Stepping Comfortably: 7 Best Footwear Options for Calluses and Corns

Walking should be a pleasure or at least a comfortable action, yet if you have calluses and corns then each step can turn into a painful experience. That’s the bad news. 

These conditions are caused by friction and pressure on the skin and can be made worse by wearing ill-fitting shoes. This being said, choosing the right product can help you enjoy walking once again and alleviate foot pain.

Allow us to take you on a journey into the world of footwear designed to alleviate the discomfort caused by these common foot conditions, and also provide some important information about the differences between corns and calluses, footwear, and shoe inserts.

Corns vs. Calluses

Corns:

Corns are small, round spots where the skin has thickened and often form on the top or sides of toes. Corns often develop due to friction or pressure as a result of shoes rubbing against the toes. Corns can be painful when pressed, making everyday activities such as walking uncomfortable if untreated.

Calluses:

Calluses are larger, flat areas of thick skin that tend to appear on the bottom of the foot. These calluses typically appear from repeated friction and pressure. This can be caused by activities such as walking or standing for long periods ot time. While calluses are usually painless, very thick calluses can cause discomfort over time.

What are the best footwear options for calluses and corns?

Best walking shoes for calluses or corn

Women’s Alma | Men’s Avalon

Why you’ll love it

• Expertly cushioned to relieve pressure off corns and calluses
• Water sealed membrane keeps feet dry on every terrain

 

Specs

• Sizes: women 5-12; men 7-14
• Widths: women Standard (B) - Extra Wide (2E) | men Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: synthetic
• Available colors Alma: khaki, gray
• Available colors Avalon: gray

 

Your calluses or corns will feel comfortable in these hiking shoes for men and women’s hiking boots, as they leave more than enough room for the toes to spread out naturally. Because of this, there’s no pressure on the toes and the rest of the foot, which is exactly what feet with these conditions love to hear.

The women’s Alma and men’s Avalon footwear will help you get back to the adventurous treks you’ve been avoiding because of calluses or corns. On the bottom of the shoe, the rubber lug outsole provides unparalleled traction and grip on any type of terrain, offers improved stability and can be worn around water.

The waterproof membrane ensure your feet remain dry, while at the same time letting any moisture escape, keeping your feet dry from both inside and outside. The uppers are made with high quality, non-abrasive materials that are highly durable. 

The sole is constructed with multilayered cushioning along with a mild rocker design that allows the foot to roll easier with less joint movement. In addition, this design helps distribute pressure more evenly while walking. Together with the built in arch support, this product will help you maintain a natural and healthy gait as you walk to prevent or alleviate calluses and corns.

On the inside, the soft, padded fabric has no overlays to eliminate any irritation, prevent the development of corns and calluses, and provide enhanced comfort. 

Best sneakers for calluses and corns

Women’s Kita | Men’s Yari

Why you’ll love it

• Quick and easy on/off wear - no hands needed!
• Slip resistant outsole helps keep you stable on your feet

 

Specs

• Sizes: women 5-12; men 7-14
• Widths: women Standard (B) - Extra Wide (2E) | men Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: stretch knit
• Available colors Kita: white, black/white, black/black, gray, rose
• Available colors Yari: white, black, gray

 

At the heart of their design lies a remarkable hands free concept, putting an end to the hassles of laces and bending over. These women’s sneakers and men’s sneakers are engineered to enhance the lives of anyone who’s leading a busy lifestyle and people facing mobility challenges and various foot conditions.

The innovative hands free feature, powered by a discreet spring mechanism in the back section, simplifies the process of slipping your feet into the sneakers without the need for elaborate maneuvering.

The stretch uppers of the women’s Kita and men’s Yari will hug your feet, whatever their shape, and keep them aerated at all time, preventing odor and infections. The upper fabric is also water repellent and is extremely easy to clean.

Both the Kita and Yari shoes are equipped with orthotic insoles that have been meticulously crafted to provide exceptional arch support and overall foot comfort. This anatomical arch support not only alleviates pressure on your feet but also encourages proper foot alignment, making every step you take a soothing experience.

The spacious toe box allows your toes to move freely, preventing cramped toes and adding to the overall comfort, while the slip resistant soles ensure excellent stability. 

Best slippers for calluses and corns

Women’s Louise | Men’s Hudson

Why you’ll love it

• Can easily transition from indoor slippers to outdoor shoes
• Adjustable strap for secure, customized fit

 

Specs

• Sizes: women 5-12; men 7-14
• Widths: women Standard (B) - Wide (D) | men Standard (D) - Extra Wide (4E)
• Upper materials: stretch knit
• Available colors Louise: beige, black
• Available colors Hudson: black

 

Sliding your feet into the Louise and Hudson slippers is a breeze, as they are constructed with an open back design.

But there's more to these men’s slippers and women’s slippers than just ease of use. Their stretch knit uppers ensure constant ventilation, even during scorching summer months, so you can say goodbye to foot odors and discomfort. These slippers allow for continuous airflow, keeping moisture at bay and your feet in a refreshing, comfortable state.

While the slippers sport an open back, they're not short on support. An adjustable strap comes to the rescue, enhancing the fit, grip and stability of the slippers. By effortlessly adjusting the strap, you can achieve a snug fit that minimizes the risk of slips and falls. This thoughtful feature also accommodates fluctuations in foot size or swelling, ensuring a secure, comfortable fit throughout the day.

