By Rehan Iqbal
For overweight men and women, finding the right walking shoe can prove a bit more problematic than others. For starters, being too heavy puts more pressure on your feet and is often accompanied by an endless list of foot problems. This includes plantar fasciitis, overpronation, supination and even knee problems. Doctors advise people with weight problems to make walking to places a daily habit so as to improve their health.
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Best Walking Shoes for Bigger Folks
But how on earth can you walk anywhere if your feet are killing you? The absolutely wrong shoe can make it almost impossible to enjoy a peaceful walk around the block. Fortunately, a few manufacturers are keeping this in mind when designing walking shoes for our plus size brothers and sisters. Here are styles that make our list for the top walking shoes for heavy walkers.
Walking Shoes for Heavy Walkers
1. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Walking Shoes
When it comes to taking excellent care of your feet and giving them the best protection against the elements, Brooks seems to know exactly what the people need. After years of consistent and research-based development, Brooks have utilized their resources to give you some of the best products on the market. Now, you have no excuse not to exercise and shed some pounds. We give you the Brooks Addiction Walker Walking Shoes that come in variants for men and women.
Brooks Addiction Walker 2
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The Addiction shoe is incredibly unique and has the much preferred fit and feel of a typical running shoe. It comes with highly durable and an energy returning midsole (MoGo) that will stick with you every step of the way. The exterior consists of full grain leather that will not only last much longer than other shoes, but also keep the elements out of your way. This walker by Brooks has a slip resistant outsole that can comfortably deal with all sorts of terrain. Thanks to incredible component construction and sturdy support frame, the overweight person can now walk freely without fear or compromise.
Brooks PDAC A5500 Diabetic Shoe with APMA Seal of Acceptance for Heavy Walkers
2. Saucony Omni Walker 3
Standing tall as one of the most respected and revered names in walking and running shoes, Saucony never ceases to amaze with their innovation and ingenuity. The most intriguing thing is how these geniuses always manage to incorporate the Saucony trademark feel and fit into each and every one of their creations. After years of serving the competitive athlete, Saucony have decided to take a different route and include overweight people who are prone to foot and joint issues.
Saucony Omni Walker 3
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It is for this reason alone that the Saucony Omni Walking Shoe was designed for the overweight man or woman. Starting off this spectacular work of footwear art is a plush tongue and collar that makes your feet feel as comfortable and as fitting as possible. Thanks to an even smarter design, the Echelon Walker by Saucony not only gives you superb arch support, but it also reduces pressure in the forefoot. No matter where you tip the scales, the shoe protects your feet and joints thanks to a shock absorbent outsole that helps distribute pressure for a smoother ride.
3. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Since the inception of Brooks a while back, the popular shoe company has been advancing faster than a bullet train. Since the enterprise itself was founded on the ideals of promoting total health and fitness for a happier lifestyle, Brooks might just be the perfect brand for our segment today. People with weight issues no doubt want to live as healthy as possible and also alleviate some issues that come with the excessive weight. Fortunately, Brooks has exactly what you need to help you in your journey to penultimate fitness.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
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The Adrenaline Shoe comes in variations for men and women and is designed for the ideal, biomorphic fit. This one of a kind shoe is not only designed for a smoother heel to toe transition and incorporates a rollbar for pronation control. Does rough or uneven terrain make you feel as if you are walking on hot coals? Not to worry, the Brooks walking shoe has high energizing cushioning for efficient absorption of shock and impact.
HOKA Maximum Cushioned Neutral Shoes for Heavy Walkers
Men's
Women's
4. Propet Men’s Stability Walker
For years now, Propet has remained at the top of their shoe game even with stiff competition from other brands. This can be credited to the fact that all their designs are highly exceptional and solve lots of problems that some other brands take for granted. Being overweight is never easy and comes with a particular set of issues that only the affected can appreciate. In addition to requiring a shoe that will comfortably support their weight, big guys also need something that will also protect their feet and joints from any abuse.
Propet Stability Walker
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That’s where Propet comes in to give you the ideal shoe for the overweight person looking to lose some excess body weight. The Propet Stability Walker is designed for support that is out of this world with features that help alleviate common foot issues like overpronation, flat feet, and joint pains. Nobody wants to lug around a shoe that is heavier than a concrete block; that’s why this lightweight and soft sneaker is the perfect match for lots of people.
5. Vionic Women’s Walker Classic Shoes
If you have ever owned a pair of Vionic shoes, then you already know the joy that comes with finding your ideal footmate. I don’t know what it is, but Vionic always seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to some of the best and latest designs for shoes. Today, this footwear giant focuses on overweight women and comes to the rescue with a shoe designed specifically for this purpose.
Vionic Walker
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We’re talking about none other than the Vionic Women’s Walker Classic Shoes that allow you to realign your stride as you walk. Starting off from the exterior is a water resistant leather upper that not only keeps the elements at bay but also looks damn good in a casual sports sneaker style. Like many overweight people, foot issues are never really that far behind. This is why the Walker classic shoes by Vionic come with a special podiatrist designed, biomechanical orthotic that can be removed whenever you feel like it. To top it all off is a contoured arch support that gives you as much backup as you need to avoid straining your already abused foot muscles and ligaments.
