Despite their persistent denial, we all know that many elderly people struggle with their balance as they age, and it can be extremely problematic if they do begin to take a tumble too often.
Once this starts happening, it can often be rather upsetting for them, and they may begin to think it’s the start of them losing their independence.
However, there are a few ways that they can reclaim some of this independence and stay on their feet, and arguably the best way to do this is through investing in some good quality shoes.
Then the daunting task of finding an appropriate pair of shoes begins (see also ‘Slippers For Seniors – Some Of The Comfiest AND Safest‘). How are you meant to know which shoes are going to be best for the elderly person in your life? Especially if they’re regularly struggling with their balance.
Plus, there’s a lot to consider when deciding on what sort of shoes they’d like; material, whether they have laces, and whether they provide enough support.
So if you’re in the search for a suitable pair of shoes for someone elderly in your life, then read on and take a look at the list of shoes we’ve compiled that should help provide some balance so that you can rest assured that they are safe when on their feet!
New Balance 557 V1 Hook And Loop Walking Shoe
This offering from New Balance is an excellent choice of shoe for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the main portion of the shoe is constructed from a high quality leather, meaning that it will shape to your feet over time, and will be durable and therefore able to withstand the pressures over daily life.
Another great aspect of its leather construction is that it will also be easy to clean should they get dirty!
The sole is then constructed of an extremely durable rubber, which will help to cushion and support the feet whilst walking and provide brilliant shock absorption too.
This cushioning is only helped further by the polyurethane midsole too.
The New Balance 557 also features removable insoles, so you can easily replace the insoles should you need to.
The 557s are easy to put on and take off thanks to the dual velcro straps, which also means that they are fully adjustable too.
Width should be no problem with these shoes either, as they are available in both regular and wide-footed sizing, so if you need to accommodate any inflammation or bunions then the New Balance 557s should be able to fit you with all the width you need.
Pros
- Great shock absorption
- High quality leather material body and durable rubber sole.
- Easy to put on and take off.
- Fully adjustable with velcro straps.
Cons
- Some customers complained that the original insoles provide a low level of arch support.
- The velcro attracts dirt easily.
Avia Avi-Union II Strap Non-Slip Shoes
The Avia Avi-Union II is another excellent choice if you’re looking for shoes that are going to be both comfortable and supportive, especially if you’re struggling with a lack of balance.
The main asset to these shoes is the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate sole, which gives the sole its incredible slip resistant rubber sole, designed with a oil and wet surface resistant tread pattern that ensures that you won’t ever slip over with these on.
Thanks to the lightweight composition of these shoes, they are extremely comfortable, and are perfect for wearing for long periods of time, and because they’re available in both regular and wide sizing, they’re great for accommodating any ailments you may have on your feet.
The Avi-Union II shoes also feature an incredible memory foam sock liner, which helps by forming to the shape of your foot and helps to reduce the strain placed on the pressure points of your foot.
This insole is completely removable too, so if you want to replace it with a different insole, then that’s completely possible.
Pros
- Slip resistant sole design.
- Lightweight composition.
- Available in regular and wide sizing.
- Memory foam insole.
Cons
- The main body is ultimately less durable as a result of its lightweight construction.
Skechers GoWalk 5 Wistful Hook And Loop Shoes
The GoWalk 5 shoes from Skechers are another great option if you’re looking for a no frills, and no hassle shoe that is both easy to put on and to take off.
This shoe features an incredibly lightweight mesh upper construction which ensures that your foot is properly ventilated when wearing, which can help to reduce inflammation and any provocation of existing foot issues.
This also means that these shoes are great if you live in any particularly hot areas.
On top of this mesh upper is the easy to use velcro straps that allow you to have total control over how tight you have your shoes, which is perfect for those with wider feet or bunions.
Inside the shoe is a specialized insole cushion, this technology is offered as an improvement to memory foam, borrowing technology from Yoga mats, these new insoles help to absorb perspiration whilst providing ultra comfortable bounce back cushioning.
The GoWalk 5 is available in 3 different colors, which means that you can have a pair for every occasion, these shoes are effortless in their style and will mean that you can be comfortable without compromising your style whatsoever.
