Venous insufficiency can be a very uncomfortable condition…
This condition means that the veins in sufferers’ limbs can’t adequately pump blood back to the heart. And as a result, blood can pool in blood vessels, making them enlarged to form varicose veins. Other symptoms include swelling of the legs or ankles, tightness in your calves, itchy legs, or pain when walking.
And if all that’s not bad enough, it all gets exacerbated whenever you wear the wrong shoes for condition. For example, shoes that lack cushioning make walking more painful, and wearing heels leads to a less forceful pump of blood back to the heart, causing more pooling of venous blood in the leg and ankle.
However, with the right shoes, you can do a lot to mitigate these symptoms and be as comfortable as you possibly can. If you’ve been wearing the wrong type of shoe before, you’ll really notice the difference when you switch.
And the even better news is that I’ve been checking out and testing some of the best shoes on the market for venous insufficiency, and I’m going to be sharing my reviews on them with you here today.
Then I’ve also got a handy buying guide for you that will walk you through the key points to consider when buying. Then I’m going to top that off with a section where I answer all of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it. (Not listed in any particular order.)
STQ Women’s Slip On Lightweight Walking Comfortable Shoes
[amazon fields=”B096LWR217″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
This shoe has been met with excellent ratings and reviews. And I can see why!
It has certainly been designed with comfort in mind. It slips on and off with ease, and features a well-cushioned memory foam insole.
This means that your feet get molded into the insole, so it contours with the shape of your foot for unparalleled arch support. And there’s a rubber outer sole for shock absorption.
What’s more, there’s no pesky heel to worry about, and the upper is designed to naturally expand with your foot as you walk, so you don’t feel any restriction, and you can walk in complete comfort.
Moreover, the upper is made with a breathable mesh fabric, so that if your feet do start to swell when you’re wearing them, they won’t get too hot.
They’re also very lightweight, and the outsole offers excellent traction, wear resistance, and flex, so you are less likely to slip on wet surfaces.
It’s available in a range of different sizes, including half sizes, starting at 5.5 and going up to 9.5. Most customers describe the fit as true to size, but there are those who say it’s too large. If you click on “check price” you will be taken to the product page, where you will find a handy size guide.
It’s available in 7 different color options and styles, including all black, all white, and several other easy-to-wear colors, including grays and pastels.
My experience with these shoes: I found these shoes to be true to my size. They were very comfortable to walk around in.
Pros:
- Memory foam insole for amazing arch support
- Designed to naturally expand with your foot
- The upper is made with a breathable mesh fabric
- Outsole offers excellent traction, wear resistance
- Most customers describe the fit as true to size
- Nice color options to choose from
Cons:
- Many customers believe the sizing runs large
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B096LWR217”]
Unisex Boston Soft Footbed Clog
[amazon fields=”B07M9TWFMX” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
If your venous insufficiency means that you frequently get swollen ankles, then this could be the best choice of shoe for you. These are clogs, which means that you can wear them with your ankle entirely exposed, with no tight fabric squeezing your swollen ankles.
Their unisex design means that they look just as good on women as they do on men.
It comes complete with a comfy insole, made with flexible elastic rubber, topping a natural, contoured cork footbed which has been specially designed to mirror the natural shape of your foot for unparalleled comfort and support.
There’s also an EVA outsole with excellent shock absorption as you stride, and it’s also slip resistant to boot (pun intended!).
The upper is made with quality suede leather, and has an adjustable strap, so if your feet start to swell, you can simply adjust the fit accordingly, no problem at all.
It comes in some great color options, including black, brown, and tan, that will pair well with a range of different outfits.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes, starting with 6 and going all the way up to 13, including several half sizes. Most customers describe it as being true to size.
Sadly, the price does go up in accordance with the price, but I would still argue that they’re very reasonably priced.
My experience with these shoes: To be honest, I did kinda miss having fabric around my ankle when going down stairs, but they were more comfortable to wear than I expected them to be, and had more flex than I expected. Plus, they go great with my chinos!
