By Dr. Comfort Editor

Finding shoes that fit comfortably when you have a high instep can feel like an endless search. Standard footwear presses down on the top of your foot, leaves painful red marks after just a short time, and makes getting shoes on and off a daily struggle.

A high instep creates extra vertical space from the bottom to the top of your foot, which means you need more than just the right length or width to achieve true comfort. In this guide, you'll discover what features to look for in the best shoes for high instep, which shoe types work best for your foot shape, and how Dr. Comfort's adjustable designs address these challenges.

What Is a High Instep and Why It Affects Shoe Fit

A high instep is the raised area on top of the foot between the ankle and toes. This creates extra vertical volume, making it challenging to find comfortable footwear since most shoes are designed for average dimensions.

Unlike wide feet (horizontal spread) or high arches (underfoot curve), a high instep creates volume from top to bottom across the midfoot. Standard shoes often press down against this area, causing discomfort even when the length and width are correct.

Common Fit Issues with Standard Footwear

When you have a high instep, everyday shoes can cause frustrating problems:

  • Pressure and pain across the top of the foot: The tongue and laces dig in, leaving red marks or bruising.
  • Difficulty getting shoes on and off: Forcing the heel in or struggling with tight openings.
  • Numbness or tingling: Compressed nerves cause uncomfortable sensations during wear.
  • Sizing confusion: Going up a size adds length but not vertical room, causing heel slippage.

These challenges are even more difficult to manage if you are dealing with diabetes, neuropathy, or limited hand mobility. With 40.1 million people in the United States having diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes, proper footwear selection becomes critical for preventing complications.

Key Features to Look for in Shoes for High Instep Feet

Finding the best shoes requires looking beyond standard sizing for design elements that create room where you need it most. Now that you’re not wondering anymore what does a high instep look like, it’s time to get the right footwear that provides support and style.

Extra Depth and Volume

Extra depth adds vertical space between the insole and upper, preventing the tongue from pressing down on your instep. This allows toes to rest naturally without cramping while providing adequate cushioning, as quality footwear must absorb 1.5 times your body weight when you walk. Some manufacturers call this "double depth" as it offers significantly more volume than standard shoes.

Dr. Comfort's X series of styles features this double-depth construction. Women looking for this added room can explore women's double-depth shoes designed to accommodate higher foot volume.

Adjustable Closures

Adjustability is crucial for relieving pressure. Look for these closure types:

  • Hook-and-loop straps: Have quick adjustment without pressure points from tied laces
  • Lace-up designs: Allow skipping eyelets or adjusting tension across different zones
  • Elastic panels: Flex with your foot, which is helpful if you experience swelling

Dr. Comfort's Winner X and adjustable strap sandals like the Roger provide these flexibility options to customize your fit.

Wide Toe Boxes and Soft Uppers

A roomy toe box reduces pressure across the forefoot, allowing toes to spread naturally. To prevent foot problems like bunions and ensure a proper fit, medical experts recommend shoes with a wide toe box and advise against pointy toes.

Soft, stretch materials like Lycra or knit mesh mold to your foot shape rather than forcing it into a rigid form. Dr. Comfort's stretch Lycra models, including Annie and Brian, feature uppers that accommodate high insteps while remaining gentle on sensitive skin.

Removable Insoles

Removable insoles allow for customization. You can remove the factory insole to gain vertical space or replace it with a custom orthotic. Most Dr. Comfort shoes come with removable OrthoLite or foam insoles. If you need additional support, shoe inserts can provide personalized comfort while working within your shoe's existing depth.

Best Shoe Types for High Instep Support

Certain shoe categories naturally accommodate high insteps better than others. Understanding which types work best helps you build a versatile wardrobe.

Walking Shoes and Everyday Sneakers

Athletic sneakers are excellent options due to adjustable closures and roomy construction. Look for styles with extra depth, wide width options (like 2E or 4E), and generous toe boxes.

The Grace X for women and Gordon X for men deliver double-depth support for everything from walking to errands, while the Brian X and Lucie X offer versatile styling for active days.

Orthopedic and Diabetic Shoes

Orthopedic footwear features added depth, protective interiors, and adjustability. Seamless linings prevent rubbing, while padded collars add comfort.

These features are particularly important given that foot ulcers affect approximately 19%–34% of people with diabetes during their lifetime, making proper footwear selection critical for prevention. These are ideal for managing high insteps alongside medical conditions.

Hands-Free and Easy-Entry Shoes

Hands-free designs feature collapsible heel counters or elastic systems, eliminating the struggle of tight openings. This is especially helpful if you have a high instep combined with arthritis, limited mobility, or back pain. Dr. Comfort's Quick Fit shoes offer slip-on ease without sacrificing volume.

Top Dr. Comfort Shoes for High Instep Feet

All Dr. Comfort shoes come in multiple widths and work with orthotics, giving you flexibility to find your perfect fit.

Best Men's Options

Men have excellent choices that don't sacrifice style:

  • Douglas: Casual slip-on with stretch Lycra and extra depth for easy entry.
  • Brian / Brian X: Lace-up sneaker in Lycra (Brian) or double-depth (Brian X).
  • Gordon X: Double-depth athletic shoe with mesh and a wide toe box.
  • Edward X: Double-depth casual shoe suitable for work or everyday activities.

Each style features removable insoles and optional widths.

Best Women's Options

Women can choose from these fashionable, functional picks:

  • Lucie X: Double-depth leather/mesh sneaker with adjustable laces.
  • Grace X: Double-depth athletic shoe with a roomy forefoot.
  • Annie / Annie X: Stretch Lycra casual shoe (Annie) or double-depth version (Annie X).
  • Betty: Stretch Lycra casual shoe with a padded tongue.

Women's styles come in standard and wide widths with elegant colorways.

Why These Styles Work for High Instep Feet

These styles address high instep challenges through thoughtful design. Extra depth creates vertical clearance, stretch uppers adapt to foot shape, and adjustable closures prevent pressure points. Finally, the inclusion of removable insoles provides the ultimate customization for either more space or personalized support.

Tips for Finding the Right Fit

Even the best-designed shoes need proper fitting. These strategies help you choose the right size.

Try Shoes Later in the Day

Feet naturally swell during the day. Try shoes in the afternoon or evening to ensure adequate clearance, especially if you experience edema, diabetes, or circulation issues.

Use Sizing Guides and Fit Tools

Length isn't enough; you must assess the circumference across your midfoot. Dr. Comfort's sizing charts and customer service can provide advice, and trying multiple widths ensures the best balance of length, width, and depth. When checking fit, ensure you can place one finger width between your longest toe and the shoe's end for proper clearance.

When to Consider Custom Inserts or Modifications

Custom orthotics or modifications can fine-tune the fit for extra support. Dr. Comfort's removable insoles make inserting orthotics simple. If you experience persistent pain or skin breakdown, consult a podiatrist.

Step Into Comfort With the Right Shoe Fit

Finding comfortable shoes requires understanding your needs: vertical volume, adjustability, soft uppers, and removable insoles. Dr. Comfort's X-series and stretch models address these challenges while maintaining style.

The right footwear restores confidence and mobility. Explore Dr. Comfort's collection to discover shoes that adapt to your life instead of forcing your feet to adapt to them.

Sources:

  1. CDC. National Diabetes Statistics Report. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html.
  2. Cleveland Clinic. How To Find the Best Walking Shoes. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-find-the-best-walking-shoes.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Bunions. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bunions/symptoms-causes/syc-20354799.
  4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Adherence to wearing prescribed footwear in people at risk of diabetes‐related foot ulcers. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11345030/.

The contents of this blog were independently prepared and are for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.