Pros
- Lightweight mesh upper means that your feet are well ventilated
- Adjustable via the velcro straps
- Extremely comfortable soles.
- Available in multiple different colors.
Cons
- Many customers complain that the velcro straps aren’t as long as the entire strip of velcro, which could be problematic if you have particularly wide feet.
Propet Tour Walker Strap Sneaker
This Hook and Loop style sneaker from Propet is a great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable shoe that still has a professional look, with its all black full grain leather construction, then it doesn’t matter what setting your in, this shoe will look the part whilst ensuring that you’re able to stand and walk comfortably all day long.
The Tour Walker has a durable EVA cushioned midsole designed to provide you with a suitable amount of cushioning whilst on your feet.
The velcro straps are also a great prospect for those who don’t like their shoes to fit too tightly, and means that the Tour Walker is an excellent choice for anyone requiring a shoe to accommodate bunions or wide feet in general.
The footbed of the Tour Walker is also removable too, which is good news if you have custom Orthotics or are simply looking to increase the arch support inside the shoe with a different insole.
Pros
- Easy to clean and durable full grain leather construction
- Adjustable velcro straps.
- Durable EVA midsole provides excellent cushioning
- Removable insole for Orthotics.
Cons
- As a result of the leather construction, the shoe can be quite stiff on the first few wears.
- The shoe’s ventilation is low, which means your feet can get quite hot whilst wearing these shoes.
Skechers Go Walk Joy Sneakers
The Skechers Go Joy Sneakers are something different than the other shoes on this list. Rather than providing a hook and loop system, these sneakers are slip-on shoes instead!
Whilst this might not sound like a great option for someone who may struggle with their balance, Skechers have ensured that these shoes are designed to support your feet well, and that they provide an excellent true to size fit that means that you won’t ever struggle with them slipping off whilst walking.
On the inside, the shoe features Skechers’ excellent Goga mat insoles, designed to deal with foot perspiration with ease and providing that bouncy comfortable support you’re used to from memory foam insoles.
The Go Walk Joy has a durable rubber sole, which helps to reduce the pressure that is placed when walking, which will in turn help to retain balance too.
The construction of this shoe means that it’s lightweight and flexible, giving you a full range of motion whilst wearing and that you won’t have to worry about breaking them in either.
The insoles are completely removable if you need to put Orthotics in, and these shoes are also available in 26 different colors, so you’re spoilt for choice in the level of personalisation you’re able to get!
Pros
- Easy slip on shoes means that you can put these on hands free.
- Goga mat insoles makes them extremely comfortable and helps to keep your feet well ventilated
- Durable rubber sole helps with the impact of walking
- Removable insoles allows you to change them out for Orthotics if necessary
- Numerous different colors available.
Cons
- The shoes can be too tight in the toe box depending on your foot size, so it’s important to adjust what size you buy accordingly depending on your foot measurements.
Propet Life Walker Strap
These Propet Life Walker shoes are the perfect choice if you’re struggling with your balance but are required to spend a lot of your time on your feet, these shoes are packed with clever technology and a very ergonomic design that ensure your balance remains good whilst walking.
These shoes feature a full leather construction and a durable rubber sole, which makes these shoes easy to clean and incredibly durable, so you can rest assured that they’re going to last you a long time.
Inside, the shoe has a padded collar and tongue to help provide you with a good level of comfort, and it also has a built in heel stabilizer to ensure that your heel has the appropriate level of support, which is excellent for those with poor balance.
This shoe uses the reliable hook and loop system, meaning they’re easy to put on and take off, and fully adjustable thanks to their velcro straps, and are also available in a range of sizes, with options available for those with particularly wide feet too.
The insoles are fully removable too should you need to remove them and replace them with Orthotic insoles, which is extremely convenient.
Pros
- Full leather construction makes them easy to clean and durable.
- Heel stabilizer and padded interior mean that you stay on your feet.
- Hook and loop system make putting on and taking off the shoes very easy
- Convenient removable insoles.
