5 Best Shoes for Elderly to Prevent Falls and Promote Safer Walking

To prevent falls as a senior, choose supportive, well-fitted walking shoes with non-slip soles, an adjustable closure like velcro straps, and a roomy toe box - brands like Propet, New Balance, and Orthofeet design shoes specifically to improve stability and accommodate age-related foot issues.

14:20 06/09/2024

Looking for the best shoes to prevent falls as a senior? The right footwear can help you stay steady on your feet and avoid dangerous tumbles!

Most Important Features of Fall Prevention Shoes

Choose shoes with non-slip soles and good arch support.

Look for a wide toe box, adjustable closures like velcro straps, and a cushioned but supportive fit.

Low heels and slip-on styles make things easier.

Prioritize comfort and stability in your new shoes.

Try brands like Propet, New Balance, and Orthofeet designed for seniors. Their shoes have innovative features to improve your mobility while reducing fall risks.

Don’t sacrifice safety for style – you want shoes that keep you sure-footed.

With the right pair, you can walk confidently and maintain your independence. This article reviews the top-rated walking shoes for elderly to prevent falls. Keep reading for tips on finding shoes tailored to your needs and 12 excellent options to consider.

Top 5 Shoes for Older Adults

Here are the details for each of the top picks above. I’ve included my ratings and why I rated the shoes the way I did. I also included a price list from some of the top retailers to help you find the best deal on your favorite!

1. FitVille Women's Diabetic Shoes Extra Wide Width Diabetic Sandals for Women

Diabetic Walking Shoes Adjustable Closure Arch Support Orthopedic Shoes for Swollen Feet Plantar Fasciitis.

Shop now: FitVille Women's Diabetic Shoes Extra Wide Width Diabetic Sandals for Women

Wide Toe & High-Instep Design: Enjoy roomy comfort with FitVille FlexiWalk Sandals V1. Our wide toe box gives your toes plenty of space to spread out, reducing pressure for extra comfort.

Adjustable Straps Closure: With our adjustable straps, you can easily tailor the fit to your preference, ensuring a secure and personalized fit for your feet.

Patented Therapeutic Sole: Relief of foot pain due to neuropathy,relieves pressure points and reduces foot pain including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, hammer toes, and more.

Diabetes Friendl: Enjoy breathable comfort with FitVille's soft mesh upper and 3mm sponge padding. Seamless lining prevents irritation for a smooth feel.

Lightweight & Non-Slip: Experience airy comfort with lightweight materials in FitVille sandals. Stay stable with a slip-resistant rubber outsole for confident steps on any surface, reducing slips.

Customer reviews:

Ann: I was excited to try these shoes. The toe box was bigger and it was very comfortable to slip in and out of the shoe. However, the fabric was very rough on my feet for daily wear. It actually caused a blister on my toe because the fabric of the shoe was so rough. I went to my podiatrist and I had to take antibiotics to clear up the issue. I would not recommend these shoes, especially for people who are diabetic and need to be careful with their feet.

Linda L. Sidle: These are finally a shoe I can wear without pain. In my 76 years I've jumped out of hay mows wearing loafers, fractured my right ankle 3 different times. I've walked in walkathons of ten or more miles and would run ten miles a week.

My feet and legs hurt. I have neuropathy, RLS, and fibromyalgia. These shoes are like walking on a cloud. Support is great, fit is perfect and of high quality. My 31 yr old grandson has a pair and my daughter ordered a pair also. I just wish they came in RED.

Robert: Got these for my mom bc she couldn’t get her shoes on due to swelling in her feet and needed accessible shoes as she just broke her hip recently, and she slipped these babies right on with no effort at all, and with her physical therapy aids they were wonderful unlike other shoes, the velcro was super easy to press down and adjust, and the soles are very supportive. Theyre not as aesthetically pleasing as other shoes but honestly im just glad we got some that fit and are comfortable for her and easy to put on. Her physical therapist loved em and said she was going to recommend them to her other patients.

2. Taos Zipward Casual Walking Shoe

Buy on amz: Taos Footwear Women's Zipward Casual Slip On

I’ve had requests from readers in the past to include “more fashionable” choices in my footwear recommendations for older adults. And, when Taos sent me a pair of their new Zipward shoes, I knew they were what some of you were looking for.

The Taos Zipward offers many fall reduction features without looking like “old people” shoes. These fashionable and sporty shoes have flexible non-slip soles and are lightweight and easy to walk in.

