Obesity, overweight and heavy body posture is not at all an easy thing to cope with. Most people who suffer from such issues usually have to manage numerous things like walking, running, or working for long hours. To facilitate one's body, the best way is to figure out the best ways to keep the body relaxed and easy while still working at the fullest potential.
Because the whole body’s weight is directed towards the feet and when you walk it is most probable to have aching feet because of imbalanced body weight and posture that will keep the pressure on the foot.
To lose weight you will have to walk more and without exercising it is not possible to stay active and keep your body fit. That is why having a comfy and balanced shoe would be one crucial thing to look for.
To make sure your feet won’t ache, the best solution is to choose shoes that are perfect, balanced, keep your feet supported and would be perfect to give a walk that won’t hurt your muscles and bones.
To help our valued readers in choosing the best walking shoes for overweight walkers so that walking would be easy, we have compiled a comprehensive list of shoes that have proven applicability for a comfortable walk.
Obesity and its Effects on Your Feet and remedies to Overcome Walking Issues
Obesity raises a lot of health concerns and effects can be seen all over your body and feet are no different. The major impact is that obesity puts a lot of pressure on your feet and can cause long term pain. Choosing the right shoes can do the trick for you.
How Choosing The Right Pair of Shoe Help You with Obesity:
Overweight people need ideal support in their footwear to sustain their weight. The goal here is to avoid any injury and also to eliminate any chance of developing pain.
You need to have shoes essentially with shock-absorbing features. Many manufacturers understand such concerns and ensure that your every step taken is light and comfortable, even if you are exercising.
You can find shoes with a built-in orthotic, which is engineered to remedy all foot-related issues. This feature is intended to provide you with the best support, when you are in a highly active mode, such as running or exercising.
On top of that, the right support from the ball of the shoe stretching to the heel ensures no heel spurring or causing plantar fascia, which is normally seen for obese people. Moreover, soft cushioning on the side and a supportive sole of the shoes would completely protect your feet or rectify pain, if any.
Wrong shoe selection can lead to not only foot pain, but also can cause pain in the lower back, hips and knee area. It is because of the excessive pressure their feet and lower body has to sustain. A shoe with specialized features for obese people needs to be considered only.
Importance of Walking to Lose Weight and How To Facilitate Easier Walk
Nobody can deny the importance of walking and/ or an active routine for obese people to get back to a healthy body. Walking helps in burning the fats/ calories of obese people. This all can be well supported if you facilitate your fitness routine with the best walking or running shoes.
Importance of Walking In Losing Weight:
Burning calories is key to counter obesity and it can prevent certain other health conditions, including heart diseases. A few other repercussions of obesity are high blood pressure, stroke and high cholesterol, etc. where a walking routine has always helped. Obese people who walk regularly are seen not only losing their weight but also prevent the chances of developing the mentioned diseases.
How Can I Facilitate My Walking Routine?
Obese people need to choose their footwear carefully and if this is the right selection made then there walking routine will be much more comfortable. A supportive walking shoe with idea cushioning and a supportive soul can make you every step quite comforting.
Further, it will also eliminate any chance of sustaining a foot or lower-body injury due to excessive pressure applied over your feet. Many manufacturers are there with specialized shoes with specialized features. Built-in shock absorption, cushioning, padding, toe box, and heel support are ideally catered by many renowned manufacturers.
There are no second thoughts about the benefits of walking for obese people. It helps them lose weight and prevent the chances of developing many chronic diseases. A good footwear selection is what you should be looking for a healthy walking routine.
The Anatomy of Shoes for Heavy Walkers
Overweight people with footwork awareness are always concerned about the anatomy of their walking or running shoes. They want to have the best pair in business to support their excessive weight and also protect them from any foot-related or lower-body injuries.
