Best Shoes For Pregnancy
It’s official—you or someone you know is expecting. Congratulations! We think it’s a pretty big deal. While some of the coming changes may feel special or exciting, others might introduce pain or swelling that wasn’t there before (ouch).
One simple way to help alleviate foot pain throughout pregnancy is by wearing comfortable, supportive footwear. Some of the most comfortable shoes to wear during pregnancy are those that alleviate the natural swelling and increased pressure your feet experience during this time.
KURU offers a lineup of some of the best shoes for pregnancy that offer our pain-relieving technology, including superior cushion, arch support, shock-absorption, and enough width to help you stay as comfy as possible.
Pregnancy foot pain is a common symptom that can occur in response to the variety of changes the body goes through during pregnancy.
Since blood flow increases significantly during pregnancy to accommodate a growing baby, swelling—or edema—of the feet is quite common. Swollen feet and a natural increase in weight can also contribute to flattening arches and increased width of the feet.
Choosing good shoes for pregnancy can help relieve foot pain and provide a stable, supportive foundation for every step you take. The best shoes for pregnancy’s swollen feet include plenty of cushion and support, a wide-enough fit, and flexible uppers for comfort and breathability.
Along with proper footwear, incorporating yoga into your routine can be a natural and effective way to manage foot pain during pregnancy. Vajrasana, or thunderbolt pose, is a seated yoga posture that can be helpful in relieving pregnancy foot pain by improving circulation and reducing swelling. Watch the video below to learn how to perform Vajrasana pose and add it to your daily practice.
Learn more about the causes and risk factors for developing pregnancy-related foot pain, as well as takeaways to help determine the best treatment option.
Pregnancy is a time of many changes for a woman’s body, and one common issue many women experience during this time is foot pain. The increased weight and fluid in the body can put extra pressure on the feet, leading to discomfort and pain. In addition, wearing ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear can exacerbate the problem.
Understanding the causes and risk factors for pregnancy foot pain can help women take steps to alleviate discomfort and maintain good foot health during this time.
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Increased fluids in the bodyThe normal, healthy increase of fluid in the body can lead to swelling in the feet and ankles, which is a common cause of foot pain during pregnancy. This occurs due to an increase in blood flow and changes in circulation.Increased fluids in the body
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Changes in weightChanges in weight due to increased blood flow, fluid, and your growing baby can also contribute to foot pain during pregnancy. As the baby grows and puts more pressure on the legs and feet, it can lead to flattened arches, overpronation, and plantar fasciitis.Changes in weight
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Ill-fitting or unsupportive footwearIll-fitting or unsupportive footwear can exacerbate pregnancy foot pain, especially if the shoes are too tight or do not provide proper arch support. It is important to wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit properly during pregnancy to alleviate foot pain and discomfort.Ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it also brings about various changes to the body, including in the feet. Many women experience foot pain and swelling during pregnancy, which can make walking and other activities uncomfortable. Some common foot pain symptoms during pregnancy include swollen feet, flattening arches or overpronation, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, and low back pain.
Below we explore these symptoms and provide tips for conservative treatments you can try at home. If you’re experiencing foot pain during pregnancy, it’s always best to consult with your doctor for the best course of action.
Swollen feet: Swelling, or edema—especially in the feet and ankles—is a common symptom during pregnancy, caused by an increase in blood flow and changes in circulation.
Flattening arches or overpronation: Increased pressure on the legs and feet can lead to flattened arches or overpronation, which causes the arch to roll too far inward.
Plantar fasciitis: The increased stress on your feet can lead to inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is characterized by heel and arch pain.
Ingrown toenails: Nails that grow into the skin can occur with too-tight-fitting footwear. Be sure to increase the size of your footwear to match your feet’s growth during pregnancy.
Low back pain: Though this pain is not localized in the feet, the change in weight distribution and pressure on the spine can cause low back pain during pregnancy.
Your doctor will be able to provide the best pathway forward for helping guide you through your pregnancy. For a few tips on conservative treatments you can try at home, check out our Treatment section below.
Pregnancy Facts and Stats
- While pregnant, the body’s total water volume can increase by up to eight liters—or over 33 cups!
