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Top 8 Best Shoes for Sciatica

Written by Andrew Le, MD

UpdatedJuly 23, 2024

Sciatica is a common condition that is experienced by many people all over the world today. It develops when the sciatic nerve found in the lower back extending to the legs gets pinched or inflamed. This may lead to such symptoms as pain, paresthesia and actual hypoaesthesia of the lumbar area and the lower limbs. Besides medication and physical therapy, there are shoe options for the treatment.

Based on the available shoes in the market and given our research on the best shoes for sciatica, the following are recommended for people with this condition. These shoes give lots of arch support, shock absorption and are very comfortable thus perfect for anyone seeking to have a sciatica leg pain relief.

Top 3 Best Shoes for Sciatica

  1. Dr. Scholl's Extra Support Insoles for Women
  2. Ryka Walking Shoe
  3. OrthoComfoot Womens Orthotic Slip On Walking Shoes

Sciatica pain is one of the worst sorts of the pains and the right shoes can help a lot. For the best shoes for sciatica, we have looked into the market and experiments with the different shoes. These shoes provide the adequate support and cushioning to enable you to perform any activities without worrying about the pain.


Dr. Scholl's Extra Support Insoles for Women

Editor's Choice

Dr. Scholl's Extra Support Insoles for Women

Feel the difference with the Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles for Women: The best, the only. For they can be squeezed conveniently into your favorite shoes. Made scientifically for long hours’ wearing, these protective insoles help prevent lower back pain and tired legs. Step into comfort today!

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We recommend the Dr. Scholl's Extra Support Insoles for Women for anyone who needs extra cushion and support for their feet.

Pros

  • These insoles intended for females, and especially for the plus-size, tall, and wide width women.
  • The soles are clinically tested with the effectiveness to relieve lower back pain and foot & leg tiredness.
  • The shock-mitigating heel cushion has tripod support and provides arch support which reduces pressure all over the foot.

Cons

  • The insoles may not fit all types of shoes
  • They may take some time to get used to

These insoles are if you want a product that will give you support and relief all day. They are conveniently inserted into work boots & shoes, casual shoes & sneakers, and constructed scientifically and engineered to offer you the best foot support and relief.

The Dr. Scholl’s Extra Support Insoles for Women is a purchase every woman should make if she spends long hours on her feet. Te they are long wearing, supportive, and can be evidenced scientifically to limit low back pain as well as foot & leg fatigue. If you want to get a truly good insole that will be useful and help you, then we suggest you consider those insoles from Dr. Scholl’s.


Ryka Walking Shoe

Ryka Walking Shoe

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For a comfortable and supporter walking shoe, Ryka Walking Shoe is among the best in the market.

Pros

  • Superior cushioning that helps prevent the shock and the impacts on the respective areas.
  • It is specially designed for a woman’s feet as women’s feet have a different structure from that of a man.
  • Comfortable and loose fabrics or clothes that do not weigh the child down.

Cons

  • Some users have reported issues with sizing
  • Limited color options

We recently tried out the Ryka Walking Shoe and given the comfort and support that this Ryka Walking Shoe offered, it was great. This shoe has an RE-ZORB responsive cushioning which help to absorb a lot of shocks and impacts that are usually associated with the sport. The absence of this feature was felt particularly when the terrain was irregular; it provided comfort our feet would otherwise have been stressed.

Besides this, the Ryka Walking Shoe is designed to be worn by a woman since its shape has been customized to fit the female foot. This means that there is less space in the heel to lessen the size of the region while the toe area is wider to allow for additional space and the Foot area is softer to allow for maximum comfort and support. The material used also has merits that have enhanced the comfort of the shoe in that it is light and it also allows air circulation.

All in all, we were also satisfied with the Ryka Walking Shoe. The shoe is specifically for comfortable walking.


OrthoComfoot Womens Orthotic Slip On Walking Shoes

OrthoComfoot Womens Orthotic Slip On Walking Shoes

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We recommend the OrthoComfoot Womens Orthotic Slip On Walking Shoes for those who want footwear that is comfy and help ease foot and heel problems.

Pros

  • An extra pair of lower support insoles are included in the package to give a better support on your feet.
  • Provides a good/arch support as well as cushioning layer which uses PU memory foam to relieve pain on the foot and heel.
  • It has great grip and ground control for all the Round and Ground terrains.

Cons

  • May run small,
  • May not be suitable for individuals with wider feet

These shoes use synthetic skins canvas fabrics that are friendly to the skin and the shoes are very light and ideal for walking, running or any exercise. The OrthoComfoot shoe insoles give the specifics of high arch and plantar fasciitis support, corrected posture, muscle fatigue relief, joint relaxation, and spinal stress relief.