Pros:
- Leaves swollen ankles unencumbered
- Specially contoured cork footbed
- EVA outsole with shock absorption
- The upper has an adjustable strap
- Available in black, brown, and tan
- Great range of sizes, including half sizes
Cons:
- The only half sizes available are 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B07M9TWFMX”]
Skechers Women’s Go Joy Low-Top Sneakers
[amazon fields=”B082WHQPL1″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
Skechers is a brand known for its exceptional comfort across the ranges of shoes. And the Go Joy walking sneaker is no exception!
It’s a prominent bestseller in women’s walking shoes with the leading online retailers, and there have been a whopping 47,000 customer ratings for it on Amazon, yet the average still comes out at a whopping 4 and a half stars out of 5.
The shaft of the shoe is low-top from the arch, which means that the shoe has virtually no heel, which is a key thing to look out for in a shoe if you have venous insufficiency.
It also features one of Skechers famous comfortable insoles, in this instance the Gogo Max, which provides excellent rebound, together with responsive 5th generation cushioning, for ultimate comfort.
There are no tight laces to worry about, restricting your feet, you simply slip them on and off. And they offer plenty of flex as your foot moves.
It’s also very lightweight, and sports a breathable mesh upper, so if your feet start to swell up, they won’t get too hot.
They have 8 color options to choose from, and they’re available in sizes 5 narrow through to 13 wide, including half and wide sizes.
My experience with these shoes: I found these shoes to be true to size, very comfortable to wear, and also comfortable to put on and take off.
Pros:
- A brand known for exceptional comfort
- The shoe has virtually no heel (low top)
- Comfy insoles, with excellent cushioning
- There are no tight laces to worry about
- They sport a breathable mesh upper
- Half and wide sizes are also available
Cons:
- The price goes up with size, and some can cost over $100 per pair
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B082WHQPL1”]
Tiosebon Men’s Casual Comfortable Walking Slip-On Shoes
[amazon fields=”B079HTF5SN” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
These shoes have been selling in their thousands, which, I’m in no doubt, is because of their remarkable comfort combined with their very competitive pricing.
The heel of the shoe is almost level with the toe, and there are no tight laces to worry about, restricting your movement. In fact, they have quite a stretch to them and are very flexible as you move, which is perfect for when they get swollen.
There’s also all the cushioning you could want, thanks to the elastic midsole. They’re also very lightweight, which makes a difference when you have swollen feet, and they just so happen to be breathable too, thanks to the lightweight knitted upper.
They’re available in a whopping 15 different color options, so choosing the best options to go with your various outfits should be a breeze.
They’re available in a wide range of sizes, from 7 through to 14, including many half sizes. Most customers consider them to be true to size.
My experience with these shoes: I found the fit to be true to size, and they were perfectly comfortable to wear all day long, even in the hot sun.
Pros:
- Very reasonably price tags
- 15 different color options
- Lightweight and breathable
- Flexible & no restricting laces
- Many half sizes are available
Cons:
- No brown or beige color options
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B079HTF5SN”]
OrthoComfoot Women’s Arch Support Shoes
[amazon fields=”B09G6L1QYM” value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
Despite being marketed as a shoe for plantar fasciitis, heel pain and bunions, this also makes for an excellent shoe for sufferers of venous insufficiency.
The shoe has no heel, and offers exceptional arch support, ensuring a perfect distribution of weight across your foot. And there’s nothing around the ankle, which is just what you want when your feet start to swell.
There’s a premium quality insole, complete with a memory foam cushioning layer. And, it even has massaging gel which is great for shock absorption and relieves foot pressure and fatigue, massaging your feet as you walk, making walking as comfortable as it used to be and no longer a chore.
They are lightweight to wear, and easy to slip on and off, with no tight, restricting laces to worry about.
The upper is made of a canvas fabric which is great for heat dissipation, which is just what you need when your feet start to swell.
I was surprised, and relieved, to find out the price does not go up with size, it remains the same whatever size you get.
