This page compares four walking shoes for senior men, 60 and over, on two points: slip-on or laced, and whether a wide fitting is listed.
For a slip-on shoe with a wide-width listing, start with the Skechers Go Walk Max. Skechers lists it in X-Wide, with a mesh upper, a padded heel and a pull-on loop.
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The four pairs and who each one fits:
- Skechers Go Walk Max: a slip-on with a mesh upper, listed in X-Wide and machine washable.
- Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max: a leather and textile upper over a memory foam insole.
- Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11: a laced, running-style shoe listed in an extra-wide 4E width.
- Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Recharge: a laced shoe with a stretch-fabric upper and an insole you can take out.
Skechers Go Walk Max
Walkers who want a slip-on shoe in a wide fitting.
Skechers Go Walk Max Slip-On Shoe, X-Wide
Slip-on with pull-on loop and padded heel
Mesh upper, machine washable
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
Of the four, only the Go Walk Max is listed as a slip-on. Skechers calls it lightweight, with a flexible rubber sole, and says you can put it in the washing machine.
The trade-off is fit: a slip-on cannot be tightened across the top of the foot the way laces can.
- Made for
- Width: Skechers lists this pair in X-Wide sizing
- Unsuited to
- Buyers who want to tie laces snug: this pair is slip-on only
Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max
Everyday wear, work shifts and casual walks in one shoe.
Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max Shoe
Memory foam insole, air-cushioned sole
Leather and textile upper, rubber outsole
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
Reebok puts a memory foam insole over a sole it says moves air from heel to toe as you walk. Reebok lists the shoe for all-day wear, including restaurant and medical work, as well as casual walks.
The leather parts wipe clean, which matters more on wet or muddy paths than on dry pavement.
- Made for
- A leather upper: Reebok lists soft, lightweight leather and textile
- Also think about
- The Go Walk Max or the Under Armour, if you want a stated wide width
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11
Walkers who want a laced, running-style shoe in an extra-wide fit.
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11, 4E
Extra-wide 4E fit, 10.2 oz
Mesh upper with leather overlays, standard laces
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
Under Armour builds it like a running shoe, with a cushioned midsole and grooves in the sole that let it bend at the toes. Leather overlays on the mesh are there for midfoot support, Under Armour says.
It is the one pair here with a stated weight: 10.2 ounces.
- Made for
- Width: Under Armour lists this pair in 4E, an extra-wide fitting
- Unsuited to
- Buyers who want a slip-on: this pair uses standard tie laces
Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Recharge
Walkers who want a laced shoe with an insole they can take out.
Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Recharge
Removable insole, cushioned sole
Stretch-fabric and synthetic upper, tie closure
Look up your size and the price on Amazon
Skechers lists a removable insole, which it calls Arch Fit, over a cushioned sole. The upper is stretch fabric and synthetic material, with a tie closure.
- Made for
- Your own insert: the insole is removable, so you can try an orthotic or custom insole in its place
- Also think about
- The Go Walk Max, if you would rather not tie laces
What a falls study found about shoe type
In a study of adults 65 and older, going barefoot or in socks was linked to a sharply higher risk of a fall. The adjusted odds ratio was 11.2, compared with athletic or canvas shoes.
Koepsell and colleagues compared 327 people who fell with 327 people who did not, over two years.
Of the footwear styles in the study, athletic and canvas shoes were linked to the lowest risk.
The study is observational, about shoe styles broadly rather than these four pairs. It says nothing about which of these four fits or performs best on a given surface.
Comparing fit, width and care
The listings let you compare these pairs on four things: fastening, width, upper and insole.
- Fastening: the Go Walk Max is slip-on. The Under Armour and the Arch Fit have a tie closure. Reebok’s listing does not say.
- Width: the Go Walk Max comes in X-Wide and the Under Armour in 4E. Reebok and the Arch Fit list no width.
- Upper: Reebok is leather and textile, and the Under Armour is mesh with leather overlays. The Go Walk Max is mesh, and Skechers says it is machine washable. The Arch Fit is stretch fabric.
- Insole: the Arch Fit’s comes out. Reebok lists memory foam.
Each maker gives its cushioning a brand name, and none of the listings gives a number you could compare. The feel is best judged in the shoe, so check the return terms on the listing before you order.
Worth paying for
- A stated wide width, if your feet need more room. The Go Walk Max lists X-Wide and Under Armour lists 4E.
- A slip-on design, if tying laces is hard some mornings.
- A removable insole, if you wear an orthotic or a custom insert.
Not worth paying for
- A cushioned insole on top of the one in the shoe, unless you wear an orthotic. Reebok, the Go Walk Max and the Arch Fit already have one; Under Armour lists none.
- A cushioning name. None of the four listings gives a figure to compare.
Which pair to try first
| Your walk | Take a look |
|---|---|
| Slip-on with a wide-width listing | Skechers Go Walk Max |
| Work shifts and walks in a leather upper | Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max |
| An extra-wide (4E) laced shoe | Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 |
| A laced shoe with an insole you can take out | Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Recharge |
If foot pain is part of why a shoe feels wrong, read about common causes and fixes for foot pain when walking next. For unsteadiness rather than fit, read about dealing with a fear of falling.
If a recent fall, new pain or dizziness is why you are choosing a shoe, talk to your doctor first.
The study above linked going barefoot or in socks to a sharply higher risk, so keep shoes on at home too.
If your current walking shoes still fit, hold your heel and have tread left, you may not need a new pair.