Shoes for Problem Feet

Published on August 30th, 2022 | by Kirsten Borrink

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Stylish Rocker Sole Shoes : Glide Through Your Stride and Look Good Doing it!

Has your doctor recommended rocker sole shoes, but you’re not sure which one to choose? We’re here to help! Rocker sole shoes benefit many who suffer from a variety of foot conditions: metatarsalgia, arthritis, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy…even painful bunions and hammertoes! Without getting too technical, a rocker sole shoe features a thick outsole with an upward curved toe area and often a curved heel area too. The goal of the rocker sole is to offload some of the pressure on forefoot and/or heel through the stride, alleviating pain and discomfort.

Let’s take a look at 5 of the best rocker sole shoes on the market today from athletic to casual-dress shoes:

Best rocker sole sandal: Alegria Bailee

We appreciate that Alegria is making more neutral-hued footwear these days in addition to their bright and cheery colors and patterns. The Bailee sandal is a newer addition to Alegria’s rocker sole collection. A non-flexing, slip-resistant outsole helps relieve pressure and a cork, polyurethane, memory foam footbed provides arch support and cushioning. Three adjustable straps allow for a custom fit. Find the Alegria Bailee in euro sizes 35-42 (5-12) for $120 from Zappos, Nordstrom and Amazon.

Hoka One One Clifton 7

Best rocker sole shoes for fitness: Hoka One One Clifton

You don’t even need to be a runner to enjoy the benefits of Hoka One One footwear. The Clifton 7 features a meta-rocker outsole (as most Hoka shoes do) which the company describes as “wheels for your feet,” meaning the thick rounded outsole propels the foot forward through the stride. Read more about the meta-rocker sole here. Zappos customer Sandy says this about her Cliftons, “True fit. Extremely comfortable. I need this style of shoe because my great toe joint is damaged, the slight rocker action takes the pressure off. Excellent quality.” Find the Hoka Clifton 7 in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $130 from HokaOneOne.com, and Zappos.

Aravon Rev Stridearc

Aravon Rev Stridarc waterproof low boot

Best casual-dress rocker sole shoes: Aravon Stridearc footwear, Alegria shoes, Dromedaris Hornbill

For office-appropriate rocker sole shoes, take a look at Aravon’s REV line of slip-ons, loafers and oxfords. The biomechanically engineered rocker outsole enhances the ease of movement throughout the gait cycle, providing a soft, cushioned ride that minimizes fatigue while maximizing comfort. An added bonus: Aravon footwear is available in multiple widths, narrow to extra wide. Featured above is the Aravon Rev Stridarc waterproof nubuck loafer with a removable memory foam footbed, dual goring for extra stretch at the instep and rounded toe. Find it in sizes 6-11, medium to extra wide widths for $150 from Rockport.com, Zappos, and Nordstrom. A cozy ankle boot style is also available from Rockport and Zappos.

Alegria Keli

Another great option for casual-dress is Alegria shoes. Alegria means “happiness” in Spanish and that’s what they’ll bring to your soles. Most styles feature some form of rocker sole, cork-latex removable footbeds and a generous toe box. The Keli is a versatile slip-on featuring a rocker style outsole with tapered shaping at the heel and toe, which promotes a natural rocking movement with each step. See Kirsten’s full review of the Alegria Keli here.

Alegria recently expanded their sizing to include  euro sizes 43-44 (13-14) and wide widths. Find the Keli for $129.95 from Zappos, Amazon, and Nordstrom.

Dansko Professional clog

Dromedaris Hornbill

We’d be remiss not to mention Dansko Professional rocker sole clogs! No doubt you’ve heard about them, but have you seen these iconic clogs in leopard yet? How about neon pink?  It’s refreshing to see these tried and true rocker sole shoes in new patterns and colors every season. Find the Dansko Professional in euro sizes 35-43 (5-12.5) for $130-140 from Dansko.com, Zappos and The Walking Company.

Made in Portugal, Dromedaris is a lesser known comfort brand specializing in beautiful leather footwear with attention to detail. The Dromedaris Hornbill is a classic brogue style with roomy toe box, removable footbed with arch support, and a PU rocker outsole to offload pressure through the gait cycle. Find in euro sizes 36-43 for $160 from Dromedaris.us, and Amazon.

Alegria Bailee sandal

Best rocker sole sandals: Alegria Bailee, Dansko Season, Finn Comfort Sausalito

The Bailee is a new addition to Alegria’s rocker sole sandal collection and it’s getting glowing reviews from customers. Zappos shopper Allison says, “Many foot surgeries and issues and this sandal causes no pain, out of the box!” A non-slip, thick rocker sole will propel you forward through the stride in total comfort. Three adjustable straps allow for a customized fit while the cork and memory foam footbed cushions and supports. Find the Alegria Bailee in euro sizes 35-42 (5-12) for $109.95 from Zappos, and Amazon.

Dansko Season sandal

Zappos customer Holly says it best about the APMA-approved Dansko Season: “I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect summer sandal. So far I’ve tried at least 5 different comfort brands and multiple models. When these shoes arrived I knew I had found “The One”. I have bunions on both feet, arches that need support and narrow ankles. These shoes fit like a glove and the rocker action of the sole combined with the platform provide perfect cushioning for walking through the streets of Chicago from morning till dusk.” The Season features a buckle strap at the ankle and a hook and loop fastener at the forefoot for adjustability. This particular style features a lightweight PU outsole with a woodgrain look, and a cushioned memory foam footbed for extra comfort. Find the Dansko Season in euro sizes 36-42 (5-11.5) for $$85-119.95 from Zappos, Dansko.com and Amazon.

Honorable Mention: Finn Comfort Sausalito sandal, Alegria Debra in wide width, Oofos recovery sandals and shoes, SAS Walk Easy (available in multiple widths).

How about you? Do you have a favorite pair of rocker sole shoes? Leave us a comment and tell the Barking Dog community all about them…

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