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Try as we might to treat them right, our feet get subjected to lots of abuse. Whether you've made impractical footwear choices for decades on end or have turned a blind eye to developing issues that are now flaring up, you might find yourself contending with a range of foot-related woes as a senior.
Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all cure, but a good walking shoe can work wonders for tending to your ailing tootsies. To help you find the perfect fit, Shop TODAY consulted a range of experts to break down all of the features of a helpful walking shoe and what to avoid. Plus, a few options to get your search started.
What to look for | What to avoid | Expert picks | How we chose | Meet the experts
Before you go shopping for your next pair of walking shoes, these are the features experts say you'll want to look for:
Knowing what to avoid is equally as important as knowing what to look for while shopping for walking shoes. Here's what the experts say to steer clear of:
Gel-Contend 8 Women's Running Shoes
Sizes: 6-11 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Four
Levitt is a fan of Asics shoes for seniors and it’s easy to see why. This supportive style has built-in rearfoot gel technology cushioning that absorbs impact, a mesh upper material and a padded footbed.
Men's Tree Runners
Men's Tree Runners $98.00 at Allbirds
Sizes: 8-14 | Wide width available? No | Colorways: 13
Shop TODAY writer Emma Stessman got these sneakers for her dad who works on his feet and plays golf multiple times a week. Not only does he give them his stamp of approval, he loves them so much he asked for another pair as a holiday gift last year! "I think he wore them just about every day of the year for everything from golf to dinners and work," she says.
Lima
Sizes: 6-13 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: 11
“These shoes are great for people who have difficulty bending over and still offer the support of a regular gym shoe,” Lee says. The hands-free style has extra cushioning, a breathable knit material, ankle padding, a roomy toe box and removable insoles that also happen to be washable.
Miles II Sneaker
Sizes: 5-13 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Seven
Schaeffer calls out Vionic shoes as a supportive option for seniors. This pair offers moisture-wicking materials, a mesh design, sturdy outsoles, removable orthotics and a firm heel counter. The brand has also received the APMA Seal of Acceptance for several of their shoes, including this pair.
ST-5
Sizes: 6-11 | Wide width available? No | Colorways: Two
“Topo gym shoes are shaped like a foot. These shoes are great for wider feet or for people who have bunions and/or hammer toes,” Lee says.
Great for the gym and everyday activities, these walking shoes offer plenty of desirable features including a mesh upper material, a spacious toe box, antimicrobial insoles and a “second skin” fit.
Kita Hands-Free
Sizes: 5-12 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Seven
“This is a lace-up gym shoe that you can slip on without using your hands,” Lee says. This sturdy style has several enviable features including arch support, a wide toe box, a slip-resistant outsole, a rocker bottom and cushioned sole.
Kawana 2
Sizes: 5-11 | Wide width available? No | Colorways: Five
“I like to recommend Hokas for my older patients. Hokas provide many options with rigid soles and even wide bases to help with stability and arch support. They have many design features such as pull tabs for easy pull-on and removal,” Sayed says.
These responsive trainer shoes feature an airy mesh material, a durable outsole and plenty of support without added bulk.
Addiction Walker Suede
Sizes: 5-12 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Two
“Brooks Running has great everyday walking shoe styles. These specific ones have ample cushioning while providing the maximum amount of support,” Sayed tells us. Not only are they offered in wide and extra-wide varieties, they're also slip-resistant and have responsive cushioning, according to the brand.
Arahi 7
Sizes: 5-12 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: 10
"Hoka shoes have a slight rocker bottom and cushioned sole, so they are good for people who have arthritis in the mid-foot or toes," Lee notes.
This style serves up support in spades without sacrificing comfort. It has a durable underfoot and a compression midsole, plus it's ideal for addressing overpronation.
Clifton 9
Sizes: 5-12 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: 10
“My patients love the Hoka Clifton. They’re cushioned, supportive, neutral shoes that account for the loss of fat pad many patients have. They are not over-cushioned to affect balance,” Parthasarathy shares.
Wasatch
Wasatch $149.99 at Kizik
Sizes: 6-13 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Four
“This is a walking shoe that patients will be able to get on hands-free, which is a bonus for seniors with arthritis in the hands or mobility issues,” Parthasarathy notes.
With a water-resistant design and a foam midsole, these durable shoes offer the best of both worlds. They also feature a removable, washable insole.
928v3 Sneaker
Sizes: 5-13 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Three
"New Balance 928v3 is a nice stability shoe with a roll bar so this shoe is good for all day use, especially for overpronators," Lee says.
This sleek sneaker has a stylish leather upper, a removable foam footbed and a midsole that expertly absorbs impact.
Made in USA 990v6
Sizes: 7-16 | Wide width available? Yes | Colorways: Three
"My dad absolutely loves his New Balance 990s. They are stable for his flat feet. They come in many different widths, which accommodate his wide feet and are perfect for his daily walks," Parthasarathy says. It has a mesh upper, midsole cushioning and provides ample support.
Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz (Set of 3)
Tribe Running Phone Holder Armband
Tribe Running Phone Holder Armband $12.98 at Amazon
Bombas Women's Ankle Socks
Bombas Women's Ankle Socks $13.00 at Bombas
Dr. Scholl's Walk Longer Insoles
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle with Straw
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag $38.00 at Lululemon
Bala Bangles
As with all health challenges, some feet issues are preventable, while others are just inevitable as you get older. For instance, Espino says fat cushion loss is a normal part of aging.
"As we age, we tend to lose the protective padding our bodies have on the balls of our feet. There are ways to help reduce this with good shoe gear orthotics and padding," he notes.
You can also thank your ancestors for some foot issues that you experience as a senior.
“For the most part, deformity development is likely a genetic component. Arthritis is to some degree also genetic, but probably can be exemplified by certain activities," says Levitt.
Some of the foot problems you're experiencing right now can also be a result of ongoing foot conditions you've experienced over your lifetime. But you can ease their progression.
“Wearing practical supportive shoes or using arch supports or orthotics can help support the 33 joints in the foot, minimizing or slowing the process of bunions, hammer toes or arthritis. Wearing stability shoes or using a good arch support can also help prevent weakening and pain in the tendons that support our feet and ankles,” Lee adds.
The walking shoes featured in this story came at the recommendation of experts we consulted and from the personal experience of seniors.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
2024-06-17T21:14:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd