Quick answer: For everyday wear, NIDDK says walking and athletic shoes are good choices. Pick closed shoes with laces, a roomy toe box and a low heel, always worn with clean socks that fit well. Shop late in the day in your usual socks, check inside each shoe before wearing it, and see a podiatrist if shoes keep leaving red marks.
Shoes and socks for diabetics work as a pair: a bunched sock can spoil a good shoe, and a tight shoe presses even a smooth sock into your skin. About half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, most often in the feet and legs (CDC), so you may not feel a shoe that fits badly. We sell socks, not shoes, so this guide names no shoe brands.
What kind of shoes should people with diabetes wear?
An NHS Wales footwear leaflet calls unsuitable or poorly fitting shoes the most common cause of foot problems in people with diabetes. For daily wear, NIDDK says walking and athletic shoes are good because they support your feet and let them breathe. NHS Wales adds laces or a strap, a low heel and soft leather uppers.
"Diabetic shoes" usually means extra-depth (depth-inlay) or custom-molded shoes. In the billing rules CMS sets for shoe suppliers (policy article A52501), a depth shoe has a closure and a removable filler that leaves at least 3/16 inch of extra room for inserts, and comes in full and half sizes in at least three widths. A custom-molded shoe is built over a model of your foot. A shoe sold as "diabetic" may not meet that definition, so check the depth, widths and closure yourself.
Fit matters more than the label. In a 2018 review, the studies that measured both length and width found 63% to 72% of people in shoes that didn't fit one or the other, and people with diabetes were among the groups most likely to wear shoes that were too narrow.
| Shoe type | Good for | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Walking or athletic shoes | Everyday wear (NIDDK) | Clean, lightly padded socks |
| Extra-depth shoes | Bunions, hammertoes or inserts (NIDDK) | Your usual socks, with the insert in place |
| Custom-molded shoes | Feet that off-the-shelf shoes can't fit (IWGDF) | The kind of socks you wore to the fitting |
| Lined, waterproof boots | Winter (NIDDK) | Socks that come up higher than the boot |
| Flip-flops and sandals | Not advised: flip-flops can cause pressure points (MedlinePlus), and sandals leave skin open to cuts (HealthLink BC) | A closed shoe instead |
| Slip-ons, thin-soled slippers, high heels, pointed toes, vinyl or plastic | Not advised (NHS Wales, IWGDF, NIDDK) | A supportive closed shoe instead |
Do you need special socks with diabetic shoes?
You need socks every time, but the label doesn't have to say "diabetic." Look for socks that fit well and aren't too tight (ADA), are clean and lightly padded (NIDDK), and have no bulky seams, elasticated tops (NHS Wales) or holes, which MedlinePlus says can put damaging pressure on your toes. The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) adds: change them daily, and if your feet are at risk, skip tight or knee-high socks.
The ADA says socks made for people with diabetes, with an elastic area at the ankle that isn't too constricting, may be advised for some people. That is the idea behind non-binding socks.
Recheck shoe fit if you switch to thicker socks; our padded diabetic socks guide covers how much cushion a shoe can take. A sock that's too big folds, and the shoe presses the fold into your skin; see how diabetic socks should fit.
About our own socks: Mi Socks are non-compression comfort socks with a non-binding, loose-knit top, a smooth flat toe seam, a terry-cushioned sole and a breathable cotton-rich blend (80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber, 2% spandex). Imported. The honest limits: NIDDK says socks with no seams are best, but ours have a flat toe seam (toe seams compared). The ADA points to synthetic or wool fabric to pull moisture away, and ours are cotton-rich. Given IWGDF's knee-high advice, start with crew unless your foot care team says otherwise. The Mi Socks crew 6-pack ($6 a pair) gives you six pairs in one size to wear to a fitting and every day after, and orders of $19 or more ship free in the US.
When should you be fitted for shoes, and what should you bring?
Get measured each time you buy, because feet can change shape over time (NHS Wales). Go late in the day, when NIDDK says your feet are largest, and have the fit checked standing, as IWGDF advises. The ADA says to try shoes on in person, and NHS Wales says to go yourself. Fit the larger foot and walk around the store in both shoes (ColumbiaDoctors).
Bring the socks you'll wear with the shoes (HealthLink BC), any inserts or orthotics, a list of foot problems such as bunions, calluses, numbness or a past sore, and any order from your doctor or podiatrist. Then check:
| Check | A good fit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About a thumbnail of space past your big toe; inside length 1 to 2 cm (roughly 3/8 to 3/4 inch) longer than your foot | ADA, IWGDF |
| Width | Matches your foot at its widest point | IWGDF |
| Depth | Room for all your toes | IWGDF |
| Heel | Little slipping as you walk | ColumbiaDoctors |
| Fastening | Laces or a strap that hold your foot in place | NHS Wales |
| Heel height | 3 cm (about 1 1/4 inches) or less | NHS Wales |
| Inside | Smooth lining, no rough edges or uneven seams | NIDDK, IWGDF |
| Comfort | Comfortable in the store, not "once they stretch" | MedlinePlus |
Why should you check inside your shoes before you put them on?
Because you may not feel what's in there. NIDDK notes that when you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble inside your sock, and a stone or nail in a shoe is no different. Before each wear:
- Check the sole for a pin, nail or glass that has pierced it (NHS Wales).
- Shake the shoe out and run your hand inside for stones or rough spots (MedlinePlus, NHS Wales, IWGDF).
- Make sure the lining is smooth and the insole undamaged (NIDDK, NHS Wales).
- Retire any sock with a hole (MedlinePlus).
