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Best Wide Fitting Shoes for Arthritis this Spring
Discover the best wide-fitting shoes for arthritis this spring from our range of wide and extra wide fitting footwear that is packed with features.
Arthritis is a very common condition that affects around 10 million people in the UK: that's around 1 in 6! Rather than being a single condition, there are several different types of arthritis, but they all cause pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints.
Of course, the condition affects people in different ways and to different degrees, even affecting the same person in different ways and to different degrees on different days or times of day, but arthritis can make life very difficult for sufferers by making even the simplest task very painful indeed, reduce mobility and make it difficult to get out and about.
There is currently no cure for arthritis, but it can be managed in a variety of ways.
The most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis:
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a "roughening" or degradation of cartilage in a joint that can cause little bits of extra bone to grow, joint fluid to increase or a stretching of the joint capsule. These can cause a lot of pain and also damage the joint.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune condition that causes joints to swell by directing blood and fluid to a joint to fight infection - in this case where no infection exists. This swelling in the joints can make it difficult to move the joint, irritate nerve endings and again, cause damage to the joint and joint tissue.
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature and should not be taken as a diagnosis. All questions and concerns should be directed to your Doctor, Podiatrist or other health advisor.
Of course, the condition affects people in different ways and to different degrees, even affecting the same person in different ways and to different degrees on different days or times of day, but arthritis can make life very difficult for sufferers by making even the simplest task very painful indeed, reduce mobility and make it difficult to get out and about.
There is currently no cure for arthritis, but it can be managed in a variety of ways.
The most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis:
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a "roughening" or degradation of cartilage in a joint that can cause little bits of extra bone to grow, joint fluid to increase or a stretching of the joint capsule. These can cause a lot of pain and also damage the joint.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune condition that causes joints to swell by directing blood and fluid to a joint to fight infection - in this case where no infection exists. This swelling in the joints can make it difficult to move the joint, irritate nerve endings and again, cause damage to the joint and joint tissue.
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature and should not be taken as a diagnosis. All questions and concerns should be directed to your Doctor, Podiatrist or other health advisor.
Managing Arthritis
There are many suggested ways you can manage arthritis, such as - depending on the type of arthritis you suffer from - regular exercise, NSAIDS, dietary changes, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and many other things beside. You can find out more information about different types of arthritis and ways to manage it at https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/.
Of course, whilst maintaining an active lifestyle and exercising can be a way to manage arthritis, if your feet hurt due to swollen joints and footwear is painful and too tight, then it will be increasingly more difficult to undertake the desired exercise. This is where wide-fitting footwear with the right features can be really important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
What features do the best shoes for Arthritic Feet have?
The best shoes for arthritis have:
1. Have enough room for swollen feet and joints and to reduce rubbing against sore areas.
2. Flat bases – no heels!
3. Support in the right places to stabilise joints and avoid unnecessary joint pressure.
4. A good fit.
5. Soft cushioning to act as suspension for troubled joints.
6. Good quality soft uppers.
7. Ease of access to avoid forcing joints whilst putting shoes.
8. Features suitable for people that don’t necessarily have arthritis in the feet or ankles, but in hands or wrists, such as simple touch-fastening systems.
9. And, of course, they also have to look great. Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have stylish shoes like everyone else. You need to feel confidence in the quality and comfort of your footwear, but also confidence to step out, knowing that you look great too!
Our arthritis-friendly shoes have you covered on all of these bases.
I don’t know what I’d do without these shoes - I’ve got so many pairs. I have osteoarthritis in feet and just couldn’t get anything in my width in the shops. 
Why not check out our video on our shoes perfect for Arthritis.
I don’t know what I’d do without these shoes - I’ve got so many pairs. I have osteoarthritis in feet and just couldn’t get anything in my width in the shops.
Why not check out our video on our shoes perfect for Arthritis.
Our Features for People with Arthritis
Wide and extra-wide fits
Because arthritis causes swollen, painful joints, it is vitally important that your footwear has enough space for your feet and joints. Your condition may be prevalent in the toe joints, ankle joints, or both, amongst other areas. That’s why wide-fitting shoes that have enough room for swollen feet can be a blessing, and where DB Wider Fit Shoes come in, with the widest and deepest footwear available on the market. If your condition is in your toe joints, then a wide and deep toe box will be important to minimise pressure point contact and reduce rubbing in this area. Our Variable width fitting shoes also allow you to change the internal room of 1 or both shoes through the removal of specially designed insoles. So, if you have only one affected foot, no problem! Simply adjust that shoe, leaving the other as is. Find out more about our fittings >
Four Different Toe Shapes
In addition to being wider and deeper, we also offer shoes in 4 different toe shapes for women, and 2 for men.
When choosing your shoe, it is important to take your toe shape into account, as well as your size and fitting, to ensure ALL your toes have enough space. As we’ve seen, pressure on your toes can cause bunions and many more serious problems.
We offer four toe shapes across our full range to cater for different toe shapes in different stylings, including our brand new “asymmetric toe”, suitable for all toe-shapes, so you can be sure of the comfort you require.
Suggested styles:
Square - Lucy
Easy Access, Fastening & Adjustment
It is important to choose a shoe with the right fastening type for you.