Anatomy of Shoes For Heavy Walkers
The following are the key characteristics of walking shoes that sums up the anatomy of shoes for heavy walkers:
- Sole – Sole is a kind of a foot-bed that takes the entire weight of your body. It ideally needs to be supportive of the shock-absorbing feature. Ideally, the rubber design is preferred, which should also be thick.
- Upper – This is far more than just a value-added feature, especially for overweight people. You need to have a pair that offers breathability and softness that enhances comfort to the wearer.
- Cushioning – Overweight people must look for perfect cushioning in their footwear. Cushioning could be considered of air foam, memory foam, standard foam or even get type.
- Design – The design for obese people's shoes is the best one when it comes to EVA midsole. This is what makes your pair shock absorbent. Good arch support is also something that you should look for in the design along with a spacious toe-box as well.
The anatomy of shoes for heavy walkers covers a few key characteristics of shoes. The overweight people need to vary about the sole, cushioning, upper and the overall design of their footwear.
Different Kinds of Walking Shoes Which Are Good for Overweight People
Overweight people need to be very selective about their footwear. This needs to be done to find walking easy and also prevent nay foot injury from developing, where obese people are most vulnerable. This warrants to research and finds the best-supporting shoes for them.
Stability Shoes
The stability shoes are known to be the compromising category of footwear, which is highly suitable for overweight people. They are also known to be a lot more flexible than the motion control footwear type, where the latter is not recommended for obese people due to their rigidness. They offer dual-density and semi-curved frames to provide good support.
Cushioned Shoes
The cushioned shoes are excellent for having the softest possible midsoles along with good flexibility and support as well. They are normally available in semi-curved or sometimes in the curved last design as well. Overweight people with high arches will love the comfort of these shoes.
Sandals
Sandals for obese people can be a highly comfortable and safe option. The comfort, however, is dependent upon the walking terrain and the type of sandal construction. Make sure that you don’t confuse sandals with flip flops, which the obese people should never consider.
There is an immense range of variety of shoes for people but the ones with obesity need to be very selective. The best option available for them is the stability shoes, cushioned shoes or sandals.
Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Women
1. New Balance 928v3 Women’s Walking Shoe
New balance never compromises on the user’s comfort and that is why this shoe has been made to match the needs of those who are in search of soft, comfy and supportive shoes which will help them walk while bearing their overweight body in a balanced way.
The top is made of full-grain leather and textile materials which keep it soft and flexible and avoid pressure on the top-foot. the important materials assure durability and make it last longer than an average shoe.
For keeping the wear and tear issue in control, the rubber sole is there for making it more resistant to damage and slipping issues. Hence the shoe is capable of keeping overweight people safe from getting slipped.
The Roll Bar technology featuring single piece glass fiber sole and EVA midsole makes the shoe a stable platform for assured stability of the foot.
The endurance outsole provides durable support and a well-designed surface for keeping the shoe as perfect as a wearer's needs. For added adjustability and support the PU foot bed can be removed or replaced as per the needs of the user.
2. Vionic Women’s Walker
Women loom for style and comfort and for sure they need a slippage free durable shoe and that is Vionic women’s walker shoe offers. This leather made shoe comprises a synthetic material sole for lasting performance.
In addition to that, the high-quality leather upper is capable of resisting water splashes, and the laces keep the upper snugly fitted so that the foot won't turn and twist causing balancing issues.
Furthermore, to keep the heavyweight body up and active, the Active motion technology supported by the orthotics that are designed by Podiatrists assure you to give a comfortable and balanced walk.
The orthotics are removable, are biochemically designed and paired with the breathable and antibacterial upper for avoiding foot odor and keeping the foot relaxed and in its proper shape.
The shoe is lightweight so you won't feel heavy or burdened and will surely give long-lasting sturdy support no matter if you have a heavy body to support while walking and exercising.
The heel to toe zone is designed to give half an inch elevation for a smoother and fluent walk without building pressure on the foot muscles.
