Best Sandals for Arthritic Feet 2026: Podiatrist Picks

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS

Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon · Balance Foot & Ankle · (810) 206-1402

Last reviewed: May 2026

BEST Sandals for Arthritic Feet [Podiatrist Approved Arthritic Sandals]

Do you have Arthritis Foot Pain? We go over the best women’s sandals for arthritic feet and the best men’s sandals for arthritic feet!

Look!:

• Arthritic feet sometimes need the best sandals for foot arthritis!
• We go over the best women’s sandals for arthritic feet.
• We go over the best men’s sandals for arthritic feet.

So let’s GO!

Foot arthritis causes:

Arthritic feet occur when there is uneven wearing away at the joints in the feet.

• There are 28 bones in each foot.
• This means that there is a lot of places that arthritis can develop.
• Generally, as people get into their 40s, 50s, 60s, and older arthritic feet can start to develop.
• We go over the best slide sandals for arthritic feet, and we go over the best walking sandals for arthritic feet.

Foot Arthritis Symptoms:

Symptoms of arthritic feet include:

• Stiff feet when you wake up in the morning.
• Soreness that takes 10-15 minutes or more to get better.
• Less athletic feet.
• Feet that are not the same shape as when you were a teenager.
• Feet that hurt more with walking.
• Feet that hurt more withstanding.

Best Slide Sandals for Arthritic Feet:

There are now great options for slide sandals for arthritic feet. These consist of:

• A deeper heel cup in the 10-12mm + range.
• A stronger arch to prevent overpronation of the arthritic foot.
• More stable and solid sole to prevent bending.
• We list all of our recommendations for the best slide sandals for arthritic feet below.

The Best Walking Sandals for Arthritic Feet:

Below we also go over the best walking sandals for arthritic feet.

We subdivide these into the best men’s walking sandals for arthritic feet and the best women’s walking sandals for arthritic feet.

The Best Sandals for Arthritic Feet:

This includes the best slide sandals for arthritic feet and the best walking sandals for arthritic feet.

Best women’s sandals for arthritic feet:

• We go over the best women’s sandals for arthritic feet.
• We include our favorite brands and the good news is the quality is now really good without having to pay a lot of money!

Best men’s sandals for arthritic feet:

• We go over the best men’s sandals for arthritic feet.
• These are some of the best new brands that should help with foot arthritis.
• We include our favorite brands for men’s foot pain.

The Best Podiatrist Approved Shoes:

Listed by condition:

• Complete Best List of Podiatrist Recommended Shoes.
• Best Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis.
• Best Men’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
• Best Women’s Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
• Best Shoes for Top of the Foot Pain.
• Best Shoes for Supination.
• Best Shoes for Ball of the Foot Pain.
• Best Shoes for a Plantar Fibroma.
• The Best Sandals for Arthritic feet.
• Podiatrist Recommended Orthotics.
• Ankle Support Running Shoes, Walking Shoes.
• Birkenstock sandals for flat feet.
• Best Dress Shoes for Flat Foot & Plantar fasciitis.
• Podiatrist Recommended Shoes for Toddlers.
• Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia.
• Best Running Shoes for Morton’s Neuroma.

Related Treatment Guides

Foot Arthritis Making Walking Painful?

Our podiatrists offer comprehensive arthritis treatment including custom orthotics, joint injections, and footwear guidance to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Clinical References

1. Frecklington M, et al. “Footwear interventions for foot pain, function, impairment and disability for people with foot and ankle arthritis: a literature review.” Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2018;47(6):814-824.
2. Hennessy K, et al. “Custom foot orthoses for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.” Arthritis Care & Research. 2012;64(3):311-320.
3. Rome K, et al. “Foot involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: a review.” Disability and Rehabilitation. 2009;31(19):1567-1577.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

More Podiatrist-Recommended Arthritis Essentials

Cushioned Running Shoe

Hoka Clifton 10 — max cushioning reduces joint impact for arthritic feet.

Wide Walking Shoe

New Balance 990v6 — wide toe box accommodates arthritic first-MTP (hallux rigidus).

Orthotic Insole

PowerStep Pinnacle — offloads the big toe joint during gait.

As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.

When to See a Podiatrist

Foot and ankle arthritis progresses silently — cartilage doesn’t regrow, but joint fusion, cheilectomy, and biologic injections can restore function at every stage. Balance Foot & Ankle offers the full arthritis spectrum: bracing, injections, and reconstructive surgery. Start with a consult so we can image the joint and give you a realistic 5-year outlook.

Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402  ·  Book online  ·  Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills

Dr. Tom’s Arthritis Foot Care Protocol

• PowerStep Maxx — For arthritic flat feet in sandals: PowerStep Maxx inside shoes on alternate days to arthritic sandal use maintains arch support.
• Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Joint pain and inflammation from foot arthritis: arnica + camphor topical applied to arthritic joints 3-4x daily.
• Foot Petals Tip Toes — For women with forefoot arthritis in dress sandals: Foot Petals Tip Toes offloads arthritic MTP joints without a full insole.

Arthritic foot pain limiting your activity despite supportive sandals? Our hallux rigidus and foot arthritis clinic → (810) 206-1402

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot and ankle conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

What is Foot pain?

Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.

Symptoms and warning signs

Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.

Conservative treatment options

Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.

Recovery timeline and prevention

Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.