Our Top 7 Picks of the Best Shoes for Foot Drop

Do your toes scrape the floor when you walk because you have foot drop? Do you struggle to find shoes that are comfortable and supportive? We can help you with our selection of the best shoes for foot drop.

We understand that finding suitable shoes, especially if you wear an ankle-foot brace (AFO) can be a challenge. We will detail what foot drop is, some of the causes and treatment and what to look for in shoes for foot drop. We will also provide you with some in-depth reviews of our top 7 picks.

 

Here are the best shoes for drop foot for men & women

1. Vionic Walker

This cushioned, supportive shoe from Vionic is available in regular and wide widths for men and women. Podiatrist-designed outer and inner soles help keep you stable on your feet. They also have the American Podiatry Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance.

 

2. Brooks Addiction Walker

With styles for men and women and a choice of four widths, the Brooks Addiction gives plenty of support to your foot.  It’s packed with features ensuring comfort including proprietary BioMoGo cushioning to a sole designed for stability. This shoe is also covered by a 90 day 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

 

3. Propet Walker

A leather upper that has a dual strap velcro closure is just one of the features of this shoe. Widths are available up to an XX-wide in styles for men and women. There is a molded and lightweight EVA midsole that helps absorb shock and impact, and a removable footbed.

 

4. Nike Flex Experience Run 8 Sneaker

These lightweight Nike shoes for foot drop are available for men and women, although only the men’s come in two widths. The knit fabric hugs your feet, giving them a snug feel, and the rounded heel design helps promote natural motion.

 

5. New Balance Walking Shoes

New Balance has over 100 years of experience in manufacturing supportive, comfortable shoes. With a good choice of widths for men and women, these shoes feature an outsole designed to stabilize your feet when walking. Hook and loop straps help ensure a tailored fit.

 

6. Orthofeet Mary Jane Leather Shoe

This is one for the ladies who want a stylish, dressy shoe. This offering from Orthofeet has a cushioning system designed to take away stress from your joints and help the motion of your foot. It has extra depth and toe room, and there is a choice of width fittings.

 

7. Orthofeet Carnegie Adjustable Strap Men’s Shoe

This man’s shoe is a dressier style for times when a casual shoe won’t do. The extra depth and choice of widths make these a good option for foot drop. The two-strap velcro fastening opens wide for an easy on and off, and there’s plenty of support and cushioning.

 

Reviews of the Best Shoes for Drop Foot

1. Vionic Walker

Vionic was founded in 1979 by a podiatrist, and many of their shoes have the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) seal of acceptance. They are designed with excellent support and have the biomechanics of the lower limbs in mind.

For men:

 

Men’s sizes start at a 7 and go up to size 13, while women’s sizes range from 5 up to 11. All come in a choice of width fittings, wide and medium. There is a choice of five colors for men and nine for women. Some of them are fashioned in leather and some in suede.

For women:

 

Vionic has Active Motion System technology which includes an orthotic, designed by a podiatrist. A lightweight, breathable leather upper with a flexible, cushioned, outer sole helps keep feet fresh. Laces hold the shoe securely in place, and the uppers are water-resistant.

The molded EVA midsole has a half-inch elevation that helps ensure that your foot hits the floor correctly from heel to toe. A footbed with built-in odor control gives comfort to your lower limbs, feet, and back. This footbed is also removable to allow more depth in the shoe.

A 100 percent polyester foot liner has moisture-wicking properties, and a foam base helps reduce friction.

The heel counter has thermoplastic built-in for added support and stability, and the rubber outsole gives traction to help keep you on your feet.

On the downside, you might need to size up by a half or full size as the shoes tend to run small.

Pros

• Removable orthotic to give extra depth.
• Support in the arch and midfoot.
• Leather or suede upper.
• Odor control, moisture-wicking lining.
• Reinforced heel counter for extra support.

Cons

• Might need to size up.

This shoe has an orthotic insole which can be removed to give extra depth. There is a choice of two width fittings. Leather uppers allow your feet to breathe, and the inners have odor control and moisture-wicking properties.

 

2. Brooks Addiction Walker

Brooks has been making activity and sports shoes for over 100 years. They distribute their goods worldwide and are popular, with many satisfied customers.

For men:

 

The company is so confident in its brand that it offers a 90-day, 100 percent satisfaction, or refund, guarantee.

