Whether you’re working, hiking, or just strolling along with friends, best rocker bottom shoes make great footwear. Also known as rocker sole or rounded sole shoes, these kinds of shoes have soles that are thicker than that of the average shoes and have rounded heels. This design allows you to have better movement stability and gait mechanics.
Rocker bottom shoes are designed to enhance foot function and balance while letting vulnerable foot parts rest when moving. They compensate for losing a range of motion because of gait issues. By shifting the wearer’s body weight behind the ankle as you walk, rocker soles lessen the pain and tension in certain foot joints.
Though the style has become a bit of a fad a few years ago, rocker bottom shoes were first designed for people who have walking issues and restricted mobility because of foot injuries and medical conditions like arthritis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Hemiplegia, fasciitis, and Arthrodesis.
If you need to use rocker bottom shoes because of a foot injury, it is best to seek the advice of an expert so you will know the exact type of rocker soles you need. Some shoes in the market already come with built-in rocker soles that may fit your prescription; but choosing the best type of shoes from so many models available may take a lot of your time.
To help you save time and effort in finding the best quality rocker bottom shoes, we’ve sorted and reviewed ten of the best available models.
Reviews of Top 10 Best Rocker Bottom Shoes
1. Skechers Women’s Shape Ups 2.0 Sneaker
- Athletic sneaker featuring Air Cooled breathability and memory foam footbed
If you have an active lifestyle or a job that demands a lot of walking and standing, the Skechers Shape Ups 2.0 sneakers are the perfect choice. These shoes offer both comfort and style suited for casual walking. With its rocker bottom, each step you take feels like being lunged by a spring.
Features
The Skechers Women’s Shape Up 2.0 features a smooth faux leather upper and synthetic overlays for support. It has a ripstop textured mesh fabric panel at the front and side and perforations on the upper for cooling effects. It also gives you an adjustable yet secure fit with its full lace up closure. It has a pull tab at the back for easy on and off wear.
What’s best about these sneakers is its memory foam air-cooled cushioned insole that gives all day support. You can wear it comfortably, even for long periods. Its padded collar and tongue also offer comfort around your ankle. The shoes’ kinetic wedge, soft foam midsole and sculpted rubber rocker bottom outsoles are designed to absorb shock.
2. Exersteps Men’s Whirlwind Sneakers
- Leather upper
- Non-marking sole provides traction and durability
- The lighweight midsole is shock-absorbing to relieve impact on hard surfaces
- Molded sock provides lasting cushion and comfort
If you are looking for affordable yet good quality sneakers, the Exersteps Men’s Whirlwind sneakers are the right choice for you. Its ergonomic design and excellent foot support system make these shoes great not just for men with foot issues, but for every man. It offers firm and stable steps so you can use it casually, as exercise shoes, or for work.
Features
Exersteps Men’s Whirlwind sneakers have a lace up leather upper for a snug fit. It offers a padded tongue and collar for additional ankle support. The sneakers’ sides and toe vamp are perforated to allow air circulation so your feet won’t feel hot even when you are wearing the shoes the entire day.
With these sneakers, you won’t have a problem walking on different types of surfaces. Its lightweight midsole absorbs shock, stimulates your muscles and relieves impact. It’s non-marking sole also gives excellent grip and traction.
Aside from its durability, a notable feature of Exersteps Whirlwind sneakers is its molded sock, which provides you with lasting cushion and comfort.
With all these attributes, this rocker bottom shoe boasts of its high quality performance as a walking and running shoe.
3. Clarks Women’s Wave Trek Sneaker
- Removable footbed accommodates custom orthotics
- Internal EVA foam heel wedge positions feet for easier walking
- Rocker profile heel kicker, concave heel and toe support at outsole
Clarks Women’s Wave Trek Sneakers offers a combination of comfort, function, and fashion. With these sneakers, you will have an enhanced walking experience. Its ergonomic design gives incredible comfort and excellent arch support.
Styled to go well with any casual outfit, you can use these rocker bottoms on treks on city sidewalks or country lanes. Its removable footbed also accommodates custom orthotics, making Clarks a stunning shoe choice for every woman.
Features
The Wave Trek Sneakers from Clarks is made with premium waterproof leather upper, allowing you to use these shoes in rain or shine. It also has a traditional lace up design for a nice and secure fit. Inside, it includes a gusseted tongue attached on each side to help keep out any debris.
This helps keep your foot safe from stones and pebbles that may get inside the shoes during a rough walk. The shoes also have padded collars for added comfort.
The removable footbed features Clark’s trademarked ortholite technology that provides you with a healthy foot environment. An internal EVA foam heel wedge positions your feet for easy walking. With these features, your foot is cushioned and supported with every step you take.
