Do you have trouble finding shoes that fit comfortably because your feet are puffy or wide? You might have swollen feet because of edema — a type of swelling that happens when fluid builds up in your tissues — or lipedema, a condition that causes abnormal fat buildup.

Edema and lipedema are especially common in the feet and ankles. This can affect how your shoes fit. Some people live with both obesity and chronic edema (sometimes due to lymphedema) and must find shoes that can accommodate the swelling.

For those managing swollen feet, well-fitting shoes don’t just keep your feet more comfortable — they can help prevent additional foot problems. When your shoes are too tight, you’re more likely to experience foot conditions such as bunions, hammer toes, ingrown toenails, and diabetic foot problems like ulcers. Tight shoes can also make swelling worse.

If you have swollen feet, try these tips the next time you shop for tennis shoes.

1. Opt for Adjustable-Closures

Tennis shoes come with many different closure options, including laces, Velcro, and zippers. Some orthopedic shoes come with adjustable Velcro straps or laces that adapt to changes in width. This allows you to loosen your shoelaces when your feet are swollen and tighten them back up when the swelling goes down, for example.

One MyObesityTeam member described the features of their favorite adjustable shoes for swollen feet. “One can adjust the tightness or looseness of the shoestring to allow the shoe to fit tighter or looser on the foot,” they said. “It’s the perfect shoe for my swollen feet. Even at their worst, the shoe fits perfectly. I just make necessary adjustments with the strings to accommodate.”

2. Look for Stretchy Materials

Stretchy shoes offer similar benefits to adjustable-closure shoes, adapting to changes in width due to swelling. Many orthopedic shoes are made of stretchy fabrics like elastic and mesh for this reason.

If you prefer a slip-on shoe without laces, stretchable materials are your best bet. One MyObesityTeam member said, “I love the new stretch top shoes with thicker heels, cushion soles, and high arch insoles. I find that even though I buy expensive walking shoes, the ones with laces seem to make the top part of my feet burn more, even when I loosen them.”

3. Cushion Your Soles

Cushioned insoles in tennis shoes can help distribute your body weight evenly across the bottoms of your feet. This cushioning prevents excessive pressure on certain areas of your feet, which helps with swelling and discomfort.

You can buy tennis shoes with built-in cushioning or add inserts or custom orthotics to shoes you already own.

4. Shop for Shoes Later in the Day

Since foot swelling typically increases by up to 8 percent throughout the day, it’s best to shop for shoes in the evening, when your feet are at their largest. This ensures you’ll have plenty of room for your swollen feet when swelling is at its peak.

5. Consider Extra-Wide Fits

Many major tennis shoe brands like New Balance and Asics offer versions of their shoes with extra width. Wide-fit shoes accommodate swollen feet without needing to go up in shoe size.

Wide shoes usually have the letter “W” next to the shoe size, or “WW,” for extra-wide. If you wear a size 7, for example, the size on the wide version would read “7W.”

6. Shop for Podiatrist-Approved Styles

Some tennis shoe brands are recommended by podiatrists (doctors who specialize in foot and ankle health) for people with swollen feet and other foot problems. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) awards its Seal of Acceptance to orthopedic shoes that promote great foot health. Shoes with the Seal of Acceptance have been reviewed and approved by expert APMA podiatrists.

Tennis shoe models with the APMA Seal of Acceptance include:

• Asics GT-1000, GT-2000, and GT-4000
• Skechers Go Walk Max Cushioning Arch Fit collection
• Puma MagMax Nitro and PUMA Kitten
• New Balance Fresh Foam
• Keds BlissWalk LTT, Ubal, and Skimmer versions
• OrthoFeet shoes

You can find the full list of athletic shoes with the Seal of Approval on the APMA’s website.

7. Recognize Other Important Shoe Features

Comfort and fit are both important when choosing tennis shoes for swollen feet. Shoes with plenty of space allow for good blood flow. This is important because swelling and inflammation are often caused by poor circulation. A good fit also prevents friction and compression, which can complicate foot swelling.

It’s also important to choose tennis shoes made of breathable materials. Severe foot swelling can stretch your skin and make it more vulnerable to discomfort, irritation, and infection. The risk of infection increases when skin folds in swollen feet trap moisture. Be sure to pick shoes that wick away moisture to keep your feet dry and prevent irritation and infection.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor or podiatrist about finding the right shoes for your swollen feet. Your doctor can help you choose tennis shoes that fit well and allow you to walk and exercise comfortably. In addition to footwear advice, they can also treat underlying conditions that cause edema, like venous insufficiency and heart failure. Your healthcare provider can also give you helpful self-care tips to manage swelling in your feet while living with obesity.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyObesityTeam is the social network for people with obesity and their loved ones. On MyObesityTeam, more than 57,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with obesity.

Do you have swollen feet? How do you find supportive and comfortable shoes? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.