By Rehan Iqbal
Foot pain can have a significant impact on your daily life. Walking around can prove next to impossible due to the great amount of discomfort coming from your feet. That kind of pain doesn’t go away quickly either.
In search of relief, you might have considered trying rocker bottom shoes. You might have heard about their ability to mitigate foot pain and wondered if they can work for you too.
Even if you are interested in trying rocker bottom shoes, it can be difficult to choose a pair. That’s the problem I’m here to help with.
Featured in this article are the top rocker bottom shoes available today. Check out our in-depth reviews on those rocker bottom shoes and find out which pair makes the most sense for you.
Come up with a solution for your nagging foot pain after reading this article.
The Best Rocker Bottom Shoes
1. Gravity Defyer G-Defy Mighty Walk Shoes
Gravity Defyer’s shoes make use of something known as VersoShock technology. The main advantage of VersoShock is the relief it offers to your knees. The technology does a good job of easing pressure on those joints.
You’re not getting that kind of feature in many other rocker bottom shoes. Those who are currently affected by knee issues should take a close look at this pair.
Aside from helping with your knee issues, you should also wear the G-Defy shoes because they will feel good on your feet. They roll smoothly when you take a step. No part of your foot is exposed to excessive pressure while you’re walking.
The manufacturers also used mesh throughout the shoes. That can prove to be a positive feature because the mesh helps keep your feet cool.
I didn’t like the roomy area for the toes as much. The amount of space in that area feels unnatural.
The design of these shoes is also quite striking. It’s up to you to decide if you like how these shoes look on your feet.
2. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Shoes
If you’re currently dealing with somewhere near the middle of your foot, you may want to try the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Shoes. Many of the pair’s features are designed to alleviate discomfort around that area.
First off, you have the midsole cushioning. Despite how soft the cushion is, it still manages to provide a good amount of support for your feet.
The MC Pod Configuration is another key feature I want to highlight. This feature adjusts the positioning of your feet and emphasizes the midsole. By adjusting the positioning of your feet, you will feel more balanced whenever you take a step. That will stop pressure from being concentrated on your midsoles.
Sadly, the fit along the back of your feet isn’t quite as good. There is just a bit too much space in the back of the shoes and that stops them from offering a perfect fit.
Speaking of fit, you can change how these shoes cover your feet by removing the insoles. Being removable, the insoles are easy to clean.
These shoes are also good to wear during the summer. The mesh lining makes the shoes breathable and that will prevent sweating.
3. Hoka Bondi 8
The middle portion of your foot may be bearing a disproportionate amount of weight due to your gait. That’s why it’s so susceptible to a variety of issues. Capably address those midsole issues by wearing the Bondi shoes from Hoka.
You can tell from their design that the manufacturers focused on the midsole with the Bondi 8 shoes. For instance, the midsoles themselves are made from compression-molded EVA foam. Those midsoles will provide plenty of cushioning when you’re moving around.
TPU overlays offer additional comfort for your midsoles. The same can be said for the breathable mesh that covers those portions of the shoes.
The Bondi shoes from Hoka do more than ease the strain on your midsoles. They also excel at cradling your Achilles. The manufacturers wanted to provide extra comfort for the Achilles with the included memory collars.
Although your Achilles will be cared for, it’s hard to say the same thing about your ankles. Due to their low-cut design, these shoes simply don’t provide as much ankle support as other rocker bottom shoes. You may have to pick up a different pair if you need strong ankle support.
Hoka Clifton 8 - (Early Stage Meta Rocker)
4. Exersteps Brisa Sneakers
Don’t let the low price tag trick you into thinking these shoes struggle to provide comfort. The lightweight midsoles double as good cushions. You’re also getting some added shock absorption from the molded socks provided.
The non-marking soles are also there to offer some traction. I also like the mesh used for these shoes because they help cool your feet down. That feature will come in handy if you want to use these sneakers for exercising.