A notable feature of these sneakers is its innovative curve rocker sole specifically designed to conserve energy. It is equipped with a flexible rubber outsole that delivers long lasting durability and comfort on a variety of surfaces.
The shock-absorbing EVA midsoles also add to the shoes gentle support. Clarks Wave Trek Sneakers carry the seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
To fit your style preference, the Wave Trek rocker bottoms come in three color options so you can match your pair of shoes to any outfit.
4. Alegria Women’s debra Slip-On
- APMA approved support and comfort
- Leather upper with hand stitched construction
- Removable footbed with arch support
- Rocker outsole
- Slip resistance
If you’re looking for rocker bottoms that offer you spice and jazz in its designs, the Alegria Women’s Debra Slip-On is for you. This professional grade shoe is soft to walk on and is very durable.
As an easy to wear slip on, these shoes are perfect for workers who are on their feet all day like nurses, teachers and those who are in the hospitality field. Debra Slip-on offers you stylish comfort even if your job demands you to stand all day.
Features
The Debra features full foot coverage with a closed back slip resistant outsole and a stain proof coated leather upper. You only need to wipe it clean with a damp cloth and your shoes will look good as new.
It has double elastic gores so you can easily take the shoes on and off. The slip on design with elastic instep also allows for an easy and comfortable fit.
Debra Slip-On’s key feature is its removable foot bed that is loaded with cork, memory foam and latex. These form the natural contour of your foot, enabling a perfect fit. It also offers arch and heel support, relieving stress on the legs, hips and back. The shoe’s interior is made of breathable leather that helps keep moisture away from your feet.
The slip-on also features a non-slip polyurethane outsole that reduces heel and central metatarsal pressure. It is engineered to provide a natural rocker walking motion while promoting perfect posture to reduce stress on muscles and joints.
Its bottom is flat, thus enhancing stability. These rocker bottoms come in a variety of colors and prints so you can choose a design that reflects your personality.
5. L LOUBIT Women Wedge Shoes
- Breathable mesh fabric upper provides for superior breathability and quick drying
- Sole with PU polyurethane,non-slip,wear,extend the life of the shoes
- Suitable for party, sports, walking, running ，any occasion, casual and trend
The L Loubit Slip-on Wedge Shoes is a brilliant match to any sport or casual assemble. You can use this light but durable rocker bottom shoes indoors or outdoors. Its style and functionality make it the perfect shoe model for people who love to travel and do outdoor activities. Walking in these shoes is similar to walking barefoot along a sandy beach.
Features
The L Loubit slip-on wedge shoes have a high quality, soft, mercerized mesh cotton upper. This material is lightweight and breathable, allowing air to circulate inside your feet. It has a soft lining that offers moisture wicking properties to ensure that your feet are warm and dry even with an entire day’s use.
These slip-on wedges are designed for optimum user comfort. It has a well-cushioned insole, and a midsole platform that provides an excellent bounce back ability.
The PU outsoles are thick and slip resistant. The wedge rocker design reduces pressure from the foot while you are walking or standing. L Loubit slip ons are available in 4 color variations.
6. New Balance Men’s 928 V3 Walking Shoe
- ABZORB Cushioning
- Durable Outsole for Long-Lasting Wear
- Additional Underfoot Comfort
- Made for All-Day Wear
The New Balance 928 V3 Walking Shoes offers you consistency, quality and support. Equipped with three trademarked New balance technology, it offers you support and stability that ensures your walking comfort. Even if you’re wearing these shoes from nine to five at work and for adventures during weekends, your feet will always feel amazing.
Features
The 928 V3 Walking shoes are made out of a combination of leather and mesh throughout the upper to provide optimal comfort while you are walking. It has a seamless phantom lining on the inside to reduce irritation. Equipped with odor resistant treatment, it keeps your feet fresh all day.
Its thick midsole features New Balance’s trademarked ABZORB technology for plenty of shock absorption and compression resistance. The rubber outsoles are sturdy and keep you steady. With NDurance outsole technology, it also provides superior durability in high wear areas.
The best features of this walking shoe are its ROLLBAR stability post system and Walking Strike Path outsole technology. These help you control rear foot movement for enhanced support and guides your foot throughout the gait cycle to deliver top quality motion and stability. New balance offers a few neutral colors of 928 V3.
7. Altra Women’s Olympus 2 Trail Running Shoe
- Lace-up running shoe featuring FootShape toe box, padded collar, and 36-mm stack height
- 5-mm contoured footbed
- Dual layer EVA midsole with a-bound top layer
- Vibram outsole for traction
- Ideal uses include trail running, hiking, fastpacking, and trail racing
The Altra Olympus 2 Trail Running Shoe is an iconic max cushioned trail shoe. If you are a runner or a fast packer, this is the best rocker bottom shoe for you. This running shoe provides ample cushioning to support your feet for many miles so your feet are relaxed, stable and comfortable.
