5 Tips on Choosing Footwear for Diabetics

Diabetics need to be extra careful about caring for their feet as a minor injury may take much longer to heal compared to a person who doesn’t have diabetes. In addition to choosing properly fitting, supportive and roomy shoes, diabetics should keep their feet hydrated and their toenails manicured. For these reasons, people with diabetes need to be choosy about the shoes that they wear regularly.

Here are five tips designed to help you find a great fitting pair of shoes that are beneficial to those with diabetes.

1. Ensure Your Shoes Are Breathable

Whether your shoes are made of man-made materials or genuine leather, your footwear needs to be breathable and properly ventilated. Breathable shoes for diabetics lead to less moisture, which is also important when you want footwear that can be worn all day. It is vital for diabetics to keep their feet as dry as possible as they want to avoid developing athlete’s foot or any type of bacterial or fungal infection that could break down the skin and tissue in their feet.

2. Get Shoes That Offer Superior Arch Support

Diabetic shoes need a lot of support for the arches in your feet. You want shoes that will help you to maintain your arch as they will keep your feet feeling great even if you do a lot of long walking trips. Diabetics can avoid developing flat feet and having the skin on their feet form calluses by selecting footwear that has a supportive arch.

3. Try on New Shoes While Wearing Thick Socks

If you want your shoes to fit adequately then wear a thick pair of socks when you first try them on. Diabetics can experience foot swelling as a side effect of having diabetes. Wearing thick socks will help you to pick out shoes that will accommodate your feet if they ever become swollen, which will ensure that they never feel too tight or lead to a lack of circulation and numbness. Make certain that your footwear doesn’t dig into your feet or otherwise feel uncomfortable by putting on a thicker pair of socks when you go shopping for new shoes.

4. Choose Wide Fit Shoes

You’ll always get a pair of shoes that fit properly by choosing footwear that has a wide fit. Diabetics who wear wide fit shoes don’t have foot swelling concerns nor do they need to buy footwear that is sized bigger than they’d normally wear. Wide fit shoes are guaranteed to have enough space to keep the feet comfortable, and they feel much better over long-time periods than standard fit footwear. If you aren’t sure whether you’ll be able to get wide fit shoes from your regular shoe shop, the company Wide Fit Shoes specialize in them and will be able to recommend you specific shoes for diabetics. You can view their collection here: https://www.widefitshoes.co.uk/shoes-for-diabetics/.

If you aren’t sure what type of shoes for swollen feet you need and want to get informed before buying, Wide Fit Shoes also have this guide which will help you.

5. Have Wiggle Room in the Toe Area

To ensure that your toes never feel bunched up or cramped as you walk, get diabetic shoes that have extra room around the toes. You’ll feel better as you walk when your toes have space around them in the toe area. The delicate bones of your toes will also have more protection when there is wiggle room for them.

As a diabetic, you need to manage your disease responsibly as well as choose comfortable shoes that will protect one of the most sensitive areas of your body. You’ll be able to work without needing to mess about with your shoes if they are properly fitted. Lastly, properly fitting shoes will keep your feet healthy and prevent you from experiencing foot pain.