It’s available in a range of 5 different colors, and the blue one goes great with jeans. It’s also available in a range of different sizes from 6 through to 11.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular shoe – simply click on “check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now. When this article was written, you could save over 20%!
My experience with these shoes: I loved these shoes – they were true to size, and were just as comfortable as described.
Pros:
- Offers exceptional arch support
- No fabric around the ankle
- Memory foam in the insole
- massaging gel in the insole
- Easy on/off, with no tight laces
- Upper is great for heat dissipation
- Great range of color options
Cons:
- Very few half sizes available
Also available to buy at:
[amazon box=”B09G6L1QYM”]
Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Let me walk you through the key points to consider when shopping for shoes for venous insufficiency.
Size And Fit
If your venous insufficiency causes your foot to swell, which it can, then it’s imperative that your shoes are not too tight. And to that end, it won’t hurt for you to wear a wide fit. For example, if you find a size 9 a little snug, you might want to try a 9 wide.
When shopping for shoes online, you don’t get the opportunity to try them on before you buy. However, there will usually be a size guide available, or at the very least an indication as to how true they are to size.
Flat Or Low Heel
As I mentioned in the introduction, shoes with heels can exacerbate the problem of venous insufficiency, so the lower or flatter the heel of the shoe is, the better.
Cushioning
Having venous insufficiency can make walking painful for your feet, so the more cushioning your shoe has, the more comfortable you will feel. That’s why I included some running shoes in my shortlist, even though you probably have no intention of running anywhere if you can help it.
Flexibility
As you walk, you roll your body weight from the heel of your foot to the ball of your foot, at the base of your toes. And it’s especially important for those who suffer with venous insufficiency that your shoes move with you, and have sufficient flexibility with the movement of your feet, so that your foot never gets squashed or restricted in certain areas.
To that end, you may wish to avoid lace-up shoes, because if you lace them up too tightly, this can restrict your movement and cause discomfort.
Lightweight
You will also need the shoes to be relatively lightweight, so it doesn’t require as much lift to walk around in them. If your feet are swollen, they will feel heavier.
Breathable
If your feet swell up a lot, thanks to your venous insufficiency, they can get rather hot. So to alleviate that, you could invest in shoes that are breathable and allow a little air flow so they aren’t too stuffy.
Easy On & Off
Many sufferers of venous insufficiency prefer to have shoes that are easy to take on and off, and don’t require constant shoelace tying, which is why my shortlist features so many slip-on shoes.
Men’s Vs Women’s Shoes
Please do not let gender stereotypes dictate what shoes you wear. Base your decision on the comfort and style of the shoe. Besides, you will often find shoes that pass as unisex.
Coordination With Your Clothes
For the purposes of this article, I concentrated on casual shoes, since they tend to get the most wear. But it’s perfectly possible to select your shoes based on what you want to wear them with. Just bear in mind the different specs you need in your shoe to help with your condition.
Comfortable Insoles
If walking is uncomfortable for you, it may be worth investing in a good pair of comfy insoles. Rubber ones would be good, but memory foam is best. So long as they offer effective arch support.
Compression Socks
Most doctors also recommend that sufferers of severe venous insufficiency wear compression stockings, because these serve to reduce pressure in the legs, and thus prevent further damage.
Value For Money
Some of the best shoes out there for sufferers of venous insufficiency come from big name brands, and as such they come with high-end price tags.
I would argue that you can’t really put a price on comfort. But sadly, in the real world, we can’t always afford everything you might want. So, if you have a budget to stick to, I would recommend that you check prices as you go along.
Answers To Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
Can Walking Cure Venous Insufficiency?
Exercise is often purported to be something that can cure everything, but that’s not always the case. There is a lot to be said for exercise, however, including when it comes to venous insufficiency.
For example, exercise such as walking is thought to alleviate symptoms, and to improve the health of your veins.
But it’s important that you don’t over-exert yourself, as this can be quite uncomfortable, depending on the severity of your condition.