Best Walking Shoes for the Elderly On The Market 2023

Old age creeps up on all of us, and while our minds still think we’re 21, our bodies tend to disagree. Staying active as we age is vital for our health. Wearing the best walking shoes for the elderly can help keep you on your feet and getting much-needed exercise.

We can sit and reminisce about the beautiful heels or pointed dress shoes we wore when we were young. But what we know as “sensible” shoes are now the norm. Here are 7 of the best shoes for seniors.

 

Our Top Picks of the best walking shoes for elderly for women and men

1. Brooks Addiction Walker Shoes

These shoes are cushioned and reinforced for comfort. There are styles for men and women in a broad range of sizes and widths. Brooks has loaded these shoes with its patented technological features promoting support and comfort for your feet.

 

2. Propet Life Walker Shoes

Propet brings us shoes that have easy-to-secure straps across the feet, making them a breeze to get on and off. The leather uppers conceal orthotic insoles designed to mold to your feet. A rubber outsole and an EVA midsole provide plenty of shock absorption and stability.

 

3. Skechers Performance Go Walk Shoes

Skechers is a popular brand when it comes to comfortable shoes for both young and old. These sneaker style shoes have a relaxed pull-on style and are lightweight but supportive. The construction of the soft mesh uppers is almost seamless, so there are no stitched edges to rub your feet.

 

4. Hush Puppies Men’s Gil Slip-On Shoes

These casual shoes from the Hush Puppies are very lightweight and can be dressed up or down, depending on your attire. They secure with a strap and have a wide opening for easy-wearing. There are six different colors and a range of sizes and widths.

 

5. Orthofeet Stretchable Women’s Walking Shoes

These shoes have lightweight soles that incorporate air cushioning to give support and comfort to your feet. They have a seamfree lining on the inside with foam padding to ease any pressure points. Three widths are on offer in a range of sizes, and they all have extra depth built-in.

 

6. New Balance Walking Shoes

New Balance is a well-established company with a century of experience in producing quality shoes. The hook-and-loop closure securing these sneaker-style shoes makes them easy to adjust for a perfect fit. They’ve been designed to provide plenty of support and cushioning for your feet and are available for men and women.

 

7. Propet Wash & Wear Slip-On Sneakers

These slip-on sneakers are a great option if you don’t want to deal with laces or straps. The uppers are made from leather with a stretch neoprene collar, and a heel pull. They have a supportive EVA midsole and removable, shock-absorbing, comfort insole.

 

 

In Depth reviews of the best walking shoes for seniors

Walking while we age doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable task. Prepare yourself for the exercise with the best walking shoes for elderly. Our top 7 picks are here:

 

1. Brooks Addiction Walker Shoes

Brooks is an international distributor of sports shoes with over 100 years of experience in its field. The Addictions come loaded with features making them a good choice of shoes for older men and women.

 

The sizes available come in a choice of three width fittings starting at a regular right up to an extra-wide. Options include 5 to 12 for women, and 7.5 to 15 for men. There are also two colors on offer, black or white.

 

A patented BioMoGo DNA soft cushioning conforms to your weight, your feet and the way you walk. It helps deflects the impact of your steps, giving superior shock absorption and support.

There’s also a proprietary Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar system. This helps position the arch of your feet, so you move naturally while giving support to the rest of your body. The company advises these shoes are suitable for people with flat and medium arch heights.

The front of the shoes are constructed with a proprietary MC Pod to help with balance and stability, and a slip-resistant sole helps prevent spills and falls. If you need orthotics or more depth in your shoes, you can remove the factory insoles.

A breathable mesh lines the whole of the full-grain leather uppers, and there’s a removable sock liner. Both of these features help prevent blisters and keep feet fresh and dry. Hook-and-loop closures make these shoes easy to put on and take off.

The company has confidence in its product offering a 90-day refund satisfaction guarantee.

On the downside, it seems these shoes tend to run on the small side, so be prepared to size up.

Pros

• Choice of sizes, widths, and color.
• Good arch support.
• Slip-resistant.
• Breathable leather uppers with a sock liner.
• Hook-and-loop closures.

