Orthotics Fit Perfectly Into These Editor- and Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes

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Whether you have an injury (like me) that requires you to wear custom insoles, or you simply need extra arch support, sneakers, boots, and flats that work with your insoles can be difficult to find. While discovering the right pair may take some trial and error, the perfect shoes for orthotics exist.

Meet the experts: Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute; and Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.; board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery

Not all shoes are orthotic friendly, explains Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.; board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery. “Many shoe companies will glue the shoe liner down on the sole of the shoe making it difficult to remove and make room for the proper fit of custom molded orthotics.”

Then, there’s the actual construction of the shoe that may work against your insoles. Shoes must have a deep enough heel, midsole, and toe box to accommodate orthotics, explains Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute. Wearing the correct shoe size is also pivotal. “Having the appropriate size shoe for your foot is important for function and comfort. I try my best to have patience [and] avoid changing the size of the shoe in order to accommodate the orthotic.” Thankfully, there are walking shoes, boots, and more that will work with your custom insoles.

Our top picks

We’ve tried a slew of shoes ourselves and asked the experts for their recommendations to find the best boots, comfortable heels, and more to wear with your inserts. Ahead, check out our must-haves.

Echelon 9 Running Shoe

Sneakers tend to have an easy-to-remove insole, making them a convenient and comfy choice to pair with your custom inserts. These come recommended by Daughtry and are available in eight colors, and in three widths (narrow, regular, and wide), on the brand’s website.

“I wear AFOs and have recurrent fractures so the running shoe is nice and wide to help with the support,” wrote one Nordstrom reviewer.

Square-Toe Chunky Heels

With an upper that snugly hugs your foot, these shoes should help avoid the dreaded slippage that is all too common when adding orthotic insoles to shoes. Vivaia’s square-toed beauties also boast a “blister-proof” padded heel, per the brand, and a breathable toe box, as well as pressure-relief insoles, so some may be able to forego their custom orthotics altogether (just ask your healthcare provider first). These come recommended by Daughtry, and we can see why.

“Was pleasantly surprised when I got these. At first I thought they were too big—there is a bit of a gap at the heel. But I walked around and they stayed on my feet! No slipping out of the heel,” wrote one Vivaia shopper. “I have a very thin pair of orthotics that I sometimes wear in my shoes. Tried them out—fit okay, but I prefer them without. Overall—happy and will likely purchase more.”

Ghost 15 Neutral

Recommended by Daughtry and Prevention Senior Editor, Fitness and Nutrition, Alyssa Jung, these sneakers are perfect for running with orthotics. “When I was 16, I started wearing custom orthotics after tearing my right deltoid ligament during a steeplechase race. Fast forward almost 20 years—I’m still running, and I’m still wearing the same running sneaker brand. That’s because after plenty of trial-and-error in those early post-injury days, I’ve never found a pair of shoes that have fit my orthotics as seamlessly as Brooks. My feet are high maintenance—they require a Goldilocks midsole (since I have medium support needs), bouncy cushioning to take some of the pressure off of my ankles and knees, and an upper that’s flexible enough to accommodate my orthotic while still snug enough to hug my foot securely. I’ve always found a Brooks sneaker that fit the picky bill, and right now I’m loving the Ghost 15,” Jung says. “This model is light enough to offset the slight weight that my orthotic adds, and features the brand’s signature cushioning technology and a segmented crash pad that makes for smoother footstrikes and promotes optimal running form.”

Carmel Pumps

Vionic is a podiatrist-loved brand for a reason. “Vionic is going to be a great brand of shoe dress shoes as they have orthotic support integrated directly into their shoes,” Sharkey says, recommending this specific style, along with Daughtry.

“I already owned several pairs of these Vionic pumps. I ordered the cream leather pair to wear to a spring wedding. These shoes were comfortable enough to wear throughout the evening. They were a stylish match to the garden dress that I wore. I plan to wear these heels to work also,” wrote one Vionic shopper.

Bentu

Another Daughtry recommendation, these loafers from Naot feature a classic loafer style with a metallic buckle detail. A small heel offers a bit of height, while the leather upper feels luxe. They also feature an abrasive heel to fight slippage.

“These shoes provide very nice support. I also love that low heel height, it adds that perfect height,” wrote one Naot shopper.

Alameda Mary Jane Flat

Sharkey says that flats “are not going to typically fit an orthotic well. In this instance, I would look for a shoe that has integrated orthotic support.” Another Vionic pick, these feature the brand’s signature arch support. While the footbed is removable, you may find your heel slipping if you decide to swap them for your custom insoles.

“These shoes are perfect! The Velcro strap is incredibly comfortable and fits well for my narrow, thin foot,” wrote one Vionic shopper. “The arch support is superb. I would say there is a SLIGHT break-in period because the leather is good quality and somewhat stiff upon first wear. After two wears, they feel absolutely amazing and the comfort is perfection. Staple shoe!”

The Roadrunner

These are some of my absolute favorite sneakers that can go from work to Sunday brunch with my friends. I swapped Birdies’ already comfortable footbed for my custom orthotic insoles and these feel like they were made for me. Incredibly comfortable and stylish, they pair perfectly with jeans or a dress. I have a fun limited-edition pink hue, but these green are next on my shopping list. There is a hidden wedge for added height, so keep in mind for those that need something completely flat.

Tahoe Leather Boot

Sharkey says finding boots that go with custom insoles is a bit easier. “I recommend this pair of boots from the Waco shoe company. I personally have these and have got both my over-the-counter and custom orthotics in these booties,” she says.

The elastic stretch fabric helps ensure your foot doesn’t feel too tight with the insole beneath.

How to choose the best shoes for orthotics

According to Sharkey, it all comes down to the below factors:

• A deep enough heel

• A wide enough toe box

• A deep midsole to accommodate both your foot and the orthotic comfortably.

• No slipping in the heel

Should I size up my shoes for orthotics?

In short, no. “There is usually no need to size up on shoes when using an orthotic that is properly fabricated and [fits] into the shoe,” says Sharkey. In general, she recommends patients remove the insole that comes with the shoe and place the orthotic/insert in its place. “Doing this creates enough space for the orthotic without needing to change the size of the shoe,” she says.

How we chose shoes for orthotics

We spoke with Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute; and Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.; board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery to get their recommendations for the best shoes for orthotics. Deputy Editor Emily Goldman also tried more than a dozen shoes with her custom orthotics to offer recommendations.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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