- To help reduce swelling during pregnancy, women can elevate feet, drink plenty of water, wear wide and comfortable footwear, and avoid crossing legs while sitting.
- About 10% of pregnant women develop plantar fasciitis. Help combat this condition with quality supportive footwear and rolling out your feet on a tennis or lacrosse ball.
- It is possible for a woman’s foot to permanently lengthen by up to a half a shoe size during pregnancy.
- Core and pelvis strength can help alleviate low back pain associated with pregnancy.
- Pregnancy can cause lasting changes to foot structure, according to a study published in The National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI).
There are several healthy habits that can help expectant moms reduce foot pain and feel as comfortable as possible.
One key habit is to wear supportive, comfy shoes for pregnancy. You want a shoe that can continue to support you even as your body changes. The best shoes during pregnancy feature plenty of shock-absorption, arch support, flexible fabric such as mesh uppers, and extra width to accommodate swollen feet.
See below for more tips on staying healthy and managing foot pain during pregnancy.
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Stretch the plantar fasciaTo help relieve heel pain and irritation of the fascia, stretch your calves and roll out the soles of your feet on a tennis or lacrosse ball.Stretch the plantar fascia
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Relieve swelling with a few habitsTo help reduce swelling, drink plenty of water, elevate your feet, avoid standing for long periods, eat potassium-rich foods, and exercise regularly to maintain healthy circulation.Relieve swelling with a few habits
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Self massage lower legsAnother technique to improve circulation, self massaging the calves and lower legs can help increase blood flow and reduce edema in this area.Self massage lower legs
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Stay activeMaintaining healthy levels of strength and fitness can help alleviate foot and low back pain during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the best exercise program for your individual needs.Stay active
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Choose footwear with cushion and supportMaternity shoes that feature plenty of width, cushion, flexibility, and support are best for the feet during pregnancy.Choose footwear with cushion and support
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Increase shoe size when neededTo avoid unnecessary squeezing and ingrown toenails, adjust your shoe size as needed to adapt to your changing feet.Increase shoe size when needed
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Avoid unsupportive or ill-fitting footwearAvoid shoes without arch support, including high heels, flip flops, or ballet flats without any cushion.Avoid unsupportive or ill-fitting footwear
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Listen to your bodySince pregnancy causes an enormous amount of change in the body, be sure to listen carefully to what your body tells you and stay in contact with your doctor for recommendations each step of the way.Listen to your body
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I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs.
That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology.
Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes.
If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
Many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and say they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
Even though KURU shoes were not initially intended to be orthopedic shoes, thousands of our customers say they experience relief from various foot pain conditions—including pregnancy foot pain!
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain.
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How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?
The best shoe for you will depend on your unique foot type.
The best shoes for pregnancy offer adequate arch support, shock-absorbing cushion, and enough width to adapt to any swelling.
Whether you’re looking for walking shoes, slip-on shoes, or flip flops, KURUs line of pregnancy shoes help alleviate foot pain symptoms (including plantar fasciitis!) for all-day comfort.
Mesh vs. Leather?
• Mesh is a common material in shoes and allows your foot to “breathe” a little more.
• We use many of the same materials found in lightweight, high-performance athletic or running shoes.
• Mesh keeps your foot a little cooler than leather would.
• However, mesh does not keep water out.
• If it is important that you keep your foot dry, then mesh is not your best bet.
• However, mesh will dry much more quickly than leather when it does get wet.
• On the other hand, leather is a great material that has been used in shoes for centuries.
• Leather lasts longer, resists abrasion, and does a better job of keeping water out.
• However, once wet, leather can get heavy and can take a few days to completely dry out.
• Since we use top-grade leathers in our shoes, it’s important to properly maintain the leathers to preserve the rich, supple finish and performance.
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At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad so each step stays protected.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption during your pregnancy. This layer of dense …Show More
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption during your pregnancy. This layer of dense EVA foam helps absorb impact to protect your joints, ligaments, and bones, especially as your body adapts for your new baby.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and premium, dual-density polyurethane foam. These durable, cushioned …Show More
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and premium, dual-density polyurethane foam. These durable, cushioned 5mm insoles provide lasting comfort even as your body changes throughout this 9-month period.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad so each step stays protected.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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