all three pressure points of the average diabetic feet; the outside ball, the inside ball, and the heel. Because of that, you can rely on the shoe for all-day support.

The outsole of the shoe is equally impressive. The lightweight SAS Supersoft® polyurethane outsole is made with millions of tiny bubbles. That’s why you won’t experience shock as you walk around your workplace.

After all, SAS is an outstanding brand regarding diabetics.

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6. SKECHERS BOBS

Even if you had a slightly bigger shoe size, the lace-up design should be able to provide a secure fit. You can also find synthetic panels added for stability. These panels are very smooth, ensuring your sensitive feet don’t get damaged in any way.

The heel area directly affects stability and comfort, especially when you’re at work, as you’ll be standing and walking a lot. That’s why the BOBS heel has a fabric overlay with a pull-on-top tab that brings more comfort and stability.

Although not a registered (®) design, the shoe’s insole is made from memory foam. Because of the cushion’s nature, you’d feel how the insole transforms into your feet’ shape. 

That’s why you feel like the shoe was designed specifically for you! 

The midsole boasts its ability to absorb shock, which is imperative for work shoes, especially when you have ultra-sensitive diabetic feet. 

What about the outsole? Skechers BOBS outsole features flexible rubber traction, which provides ideal friction. The material composition itself will ensure the shoe lasts for a very long time.

Even with all these features, the shoe doesn’t disappoint you in terms of style — that’s good news for our female readers.

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7. AIGU Steel

Even if you don’t do heavy work, your diabetic feet will be perfectly safeguarded from shock thanks to outstanding shock absorption abilities.

You could also identify these as safety shoes as they can withstand a pressure of about 1100N. The shoe’s reflective 2mm wider steel toe meets ASTM F2413-18 standards and has an impact resistance of 200±4J.

These features ensure that you never have to worry that you have diabetic feet in the first place.

What about its interior? The easiest way to explain it is by stating that it had a lot of interior cushions with no markings. This design ensures that your feet don’t rub on the interior material and develop blisters.

This lightweight work shoe is exceptionally suitable for men with diabetic feet. While it doesn’t have the Orthofeet Cobalt’s medical attributes, you can entirely rely on its strength factors.

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5 Factors to Consider When Buying Work Shoes for Diabetes

1. Design Intention 

Check WHY exactly the shoes have been designed — is it for stay-at-home people or working people? If for working people, what lines of work? You’d typically notice a low-cut design in most diabetic shoes, which is why ankles aren’t compressed.

2. Room for the Toes

If you didn’t know, diabetes weakens the skin as it limits blood circulation. So, imagine how sensitive your toes would be — that’s why you MUST have enough room for your toes. If not you have a good chance to end up with an non healing blister.

A roomy toe box is a MUST.

3. Presence of a Rocker Bottom 

Some diabetics do not promote a natural gait, which is irritating and painful. But the rocker’s bottom ensures the shoe rolls smoothly from heel to toe. That reduces the stress, providing comfort and stability, which ultimately prevents you from falling down often — you can’t afford that risk at work.

4. Seamlessness

Toes aren’t the only place your feet that’ll become sensitive. So, even if the shoe had an ample toe box, it’s still a big issue if the interior has a lot of seams and stitching. That increases the friction and ultimately increases the risk of blisters — especially at work.

5. The Flexibility of the Material

Too rigid shoes can cause either damage or constrict your blood flow. But it also can affect mobility — why would you get shoes to make walking when it already is? That’s why you should prioritize shoes made from flexible materials. 

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?

So, investing in ANYTHING to safeguard your diabetic feet is NOT a waste at all.

Main Types of Shoes for Diabetes

There are three main types of shoes made specifically for diabetes. Let’s look at them next.

Custom Shoes

Custom diabetic shoes are typically made according to the exact shape of the feet and the exact condition as well — that’s a perfect fit with the perfect orthodontics.

Healing Shoes

Healing shoes are designed to promote wound healing and prevent foot injuries.

You’d find them made from soft and breathable materials that reduce friction and pressure on feet.

In-Depth Shoes

Some people who have diabetic feet cannot have quite deformed feet. With more spacious toe boxes, in-depth shoes are made for such people’s feet. If you constantly experience swelling, in-depth shoes are ideal for you. 

We’ve also featured the best regular neuropathy shoes.

Benefits of Getting the Right Work Shoes for Diabetes

• Properly fitting work shoes for diabetes can reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
• The right work shoes can diminish foot pain and discomfort, enhancing comfort and productivity.
• Shoes that fit well can improve blood flow in the feet, reducing the risk of circulation-related complications.
• Well-fitted work shoes can prevent excessive sweating and bacterial growth, promoting better foot hygiene.
• Properly fitting shoes provide stability and support, reducing the risk of strains or sprains.
• Work shoes designed for specific industries can offer added safety features such as steel toes or slip-resistant soles.
• Good-fitting shoes can improve balance and prevent falls on the job.
• Shoes that reduce pressure on the feet can lower the risk of nerve damage caused by prolonged standing or walking.
• Comfortable work shoes can improve mobility and job performance.
• Properly fitting work shoes for diabetes can promote better overall foot health and a higher quality of life at work and beyond.

In Conclusion 

Wearing shoes for work is essential; its necessity is sky-high when you have diabetic feet. Luckily, you have finished reading about seven of the best diabetic shoes on the market today. Out of them, the best shoes for both men and women are from Orthofeet.

The reason is none other than the best balance of all the features that ensure the utmost comfort and safety for your diabetic feet at work.

It’s natural to feel extra worried when you have diabetic feet. But you will be as if your feet were ordinary with shoes on this list.

I hope this review has helped you. Until next time!

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