Best running and walking shoes for old peoples or seniors
As you age, the need for wearing supportive, correct and comfortable shoes is inevitable and even more critical as compared to your youthful days. So the old peoples' shoes do a lot more than just covering the feet.
It is usually the case with seniors that they suffer from various foot conditions, including ankle, knee and back pain as well. In order to rectify or control such issues, orthotic footwear is a must.
On the other end, if orthotic shoes are not worn then the symptoms of footwear could be enhanced and there are chances of feet, ankles and knee damage as well.
Even worse, issues such as lower back pain in seniors is a very normal case. Therefore, whether you are looking to run or walk, specific shoes for the purpose should be availed.
Difference between Walking and Running Shoes
There is a myth not just among the seniors but generally as well that running shoes could be used for walking and vice Versa. This should not be the case especially with aged people, as shoes for running and walking are different, and any incompatible shoe could trigger feet issues.
There are two prime differences between walking and running shoes. The first one is that for a walking shoe pair, the heel of the shoe is the first to contact the ground, while you walk. The forefoot and the mid-foot normally strike the surface first, when you are running.
The second major difference is that the best running shoes for seniors are known for having an aerial kind of a phase. During such a setting, both feet within the shoes are off the ground, while walking shoe doesn’t have this quality.
Let’s take a deep dive and look at some of the features below that differentiates walking shoes from running shoes:
Cushioning
The walkers are known to put little impact on the ground with much lesser force, so the cushioning needs are lighter for walking shoes. For the running shoes, more cushioning is required as the athletes hit the ground with a lot more force than those who walk only. Excessive forefoot and heel cushioning are typical attributes associated with the running shoes.
Flexibility
Walking shoes are required to be more flexible at the front side of the shoe. It is because the walkers are known to push forward their feet with their toes. No bending should be there for such shoes in the arch area because bending there wouldn’t provide the needed platform for a comfortable walk. Shoes with zero flexibility is a big no. The running shoes, on the other hand, require much more flexibility especially in the forefoot/ midfoot and the arch area.
Heel Height
Walking shoes doesn’t need to have any built-up heel as walkers tend to hit the surface with their heels. Running shoes gives more stability with the specialized built-up heels.
Heel Flare
No heel flare is required in case of a walking shoe and this helps in impeding the natural walking motion. On the flip side, the old peoples' shoes for running does have a flared heel in order to ensure better stability.
Weight
The walking shoes are known to be heavier than its counterpart, running shoes. It is because of the reason that speed is not of the essence while walking. The running shoes are lighter, which allows the user to run faster.
Motion Control
The degree or level of stability is not as significant in running shoes as compared with the walking shoes, where the former has it in order to keep the foot in a comfortable and neutral position. However, some walking shoes also have it, but not in all of them.
Sole
In comparison with the running shoes, the walking types normally bend more. The running shoes from the sole side require excessive flexibility in the forefoot/ midfoot and arch area.
Critical terms associated with walking and running shoes for seniors:
No matter, if you are searching online or in-store for the running or walking shoes, the following are some terms you need to familiarize yourself with. They will help you in making a good and quick decision:
EVA
EVA refers to flexible and lightweight foam with shock-absorbing capacity. You will commonly find it in both the walking and running shoes.
Heel Counter
it is an insert of plastic-type, which is placed on the heel side of the footwear. It helps in reinforcing the heel cup and enhances stability.
Last
It is the mold on which the footwear of running r walking type is made. This could be curved, semi-curved and even straight as well. It is easy to find the last shape of the footwear by looking at the sole. It is desirable for senior users to match the last shape with the foot shape.
Foot Strike
The term refers to the point where your foot comes in contact with the ground. The walkers are known to be the heel strikers and the runners are mostly forefoot/ midsole strikers.
Supination
It is something when your foot hits the surface at the inner side of the foot. This could lead to ankle stress and sometimes knee joints as well. The best shoe with supplementary stability could help with lessen supination.
Pronation
It is a thing when your foot hits the surface at the outer side of the foot. This could lead to ankle stress and sometimes knee joints as well. Likewise, the ideal shoe for seniors with excessive stability could support lessen pronation.
Media Support
It is a thing that is synonymous with arch support. Running and walking shoes normally have arch support to a certain level and some could also be removable.
Toebox
Just as the name suggests, it is the section of the footwear, which fits around your toes. Toebox needs to be spacious enough in both the width and the height perspective. This helps in allowing for some much-needed wiggle room.