I would shy away from running too much with these shoes on though. The low-cut design can cause you to twist your ankle if you step on an uneven surface. Be mindful of your steps to avoid that kind of accident.
These sneakers also fit somewhat wide. The good news on that front is that the manufacturers are offering half sizes. You can still find shoes that fit you well thanks to those additional options.
5. New Balance 928 V3 Lace-Up Walking Shoes
Leading off our lineup of the best rocker bottom shoes are some items from New Balance. The 928 V3 Lace-Up Walking Shoes from New Balance come with several features that are designed to provide comfort.
The ABZORB midsoles are tasked with reducing the amount of impact that reaches your feet. They serve as cushions and keep your feet from being subjected to excessive strain.
New Balance also relies on the ROLLBAR stability system to ease the pain affecting your feet. This is a go-to shoe for overpronators. Your feet will be stabilized as you wear these shoes.
The ROLLBAR system is also helpful if you’re already experiencing some ankle pain. The stability it provides will mitigate that pain to some extent.
Other features of these New Balance shoes you need to know about include removable footbeds and the fact that it is made from 100 percent leather. They require a good amount of care, but they can also last for a long time.
I didn’t like the short tongues on these shoes, however. Because of how short they are, they can sometimes cause the laces to rub up against your feet.
Still, the 928 V3 Lace-Up Walking Shoes from New Balance are great pick-ups if you need some relief from foot pain.
6. Alegria Classic Women's
If you want to wear rocker bottom shoes that present a unique look, you may be interested in the Alegria Classics. To be clear though, you’re getting more than just a unique look from these round bottom shoes.
They also excel at offering comfort for your heels and your midsoles. The outsoles are specifically designed to reduce the pressure that typically affects those parts of your feet. The designers also opted to keep much of the soles flat to grant added stability.
I love the latex and cork footbed because it conforms itself to the shape of your foot. Your foot will not feel cramped inside this shoe thanks to that feature. That feature is also very welcome when you have to spend a lot of time on your feet.
If anything, the real issue is that these shoes tend to fit wide. The straps can only do so much to tighten the fit around your feet. You may have to wear some extra-thick socks to improve the fit of these shoes.
7. MBT Moderna Slip-On Men's Rocker Bottom Shoes
The Pivot Strike area placed near the front of the shoe allows you to quickly transition from stepping to walking. Your feet will feel like they’re gliding along the ground while you’re wearing these shoes.
Thanks to the way the midsoles are designed, you’ll also have an easier time rolling your feet forward as you walk. Improve your gait while wearing these rocker bottom shoes from MBT.
While they do excel at providing comfort while walking, these MBT shoes are not quite as good if you spend a lot of time standing. The rounded bottoms are not as prominent on these shoes. Compared to other rocker bottom shoes, these don’t alleviate as much pressure.
Breathability is not going to be an issue if you decide to pick up these shoes from MBT. The breathable mesh used for these shoes will keep your feet nice and cool throughout your shift at work.
8. Propet Men's Village Walker A5500 Diabetic Shoes
Compare them to other rocker bottom shoes and you’ll notice that the rounded soles are not quite as prominent. Others may not be able to tell that you’re wearing rocker bottom shoes unless they look very closely. Did the designers’ decision to feature a more conventional style affect the ability of these Propet shoes to provide comfort? Well, it kind of does.
The main problem is that the collars are too short. They don’t offer much in the way of ankle support because they don’t go high enough.
Still, these shoes do provide comfort-focused features. Your heels are specially cared for by the built-in stabilizers that have been contoured to accommodate them. The heel counters are additional features that ease the pressure on your heels.
These Propet shoes also aim to protect you from injury with their rubber outsoles. Your feet won’t slip out from under you thanks to those elements.
9. Shoes for Crews Energy II
The cushioned insoles used for these shoes offer solid underfoot support. You can save your feet from taking a beating by keeping those insoles in position. Remove them whenever you need to clean them so they stay in good condition.
I also want to point out that the tongues and collars of these have been padded. They will both help keep your ankles protected.
