Best Sneakers and Walking Shoes for Mature Feet
We talk a lot about comfortable footwear on AWSL, like The Best Comfortable Winter Boots for Older Ladies, How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable, and Best, Most Comfortable House Slippers for Women. Today, we’re chatting about the best sneakers and walking shoes for mature feet. The sneakers that I’m sharing today are all shoes that I personally own and swear by. These are the shoes I am reaching for if I’m going to spend a long day on my feet running errands, shopping, or exploring a new city so that my feet can feel comfortable and look chic. Most of these are casual sneakers, but I am also sharing a few pairs of actual tennis shoes, just in case you are looking for a dual-purpose pair of shoes that you can wear for both the gym and running errands.
Looking for more of my shoe recommendations? This is a great post with all of my personal favorites!
Sneakers and Walking Shoes I Personally Own and Swear By
Ecco Sneakers
I wore these leather sneakers all over Japan years ago. Theyāre super comfy with a removable innersole which gives you space to add your orthotic or just to adjust the width. The Ecco lace-ups come in 4 colors here, 3 two-tone options here, and 5 colors with color-coordinated soles here. They also have options with zipper closure here,
Ecco Slip-On Sneakers
The slip-on version comes in many different colors. Eccoās have a cushioned insole with arch support and leather upper/leather and textile lining/synthetic sole. The insole is also removable so that you can use your own custom orthotic. Sometimes, a slip-on, slip-off shoe is just the easiest style to wear.
After seeing how often I was reaching for my metallic pair, I decided to order the non-woven version to try as well. I have them in both black and taupe, and they have been a great addition to my casual wardrobe.
Hoka Clifton 9
I must have tried on a zillion pairs of Hokas before the sales gal finally brought me out these ones in wide. I went up 2 sizes as well, so I have plenty of room for my cushiony socks. If my feet are miserable, I am miserable, and thatās no way to motivate me to create a habit. My daughter swears by her Speed Goat Hokas. Clearly, Hokas are not designed to be subtle, but they seem to have a shoe for every womanās foot.
Retro Runners
A few seasons ago, I swore I wasnāt going to be wearing the retro sneaker trend. Ha! Never say never, because I found this comfy pair, and I’m really enjoying them. They come in lots of lighter colors and neutrals for warm weather. I’m eyeing this off white, which will go with absolutely anything this spring.
Paul Green Sneakers
Paul Green believes in making shoes that will last a lifetime, not just for one occasion. Theyāre handcrafted in Austria with only the finest Italian leather. Iāve worn them on the beach, sightseeing, and climbing on rocks, and they still look almost as good as new. These shoes are definitely an investment piece, but I was wearing my metallic Bixby sneakers so often that I decided to save my pennies up and purchase the white version as well. I also love my Hadley sneakers from the same brand.
Isle Jacobsen
These little beauties are simply magical. I now own them in 3 colors. This super-comfortable slip-on sneaker has a suede upper thatās whipstitched to a flexible rubber sole. They stretch to mold to your feet and are cool in hot weather. I’m not sure you’re supposed to, but I remove the insole and run my through to the washer when they get dusty. Nordstrom has them in ten colors here, and Amazon has an even larger selection.
AllBirds
I love my AllBirds, which flex easily and offer tons of cushioning. Theyāre available in lots of colors and options, including wide widths. Their lightweight top is made from eucalyptus fiber, which breathes and is super stretchy. They have a cushioned midsole for all-day comfort and support, plus theyāre machine washable. This slip-on sneaker style looks super comfy if you dislike having to tie shoestrings. And this ballet flat has fantastic reviews for comfort.
Easy Spirit Traveltime Clog
This Traveltime Clog is one of Easy Spiritsā all-time best-selling shoes, with over 12 million pairs sold and 7,500 5-star reviews on Amazon. Like all Easy Spirit Walking Shoes, theyāre available in sizes 5-12, in M, N, W, and WW widths. This easy-on, easy-off backless sneaker is also orthotic friendly, with a removable footbed that provides hours of support for walking and standing. They come high enough on my foot that I donāt have to grip my toes to keep them on. That means no foot fatigue, no matter how long youāre on your feet.
Easy Spirit Romy Walking Shoe
TheirĀ Romy Walking ShoeĀ has been a bestseller for over 15 years with good reasonā¦itās super comfy and supportive. This shoe is so popular they now make it in 31 colors! It has a padded tongue and collar around the ankle for extra comfort and a lace-up closure for a secure fit. I think of myself as having a semi-wide foot, yet the medium fits me perfectly. The Romy is also orthotic-friendly with a removable footbed; plus, they are super lightweight.