For women:

 

These walking shoes with motion control come in styles for men and women. They have arch and midsole support to help prevent pain in your feet and legs.

There is a choice of colors in the leather uppers for each; black, white or brown for men and black, white or bone for women. Sizes from a  5 through to 12 are available for women and a 7 through to 15 for men. Four width fittings are on offer from narrow to extra-wide.

Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA proprietary cushioning adapts to your feet, conforming to the way you walk, your weight, and the speed that you walk. It deflects impact away from your body by absorbing it.  Additional midsole support further enhances the shock absorbency performance.

The extended progressive diagonal rollbar system gives support to your whole body. It helps position the arch of the shoe to make your movements natural.

The front of the shoe is constructed for balance and stability, while the sole is certified slip-resistant.

Feet are kept fresh by a breathable mesh lining, and the lightweight insole is removable if you need extra depth.

Some might find the laces a little hard to tighten. The good news is if you struggle with laces, these shoes are also available with loop and hook straps for men and women.

Pros

• Range of widths and sizes.
• Support in the arch and midfoot.
• Shock absorbency for legs and feet.
• Certified slip-resistant soles.
• V- Strap version available.

Cons

• Laces might be hard to secure.

These shoes are a good option for drop foot with their range of widths, sizes and the choice of laces or V-Strap fastening. A comfort system gives targeted cushioning to the feet. Breathable leather uppers make the shoes durable.

 

3. Propet Men’s Walker

This company has been manufacturing comfortable footwear since 1985. Their focus is on constructing shoes from quality materials using the latest shoe technology to give you biomechanical footwear.

 

This supple leather shoe is available in black or white. The sizes range from 7 through to 15. The four width fittings to choose from are regular, wide, extra-wide, and double extra wide.

A model that is similar and suitable for women is Propet Women’s Tour Walker. There are sizes from 5 to 11 and five width choices, narrow, regular, wide, extra-wide and double extra wide. There is also a choice of seven different colorways, including black, white, and different color accents on white.

Arch support comes from an Ortholite insole, which can be removed to allow for extra depth. It is lightweight and, being made from open-cell foam, it enables air to circulate your foot. Incorporated into the top layer is memory foam, giving even more comfort to your feet.

Rubber outsoles provide flexibility, and the midsole is EVA cushioned. This gives more protection to your feet from impact and extra cushioning and support.

A firm heel counter keeps feet stable, and hook and loop straps make securing these shoes easy. These shoes are Medicare-approved or diabetics.

The arch support might be lacking for some, but custom orthotics or AFO’s can easily be worn in these shoes.

Pros

• Range of width fittings.
• EVA midsole for cushioning.
• Stable heel counter.
• Removable insole.
• Medicare-approved.

Cons

• Arch support could be lacking for some.

These shoes come in a range of widths and sizes for men and women. The Ortholite removable insole with memory foam provides support and cushions your feet. Hook and loop straps allow the shoes to be adjusted and secured easily.

 

4. Nike Flex Experience Run 8 Sneaker

For a really lightweight option, these Nike shoes for foot drop are an excellent choice. You can use them for sports or pair them up with jeans for a casual look. There are 13 colors available for men and 12 for women.

For men:

 

Men’s sizes range from 6 to 15, with regular, wide, and extra-wide options. For women, there are sizes from 5 to 12 but no width choices.

For women:

 

Uppers made from a knit material will hug every contour of your foot, and soft fabric in the heel gives an adaptive fit.

The outsole has six flex grooves to help promote a natural step. The midsole is injected, meaning there is less rubber, so the weight of the shoe is reduced. This doesn’t, however, detract from the durability of the shoe. The rounded shaped heel promotes the natural movement of the foot.

Texture in the outsole helps traction, to prevent slipping, It seems, though, that this causes the shoes to make a squeaking noise when walking on marble or other smooth surfaces.

Pros

• Very lightweight.
• Traction in the outsole.
• Choice of width fitting for men.
• Help promote natural foot movement.

Cons

• No width choices for women.
• Might be noisy on smooth floors.

These Nike shoes are a great casual shoe for people with foot drop. They are super lightweight but still offer some support for your feet. The differing choice of widths between sexes means that they might appeal to men more than women.

 

5. New Balance Walking Shoe

New Balance has been manufacturing sports shoes for more than 100 years. They are a popular choice for many people but especially those who need added width and support for their feet.

