Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Walkers in 2023
Walking is something that pretty much everyone likes. You get to keep yourself in shape. You get to explore newer locations within your area. Or stay in touch with what’s going around in the neighborhood. Apart from walking having countless medical benefits, it is also a great way to socialize with people as well.
Whether you’re young or old. Six or sixty, walking is something that doesn’t require that much physical strength. The only issue you might face is choosing the right shoe. And if you’re overweight, that can be quite a problem.
Overweight people naturally have had a hard time getting the right size of shoes for themselves. Other issues they might face are heel pain and arch pain most shoes simply end up increasing. Considering these issues, shoe manufacturers are now producing shoes dedicated to overweight walkers. And that’s why we have compiled the list of the top 10 best walking shoes for overweight walkers in 2023, for both men and women.
List of 10 Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Walkers Men’s/Women’s
- Best Comfortable Shoes, Skechers Men’s Afterburn
- Best Soft Shoes, New Balance Men’s 411 V2.
- Best Shoes for Running, ASICS Men’s GEL-Contend.
- Best Shoes for Exercising, Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36.
- Best Shoes for Walking, adidas Women’s Cloudfoam.
- Best Casual Shoes, AkkWomens Walking Tennis Shoes
- Best Durable Shoes, ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6
- Best Anti-Slipping Shoes, YHOON Women’s Walking Shoes
- Best Orthotic Shoes, Saucony Women’s VERSAFOAM Cohesion 12
- Best Hiking Shoes, ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6.
1. Skechers Men’s Afterburn. Best Comfortable Shoes:
Skechers have been in business since the year 1992 and by now are the third-biggest show manufacturer in America. The quality of their shoes has been improving too ever since. They’ve come up with a line of the best walking shoes for overweight walkers.
General Shape:
The upper is made of leather and has a rather smooth finish to it. The toes have overlays on them. The heels are reinforced with the best quality synthetic fiber that is out there. The eyelets are made of metal, unlike some competitors who make those of plastic or polymer.
Cooling for Your Feet:
The men’s afterburn memory-foam lace-up sneaker comes with cooling mesh panels that are installed on both sides. These help in getting cooler air into your feet and keep them from being warm and sweaty. Similarly, the front of the shoe is also perforated. This too, like the mesh panels, helps in keeping the foot from getting sweaty.
Maximum Comfort:
The memory foam inside is something that overweight people would very much be interested in knowing about. The foam helps cushion the impact of the shoe touching the ground. This makes it ideal for overweight walkers. Other than that, the rubber is made to be very flexible. The Midsole is made from Articu-Lyte which also assists in absorbing the shocks one experiences during walking.
Pros
Cons
2. New Balance Men’s 411 V2. Best Soft Shoes:
New Balance has been in the industry for the past 115 years. And by now they have expanded into many avenues of sportswear. One of their product lines is men’s shoes. And most specifically, the New Balance Men’s 411 V2. This work shoe is primarily targeted towards overweight walkers.
Incredibly Light and Soft:
The 411 V2 is said to be lighter than the V1. And men who have bought it claim as such as well. In fact, it is much lighter compared to many other rivaling shoes that are out there. You might feel like shoes of other brands are like a massive plank of wood wrapped around your feet after you have worn the 411 V2 for quite some time.
CUSH+ Softness:
The CUSH+ technology by New Balance ensures that you get the maximum amount of cushioning softness, all-around your feet. From the toe box all the way to the heal, comfort is guaranteed with the 411 V2.
No Pain Anymore:
People with plantar fasciitis have always complained that their heels end up hurting immensely after stand or walking during a long day’s work. Though with the 411 V2, that is a concern of the past.
Pros
Cons
3. ASICS Men’s GEL-Contend. Best Shoes for Running:
ASICS is a Japanese company and the meaning of their name is “healthy soul, healthy body”. Standing true to that meaning, they too have come up with, what can be called the best shoe for hiking for overweight walkers.
Total Comfort:
The latest AmpliFoam Midsole has been included in the Men’s GEL-Contend Running Shoe. This maximizes the comfort you get while using this pair. With this midsole running miles upon miles without any kind of pain for fat guys is now very much possible.
Maximum Airflow:
Just like their competing manufacturers have done by adding mesh to make their shoes breathable, so have ASICS. So whether you’re in the office running from end to end or maybe a nurse who has to walk the length of the hospital, no one will have sweaty feet anymore.
Reinforced Heel and Heel Counter:
The Men’s GEL-Coated Running Shoe now comes with a heel that has been reinforced with a silky smooth and soft fabric. It also makes sure that no matter how much your heel has to move throughout the day, it will not hurt one bit whatsoever!