Tame Slip-On Sneakers
These Tame knit slip-on sneakers are designed for everyday wear and are perfect for all your casual or athleisure outfits. I love the stretch knit top, which ensures a comfortable, secure fit. They also have a stretchy bungee elastic that makes them easy to slide on and off without bending over. The cushioned insoles keep your feet comfy all day.
Ryka Devotion X Walking Shoe
I found theseĀ Ryka Devotion X Walking ShoesĀ to be the perfect combination and super comfy. Ryka is the first brand to create athletic shoes specifically for a womanās unique foot shape, muscle movement, and build. They also make a large selection of sporty casual, hiking, running, trail walking, and waterproof athletic footwear in different width options you canĀ see here. When I first shared about these shoes, a lot of AWSL readers commented that they had been wearing this brand for years!
Other Highly Recommended Sneakers for Women Over 50 and 60:
Worth the Splurge:
Budget Friendly (Under $100):
- Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Sneaker
- Cole Haan Women’s Grand CrossCourt II Sneaker
- Skechers Sport Empire Rock Around Sneaker
- Sperry Crest Vibe Leather Sneaker
What are your favorite sporty sneakers you can wear with casual slacks for busy days on your feet? What are your favorite tennis shoes? Please share in the comments.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I developed plantar fasiasitis (sp) from walking my dog 10 miles a week. The podiatrist told me to get Hoka One on One Running shoes. If I could swing it 3 pairs…change off…to a different pair every other week. They are fabulous…Chapter 9 has replaced Chapter 8…while pricey…..I highly recommend these shoes..
I love my Hokas! Not pretty, but very comfy.
I have narrow feet and find it very hard to get a good fit. In fact, many stores simply do not carry any narrows at all. SAS works quite well but Munro is the best brand for me. I am surprised that they were not mentioned as they have a quite good size range. Enjoyed your article.
I just bought 2 pair of Skechers slip ons is light grey and one in silver. I had a gift card from my son so what a great way to enjoy everyday! Skechers 7 wide fit me with fluffy socks perfectly! Love them in my terrible 79 year old feet.
This is a great post for me as I’m searching for a pair to replace my Hokas, which I’ve had for a while and started to wear out! I’ve just ordered two pair of Orthofeet, the Francis no-tie, and Stroll. I’ll see how those feel, as I’ve got bunions. I may have to buy another pair of Hokas, I love those shoes, very comfortable on my fussy feet!
I like my Hokas too but I never wear them with casual clothes because theyāre so huge. My hunt continues.
Try KLAW 528 sneakers. I have tried many sneakers and these are amazing. I have had 3 fractures on my feet, bone grafts hammer toes and RA.
Thanks for the suggestion! I just read an article about them and they sounds fabulous!
I love the ECCO Soft 7s (so does my hubby). My only problem with ECCOs is their inconsistent sizing. I have a question for you and the other readers: how do you keep the white trim around the shoes clean and white? Do you clean them as soon as you take them off? Thank you!
I use the Mr Clean erasers. They work great.
Iāve always worn comfortable supportive shoes. Regardless, I developed osteoarthritis in both big toesācorrected with surgery 3 years ago. Since then, I only wear Altra trainers. They have a wide toe box and zero drop. I just adore them and highly recommend them to anyone with touchy feet. When I am forced to wear ādressā shoes, I wear Campers. They feature many lovely styles that have a wide toe box and are nearly zero drop. Wishing happy feet to everyone!
Thanks for sharing those Terry
Hi Jennifer,
I love that sneakers are now such a common shoe for us to wear all the time! So very nice for our feet. I realized today that I have not been getting your emails for about a week. Are you able to add me back or should I sign up again?
I have added you back! Sorry for the mix up.
Love your posts but I’m not receiving them in my email anymore. I thought you were taking a break until I saw that you were having problems with your email provider. I’ve signed up again to receive them so I hope that fixes the issue.
Please check your spam filter. Your email is subscribed.
I love my allbirds.
Me too
I just replaced my years old, white on white Stan Smithās. I found them so easy to wear with just about anything. I also liked that I could slip in my own insoles during a bout with Plantar Fasciitis. I really tried to find new Stan Smithās, but they are no longer easily available in leather. They have a new synthetic upper.
I looked at every other possibility, and ended up with these
https://www.colehaan.com/womens-grandpro-topspin-sneaker/W24775.html
They are very light, very cushioned, and I can picture wearing them with just about anything.