Best Walking Shoes for Senior Men
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Key Feature
Latest prices
Propét Men's Life Walker Strap Walking Shoe
- Synthetic sole
- Leather made
- Dual strap velcro closure
- OrthoLite insole
Skechers Performance Men's Go Walk 4 Incredible Walking Shoe
- 100% Mesh
- Lightweight
- Rubber sole
- Lightweight sock liner
Propét Men's Life Walker Strap Walking Shoe
This sensation is 100% leather made and the synthetic sole further adds to the walking comfort. For the convenience of old people walking, the shaft measures low – top” from the arch. The lining of brushed nylon make sit more comfortable and the shoe is breathable as well. The seniors would be further at ease while walking with the contoured heel stabilizer. On top of that, the strap velcro closure (dual) of the pair provides the best-customized fit. Finally, on the insole pat, OrthLite is ensured and the manufacturer has given the top layer of pure memory foam.
- Synthetic sole
- Leather made
- Dual strap velcro closure
- OrthoLite insole
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Skechers Performance Men's Go Walk 4 Incredible Walking Shoe
These shoes mean business and great comfort for the old age walking enthusiasts. It is 100%mesh made, which ensures the best possible breathability, especially in hot and humid conditions. The pair is super light in weight and that gives another reason to stretch for that extra mile. It features the responsive kind of 5 GEN midsole cushioning for added comfort. The arch support is enhanced for the pair with the special tapering midfoot design. The foot-bed is spruced up with bamboo lining, which helps with anti-bacterial odor control.
- 100% Mesh
- Lightweight
- Rubber sole
- Lightweight sock liner
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Propet Men's M3851 Wash & Wear Slip-On Sneaker
The shoes are a combo of leather and fabric and that makes it durable and breathable. The rubber sole provides the most stable platform that the elderly people desire. It is easy to put on and off with its convenient slip-on wearing style. The usage is further eased with the leather upper and the neoprene collar, which makes pulling off the pair on the heel. The insole is nylon lined, which is removable and replaceable over time to make your shoe as good as new after a certain period of usage.
- Leather and fabric
- Rubber sole
- Slip-on style
- EVA midsole
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Best Walking Shoes for Senior Women
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Key Feature
Latest prices
Skechers Performance Women's Go Walk 4 - Pursuit Walking Shoe
- 5 GEN Midsole Cushioning
- Rubber sole
- Mesh Fabric
- Lightweight
Skechers Performance Women's Go Walk 4 - Pursuit Walking Shoe
The slip-on shoes for elderly women can never get more comfortable and performance enriched than this pair. It is made from breathable mesh fabric. The rubber sole provides the much-needed stability for walking while ensuring full feet come in contact with the ground. The pair is lightweight and the quick-foot portal ensured on the heel gives a super easy pull-on wear. The arch support is improved with the tapering midfoot design.
- 5 GEN Midsole Cushioning
- Rubber sole
- Mesh Fabric
- Lightweight
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RYKA Women's Dash 3 Walking Shoe
These laced shoes are made from synthetic material and the breathable property makes them highly viable for elderly women walking in hot conditions. Breathability is actually ensured with the mesh upper and then the leather on the side makes it durable and stylish. The total weight of the shoe is just 8.4 ounce, which makes it quite a lightweight footwear. The footbed is doubly comfortable with the anatomical precise return feature. Finally, the measurement of the shaft is low-top” from the arch, which gives good motion, while walking.
- Synthetic made
- Rubber sole
- Lightweight
- Mesh upper
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Propét Women's Stability Walker Sneaker
This dapper looking pair is made from leather, which means quality, durability, and comfort are al packed in one footwear. The rubber sole is exactly what the elderly women would desire to have in their walking shoes. The heel of 1.5inches is there and that is again something that will give the best walking motion. The insole of the pair is removable, so you could replace it after having its wear and tear or add a new one that suits your comfort with precision. Moreover, it comes with a speed lacing fastening system.
- Leather made
- Rubber sole
- Removable insole
- 1.5inches heel
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Best Running Shoes for Senior Men
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Key Feature
Latest prices
Nike Men's Revolution 4 Running Shoe
- Textile/ Fabric made
- Rubber sole
- Multi-surface traction
- Responsive Cushioning
Skechers Men's Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker
- Leather and Synthetic
- Rubber sole
- Memory Foam Insole
- Mesh upper
Saucony Men's Cohesion 10 Running Shoe
The stylish looking shoes are made from 100% synthetic stuff. It comes with the rubber sole that all of the elderly running enthusiasts desires. Not only this but the shaft measure of low – top” from the arch is also something that reduces any chances of foot-related injuries for seniors while running. The manufacturer has given excessive consideration to the outsole, especially designing it to be trail-specific in order to get maximum possible traction. Cushioning of the pair is par excellence and mainly with having the Hell GRID mechanism, which provides the most balanced cushioning. Finally, the upper is made of mesh, which is highly breathable.
