February 9th 2026
By Ari Parker
Find the best shoes for older adults with balance issues. Learn what to look for in supportive, non-slip footwear that reduces fall risk and improves stability.
The right shoes can help older adults walk with more comfort and ease, provide stability, and support foot health. Fall prevention shoes may even help older adults live independently for longer. That’s why finding the best shoes for seniors with balance problems is so crucial.
Important doesn’t equal easy, however. It can take some time to find the right pair of shoes when you have balance problems. To help speed up your research, we looked at the best non-slip shoes for seniors and compiled general guidance to help you find the right footwear for your lifestyle.
There are a few key shoe features that help improve balance and reduce falls. They include non-slip soles, wide bases, cushioned insoles, and arch support.
Ahead, we’ll reveal the best shoes for walking, wearing inside the house, and for older adults on a budget. Plus, we’ll discuss medical grade orthopedic shoes for the elderly and when they are needed.
Alongside choosing the right footwear, there are other ways to improve mobility and balance.
Over 30% of adults over 65 fall each year, and a fall increases the risk of injury. A serious tumble can even stop someone from being able to live independently. There are many fall prevention measures someone may take, but one that often gets overlooked is choosing proper footwear.
The right pair of shoes reduces the risk of falling in several ways:
Prevents the heel from slipping
Improves ankle stability
Maximizes contact with the ground
Prevents foot pain
Shoes that provide these four benefits also allow someone to feel more secure when walking or standing. For a 2021 study, 21 older adults completed balance tests in their personal shoes and orthopedic shoes for the elderly. The participants reported that the balance shoes made them feel more confident and safe. They also performed the tests better in them.
The right footwear can help prevent falls, enable better movement, and make someone feel more comfortable and stable as they go about their day. And right is the keyword here, since not all shoes offer these benefits.
High heels, for example, offer a narrow sole and minimal contact with the ground, increasing the risk of falling. They also aren’t very comfortable, which may increase foot pain, a factor correlated with a higher fall risk.
Other shoes, such as orthopedic shoes you buy off the shelf or ones that are tailored to your foot, offer more stability. Features like maximizing contact with the ground and a low heel height may improve balance, while a high ankle collar offers stability. Shoes also can be customized so the sole is made of a slip-resistant material, and the shoe snuggly fits your foot, all of which positively impact your balance.
As we age, we are more likely to experience balance issues. There are many reasons for this, ranging from medications, an increased likelihood for inner ear problems and vertigo, and decreased mobility, especially for those who live a more sedentary lifestyle.
Even chronic conditions like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and problems with vision, nerves, or blood vessels may cause lightheadedness, blurred vision, disorientation, and other symptoms associated with inadequate balance.
While orthopedic footwear doesn’t make the list of common causes, it is part of the solution. The right footwear improves stability, though it offers the best results when used alongside other lifestyle adjustments. Not walking in the dark, adding safety features like handrails to your home or apartment, and using a cane or walk can all improve stability too.
Supportive shoes for balance issues positively contribute to stability, but what exactly do these shoes look like? They often have a few key features: non-slip soles, wide bases, cushioned insoles and arch support, and are easy to put on and take off.
The bottom of the shoe may be one of the most important parts. The right sole offers resistance against slippery surfaces and shock absorption which makes walking more comfortable.
Specific features to look for in the sole include:
A textured material on the bottom
A firm but thin midsole
A broad heel that maximizes contact with the ground.
A wide, supportive base (think: sneakers or boots) offers more stability than a smaller base, such as the base of high heels. It’s also important that shoes fit properly, since shoes that are too big increase the risk of slipping and sliding, while shoes that are too small may not be comfortable.
A cushioned insole offers additional shock absorption, comfort, and support. A supportive, taller arch also offers additional comfort and may potentially reduce foot pain.
In a 2023 study, participants wore minimalist shoes with no harmful or helpful features. They then changed into fall prevention shoes. Neither shoe increased the fall risk, but participants preferred the supportive ones since they were more comfortable and easier to get on and off. Easy closures, such as velcro or a slip-on design, can enhance mobility.
While this doesn’t directly impact balance, easy closure shoes are better for anyone with joint pain and eliminate the need to tie shoes, which can be a barrier to leaving the house more often.