I do have an issue with the tongues because they’re too long. They may not match up well with the rest of your outfit because they tend to stick out. You may also have to keep adjusting them because of how long they are.
We can start by highlighting the nylon shanks that are present in these shoes. Those nylon shanks improve stability.
The protective spill guards are also going to shield your feet from potential injuries. Even if you drop a hot cup of coffee near your feet, you can avoid some painful burns as long as you’re wearing these shoes.
10. Dansko XP 2.0 Women's Shoes
Dansko has been bringing high-quality round bottom clogs to the market for years. Have they done it again with the XP 2.0 shoes or have they missed the mark this time?
Let’s start with the things I love about these shoes. What drew me to these shoes is the way they managed to provide stability while remaining lightweight. The designers pulled that off by adding an inner frame made from PVC to these shoes. The PVC keeps your feet stable inside these shoes as you walk.
The decision to use EVA foam for the midsoles is another smart decision on the part of the designers. Those EVA foam midsoles provide the cushioning you need without introducing too much weight to the shoes themselves.
The slip-resistant rubber outsoles used in these shoes will protect you from potential accidents. Those outsoles will remain stable on a wide variety of surfaces.
Unfortunately, these rocker bottom clogs from Dansko are not especially durable. After just a few months of wearing them, you may see them start showing signs of damage. Those blemishes can be annoying so be prepared to deal with them if you end up buying these shoes.
What Are Rocker Bottom Shoes?
Rocker or round bottom shoes are specially designed pieces of footwear that prioritize pain relief. Most shoes protect your feet from your surroundings and a new dimension to your look. Rocker bottom shoes can still do those things, but they place a greater amount of importance on your comfort.
The idea behind rocker bottom shoes is simple.
Since we all have distinctive gaits, we may be unwittingly placing a disproportionate amount of weight and pressure on certain portions of our feet. Your heels, midsoles, and the front of your feet may all be subjected to excessive force regularly.
You can wear rocker bottom shoes to correct that problem. Rocker bottom shoes roll your feet and that stops you from putting too much pressure on any one part. After using rocker bottom shoes for a while, you may notice the pain affecting your feet slowly start to disappear.
What Are the Types of Rocker Bottom Shoes?
There are two main types of rocker bottom shoes for you to choose from when you’re shopping. Those are the forefoot rocker sole shoes and the heel-to-toe rocker sole shoes.
Forefoot Rocker Sole Shoes
With forefoot rocker sole shoes, you’ll find that the soles are not entirely rounded. Only the portion of the sole that goes from the metatarsal heads to the toes is rounded into shape.
That design choice keeps forefoot rocker sole shoes from standing out too much. More importantly, they contribute to the comfort you enjoy. When you wear forefoot rocker sole shoes, you can effectively alleviate the pain that may be radiating from the balls of your feet.
Heel-to-Toe Rocker Sole Shoes
Heel-to-toe shoes do not shy away from the rocker bottom design. You’ll see that the entirety of the sole is curved, with the midsole often standing out as the thickest portion.
Whereas forefoot rocker shoes are great for relieving pain that may be affecting the balls of your feet, heel-to-toe rockers are better suited to alleviate pain from other regions. To be more specific, they target the middle portions of your feet along with your ankles.
How Often Should Rocker Bottom Shoes Be Worn?
There is no problem with wearing rocker bottom shoes regularly. You can wear them to work or school and they won’t cause any discomfort. They may even help your feet feel better after a long day.
However, you shouldn’t wear those aforementioned shoes for high-intensity exercises. If you’re going out for a run, try to maintain a moderate pace instead of sprinting. The height of the shoes may cause you to roll an ankle and you don’t want that.
Rocker bottom shoes can also exacerbate existing knee issues. Wait until those knee issues clear up before you start wearing rocker bottom shoes regularly. Those rocker bottom shoes can put pressure on your knees so it’s best to keep them shelved while you’re recovering.