For feet that have lost feeling, the Performance-X for men is built a quarter inch deeper than standard, and the Marla offers women three widths.
Both are Dr. Comfort shoes. Three Orthofeet pairs with hook-and-loop straps follow them.
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The five pairs, and what sets each apart:
- Dr. Comfort Performance-X (men): double depth, in medium, wide and extra wide, men’s sizes 6 to 15.
- Dr. Comfort Marla (women): extra depth, in three widths, sizes 5.5 to 11.
- Orthofeet 851 (women): extra depth, leather and mesh upper.
- Orthofeet 827 (women): extra depth, stretch Lycra upper.
- Orthofeet 510 (men): extra depth, leather upper.
Dr. Comfort Performance-X
Men who want a trainer-style shoe with room to spare and no laces to tie.
Dr. Comfort Performance-X Men's Diabetic Athletic Shoe
Double depth, a full quarter inch deeper than standard
Toggle closure, removable insoles
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
It is double depth, a full quarter inch deeper than standard styles. It suits feet needing significantly more interior space.
It is built to help accommodate internal braces, AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses) and severe edema (swelling).
It has a seamless design aimed at skin irritation, an elastic toggle closure instead of tying, and removable insoles. Your own insert or custom orthotic can take their place.
- Unsuited to
- Anyone who wants a choice of colors: Black is the only one named
Dr. Comfort Marla
Women who want a choice of three widths and a gel insole included.
Dr. Comfort Marla Women's Extra Depth Shoe
Extra depth, medium to extra-wide widths
Free pair of gel insoles included
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
The width range is the reason to look at the Marla first. It comes in medium (A/B), wide (C/D) and extra wide (E/2E), in sizes 5.5 through 11.
It has a Lycra upper. Check the photos for the closure before you order.
- Made for
- Neuropathy is among the conditions named for the shoe
Orthofeet 851
Women who want leather and mesh with hook-and-loop straps.
Orthofeet 851 Women's Extra Depth Leather and Mesh Shoe
Extra depth, leather and mesh upper
Hook-and-loop closure
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
A leather-and-mesh upper and a hook-and-loop closure, for diabetic therapeutic use.
- Unsuited to
- Anyone who needs to see widths first: check the width options Amazon offers before you order
Orthofeet 827
Women who want a stretch upper rather than leather.
Orthofeet 827 Women's Extra Depth Stretch Shoe
Extra depth, stretch Lycra upper
Hook-and-loop closure
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
It has a stretch Lycra upper instead of the 851’s leather and mesh. The closure is hook-and-loop on both, so the choice between the two comes down to the upper material.
- Unsuited to
- Anyone who needs to see widths first: check the width options Amazon offers before you order
Orthofeet 510
Men who want a leather shoe with hook-and-loop straps.
Orthofeet 510 Men's Extra Depth Leather Shoe
Extra depth, leather upper
Hook-and-loop closure
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
It is the Orthofeet choice for men here: an extra-depth leather shoe with hook-and-loop closure.
Check the size and width options Amazon offers for this model before you order.
- Unsuited to
- Anyone who wants a mesh or athletic upper: the upper is leather
What to check before you buy
NIDDK, the federal research institute for diabetes and kidney disease within the National Institutes of Health, gives plain rules for buying shoes.
Check toe room first: NIDDK says shoes need enough room for your toes. It also advises buying shoes late in the day, when your feet are largest.
Orthofeet describes its extra-depth line on its own site. The points below apply to the line, not to one model:
- Toe area and lining: extra room for toe movement, in a soft, smooth lining padded with extra foam.
- Insoles: orthotic insoles come with every pair.
- Spacers: two sets of removable spacers (2 mm and 3 mm) adjust the space inside the shoe.
- Straps: slip-on shoes carry a strap on both sides.
A smooth lining matters because numb feet may not feel a pebble or a rough spot. NIDDK tells people with diabetes to check inside each shoe first. The lining should be smooth and free of pebbles.
Run a hand around the inside of any pair on arrival. The Performance-X lists a toggle closure, and the three Orthofeet titles name hook-and-loop.
What Medicare covers, in one paragraph
Medicare, the federal health insurance program, mainly for people 65 and over, pays toward therapeutic shoes under Part B. It does so only if you have diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease.
Neuropathy from another cause is not the condition its page names.
The doctor treating your diabetes must certify the need, and a podiatrist or other qualified doctor must order the shoes. Your doctors and suppliers must be enrolled in Medicare.
Each year Medicare allows one pair of extra-depth shoes, or one pair of custom shoes or inserts, plus 2 or 3 more pairs of inserts.
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, if your supplier accepts assignment.
When to see a podiatrist instead
A podiatrist is a foot doctor.
NIDDK says to call your provider right away about a cut, blister or bruise not healing after a few days. The same goes for skin that turns red, warm or painful.
NIDDK also says you can ask your provider to refer you to a podiatrist if needed. Do that before buying if you have a foot sore or doubt you can feel your feet.
If your feet are numb, ask your doctor to check them before you order a pair.
Matching the pair to the foot
| Your walk | Take a look |
|---|---|
| Men, double depth, three widths | Dr. Comfort Performance-X |
| Women, three widths and gel insoles | Dr. Comfort Marla |
| Women, leather and mesh, straps | Orthofeet 851 |
| Women, stretch upper, straps | Orthofeet 827 |
| Men, leather, straps | Orthofeet 510 |
NIDDK advises checking your feet every day. The foot check in walking with neuropathy covers a hand inside each shoe and a look at the sole of each foot.
For a woman who needs width choices, buy the Marla. For a man who needs room for braces, AFOs or severe swelling, buy the double-depth Performance-X.
Choose an Orthofeet 851, 827 or 510 when you prefer a strap closure and the listed upper, and check the width options Amazon offers before you order.