I Have Chronic Foot Pain, and These Are the Most Comfortable Pair of Workout Shoes I've Ever Owned

I just came in from my walk and my feet don’t hurt. Maybe this doesn’t seem like a big deal to most, but it is to me. Having a connective tissue disorder, my feet often ache, throb and sometimes have shooting pains. Finding a shoe that offers my feet the support they need, especially for my workouts and walks, has been a process—and a long one at that. And I know I’m not alone.

Foot Pain Trends Report

According to Kuru Footwear’s 2024 Foot Pain Trends Report, which includes a survey of 2,500 American adults, 81% of Americans have experienced foot pain—and nearly 1 in 5 adults have endured foot discomfort for a period of one to five years. Of these, 47% say their foot pain can be debilitating. 

The effects of foot pain can also extend to other parts of the body—33% of those experiencing foot pain reported related problems with their back, knees and hips (yep, all of the above!). 

And foot pain doesn’t just affect physical health, it can also affect mental health: 3 of 5 survey respondents said they experience anxiety or stress directly related to their foot pain.

And really, it makes sense. Your feet carry the entire load of your body. So when they’re not working properly or are painful to use, it often means you can’t do activities that are necessary or enjoyable—like work or exercise. And this can induce depression and anxiety, per a 2023 study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 

The Journey to Find a Shoe

Through the years, as my foot pain became worse, I went on a hunt to find a shoe I could comfortably work out in—including walking for exercise. My podiatrist recommended Hoka, but at the time, the styles were limited—and dare I say, ugly (they’ve come a long way in that department). I also didn’t want to shell out the $150 (give or take). I thought, my feet don’t hurt that bad yet. So I passed on them.

So I tried other (cuter) shoes that were supposed to have good support. The Ryka Devotion walking shoe is super cute with leggings and provides enough support for my feet as long as I’m not on them all day—but I can’t go for a walk in them without experiencing pretty intense foot pain. 

My New Balance 840 V5s are not as cute (why is it that the supportive shoes are never as attractive?) but definitely provide more support and have been my go-to—until I stumbled across Kuru on the internet. I had never heard of them but when I started learning more about their shoes, I knew I had to try them. And with their 45-day return or exchange policy, there was no risk with doing so.

According to their website, their shoes have a 4.5-star rating based on over 47,000 reviews (with 31,000 of them being 5 stars) and “feature a wide toe box, superior arch support, shock absorption and patented heel technology, engineered for pain relief.” 

The company claims that what makes their shoes different is their heel design. Other shoes tend to be flat on the sides, but Kuru shoes have built-in patented KuruSole technology that’s designed to hug your heels and reduce pain. According to previous surveys, 72% of Kuru customers reported improved pain symptoms, and 97% saw improvement in less than four weeks. 

Kuru Chicane

When I saw “reduce pain,” that was enough for me. I started scrolling through their options and found a walking shoe that I thought was cute (of course). I admit—I did hesitate at the $165 price tag, but I was determined (and a little bit desperate) to find a shoe that worked better at making my feet feel good. And let’s face it. I’ve shelled out way more than that through the years trying to find the right shoe. It would be worth it if this was the one. 

What also convinced me to give them a try was that the company provides information on helping foot pain beyond wearing their shoes—like soaking your feet in an ice bath and rolling bare feet on a tennis ball. It felt more like they were serving their customers rather than just selling to them.

Even before the shoes arrived, I was already getting emails from the company about how to “break the shoes in.” They advise wearing them for just two or three hours at a time around the house for the first week. This is because when your feet are not accustomed to that type of support, being in these shoes too long at first can, well, make your feet hurt. Kuru claims that their “Ultimate Insoles” also mold to your feet over time using your body heat, customizing them to your feet. So when they arrived, I wasted no time ripping into the box and putting them on.

Hmm, they feel pretty good, I thought. I walked around for a bit and kept them on for a couple of hours. Each day, I wore them for a while and after a week, I wore them all day. 

Now, after wearing them daily for a month, I can walk without my feet hurting nearly as much, and I enjoy my walks again. While no shoe can cure the source of my pain, having a shoe that’s designed specifically for foot pain definitely helps. And being able to enjoy my walks again helps both my physical health and mood—and you can’t put a price on that.