Best Sandals for Diabetes: Prevent Foot Complications and Improve Comfort

If you have diabetes, choosing the right sandals is not just about comfort, but also about protecting your feet. Diabetes can reduce circulation and sensation, making your feet vulnerable to injuries, slow-healing wounds, and infections. 

The use of improper footwear increases these risks, but the right sandals provide cushioning, arch support, and a secure fit to prevent complications. Unlike regular sandals, diabetic-friendly options feature soft, seamless interiors, adjustable straps, and non-slip soles to keep your feet safe. 

Whether you're at home or outdoors, the best sandals for diabetes help you stay active without compromising foot health. Let's explore the top options that combine safety, support, and comfort.

Key Features to Look for in Diabetic Sandals

When shopping for diabetic sandals, specific design elements can make all the difference for your foot health. These critical features protect your feet from complications while providing essential comfort throughout the day.

Wide Toe Box 

A wide-toe box is perhaps the most important element in diabetic footwear. This design prevents toe compression and reduces friction, which can lead to dangerous ulcers. Your toes need room to move naturally without rubbing against each other.

Adjustable Straps

Look for sandals with adjustable straps that accommodate foot swelling, a common issue for people with diabetes. These straps provide a secure fit without restricting circulation, which is especially important during warmer weather when many people prefer sandals for their diabetic feet.

Cushioned & Supportive Footbeds

The footbed construction deserves special attention in the best sandals for diabetes. Premium models feature cushioned, supportive footbeds that distribute weight evenly across your foot. This design eliminates pressure points that can develop into ulcers. Brands like Birkenstock offer contoured footbeds that provide arch support while reducing strain on your feet.

Breathable Materials

Materials matter significantly in diabetic foot sandals. Choose breathable options, such as leather, mesh, or fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. These materials help keep your feet dry, which prevents fungal infections that can become serious complications.

Slip-Resistant Soles

Safety requires slip-resistant soles that provide reliable traction on various surfaces. This feature prevents falls that could result in injuries, often healing slowly for people with diabetes.

Seamless Interior

The interior construction of diabetic footwear for women and men should feature a seamless design. Any interior stitching or seams can create friction points that lead to blisters and sores, potentially hazardous conditions for individuals with diabetes.

Top Recommended Diabetic Sandals (2025)

Renee Adjustable Strappy Comfortable Arch Support Sandals

The Renee Adjustable Strappy sandals deliver exceptional protection for diabetic feet while maintaining a stylish appearance. These therapeutic sandals address critical diabetic foot concerns with specialized features that prevent complications.

• Adjustable Velcro Straps: Accommodate daily foot swelling to prevent restricted blood flow and pressure points, a crucial feature for diabetic feet

• Cushioned Foam Footbed: Provides essential pressure relief to prevent ulcers and sores that can lead to severe diabetic complications

• Contoured Arch Support: Distributes weight evenly across the foot to eliminate concentrated pressure areas that can damage diabetic feet

• Seamless Design: Prevents friction and irritation that could lead to dangerous blisters or wounds for those with diabetes.

Aren Arch Supportive Slides for Women

The Aerothotic Aren Slides combine essential diabetic foot protection with effortless style and convenience. These supportive slides address crucial aspects of diabetic foot care while providing comfort for everyday wear.

• Spacious Design: Offers ample room for foot relaxation and prevents compression, which is critical for diabetic feet that need space to avoid friction and pressure points

• Deep Heel Cup: Cradles your hindfoot with stability to maintain proper alignment and reduce abnormal pressure distribution that can damage diabetic feet

• Shock-Absorbing Outsole: Protects sensitive diabetic feet from impact that could cause tissue damage or exacerbate neuropathy symptoms.

• Polyurethane Footbed Technology: Provides softness while maintaining durability, creating a protective barrier between diabetic feet and harmful ground forces

These sandals for diabetic feet offer a practical solution with their easy slip-on design and medium arch support.

Florence Genuine Leather Wedge Platform Slide Sandals

The Florence genuine leather slides blend sophisticated style with essential protection for diabetic feet. These premium sandals address critical foot health concerns without compromising aesthetics.