The word “best” is subjective since the right shoes differ from person to person. That said, the five shoes below provide a good example of what shoes to improve stability in older adults look like.
For those who walk quite a bit, consider Brooks’ Ariel GTS 23 Shoes or the New Balance 928v3 walking shoes. Both offer ample support and cushion, as well as a slip-resistant sole.
Most falls actually occur within the home, making it important to have supportive, comfortable indoor footwear. OrthoFeet’s orthopedic house slippers may fit the bill. They feature a sole that is slip-resistant and are designed to offer the same cozy feel as slippers.
Older adults who are at a particularly high risk of falling or have other issues that cause foot pain or numbness may benefit from medical-grade shoes. Dr. Comfort is an example of a brand with medical-grade footwear that balances comfort, stability, and fashion.
The best non-slip shoes for seniors often come with a high price tag. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out the AVW non slip water resistant walking sneakers. At less than $50, they offer support and are intentionally designed to make it more comfortable to stand or walk for long periods.
Even if a shoe has all the features discussed above, you still want to try a pair before buying. Ideally, try them on in a store that specializes in orthopedic and medical grade shoes. The staff there can assess your specific needs and bring out potential shoes that may be an individualized fit. If you normally use a walking aid, bring it along to the shoe store.
When trying on a pair of shoes, walk around in them to assess if they provide stability and comfort when moving. Shoes should be snug, keeping your foot in place, without being so small they cause pain.
Shoes are just one part of your wardrobe. They’re also one piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving balance and mobility.
The CDC recommends three types of weekly exercise: aerobic exercise, like walking or biking, strength training, and balance and mobility moves. Exercises to improve balance include:
Walking backwards
Standing on one leg at a time
Yoga tree pose
Walking heel to toe
Using a wobble board or bosu ball
Yoga and pilates classes often incorporate balance moves. Additionally, strength training exercises that target the abdomen, leg muscles, and back may also improve stability.
For those who are at a high risk of falling because of an injury, chronic pain, or other condition, mobility aids can make it easier to get around. They range from a wheelchair or motorized scooter to a walker or cane. A healthcare provider, often a physical therapist, can help you determine if a mobility aid would be useful and which type to choose.
Along with getting insight on if a mobility aid would be helpful, see a physical therapist if you experience:
Long-term chronic pain in any part of the body
Arthritis pain that worsens over time
An injury causing severe physical pain
A surgery that requires rehabilitation
Severe weakness or balance problems that make it difficult to walk
If the pain or problem is specific to the foot, you may want to see a podiatrist as well. Signs to consult a podiatrist include:
Chronic and/or severe foot pain
Toenail problems
Ingrown nails
Foot deformities
Thick calluses on feet
Those diagnosed with diabetes may also benefit from seeing a podiatrist to assess if they have diabetic foot syndrome. This is when nerve and blood vessels are damaged in the feet due to high blood sugar.
What type of shoes prevent falls?
Orthopedic or fall prevention shoes may reduce the risk of falling and related injuries. They often include features such as cushioned insoles, non-slip soles, and a wide supportive base, especially around the heel.
Should seniors avoid slippers?
When walking on slippery surfaces, avoid slippers. Older adults may be able to wear them on carpeted surfaces if they have good stability and mobility but should consult a healthcare provider before doing so. Additionally, there are some slipper-like shoes that provide the comfort of slippers with a non-slip sole and supportive base.
Are orthopedic shoes worth it?
For many older adults, orthopedic shoes are worth it. These shoes improve balance, make someone feel more confident and safe as they go about their day, and may reduce or prevent foot pain.
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CDC (2024). Feet and footwear for older adults. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/media/pdfs/2024/08/STEADI_Feet_Footwear_Guide_O.pdf
Kim, I. J., & Hegazy, F. (2024). Enhancing footwear safety for fall prevention in older adults: A comprehensive review of design features. Annals of geriatric medicine and research, 28(2): 121–133. https://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.23.0167
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Azhar, A. N., Munteanu, S. E., & Menz, H. B. (2023). Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women. Journal of foot and ankle research, 16(1): 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00634-y
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