Cons
- The velcro often attracts dirt and pet hair.
- Some customers complain about the lack of overall arch support.
Hush Puppies Gil
Hush Puppies are a well known brand and their reputation for making quality pairs of shoes is represented well in their Gil shoe, this full grain leather slip on shoe is actually extremely lightweight, and is great at finding the balance between durability and breathability.
Although it’s a slip-on shoe, it still has a hook and loop system should you need it, and is therefore great for people who struggle with the effort of having to do up laces.
It also means that the shoe’s tightness is fully adjustable to your preference.
The Gil shoe features a ZeroG Elon midsole as well as a Rubberlon outsole, which means that the shoe is able to withstand the daily pressure of walking whilst remaining comfortable for the wearer, it also means that despite their sturdy appearance, that these shoes are actually lightweight and flexible, allowing you to have a full range of movement whilst wearing them, but still remaining durable.
These shoes are also rated as slip resistant shoes, so you should have absolutely no trouble with the traction provided by the Hush Puppies Gil, and can rest assured that these shoes will keep you on your feet no matter how slippery the surface is.
Pros
- Full leather construction ensures durability
- Specialized midsole and outsole help to remove the uncomfort from walking.
- Lightweight and flexible whilst providing stability
- Slip resistant design
Cons
- The shoes can be quite narrow depending on your feet, so it’s best to confirm your measurements before you purchase.
Propet M5015 Scandia Strap Slip On
These strapped slip on shoes from Propet are a no hassle alternative to some of the more complicated designs on the market.
Featuring a lovely supple full grain leather construction, and extremely comfortable padding on the shoe’s inner, these make a great option for someone struggling with their balance thanks to the great support that they provide.
The Scandia also features a firm heel counter to prevent the shoe from slipping off your feet, whilst helping to reduce the shock from walking.
The inner footbed, although comfortable, is also fully removable should you have to remove it in order to replace it with Orthotic insoles.
The outsole is constructed of a durable PU material, and is grooved and ridged to help provide a decent level of slip resistance so that you can walk with confidence.
Available in a wide range of sizes, with extra sizing available if you have particularly wide feet, then you can rest assured that these shoes are able to accommodate your feet if they’re wide, or if you just want to ensure that they won’t cause calluses or irritate your bunions.
Pros
- Full grain leather construction ensures durability.
- Inner padding helps to secure the foot and provide comfort.
- Firm heel counter prevents any slipping and reduces shock from walking.
- Removable soles
- Wide range of sizing available
Cons
- The original of these soles wear out quickly, so there’s a likelihood you’ll have to replace them if you haven’t already.
Buyer’s Guide
Shoes for the elderly can be extremely difficult to buy, and there is a lot of consideration that goes into deciding what pair of shoes is going to be best for the elderly person in your life.
To save you the effort, we’ve compiled a small buyer’s guide of everything to look out for. So, these are some of the features to look out for when you’re purchasing a pair of shoes for the elderly.
Width
It’s common for elderly people to suffer from inflammation and swelling when on their feet for a particularly long time, so wide shoes are really a necessity.
Additionally, if their footwear is too tight, then it is possible that it would reduce the blood circulation in their feet and could possibly worsen any pre-existing conditions.
Additionally, shoes with wide toe boxes are preferable for the elderly for a number of reasons, it’s important to have enough room to be able to move your toes whilst wearing the shoes, which will help to avoid any calluses or corns.
Also, a wider toe box means that the shoes will be much better at accommodating bunions too.
Of course, a wider pair of shoes also means that they’ll have a better balance, as the wideness of the shoes should help to provide them with some of the stability that they are missing.
Material
Another important aspect of any prospective footwear choice has to do with the material that is used.
A good shoe for elderly people will be constructed with materials that are both supportive for their ankles and Achilles tendon, and durable enough to withstand any scuffing or knocks they may encounter.
Another consideration to be made about the material used is that the shoe needs to be lightweight enough for the person to be able to pick them up and put them on, and also they can’t be too restrictive either.
Grip
The amount of traction and grip that a shoe provides is essential to ensuring that someone elderly is able to maintain their balance whilst wearing their shoes.