The Louise and Hudson slippers aren't just about comfort; they prioritize your foot's health too. Their wide and roomy toe box provides ample space for your toes to move freely, reducing the pressure on calluses and corns. It's a design feature that ensures your feet remain content and pain free.

Moreover, these slippers boast a lightweight, comfortable design with a mild rocker bottom. This not only makes walking effortless, but also significantly lowers the risk of falls, providing you with the stability and support you need.

And finally, we should also warn you that these slippers might make your feet so happy that you'll forget to take them off when you leave the house. And that’s fine, because they are versatile enough to be worn comfortably both in and outdoors. 

 

Best work boots for calluses and corns

Men’s Granite

Why you’ll love it

• Extra space for toes prevents pressure on calluses and corns
• Size range can be suitable for women as well

 

Specs

• Sizes: 7-14
• Widths: Standard (D) - Extra Extra Wide (6E)
• Upper materials: leather
• Available colors: black, camel

 

These men’s work boots are equipped with an F2413-18 safety rating, and offer high resistance to impacts, compressions, and electric hazards. But the safety features don’t end there. 

Granite boots feature a wide and roomy composite safety toe that ensures your toes are protected at all times. In addition, the generously wide toe box allows your toes to spread out naturally, enhancing comfort and preventing undue pressure on areas prone to calluses and corns.

The Granite boots come with a wide and roomy composite safety toe that protects the toes at all times, while the generously wide toe box provides extra space for your toes, allowing them to spread out naturally. This not only enhances comfort, but also prevents undue pressure on areas prone to calluses and corns.

The leather upper of the Granite boots is waterproof, ensuring your feet stay dry in wet conditions. Sealed seams and a gusseted tongue add an extra layer of protection against moisture seepage, which can exacerbate foot issues like calluses and corns.

The slip resistant rubber outsole is effective even on oily surfaces, providing stability and reducing the risk of slips and falls. The unique ladder grab feature on the outsole, with notches that latch onto ladder steps, extends this stability to climbing or descending ladders.

The ergonomic sole is cushioned from heel to toe, promoting comfortable walking, reducing foot fatigue and minimizing stress, both on calluses and corns specifically and on the feet in general. The boots are also lined with seam free fabric and foam padding, to prevent irritations that can contribute to the development of corns and calluses.

What's even more impressive is that, despite these advanced features, Granite work boots remain surprisingly lightweight, helping to prevent foot and leg fatigue.

While designed as men’s boots, granite are available in a variety of sizes that can accommodate women as well.

FAQ

What should I wear if I have calluses? 

In her medical journal article in the American Family Physician Journal, Denise B. Freeman, D.P.M.*, writes that calluses and corns form as a result of mechanical stresses caused by “abnormal foot mechanics (deformity of the foot exerting abnormal pressure), and high levels of activity”, as well as tight shoes, shoes that have irregularities within them and high heels. 

“Most lesions can be managed conservatively by the use of properly fitting shoes and padding to redistribute mechanical forces,” adds Dr. Freeman.

The guidance is clear: opt for shoes that prioritize comfort and alleviate pressure on problem areas.

• Low-heeled products are a go to recommendation because they offer stability and reduce strain on the foot, thus reducing pain. High heeled shoes transfer a lot of pressure to the forefoot, and flat shoes that have no height difference keep the pressure in one area. In contrast, good low heeled products will have a slight lift on either end to prevent strain on corn and calluses areas, and rock the foot as you walk.
• Mild rocker design is a design feature where the sole of the shoe is slightly curved or rounded from the heel to the toe. This design aims to facilitate a smoother and more natural rolling motion of the foot as you take each step, distributing pressure more evenly across the foot.

 

A mild rocker design can help reduce the strain on areas prone to corns and calluses, and improve overall comfort during walking or other activities.

• A deep heel cup will add more cushioning and help stabilize the heel to improve your posture.
• Equally important is a roomy toe box, allowing your toes to spread out and move naturally without the risk of overlapping, which can create friction and potentially result in  or exacerbate corns and calluses.
• A shoe with extra depth is essential, especially for people with hammertoe deformities. This added space accommodates hard corns that tend to develop on the top of the deformed toe, providing relief and comfort. Corns and calluses are created from pressure and tightness all around, and extra depth from heel to toe creates more space for the foot, offering a relaxed and pressure free fit.

• Wider-width shoes are another important feature, as it not only ensures a more relaxed fit, but also minimizes the risk of added pressure on vulnerable areas.
• No overlays is a huge plus. The devil is often in the details, and this holds true for shoe selection. Seams or stitching within the shoe can be the culprits behind mechanical irritation, contributing to the development of calluses and corns. Choosing shoes with smooth interiors, especially a soft upper portion that minimizes friction against sensitive skin, can make a world of difference in maintaining foot health and comfort.

• Your shoes should offer proper arch support that corrects the gait and the foot’s biomechanics, to prevent calluses that result from mechanical issues such as over pronation.

Do shoe inserts help with calluses?

Yes, often provide arch support, distributing weight to reduce friction that leads to calluses.

Good quality inserts also keep the feet aligned with the ankles, legs and back. This improves both your gait and your posture, to prevent or correct over pronation that can also cause or aggravate corns and calluses.

*Dr. Denise B. Freeman is an associate professor of podiatric medicine at the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.