A routine walk can make all the difference in your life. It can improve your physical and mental health by keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.
While walking is a good step towards a healthier life, it's important to do it right. If you are an overweight walker, you need to pick comfortable shoes that relieve the load from your feet. They should also address the risk of foot injuries that come with those extra pounds.
In this post, we have curated the best walking and running shoes for overweight walkers. Not only this, but we will also guide you on how to choose the right shoes for your feet.
So if that's what you're looking for, read on.
Best Walking and Running Shoes for Overweight Walkers: Buying Guide
Do you recall that sudden rush and freshness you feel after a 20-minute morning walk?
That's because when you exercise, your body releases endorphins—a neurochemical that boosts your mood, relieves stress, and decreases the chances of depression.
With COVID on the rise and limited outdoor activities, a routine walk is the best way to lose those extra pounds and keep your sanity intact. But, you also need to decrease the possibility of foot pains, knee problems, and any injuries that come with extra weight.
All overweight walkers can prevent these and other problems just by paying attention to the following factors before buying sneakers.
Comfort
Comfort is the one most essential thing you need to prioritize when you buy walking or running shoes. There's no argument!
What makes a shoe comfortable, you might ask? The essential features of the shoe—size, material, and shape—determine the level of comfort it can provide to your feet.
For any walker, the walking shoes have to fit perfectly on their feet. The fit becomes more important for comfort when your feet have more pressure on them.
Overweight walkers should choose shoes that fit perfectly on their feet and half a size bigger if they wear thick socks.
The shape of the shoes should also be taken into account. For example, if you are overweight, you might have wider feet, and you will have to look for shoes that are made for your foot type. In this case, consider buying from a famous brand so that you can find more variety.
Another thing to keep in mind is the material and weight of the walking shoes. Always choose waterproof walking shoes made of lightweight and breathable materials, so you don't have to drag them with you on the walking trail.
Sole
An outsole is the bottom part of the shoe that comes in contact with the ground. A stable sole has good traction, which ensures better support and fewer chances of lower back pains.
Rubber is usually the best material for an outsole as it provides excellent traction, absorbs impact, and prevents slips. A good example is the Loom Waterproof Sneakers made of non-marking rubber soles for excellent traction and stability.
Also read: 10 Best Black Sneakers to Buy In 2021
Cushioning & Shock-Absorption
Proper cushioning is a prerequisite in walking shoes to get the most out of your fitness plan. Good cushioning ensures comfort and prevents any significant impact on your feet and limbs that may cause injuries and strains.
Overweight walkers should look for memory foam or gel cushioning. Walking shoes with heel cushioning will also be very helpful in preventing heel pain.
Arch Support
Most overweight walkers have a flat arch, known as flat feet. If you have a fallen arch, your shoes should have in-built arch support to prevent heel pain, heel spurs, and ankle sprains.
Lightweight
Walking or running shoes should be light on your feet with breathable upper material. Lightweight waterproof walking shoes will lessen foot fatigue and be comfortable for all-day wear.
Stability
When you are overweight, your feet require more stability and support. If your shoes are unstable, they will affect your motion and may cause foot injuries.
A reliable and stable pair of shoes is what you need to combat your weight and save your body from unwanted aches.
Breathability
Another thing that affects the comfort of walking shoes is the material. A 20 or 30-minute walk will surely leave you sweating. In this situation, you don't want to be wearing leather shoes.
Instead, opt for more breathable materials, such as knit mesh that will ensure proper air circulation and prevent your feet from overheating and sweat.
We suggest you go for waterproof walking shoes with antibacterial properties to avoid bacteria and foul foot odor. They will also absorb moisture to protect your feet against rashes and fungal infections.
Flexibility
Since overweight people have wider, fuller feet, their walking shoes should have a more flexible toe box and upper design. Walking shoes made of flexible materials, like mesh, will allow you to use the right foot muscles and prevent sores and strains.
Best Walking and Running Shoes for Overweight Walkers
Here's a list of the best walking and running shoes for overweight walkers. Look out for the waterproof walking shoes on the list!
Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 Walking Shoes
Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 are popular among overweight walkers who want lightweight, everyday walking shoes with comfort and stability. They are ideal in terms of support, style, and fit.
