The Best Work Shoes For Diabetics – Safety, Approved, And The A5500 Label – Diabetic Me (2024)

Diabetic work shoes provide additional workplace protection for diabetics while addressing the foot challenges posed by diabetes, including poor blood circulation, vascular disease, ulcers, diabetic foot pain, and other related foot conditions.

The difference between regular safety shoes and diabetic work shoes is that the former don't cater to the unique needs of a diabetic's sensitive feet, which is why I don't recommend them.

So, what are the best work shoes for diabetics? Having tried out some of these safety shoes myself, I'll share my favorite brands.

In this Diabetic & Me article you will learn about:

• What is the Diabetic Approved A5500 label?
• What are diabetic work shoes?
• How can I protect my feet?

How Did I Select the Best Diabetic Work Shoes?

Choosing the best diabetic work boots requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure your safety, comfort, and overall well-being. That's why I started off by contacting my long-standing podiatrist, with whom I worked together, to arrive at the choices we reviewed on this page.

Although we had my specific needs in mind while recommending some of these shoes, we also considered the broader community of diabetics and selected shoes that don't only work for me but can also work for most diabetics.

In selecting the best shoes, one of the first things we pay attention to is SAFETY. We considered boots with steel or composite (non-metal) safety toes to protect my feet from heavy objects and potential impacts. We looked at boots with other safety features like electrical hazard protection, slip resistance, and puncture resistance. Also considered are shoes awarded with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance (although we don't see this as mandatory).

Another factor that guided our choices is COMFORT. To arrive at comfortable shoes, we factored in the following:

• Cushioning: Cushioned insoles or memory foam footbeds that provide shock absorption and reduce pressure on my feet.
• Wide toe box: Spacious toe box that allows my toes to move freely without friction or compression. This is crucial for preventing diabetic foot complications.
• Arch support: Boots with superior arch support to promote proper foot alignment and reduce strain on my arches.
• Breathability: Work boots with breathable materials and moisture-wicking linings that would keep my feet dry and reduce the risk of fungal infections.
• Ergonomic soles: The more protection and cushioning, the better for diabetics.

We also looked at the MATERIALS used in the construction of the boots. Leather is a durable and popular choice, but synthetic materials may also be suitable. However, we don't recommend artificial materials like plastic and polyester (when used as the primary material) since they won’t let air flow freely within the shoes, which can lead to ongoing infections on the feet caused by sweat and heat building up inside the boots.

Other features we considered are:

• A5500 labeling: A5500 diabetic shoes cater to the specific needs of diabetics and meet all the requirements to qualify for reimbursem*nt through Medicare and other health insurance providers. One thing I love about A5500 diabetic shoes is that they have extra depth and width. This added interior room would contain and cushion any swelling from an increased blood supply.
• Weight (I prefer lightweight footwear; your preference could differ).
• Lace-up, pull-on, or zip-up? Well, I have always been a fan of laced shoes, although I also like the ease-of-putting-on-and-taking-off that pull-on shoes offer. I wouldn't recommend zip-up shoes (even though they may seem more convenient) because the last one I used pinched my skin and could have easily injured my feet.
• Brand reputation: We focused more on reputable brands.

Who Should Buy Shoes for Diabetes?

Safety shoes for diabetics are recommended for individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes-related foot complications. You may also consider buying diabetic working shoes if you fall within any of these categories:

• You have diabetes-related foot conditions, such as neuropathy, ulcers, calluses, or poor circulation.
• You don't only have diabetes but also foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, or Charcot foot.
• You have a history of foot issues related to diabetes, such as sores, cracked skin, or infections.
• You often have swollen feet.
• You've observed a change in the shape of your feet
• You've experienced hair loss on your toes or feet.
• You have numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or change in temperature of the feet.

Best Working Shoes for Diabetics

As someone who has struggled with diabetes for decades, finding the right pair of work boots that provide both safety and comfort has always been a challenge. However, having worked with my podiatrist and tried out several options, I'm thrilled to share our top picks for the best diabetic work boots with additional safety and comfy features.

No products found.

Other Ways You Can Protect Your Feet From Complications Related to Diabetes-related Nerve Damage

There is not always much that can be done to prevent complications related to diabetic nerve damage. However, the prevention of diabetic issues may require a change of lifestyle that includes living with diabetes and making healthy choices.

Working with your doctor or podiatrist may also help you establish a plan for preventing complications related to diabetes. Your doctor or podiatrist may recommend that you wear shoes that have more space in them and can accommodate your swollen feet. These should also offer safety, approval A5500 labels which allow for slip resistance. Work shoes should also come in different styles and should allow room for wide insoles if needed.

Other ways to protect your feet are options such as wearing diabetic socks or buying insoles or insert that provides arch support and absorbs shocks. Before wearing your socks you can use protective foot cream to moisturize your feet.

Different Types of Diabetic Work Shoes

Depending on your needs, your endocrinologist may recommend the following type of shoes:

Healing Shoes

Healing shoes are recommended if you are recovering from a foot sore or a surgery and can be either an open or closed sandal. Closed-toe healing sandals are more preferred because they provide great protection to your feet.

In-depth Shoes

In-depth shoes are a type of diabetic shoe that are more deeper than regular shoes. This extra space makes room for inserts to give extra depth and stability. It will also help with foot conditions like hammertoes and calluses.

Custom-made Shoes

To make sure that you'll be comfortable with a perfect fitting diabetic shoe, you can get a pair of diabetic shoes custom made for yourself that will be created from the pattern of your foot. This is specifically useful if your foot has any kind of deformation. Unlike regular diabetic shoes, the custom ones would be pricier than the ones available in the market.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?

People living with diabetes have a higher risk of suffering from foot problems such as corns, heel spurs, or other foot deformities. Diabetes can also lead to nerve damage in your feet, which could make you less aware of injuries. If left untreated, these problems could develop into a more serious foot problem called neuropathy.

This, in return, ends up causing harm to your feet because nerve damage can cause your feet to become numb so that you don't feel any pain or any other feeling. Feet that are numb can get injured and damaged, as you won't feel an ill-fitting shoe, any blister, or a pebble in your shoes.

Diabetes can also lead to poor blood flow all over your body which means that not enough blood will flow through your feet and legs which will slow down the process of healing of an infection or an injury on your feet. Infections end up not healing and result in the death of body tissue which can end up causing a limp in your feet.

The nerve damage can also lead to other issues with the joints and tissues of your feet which is known as Charcot's foot.

When you can't feel anything in your feet, you will continue walking even if your feet are hurt or injured which can lead to other issues like Bunions, hammertoes, Plantar fasciitis, and other foot conditions.

This is why it's important for people living with diabetes to have good shoes that provide support and protection for their toes and arches. Work boots and work shoes are especially recommended because they protect both the top and bottom of the foot while standing or walking all day long on hard surfaces such as concrete floors.

Conclusion

If you're looking for comfortable, supportive work shoes that are also appropriate for those living with diabetes or other foot problems, the above list is there to help. Whether you wear a size 6 or 12 shoe in women's sizes (or whatever your size is), these slip-resistant shoes will be sure to keep your feet feeling dry and cool all day long as well as offer plenty of arch support. I can't wait to hear what type of pair best suits your needs!

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