 

The sizes to choose from are 7 to 15 for men and 5 to 13 for women. The shoes come in different width options, regular, wide, and extra-wide for men, while women have the addition of a narrow option. There are color choices of black, bone, and white for men and black, grey, and white for women.

The insoles are removable to give extra depth if needed. Proprietary Abzorb cushioning has been placed in the heel to help absorb shock. This is further bolstered by a polyurethane midsole.

The rubber outsole gives traction and is designed to support your feet naturally as you walk. Two hook and loop strap closures make the shoes easy to take on and off. These shoes might also qualify for medicare assistance.

For those of you with high insteps, the hook and loop straps might be a bit short. The durability of these shoes might also be questionable.

Pros

• Good choice of width fittings.
• Removable insoles.
• Might qualify for medicare assistance.
• Additional cushioning in the heels.

Cons

• Hook and loop straps could be too short for high insteps.
• Might not last as long as you’d like.

New Balance is a favorite for many people needing extra width in a shoe. They have cushioning and support and an outsole designed to help you walk naturally. The insoles are removable.

 

6. Orthofeet Mary Jane Leather Shoes

Maybe you want a more stylish option for work. This classic Mary Jane women’s shoe is a ladylike option for those women with drop foot.

 

These women’s leather shoes come in black or brown. Sizes from 5 to 12 are available. The four width fittings catered for are narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide. A hook and loop strap ensures that the shoe fastens securely.

Orthofeet’s premium Ortho-Comfort insoles have been designed to fit the anatomical shape of your feet. With arch support from multiple cushioned layers, they cushion your steps from your feet right through your legs to your lower back.

A  seamfree, padded interior relieves pressure points, and an Ergonomic-Stride feature helps cushion your feet.

The orthotic-friendly design allows you to remove the insole to insert your own or to create more depth. Orthofeet have you covered here with two different spacers; one at an eighth of an inch, and one at a sixteenth of an inch, which can also be removed.

Antimicrobial treatment to help keep foot odor at bay completes the features these shoes offer.

You won’t win any catwalk awards with these shoes; after all, they are an orthotic design. While the toe box is quite large, it could be roomier.

Pros

• Range of widths and sizes.
• Arch support.
• Cushioning throughout.
• Padded leather uppers with no seams.
• Removable spacers and insoles to create more depth.

Cons

• Toe box might not be roomy enough for some.

This classic orthopedic designed Mary Jane style gives loads of support and cushioning. It has removable spacers and insole for added depth if you wear an AFO. It’s a stylish option for women who need a dressier shoe.

 

7. Orthofeet Carnegie Adjustable Strap Men’s Shoes

A casual shoe might not be suitable for some workplaces or occasions, and something smarter is required. The Carnegie from Orthofeet is a classic style with tons of support and comfort features.

 

Orthofeet designs their shoes biomechanically to help with numerous feet and lower body issues.

This black leather shoe has hook and loop straps on either side, creating a wide opening for easy on and off, and adjustment. Sizes are from 7 through to 14. There are three width options, regular, wide, and extra-wide.

The orthotic insole is anatomically designed for arch support. An air-cushioned heel pad and forefoot help to give you stability and alleviate stress on your joints. The shoes are designed with extra depth, and the insole can be removed.

The linings are seam-free, and the uppers have added padding, which helps relieve pressure on your feet. These shoes are lightweight, which is essential for foot drop, and they also have a broad and roomy toe box.

The shoes’ soles are not slip-resistant so be careful around wet or slippery surfaces.

Pros

• Biomechanically designed to provide support and comfort
• Insole can be removed.
• Added depth.
• Extra cushioning throughout uppers and soles.

Cons

• Not slip-resistant

This biomechanically designed, lightweight shoe is a good choice of footwear for the workplace. It has plenty of support and cushioning throughout and added depth. The two hook and loop straps allow for easy on and off and adjustment.

 

Foot Drop, and Some Possible Causes

Foot drop, or sometimes called drop foot, results from paralysis or weakness, making it hard to lift your toes and forefoot. You might drag your toes on the ground when you walk.

The type of things that trigger foot drop includes nerve or muscular damage in the leg. It could also happen after a spinal or brain injury. It can be one or both feet that are affected, and it could be temporary or permanent.

This video shows you what foot drop looks like when walking.

