A Rocker Bottom or Rocker Sole shoe, is generally speaking a shoe that has a sole that is much thicker than that of your average shoe.
These shoes are known as Rounded Sole, Toning, Round Bottom or Rocker Bottom, or Sole shoes, and have the main function of ensuring that the wearer does not have flat footing along the proximal-distal axis of the foot.
What is the Purpose of a Rocker Bottom Shoe
You can basically replace ant style of shoe’s sole with a rocker sole, so there is a large variety of styles and functional shoes available with a rocker Bottom.
Most Rocker Bottom shoes are built specifically to replace the function of a certain joint.
Sometimes these shoes are used to compensate for the loss of a range of motion, where the wearer need more stability in order to have less tension and pain in a certain joint.
Arthritis and other foot conditions, along with injuries may cause pain or loss of motion in the joints of your feet.
Most models of rocker bottom shoes are designed in such a manner that the wearer’s body weight is shifted behind the ankle when they walk, so the wearer needs to do more work than with a flat soled shoe to find their balance.
Who Will Benefit from a Rocker Bottom Shoe
Other than foot orthotics, a rocker bottom shoe is the remedy for chronic and temporary foot problems of many sorts.
In general, people who suffer from any condition or injury that causes painful joints or immobile joints will greatly benefit from a Rocker Bottom shoe.
However, these shoes have become a potential solution for a wide range of issues, particularly because of how they affect and manage gait issues.
Effective for Conditions
Conditions such as Achilles Tendinopathy, Knee Osteoarthritis, Claudication, Hemiplegia, Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic Lower Back pain, Metatarsophalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis, and Arthrodesis are all main health conditions that require the use of rocker-sole footwear.
Cons of Wearing Rocker Bottom Shoes
Although warning goes that some rocker bottom shoes may inhibit your balance, so you will need to tread with care in these shoes, particularly if you are not wearing them as corrective shoes.
Rocker Bottom shoes are mainly designed with the core concept of making flat surfaces more unstable, in order to enhance functional performance to address gait issues.
Features of a Good Rocker Bottom Shoe
You get different Types of soles on a rocker bottom shoe with specific purposes, along with these, depending on the shoe type and style the features will depend on what you are looking for in a shoe;
- The Ankle Joint Rocker will inhibit motion in your ankle joints, where the sole is thicker in the heel and midfoot section.
- The Lisfranc Rocker aids in reducing the propulsive force to the midfoot and has a very low forefoot area.
- The Met-Head Rocker reduces ground reactive forces to your ball of the foot, and has a thick sole almost throughout the shoe, except for the toe.
- The MPJ Rocker is similar to the Met-Head rocker and prevents dorsi-flexion of your toes.
- The Heel Rocker reduces the ground reactive force to your heels and has a more even form and lower sole.
- The Healing Rocker will hold your foot in a dorsi-flexion position, to offload the forefoot. This shoe has a thick midsection, and low heel, and an even lower toe section.
Reviews: Best Rocker Bottom Shoes
A fun and funky slip-on clog, the Alegria Seville and Aaron are perfect as work or casual wear shoe for everyday use.
Top Features:
- Features a patented interlocking footbed system with latex and memory foam, as well as a cork for the best in cushioned arch support.
- The leather uppers are stain resistant and available in a range of fun and colorful prints.
- The uppers on the Aaron are a Suede leather finish available in a few bright and funky color options.
- A durable and slip resistant, thick rocker outsole.
- This shoe also sports an adjustable fit for all foot types.
The Drew Flare and Lightning 2 has a stunning new look, as well as sporting extra depth and a stable rocker outsole to give you the best joint support when walking or running.
Top Features:
- Comfortable leather uppers with breathable mesh panels.
- The interior is fully padded and lined with an AEGIS microbe treated shield to prevent odor and staining.
- A rocker rubber outsole with a cushioned pad specially designed for walking.
- Extra depth to accommodate foot conditions.
The ideal walking shoe with Rollbar technology for a flat foot, and other foot conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis.
Top Features:
- Available in a few neutral color designs to choose from.
- Durable and genuine leather uppers with a Compression molded ethylene vinyl acetate midsole.
- Rollbar technology for stability and controlled movement to reduce the impact on your joints.
- Endurance and walking strike path technology.
- A comfortably cushioned dual density polyurethane footbed.