The heel counter inside holds the foot and is easily able to reinforce the toes in a much more durable manner.
Pros
Cons
4. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36. Best Shoes for Exercising:
No one needs an introduction to Nike whatsoever. It was founded in 1964 and is the biggest sports shoe manufacturer to have ever existed. Nike too knows the issues a lot of overweight walkers face. And have considered that and as a result, have come up with the Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36. This shoe comes in a staggering variety of 36 colors. The highest number of colors any running shoe for overweight men and women has on this list.
Cushion Technology:
Many walkers will recognize this technology of Nike almost immediately. While it is not as effective as the latest React and ZoomX technologies that have been incorporated into their latest shoes it is still much better than competing brands and what they have been offering lately.
Airflow by Mesh Wire:
As is the case with many such shoes that have been made for overweight guys and people who aren’t fat alike. They come with mesh holes. They send in more air to your feet. This gives the walker the ability to run much longer than anticipated.
Flywire Cables and Support:
The flywire cables also have been incorporated into the Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 to make it much stronger and more durable.
Pros
Cons
5. Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam. Best Shoes for Walking:
Adidas continues to be a very popular and renowned multinational sportswear brand, even almost a century after its creation. It is the second-biggest sports shoemaker and has kept in mind the importance of overweight women not being able to have a shoe that suits their sizes and does not induce any pain in their feet. Thus they have come up with the Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe:
Run for Miles:
It is without a doubt one of the best athletic shoes for women who are either overweight or athletic or maybe even both. This shoe can help you get in shape within just a few months of daily running in these.
Superior Cushioning:
The Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe now comes with cushioning that makes your feet just sink in! With this walking shoe for overweight women, you can stand, walk or run without any problem.
Pros
Cons
6. Akk Womens Walking Tennis Shoes. Best Casual Shoes:
If there is a shoe that looks good, is lightweight, and gives you the support you need to walk for hundreds of meters daily. It is this one. The Akk Women’s Walking Tennis Shoes are the best athletic shoes for overweight women. Let us explain how;
Ideal for Standing:
Women who have to stand for quite a long duration of time, like teachers, can find this to be the shoe they have always wanted as it reduces greatly any pain in the soles and heels.
Flexible:
This walking shoe for women is made to be very flexible. To the point where even the hardest stretching exercises that involve the feet can be done in these with ease and without any issue.
Casual Look;
The Akk Women’s Walking Tennis Shoes are very casual in looks. They can be worn on any occasion, with any dress and anywhere women want.
Cheap:
Many shoes that look good, have no laces, are lightweight, and give great comfort can be very expensive. Though that is not the case with these. Making them one of the best running and casual shoes for overweight women.
Pros
Cons
7. ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6. Best Durable Shoes:
And yet another shoe of ASICS has made it to our list in what can be called as the best shoe for hiking for athletic female walkers. As the name suggests, it is primarily geared towards women who have to walk or run quite a bit during their office hours. But apart from them, athletic women can wear these as well.
Durability Guaranteed:
AHAR, also known as the ASICS High Abrasion Rubber is inside to make sure that shoe serves overweight women for years on end. Another purpose of creating and adding the AHAR technology is to make it much more flexible for people who are overweight. Durability is a guaranteed feature with the reliable Gel-Venture 6.
Stand and Move with Comfort:
The rearfoot GEL in the Women’s Gel-Venture 6 has been added in to make sure that one gets the optimum comfort imaginable not just when they are moving, but even during standing.
Ideal for Hiking:
Have we mentioned this awesome fact yet that ladies can now use these shoes even for hiking? Well yeah. The reversed lugs give it a much better grip compared to its competitors. Thus, relying upon the ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6 should be considered before going out to buy a shoe for overweight women that can be used even to hike. It has a rather superior grip that works on terrain, whether rocky, sandy, wet, or snowy.
Pros
Cons
8. YHOON Women’s Walking Shoes. Best Anti-Slipping Shoes:
If there is anyone who knows how to make a stylish walking shoe for overweight women. That you can just slip your foot in and not have to tie laces on. That can be worn even at events. And which does not hurt your feet. Well, it’s YHOON. The YHOON Women’s Walking Shoes get quite a lot done for overweight women while looking beautiful as well.
Slip and Skid Resistance:
The shoes have been created with care in the mind that the women buying these will not ever skid over surfaces or slip on wet floors ever again. With the Women’s Walking Shoes, now you can walk with ease and confidence!
Top Mesh:
The mesh at the top is added to let air in and keep the feet fresh and cool.
Walk with Ease:
As these shoes are so light, you can not just walk in them, but even run without any issues. The slip and skid resistance combined with the lightweight make an ideal combination to get to places on foot rather quickly. The air cushions that are installed in the heels also contribute to keeping and retaining your balance.
