Best Walking Shoes for Big Guys – Introduction
What are the best walking shoes for overweight men in 2021?
If you want to lose weight, exercise is a must.
Working out burns calories and contributes to the calorie deficit that forces your body to burn fat for fuel.
No deficit?
You won’t burn fat and lose weight, period!
There are lots of different workouts to choose from that can help you lose weight.
Each one has benefits and drawbacks, so it’s usually a matter of choosing the one you like best.
After all, for exercise to work its magic, you need to do it frequently and long enough for it to burn a significant number of calories.
That’ll be a whole lot easier if you also enjoy it.
Walking is an excellent option for overweight exercisers.
While you could go jogging or running, these activities put a lot of stress on your already overloaded joints, making them uncomfortable or even dangerous if you are overweight.
Cycling is another viable option, but you’ll not only need a bike, but you’ll also need to face the elements and other road users, which may not be very appealing.
Walking is safe, low impact, and ideal for overweight exercisers.
You don’t need to be exceptionally athletic to enjoy the benefits of walking, and you can do it almost anywhere and anytime.
Unlike running and strength training, you can walk every day, which will help you lose weight faster.
While you don’t need any specialist equipment to lose weight with walking, you DO need a pair of suitable shoes.
A great pair of shoes will enhance your comfort and reduce your risk of walking-related aches and pains to the absolute minimum.
This article reveals what you should look for in a pair of walking shoes and the five best walking shoes for heavy men.
The Most Important Walking Shoe Features for Overweight Men
While you CAN walk in any shoes, that doesn’t mean you should.
As you get fitter, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself walking further and more often.
While walking IS a low-impact activity, it can still take a toll on your feet and joints.
The right shoes will enhance your performance and comfort so that you can walk further with fewer problems.
Features to look for in walking shoes for overweight men include:
Correct fit
Blisters can make walking miserable.
Caused by friction and heat, most blisters are the result of poorly fitting shoes.
So, if you can, try your walking shoes on before you buy them.
If that’s not possible, wear them indoors before venturing outside.
That way, you can return them if they don’t fit correctly.
It’s often best to buy walking shoes that are half-size bigger than your usual shoes.
Your feet will swell during a walk and could start to pinch and rub.
Also, to protect your feet, you may want to wear thicker socks.
It’s always better for walking shoes to be a little too large than too small.
You can always lace them more tightly if you need a snugger fit.
Walking shoes are also often available in different widths.
If your shoes fit correctly, you should almost forget that you are wearing them.
If they aren’t correct, you could end up regretting your purchase and replacing them before they have worn out.
Cushioning
Walking is a low-impact activity, but it’s not entirely impact-free.
The heavier you are, the more impact you’ll experience.
Shoes with good cushioning will help absorb some of the impact of walking, protecting your feet, knees, hips, and lower back.
Some shoes have removable impact-absorbing insoles, aka footbeds, while others have shock-absorbing insoles and outer soles.
Either way, look for shoes with plenty of cushioning.
Support
Heavy walkers usually need a more engineered shoe to support their arches.
Being overweight tends to make your feet spread and expand, leading to issues like dropped arches and plantar fasciitis.
Look for shoes with a strongly arched insole that will provide your feet with the support you need.
Sole and grip
Overweight exercisers need hardwearing soles on their walking shoes.
Being overweight means your walking shoes could wear out faster.
Materials like Vibram are more durable than regular shoe soles and should last longer.
While you don’t need a lugged sole if you plan on mainly doing urban walks, a more contoured grip is essential if you’re going to head off the paved path onto more rugged terrain.
Make sure the soles of your shoes are suitable for where you intend to do most of your walking.
If in doubt, buy shoes with a rugged outsole so you can go off-road if you wish, even if you spend most of your time on smooth pavements.
Waterproof upper
If you want to keep your feet dry when it rains, look for shoes with a waterproof upper.
Materials like Gortex keep water out while allowing your feet to breathe.
However, waterproof walking shoes also tend to make your feet hotter, so you may want to buy different shoes for the summer months.
Shoes vs. boots
Walking shoes tend to be lighter, more comfortable out the box, and easier to live with than boots.
However, boots provide more support and protection and are better if you’re heading off the beaten track.
Some people also prefer the look and feel of boots instead of shoes or vice versa.
Some walking shoes are also available as boots.
Ultimately, you’ll need to choose between walking shoes and walking boots so, if possible, try both styles and see which you prefer.
Price
Walking shoes vary enormously in price, but even the best shoes will probably wear out after 500 miles of use.
Wearing worn shoes, perhaps because you can’t afford to replace them, can lead to blisters and injuries.
Buy shoes that are well within your budget, so you have no qualms about replacing them when necessary.
Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Men
Armed with the information above, you should have no problem tracking down the best walking shoes for overweight men.
But, to make things even easier, here are five of the best models, all tried and tested just for you!
#1. Merrell MOAB 2 Vent Hiking Shoes
- Performance suede leather and mesh upper
- Bellows, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out. Molded...
- Protective rubber toe cap, Breathable mesh lining
Merrell is one of the leading manufacturers of outdoor and leisure shoes in the world.
The MOAB 2 Vent Hiking Shoes (MOAB is short for Mother Of All Boots) are perfect for heavier walkers because they’re both cushioned and very supportive.