Plus, they use a unique zipper closure that makes them very easy to put on and take off.

The shoes have a sporty, casual, almost minimal look to them. Also, nothing about them looks like they are just for older people or are something to be worn to help seniors walk more securely. But they do have many of the features that I recommend.

First, the outsoles are non-slip with a flexible and durable rubbery material. They are also thinner and lightweight.

This helps people sense better where their feet are in space (called proprioception) when compared to thick, heavy, or “clunky” shoes, which can improve their walking safety.

Actually, the entire shoe is lightweight, so even elderly people with weakness shouldn’t have any problems lifting them off the ground.

Next, there are no shoe strings or hook and loop (aka Velcro) straps to fool with. Simply slip your foot into the shoe and zip it closed – it’s that simple. Of course, this makes them easy to remove also.

Finally, the shoe is very comfortable due to the Taos Curves & Pods® footbed, which offers arch and metatarsal support. If you use special orthotics, this footbed is removable too. Also, the heel collar is padded, adding to their comfort.

One caution, though: if foot swelling or edema is a problem for you or the wearer, these shoes don’t offer much stretch because of their uppers. The closure isn’t adjustable, either.

Other than that, this is a great shoe choice for older adults who want a good-looking casual shoe that is comfortable and easy to walk in.

3. Propet Tour Walker Stability Shoes for Women

Buy now: Propet Women's Tour Walker Sneaker

Propet Tour Walker is a 100% leather sneaker that was made for women. It comes in many colors, including taupe, black, and a white/blue combination.

This shoe provides the wearer with great stability due to its high-density EVA midsoles. The shoes are very soft and flexible and tend to mold to the shape of the user’s feet as time passes.

The sole of the shoe is made of rubber and provides an excellent amount of traction. This applies to dry as well as wet surfaces. They are available in sizes from 5-12 and in a multitude of widths.

While these shoes are padded well to provide comfort, the area around the ankles and tongue is a bit thinner, which means less softness.

Two Velcro straps on these shoes make it easy for older adults to put on and remove them easily.

The soles have great grip but are a bit hard and noisy. This can pose a problem when walking in areas where one is supposed to be quiet.

These are considered diabetic walking shoes, but there is nothing to indicate this to anyone else, which is great for those who want to have comfort without being the center of attention.

4. Hush Puppies Gil Lightweight Shoes

Buy now: Hush Puppies Gil Lightweight Shoes

Hushpuppies Gil is one of the many shoes that are great for older adults. They are comfortable, lightweight shoes that have excellent traction. You can walk confidently since the rubber sole has grips to prevent slippage when used on dry and wet surfaces.

While many may adore the Velcro straps that make it fairly simple to put on and take off, those with problems bending or gripping things may have some trouble with these.

The shoe is quite versatile and can be used in formal and casual situations. Multiple widths are available to accommodate those who need something narrower or wider than usual. Keep in mind that some who purchased the medium width noticed that it was a bit wide.

While this shoe is made of genuine leather, the sole is made of synthetic material. With that said, it does not detract from the benefits that can be gleaned from wearing these.

The show’s overall design is rather plain, but you can easily wear it with any outfit you have in mind. While they are not the cheapest shoes available on the market, they are durable and worth the investment.

5. Dr. Comfort Endurance Plus Men's Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe

Buy Now: Dr. Comfort Endurance Plus Men's Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe

Dr. Comfort Endurance (Men’s) / Spirit (Women’s) are shoes that were created for those with diabetes. It is a lightweight shoe with mesh, so it is breathable and flexible, allowing for great circulation.

These shoes are aesthetically pleasing. They look like typical athletic shoes, as opposed to therapeutic one.

The stretchy elastic laces don’t require tying. They also have a hook-and-loop strap that makes it easier to take them off and put them back on.

For comfort while walking, there is a padded lining that offers ultimate comfort. A replaceable gel insert is also included.

Users of this shoe report that they are true to size, and people who purchased them were impressed with the fit.

The shoe’s roomy toe box protects the feet from damage by providing lots of room to wiggle the toes.

The soles are not very long-lasting for those who do heavy walking regularly. Users complained of them appearing fairly worn after only a few months.

While they are soft and comfortable shoes, the soles make lots of noise when walking.

This is an ideal choice for those who have diabetes or others who can benefit from a comfortable shoe that is protective and stylish.