Non-Slip Shoes and Slippers for Seniors and What NIA and CDC Recommend (2026 Guide)
Last updated: October 22, 2026.
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- Choose nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes, and avoid backless shoes and smooth soles (NIA).
- The CDC says to avoid heels over one inch and to avoid walking in only socks.
- Check the fit later in the day, have your feet measured, and ask your provider to check your feet each year.
- Popular walking shoes, slippers and insoles are listed below with Amazon links. Check each listing for laces, closed backs and tread.
Shoes are one of the simplest and cheapest ways to lower the risk of a fall. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says more than one in four people age 65 or older fall each year. The right footwear will not prevent every fall, but unsafe shoes, worn soles and foot pain can all raise the risk. This guide summarizes advice from the NIA, the CDC’s STEADI program and the National Council on Aging (NCOA), and lists popular, widely reviewed examples on Amazon. It is general information. Ask your health care provider or a podiatrist about your own feet.
1. What Makes a Shoe Safe?
The NIA says to choose the right footwear: to fully support your feet, wear nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes. It also says foot problems that cause pain, and unsafe footwear such as backless shoes or high heels, can increase your risk of falling, and not to walk on stairs or floors in socks, or in shoes and slippers with smooth soles.
The CDC’s STEADI fact sheet “Feet and Footwear for Older Adults” (2024) describes what makes a shoe safe:
- A firm heel collar for stability.
- A beveled, broad, flared heel to maximize contact with the ground.
- A textured sole to prevent slipping.
- A thin, firm midsole, so you can “feel” the ground.
- Laces or straps so the shoe “holds” onto the foot.
- Sturdy shoes with low heels, traction, and strong arch and heel support.
2. What Makes a Shoe Unsafe?
- Shoes with heels over one inch, with no ankle support, or with a smooth sole (CDC STEADI).
- Shoes with no back, such as a mule or clog, or a strappy back such as a slingback (CDC STEADI).
- High heels over one inch, especially narrow ones, and shoes with no laces so the foot can slide out (CDC STEADI).
- Soft or stretched uppers that let the foot slide around, and slippery or worn soles, particularly in wet weather (CDC STEADI).
- Walking in only socks inside or outside your home (CDC STEADI).
NCOA, citing research, lists shoes linked to a higher risk of falls as those with inadequate fixation (no laces, straps or buckles), heels higher than about 1 3/4 inches, narrow heels, and a reduced contact area of the sole and smooth tread.
3. Fit Tips from the CDC
- Always wear properly fitted shoes inside and outside your home.
- Shop for shoes later in the day to ensure a proper fit.
- Have your feet measured for the right width and length.
- If you have bunions or hammertoes, choose shoes with a wide toe box.
- Ask your health care provider to check your feet once a year, and see a podiatrist if you have foot pain or deformities.
- Consider a pedorthist, a specialist in footwear and orthotics, for recommendations.
4. Walking Shoes and Slippers on Amazon
Listings do not confirm every safety feature, so check the product page and photos for laces or straps, a low heel, a closed back and a textured, non-slip sole. Many slippers on Amazon have smooth or soft soles, so look for a rubber sole. These are popular, widely reviewed examples.
| Product | What stands out |
|---|---|
| FitVille Extra Wide Women’s Walking Shoes | Wide fit, cushioned walking shoe |
| FitVille Extra Wide Men’s Walking Shoes | Wide fit, cushioned |
| Dr. Comfort Relax Men’s Slippers (closed heel) | Closed-heel slipper with fleece lining |
| ULTRAIDEAS Men’s Slip-On Slippers with Memory Foam | Memory foam, indoor and outdoor, per the listing |
See FitVille Wide Walking Shoes on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
See FitVille Men’s Walking Shoes on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
See Dr. Comfort Slippers on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
5. Insoles: Ask First
NCOA notes that foot pain is common and that routine foot care, footwear advice and supportive insoles can help reduce foot pain and may help older adults maintain mobility. Ask your provider or podiatrist before choosing insoles, especially if you have diabetes or numbness in your feet, and make sure the insoles do not make the shoe too tight.
| Product | What stands out |
|---|---|
| VALSOLE Arch Support Insoles | Arch support insoles |
| WalkHero Arch Support Insoles | Arch support, cushioning |
6. Other Fall-Prevention Basics
Shoes are only one part. See our guides to bathroom safety, canes and walkers and lighting and reading glasses. The NIA also suggests exercising to improve strength and balance, managing medications that cause dizziness, having your eyes and hearing checked, and making your home safer.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Are slippers safe?
The NIA says not to walk on stairs or floors in shoes or slippers with smooth soles, and lists backless shoes as unsafe. Look for a closed back and a non-slip sole.
How high a heel is too high?
The CDC STEADI fact sheet says to avoid shoes with heels over one inch.
Is it okay to walk in socks at home?
The CDC says to avoid walking in only socks inside and outside your home.
When should I buy shoes?
The CDC suggests shopping later in the day to ensure a proper fit, and having your feet measured.
Is this medical advice?
No. This is general information. Please ask your health care provider or a podiatrist about your own feet.
Sources
- NIA: Falls and Fractures in Older Adults, Causes and Prevention
- CDC STEADI: Feet and Footwear for Older Adults (fact sheet, 2024)
- NCOA: How the Right Shoes Can Protect You From Falling
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is general information, not medical or professional advice. This site is not affiliated with any government agency or product maker.
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