How do I choose non-slip walking shoes for seniors with wide feet?

Hey Bella! For seniors with wide feet & comfort & safety usually come down to a roomy fit up front and solid traction underfoot, & a shoe that does not weigh him down. Look for a true extra wide toe box, and a rubber outsole with real tread that channels water so he does not slip on wet sidewalks. I had good luck with Wide Toe for my dad. The outsole is non slip on damp pavement and the toe box comes extra wide, so his forefoot can splay without pressure. They feel airy and flexible rather than heavy, which helps with longer walks. The look is pretty simple and the knit upper is not very water resistant, but the grip and comfort have held up well for everyday use.

My mom had a scare on a rainy day and we learned to pay attention to little details. A firm heel counter kept her from sliding around inside the shoe and a slightly beveled heel made the first contact feel more controlled which yeah we skipped super soft memory foam underfoot because it felt wobbly when wet.

For your husband and keep the shoe light and make sure the lacing holds the midfoot without squeezing the toes. If he uses a cane or walker and lower stack height with a that model base can be reassuring. Shorter steps on wet spots and check the tread often because once it smooths out, the slip risk goes up fast.

Pick shoes that feel stable with a firm heel and minimal midfoot twist, plus a grippy outsole with multidirectional grooves to shed water. 👟 Try them late in the day, use a heel lock lacing, and safely test on a damp surface while holding a railing to gauge confidence. 🛡️

On a budget I go to stores that actually stock that model and extra that model sizes and I bring the socks my husband uses for walking... A quick way to check fit is to pull the insole out and stand on it to see if his forefoot hangs over. If it does the shoe is not truly that model enough even if the box says that model.

Ask the staff about slip resistant outsoles and look at the pattern yourself. You want real rubber with grooves that will shed water rather than a mostly smooth bottom. Some stores allow returns after a short outdoor try on clean pavement which is helpful when you need to see how the grip feels in the real world.

Shopping for my dad taught me that that model feet need space up front more than anywhere else. I always check that his toes can spread without the upper pressing down on them and that the shoe bends where his toes bend which and yeah... lighter builds are out there even in that model sizes and so you do not have to accept a clunky feel.

For wet sidewalks, rubber matters more than foam. Look for a tread that has little channels to move water away, and make sure the heel is not slick or shiny. If the stock insole feels mushy, swap to a firmer one so he does not feel unstable. Do a short break in with a few ten minute walks and watch for hot spots. Works great.

I have extra that model feet and I hate heavy shoes too. What helped me was making sure the toe box is both that model and tall so the big toe does not feel trapped. also prefer uppers with some give so my feet can swell a little in the afternoon without pinching.

For staying upright on wet walks I clean the soles every week with a small brush to get grit out of the grooves. Traction feels much better once the tread is not clogged. Removable insoles are nice because I can put in my own supportive ones and that keeps me steady. Big difference.

If I actually had to boil it down for that model feet on wet sidewalks go for a true extra that model box and a rubber outsole with grooves that move water. Keep the shoe light so he does not tire out and avoid overly squishy foam underfoot. Try them on late afternoon and walk a few steps on a damp area while holding a rail, you will know right away if the grip feels secure. Replace them when the tread looks shiny or flat since that is when slips start happening.