Features
Olympus 2 features a uniform stack height of 36 millimeters from the heel to the forefoot to ensure that your heel is not elevated. This promotes better alignment and a more natural posture while running. It also has a zero drop platform that lessens the impact of each step.
Its midsole is made of two layers of ultra light EVA with a bound energy return compound right underneath your foot. This adds spring to your step and reduces ground impact. The outsoles are made of Vibram mega grip rubber for superior traction. The lugs in the outsoles are also deep enough to tackle all surface conditions.
Altra’s Olympus 2 has a unique toe box that offers you a lot of room for your toes. It allows your big toe to remain in a straight position. Its broad cut also reduces your risk of developing foot problems.
It features a toe cap at the front to protect your toes from kicked rocks. These trail shoes also have a flexible heel counter at the back with a gaiter trap at the bottom to keep your feet dry and clean while running.
Its removable footbed offers 5 millimeters of extra cushioning. These cushions also protect your feet from stone bruising. With Altra’s Olympus 2, your trail adventures will never be the same.
8. MBT Men’s Sport 3 Comfort Rocker Bottom Shoe
The MBT Men’s Sport 3 Rocker Bottom Shoes is innovatively designed for a unique and rewarding experience. This physiological rocker bottom shoe features MBT’s patented sole structure that gives a positive effect on your entire body. MBT Sport 3 is the best shoe you can buy if you have knee pain or plantar fasciitis. With its clean and sleek look, you can wear these shoes for work and leisure.
Features
The Sport 3 Rocker Bottom Shoes have a textile and synthetic upper and a cushioned inner lining around the collar. It also comes with a removable footbed that provides natural cushioning. The lace up closure allows you to have a custom and secure fit. The shoe’s rocker outsoles are made of rubber and provide high traction.
The key feature of these shoes is its PU midsoles with Pivot and Masai Sensors. These create a surface similar to walking barefoot on a sandy beach or mossy ground. This patented design activates your body’s supporting muscles, relieving pressure on your joints and back and improving your gait and posture.
Activating your supporting muscles also has other positive effects on your body. It stimulates your metabolism, burns extra calories, speeds up muscle regeneration, and firms your abdominal, buttocks and leg muscles. MBT also boasts of its therapeutic effects for back, hips, legs and foot problems.
9. HOKA ONE ONE Men’s Bondi 7 Running Shoes
The Men’s Bondi 7 Running Shoes from Hoka One is a superb athletic shoe best for men with active lifestyles. Having a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Bondi 7 ensures you a comfortable running experience. If you’re looking for a max cushioned shoe to rock on your next run, the Bondi 7 is a great choice for you.
Features
The Bondi 7 features a breathable mesh upper. It has synthetic overlays all over to provide you with additional support. Its seamless design ensures less irritation against your foot during your runs.
Reflective materials located at the back of the shoes gets you noticed in low light situations, and the traditional lace up design provides you with a secure fit. The tongue and the collar are cushioned with memory foam and are lined with a quick drying fabric for enhanced comfort.
Bondi 7 also offers a cushioned removable footbed that helps absorb shock and keep you comfortable during your run. The footbed is treated with antimicrobial properties to keep your feet fresh and odor free. This feature works well with the shoe’s thick midsole that effectively absorbs shocks.
Its rounded toe and rocker bottom sole allows for a healthier stride. The shoe itself is sturdy yet flexible and it sits atop a textured rubber outsole with deep lugs.
Bondi 7 is a staple in anyone’s training rotation and for those who are building up their mileage.
10. Drew Shoe Men’s Force Athletic Walking Shoe
- Athletic walking shoe with generous fit
- Two removable insoles give added depth, and coated with antimicrobial protection
- Rocker bottom softens and supports each step
The Drew Men’s Force Athletic Walking Shoe is famous for its great style and therapeutic benefits. These sneakers are designed to help with ball-of-foot pain, heel pain and spurs, hammertoes, bunions and calluses. It also keeps your foot secure and comfortable with its added depth and generous fit.
Features
Drew’s Force Athletic Walking Shoes are made out of really sturdy materials. It features a leather upper with perforations on the toe box offering an amazing breathability. It’s lace up closure front locks your foot in for a snug and secure fit. The tongue and collar are padded with foam.
