If you don’t have time to read the entire review and just want to find out what the Best Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men & Women) is, then we recommend the Xelero Genesis XPS Men’s Comfort Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe as the best choice.
Neuropathy is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nerves in the body, often brought on by diabetes.
It has a broad range of symptoms, including weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet or hands. It can be a life-changing condition, causing discomfort that can impair many daily activities.
However, neuropathy doesn’t have to prevent a person from maintaining their fitness with healthy running or walking, provided they have the right footwear. Here are some of the best running shoes for neuropathy.
In this post, we’ve reviewed the Best Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men & Women). These are:
- Best Overall Running Shoe for Neuropathy (Men): Xelero Genesis XPS Men’s Comfort Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
- Best Overall Running Shoe for Neuropathy (Women): Xelero Genesis Women’s Comfort Therapeutic Extra Depth Sneaker Shoe
- Best Therapeutic Running Shoes for Neuropathy and Foot Pain (Men): Drew Shoe Men’s Force
- Best Therapeutic Running Shoes for Neuropathy and Foot Pain (Women): Drew Shoe Women’s Motion V
- Most Fashionable Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men): Dr. Comfort Katy Women’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
- Most Fashionable Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Women): Dr. Comfort Jason Men’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
- Most Comfortable Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men): New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoe
- Most Comfortable Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Women): New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoe
- Best Shoes for Serious Running with Neuropathy (Women): Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
- Best Shoes for Serious Running with Neuropathy (Men): Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
- Best Fitting Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Women): Propét Women’s Propet One Running Shoe
- Best Fitting Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men): Propét Men’s Propet One Running Shoe
- Best Casual Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Men): Vionic Men’s Fulton Tate Sneakers
- Best Casual Running Shoes for Neuropathy (Women): Vionic Women’s Brisk Alma Lace-up Sneakers
Therapeutic Shoes Buying Guide
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that as many as 30% of Americans will experience neuropathy at some point in their lives. When caused by diabetes or other underlying conditions, neuropathy can often be reduced or eliminated, if the underlying condition is treated properly.
This means that many people need therapeutic shoes for neuropathy at some point in their lives, even if it isn’t a permanent condition. Here are the key things to look for in a running shoe for neuropathy.
Stability
Stability is arguably the most important feature in a shoe for neuropathy. When the feet are weak or numb, they are less responsive to stress and surface conditions, and the muscles don’t respond as well or quickly to stabilize the body.
While most modern running shoes are focused on being light and springy, shoes for neuropathy need more structure and stability.
Support
When feet are weak or in pain, a supportive shoe is critical. Shoes for neuropathy should have support not just in the arches, but throughout the length of the foot, to add strength and help you run or walk for longer without pain.
Roomy Interior and Wide Toe Box
Despite the need for support and stability, many people with neuropathy can’t tolerate pressure on the foot. And having a roomy interior also leaves space for custom orthotics or insoles for running that can ease the symptoms of neuropathy.
Neuropathy doesn’t have to stop you from getting healthy exercise, and, when it’s associated with obesity or diabetes, a good exercise program can even help to ease foot pain and problems.
Check out our guide to starting a healthy, pain-free running program, get the right shoes, and take care of your feet while caring for your whole body.
Best Running Shoes for Neuropathy
1. Best Overall Running Shoe for Neuropathy: Xelero Genesis
Xelero is a Swiss shoe company focused on footwear that promotes comfort and health. They use advanced motion control technology to provide incredible stability and control beneath the foot, supporting sensitive feet and speeding recovery.
Xelero shoes have gel pads in the midsole, placed beneath the forefoot and heel for improved shock absorption.
The control plate enhances stability and reduces pressure beneath the foot, while the XPS propulsion element provides stability and control while aiding forward motion. Xelero shoes are designed and engineered to support the feet and improve biomechanics that help to treat a wide range of foot problems and injuries.
The Xelero Genesis are a best seller for people with sensitive feet, who need more support and stability in a light weight running shoe. It has a breathable mesh upper that wicks moisture away from the foot, and a seamless lining reduces rubbing and friction.
The control plate assists the walking motion, aiding propulsion without reducing control. Inside, two removable footbeds allow you to customize the fit or create room for custom orthotics for additional support. Gel pads in the heel and forefoot reduce impact and provide additional cushioning.
Xelero Genesis XPS Men’s Comfort Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
Xelero Genesis Women’s Comfort Therapeutic Extra Depth Sneaker Shoe
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2. Best Therapeutic Running Shoes for Neuropathy and Foot Pain: Drew Therapeutic Running Shoes
For over 140 years, Drew has been making shoes for feet that require extra care. Based in Ohio since 1875, Drew Shoes have a reputation for quality and comfort, using the finest materials to make therapeutic footwear with all day comfort.
Drew Shoes have over 20 performance features, including additional depth, removable anti-bacterial insoles, and a wide toe boxes that keep their shape over time.
Over 100 styles of Drew Shoes qualify for reimbursement as therapeutic shoes, and they offer one of the broadest range of size and width combinations in the industry, helping people with neuropathy get the perfect fit.
The Drew Men’s Force and Women’s Motion V have all the style of a running shoe, with added depth for orthotics and insoles. They have full leather uppers with athletic styling, and Velcro straps that let you easily adjust the fit of the shoes throughout the day.
Driiex-covered insoles with anti-microbial features that keep the feet cool and dry. They have a built-in heel cushion pad for extra protection from impact, and a wide tempered steel shank for stability and shock absorption. The rocker bottom and rubber sole help the foot naturally rebound and add energy to each step
Drew Shoe Men’s Force
Drew Shoe Women’s Motion
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3. Most Fashionable Running Shoes for Neuropathy: Dr. Comfort Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
Dr. Comfort has been making high quality diabetic shoes since 2002. Headquartered in Wisconsin, the company uses the latest footwear design and technologies to make comfortable and stylish shoes for people with diabetes and other foot conditions.