Cons

• Sizing might not run true.

These walking shoes have a soft, roomy interior and breathable leather exteriors and linings. There’s plenty of support for your arches in the midsole and cushioning throughout. A hook-and-loop closure makes these shoes easy to put on and take off, and they help promote a natural way of walking.

 

2. Propet Life Walker Shoes

Propet has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing shoes, with a focus on using the latest technology. The company uses quality materials to produce a range of stability and comfort shoes.

 

The size range in these men’s walking shoes for seniors are from a 7 to 15. There are also five width fittings, starting at a regular and increasing to a triple extra-wide. Three colors are on offer, white, sport white, and black.

For the ladies, there’s this similar style, Propet Women’s Tour Walker. The sizes on offer include 5 to 12 with six width choices—narrow, regular, wide, extra-wide, double extra-wide, and triple extra-wide. There are also seven color options including black and white, with various color accents.

 

Both the ladies and men’s shoes are loaded with the same features. They have leather uppers and hook-and-loop closures, making it easy to secure them on your feet.

An OrthoLite insole with a memory foam upper layer provides arch support, which you can remove for added depth or a custom orthotic. The open-cell foam used to make these shoes keeps them lightweight and provides padded cushioning for your feet.

An EVA midsole and flexible rubber outsole help absorb impact and give support. A firm heel counter provides stability for your feet when walking or exercising.

These shoes have a padded tongue and collar, and a brushed nylon lining. This makes them a great option for delicate feet or those that suffer from diabetes. Medicare approval is also offered on these shoes.

The arch support may not be enough for some. However, you can easily change them out if you find this is the case.

Pros

• Several widths up to triple extra-wide.
• Firm heel counter for stability.
• OrthoLite memory foam topped insoles.
• Medicare-approved.
• Easy hook-and-loop closure.

Cons

• Might need more arch support.

There’s a good choice of widths, sizes, and colors on offer in these comfortable shoes for the elderly. The removable insole supports and cushions feet, while a firm heel counter gives stability. They can be adjusted and fit easily with the hook-and-loop closures.

 

3. Skechers Performance Go Walk Shoes

Skechers is a popular brand of walking shoes for many with the patented comfort features and roomy toe boxes. The company’s styles are suitable for the elderly but don’t have the look of “old people’s shoes.

 

The ladies Go Walk 4 is available in sizes 5.5 to 11, wide and regular fittings, and eight color choices. The Go Walk 4 for men is offered in sizes 7 to 16, extra-wide and regular, and five color choices.

 

Both styles include breathable mesh uppers, which expand to give a comfortable, natural fit for your feet. They’re slip-on shoes with a dedicated proprietary quick-fit portal at the heel to help pull the shoes on. The collar of the shoes has padding.

A seamless inner means no stitching to aggravate any pressure points on your feet. Skechers patented Goga Max insoles provide cushioning and support, and an inner sock that’s feather-light prevents friction on your feet when walking.

Patented 5GEN cushioning is located throughout the shoes to pad your feet and keep them comfortable.

These shoes are breathable and very lightweight. Stabilizing fabric is in place at the heel, toe and instep panels. A bamboo-lined footbed helps keep odors at bay with its antimicrobial treatment.

Be careful when purchasing as it seems the sizing is a bit hit and miss; some run large and others come up small. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s size chart to get the right fit.

Pros

• Slip-on style with a portal to pull them on.
• Seamless mesh uppers.
• Patented comfort features.
• Breathable and antimicrobial.

Cons

• Sizes might be a bit off.

Skechers brings us roomy shoes designed to expand with your feet, allowing them to breathe. The slip-on style means easy on/off, while patented comfort features and padding give support and cushioning. An antimicrobial treatment keeps odor at bay.

 

4. Hush Puppies Men’s Gil Slip-On Shoes

Hush Puppies is synonymous with comfortable shoes, and its range includes styles suitable for those in their twilight years. The company has 60 years of expertise behind its shoe designs.