For something a little bit funky, I like retro New Balance. I have a cream pair, and a maroon pair.
For exercise, I wear Sauconyās, after trying Hokaās for a while. My local running store is the best place to get serious running/exercise fitting for shoes. They helped me for almost an hour! Iām on my second pair of Sauconyās.
Those look very similar to the Grand Pros I have
I too own many of the brands you mention. Unfortunately IMO (and many others, judging from the reviews) ECCO has apparently changed their Soft sneaker, my old favorite, and itās no longer the same shoe: larger footbed, stiff leather, not at all soft or comfortable (and I own at least 6 pairs of the old model). So disappointing! I have also found that Ilse Jacobsen shoes can vary widely in sizing, which makes them tricky to order online, and while cute and comfy offer zero support. My orthopedist recommended HOKA and Brooks running shoes to me before a recent extended European trip and I found Brooks to be extremely comfortable (I just couldnāt get on board with the HOKAs! My feet looked ginormous).
Iām trying to brace myself to shell out for metallic Paul Green sneakers next. Such great reviews but so expensive!
They are expensive, I agree, but they are incredibly comfortable and a bit mnore low profile than many of the other sneakers.
How many pairs of sneakers do you own?š
My feet would like me to live in sneakers š I own just what I’ve shown, nothing more.
I am going to try the Kuru for my trip to Japan this year.
I’m ordering them too!
I love the fact that sporty shoes are in style right now. Since walking everyday I realize how important it is to have good shoes. My husband swears by Hoka too but I found they just weren’t for my narrow feet. I’ve been wearing Karhu trail shoes this winter and am so pleased I haven’t had any problems. I just bought a pair of Rykas so will see how I like them. Thanks for really covering so many different brands!š
The Karhu look very interesting.
Thank you for making me feel less guilty for owning so many pairs of sneakers and walking shoes! At this point in my life, even if the trends change, I will continue to wear this type of shoe on a daily basis. I own Allbirds, Eccos, Isle Jacobsen, and Hokas, and I can second your endorsements. I find Eccos to be similar to Isle Jacobsen–good for errands but not a long walk. On the other hand, I can wear my Allbirds all day without noticing any pain. This year, I may invest in a pair of Paul Green sneakers! I can also recommend Traq athletic shoes (they have a chip in them to “track” your movements although I don’t really use it)–comfortable slip on style that looks more like an athletic shoe than a walking shoe. I also purchased a pair of Ara slip-on walking shoes for a recent trip and wow, did they work well for traveling and long days of walking. Thanks so much for your recommendations!
I love slip on sneakers! Theyāre quick easy and comfy.
Good morning and happy new year….could you please add me back on your mailing list (I’ll try not to be annoying in opinions) lol as you know to take your readers with a grain of salt. Thank you.
I added you back! You are never annoying!! Just a glitch in my system which is hopefully resolved now.
Very helpful and comprehensive post! Wow, you have a lot of comfortable shoes, and many great colors. So how do you decide which pair to wear? Color? Style? Sneaker types with joggers? Slip-ons with jeans? White/off-white sneakers with anything?
lol! I always start with the color unless I donāt have an option, then itās function and activity level.
Love my Brooks – Ghost shoes for walking. Also, Paul Green and Sketchers for just running around. A new pair I bought while in Newport Beach last year are āZee Alexisā. They are reasonably priced, washable woven look in a number of color choices. Almost feel slipper like. Have received many compliments when wearing them. So many wonderful shoe choices. ā¤ļø
I have those on order to try
I used to swear by the Hoka One Oneā¦.until a friend convinced me to try her Kuru Quantums. Oh my!!
Total support for my 74 yo badly mangled (bunion surgery gone wrong) feet. AND best of all, they make my feet look way smaller than those Hokas! I usually wear between a 8.5 and 9 in normal footwear, but the Kurus is a 9.5 Wide. Wore them literally around the world last yearā¦.some days walked 10 miles on excursions. My feet felt terrific even at the end of along day of sightseeing. I try to walk 3 miles every morning and the Kuru carries me in style and comfort. Only downside is few color schemes but the gray/gray goes with all my jeans and travel slacks. Price comparable to Hokas
I will look into the Kurus. Thanks. My feet look like canoes in my Hokas.
Thank you for this great post! I am always looking for comfortable, stylish walking shoes. I want to recommend the Thursday Boot Company sneakers – they are my go-with-everything favorites. They are high quality and have great support.
I will look into them. That’s a new brand for me. Thanks for the recommnedation.