Orthopedic Dress Shoes: Check Out the Best Ones in the Market

Orthopedic shoes provide arch support, heel support, and roomy toe boxes so that your feet can maintain their natural shape as you wear them. They help prevent foot pain by fitting properly and providing the support needed. These shoes are usually offered in three to five different widths and help keep you mobile.

When shoes don’t fit the feet right, typically because they don’t provide enough space, conditions such as bunions and hammertoes are more likely to occur and require foot surgery. Wearing the best orthopedic shoes helps your feet healthy and is cheaper than getting surgery. Consult our list of the best orthopedic dress shoes on the market before you go shopping so you know what to look for and how to spend your money wisely.

Product FAQs

1. What are the important features of orthopedic shoes?

When shopping for orthopedic shoes, you’re looking for moisture-wicking lining to keep your feet dry to avoid foot fungus and breathable fabric to keep your feet cool. For your comfort and to prevent pain, you also want arch support, a wide toe box, extra depth, and heels of a modest height.

2. Where can I buy orthopedic shoes?

You can buy orthopedic shoes from specialty shoe stores or from online retailers.

3. What advice do you have for women?

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, most women wear shoes that are too small and painful. Women are more likely to develop feet problems than men because of poorly fitting, too tight shoes. It’s best to avoid wearing ill-fitting shoes as often as possible. Ideally, women should wear low-heeled shoes of less than an inch high with a wide toe box, a wide padded heel, and a cushioned sole.

It’s a misconception that wide and chunky high heels are better for the feet than thin, spiky stiletto heels. On any shoe with a high heel, the toes and the heels experience stress that eventually affects the feet. While a platform shoe raises both heels and toes, you run the risk of twisting your ankle.

4. What shopping advice do you have for men?

Men can wear athletic shoes, wingtips, loafers, oxfords, or low-heeled boots. They need to make sure that the shoe has sturdy construction in the sole for support and cushioning against shock.

5. What about people with special conditions?

People with painful or weak ankles should wear boots or high-top sneakers. Arthritis and diabetes sufferers should seek out shoes with extra depth or shoes that can be custom molded. Custom-design shoes can address specific feet problems, which is particularly important to people with diabetes because they are more likely to have major foot deformities.

How to Find the Right Orthopedic Shoes

Make a tracing of your foot, and then place a shoe that you’re trying on top of the tracing. The shoe should not be smaller or narrower than the tracing, so you can eliminate those shoes from consideration. Ideally, you’ve measured and traced the foot in the afternoon, when your foot is at its most expansive through day use and warm weather.

If you are visiting a store, have both your feet measured. If one foot is larger than the other, opt for the size that fits the larger foot. When you’re trying on the shoes, make sure to stand in the them and ensure there is enough room. Walk in them to get an idea of their feel. Shoes should fit perfectly from the beginning and shouldn’t need stretching or more wear to break them in.

How We Reviewed

We researched both women’s and men’s orthopedic dress shoes, poring over information available on these shoes and the customer reviews on them. This curated list is a culmination of the time and effort spent to provide you with the pros and cons on the best products on the market.

Overall Price Range of This Product

For the women’s shoes, you can expect to spend between $40 and $170. The men’s shoes have a price range between $22 and $204.

Top Brands and Models for Women

Klogs Women’s Slip Resistant Closed Back Clog, Naples

Color	Black oil, Black smooth, Black patent
Sizes	6-11
Widths	Medium(B), Wide(D)

Key Features

This shoe is a leather clog that provides comfort. It has built-in arch support, contoured toe grip, and a deep heel cup, which combine for an anatomical fit, molding to the foot for ideal comfort fit and preventing you from slipping while you walk. The outsole is slip-resistant, which minimizes falling accidents when the surfaces are oily and wet. The shoe has a suede microfiber lining and a removable cushioned insole that accommodates orthotics. It’s also designed to reduce joint stress.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkProvides support
• checkDressy

CONS

• Runs large

Apis 9106 – Women’s Triple Depth Shoe for Oblique Toe

Color	Black
Sizes	4.5 – 15
Widths	Narrow(2A), Medium(B), Wide(D), 2X Wide(3E), 3X Wide (5E), 4X Wide (7E)

Key Features

This shoe is designed for people with toe deformities or severe foot swelling as well as those with diabetes, edema, hammertoes, or bunions. It has triple depth, meaning it has three layers of removable inserts to adapt to custom orthotics. The shoe also has soft linings and leather uppers that soothe the feet. A loop strap and an adjustable hook provides a custom fit. There is a broad oblique toe and extra length for lateral and medial counter supports.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkRoomy
• checkGood toe room
• checkOffers stability and support

CONS

• Lack of color choices

Drew Women’s Shoe, Bloom II

	Black calf, Bone calf, Black nubuck, Taupe nubuck
Sizes	5-12
Widths	Narrow(AA), Medium(B), Wide(D), XWide(EEE)

Key Features

This shoe is made for an active woman. There are two footbeds to allow for fit and customization. It’s made for stability, style, and easy lacing. The outsoles are flared and the toe box is wide to accommodate orthotics. While the footbeds are removable, they are meant to be kept in the shoe for depth. The shoe also comes with a steel shank for additional support. Arthritis, bunion, diabetes, charcot foot, plantar fasciitis, diabetic neuropathy, and high arch sufferers can wear this shoe.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkAttractive
• checkDressy for professional purposes
• checkGood for walking

CONS

• Sole quality needs improvement

Drew Women’s Shoe, Parade II

Color	Black, Taupe
Sizes	5 – 12
Widths	Narrow(2A), Medium(B), Wide(D), Extra Wide(3E)

