For people who walk frequently, choosing the right walking shoe is super important to prevent your feet from aching and developing or worsening painful foot conditions. But wearing the proper supportive footwear is especially essential for older adults, said Dr. Chanel J. Perkins, a board-certified podiatrist based in Texas.
“Supportive shoes help maintain balance and alignment, which are necessities in this population since they are at a greater fall risk,” she told HuffPost. “They also help decrease pedal muscle fatigue and overall soreness since biomechanics forces are evenly distributed throughout the shoe.”
Perkins described the best shoes for older people as ones that are lightweight and breathable to prevent sweaty feet. They should also be well-cushioned, have good traction on the soles to prevent slips and falls and be easy to get on and off.
If you or a loved one is in need of a new pair of walking shoes, consider the ones recommended below by Perkins and other podiatrists.
The experts consulted for this story do not endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Vionic Walk Max classic shoe
Stamped with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, this Vionic shoe is a recommendation from Perkins. It's breathable, has a podiatrist-designed footbed, cushioned outsole and a rubber outsole built for steady traction. It comes in several color options and is available in men's sizes 7-14.
Promising review: "I received Vionic sneakers for Christmas. I wear a wide with in shoes and was skeptical that the shoes would fit well. I wore them for one day and noticed a marked decrease in my hip pain. I am thrilled with these shoes." — jrg
These non-slip, cushioned Nortiv 8 sneakers
Reviewers say these sporty Nortiv 8 sneakers feel like walking on clouds, and have been compared to similarly cushy Hoka models. The shoes boast a thick midsole, good traction for outdoor walking and, best of all, a sub-$60 price. Find them in women's sizes 6-11 in eight colorways (this includes wide sizing options).
The award-winning New Balance 608 V5 cross trainer
A shoe so good, we had to give it a HuffPost Shopping Award. The New Balance 608 V5 cross trainer is currently a bestseller among men’s cross-training shoes on Amazon, and the women’s version also has plenty of glowing reviews. The PU foam insert provides both support and comfort, while the blended mesh and leather upper is designed with breathability in mind. You can walk around feeling supported thanks to the specialized rubber content heel panel that reduces compression and the internal shank.
The shoes do have a lace-up closure, but come with a heel pull tab that makes it easy to still slip these on and off. The phantom lining inside is odor-resistant and has minimal seaming to prevent irritation to your feet.
Those looking for men’s sizes can get the 608s in 6.5-18, with medium, wide, X-wide and XX-wide options at both Amazon and Zappos. The women’s version comes in multiple colors and sizes 5-12, with medium, narrow and wide options at both Amazon and Zappos.
Men's Adidas Ultraboost 20 sneaker
Perkins recommended this Adidas option, which is made from recycled plastics and has supportive interior padding and great grip on the sole. It comes in men's sizes 4-14 and in multiple colors. It has a sock-like fit and a "boosting" feature, a super responsive midsole that makes it easier to take steps.
Promising review: "Extraordinarily comfortable shoe. I have flat feet, getting older with hip creaks here and there. My legs and joints feel great when wearing these shoes. Ultraboost is impressive stuff." — Amazon customer
Comfortable, affordable sneakers that are converting Hoka fans
Looking for comfy sneaks... but without the price tag of an expensive brand? This slip-on shoe by Allswifit has a very subtle chevron pattern in the lightweight mesh for a touch of style. They don't skimp on function, either; aside from the easy on-off design, these are slip-resistant, made with a thick midsole and have a wide base that promotes stability. Get a men's pair in sizes 7.5-13, or a women's pair in sizes 6-11; both come in several colorways.
Women's Orthofeet Francis walking shoe
Available in multiple colors, this walking shoe has a cushioned footbed and orthotic insole designed to help those with various foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis. It also has a roomy toe box for added comfort and bunion and hammertoe relief.
"The slip-on design makes it perfect for seniors who have a hard time bending over to tie a shoe or for those with arthritis in the hands who find difficulty with tying laces," Perkins said.
It comes in women's sizes 5-12, with medium, wide, extra-wide and extra-extra-wide options.
Promising review: "I bought these walking shoes for my sister's birthday. She just turned 69 years old last week and she called me today to say that she thought these shoes were the best shoes she had ever put on. She has bad feet and see's a podiatrist on a regular schedule. She said she can wear them all day and not feel any foot pain." — Tony A.
Skechers Glide Step shoe
This lace-up shoe is made of breathable mesh and has a removable Skechers Arch Fit insole. It comes recommended by Dr. Gary Evans, a podiatrist based in New York City, and even has a podiatrist-designed shape to give you the most comfortable fit for all-day wear. The Skechers Glide-Step feature helps to give you a natural momentum as you take each step. It comes in multiple colors and in women's sizes 5-11 and men's sizes 8-13.
Promising review: "Absolutely the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I have diabetic neuropathy, and finding a comfortable shoe has been a ongoing quest. Sketchers has always been the most comfortable, but these "Glide Step" shoes are more comfortable than my bedroom slippers. What more can I say." — Anonymous
New Balance Made In USA 990v56 shoe
For a shoe that offers stability and supportive cushioning, look no further than this New Balance shoe recommended by Evans. It has a breathable lining, durable rubber outsole and a footbed that provides proper cushioning and arch support. It comes in tthree colors and in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-14.
Promising review: "This is my 8th pair of 990's! Wife and I are "exercise walkers". We are now older and are x-triathletes. Aerobic paced walking of 3-7 miles per day is what we enjoy. My 990's are fantastic for preventing injuries and providing a comfortable walk." — No N
A pair of Brooks sneakers that older women can't stop buying
This Brooks Ghost sneaker is known for its signature cushioning, which provides firm support and a midsole that evenly absorbs the impact of your foot, no matter how it lands. We couldn't help but include this sneaker as an editor's pick. In previous reporting, HuffPost Shopping editor Emily Ruane noted that her mom and her daughters’ nanny — both active older women in their 60s — rely on the exact same pair of Ghost running shoes to stay light on their feet while they garden, run after kids (and grandkids) and do a whole lot of walking.
Her mother has undergone bunion surgery and has hammer toes, and likes that the shoes are available in wide widths to accommodate her custom orthotics. She finds the toe box to be roomy and well-constructed enough to comfortably accommodate her feet. (She’s actually on her second pair; the first lasted her almost four years before she needed to replace them a little under a year ago.) Ruane's children's nanny logs thousands of steps a day, and she told her that, “[t]hese shoes are the best.” And HuffPost readers (and reviewers) tend to agree.
Get them in men’s sizes 5-15, and women’s sizes 5-13.
Women's Dr. Comfort Victory shoe
This Dr. Comfort shoe checked off multiple boxes on Perkins' list of things to look for when buying a shoe for older adults, including its spacious toe box, lightweight design and Velcro strap.
"The most common complaint I hear from my senior patients is that a shoe is too heavy for them to wear comfortably. Any no-tie, slip-on or Velcro design that allows easy on and easy off is also great for seniors who have a hard time bending over," she said.
The adjustable strap closure allows you to get a more customized fit. The design also has a protective toe box that can help prevent pain from toe stubbing. It comes in white and pink and in women's sizes 4-11 with wide and extra-wide options.
Promising review: "I have problems with width in shoes. This fits better than expected. Comfortable in toe box and I even have a skip in my step thanks to the heel shock absorbing the bounce. Easy to put on with the velcro strap as the sole support to hold the shoe in place. Do not skip owning these shoes!" — snoopymaven