• Natural Cork Footbed: Molds to your foot's contours for personalized pressure distribution, preventing diabetic ulcers

• Adjustable Double Straps: Metal buckles customize the fit to accommodate diabetic foot swelling

• Deep Heel Cup: Ensures proper alignment to reduce abnormal pressure points

• Premium Leather: Breathable material minimizes moisture that can lead to dangerous infections

These lightweight, versatile sandals for diabetic feet combine medical-grade support with fashionable styling suitable for various occasions.

Tera Casual Comfortable Arch Supportive Flip Flops

The Aerothotic Tera flip-flops combine essential therapeutic features with casual styling for diabetic foot protection. These APMA-approved sandals deliver clinical benefits disguised as everyday footwear.

• Padded Straps with Memory Foam: Cushions sensitive areas where diabetic feet are prone to irritation and prevent dangerous friction points

• Biomechanical Arch Support: Promotes proper foot alignment to distribute pressure evenly, which is critical for preventing diabetic ulcers and pressure sores

• Polyurethane Gel-Injected Technology: Molds to your foot's unique contours to eliminate pressure points that can lead to complications in diabetic feet

• Shock-Absorbing Outsole: Features hollow U-shaped opening that protects diabetic feet from impact that could cause tissue damage

The lightweight design (just 0.414 lbs per pair) ensures these diabetic foot sandals won't create unnecessary strain during extended wear. With their medium heel cup providing essential stability, these sandals for diabetic feet help prevent potential falls that could lead to difficult-to-heal wounds.

Sandals to Avoid for Diabetics

Certain footwear choices significantly increase your risk of dangerous diabetic foot complications:

Flip-flops and Thin Sandals: Standard flip-flops lack crucial support structures needed to protect vulnerable diabetic feet. Their thin soles fail to shield them from sharp objects, while the posts create friction that can cause dangerous blisters and ulcers.

High Heels & Pointy Toes: High heels create dangerous pressure concentration on the forefoot, increasing ulcer risk. Pointed toe boxes compress toes unnaturally, contradicting the wide toe box requirement essential in proper diabetic footwear.

Tight or Non-Adjustable Straps: Fixed-strap designs do not accommodate natural foot swelling, compromising already vulnerable circulation and creating pressure points that lead to skin breakdown.

Tips for Choosing & Wearing Diabetic Sandals

Maximize foot protection with these essential practices for diabetic sandal use:

Get Professionally Fitted: Schedule annual professional fittings, as diabetes can change your foot size and shape. Specialty stores offer precise measurements that prevent dangerous friction from an improper fit.

Pair with Diabetic Socks: Wear moisture-wicking, seamless diabetic socks to reduce friction and enhance protection between your feet and sandals.

Inspect Feet Daily: Examine your feet every evening after removing your sandals. Use a mirror to check for redness, blisters, or pressure marks that neuropathy might prevent you from feeling.

Avoid Going Barefoot: Always wear protective footwear, even indoors. Keep diabetic sandals accessible throughout your home to ensure continuous protection.

The Bottom Line

Your footwear choices directly impact your long-term health when living with diabetes. Proper diabetic sandals are a critical defense against serious complications that can lead to hospitalization.

Invest in quality sandals designed specifically for diabetic feet rather than standard options lacking essential protective features. The additional cost proves minimal compared to treating preventable foot complications.

The right sandals for diabetic feet enhance your mobility while significantly reducing health risks. Make this important investment in your foot health today to enjoy active, pain-free movement for years.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is the best shoe for diabetic feet?

For diabetic feet, shoes should feature a wide, deep toe box, seamless interiors, soft, breathable materials, extra cushioning, proper arch support, and adjustable closures to accommodate swelling. Aerothotic sandals incorporate these features, offering high arch support, deep heel cups for posture alignment, and adjustable Velcro straps for a customized fit, making them suitable for individuals seeking supportive footwear.

What should diabetics wear on their feet?

Diabetics should wear well-fitting shoes with a wide toe box, soft interiors, and cushioned soles to avoid pressure points and minimize the risk of foot injuries. Additionally, wearing seamless, moisture-wicking socks can help maintain foot health by minimizing friction and keeping feet dry.

What is the first rule of diabetic foot care?

The first rule of diabetic foot care is to inspect your feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. This daily habit must catch potential issues early and ensure prompt treatment.