A weakness in the muscles that lift the forefoot can be caused by one of several underlying issues. These include:

• Compression or squashing of nerves that allow the muscle to lift your forefoot.
• Trapped nerves in the knee or lower spine.
• Damaged nerves during hip or knee surgery.
• Neuropathy, which is nerve damage, generally linked to diabetes.
• Muscular dystrophy, an inherited genetic condition that leads to muscle weakness.
• Muscle wasting conditions such as motor neuron disease or spinal muscular atrophy.
• Disorders affecting the spinal cord or brain such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or a stroke.

This video explains foot drop and some of the treatments.

 

How is Foot Drop Treated?

We have mentioned foot drop can be temporary or permanent. Scuffing your toes on the floor as you walk can lead to a higher chance of falls; consequently, you might walk lifting your feet high off the ground.

These are some of the treatments your medical professional might suggest to help you deal with it:

• Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles in your lower leg, feet, and ankles.
• Electrical nerve stimulation to encourage the nerves that control lifting the foot to become more efficient.
• Surgery to repair the damaged nerves might help if your foot drop has happened recently. Another option for a long-standing foot drop could be to fuse ankle and foot bones or relocate existing tendons and muscles in the foot that work.
• Wearing an ankle-foot brace (AFO) on the lower leg to hold the foot in the correct position and help control your foot and ankle movement.

This video shows you a trial of some treatments for foot drop caused by multiple sclerosis.

 

What to Look for in the Best Shoes for Foot Drop

Now that you know what causes foot drop, and the treatments to relieve it, you can see how finding suitable footwear can be a challenge. This is especially the case if you are wearing an ankle-foot brace (AFO). Here are some of the features you need to look for in shoes for foot drop.

• Choice of width fittings: It’s vital that you wear shoes that fit your foot snugly, and will also accommodate an AFO if you wear one. Having a choice of widths will let you choose shoes that are a good fit.
• Extra depth: This is again more of a consideration if you have an AFO. Being able to remove the insole, or finding shoes that have more depth will accommodate your foot brace comfortably. It will also give you more room to ensure a secure fit.
• Cushioning: You still want comfort from your shoes. Check for cushioning from the insoles and midsoles of your shoes.
• Lightweight: Heavy shoes can exacerbate foot drop. You will find it harder to lift your feet off the floor, and there is more chance you’ll scuff your toes and fall. Look for materials like mesh incorporated into the uppers and lighter weight soles.
• Support: Maintaining support is necessary to make sure your feet are correctly aligned, and your arches and heels are held stable. Some lightweight shoes, while easier to walk in, might not offer enough support so there can be a trade-off.
• Non-slip: The risk of tripping over your toes is ever-present. The last thing you want is slippery soles that can add to the chance of falls. Look for rubber soles that are lightweight but offer traction.
• Style: You will be more restricted in the style of shoes you can choose when taking foot drop into account. For the ladies, heels should be avoided. Look for secure lacing systems or hook and loop closures that will allow you to adjust the fit of the shoes.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Remedy for Foot Drop?

You can buy over-the-counter ankle-foot braces for foot drop. You could try one like this from Furlove, or this from Step Smart. They help hold the foot in the correct position so that it doesn’t drop and allow toes to drag on the floor.

If you think you have foot drop, you should seek medical advice. Your doctor will likely check your gait (the way you walk) and then recommend treatment accordingly. This could be physiotherapy or wearing an ankle-foot brace.

 

Is There a Cure for Foot Drop?

Whether or not foot drop can be cured depends on what’s causing it. The underlying issues for the condition have to be determined. Surgery might be able to correct trapped nerves or repair nerve damage,

For genetic disorders or trauma such as spinal damage, brain injuries, or stroke, the problem might be permanent.

 

Is Foot Drop a Disability?

Foot drop is not classed as a disability; however, you might be able to claim benefits. The decision will be based on your medical records and treatment. Qualifying could necessitate a report from an independent doctor.

 

Stepping Safely

Foot drop can present a challenge for many when it comes to finding the right shoes.   They need to be lightweight, supportive and have enough depth and width to accommodate an AFO if you wear one. Wearing the best shoes for foot drop can keep you more stable on your feet and help prevent falls.

All of the shoes we have featured have extra width and depth. Fastenings can be adjusted to keep them on your feet securely, and many will allow an AFO to be worn. The ones you choose will be a matter of personal preference and needs.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to the top 7 picks of shoes for foot drop and found it useful. Please leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to share.