6. New Balance MW840V4 Walking Shoe
Entirely dedicated to helping athletes from all walks of life achieve their innermost goals, New Balance literally has a shoe out for everything. For more than a whopping 100 years, the geniuses over at NB have put all their effort into research and development to ensure that their designs not only fit an image but also perform better than all the others out there. Whether you need a running shoe, walking shoe, or a shoe designed specifically for your foot issues, New Balance will always come through.
New Balance 840v5
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Recently, New Balance has been promoting a healthy lifestyle with products designed to perform. People who are overweight, looking for a great walking shoe can now sink their feet in the New Balance MW840 Health Walking Shoe. This magnificent creation not only feels super comfortable thanks to the cushioning, but it also helps solve a bunch of foot and leg problems that come with being overweight.
With these bad boys on your feet, you can now walk around without fear of the consequences that accompany bad shoe choices. The shoe also comes with a removable poyurethane insole which you can replace with your favorite arch supporting insole for your arches. The shoe also provides good shock absorption to protect your knees and joints from impact.
Why are all these walking shoes only in boring black and white? We need pinks and purples, oranges and lime greens to give us a boost.
Hi Sandra, please do have a look at this page for some colorful running shoe styles for heavy men and women – findmyfootwear.com/best-running-shoes-for-overweight-runners/
I agree, I believe they are missing a large market portion due to all the baby boomers who want to stay in style
Boomer Basher
If you click on the see price you get color choice
Thank you SO MUCH for voicing what I have been saying for years.
I asked a store clerk that once and was told most overweight people don’t usually want to draw attention to themselves….
Personally, I am a big lady. 60 yes. Was 376. Went down to 249. Now 308. My sneaks are shot. They. Are. White.boring. Please give us color! Nothing obnoxious or gaudy or looking like I am Pippi Longstocking but red.. purple.. green.. jewel tones.. They are wearable inspiration.
Good structure for our physical health. Joyful color for our mental health.♀️
I appreciate your thoughts. I’m 70, also struggle with weight. I’m losing due to cutting carbs, healthy diet. I love to walk but come home in pain. My worry is, are these EXPENSIVE shoes made with memory foam? Foam is worthless if your even slightly heavy.
Plain white or black are just fine. I don’t want to look like a renegade from the circus clowns. Smooth colors are stylish. Gaudy colors are gauche.
I don’t care what color they are as long as they are built for heavier guys, i am so tired of buying new shoes every few months (last ones only lasted a couple of weeks) because the shoes break or wear out quickly. i need something with the durability of a boot with the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker. . . really like the reviews on these shoes, Thanks.
Try Some New Balance I have to buy them because I have size 15-6E size feet and they make many many models that fit that criteria. In fact I do believe that New Balance and their sister company (Dunham; that make casual/ dress work shoes in big and wide sizes) have the most models available in my size. Only problem with lots of choices is which ones do I get? I got them from a place online that allows returns in case I didn’t like the way they fit. New Balance cost a little more in those sizes but I feel once you find the right model for you you’ll agree they are worth every penny. Good luck with your search
Hey everyone I’m like 460lbs 5’11 and honestly crocs help but lots of these suggestions are good too I also have a good pair of sketchers that’s lasted me since dec 2017 it’s july 2018 now
Where are the big sizes like 16 wide?
Hi Sue, You can have a look at the regular and extra wide shoe styles that come in the big sizes here – findmyfootwear.com/best-wide-running-shoes-wide-toe-box-and-extra-wide-width-sizes/
Which of these women’s brands run true to size? I wear a size 11 women’s shoe and finding athletic shoes always proves to be a pain.
I would not recommend the Vionic walking shoes listed in this article, I have those shoes and they are very uncomfortable. Vionic made the tie box area small and cramped. I have normal width feet and I feel so much discomfort with those exact Vionic walking shoes in the above photos. I took my Vionic shoes to my Orthopedic appointment and shoes the professional my Vionic shoes and he said that shoe was made with a poor design and very much lacked appropriate toe room.
Those shoes are way too expensive to be messing up with cramped toe space.
I’m overweight and now have fallen arches and heel and Achilles pain plus knee pain. For years I’ve worn New Balance. I have the New Balance shoes recommended here and they are horrible. Somehow in the past 3 years New Balance quality has changed. These 840V4 cause me incredible heal pain even after wearing for just one hour. Also started falling apart within a few months of purchasing. Most expensive sneakers ever purchased.
I’m 50, 260 lbs, 5’4″ tall. I want to walk every day to lose weight and keep my heart healthy but the foot pain is unbearable. Can anyone recommend a good shoe for obese women with flat feet, overpronation, heel and Achilles pain.
My husband is 6’1” and 300 lbs. I ordered him a pair of the Brooks Addiction sneakers and within 6 months, they developed a hole in the side by his toe, then they just started falling apart. I sent him to a local shoe shop and the salesman said, “I recommend the Brooks Beast. They would support your frame better.” And he was right. He’s had them for almost a year and there’s normal wear and tear, but he is very happy with them.