Best Supportive Shoes for Seniors
Choosing Safe and Supportive Shoes
The right pair of shoes can do more than keep your feet comfortable—they can help improve stability, reduce the risk of slips and falls, and make walking easier and more confident. As we age, changes in balance, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and foot structure can affect the way we walk. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, neuropathy, bunions, or swelling may also make it more difficult to find shoes that fit properly and provide adequate support.
While no shoe can completely prevent falls, choosing footwear with the right safety and comfort features can help improve stability during everyday activities. Whether you’re walking outdoors, shopping, traveling, or moving around your home, supportive footwear can play an important role in maintaining independence and reducing the risk of injury.
The recommendations below include shoes from trusted brands known for their comfort, stability, and supportive design. The best choice will depend on your individual needs, foot conditions, and activity level.
What to Look for in Walking Shoes
When selecting shoes, consider the following features: (For additional guidance on selecting safe footwear and reducing fall risk, visit the CDC’s STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries))
Slip-Resistant Outsole
Look for durable rubber soles with good tread to help provide traction on a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Proper Fit
Choose shoes that provide enough room for your toes without allowing your feet to slide inside the shoe. Shoes should fit comfortably without pinching or rubbing.
Secure Closure
Shoes with laces, hook-and-loop (Velcro) straps, or other adjustable fasteners help keep the foot securely in place and allow for a customized fit.
Arch Support
Proper arch support promotes better alignment and may help reduce foot fatigue and discomfort during daily activities.
Wide Width Options
Many older adults benefit from shoes available in wide or extra-wide widths to accommodate swelling, bunions, hammertoes, or other common foot conditions.
Supportive Heel
A firm, well-constructed heel helps keep the foot stable and reduces unnecessary side-to-side movement while walking.
Low Heel Height
Shoes with a low, wide heel or flat sole generally provide greater stability than high heels or elevated wedges.
Good Cushioning
Adequate cushioning helps absorb impact while walking and can improve comfort for individuals with arthritis or other foot conditions.
Lightweight Construction
Lightweight shoes are often easier to walk in and may help reduce fatigue during extended periods of standing or walking.
💡 Shoes to Avoid
Some types of footwear can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Consider avoiding:
❌ Flip-flops and backless sandals
❌ High heels or wedge shoes
❌ Shoes with smooth, worn-out soles
❌ Shoes that are too loose or too tight
❌ Footwear without adequate arch support or heel stability
❌ Loose-fitting slippers without non-slip soles
💡 When to Replace Shoes
Replace your shoes if you notice:
✔ Soles have become smooth or worn
✔ Uneven wear on the heels or tread
✔ Reduced cushioning or support
✔ Shoes feel loose or unstable
✔ Tears or damage to the upper material
✔ Persistent foot pain after walking
Quick Guide to Choosing Supportive Shoes
Best overall stability
Easy slip-on design
Arthritis or foot pain
Maximum cushioning
Women’s walking shoe
Arch support and plantar fasciitis
New Balance
Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins
Orthofeet
Brooks
Ryka
Hoka
PRoduct Recommendations
New Balance
PROS
- Excellent support
- Available in multiple widths
- Good traction
- Motion-control models for balance problems
Recommended models:
- 928 for Women
- 628 for Men
Sketchers
PROS
- Affordable
- Slip-ins (no bending)
- Arch Fit models
- Lightweight
Recommended models:
- Slip-ins Go Walk Flex for Women
- Summits High Range Slip-ins for Men
Brooks
Best for:
- Long walks
- Knee pain
- Maximum cushioning
Popular models:
- Women’s Adrenaline GTS 25
- Men’s Adrenaline GTS 25
Orthofeet
Best for:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Bunions
- Neuropathy
Popular models:
- Orthopedic Coral Stretch Knit Walking for Women
- Orthopedic Yari Hands-Free Water-Repellent for Men
Ryka
Designed specifically for women’s feet with a narrower heel, roomier toe + contoured cushioning for stability
- Walking
- Exercise
- Balance
Popular Model
- Devotion
Hoka
Earned a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Best for:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arch support
Popular models:
- Womens Bondi 9
- Mens Bondi 9
Non-Slip Socks
Walking in socks, loose slippers, or barefoot reduces traction and increases the likelihood of slipping—especially on hard flooring.
Switching to non-slip grip socks provides immediate improvement in stability. This is one of the easiest changes to make and one of the most effective.
Zaska Non Slip Grip Socks
- Unisex – Men or Women
- 85% premium combed cotton
- 4 pairs in a pack
- Three sizes: Med, Lrg, XLarge
- Variety of colors in a pack or all one color
- Durable, washable
Unenow Non Slip Grip Socks
- Unisex – Men or Women
- Short socks
- 4 pairs in a pack
- Three sizes: Small, Med, Lrg
- Variety of colors in a pack or all one color
- Durable, washable