 

The Gil are slip-on shoes for men featuring full-grain leather or suede. They’re offered in sizes 7 to 16, in three width fittings, and six colors. These shoes are comfortable enough for everyday wear but stylish enough to be dressed up for special occasions.

An easy hook-and-loop closure eases your ability to get them on and off and makes them adjustable. A great feature for days when you find your feet might be more swollen than others.

Cushioning comes from a padded collar and an open-cell mesh-covered EVA insole. The insole is removable should you decide to replace it when it wears or to fit a custom orthotic.

The soles include a patented ZeroG material that’s ultra-lightweight and flexible. It also provides traction to keep you stable on your feet.

PDAC approves these shoes for medicare assistance.

Getting the right size could be a challenge, there are varying views. Some find the heels narrow, the ball of the foot too wide, some too small and others too large. Then there are those that find they fit perfectly out-of-box.

Pros

• Leather or suede uppers in a choice of colors.
• Convenient hook-and-loop closure.
• Patented lightweight flexible soles.
• Cushioned and supportive.

Cons

• Might be a bit hit-and-miss on sizing.

Hook-and-loop closures on these leather shoes make fitting and adjusting them easy. There’s support and cushioning throughout, and the soles are very lightweight. They can be worn as casual walking shoes or dressed up for occasional wear.

 

5. Orthofeet Stretchable Women’s Walking Shoes

Orthofeet brings us alternative-style walking shoes for ladies. They’re designed to protect your feet from the pain caused by many medical conditions that appear with age.

 

Sizes range from 5 to 12, with three different widths—wide, extra-wide, and regular, and two colors, black and red. They’re a classic Mary Jane style that fastens with a hook-and-loop closure. The uppers include leather and a stretch fabric for a customized fit.

Seamfree linings have foam added to pad the shoes, helping relieve the pain from pressure points and prevent friction blisters. Arches are given support from the orthotic-style insoles, which have multiple layers for comfort.

The outsoles have air-cushioning at the heel and are constructed with a patented Ergonomic Stride to ensure you walk naturally.

There’s plenty of room inside these shoes. They’re made with extra depth, and if you need more, removing the insole allows an extra quarter inch. Then there are the spacers that you can remove individually to allow for an extra one-eighth or one-sixteenth of an inch.

Moisture-wicking comes from a polyurethane foam layer on top of the insoles, which also has an antimicrobial treatment. These together help keep your feet dry and fresh.

A 60-day risk-free warranty accompanies your shoes. You can wear them and test them out, if you aren’t happy with the comfort they give, send them back for a refund. They’re also guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for 12 months.

Let’s be honest, these shoes aren’t going to appear on the catwalk anytime soon. However, they’re a dressier alternative to sneakers. You might find the sizing runs a little short in the foot length and you could need to size up.

Pros

• Stretchy, padded leather and fabric uppers.
• Depth can be adjusted.
• Cushioned
• Hook-and-loop closure.

Cons

• Might need to size up.

Comfort oozes from these shoes with their padded stretchy uppers, adjustable depth insoles, and air-cushioned soles. Odor control and moisture-wicking keep your feet fresh and dry. These Mary Janes make a great alternative for ladies wanting a more feminine shoe.

 

6. New Balance Walking Shoes

New Balance has a history of producing comfortable, high-quality sports shoes. It has a dedicated army of satisfied customers who purchase its shoes time and again. The stability features make these good shoes for the elderly with balance problems.

 

The sizes on offer are from 5 to 12 for ladies and 7 to 15 for men. There are four width options, including narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide in the women’s shoes—-and the same for men, excluding the narrow option. Both have three color choices, white, black and bone.

 

You can remove the cushioned insoles to give you extra depth if needed. Patented Abzorb cushioning has been placed in the heel area to help protect your feet from impact. There’s also a polyurethane midsole to give more cushioning and add support.

Stability comes from the secure loop-and-hook fastening system and rubber soles with good traction. They can help you keep your balance and prevent falls. They’re also easy to take off and put on. Medicare assistance might be eligible for these shoes.

The hook-and-loop fasteners on these shoes are too short for some people, especially if you have swollen feet. Sizing up could rectify this.

Pros

• Range of sizes for men and women.
• Choice of widths.
• Additional cushioning in the heels.
• Stability from secure fastening and rubber outsoles.
• Might qualify for Medicare assistance.

Cons

• Sizing up might be necessary.

New Balance is known for wide comfortable shoes with plenty of support and cushioning. The rubber outsole provides traction, helping keep you on your feet, and promotes a natural way of walking. They have a hook-and-loop closure and sizes and widths for men and women.

 

7. Propet Wash & Wear Slip-On Sneakers

Founded in 1985, Propet is a relative newcomer to the market for sports and comfort footwear. Its mission is to provide shoes for people who struggle to find footwear that fits. These wash-and wear shoes are a comfortable slip-on design suitable for older feet.

 

With styles available for men and women, these shoes come in sizes 7 to 15 and 5 to 13, respectively. Men can choose from three colors and three width fittings, including a double extra-wide, and for the ladies, there are 10 color options and four width fittings.

 

The uppers are made from leather or suede and have a stretch Nylex neoprene collar. This allows for an easy on-off with a pull tab to assist. The suede option shoes come with Scotchguard for protection from dirt, dust, and moisture.

That said, you can put these shoes in the washing machine. This is great if you need to freshen them up at any time.

The heel counter on the shoes is firm to help keep your feet stable in your shoes. The insoles have cushioning and shock absorbency and are removable. Arch support comes from an EVA midsole.

The rubber outsole has multi-directional tread to give traction and help prevent slips and falls.

Propet offers a six-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Be aware when purchasing these shoes, you need to get the right size. While they’re stretchy, the fit can’t be adjusted.

Pros

• Washable casual walking shoes.
• Slip-on design with a stretchy collar.
• Range of colors, sizes, and widths.
• Firm heel counter for stability.
• Multi-tread outsole.

Cons

• Fit can’t be adjusted.

These casual walking shoes are offered in a wide range of sizes, widths, and colors, so it should be easy to find some to fit. They’re slip-on with a stretch collar designed to hug your foot. They have arch support and a firm heel counter.

 

Footwear Challenges for the Elderly

As we age, we experience many changes in our bodies. It’s not just the visible wrinkles on our faces, everything from head to toe is affected in one way or another. Your feet are no exception.

All those years of standing, walking, and running take their toll. The padding under the ball of your feet and heels disappears, your arches can flatten and become less flexible. The entire foot can become longer and wider.

As these changes take place, you might find you develop foot problems. The common ones include:

• Bunions: These are bony growths that generally form at the base of your big toe. The toe can eventually end up bending toward the smaller toes.
• Corns and calluses: These are thickened patches of dead skin on the toes and are yellowish in color.
• Hammertoes: These can affect any of your toes, causing them to curl under. They could be flexible or rigid, and you might even have dislocated joints.
• Toenail issues: Your toenails can become ingrown, discolored or thickened.
• Deformities: Diseases such as arthritis can cause your feet to become misshapen.
• Issues from diabetes: Foot ulcers, loss of feeling, and circulation problems are associated with this condition.
• Pain in the heels: Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament connecting the heel to the forefoot, and heel spurs are bony growths at the rear of the arch. Both can cause pain in your heels.
• Pain in the arches: Fallen or high arches can lead to discomfort.

Choosing appropriate shoes for seniors can help alleviate some of the discomfort and pain associated with these conditions. They can also keep you stable on your feet, preventing falls and maintaining balance. The correct footwear could also prevent knee and back issues.

Comfortable shoes that support and cushion your feet might encourage you to stay more physically active as well.

