When it comes to losing weight, walking is the best form of exercise you can find.
Walking is an easy – zero learning curve.
Walking is free and accessible to anyone, anytime.
Walking is sociable. You can do it with a buddy or spouse, indoors or out.
And walking is not likely to cause any sudden injuries —as long as you have a good pair of walking shoes.
So, what are the best walking shoes for overweight people? It depends on your feet.
Let’s not make generalizations.
It’s true that being overweight can cause a myriad of foot problems, but we can’t assume that everyone who needs to lose a few pounds also has “fat” feet or needs a high volume shoe.
The best walking shoes for overweight men might be different than the best walking shoes for overweight women.
And we certainly would not pass along the unwise online advice that proclaims you have to “use stability shoes if you are above 182 pounds.” That’s nonsense.
It still comes down to your feet: The general shape of the foot. Width. Arch type. Instep.
If you really want to find a comfortable pair of walking shoes and make a great shoe purchase, start by determining your arch type…
Very high arches, high arches, normal arches or fallen arches…
You can easily find out by stepping on a piece of paper with wet feet.
You also need to know the height of your instep. People who need high volume shoes typically have normal or flat arches along with a high instep and a wide shoe width.
Excess weight puts additional pressure on your feet. There’s no doubt about that. Over the years, the added load stretches the foot ligaments, often resulting in fallen arches and overpronation problems.
These overpronation and flat feet problems can lead to plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, stress fractures and pain at the ball of the foot. To counteract the excess foot pressure, you need to wear sturdy footwear that will spread out the load and support the anatomy of your feet, ankles, and legs.
Flip flops will only compound the problem.
Scroll down to see the best walking shoes for overweight people.
Plantar Fasciitis is a common problem for people who are overweight.
If you’re carrying too much weight the fat pad on the heel won’t provide adequate cushioning. Because of this, the plantar fascia is much more easily injured. Simply walking to the mailbox can put too much tension on your plantar fascia. The best shoes for plantar fasciitis provide exceptional heel cushioning, as well as study support across the entire foot. Click here for our list of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis
Common foot problems associated with weight gain include posterior tibial tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, ball-of-foot pain, fractures and sprains of the feet and ankles. Extra weight can damage the joints of the foot and ankle.
And here’s the worst part: that foot and ankle pain can lead to further weight gain because it makes exercise more difficult and painful. It’s a vicious cycle.
Addressing foot pain caused by your body weight is a great way to start shedding extra pounds. Get the right shoes on your feet, and get out and start walking!
Buying shoes online is the best way to find the perfect fit.
I have to admit, I was skeptical about buying shoes online. But buying shoes from Amazon beats the heck out of driving from one store to another, only to get skunked on sizes and styles.
There are only a few shops in my town that carry shoes designed specifically for walking. There are a lot of hiking boots, and tons of running shoes, but very few walking shoes. And even fewer choices in high volume shoes.
So even if I drove to every single store I was often left with only a few lousy choices.
With Amazon, there are thousands of choices. We recommend that you order at least two different shoes, in two different sizes each. Then put them on and wear them around the house for at least half an hour. Take your time. Walk around in them. Go up and down the stairs and make sure they don’t slip, pinch or grab. That’s the best way to decide.
Then just send back the pairs that aren’t your top choice. Returns are easy, especially if you have Amazon Prime.
Here’s a partial list of the best walking shoes for overweight people.
These are some of the best high volume shoes we’ve found. Please refer to our complete list of walking shoes for women and walking shoes for men.
ASICS GEL-Tech Neo 4 Walking Shoe – High Volume Shoes
Brooks Addiction Walking Shoes for High Volume feet
Can’t reach your feet? Oofos recovery sandals provide the support you need in a slip-on.
What is the “OO”…? These are what you need to give your feet a break after a long walk.
You’ll have to walk in a pair to REALLY know what we are talking about but this is what you are feeling (technically speaking):
- OOFO’s foam absorbs 37% more shock than a traditional foam that can be found in athletic shoes.
- Reduced stress on feet, knees, and back
- Great arch support
- Enables natural motion and articulation
- OOFO’s are machine washable which allows for easy maintenance
- Lightweight and able to float in water
If you are saying… “I’m not an athlete so why should I wear a recovery sandal?”
Many patients have reported relief from the pain associated with plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, neuromas, bunions, high arches, flat feet, and hammertoes.