Sciatica Stopping You in Your Tracks? These Expert-Backed Shoes Could Help

The Topo Athletic Atmos shoe is available in both men’s and women’s sizes, with a strong foundation, ideal for long or short walks. Though they are designed for runners looking for a cushioned ride, walkers with sciatica can benefit from the comfort-driven features.

“You’re typically always going to have a heel strike as you advance your foot. So if you’re walking, more of a general cushion shoe is going to be a good route to go there,” says Mark Bouma, DPT, clinic manager and director at the West Seattle branch of Lake Washington Physical Therapy in Washington State.

We love that the Topo Athletic Atmos has plenty of cushioning to reduce the force that can cause the sciatic nerve to flare up. Is it the softest walking shoe out there? No. But it wins in terms of balancing plushness with stability.

The roomy toe box, for example, provides a stable, natural feel with each step. However, some online reviews claim that it can feel almost too wide and open. And the arch support is just enough without feeling intrusive.

The cherry on top is that it has received a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning it has been reviewed by a panel of podiatrists for its comfort, quality, and safety.

Feet feel less fatigued even after working all day long, thanks to the super-supportive cushioning and foam midsole of these Hoka Bondi 9s. In fact, since 2020, nurses in particular have been singing the praises of Hoka shoes for long days spent on their feet. And the brand has really leaned into this key demographic, and offers styles for men and women.

Podiatrists agree that Hokas have a lot of great features for anyone who has to be on their feet all day. Those with sciatica will appreciate the high level of shock absorption to take the pressure off. Online reviewers report that Hoka Bondis have been integral in their sciatica recovery.

In our test of the best shoes, the Hoka Bondi 9s were one of our top picks for people who stand all day. Tester Mary Sauer said they were comfy and great for standing: “I have pretty severe mechanical foot pain that impacts my entire foot, as well as localized heel pain, and these seem to help. They also work well with my custom orthotic if I remove the sock liner. I appreciate the shock absorption. I can see myself wearing these often for exercise as well as everyday wear.”

On the flip side, though, Bouma notes that “people who wear Hokas can have a harder time just balancing because it’s almost too squishy or cushy.” So if balance is an issue for you, these might not be the best choice.

If you’re a runner whose sciatica stems from a form issue, you may benefit from an athletic stability shoe. Stability shoes are designed to correct excessive movement like your foot rolling in or out when it strikes the ground (otherwise known as under- or overpronating), as well as provide arch support without weighing you down.

Bouma, who works a lot with runners, loves to recommend the Mizuno Wave Horizon series for both men and women. “It’s a shoe that has so much general cushion, robust cushion, and it does not break down and has a good level of stability,” he says.

The Mizuno Wave Horizon series has been criticized in the past for being a hefty shoe. This 8 model is lighter than its predecessors, but runners may still find it a little on the heavy side.

New Balance creates reliable shoes. Available in men’s and women’s styles, the Fresh Foam X 860v14 is no different. If you’re looking for stability and cushion — but nothing too over the top in either category — then this is the middle-of-the-road shoe for you.

Don’t think we’re calling this shoe “mid.” It has received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance and can certainly offer sciatica relief as a stable daily workhorse. We tested a very similar pick from New Balance’s Fresh Foam X line (the 1080v14) and found them incredibly comfortable, thanks to the cushioning. They felt already broken in and like they were cradling our feet.

We also love the wide range of sizes available for this shoe. From narrow to extra wide, you can really tailor your comfiest fit.

While the experts we consulted recommended cushioned shoes to maximize shock absorption, some people with sciatica report that cushioning makes their flare-ups worse. Instead, they find flat shoes to provide the most relief. If that’s you, then the Birkenstock Arizonas are a reliable option you can slide into.

The contoured footbed cradles the foot and offers rigidity, which Rodríguez Anaya says is crucial for preventing jostling of the spine when you have sciatica.

And while Birkenstocks are not cheap, if you’ve ever owned a pair, you know how long-lasting they are. Think of them as an investment in foot health.