The New Skechers Goga Max™ insole provides maximum cushioning and support for a comfortable walking experience. In addition, these slip-on sneakers have a breathable one-piece mesh upper that provides proper ventilation for a nice cooling effect.
Performance Go Walk 4 sneakers are ideal for walking, light jogging, treadmill, and gym for overweight people. They also feature bamboo-lined insoles to control bacteria and bad foot odor. That makes them safe for your feet and easy to clean.
These walking shoes are also particularly good for overweight people who want comfortable shoes for all-day wear.
Pros
- Extra-wide shoes for overweight people
- Breathable mesh design
- Highly responsive cushion insole
- Bamboo lined footbed with antibacterial properties and odor control
- Easy slip-on design
- Super lightweight and durable
Con
- Quality of the outsole is not as good as other Go Walk versions
Skechers Equalizer Persistent Slip-On Sneaker
The Skechers Equalizer Persistent Sneakers are lightweight, perfectly cushioned, and reasonably thick. The faux leather and mesh fabric upper give them a sporty look while keeping your feet fresh and cool.
These running shoes have memory foam cushioned insoles for comfort and shock-absorbing midsoles to soften the impact. The outsoles of the shoes are flexible with good traction that will provide a good grip and prevent slipping.
The dual side elastic fabric panels make these Skechers easy to fit almost every foot shape. They are also easy to move and hug your feet perfectly. So, these sneakers are a good option for overweight walkers with wide feet.
Pros
- Dual-side elastic fabric panels for a good fit
- Full-length Memory foam cushioned insole
- Faux leather breathable upper
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable slip-on design
- Flexible traction outsole
Cons
- Simple design might not attract many
- Material falls short in terms of durability
Loom Waterproof Sneakers
Loom Footwear is a new favorite of overweight walkers due to its lightweight design and well-cushioned interior that guarantees superior comfort and support at all times.
The Loom Waterproof Walking Shoes feature an advanced moisture-wicking technology that keeps your feet dry—even if you step into a puddle. They also have a breathable mesh upper that ensures good air circulation around the feet.
The interior of the sneakers has soft cushioning for maximum comfort. You can walk for miles in these shoes without feeling any discomfort or moisture build-up.
The lightweight design rescues foot fatigue in overweight walkers, and the flexibility allows full range of motion. These sneakers also contain non-marking rubber soles that provide excellent traction on dry and wet trails alike.
Pros
- Well-cushioned interior for maximum responsiveness and comfort
- Advanced moisture-wicking technology
- Breathable mesh upper
- Slip-resistant outsole
- Super lightweight and durable design
- Classic colour options
Con
- It comes in only two colours
ASICS Gel-Venture 6 Running-Shoes
The ASICS Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoes are built to ace all terrains with the trail-specific rubber outsole and rearfoot gel-cushioning that absorbs impact for maximum support and comfort.
These running shoes are meant for running, but overweight walkers will find them to be super comfortable walking shoes. The rear-gel cushioning system in the midsole makes a well-cushioned interior and provides good shock absorption for heavy feet.
Another good feature of these shoes is the removable sock liner that allows a better fit for different foot shapes. These shoes are also great for heavy walkers who want to save their feet from significant exhaustion.
Pros
- Gel-cushioning for comfort
- Strong built ideal for heavy feet
- Trail-specific outsole
- Removable sock liner
Cons
- Thinner insole
- Heavier than others on the list
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes
These Nike shoes are super lightweight and fit snugly to support running. Their beveled heel and Zoom Air unit work together for optimal responsiveness.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus features breathable mesh designed and cushioned insoles, making them one of the best options for overweight people.
The slim design not only makes them lightweight but also reduces bulk and ensures a more contoured fit. Plus, the Flywire cables in the midfoot make the shoes stay snug to the feet even while running at higher speeds.
Pros
- Zoom Air technology for smooth performance
- Super lightweight
- Slim design and contoured fit
- Flywire cables for more grip
- Cushlon ST foam for responsive cushioning
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Less durable than others on the list
Conclusion
Walking is the best way to shed off those extra pounds and move towards a healthier lifestyle. However, for some people, walking can be too exhausting and cause extreme fatigue to the feet.
Most of the people who find walking over-exhausting can fix this problem by changing their walking shoes. By picking the perfect shoes, you can make every step more comfortable and motivating.