These shoes are particularly designed in that they can either be used as slip on shoes or be converted into slippers. The particles in the inserts on shoes gently massage your feet when walking and at the same time give a comfortable foot feel as well as depicting the elegance of women.

All in all, for people who need comfortable shoes which ease pain in feet and heels the OrthoComfoot Womens Orthotic Slip On Walking Shoes are what one would need. The provision of an arch support, layer of cushioning and the gel waves the user has a chance to massage their feet in these shoes should one be experiencing plantar fasciitis or other foot complications.


Skechers Tie Dye Air Mesh Slip On

Skechers Tie Dye Air Mesh Slip On

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We recommend purchasing the Skechers Tie Dye Air Mesh Slip On for anyone suffering from sciatica due to its comfortable design and support.

Pros

  • The shoe comes with the 5Gen midsole cushioning for excellent cushioning of the feet and less pressure on the feet.
  • Other features that cushion the foot include the Skechers Air Cooled Goga Mat breathable insole with high-rebound cushioning.
  • The features of breathable athletic engineered mesh used on the upper part of this shoe and the highly flexible traction outsole make these shoes suitable for walking as well as exercising.

Cons

  • The shoes may run narrow
  • The shoes may squeak when walking on certain surfaces

The Skechers Tie Dye Air Mesh Slip On is a good shoe to recommend to people especially for sciatica pain. These shoes have a lightweight and flexible midsole cushioning and breathable material of the upper that are suitable when walking or exercising. Skechers Air Cooled Goga Mat breathable insole can be included in the shoe design to enhance the comfort of the shoe for persons with sciatica.

Depending on the design of the shoe they may be rather tight and people with wider feet may have to go a size up. Moreover, it is relatively limited to personal preferences, especially since the given fascination is tied to the typography depiction of the tie-dye pattern. Last but not the least; the shoes may develop the squeaking noise especially when they are in contact with floors.

All in all, the Skechers Tie Dye Air Mesh Slip On is a solid best choice for anyone who wants comfortable and supporting shoes for Sciatica.


Gravity Defyer Women's Pain Relief Shoes

Gravity Defyer Women's Pain Relief Shoes

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We recommend the Gravity Defyer Women's Pain Relief Shoes for those suffering from sciatica or other foot and knee pain.

Pros

  • Equipped with the VersoShock Patented Technology , this insoles perform well in relieving pain in the knees.
  • The shoes have Roomy Toe Box for more comfort and enhanced blood circulation.
  • The Front Rolling Design helps eliminates foot stress in that 28 bones, 30 joints and over a hundred muscles are protected from impact.

Cons

  • The included CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles are somewhat hard
  • The sizing may be a bit off

We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and the structure holds us quite well as these shoes do. This is true to the VersoShock Patented Technology that delivers the best wonders for knee pain and the Roomy Toe Box that can accommodate wider feet and toes problems. Another aspect on which the Front Rolling Design also positively impacts includes the minimization of feet stress and pains.

The bonus CorrectiveFit orthotic insoles that are included can come in handy, though they are a tad on the hard side for some. However, this shoe lacks good quality shoe laces and one may have to replace them with better ones in the near future. One must also mention that the clothes might be slightly different in size, so it is advisable to put them on and then buy them.

All in all, we recommend the Gravity Defyer Women’s Pain Relief Shoes to anyone with foot, knee, or sciatica pain issues. Say altogether that them – they comfy, and I like that they keep all the pain away.


New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 Running Shoe

New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 Running Shoe

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For a comfortable and supportive running shoe, count on the New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 Running Shoe.

Pros

  • The shoe incorporates Fresh Foam X cushioning making it great for long runs.
  • The Hypoknit upper provides a very good level of stretch and support.
  • Heel counter construction wraps tightly around the foot for support and there is a close fit around the upper part of the bootie.

Cons

  • This model runs large
  • The cushioning in the toe area could be improved

We have worn the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 Running Shoe for a few weeks now, and they have not disappointed. It includes the Fresh Foam X cushioning technology that gives the best experience in every run especially for the long run. It includes an enhanced sock-like upper called Hypoknit, which is light, highly breathable and rather stretchable and, at the same time, sufficiently rigid to help prevent any slipping of the foot. The upper construction of the bootie ensures a comforting wrap around your foot to enhance support especially for the runners.

However, this shoe is that it is relatively larger than previous models. We suggest going a size down of your usual size to give you a better fit with the shoes. Also, a little extra cushioning in the toe area would go well for even more comfort particularly for the people who have plantar fasciitis or trouble with their feet.

All in all, we agree with New Balance that the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 Running Shoe is a good shoe for distance runners in search of a supportive and smooth ride in a flexibly.


