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Wide-fitting shoes for Men and Women with Diabetes

Wide-fitting shoes for Men and Women with Diabetes
Why the right footwear is so important for Diabetes sufferers.
Did you know that there are over 4.7 million people in the UK living with diabetes? Or that 1 in 10 over 40s have Type 2 Diabetes, with Type 2 Diabetes accounting for around 90% of all diagnoses? [1] But what is diabetes and why is a wide fitting shoe company writing about it? Well, read on!

At its core, diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high[2]. There are two main types - Type 1 and Type 2 - both of which require careful management. While there are also rarer forms of diabetes, this article focuses on the most common types.

Why not check out our video on our shoes for Diabetes.

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.

Jump to Shoes For Diabetes

A montage of women and shoes


What are the Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce the right amount of **insulin**, the enzyme responsible for allowing glucose to enter cells and fuel the body. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy.

- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no insulin at all.
- Type 2 diabetes happens when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it, leading to rising blood sugar levels over time.

Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
- Genital itching or recurring thrush
- Slow-healing cuts and wounds
-Blurred vision[4]

If left untreated, Type 1 diabetes can lead to severe illness, even becoming life-threatening. Type 2 diabetes, often harder to detect, can develop gradually and cause serious complications, affecting major organs like the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

Diabetes and wide fitting shoes

Many people assume that diabetes is solely linked to being overweight, which in turn might cause foot issues. However, this isn’t always the case. Approximately 20% of those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have a normal weight, and individuals with Type 1 diabetes can often be of normal or even underweight.[3]

The primary issue affecting foot health — and consequently, the need for properly fitting footwear — is peripheral oedema.

What is Peripheral Oedema?

Peripheral oedema occurs when fluid accumulates in the feet, ankles, and legs due to damaged capillaries or increased pressure, causing them to leak fluid into surrounding tissues. This swelling is a common concern for individuals with diabetes.

Diabetes can lead to slow-healing wounds or even prevent healing altogether, meaning that damaged capillaries continue to leak fluid over time. Additionally, factors such as high insulin intake and other diabetes-related conditions can contribute to oedema, making proper footwear essential for comfort and foot health.

Peripheral oedema can be extremely painful and uncomfortable, making it difficult to wear regular footwear. This can, in turn, lead to reduced mobility, which may worsen the condition further.

The cycle of discomfort and inactivity can further aggravate swelling, creating ongoing challenges for those affected.

See also our blog about Shoes for Oedema & Lymphoedema

Ways to Reduce Oedema in the Feet & Ankles

If you experience swelling in your feet and ankles due to oedema, there are several practices that may help alleviate the discomfort:
- Elevate your feet above heart level regularly.
- Reduce salt intake to help minimize fluid retention.
- Stay active and avoid sitting for long periods without movement.
- Drink plenty of water and support circulation by maintaining overall heart health.
- However, if oedema persists, finding comfortable, well-fitting footwear is essential.

Not only do most daily activities—whether work, errands, or exercise—require wearing shoes, but staying active is crucial for managing oedema. The wrong footwear can cause significant pain, making movement even more challenging.

Prioritising properly fitted shoes can make all the difference in maintaining mobility and comfort.

What shoe features are important for Diabetes?


Preventing rubbing is imperative
One of the most important factors with shoes for diabetes is to prevent rubbing.

A dangerous effect of peripheral oedema is that it also causes loss of feeling in the nerves in the affected area, and so it is important that the sufferer performs daily checks to ensure they have not injured or cut their feet.

The best shoes for diabetes therefore are:

1. Shoes that fit properly
To reduce rubbing, correctly fitting footwear is vitally important.

Our shoes come in a range of width-fittings, from E to 8E width, and many come with removable insoles, adjustable straps, stretch panels or elasticated straps & gussets to ensure that you can get the perfect fit to avoid rubbing and causing blisters and sores.

All of our shoes are wider and deeper than High Street shoes, simply meaning that there is more room in them than you would get from typical High Street shoes - to allow for extra width and less pressure on swollen areas caused by Oedema.

Additionally, we also offer footwear in four different toe-shapes to ensure there’s enough room in the toe-box to accommodate your toes.

2. Securely fitting shoes
Your shoes must be fastened well to avoid your feet slipping around inside them.

Lace-fastening shoes offer the most secure fitting and can be the best way to reduce rubbing as far as possible.

3. As smooth as possible, internally
Our shoes are designed to be as smooth internally as possible, with few internal seams and even styles with seam-free toe boxes.

This means reduced likelihood of rubbing against painful areas or worse, causing sores and open wounds which do not heal, leading to further possible complications in Diabetes sufferers.

(Please note that if you have diabetes and a narrow or regular width foot, our shoes are NOT suitable, as the foot will move around causing sores and rubbing. It is important that you visit a professional to check the fit of the shoe to know your correct width requirement.)

Make an appointment at our Shoe-fitting Centre, one of our gold star stockists, or visit a qualified podiatrist who will examine your feet and give you expert advice about the most suitable footwear for you.