Then check your feet each evening when your shoes come off, as NIDDK suggests. Our diabetic foot care checklist covers the full routine.
Should you ever wear shoes without socks if you have diabetes?
No. The ADA says shoes without socks mean more rubbing and pressure points, with nothing to soak up moisture. NIDDK says to wear socks, stockings or nylons with your shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores, and the CDC says to always wear socks with your shoes. With low shoes, pick a sock that rises above the shoe's collar so it can't slide down and bunch.
What should you do if your shoes leave red marks on your feet?
Redness from rubbing or pressure is a fit warning (NHS Wales), and MedlinePlus notes you may not feel that pressure before a blister or sore forms.
- New shoes: wear them around the house for 20 minutes, then check your feet (NHS Wales). Shoes you haven't worn outside can usually go back to the shop. Then build up slowly: 1 or 2 hours a day for the first 1 or 2 weeks (MedlinePlus).
- Read the spot: marks on top of your toes suggest too little depth, on the sides too little width, and at your toe tips too little length, the three checks IWGDF lists. Heel rubbing can mean your foot slides; NHS Wales says laces or a strap hold your foot firmly in place.
- Rotate: MedlinePlus suggests changing your broken-in shoes after 5 hours to move the pressure points.
- Prescription shoes: report any redness to your podiatrist or orthotist right away (NHS Wales).
Marks around your ankle or calf usually come from the sock top.
Call your doctor right away about skin on your foot that turns red, warm or sore, or a cut, blister or bruise that doesn't start to heal after a few days (NIDDK). If redness or calluses keep coming back, ask your podiatrist about prescribed footwear: IWGDF counts both as signs of abnormal loading on the foot, which may call for extra-depth shoes, custom-made shoes or custom insoles.
Who can help you choose diabetic shoes?
Start with your diabetes care team. The IWGDF guideline says people who have lost feeling in their feet can't judge shoe fit well, so trained professionals should check it.
- A podiatrist (foot doctor) can tell you whether you need extra-depth shoes, inserts or custom shoes. NIDDK says to ask your provider for a referral.
- A certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) holds a credential from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics and is trained to design, fit and modify pedorthic devices such as shoes and inserts.
- An orthotist may make your prescription shoes and insoles (NHS Wales).
- A shoe store fitter: tell the clerk you have diabetes, and if they don't know why that matters, HealthLink BC says to ask for someone who does or try another store.
Medicare.gov says Part B can help pay for one pair of extra-depth or custom-molded shoes, plus extra inserts, each calendar year for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease, if the doctor who manages their diabetes certifies the need. Our guide to what Medicare.gov says about diabetic socks explains who qualifies and who can fit the shoes. With other insurance, NIDDK says to ask your plan about special shoes or inserts.
Frequently asked questions
Are there special shoes and socks for neuropathy?
The same rules apply, with one difference: numb feet can't tell you a shoe presses too hard. That is why IWGDF says a trained professional should check the fit, and NIDDK advises a thorough foot exam at every health care visit if you've lost feeling in your feet.
Can you wear regular sneakers if you have diabetes?
Often, yes: NIDDK calls walking and athletic shoes good for daily wear. With bunions, hammertoes or a change in foot shape, NIDDK says you may need extra-wide or deep shoes or inserts, so ask your podiatrist. For roomier socks, see socks for wide feet.
What socks should you wear with boots?
Good diabetic boot socks rise above the boot, so its edge rests on fabric rather than skin, and lie smooth inside it. NIDDK suggests lined, waterproof boots in winter. Because IWGDF advises against knee-high socks for at-risk feet, ask your foot care team before pairing knee highs with tall boots.
Are slippers OK if you have diabetes?
Only sturdy ones. The CDC says to wear shoes and socks or slippers even inside, and NIDDK says not to walk barefoot or in just socks. But NHS Wales says slip-on shoes and slippers give less support, and IWGDF warns against thin-soled slippers, so keep a closed house shoe with a firm sole and a back or strap by the bed.
How often should diabetic shoes be replaced?
When they wear out. NHS Wales says to check for rough seams or linings and worn soles or heels, and to replace shoes when the wear can't be repaired. Get measured again each time you buy.
Can you wear compression socks with diabetic shoes?
Ask your doctor first. The ADA says to ask your provider about compression socks if you have vein problems, swelling in your leg or foot, a past blood clot in the leg, or you walk or stand a lot, and IWGDF says compression stockings for at-risk feet should be prescribed with your foot care team. If you wear them, recheck your shoe fit with them on. Mi Socks are non-compression.
Sources
- NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems.
- CDC. Your Feet and Diabetes.
- ADA. 8 Tips to Protect Your Feet with Diabetes.
- MedlinePlus. Diabetes: taking care of your feet (reviewed May 2026).
- NHS Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Advice about your footwear: diabetes (April 2026).
- HealthLink BC. Checklist for shoes and socks that fit well.
- ColumbiaDoctors health library (WebMD Ignite). Finding good footwear (March 2026).
- Schaper NC, et al. IWGDF practical guidelines, 2023 update. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2024;40(3):e3657.
- Bus SA, et al. IWGDF guideline, 2023 update (footwear section). Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2024;40(3):e3651.
- Buldt AK, Menz HB. Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders. J Foot Ankle Res. 2018;11:43.
- CMS. Policy article A52501 (revised December 2024).
- Medicare.gov. Therapeutic shoes & inserts.
- ABC. Certified pedorthist (C.Ped.).
General information, not medical advice. Check your feet every day and follow your doctor's or podiatrist's advice. Sources checked October 2026.