Laces offer the most secure fit and adjustability as they can be loosened or tightened as required, but they’re not good for people with limited hand dexterity. Many of our laces fastening styles feature an inside-zip too, so that you can set the laces to the desired fit and then use the zip for access.
For many people with arthritis though, adjustable, touch-fastening straps or slip-on styles may be more suitable for your needs. This way, you can access the shoe without struggle and adjust the fit with ease, as required through the day.
Arthritis-friendly sandal with straps: Firecracker
Supportive footwear
It is vital that your footwear offers the right level of support in the right places to keep your joint in the right place and reduce further damage.
Our active leisure styles and trainers, particularly our wedge sole trainers, like Nikita are designed for support and stability, with a flared sole that spreads weight and makes the sole more stable and a built-in heel cup for increased support and to cradle your foot to help stop it from rolling.
And if you need arch support, with our dual-width fitting system, our shoes enable you to create the extra depth to insert your own specialist insoles and ensure the support you need.
Soft uppers to avoid rubbing
To avoid unnecessary rubbing against sore joints, soft uppers are a must. Be it a soft leather with a little give or a light material.
Many of our shoes, like our Classic Casuals range such as Rory, Gull and Pacific (all pictured) are made from beautifully soft sheep or cow leather that feels stunning to the touch and offers that little give required.
WOW! What more can I say? I ordered these shoes for my husband, who has really severe arthritis in his feet & ankles and due to his size feet has been having difficulty in obtaining comfortable shoes. My husband tried them on and wonder of wonders is still wearing them as he says they are so comfortable. We will certainly be using your company again in the future. Many, many thanks for good product & fast service. Yours sincerely, a very grateful customer.
Mrs Z
WOW! What more can I say? I ordered these shoes for my husband, who has really severe arthritis in his feet & ankles and due to his size feet has been having difficulty in obtaining comfortable shoes. My husband tried them on and wonder of wonders is still wearing them as he says they are so comfortable. We will certainly be using your company again in the future. Many, many thanks for good product & fast service. Yours sincerely, a very grateful customer.
Mrs Z
Cushioning
Great cushioning is really important for arthritis sufferers to absorb the impact of everyday activities and prevent joint abrasion.
Our Air Comfort Insoles and Air bubble technology soles have you covered on both fronts.
Air Comfort insoles add extra-soft cushioning underfoot and Air-Bubble Technology soles on styles like Grendon are great shock absorbers that make you feel like you’re walking on air!
Over 170 Arthritis-friendly shoes
There are over 170 wide and extra-wide fitting arthritis-friendly styles on offer at DB Wider Fit Shoes, all featuring a combination of the above features, to suit any foot!
Browse our full range of women’s shoes for arthritis or men’s arthritis-friendly footwear now!
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature and should not be taken as a diagnosis. All questions and concerns should be directed to your Doctor, Podiatrist or other health advisor.
NEW TO OUR SHOES? Find out more about how we can help!
Risk free footwear
We know that it’s really difficult to order footwear online and find the perfect fit, but we want to make it as easy, risk-free and stress-free as possible. That’s why we offer free postage on returns and exchanges on all UK orders so that, if you’re in the UK and have ordered from us and the shoes aren’t right for whatever reason, you can give us a call to discuss the problem and return them to us, unworn except for trying on to exchange for a different size, style or fitting without paying a penny more in postage.
Once you’ve found your perfect fit, you’ll never look back!
We hope that you agree that our wide-fitting shoes, trainers and sandals offer the perfect fit for every wide, deep or problem foot!
VAT Exempt footwear
Did you know, if you need 6E, 6V or 8E fitting footwear and have a qualifying condition, that you might be eligible for VAT relief?
This means that you could essentially benefit from a discount of 20%. And what's more, our promotional discount codes still apply, meaning you can gain further savings.
We make it easy to claim your VAT relief by clearly listing the VAT exempt price against qualifying products, and provide a very short form to fill out as part of the checkout process when ordering your 6E, 8E or 6V fitting shoes.
Qualifying conditions for VAT free purchases include physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example, blindness; conditions treated as chronic sickness, such as diabetes, arthritis or lymphoedema; and long-term illnesses.
Look out for the link underneath our available fittings on each product page to claim your VAT exemption.
Need Our Help?
If you’re unsure about anything at all to do with our styles, features or fittings and whether they’re right for you, please do contact us on +44 (0)1933 311 077, Monday to Friday, 9-5 to speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable UK based customer services team, who will be delighted to help.
OR would you like some in-person help to find the perfect fit for your feet? Then why not book an appointment and visit our Fitting Centre in Rushden, Northamptonshire.
We offer a traditional, personal service to help you find the perfect shoes either for naturally broad feet, to accommodate orthotics and or for foot health issues such as arthritis, lymphoedema, diabetes, bunions and many more.
Our appointment system ensures you'll receive our team's full attention and there's no obligation to buy.
Check out our Fitting Centre details today for further information.
Why not check out some of our other blog posts to help you with you find your perfect shoe.
Best Shoes for Diabetes »
The right shoes for Bunions and Hammer Toes »
Shoes for Oedema and Lymphoedema »