The two removable Drilex covered insoles have a nice amount of cushioning and give an added depth. It is also covered with AGEIS microbe shield technology that fights away foot odor and keeps your foot cool and dry. The midsoles offer plenty of shock absorption and support with its extended medial heel stabilizer and its rocker bottom outsole provides added reinforcement with each step you take.
Types of Soles on Rocker Bottom Shoes
There are different types of soles on rocker bottom shoes. Each is designed for specific functions.
Ankle Joint Rocker
This kind of rocker sole inhibits the motion in your ankle joints. This type of sole features a thicker sole in the midfoot and heel sections.
Lisfranc Rocker
These have a very low forefoot area to help reduce propulsive force to the midfoot.
Met-Head Rocker or Forefoot Rockers
These shoes have the rockers placed just behind the metatarsal head. They have thick soles all throughout except for the toes. These types of rocker soles are very effective in reducing pressure under the ball of the foot and on the joints of the toe.
MPJ Rocker
These types of shoes are a bit similar to Met-Head rockers. This type of sole inhibits the demand for dorsiflexion of toes.
Heel Rocker
These types of shoes have the thickest soles at the midpoint providing an even form and a lower sole. This style effectively reduces ground reactive force to the heel.
Healing Rocker
With its thick midsection, low heel and even lower toe section, this design holds your foot in a dorsi-flexion position to remove the load off the forefoot.
What Key Features To Look For When Buying Rocker Bottom Shoes?
The main purpose of rocker bottom shoes is to provide comfort and therapeutic assistance to people who suffer from various foot conditions and injury. These shoes help people minimize if not prevent pain when walking so their foot condition don’t hinder them from living a full and happy life.
Though many options are available in the market, different types of rocker bottoms offer different kinds of benefit. As a consumer, you need to know what to look for when buying rocker bottom shoes. Here are some important factors to consider:
Foot Need
The type of rocker sole that your foot needs is a primary consideration when buying rocker bottom shoes. If you have a foot condition, it is best to consult your podiatrist on the type of rocker soles that is most appropriate for you to use. Using the correct type of sole will greatly facilitate in the management or recovery of your medical concern.
Foot Type
We all have different foot types. Some have narrow feet, others have wide feet. Our foot arches also vary from low, medium or high. Choosing the wrong kind of shoes for your foot type may only add more injury. Aside from getting shoes that snugly fit you, consider also the kind of arch support it gives for your type of feet.
Stability and Comfort
Stability and comfort are two factors you also need to look at when buying rocker bottom shoes. When choosing a style, it is important to check all the three regions of the sole since they play an important role in how the shoe offers stability.
The insole should be well-cushioned and should accommodate various orthotics. The midsole should effectively absorb shock and offer the arch support your feet need while the outsoles should offer good grip and traction.
Examine also the shoe’s upper and its inner lining. The collars and tongue need to be well padded so your ankle is well supported as you walk. The material used for inner lining should be breathable and if possible, provide nest to skin comfort. Choose also a design that promotes proper gait.
Durability
Nobody wants to spend money on footwear that does not last long. You wouldn’t want to keep on scoring the market for a new pair of shoes every two or three months, so choose rocker bottom shoes that are made of durable and lasting materials.
Price
Cheap shoes are usually also made with low quality materials. You may feel like you’re saving money during your purchase; but in the long run you’ll actually be spending more money on replacing shoes. Buying reasonably priced shoes with good quality will help you save more money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do rocker bottom shoes do for me?
Rocker bottom shoes help manage the recovery of foot conditions like foot arthritis, fasciitis, heel spurs and others by creating a natural instability, engaging the muscles that are not usually used when wearing regular shoes. Doing this causes less impact on your feet, legs, knees, hips and lower back.
Are rocker bottom shoes safe?
Some types of rocker soles like heel rockers and ankle joint rockers may negatively affect the wearer’s balance. You may take time getting used to it. Most rocker bottom shoes are easy to use and are designed to protect the foot and improve the feet’s function. Hence, rocker soles are generally safe.
How do I know the type of rocker sole for me?
The best way to find the right type of rocker soles for your feet condition is to consult a podiatric or a pedorthist if you’re using orthotics.
Can I wear orthotics in rocker bottom shoes?
Many brands manufacturing rocker bottom shoes accommodate orthotics. Carefully read the specification of the shoes you are planning to buy, especially when you are ordering shoes online.
Conclusion
Rocker bottom shoes generally improve gait patterns and help in the rehabilitation of different foot conditions. Different shoe companies enhance the functions of their rocker bottom shoes with specific patented technologies. Every shoe model we have reviewed and presented are among the best in the market, and offers you the health benefit you deserve.
However, the best rocker bottom shoes for you greatly depend upon your current foot condition, the recommendation of your doctor, the kind of job and lifestyle that you have and your range of budget.
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