- Synthetic made
- Rubber sole
- Maximum traction
- Mesh Upper
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Nike Men's Revolution 4 Running Shoe
The first look of this pair of shoes makes them look very comfortable and lightweight, which they actually are. It is a fabric made shoes, which are highly breathable and comfortable for hot and humid weather conditions. The rubber sole as expected from Nik is super comfortable and solid enough to provide a firm grip on the ground for the elderly people, when running. The pair comes with the molded pads, which give runners multi-surface traction. The pods are designed in such a way that they tend to flatten up upon any impact and subsequently spring back at the toe area. This creates a piston type of impact, which provides responsive cushioning to the runners. The midsole is softly cushioned and the rubber sole of full length ensures that your feet are fully protected, while you run. Moreover, the responsive cushioning all round makes it a more valuable product for seniors.
- Textile/ Fabric made
- Rubber sole
- Multi-surface traction
- Responsive Cushioning
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Skechers Men's Afterburn Memory-Foam Lace-up Sneaker
The running for elderly people can never get easier and comfortable than having this pair of sneakers. These are 100% leather and synthetically made shoes. The rubber sole is ideally designed to make it a risk-free and supporting platform off the ground. For best running experience, slight heel in trainers is required and the manufacturer offers this one with 2 inches of heel. The lace-up style sneakers come with the mesh upper, which is further spruced up with a padded collar and supportive overlays as well. On top of that, the mesh tongue is ideally cushioned for a painless running experience for long hours.
- Leather and Synthetic
- Rubber sole
- Memory Foam Insole
- Mesh upper
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Best Running Shoes for Senior Women
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Key Feature
Latest prices
ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes
- Mesh material
- Rubber sole
- Trail specific outsole
- Removable sock-liner
ASICS Women's Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes
These are manmade shoes for elderly women and comes with a top-class mesh upper to offer maximum breathability. The rubber sole is a must for such footwear and this one has a full-length type that provides great stability on different types of surfaces. The rear-foot side comes with the innovative GEL cushioning system technology, which makes the motion much smoother and effortless during running. GEL technology actually helps with attenuating shock during any impact made and provides a seamless transition. Specialized outsole from the manufacturer is offered and tactically placed on the most critical outsole areas for excellent durability. The sock-liner of the pair is removable in order to set it up with a medical orthotic.
- Mesh material
- Rubber sole
- Trail specific outsole
- Removable sock-liner
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New Balance Women's w990v4 Running Shoe
New Balance is arguably the best vendor out there for giving the best running shoes for elderly women. This pink sensation is made 75% from pigskin and the rest 25% from a mesh. This leather-mesh combination makes it a great pair that is durable, comfortable and highly breathable as well. The base of this pair is super comfortable with the full-length rubber sole. The midsole is packed with EVA and the features together provide a firm grip to the runner on a variety of surfaces. The manufacturer has designed it to offer 3M reflectivity as well, which shines like a charm in dark conditions and make them look more elegant.
- Pigskin and Mesh Combo
- ENCAP
- EVA Midsole
- Reflectivity feature
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Brooks Women's Addiction 13
The elderly women would be able to crush miles with this softly cushioned shoes, which offers enhanced support and comfort as compared to its predecessor from Brooks, Addiction 12. The fabric lining of the pair is excessively smooth, which gives women a splendid in-shoe feel while being in brisk motion. The breathable mesh top ensures a sweat-free running experience with no odor issue at all. The pair has the Extended Progressive Diagonal Roll-bar, which supports in the zone of controlling pronation while enhancing smoother motions al through the run. The weight of this footwear is just 14 ounce, which makes sit reasonably lightweight.
- Mesh Top
- Rubber Sole
- Lightweight
- Maximum Cushioning
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Conclusion:
As we can see above that the running and walking shoes are different and the bifurcation becomes even more significant for seniors. So we have categorized and discussed some of the best options in the corresponding category so that our readers pick the best from amongst the top brands.
Seniors need to be extra careful with the selection of appropriate shoes, as any wrong selection could trigger foot, knee or lower back issues.
Comfort is of the essence and it shouldn’t be compromised. The quality of the shoe should primarily be evaluated based on the comfort-specific features.
It should be taken as a long-term investment so good consideration should be given on all aspects of performance, quality and style quotient as well.