Key Features

This orthopedic shoe combines comfort and casual dress style. There are two footbeds to help with fit and customization. Flared outsoles and a wide toe box help with orthotics. A steel shank provides additional support, the lining has a microbe shield for stain and odor control, and the dual-density insert is moldable and removable.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkFits well
• checkRoomy toe box
• checkDurable

CONS

• Runs large

Apex Women’s Ambulator Mary Jane Shoe

Color	Black leather
Sizes	4.5 – 13
Widths	Medium(B), Wide(D), Extra Wide(2E)

Key Features

This orthopedic shoe is a chic Mary Jane-style shoe. The leather lining gives wearers comfort and breathability. There is a soft leather upper and a single hook and loop strap. There is one half-inch removable insole that can accommodate diabetic insoles and custom orthotics. The insole is made from a gel that reduces the weight of the shoe and absorbs shock to prevent back, ankle, and heel pain. The lightweight polyurethane rocker sole has added traction to help prevent slips and falls. A soft padded collar is there for blister prevention.

PROS

• Comfortable
• Fits well
• Can be worn for business and casual wear

CONS

• Lack of color choices
• Lack of heel options
• Limited styles

Top Brands and Models for Men

Drew Men’s Shoe, Navigator II

Color	Black pebbled leather, Brown pebbled leather, Clay pebbled leather
Sizes	7-16
Widths	Narrow(B), Medium(D), Wide(2E), Extra Wide(4E)

Key Features

This shoe is specifically designed for extra-wide feet and for those who suffer from flat feet, ball-of-foot pain, and ankle roll-outs and roll-ins. Diabetics can also wear this shoe, which is stylish and has depth to handle orthotics. The lining lets the shoe breathe and wick away moisture and the rocker bottom is made with polyurethane. The fastener strap uses Velcro, and the shoe also has a broad toe box and a wide shank.

PROS

• Comfortable
• Durable

CONS

• Tends to run small and narrow

Klogs Slip Resistant Nursing Footwear, Springfield

Color	Black, Chestnut, Navy, White
Sizes	5-14
Widths	Medium, Wide

Key Features

Made for nurses, this clog is also good for those who are often on their feet or even gardening. The shoe is breathable and has heel protection, along with a deep heel up, contoured toe grip, and built-in arch support to keep you stable. The outsole is slip resistant and the upper is durable, flexible, and waterproof for easy cleaning. The clogs are also shock absorbing and come with a removable insole that is anatomically contoured and accommodates arch support inserts or custom orthotics to prevent pain.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkDoes not skid

CONS

• Footbed design is problematic and could cause blisters

Spring Step Beckham – Men’s Slip Resistant Shoes

Color	Black, Brown, White
Sizes	8-12
Widths	Medium

Key Features

This stylish work shoe slips on and off with the help of a pull tab on the heel. Though it was designed for medical professionals, this shoe can work for anyone who wants a slip-resistant shoe that works well on wet or oily floors. The padded collar provides comfort and elastic goring found on both sides of the vamp help with the fit. Moisture is wicked away from the feet because of an antibacterial lining and the removable insoles are anatomically correct and can accommodate custom orthotics. The shoe is lightweight and shock absorbing.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkLooks professional
• checkGood grip

CONS

• Not true to size
• closeRuns narrow

Propet Villager M4070 – Men’s Orthopedic Oxford

Color	Black grain, Brown grain
Sizes	7-15
Widths	Narrow(B), Medium(D), ExtraWide(3E), 2X Wide(5E)

Key Features

This oxford shoe considers itself rugged, comfortable, durable, and stylish, yet sensible. It can be worn to work or for travel and can stand up to hours of walking and standing. The rocker profile bends with your stride and improves arch support and traction. It is designed to prevent foot pain and ankle joint fatigue. The insole has moisture control and absorbs shocks. The shoe can accommodate custom orthotics and has metal eyelets to make lacing up easy.

PROS

• Comfortable
• Cushioned

CONS

• Shoes require breaking in before they become comfortable
• Not true to size

Drew Toledo

Color	Black leather, Dark brown leather, Brown nubuck, Brandy leather
Sizes	7-16
Widths	Narrow(B), Medium(D), Wide(2E), ExtraWide(4E), 2X Wide(6E)

Key Features

This shoe is a casual men’s dress shoe. Made for therapeutic comfort, the shoe features a leather upper with stylish stitch detailing and a soft tongue and collar that are foam-passed for fit. There is also a tempered steel shank, a firm heel counter, and two removable footbeds for double depth. These shoes are recommended for people with high arches, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, bunions, arthritis, hammertoes, and diabetes.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkReduces pain

CONS

• Shoes tend to run narrow
• closeSoles could be more durable

The Verdict

In the women’s orthopedic dress shoes, the Klogs Women’s Slip Resistant Closed Back Clog, Naples was ranked at the top, and we concur that this should be at the top of the list. This clog looks like a stylish loafer, though we wish it came in colors other than black and offered more widths and sizes.

For the men, the Drew Men’s Shoe, Navigator II is the top overall choice but it leaves us longing for more style. However, it offers a good range of widths, sizes, and features. The Klogs Slip Resistant Nursing Footwear, Springfield is a popular work choice but one must be willing to commit to wearing this clog as a fashionable orthopedic shoe.

Therefore, we prefer the Spring Step Beckham – Men’s Slip Resistant Shoes and the Propet Villager M4070 – Men’s Orthopedic Oxford, as they offer more style and versatility and are good orthopedic shoe options.