The shoes need to be able to provide plenty of traction on any surface, whether it’s wet or dry and are an absolute must for anyone elderly who is struggling with their balance.
A sole should be slip-resistant and flexible too to help enable the wearer to have a full range of movement whilst wearing them.
The key thing to look out for is deep groves and tread should help to eliminate any sort of problem posed by grass, wet surfaces, or even slightly muddy surfaces.
Adjustability
Because elderly people are so susceptible to problems with their feet, then it’s a good idea to pick a pair of shoes that are easily adjustable, which is why laces aren’t such a good idea, as they can be somewhat problematic, especially if the wearer struggles to bend down for too long, or has problems with the cognitive function in their hands.
Therefore, the best option is to look for a pair of shoes that uses velcro to tighten and loosen the shoe, this makes adjustment easy and will be sure to prevent the shoes from falling off of their feet too.
Support
A quality show for the elderly should provide a decent level of support. This amount of support is necessary as quite often the pressure exerted on the feet as you age takes a much larger toll.
Many of the shoes intended for the elderly today feature extra cushioning and as well as some bevelled padding in the heel area, which helps to prevent any sliding.
In fact, the heel is one of the most important areas to protect, as it’s where much of the inflammation for elderly people begins, as it’s the first place that makes contact with the when you walk, and can be a problem area, especially if they’re on their feet for a prolonged amount of time.
SPEAKING OF SUPPORT IF YOU NEED A COMFORTABLE BRA TO GO WITH YOUR COMFORTABLE SHOES CHECK THESE OUT!
Cushioning
Similar to the need for support, the best shoes for the elderly also provide a good amount of cushioning, this ensures that some of the pressure is taken off of the feet whilst walking.
A properly cushioned shoe will provide arch support as well as being soft enough underfoot to absorb some of the force that is exerted on the feet as they walk.
If the shoes purchased aren’t providing enough arch support or cushioning for the soles of their feet, then it may be worth looking into investing into some removable insoles which will help to further support the arch of the foot, as well as help pad out the heel cushioning even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trying to buy shoes for either yourself, or someone else that is lacking in balance can be extremely difficult to discern what sort of shoes is going to be best suited.
Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions to help provide the answers and hopefully resolve some of the queries you may have had.
What Shoes Should I Avoid If I Have Bad Balance?
If you’re someone who has particularly bad balance, then you should try to avoid loose fitting shoes, especially things such as heels or flip flops, as these both provide very little support to your feel and ankle and will ultimately only hinder your balance further.
Additionally, any ill-fitting shoe will also hinder your balance, so it’s vital to get your feet measured before investing in new shoes, this way you can be sure that your new shoes will fit perfectly and won’t affect your balance.
Will Orthotics Help My Balance?
If you’re struggling with your balance, it might be worth looking into getting some Orthotics made for your feet.
These insoles will help to maintain a proper alignment when you’re walking and will ensure that your bodyweight is distributed evenly across your feet whilst you’re on your feet, which in turn will help to reduce the pressure and stress on your feet, therefore improving your balance.
Can The Right Shoes Actually Help My Balance?
If your balance is bad, it can sometimes feel like nothing is going to truly help.
However, proper shoes suited to providing optimal support for your feet will actually work wonders on your feet, and will certainly have a positive effect on your balance, you just need to find the right pair for you!
How Can Incorrect Footwear Hinder Balance?
Whether they’re too tight or too loose, or perhaps they don’t provide enough support.
Ultimately, shoes can affect the sensory feedback from your feet to your brain, and the incorrect footwear will have a negative impact on your balance.
This is why it’s so important to ensure that you are purchasing the right footwear for your feet, and that they fit and support your foot as needed.
Summary
To summarise, there are many different types of shoes that can help with elderly people and their balance problems, it just takes a good amount of time and research in order to find what footwear is going to be best suited.
So be sure to make note of your foot measurements, and keep in mind that existing ailments on your feet, such as calluses and bunions will play a part into buying the correct footwear, as you’ll need to make sure that you buy footwear wide enough to accommodate these issues.
