Have you been dealing with midfoot or ankle arthritis and your friend, family member, or medical professional recommended that you wear a pair of rocker bottom shoes? Are you suffering from plantar fasciitis and you need a pair of shoes to help redistribute your plantar pressure during gait? Rocker bottom shoes are usually recommended for women who have restricted mobility due to conditions such as arthritis or plantar fasciitis. I am going to show you a list of the best rocker bottom shoes for women based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
What Are Rocker Bottom Shoes?
Rocker bottom shoes provide thick outsoles and feature rounded heels that provide maximum stability and improved biomechanics. Some shoes come with rocker soles built-in while some others can be custom made. At the shoe store that I work for we carry some rocker shoes that have been quite effective for women with foot pain.
What Makes Rocker Bottom Shoes Ideal for Women with Foot Pain?
The rocker shoes that I have fitted before help prevent the ball of the foot and heel from impacting the ground. The impact is absorbed through the midfoot which helps to equally distribute the pressure throughout the foot allowing the foot to roll through the stride.
Rocker bottom shoes are usually my go-to shoes for women with the following conditions:
- Hallux limitus (big toe arthritis)
- Ball-of-foot pain
- Ankle arthritis
- Midfoot arthritis
My Experience Fitting Women’s Shoes
I have been working for a shoe store that focuses on helping women with complicated foot shapes as well as foot problems (flat feet, rolled ankles, heel pain) find the correct pair of shoes for their feet. I have helped several women with foot problems find the correct pair of shoes for their feet, and you won’t believe what a difference the correct pair of shoes can make!
The Importance of Wearing the Correct Shoe Size
Wearing your shoes in the correct size is the only way to get the full benefits that the shoes have to offer. This means getting the shoes in the correct length and shape.
I always recommend that women visit their local specialized shoe store to have a professional measure and evaluate their feet. If you don’t have a specialized shoe store and must shop online, there is a resource I created that you might find helpful:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
What Makes the Rocker Bottom Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Women?
1️⃣ Rigid at the Front
The rocker bottom shoes that I recommend are completely rigid at the front, and because they don’t bend when you step, you’re not being asked to bend the big toe joint. This helps transfer pressure off the ball of the foot to a part of the foot that is less painful.
Do you notice how the rocker bottom shoe on the right image has a curve designed which is placed strategically so that the wearer does not land flat footed but instead on a curve to reduce pressure on the foot?
2️⃣ Extra Cushion and Support Across the Midfoot Area
The rocker bottom shoes that I recommend help prevent the ball of the foot and heel from impacting the ground as the impact is absorbed through the midfoot. This helps to equally distribute the pressure throughout the foot allowing the foot to roll through the stride.
Are Different Types of Rocker Bottom Shoes?
There are two different types of rocker bottom shoes:
1️⃣ Heel to Toe Rocker Soles (Full Length Shank): This style rolls the foot from heel to toe while limiting motion in the ankle and midfoot. This design is great for ankle or midfoot pain.
2️⃣ Forefoot Rocker Soles (Half Length Shank): This style helps reduce pressure at the ball of the foot by allowing the foot to roll at the metatarsal heads. This design is great for metatarsalgia or arthritic toes.
Listed below are specific shoes rocker bottom shoes from shoe brands that I have fitted at the shoe store that I work for. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Rocker Bottom Shoes for Women ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The shoes below can fit women with medium, wide, or extra wide feet. These shoes can also accommodate women with high insteps.
- Front rolling is designed to reduce foot stress by isolating 28 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles from harm
- Durable and breathable mesh provides proper ventilation and flexibility
- Supportive outsole and firm heel counter
- BioMoGo DNA cushioning adapts to your stride, weight, and speed to help protect you by deflecting impact away from your body
- The shape of the shoe promotes a fluid motion from forefoot striking to toe-off
- Lightweight and flexible
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases
- Dual density midsole system positioned to enhance support and stability, positioned sport specifically
- Front rolling is designed to reduce foot stress by isolating 28 bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles from harm
- Durable and breathable mesh provides proper ventilation and flexibility
- Supportive outsole and firm heel counter
- BioMoGo DNA cushioning adapts to your stride, weight, and speed to help protect you by deflecting impact away from your body
- The shape of the shoe promotes a fluid motion from forefoot striking to toe-off
- Lightweight and flexible
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases
- Dual density midsole system positioned to enhance support and stability, positioned sport specifically
Getting Used to Rocker Bottom Shoes
It will take you some time to get used to wearing rocker bottom shoes as it’s a biomechanics change, but once you get used to them you will probably notice that your foot pain is significantly reduced or fully eliminated.
Are Any Other Rocker Bottom Shoes Available?
The rocker bottom shoes that I recommended above are the ones I am most familiar with since I have fitted and tested them at the shoe store that I work for. With that said, I am happy to do research online to find out if there are any other options for you:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Rocker bottom shoes are great for helping treat pain under the ball of the foot, the big toe joint, and pain in the heel (plantar fasciitis). The goal of rocker bottom shoes is to reduce the stress on those tissues and make them feel better.
Help me make this resource even better by adding your rocker shoes recommendations as well! I am sure that other women will benefit from reading about your experiences.
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