The sole is rugged and suitable for pavement and off-road walking.
They’re also available with a waterproof GTX lining, although the vent version is highly breathable rather than waterproof.
Pros:
- Hardwearing 3Vibram sole
- Bellows tongue to keep out debris
- Available in standard and wide fittings
- Protective toe cap
- Breathable suede and mesh upper
- Also available as a mid-high boot
- Available in a wide range of colors
Cons:
- Style may be too outdoorsy for some people
#2. New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Walking Shoe
- 100% Suede or Mesh
- Imported
- Rubber Sole
New Balance is best known for its extensive range of running and athletic shoes.
However, they’ve recently broken into the walking market and have a great range of shoes for heavier exercisers.
The New Balance Men’s 877 V1 walking shoe looks a lot like a standard sneaker but is made with more suede, so they’re more robust and supportive.
They feature a supportive heel counter and cushioned footbed, and the sole is perfect for pavement pounding.
Like most New Balance shoes, the 877 V1 is available in regular, wide, and extra-wide fittings and three attractive colors.
Pros:
- Non-slip rubber sole
- Breathable suede and mesh upper
- Very light
- Hardwearing sole
- Suede reinforced stress points
- Pre-molded footbed for extra arch support
- EVA midsole for increased shock absorbency
Cons:
- Not suitable for off-road walking
#3. Saucony Men’s Grid Omni Walker Running Shoe
- Compression EVA misole with a higher durometer to slow the rate of...
- Engineered Asymmetrical Sole for a bio-mechanical fit
- Walk Trac patented outsole design for a smooth transition
Saucony is another running shoe company that has branched out into walking shoes.
Their Grid Omni Walker Running shoes are very cushioned and supportive, making them perfect for heavier walkers.
The uppers are mostly made from leather, so these shoes should be very hardwearing.
However, with their flat soles, this is very much an urban walking shoe.
If you want to take a walk on anything other than pavement or tarmac, these are not the shoes for you.
Pros:
- Leather upper
- Very cushioned and supportive EVA midsole
- Hardwearing rubber sole
- Naturally waterproof
- Engineered for anti-pronation
- Conservative styling
- Available in white or black
- Regular and wide fittings
Cons:
- Soles can be slippery in the wet
- Not suitable for off-road walking
#4. Sketchers Gowalk 5
- SKECHERS GO WALK: keep up the pace in enhanced comfort and stability...
- Medium (D) AND EXTRA WIDE FIT (4E): these sneakers feature an...
- AIR COOLED GOGA MAT (TOPPED INSOLE CUSHION): when comparing to memory...
Sketchers specialize in walking and leisure shoes.
This particular model is very light but still provides all the cushioning and support that heavier exercisers need.
They’re incredibly flexible, so they’re comfortable straight out the box – no breaking-in required.
Stylish and available in four colorways, these Sketchers Gowalk 5 shoes could soon become your favorite footwear and are comfortable enough for day-long use.
Pros:
- Breathable mesh upper
- Hardwearing rubber sole
- Anti-bacterial memory foam shoe liner
- Standard and wide fittings
- Rugged outsole for non-slip grip
- Athletic styling
- Machine washable
- Moisture-wicking lining
Cons:
- Not as hardwearing as some other walking shoes
- Not suitable for off-road walking
#5. Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
- Flexible, lightweight upper
- San crispino construction for heel stability
- Strobel provides forefoot flexibility
A lot of walking shoes look like athletic sneakers.
That’s not a problem if you want a shoe for dedicated fitness walking. But what if you’re going to incorporate your walks into your work schedule?
That’s where these shoes from Rockport come in.
Looking not unlike a dress shoe, they’re stylish yet functional, so you can wear them without looking like you are about to hit the gym.
Naturally waterproof with a rugged sole, these Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking shoes are both hardwearing and practical.
Pros:
- 100% leather upper
- Anti-slip sole
- Waterproof
- Available in three colors
- Available in regular, wide, and extra-wide fitting
- Removable latex foam footbed
- Flexible, hardwearing sole
- Smart, stylish design
- Suitable for all-day wear, as well as walking
Cons:
- Leather upper will take a little breaking in
- Quite expensive
- Not suitable for off-road walking
Best Walking Shoes for Overweight Men – Wrapping Up
Walking is one of the best types of exercise for overweight men, but you’ll enjoy it even more in comfortable shoes!
The right shoes will enhance every step you take, protecting your feet in the process.
The wrong shoes can turn walking into a miserable experience.
Overweight walkers need a combination of support and cushioning.
Wide shoes are often more comfortable than narrower ones, and flexibility and good traction are always welcome.
The sign of a good pair of walking shoes is that, once you put them on, you completely forget you’re wearing them.
Most shoes will take a few walks to mold to your feet but, after that, they should feel like they are part of you.
Ideally, you should try before you buy to avoid getting a shoe that doesn’t fit correctly.
However, if that’s not possible, order a couple of models or sizes, so you can return the ones you don’t like.
Finally, remember that walking shoes have a lifespan of about 500 miles.
After that, they start to lose cushioning and support, even if there are no apparent signs of wear and tear.
Keep track of how much walking you do and replace your shoes before they start to break down and cause you problems.
Rich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), an