The knee is one of the most important joints in the body, and it’s crucial to keep that joint strong and stable. But when you’re on your feet for long periods of time, it’s easy to put too much stress on your knees. That’s why it’s so important to wear shoes that can support your weight while also relieving pressure off your knees. Shoes that are designed with a lower heel will provide more cushioning at the bottom of your foot and thus better support for your knees.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best shoes for knee pain. We’ll go over the top three shoes for women and men, as well as give you some tips on how you can choose the right shoe for yourself!
Best Shoes For Knee
16 Of The Best Shoes For Knee Pain
If you suffer from knee pain, regardless of the reason why, finding comfortable shoes is a challenging task. Fortunately, you’re not alone! We’ve compiled a list of the best shoes for knee pain, from running shoes to dress shoes and beyond. We also include tips on what shoes not to wear if you’re suffering from pain in your knees.
How can you find the best shoes for knee pain?
There are a few really great resources available to help you pick a shoe that will manage your pain, beyond the tips in this post. You can ask:
- Your doctor: They may not have all the answers, but they understand your condition, and should be able to give you some recommendations for shoes that meet your needs.
- An athletic store: Some athletic stores offer a custom shoe finding service. These services measure your feet and their specialists help pair you with the perfect shoe for you by looking at your gait and more.
- An orthopedic specialist: Your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic specialist to help relieve your knee pain. This specialist should be able to provide you with additional resources and recommendations for the best shoe for you.
Factors for finding the best shoes for knee pain
Things to know before you find your new favorite shoe:
- Know your condition: Whether it’s gout, degenerative arthritis, or chondromalacia, you can’t pick the perfect shoe without understanding your diagnoses
- Know your lifestyle: Do you need a running shoe? A casual shoe? Does your job keep you on your feet all day? The best shoe for you should help manage your pain and meet your lifestyle needs.
- Know your style: Do you dress up or down? Do you like bright colors or a more muted palate? Find a shoe that fits your preferences and you’ll love it (and wear it!) even more.
What shoes should you avoid with knee pain?
The wrong shoe can cause additional problems and aggravation of existing conditions, so it’s important that you select the right shoe if you suffer from knee pain. These are the types of shoes to avoid if you’re suffering from knee pain:
- Clogs, as they put extra pressure on the knee
- Barefoot shoes, sure these “gloves for your feet” mimic that barefoot feel, but they offer zero support for your knees
- High heels since shoes with a heel are bad for everyone’s knees, and must be avoided if you have knee pain
- Extra supportive shoes, because there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and too much support impairs the natural movement of your foot, which is needed to properly support your knee
Finding the best shoes for knee pain
The shoes in the following list are some of the best for knee pain, but they may not be the best for you.
Picking a shoe that fits your needs is highly personal, so be sure to do your research and consult your doctor to make sure that you find a shoe that meets your needs.
4 of the overall best shoes for knee pain
If you need an everyday shoe that you can walk in, but also wear out to the store or at work or while around the house, these might the best option for you.
New Balance 813 Walking Shoe
Why this shoe is so great: This shoe is highly recommended by rheumatoidologists for all kinds of knee pain. You won’t find many color options, but it’s a basic shoe that comes in both men’s and women’s styles. It’s perfect for all day use and for most jobs.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Brooks Adrenaline Running Shoe
Why this shoe is so great: While a little pricier, this shoe comes recommended by surgeons and orthopedic specialists. It has a range of color options to fit your personal style and is available for both men and women. While it’s classified as a running shoe, it could be a good fit for day use if you spend a lot of time on your feet.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Asics GEL collection (Quickwalk, Foundation Walker 3, Nimbus)
Why this shoe is so great: Asics has a great reputation for quality shoes that don’t break the bank and that support your feet and knees. Their GEL collection utilizes a special technology to minimize impact and equally distribute weight, taking pressure of your knees. These shoes are available for both men and women in a variety of colors and are great for walking, running, or day wear.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Clarks Wallabees (various styles)
Why this shoe is so great: Back in the 1960s, Clarks practically pioneered comfort shoes. The Wallabee line offers a variety of casual styles that support your knees. With a fashionable men’s and women’s line in muted colors, the Wallabee line is perfect for a casual date night or an office environment.
Rating: 4/5 stars
4 of the best running shoes for knee pain
Safe, consistent exercise can help you heal from many knee problems. In addition, exercising and losing weight can reduce the pressure on your knees and, thereby, reduce pain. That being said, always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. Once cleared, check out these running shoes for knee pain.
Puma Carson (for men) and Ignite (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: These shoes come in great colors and provide shock-distributing cushioning that will help protect your knees as you run.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Nike Air Max Tavas (for men) and Air Zoom Pegasus (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: Nike has been making shoes for a long time, and they know about the specific needs of athletes. The Nike Air line provides great support and cushioning for runners and athletes, which redistributes force to lessen the impact on your knee. These shoes come in a variety of colors making it easy to find a style for everyone.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
4 of the best formal shoes for knee pain
While you may want to live in comfier walking or running shoes, for those in an office environment, that may not always be possible. These dress shoes for knee pain provide similar levels of comfort for those with pain with a more office-friendly style.
Orthofeet Lincoln Center (for men) and Maya (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: Orthofeet uses patented technology to distribute your weight and support your arch and heel. They’re recommended by podiatrists as great shoes to help relieve hip, knee, and foot pain. They have a wide variety of styles and options available for both men and women. For the ladies, they offer kitten heels. These are typically a no-no with knee pain, but when paired with their technology, it becomes a great formal and supportive shoe.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Rockport Total Motion Classic Dress Wingtip (for men) and TrueFlex Chenole Ballet Slipper (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: Rockport’s shoes are great for a night on the town, a fancy dress occasion, or a business meeting. Their shoes are uber comfortable, providing shock absorption and cushioning with padded collars (for men) that reduce irritation along the ankle. While many of their women’s shoes are not recommended, the TrueFlex Chenole Ballet Slipper offers great flexibility, support, and shock absorption for those with knee pain.
Rating: 4/5 stars
4 of the best sandals for knee pain
Finally, you likely need comfortable supportive shoes during the summer months. These slip-and-go shoes don’t provide the highest level of support, but they do provide more casual options if you’re suffering from pain.
Vionic Tide-Toe (for men) and Miami (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: Vionic’s shoes were designed with knee, hip, and foot conditions in mind. Their shoes provide excellent support, flexibility, and cushioning. For men, their Tide-Toe sandal is a simple yet elegant design in several classic colors that can take you from the beach to a concert. For women, the Miami is a classy sandal available in several vibrant colors perfect for a day at the office or the mall.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Birkenstock Arizona Unisex (for men) and Mayari Birko-Flor (for women)
Why this shoe is so great: Birkenstocks are classic, simple sandals great for casual daywear, and they’re also a good option when it comes to knee pain, too. They don’t offer any patented technology, but they’re flexible and provide great support for your feet and knees. Their Arizona Unisex shoe is classic for both men and women, while they Mayari Birko-Flor offers an elevated design in a variety of colors. They also have kid’s shoes and vegan options!
Rating: 4.5/5 stars