Medical Footwear Market Report 2025

The medical footwear market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.64 billion in 2024 to $11.54 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to aging population, orthopedic conditions, post-surgery recovery, diabetic foot care, foot pain management, podiatric recommendations.

The medical footwear market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.47 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing health awareness, foot health education, athletic footwear for injury prevention, rise in foot surgeries, cultural and lifestyle changes. Major trends in the forecast period include 3D printing technology for customization, advanced materials for comfort and support, smart footwear technologies, stylish designs for therapeutic shoes, non-slip and slip-resistant soles.

The rapid rise in the prevalence of foot-related conditions such as bunions and hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and arthritis is significantly driving the growth of the medical footwear market. These conditions generally refer to various issues affecting the feet that cause discomfort and pain. Foot-related problems are particularly common among individuals with diabetes, with conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and arthritis frequently observed in this population. As a result, healthcare professionals often recommend medical footwear for these patients. For example, in January 2023, Everyday Health, a US-based digital media company, reported that approximately 23% of adults aged 18 to 65 and 36% of those over 65 are affected by bunions. These foot deformities are notably more prevalent in women than in men, potentially due to high heels compressing the toes. Therefore, the increasing incidence of these foot-related issues is propelling the growth of the medical footwear market.

The rising prevalence of diabetes is anticipated to drive the growth of the medical footwear market in the future. Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels. Patients with diabetes often rely on medical footwear to prevent complications, enhance circulation, provide support, and reduce the risk of foot-related issues. For example, in March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, a UK-based government department, reported that from March 2022 to March 2023, the percentage of individuals with type 1 diabetes receiving all eight recommended care processes increased by 22%. Similarly, for type 2 diabetes, this percentage rose by 21%. Additionally, the percentage of patients achieving target HbA1c levels reached 37.9%, marking the highest level recorded by the National Diabetes Audit (NDA). Thus, the growing prevalence of diabetes is fueling the expansion of the medical footwear market.

Major companies in the medical footwear market are establishing new footwear manufacturing facilities. For example, in June 2024, FootSecure, an India-based manufacturer of medical footwear, partnered with the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology & Research to launch a custom footwear manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, investing Rs 30 lakh. This facility specializes in producing prescription-based footwear tailored for patients with foot conditions, offering six different models and advanced customization options. Additionally, it incorporates FootSecure's digital platforms, Wound360 and Foot360, which equip healthcare providers with essential resources for diagnosis and treatment. This strategic partnership not only enhances FootSecure’s ability to serve patients but also boosts its production capabilities and care solutions.

Major companies in the medical footwear market are embracing a strategic partnerships approach to address diverse medical needs through advanced technologies and specialized designs. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For example, in February 2022, DARCO International Inc., a US-based medical footwear company, collaborated with Sensoria Health Inc., a US-based wearable technology company, to develop a line of smart diabetic footwear. This innovative footwear integrates Sensoria's smart boot technology with pressure sensors and cloud-based monitoring capabilities. The partnership's goal is to enhance early detection and intervention for diabetic foot wounds, offering a comprehensive solution to reduce the risk of amputations and improve patient outcomes. The incorporation of connected footwear aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' emphasis on remote patient monitoring in diabetic care, reflecting a commitment to advancing patient care through technology-driven solutions.

In June 2023, Careismatic Brands, Inc., a US-based medical apparel company, acquired BALA footwear for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Careismatic's mission to provide exceptional products tailored to the needs of healthcare providers worldwide. The Careismatic team is excited to introduce BALA footwear to its customers and work towards their shared vision of improving the well-being of those committed to caring for others. BALA footwear, based in the US, specializes in dynamic, high-performance shoes designed specifically for healthcare professionals.

Major companies operating in the medical footwear market include New Balance Athletics Inc., Dansko LLC, Sanita Clogs Inc., DJO LLC (Dr. Comfort), Orthofeet Inc., Aetrex Worldwide Inc., Vionic Group LLC, Gravity Defyer Corp, Drew Shoe Corporation, Alegria Shoe Shop LLC, Nurse Mates Inc., Darco International Inc., Dr. Foot Inc., Duna Co Ltd., Extro Style LLC, Klogs Footwear Inc., Novamed s.r.o., SAS Shoes Inc., Watts Footwear Inc., Dr. Zen Inc., Propét USA Inc., Apex Foot Health Industries LLC.

North America was the largest region in the medical footwear market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the medical footwear market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the medical footwear market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Medical footwear is specially designed to meet the needs of individuals with various foot disorders and medical conditions such as diabetes, corns, heel spurs, cracks, and pain.

In the medical footwear market, the main product types are medical shoes and boots, medical sandals, and other items such as slippers, flip-flops, and insoles. Medical shoes and boots are designed for individuals with severe joint or foot pain, while medical sandals are used by those with diabetic foot pain. The market is segmented by application into diabetic shoes, arthritis shoes, bunions and hallux valgus shoes, and flat feet shoes. Medical footwear is sold through various channels, including direct sales, specialty stores, medical and healthcare centers, online retail, and mono-brand stores. It is available for both men and women.

The medical footwear market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides medical footwear market statistics, including medical footwear industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a medical footwear market share, detailed medical footwear market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the medical footwear industry. This medical footwear market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The medical footwear market consists of sales of wide-fitting shoes, shoes with extra strong heels, padded tongues, or removable footpads, and shoes for fallen arches. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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