Padded walls, cushioned sole and breathable inner make the shoe perfect for overweight people who want tp0 keep walking for losing weight and comfortably support them.
3. ASICS Gel-Cumulus 20 Women’s Running Shoes
As a fact, no overweight women can balance and walk at the same time unless the feet are adjusted properly within the shoe. So in this shoe, the design is to combat balancing and support issue while still gives much better-looking design as compared to regular walking shoes.
It has mesh fabric on the top, durable and flexible rubber made sole for traction and a firm grip on the ground.
The Impact guidance system offers well-balanced support that keeps the shock below the level that is unbearable so that your foot relaxes while you still walk bearing the body weight actively.
The ortholite liner keeps the comfort level high enough to assure easier walk in combination with an impact guidance system and SpevaFoam. In addition to that, the Flytefoam technology gives energy-filled sole for bounce and balance. The design and colors are attractive and reflective for better visibility in the dark.
4. Reebok Women’s Work N Cushion Walking Shoe
Reebok women’s shoe is made up of 100 synthetic materials which last longer and serve better no matter how much they are used and how they are being used.
The rubber sole also offers sturdy, durable and flexible support for an easier and supportive walk from heel to toe. The toe protection bumper keeps the toe protected so even if your foot gets bumped its safe from getting into pain.
The padded collar and supportive inner sides keep the foot snug and fitted inside for avoiding and twisting problems.
The outsole is stable, slip-resistant and flexible for an easy transition of the foot and a brisk walk while handling the weight on the foot.
5. New Balance Women’s W1540V2 Running Shoe
New balance women’s shoe is an American made running shoe that features lace-up design for easier and snug fit. Mesh and synthetic materials on the upper keep it flexible enough to support the soft and brisk walk.
Breathable upper keep the shoe odor-free and assure smell resistance. The dual-density collar foam and EVA cushioning keep the foto posture as easy as possible for support and soft walk.
You can even remove the footbed for your convenience and adjustment whereas the RollBar posting system and ENCAP made midsole keep the foot supported during the walk so that it is transitioned without developing pressure on impact areas.
Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Men
1. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Men Walking Shoes
The Brooks brand endorses quality in all its footwear products. Their style quotient is also admirable and that’s why the subject Addiction Walker 2 model for men quickly became one of the finest choices in footwear. The shoes come with a useful mesh and synthetic upper, which allows your feet to breathe well even after hours of use.
Maximum support is guaranteed through the patented PDRB, which is the Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar. This support system controls and guides all your mobility in a much natural way. The manufacturer laid special emphasis on the cushioning of the pair and to make it super comfortable. For that, BioMoGo DNA is adapted as per your body weight, stride and speed to ensure every step taken is extremely comfortable.
The footwear is found to be slip-resistant and will work like a charm on all kinds of smooth or rough surfaces for walking. The leather upper looks dashing and it is made to last for a long time at your service offering Maximum support through Soft cushioning.
2. Saucony Echelon LE2 Walking Shoe for Men
This one from Saucony is the top of the line walking footwear for men. The leather and fabric combination makes it a comfortable walking pair along with durability stretched as well. The leather sole provides a comfortable platform as well and makes movement quite effortless. You will be amazed to see the quality of the full-grain leather used, which is super-plush and long-lasting as well.
The manufacturer went a level ahead with its premium quality of Power Grid cushioning mechanism. This is something that ensures maximized support and adds on supplementary comfort as well. The male walkers would enjoy the heel to toe offset of 8mm. This is something that will provide its users with a much stable platform for walking. On top of that, the manufacturer has classified it as an orthotic-friendly shoe.
3. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 Running Shoe
Brook's brand name is synonymous with quality and performance. Their GTS 19 running shoe has a diverse set of features, which managed to bring a highly rich and satisfied client-base for the product. Men will enjoy a different color range, where each one comes with similar features. The synthetic and mesh made upper is the first impression of the product. The rubber sole is amazingly comfortable and provides a much stable platform.
