Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

If you suffer from Chronic ankle pain or are more prone to ankle strain and sprains, you may have weak ankles.

Having weak ankles places you at greater risk of getting sprains or ankle injuries, and thus you need to invest in well-supported shoes.

Dress Shoes for weak ankles can be quite difficult to find, especially if you work in a formal environment.

Dress shoes for weak ankles need a more snug-fitting heel, good arch support, and cushioning to stabilize and support your ankles.


Weak Ankles and Treatments

Weak ankles, as mentioned, place you at great risk of getting an ankle injury, and you may be in chronic pain.

Many things could cause weak ankles; chronic ankle instability can happen after trauma to the ankle, which may weaken your ankles. There are likewise some health conditions, such as Diabetes and Osteoarthritis, which are the most common that may lead to weak ankles.

Wearing improper and unsupportive footwear, especially when doing sports and activities, and wearing high-heeled shoes are major culprits for weak ankles.

Besides weak ankles, improper footwear may have other repercussions, such as foot deformities, pain, and weakness in your feet or ankle joints.

There are, however, a few things you can do to help with weak ankles and to prevent weak ankles;

  • Ankle Exercises – One of the best methods to treat weak ankles is ankle exercises that will strengthen your ankles. By exercising your feet and legs and using leg and foot stretching and strengthening exercises, you could easily strengthen your ankles and create more flexibility in the muscles and joints to make your ankle more stable.
  • Wear the Right Shoes – Use shoes with a low or flatter heel, a more solid, stable sole, good support features, and a secure heel fit that keeps your ankles more stable.
  • Use Custom Orthotics – You can use custom or over-the-counter orthotic insoles and devices to improve your shoes’ fit and provide proper support and Shion that may help with weak ankles.
  • See a Podiatrist – In worse cases,, it may be necessary to see a podiatrist regularly. They are experts when it comes to feet and ankle health and conditions. The podiatrist can help you with a quick diagnosis and help with treatments to strengthen your ankles.

Choosing Shoes for Your Ankles

This article will specifically look at formal dress shoes for weak ankles.

Dress shoes are shoes you wear for formal and smart casual events; they are the opposite of athletic and casual shoes.

Many individuals work in a more professional environment and are required to wear dress shoes daily, which could wreak havoc on their ankles. For others, there may be certain occasions where dress shoes need to be worn, such as attending church weekly or for special events.

Most dress shoes will usually be genuine or synthetic leather with more neutral colors, such as black, nude, and white, or metallics, such as silver and gold.

Dress shoes are designed for appearance rather than comfort, which is why it is so hard to find dress shoes that support your feet and your ankles.

However, we have found a few dress shoe brands that offer a more comfortable fit and some support features that you could wear for weak ankles.


Features of a Good Dress Shoe for Weak Ankles

Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

  • High or Low Cut – High-cut shoes such as ankle booties provide much better support for your ankles and keep them more stable. However, they are not always suitable as dress shoes. You can wear low-cut shoes with a secure ankle fit or a higher heel fit at the back of the heel.
  • Motion Control – Motion Control and stability of shoes are ideal for reducing excessive motion throughout your feet and ankles. They are excellent for weak and unstable ankles and can help control overpronation.
  • Support – You need the entire shoe to be supportive for ankle support. Look for shoes with a medium-thickness sole that is more rigid and may have a low or no heel. There needs to be a more contoured, supportive, well-cushioned footbed and a shock-absorbing midsole to reduce the impact on your feet and ankles. Sufficient arch support is desirable to accommodate your foot’s shape and provide proper alignment inside the shoe.
  • Fit – If the Dress shoe is closed, you will need at least half an inch of space between the tip of the longest toe and the shoe. The toe box must offer a roomy fit so you can easily play your toes completely flat in the shoe. A deeper heel cup and a more structured ankle with a padded collar will keep your heel and ankle more stable and prevent slipping. The fit should be all-around comfortable, with enough padding and a smooth lining to keep your feet comfortable.

Reviews: The Best Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

Here are a few Dress shoe models that are ideal for weak ankles;


1

Dress Boot for Weak Ankles

  • Here I have added two dress-style ankle booties that will support weaker ankles.
  • They are an Orthopedic shoe brand with layered removable cushioning and good arch support.
  • The shoes are lined with a roomy extra-depth toe box and comfortable leather uppers; the lady’s boot model has a more sophisticated low heel that is stable and reliable.
  • Both shoes have a durable rubber outsole.

2

Dress Shoe for Weak Ankles

  • I have included two dress-style ankle boot models from Dr. Scholls: orthopedic shoes for proper ankle support.
  • They are well cushioned to absorb shock and will support your ankles.
  • There is comfortable anatomical insole technology, and the ladies’ model has a cooling memory foam and a slight wedge outsole.
  • They are also available in a few more neutral color options.

3

Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

  • I have included two oxford style shoe models from Clarks suitable for professional and office environments. However, we do not recommend them for very dressy occasions.
  • They are comfortable and supportive with a good, snug ankle fit.
  • Cushion Soft technology is a moisture-wicking OrthoLite footbed for arch support and shock absorbency.
  • The shoes have an adjustable lace-up system for a more customizable fit.

4

Dress Shoe for Weak Ankles

  • From Orthofeet, I have chosen their Mary Jane-style formal flats and an Oxford-style lace-up shoe model for men.
  • These orthopedic shoes have a deep heel cup and snug heel fit to support your ankles.
  • They do accommodate orthotics and have an extra depth and roomy fit.
  • The shoes come with good arch support and cushioning, with removable layers.

5

Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

  • From Hush Puppies, I have chosen elegant shoe models as Dress shoes for all occasions with support for weak ankles.
  • The shoes are available in a few neutral color options and have more widths.
  • They have proper supportive cushioning and a more anatomical-shaped footbed to support the heel and ankles.
  • The shoes have a durable rubber outsole and offer good stability.

6

Ankle Support Dress Shoes

  • The Clarks Escalade and Cora Daisy are loafer-style dress shoes for work and formal events.
  • They have a low heel and offer comfortable anatomical support for your ankles.
  • Both soe models are cushioned and have an OrthoLite moisture-wicking footbed.
  • They have a durable rubber outsole and come in a few more neutral colors.

Index Table: Top Rated Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles

No.ShoeMen ♂Women ♀FeaturesBrandScore
1Orthofeet® - Dress Boot for Weak Ankles Arch Boost Boot Emma
  • Layered Cushioning
  • Roomy Toe Box
  • Wider Widths
  • Ankle Support
Orthofeet98
2Dr. Scholls® - Dress Shoe for Weak Ankles Syndicate Dakota
  • Ankle Boot
  • Colors and Prints
  • Cushioned
  • Secure Ankle Fit
Dr. Scholls97.9
3Clarks® - Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles Cotrell Edge Raisie Bloom
  • Wide and Extra Wide Widths
  • Ortholite Cushioning
  • Removable Footbed
Clarks97.2
4Orthofeet® - Dress Shoe for Weak Ankles Celina Gramercy
  • Heel Support
  • Cushioned
  • Ergonomic Fit
  • Wider Widths
Orthofeet97
5Hush Puppies® - Dress Shoes for Weak Ankles Bennet Wingtip
  • Cushioned
  • Ankle Support
  • Wider Widths
Hush Puppies97
6Clarks® - Ankle Support Dress Shoes Escalade Cora Daisey
  • Wide Narrow and Extra Wide Widths
  • More Colors
  • Comfort Footbed
Clarks97.7


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a running enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for shoes and has the best product recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best shoes for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how detailed her observations are.