The best walking shoes for older adults are cushioned, stable shoes in the correct width, with an upper that is easy to get on and off and a fit checked on your own foot rather than guessed from the number on the box. The rest of this covers support underfoot, width, closures and when to replace a pair. We have been fitting walking shoes across Iowa since 1984, and most of what follows comes from what we see on the fitting bench.
Start with stability, then cushioning
Plenty of shoes sold as comfortable are simply soft, and soft on its own can feel unsteady. What you want cushions each step while holding its shape under you. Check two things in the store. Hold the shoe at both ends and twist: it should resist rather than wring out like a towel. Then set it on a flat table and look from behind, where the heel should sit square rather than leaning. A firm heel counter, the cup at the back of the shoe, keeps your heel centered.
If your ankle rolls inward as you push off, a stability shoe gives you more structure through the midsole. Our stability shoes work for walkers too. If your stride is even, a cushioned neutral shoe is usually more comfortable. Watching you walk is the fastest way to tell which suits you.
Width and toe room count as much as length
Feet change over the years. They tend to spread and settle, and they swell through the day, which is why the size you wore at forty may not be the size you want now.
Take the insole out and stand on it. Your foot should sit inside the edges, not hang over them. If it spills over, you want a wider shoe rather than a longer one, and we stock widths through wide and extra wide. Leave about a thumb width in front of your longest toe, and give the toe box enough room that your toes lie flat.
- Try shoes on in the afternoon, when your feet are closer to their largest.
- Measure both feet, fit the larger one, and adjust the other with lacing.
- Bring your orthotics or insoles if you use them, and fit the shoe with them in.
- Walk the length of the store, because a rub shows up in motion, not standing still.
Easy entry and closures that suit your hands
A shoe you have to wrestle with is a shoe that stays in the closet. Look for a wide opening, a pull tab at the heel, and a collar that does not fold under your heel as you slide your foot in.
Closures are worth thinking about. A hook and loop strap sets the tension in one motion and adjusts mid walk if your foot swells. Elastic lace systems give you a slip on shoe that still holds its fit. Standard laces offer the finest control, and a lacing change can free up room over a high instep or lock down a heel that slips. Pick the style you will use without thinking about it.
Brands we fit walkers into most
New Balance has long been a first stop for walkers, with a deep range of widths and cushioning that suits daily miles. Brooks is a favorite for its roomy forefoot and removable insoles, which makes it friendly to custom orthotics. HOKA is known for deep cushioning on a stable platform, which many customers find helps on concrete.
Treat those three as a starting point rather than a shortlist. The walking and running categories overlap more than people expect, and the differences between running and walking shoes are worth a read before you shop.
When to replace them, and where to get fitted
Support breaks down long before an upper looks worn out. Compression lines in the midsole foam, a heel that leans when the shoe sits on a table, worn tread under the ball of the foot, and fresh aches on a familiar route all say the same thing.
Fitting is free at every Fitness Sports store and no appointment is needed. We measure length, width and arch height on both feet, watch you walk, and ask where and how far you walk. Our seven stores are in Ames, Ankeny, Clive, Coralville, Des Moines, Marion and North Liberty, and you can find hours and directions for each store before you visit. If a pair is not right after a week or two, bring it back within 30 days with the receipt for a refit, exchange or refund. Online orders ship free over $70, and store pickup is normally ready within an hour. If foot pain continues after a proper fit, it is worth talking to a doctor or podiatrist.
Questions we get asked
What makes a good walking shoe for older adults?
Look for four things: cushioning that stays supportive underfoot, a stable heel and midsole that do not twist easily, a width that lets your forefoot sit flat, and an upper you can get on and off without a fight. A grippy rubber outsole helps on wet sidewalks and smooth store floors. Everything else is preference once those four are right.
Are adjustable closures better than laces?
They are easier, and easier means you actually wear the shoe. A hook and loop strap sets the tension in one motion without bending down or working a small knot, and you can loosen it mid walk if your foot swells. Standard laces still give the finest control, so try both in store and see which one you reach for.
How do I know if I need a wider shoe?
Pull the insole out of the shoe and stand on it. If your foot hangs over either edge, you need a wider last rather than a longer shoe. Other signs are hard creasing across the ball of the foot, seam marks on your skin at the end of the day, and buying a half size up just to get room across the front.
How often should I replace my walking shoes?
A common guide is 300 to 500 miles, and daily walkers often reach that in six to nine months. The clearer test is the shoe itself. Set it on a flat table and look at it from behind: if it leans, the midsole is done. Compression lines in the foam and new aches on familiar routes point the same way.
Can I use my own orthotics in a new pair?
Usually yes, as long as the shoe has a removable insole. Bring your orthotics with you when you come in, because a shoe fitted without them can feel very different once they go in, and some styles have more depth than others. We will fit the shoe around the orthotic and check the length again once it is in place.
Come into any Fitness Sports store and we will measure your feet and put you in something you look forward to walking in, or start with the wide and extra wide shoes we keep on the shelf and pick your pair up nearby.