This option is ideal for all men having different types of arches. It will protect your ankles and knees well during running, which is all thanks to the innovative Guide Rails induced in the footwear. Every step will be scrutinized and facilitated with the best possible comfort.
Moreover, the cushioned heel with protective and plush material would take comfort to the next level. This is stuffed with the popular BioMoGo DNA and DNA Loft type of cushioning, which is known for providing the ideal comfort right underneath your feet.
4. Propet Stability Walker Shoe
Men prone to injury or advanced feet security needs to look for the most stable footwear to support them in their walking. Propet Stability Walker is one super exciting option for such walkers. The subject shoe uses 1% genuine leather as its main material. If the sole is some that concerns you the most, then its rubber type sole is one of the most comforting soles that you can ever have.
The productive D-ring lacing system is good in giving you a precise fit as per your requirements and comfort level. Men will be thoroughly inspired by the molded EVA midsole, which adds in super flexibility and makes the pair shock absorbent as well. The removable cushioned orthotic put forward a lot more options to make this shoe customized as per their comfort and any foot issues they have. Finally, all the features of this shoe make it an option for diabetic patients as well with the HCPCS code of A5500.
Things To Consider When Buying Walking Shoes for Overweight People
Overweight people need to be extremely cautious when buying their footwear. They need to look at several features that are supportive of sustaining excessive weight. On top of that, they must be able to differentiate clearly between the shoes that are meant for them and those that should be avoided.
Arch Support
If your body weight is a bit towards the heavy side then there are chances for your foot to not have the arch support that it needs. As a result of this, you need to get it compensated through a pair of shoes offering the required arch support.
Sole
The sole for overweight people's shoes is best when it is of rubber. Ideally, you need to have a thick rubber sole and that too with shock-absorbing feature.
Cushioning
Cushioning is one of the topmost factors to be considered by overweight people. It is just that you need to support your footwell while being encased in excessively well-cushioned footwear.
Cushioning on the side, insole and the collar padding is essential for a comfortable feel while walking.
Pronation
The walking shoes for subject people needs to be adaptable with the pronation of their feet. You need to determine how your weight is distributed while you walk and then choose the walking shoes accordingly. Any shoes with wrong pronation could bring drastically poor results for obese people.
FAQs For Walking Shoes for Overweight People
What is the difference between running and walking shoes for overweight people?
Running is a highly intense activity putting excessive impact on your feet as compared to walking only. Therefore, shoes for overweight people looking to run or walk are different as well with their design and foot support.
What are the key features to consider walking for overweight people?
Overweight people need to have walking shoes that should be adaptable to their weight. The adaptability should address the features like sole, cushioning, padding, arch support, and pronation of their feet.
What are the best footwear options for walking for obese people?
Overweight people can choose from the categories of stability shoes, cushioned shoes, and sandals, etc.
Can I walk for long hours with my specialized walking shoes?
Yes, it has been seen that overweight people with the right shoes can walk for long hours when compared with standard footwear. Moreover, their foot will be best protected with no little to no chances of developing any injury.
Why there are specialized shoes for overweight people?
It is because obese people have specialized needs in footwear. The needs related to the different features of the shoes including the sole, cushioning and arch support, etc.
My new walking shoes hurt me while walking. What could be the reason?
The new shoes tend to break after you wear them a few times. It is normal to experience pain with new shoes, which should subside within a week or so of regular wearing.
Overweight people need to consider quite a few things in their footwear to support walking. The prominent features to consider are sole, cushioning, arch support and pronation, which should be as per your overweight and foot/ body texture needs.
To find the best walking shoe for overweight people it is better to look for snugly fitted, easy to wear slip-resistant shoe and keep the foot supported firmly within the shoe. We have enlisted and reviewed some of the best options so that you will have an idea which ones are the best to choose the perfect fit and keep on exercising to achieve your weight loss goals.