Ease on the Sole and Heels:
These Women’s Walking Shoes by YHOON are ideal for overweight and fat women as they don’t cause any pain anywhere in the feet. Be it either the toes, or the heel, or even the midsole. All of your foot is safe with the comfortable padding of the Women’s Walking Shoes by YHOON.
Pros
Cons
9. Saucony Women’s VERSAFOAM Cohesion 12. Best Orthotic Shoes:
Saucony has been in business for more than a century, being established in Pennsylvania in America. Being a company that is about a hundred and twenty years you know you will be getting the value for the dollar you spend. And they have ensured exactly that. Coming in a beautiful look, this is one shoe that overweight women would immediately want to get their hands on.
Cheap and Lightweight:
The price of this is less than 40 USD which is very much on the affordable side of athletic walking shoes for women. Other than that, these are very lightweight too. Making every step feel like walking in mid-air.
An Orthotic Shoe:
The VERSAFOAM Cohesion 12 has an orthotic sole that makes sure that your feet do not get hurt at any point of the shoe being used, at any time of the day.
Not Made as An All-Terrain Shoe:
Unlike other shoes in this list though, this shoe has been made to be used on roads. So they can’t be used as shoes for hiking by overweight women, for example.
Pros
Cons
10. ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6. Best Hiking Shoes:
And this is the third and final ASICS shoe on our list of the best overweight shoes for women and men.
Good for Hiking:
Unlike other shoes for overweight people, you can use these even for hiking. It has a much better grip because it having reversed lugs. So whether you’re going uphill or downhill, you can rely on the ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6. And it can be used on all kinds of terrain without any difficulty.
Removable Sock Liner:
The sock liner, while it being rather comfortable, can be removed if one wishes to do so. In its place you can put in an orthotic sock liner which is much more reliable for people with feet issues and especially for people who are overweight.
Reliable and Durable:
ASICS High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) ensures that the shoe is flexible for overweight people and serves them for years to come. Durability is guaranteed with the Gel-Venture 6.
Easy Moving and Standing:
The rearfoot GEL ensures that you get the maximum amount of comfort when moving and during standing.
Pros
Cons
Guide to Buying the Ideal Walking Shoe for Overweight Men and Women:
The criteria for buying the ideal walking shoe for overweight walkers are quite a few. We will try to explain some of them here to give you an idea of what to expect.
Durability:
The shoe first of all needs to be very durable. It should last you up to at least three years without any issues. You will come across some shoes that will be very fancy and priced reasonably too. But if their sole is coming out within a few months of daily use. Or if the stitching starts to break up. Then that shoe is clearly not worth it.
Flexibility:
Without a doubt, the best walking shoe, regardless of what gender is interested in buying it, has to be flexible at all costs. No one wants a rock-solid show that simply just doesn’t bend.
Orthotic Sock Liner:
The shoe should either be specifically built for people with issues about their feet, or have an ability to accommodate an orthotic sock liner. If it cannot do either of those for overweight people, you might want to consider a different one.
Breathability:
A walking shoe that has perforations at the front and on the sides is ideal for longer use by overweight people. Also, it needs the upper to be made of mesh. The reason for the mesh and perforations is to get cooler air inside so that your foot does not get sweaty after you take it out after a long day’s work.
Inner Padding:
Lastly, the padding inside needs to be very soft and comfortable. Overweight people would be looking for a walking shoe that doesn’t hurt the foot anywhere. From the toes to the arch of the foot and all the way to the heel, it needs to be comfortable and reduce the shocks that one feels when walking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. How much cushioning should a shoe ideally have?
Ans. Enough for it to give comfort to the entirety of the foot.
Q2. Can a walking shoe for overweight men and women be also for people with flatter feet?
Ans. Yes, it should be. As some overweight people too have flatter feet.
Q3. Should such a walking shoe have arch support?
Ans. Yes, it definitely should.
Q4. Can a walking shoe for overweight people be used for all types of terrain?
Ans. Not every such shoe is made for all types of terrain. But if you do et your hands on an all-terrain one then good for you!
Conclusion:
To summarize it all. Yes, walking shoes for overweight people are being manufactured by some of the biggest shoe manufacturers. They come, quite literally, in all shapes and sizes.
You’d probably want to go for a rather cheaper shoe that gets the job done of helping you with walking and making sure that your feet don’t ache after a long day of standing and moving.
However, if you are looking for something that will last you for multiple years, it won’t be cheap. So ultimately the choice is yours, as to what do you wish to buy.
Michael M. Howard is an editor at shoescircle.com. A growth hacker with wide experience in writing different topics that are substantial to readers.