Balance issues can affect anyone, whether they’re recovering from injury, surgery, an illness or simply starting to feel the effects of getting older. It’s an important problem to tackle quickly and with all the resources at your disposal to prevent falls that can create serious, long-term problems. One easy fix is to ensure you’re wearing the proper shoes.
Michael Fishkin, a certified pedorthist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, highly recommends a properly fitted athletic shoe, noting that foot shape and structure can help to determine whether a stability shoe or netural cushioned shoe is best for you. “Stability shoes have extra supportive features to help manage excessive pronation. Neutral shoes allow the foot to move naturally,” he explained. A podiatrist or pedorthist can help you determine which type of shoe is most suitable for your individual needs.
Dr. Bobby Pourziaee, a board certified foot and ankle surgeon, agreed, saying, “For someone who has balance problems, I generally recommend a supportive walking or athletic shoe with a broad, stable base and a relatively firm platform. You want the shoe to feel secure underneath the foot rather than excessively soft, narrow, or unstable. A shoe with good contact with the ground can provide a more predictable surface and may help someone feel more confident with each step. I would generally avoid very high heels, narrow soles, loose slip on shoes, and shoes with excessive cushioning that allows the foot to move from side to side.”
One of the first things Pourziaee looks for is “a wide and stable outsole, particularly through the heel and midfoot.” He explained that the heel should sit securely in the shoe, and a firm heel counter can help limit unnecessary movement. He then added that “traction is extremely important. The outsole should provide good grip without being so aggressive that it catches unexpectedly ont he floor. Fit is also critical. A shoe that is too large can cause the foot to slide, while one that is too small can alter someone’s gait and make walking less comfortable.”
It may surprise some to hear that Pourziaee cautions against the assumption that more cushioning means more stability. “Extremely soft or very high stack shoes can sometimes make it more difficult for someone with significant balance problems to sense the ground underneath them. The goal is usually a combination of cushioning, support, stability and ground awareness,” he said.
We’ve rounded up a selection of shoes guided by our experts’ recommendations that can help improve balance, including their top picks, editor-faves and even Reddit-approved options. Take a look and see which best suits your needs.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
A pair of specially-designed, expert-recommended New Balance sneakers
Michael Fishkin, a certified pedorthist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, recommends these sneakers. He likes that they feature New Balance’s “rollbar” stability technology that supports enhanced motion control and that the shoes come in a variety of widths to accommodate a wider foot structure.
Dr. Bobby Pourziaee, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, agrees. He said, “The New Balance 928v3 is one I often like for people who need a very stable walking shoe. It has a broad platform, good structure through the rearfoot and midfoot, and is available in multiple widths, which is important because proper fit can have a major effect on stability.”
You can get these supremely cushy shoes in a wide variety of sizes and widths, along with three different colors.
Promising review: “I wear these everyday. They give me stability, and keep me from getting back aches. I have been wearing this same still for over 15 years now. I have tried other styles and other brands, but none compare to the comfort and ease of walking like these do. I should admit I am a very active 70 year old. there are WW928, I do not remember what the original number was but I continue to buy the current model 2 times a year.” — anonymous
A pair of surgeon-recommended sneakers
Pourziaee told HuffPost, “The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is another good option. It is a structured walking shoe with a stable platform and a slip-resistant outsole. For someone who spends a lot of time walking or standing but wants more support than a typical casual shoe, it can be a very practical choice.”
It’s a certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoe and has been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance. The brand’s extended progressive diagonal rollbar can help to provide the wearer full-body support, making it easy to take natural strides safely. It’s a good option for people who need extra arch and pronation control.
Promising review: “I didn’t realize how much I needed this type of shoe. Wearing them helps my balance, I can walk much better & they are quite comfortable. Love my Brooks tennis shoes. Thank you 😊” — RT
A pair of popular walking shoes
These HuffPost reader-beloved Brooks shoes also come recommended by Fishkin. He explained that “this shoe has a 6-millimeter heel-to-forefoot drop to place the foot in a more balanced position. The cushioning is well balanced; it is neither too soft nor too firm and the shoe is stable and accommodates multiple foot types.
Promising review: “I had extensive foot surgery and these have been the best purchase I’ve made for stability and recovery.” — SA Langston
A pair of adaptive sneakers designed for people with balance issues
Another Redditor suggested that older folks look at these thoughtfully designed shoes by Cadense. They were made to help people who need extra support while walking, so you can stay steady on your feet without overthinking every single step. The sole activates grip when weight is applied, while the shoe remains lightweight, comfy and with plenty of room in the toe-box. The brand notes that the sole height makes it possible for their “variable friction technology” to work properly and also provides additional cushion and shock absorption. You can even pay for them with FSA money.
Promising review: “I was hesitant to buy these shoes because I thought the sliders would wear out quickly from concrete and such. I have had my first pair for 10 months. I wear them every day and they have held up great. I have not fallen once since I started wearing them.
I wish they came in a dress shoe. I don’t like being that guy who wears tennis shoes with slacks or with a suit, but I am. It has made so much of a change in my ability to walk that I wouldn’t risk not wearing them.” — bobby
One of Saucony’s most famous sneaker designs
According to Fishkin, “This shoe has a 6-millimeter heel-to-forefoot drop to place the foot in a more balanced position. Saucony uses its ‘CenterPath’ Technology to help keep the foot balanced and stable during motion.” The shoe comes in multiple widths to accommodate multiple foot types, but you can only get the additional widths at Saucony’s site at this time.
Promising review: “Super comfy plus look super: I have many pairs of saucony shoes. These are the most comfortable shoe I own. They also look super. Very happy with this purchase.” — anonymous
A pair of Skechers sneakers with rave reviews
One shopper reviewed these Skechers shoes so effusively that we had to include them, calling them “more comfy than my slippers.” They feature a cleverly deisgned heel pillow that holds your foot in place and has a lightweight, responsive, memory foam cushioned insole.
Promising review: “I have an orthotic lift in one shoe due to a 3/4” difference in leg length after hip replacement. I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and have severe balance issues as a result. These shoes are perfect for both of my issues. I tried on 7 different pairs in a local store and this style fit me the best. The store didn’t have the all black ones I wanted, so I ordered them here and bought the khaki ones in the store.
First of all, both pairs fit exactly the same - no difference in size between different colors. The wide heel helps immensely with my balance issues, and my orthotic lift fit perfectly in my shoe without any rubbing or other issues (I did get the wide width to make the fit more comfortable with the orthotic).
Best of all, they’re lightweight, extremely comfortable and easy to walk in, and the black pair looks great with my black leggings! I highly recommend these shoes for support, comfort, and appearance, plus they’re so easy to slip on!” — Jeanne
A pair of unisex Kizik sneakers that are popular on Reddit
We also consulted the r/physicaltherapy subreddit, where we found a recommendation for the brand Kizik.These shoes are designed with expert-approved features that are highly conducive to maintaining good balance, like a roomy toe box and sturdy, grippy, reliable traction thanks to solid and secure outsoles. This slip-on style features an adjustable fit that’s designed to stay secure over time.
Promising reviews: “I’m 83 and absolutely love my new shoes. They were a gift from my granddaughter. She had seen me. Struggling to put on my shoes, and to tie them. Now I just step into them! No bending down to adjust them, and no tying the shoe laces. These are also so helpful, as my balance isn’t as good as it used to be! They are so very comfortable, that I bought a second pair.” — Mrs. Dale Hall
“I normally wear an 11 and ordered a 12. They fit great! I have balance issues and have to be careful on what shoes I wear even though I use a walker. These are awesome 🤩” — 2ksintekksas