They make shoes that look as great as they feel, because Dr. Comfort believes that if your shoes aren’t fashionable, you won’t wear them.
These Dr. Comfort Extra Depth Athletic Shoes have bold, contemporary style that provides excellent comfort when running, or just for daily wear. The seamless design is loaded with features to boost foot health, including a mesh upper that allows air to circulate, keeping the feet cool and dry.
They have a no-tie elastic closure that makes the shoes easy to put on and take off and provides a snug but flexible fit throughout the day. They have a wide, protective toe box and an ultra-cushioned footbed for lasting comfort. The firm heel counter provides additional medial and lateral support and stability for sensitive feet.
Rubber soles provide great rebounding and impact protection. They have removable insoles to accommodate your own orthotics and are made of premium materials for durability.
Dr. Comfort Katy Women’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
Dr. Comfort Jason Men’s Therapeutic Extra Depth Athletic Shoe
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4. Most Comfortable Running Shoes for Neuropathy: New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoes
New Balance shoes are famous for their comfort and quality, and people have been wearing their athletic shoes for more than a century. They blend function and fashion and are also one of the few shoe brands assembling more than 4 million pairs of shoes a year in the United States.
New Balance Fresh Foam technology incorporates a lightweight foam midsole that provides excellent bounce and cushioning, reducing the impact of every step, and keeping you comfortable all day long.
The Arishi V3 running shoes have an engineered knit upper that is incredibly lightweight, flexible, and breathable. The cored outsole makes these shoes even more lightweight and flexible.
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Running Shoe
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5. Best Shoes for Serious Running with Neuropathy: Brooks Ghost 12 Running Shoe
Based in Seattle Washington, Brooks has been making high performance running shoes since 1914, and their shoes have been recognized as the best in the world by publications like Sports Illustrated and Runner’s World.
Brooks is also a socially and environmentally conscious company, incorporating recycled materials into their shoes, laces, tags, and packaging.
The Brooks Ghost 12 was named Best Cushioned Running Shoe of 2019 by Runner’s World, and roadrunnersports.com called it “one of the best running shoes on the market.” The Ghost 12 is smooth and flexible enough for short, faster runs, but also supportive and cushioned to go the distance.
The Brooks Ghost 12 has a combination of Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning to provide cushioning throughout the shoe, without sacrificing responsiveness or durability.
The Segmented Crash Pad provides an integrated system of shock absorbers to protect the foot at every step and provide smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
The engineered mesh and 3D Fit Print upper places stretch and structure exactly where it’s needed, for a lightweight, supportive fit that comfortably conforms to the foot. Flex Grooves in the sole reduce weight and optimize forefoot flexibility.
Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
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6. Best Fitting Running Shoes for Neuropathy: Propét One
Propét specializes in making healthy, comfortable shoes for feet that are difficult to fit. They make shoes that are comfortable right out of the box, without pinching or slipping.
Many Propét shoes are designed to meet the needs of people with diabetes and are offered in sizes as small as women’s 5/men’s 7, and narrow to XX-wide widths.
The Propét One has a 3D knit mesh upper for breathable style and comfort, and lightweight EVA outsole with rubber tread for great cushioning and traction on any surface.
Inside, X25 open cell foam provides even more cushioning and impact protection, and an antimicrobial liner reduces odor. An EVA spacer allows you to customize the fit for extra room when needed.
The Propét One comes with an Ortholite Rebound foam insole to give you even more support and comfort, while creating a cooler, dryer shoe. You can also remove the insole and the spacer to create room for your own orthotic inserts.
The Propét One is Medicare approved for those with diabetic neuropathy. It is also available in an LT version, with an even lighter weight upper mesh, or the Propét One Strap, with a single Velcro closure.
Propét Women’s Propet One Running Shoe
Propét Men’s Propet One Running Shoe
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7. Best Casual Running Shoes for Neuropathy: Vionic Sneakers with Concealed Orthotic Arch Support
Vionic makes shoes that balance the best stability, cushioning, and arch support with the latest fashions, so their therapeutic shoes don’t look therapeutic.
Many Vionic shoes have been accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association and carry their Seal of Acceptance, and Vionic’s supportive sandals have been proven in a clinical trial to reduce heel pain as well as orthotics.
Inside every shoe is Vionic’s Vio Motion Support, with three comfort zones throughout the length of the foot, optimizing support and cushioning right where you need it. Vionic uses highly skilled designers and the latest technologies to continually innovate comfortable, supportive shoes that look great.
Vionic’s sneakers with concealed orthotic are support have been accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association and carry their Seal of Acceptance. They have a lightweight engineered mesh upper for flexibility and breathability.
They have a podiatrist-designed footbed with Vio Motion Support to provide stability in the heel, support in the arch, and cushioning in the pads of the feet, for optimal comfort and support with every step. The dual-density outsole combines stability and support with gentle cushioning and has tread for added traction.
Vionic Men’s Fulton Tate Sneakers
Vionic Women’s Brisk Alma Lace-up Sneakers
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Final Thoughts on the Best Running Shoes for Neuropathy
The best running shoe for neuropathy and all kinds of foot problems is the Xelero Genesis.
These shoes have an innovative design designed to keep you active and healthy, even when you have sensitive feet or are recovering from injury. They have exceptional stability and support, and plenty of room for insoles, without the heavy look of most therapeutic shoes.
If you are suffering from neuropathy or other foot conditions that make it difficult to maintain your running program, there are a lot of other great cardio workouts that can help you stay healthy with less impact on the feet.
Always talk with your physician and listen to your body, so that you can take care of your heart and your feet at the same time.