The Best Shoes For Diabetes

Icon on diabetes friendly shoesWe offer shoes across our full range, including trainers, sandals, everyday shoes and even dress shoes, that fit the “diabetes-friendly” criteria. When you see the icon on the left hand side on a product page then you will know that the shoe is ideal for those with diabetes. Read on for some of our suggested styles.

The Best Trainers For Diabetes

The best trainers for people with diabetes are well-fitting with lace-up design for a secure fit, so there’s no rubbing, with no internal seams and soft materials that offer enough give to reduce rubbing against feet. But they’re lightweight enough for active feet!

Suggested diabetes-friendly everyday styles include easy access Rail, breathable Gabrielle, stretch panel Hawaii, and stretch panel Lexi.

A montage of women and shoes


Everyday Shoes for diabetes

Our Everyday Shoes collection is a range of classically styled casual shoes for pure comfort all day, every day. Supremely comfortable and with a range of features for wide feet including air-bubble soles, stretch materials and more.

Suggested diabetes-friendly everyday styles include stretch panel Petula, easy access Tansy, touch strap fasten Colby, and Mary-Jane style Monkey.

A montgae of women and shoes


Canvas pumps for diabetes

Our selection of diabetes-friendly canvas styles is unmatched. Whether it’s bumper-soled pumps, styled for that classic canvas look or super lightweight canvas pumps for bright and breezy summer days, we have you covered.

All diabetes-friendly canvas styles include seam-free toe box.

Suggested diabetes-friendly canvas styles include chic style Lavinia, touch strap Casey, recycled textile Teddy, and easy access Paddle.

A montage of women and shoes


Wedding shoes and occasion wear for diabetes

Finding shoes that allow you to feel confidence enough to express yourself at a wedding or other special occasion can feel daunting if you need wide fitting shoes and have foot health issues, but our diabetes-friendly dress shoe Constance ensures that we put an end to that.

A pair of beige shoes with a strap on a book


Classic leather shoes for diabetes

Our classic leather casuals range includes many of our best-selling styles, because they are just that: classic, leather, pure comfort.

Made from beautifully soft leathers, in feminine styling with air-bubble soles for extra cushioning and a choice of lace-up or touch-strap fastenings. Many of our lace-up classic shoes are suitable for diabetes.

Suggested diabetes-friendly classic leather styles include best-selling easy access Rory, Mary-Jane style Vista, lace-up Swan, and T-bar Brookfield

A montage of women and shoes


House Shoes and Slippers for diabetes

Our house shoes and wide-fitting slippers styles are light as a feather and made with soft textile uppers for comfort on sensitive feet.

Styles with backs have back stiffeners for added support and house shoes come with hard-wearing soles so they can be worn inside or outdoors and are all available in our 2V or 6V dual-width fittings, meaning they’re the perfect fit for even the widest feet. Many are machine washable at 30°C. too.

Suggested diabetes-friendly slipper styles include stretch fabric Nieve, easy access Fountain, touch fastening Trilby, and cosy velour Caroline 2

A montage of women and slippers


All our House Shoes and Slippers are animal product free so, if you’re looking for wide-fitting vegan slippers or house shoes, you’re in the right place!

- View all our wide-fitting slippers for women now
- Browse our full range of wide & deep fitting ladies shoes, trainers, sandals and slippers now

Wide & Deep Fitting Shoes For Men With Diabetes

Of course, men suffer from diabetes and need wide shoes too and we have a huge range of wide-fitting men’s shoes, including trainers, casual styles, our new lightweight many of which have features making them ideal for people with diabetes.

One thing is for sure, diabetes related foot issues can’t prevent you from looking, and feeling, great!

Diabetes-friendly Casual shoes on our super-lightweight cushioned sole

Our men’s shoes on super lightweight, cushioned sole offer a classic look on a lightweight sole that makes them so comfortable you won’t want to take them off!

Suggested styles include lace up Elvis, brogue style Elliott, and easy access Norton.

A montage of men's shoes of different fastenings


Diabetes-friendly men’s trainers

Designed to keep you active in total comfort, our trainers feature the perfect materials for diabetic feet, built on supportive soles and with the style you need.

Suggested diabetes-friendly men’s trainers include strap fit Andy, lace up canvas Archie, trainer style Benjamin, and easy access Bennett.

A montage of men's trainers on tables


Diabetes-friendly canvas shoes and slippers

Comfy, lightweight and diabetes-friendly, with all the support that you need for all-day comfort.

Suggested diabetes-friendly canvas styles and slippers touch strap canvas Cannock, lace up canvas Troon, touch fasteing slippers Daniel, and easy access slippers Edison.

A montage of mens canvas shoes and slippers


- Browse our full range of shoes for men with diabetes
In addition to these, browse our full range of wide-fitting men’s shoes here

NEW TO OUR SHOES? Find out more about how we can help!

Someone zipping up red boots with wide feet text


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.
The right shoes for Plantar Fasciitis »
The best shoes for Arthritis »
Shoes for Oedema & Lymphoedema »




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