Orthofeet Women's Orthopedic Stretchable Casual Shoe with Arch Support Wichita 10.5 Wide Black

Orthofeet Women's Orthopedic Stretchable Casual Shoe with Arch Support Wichita 10.5 Wide Black

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If you want shoes that are comfortable and provide excellent protection from pressure points, then Wichita-Black Stretchable women’s casual shoes are for you from Orthofeet.

Pros

  • The rubber outsole provides advanced grip and great stability.
  • It has stretchable uppers and this eliminates the problem of bounding during each step and fit is also comfortable.
  • The heel cushion and ergonomic sole make it easier to walk and the cushion also gives the foot a bounce.

Cons

  • The shoes are not the most stylish option..
  • The toe box may be too wide for some users.

We have tried and tested Orthofeet's Wichita-Black Stretchable women’s casual shoes, and they are some of the most comfortable shoes I could ever wear. The stretchable uppers give every step softness so that it does not cause any irritation; the hook and loop strap gives maximum flexibility in the straps. Heel cushion and ergonomic sole help in comfortable walking and provide that extra boost, rubber outsole gives the grip and provides stability.

The Wichita-Black Stretchable is a superior pair of women’s orthopedic shoes due to the comfort of the anatomical orthotic insoles and arch booster, and great cushioning as a result of its design and can help patients who have conditions such as plantar fasciitis, diabetes, neuropathy, and arthritis. These shoes have unparalleled comfort and support 20+ ailments such as foot and heel discomfort, plantar fasciitis, diabetic ulcerations, arthritis, bunions, achilles tendinopathy, hammer toes, and many others.

However, they are not highly fashionable shoes and one would not be able to wear them in very formal events. Yes, they are relatively expensive in comparison with other everyday shoes, however, I believe it is beneficial to wear comfortable and supporting shoes .

Buying Guide

Arch Support

Wearing of shoes that have good arch support also will help in relieving pressure off the sciatic nerve. For treatment of over-pronation, try getting shoes that have a good arch, or use orthopedic shoes.

Cushioning

Shoes with good cushioning can help in minimizing the level of shocks that are felt on the sole of the feet and the legs. Seek for shoes that has thick and soft soles and cushioning in the heel and forefoot compartments.

Stability

Shoes with good stability are helpful in reducing the effects of over pronation and therefore will assist in cases where the formation of injuries may be imminent. It is also important to choose shoes that have a rigid heel to accompany it to give more support.

Flexibility

Shoes that are too stiff prevent free movement and are likely to lead to the development of sores on the feet. In this regard, one should look for shoes which are compliant to the natural movements of the feet.

Fit

It is crucial to get a right fit for any shoe and this is even more paramount when purchasing a shoe for sciatica. Search for the shoes that offer a comfortable fit, slightly tight sometimes, but not too much, it ought to have sufficient space for the toes.

Material

Choose shoes made from breathable materials for good ventilation, surrounding the feet in form of shoe materials to avoid the stink and diseases from the feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some recommended shoes for sciatica pain?

When it comes to sciatica pain, there is need to use shoes that shock absorbent and supportive. As for shoes, it is suggested to wear athletic shoes, walking shoes and shoes with rocker bottoms which help in the reduction of pressure on the sciatic nerve in the lower back.

Can wearing the wrong shoes worsen sciatica symptoms?

Yes, adverse effects such as exacerbation of the sciatica symptoms may be experienced as a result of putting on the wrong shoes. The wrong type of shoes can exert pressure on the lower back and the Sciatica hence worsening the situation. However, proper shoes which are specially designed for use by people with sciatica are very useful for the condition.

Are there any specific features to look for in shoes to alleviate sciatica pain?

Yes, there are specific characteristics of shoes that one needs to consider if the pain related to sciatica is to be eased. These include good arch support, cushioning, rocker sole, and a wide toe box to allow for any inflammation of the feet. Shoes should also be comfortable and have proper support to the feet of the person wearing them.

What are some good shoe brands for sciatica sufferers?

Some good shoe brands for sciatica sufferers include; Nike, Reebok, Skechers and New Balance among others and these brands have different shoes with the following characteristics of helping one who suffering from sciatica pain.

Are there any shoes to avoid if you have sciatica?

Yes, there are some types of shoes that should be avoided in the case of sciatica. I can’t walk around in high heels, flip flops, or shoes where my sole flat, because all of them make me worsen my sciatica pain due to more pressure on the lower back.

Do different types of shoes help with different types of sciatica pain?

Yes, different types of shoes can help with different types of sciatica pain. For instance, shoes such as the one with a rocker sole is useful for lower back and hip pain, and a shoe with good arch support is useful for pain in the feet and leg. When selecting shoes it is recommended that one should ensure they get shoes that are appropriate for their form of sciatica.

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