Sciatica may make it painful to bend over. And if that’s the case, slip-on shoes can save the day. We like the men’s and women’s styles of the Skechers Go Walk 8 series because these shoes are consistently comfortable for all-day wear and are easy to slip on and off. They are fully hands-free thanks to fixed laces and a rigid heel, and offer ample support. We tested several shoes from the Skechers Go Walk series, and recommend their Go Walk Flex Alani for walking. They were lightweight and very easy to slip on and head out the door.

The latest iteration of these shoes has stepped it up style-wise, as well. Slip-ons run the risk of looking like they belong in a hospital, but the Skechers Go Walk 8 Nadias are on par with other brand-name athletic shoes (at half the price).

Clogs are back. And whether you’re strolling to work or striding through the airport, the Dansko Professional Clog gives you that put-together look while helping your body feel the same.

With an intentionally spacious fit, these clogs are easy to slip into, taking away the need for strenuous bending. The roomy toe box and heel counter work together to allow your foot to move freely while still providing plenty of stability. Plus, the polyurethane bottom provides just enough cushion for shock absorption, protecting the sciatic nerve from jarring foot strikes. The fully enclosed design ensures your feet stay in place.

What really landed this shoe on our list, though, is the variety. With narrow, standard, and wide sizes plus more than a dozen colors and patterns to choose from, the Dansko Professional Clog can work for a range of dressy occasions for sciatica sufferers. Plus, it’s even available in men’s sizes, too.

We chose the Ecco Helsinki 2 Slip-On as the best men’s dress shoe for sciatica because of the way it looks and feels. To start, you can’t go wrong with a classic leather loafer look (available in black or brown).

It’s a shoe you can wear all day and expect less aggravation from your sciatica symptoms. From the molded cushion footbed to the shock-absorbing sole, it has what you should look for in a shoe if you have sciatic nerve pain. And for days when your back is really in dire straits, you’ll appreciate the slip-on design, no bending necessary. 

The only negative to point out is that some online reviewers struggled to find the right size, reporting that the shoes were either too big or too small. This might be one to try on in-store. But the shoe is available in a very wide range of sizes, so you’re almost guaranteed to find your perfect fit.

As temperatures drop, you’ll want a good pair of boots to keep your feet dry and your toes warm. Orthofeet has a great line of orthotic boots that can do just that, while also easing sciatic nerve pain symptoms.

We chose the Orthofeet Blaire Hands-Free boot for its neutral design. You can pair this ankle boot with just about anything from your favorite jeans to a cute fall dress. It comes in the neutral shades black, chocolate, and mushroom. We tested and highly recommend Orthofeet shoes. Testers found them comfortable, adjustable, stylish, easy to get on, and very high quality. They were key to relieving our heel pain.

We also appreciate the boot’s slip-in design, which is easy on your back. The only bending you may need to do is to tighten the strap if you want a snugger fit, though some online reviewers report that the boot runs on the narrow side.

As for the orthotic design, it wins for its comfy cushioned heel and wide toe box. It also comes with an additional arch-booster insert so you can customize your level of arch support.

Get beach-ready, but make it orthotic, with Vionic’s Tide II Toe Post Sandal. The classic thong style is available in both men’s and women’s versions, each with several color options to choose from.

However, we chose this sandal less for the look and more for its sciatica-protecting features. If you can believe it, this flip-flop has arch support and a built-in orthotic to lessen heel pain. And the cushioned midsole provides much-needed shock absorption.

The sizing options leave a little to be desired, especially if you’re someone who tends to need a half size. Vionic recommends sizing up if that’s the case. Some reviewers also note there may be a break-in period.

Though you might not be logging many miles in a slide, they’re nice to have to wear around the house or on a hot day. And if you think a slide is a bad choice for your sciatica, think again.

“Nowadays, flip-flops come pretty cushiony and even with good arch support,” says Rodríguez Anaya.

The Oofos Ooahh Slide Sandal, available in men’s and women’s styles, fits the bill with a proprietary closed-cell foam outsole that offers impressive shock absorption and a decent amount of arch support. Online reviewers especially love these when undergoing any treatment for sciatica, such as recovering from surgery.