 

Features to Look for old people shoes

Here are some of the features to consider when choosing comfortable shoes for the elderly:

• Non-slip soles: Rubber soles with a tread designed to give you traction can keep you stable on your feet, preventing falls.
• Easy on/off: Slip-on shoes with a stretchy opening or ones with hook-and-loop closures will be easier to put on and take off.
• Wide collar: The opening to pop your feet in your shoes needs to be wide enough that they slip on easily.
• Cushioning: Check out how much padding the shoes have in the uppers, soles, and insoles. Beneath your feet, things like air pockets and memory foam help absorb shock, protecting your feet, knees and back from any impact. Added layers in the uppers will hug your feet and help relieve pressure points.
• Seamfree construction: Stitching on the inside of shoes can aggravate delicate feet. Look for ones that have no seams making the inside smooth.
• Material: Leather shoes can offer more support. However, many shoes are now made from mesh with reinforced sections. These can often be more lightweight and flexible, expanding with your feet if they swell.
• Firm heel counter: The heel counter of the shoe is at the back of the foot and helps give some stability to your ankles. Look for added padding to make sure it doesn’t hurt your Achilles tendon.
• Removable insoles: If you need custom orthotics to support your feet, look for shoes where you can remove the insoles. This will make it easy to change them out.
• Support: Look for features like EVA in the midsole and arch support from the insoles. Patented technologies in some shoes can help ensure you walk naturally, alleviating foot problems.
• Low heels: Try and look for shoes that have a heel height of about an inch. Any higher, you could risk twisting an ankle.

This video gives you some tips about the best shoes for seniors.

 

Getting the Right Fit

Improperly fitting shoes can lead to blisters, an unnatural gait, and pressure on your feet. There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the perfect fit:

1. When trying on new shoes, make sure you do it later in the day. Your feet can swell, making them larger in the late afternoon or evening.
2. Make sure you wear the socks you intend to use with your shoes and insert any custom orthotics. These both take up room in your shoes.
3. Once they’re on your feet, go for a walkaround. You want to make sure the shoes are comfortable and your feet aren’t slipping out of them. If possible, walk on hard and carpeted surfaces and see how the shoes stand up.
4. When checking the fit, you should have wiggle room for your toes. Make sure there are no pressure points to aggravate your feet. Shoes don’t always stretch, so if they feel tight at the outset, the chances are they’ll stay that way.
5. If you’re shopping online, check out the return policy of the manufacturer. Trying on shoes in the comfort of your own home is great, as long as they can be sent back if the fit isn’t right.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

I Have One Foot Bigger Than the Other, What Size Should I Choose?

Our bodies are often not symmetrical, and having one foot larger than the other is a common issue.

Provided the difference isn’t excessive, then choose a size that fits your largest foot best. If you find the smaller foot is swimming around in your shoes, you might need to visit a specialist foot doctor. They can advise you on the best course of action, whether this is using an insert or modifying the shoes.

You can find some tips in this article to help solve the problem of making big shoes fit.

 

My Favorite Brand of Shoes No Longer Fit, Why?

As we age, our feet change, and your favorite walking shoes from the same manufacturer you’ve worn for years might no longer fit. They can become tighter and uncomfortable. That’s when it’s time to start looking for new walking shoes for seniors that’ll give you the support your feet need.

 

What Are the Benefits of Having the Best Walking Shoes for Seniors?

Wearing the right shoes can have a few benefits for your feet and body:

• Reduce injuries and falls: Balance can become an issue for some as we age. Shoes that help stabilize your feet can help prevent falls leading to injury. This video shows you some exercises that can help improve your balance.

• Keeps you active: Exercise can help keep you healthier, improving your strength, balance, mind and energy levels. If you have comfortable shoes you’re more likely to get out and about.
• Prevents back and knee problems: When your feet don’t work in the way they should, the knock-on can affect your whole body. It compensates for unnatural movement placing stress on other joints like your knees and spine. Wearing supportive, cushioned shoes can help.

 

Stay Active, Stay Young

Choosing the best walking shoes for the elderly can help put a spring back in your step. They’ll cushion and support your feet, help with balance issues, and encourage you to stay active.

Any of the shoes we’ve chosen are good options, with all the features you need. They’re also not what you might class as “old people’s shoes” with their stylish looks.

We hope you enjoyed our guide and found it informative and useful. Please leave us a comment and let us know how you get on with your new shoes. Also, don’t forget to share so others can benefit as well.