As you have most likely noticed, MTB is one of the top brand1 names when it comes to Rocker Bottom Shoes, and rightfully so!
The Kisumu is a comfortable, adjustable sandal with a multi-layered Rocker Bottom.
Top Features:
- Sporty styled every day wear sandal with grain leather uppers.
- MBT sensor technology in the heel for shock absorbency.
- MBT pivot strike technology for the ideal foot striking platform, support and cushioning.
- The leather straps are all adjustable for a more customized fit.
The Mighty walk is an athletic shoe with a sleek design, and VersoShock technology, for comfortable and easy walking and running when you have painful joints.
Top Features:
- Pain relieving VeroShock Technology.
- Seamless interior to prevent chafing and irritation.
- The removable comfortable insoles allow for the use of your own orthotics.
- The toe box is extra roomy to accommodate certain foot conditions, such as Bunions and Hammertoe.
- A front rocker sole for midfoot support especially for Plantar Fasciitis pain relief.
Another highly functional, yet elegantly styled Rocker Bottom shoe from MBT, the Hani and Asante is a Pump Style Dress shoe.
Top Features:
- Leather uppers with a removable cow leather lining.
- Midsole Sensor Technology, where the heel absorbs shock, complementing the midfoot sensor.
- The Pivot Strike technology is ideal for transitioning into propulsion while still enhancing support and cushioning.
- A non-marking, durable rubber outsole.
- Available in extra width sizes, and has a removable insole.
A comfortable and high-performance Rocker Bottom Walking and Running Sneaker.
Top Features:
- Leather uppers with a lightweight and shock absorbing Midsole.
- A Molded Sock, interior for a more snug fit.
- Non-Marking and durable sole with a rocker bottom design.
- Airy mesh inserts for better ventilation and cooling.
The Perfect and most durable Rocker Bottom Work shoes from a trusted brand, Skechers.
Top Features:
- Leather and synthetic upper design that is lightweight and flexible.
- A thick and shock absorbing rocker bottom outsole.
- Durable design and construction for a work shoe.
- A Comfortable and supportive Memory Foam, insole.
The Bondi 6 from Hoka One is a superb athletic shoe with an EVA midsole and Rocker Bottom design outsole.
Top Features:
- A full comfort EVA midsole, for cushioning and shock absorbency.
- Thick rubber Rocker design outsole.
- Meta-Rocker technology in the outsole.
- Breathable synthetic and mesh uppers.
In Conclusion
These are some of the top-rated Rocker Bottom shoes that I have chosen in a variety for every occasion.
So if you suffer from joint pain in your feet or ankles, I would recommend considering a Rocker Sole Shoe brand1.
Index Table: Top Rated Rocker Bottom Shoes
| No. | Shoe | Men | Women | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Shoe - Rocker Sole walking Shoe |
|
|
Drew Shoe | 90 |
| 2 | New Balance - Walking Shoe with Rocker Bottom |
|
|
New Balance | 90 |
| 3 | MBT - Sling Back Rocker Bottom Sandal |
|
|
MBT | 90 |
| 4 | Gravity Defyer - Mighty Walk Rocker Bottom Shoe |
|
|
Gravity Defyer | 90 |
| 5 | MBT - Dress Pump with Rocker Bottom |
|
|
MBT | 90 |
| 6 | Exersteps - Rocker Bottom Exercise Shoes |
|
|
Exersteps | 82 |
| 7 | Skechers - Rocker Bottom Work Shoes |
|
|
Skechers | 90 |
| 8 | Hoka One - Rocker Bottom Athletic Shoe |
|
|
Hoka One | 90 |
4 Comments
by Melody Needham
Which rocker shoe would be best for chronic bursitis of the metatarsals. Have been off feet/ work for 2 months and just got cortisone injection. Need assistance please
by Chris
To be able to walk is life. MBTs saved my actual life …
by Jonathan
So according to your analysis I should get the Lisfranc Rocker shoes. But when I Google that I don’t find shoes that specify themselves as that. Could you provide some guidance on how I’d go about finding that specific type? Thanks.
by Mm
I’ve used MBT was the best one. A bit pricey but really works. I’m using Ryn too but is not a good quality the sole keeps smiling after a few months a keep bringing epoxy at work coz it’s embarrassing when ur shoes keep smiling.