For most women over 60, the shoe that fits best is going to be a women-specific design with a true width option — and the three picks that come up over and over for good reason are the Ryka Devotion Plus (built on a woman’s last from the ground up), the Vionic Walker (if you want built-in arch support), and the New Balance 847 in a women’s width (if your foot has gotten wider, narrower, or just changed shape in the last few years). If you want a slip-on you can get out the door in fast, the Skechers GO WALK line is the honest pick — lighter on support, but easy on the feet and easy on the hands.
Below is what makes each one work, who should skip it, and why a women’s-specific shoe usually fits better than a unisex one once you’re past 60.
Why women’s feet need a women’s shoe after 60
The short version: women’s feet aren’t just smaller men’s feet, and the differences matter more as you get older.
A few things tend to be true:
- Narrower heel relative to the forefoot. A unisex shoe sized to fit your forefoot will often slip at the heel, which causes blisters and that little half-step of instability you feel on every stride.
- Higher rate of bunions and forefoot widening. Many women notice their shoe size creeping up half a size (or their old shoes feeling tight across the ball of the foot) somewhere in their 50s or 60s. That’s normal, and it’s a sign to get re-measured rather than to size up in the same model.
- Arch changes. Arches tend to drop a bit over time, which can shift how your weight lands and make a shoe that felt great at 50 feel flat and unsupportive at 65.
This is why “just buy your husband’s shoe in a smaller size” is bad advice. A shoe like Ryka is designed on a woman’s foot shape — narrower heel, roomier forefoot, different arch placement — rather than scaled down from a men’s mold. That’s the single biggest reason a women-specific pick usually beats a unisex one for fit.
The other thing worth knowing: women’s walking shoes come in real widths. B is standard (medium), D is wide, 2E is extra wide, and some brands offer 2A (narrow). If you’ve never bought by width, that’s the first thing to fix.
Fit basics before you buy
The detailed in-store checklist — toe room, heel slip, the twist test, when to shop — is laid out in the all-day-comfort walking shoes guide, so I won’t repeat it here. The quick version: get measured (both feet, standing up, late in the day), don’t assume your size hasn’t changed, and walk around the store for a few minutes before deciding.
One thing to add specifically for women over 60: if you’ve been having any hip stiffness after sitting or general foot fatigue at the end of the day, that’s often a fit-or-cushion problem, not just an age problem. A shoe that supports your stride properly can make more difference than people expect.
The picks
Ryka Devotion Plus — best overall fit for most women
Ryka only makes women’s shoes, and the brand is built around the idea that a woman’s foot deserves its own last (the foot-shaped mold a shoe is built around). The Devotion Plus is their walking-and-light-fitness shoe with a roomier forefoot, a snugger heel cup, and enough cushion for a full day on your feet without feeling mushy.
Best for: women who’ve struggled with heel slip in unisex shoes, or who find most walking shoes too narrow across the toes.
Skip if: you need 2E width (Ryka’s width range is more limited than New Balance’s), or you specifically want a podiatrist-style built-in arch — Ryka’s arch support is moderate, not aggressive.
Vionic Walker — best if you want built-in arch support
Vionic was founded by a podiatrist, and the brand’s whole pitch is orthotic-style support built into the shoe so you don’t need a separate insert. The Walker is their classic lace-up walking shoe — supportive midfoot, structured heel, and a footbed that genuinely holds your arch rather than just feeling padded.
Best for: women with flatter arches, plantar fatigue at the end of the day, or anyone who’s been told they “need more support.”
Skip if: you have a high arch and find structured footbeds uncomfortable, or you prefer a softer, more flexible shoe. The Vionic is firmer underfoot than the Ryka, and some people love that; some don’t.
New Balance 847 (women’s, in B/D/2E) — best for hard-to-fit feet
The 847 is the workhorse of the New Balance walking line, and the reason it shows up on so many lists for women over 60 is the width range. You can get it in B (standard), D (wide), and 2E (extra wide), which covers almost everyone — including the very common situation where your foot has widened with age and your old size just doesn’t work anymore.
Best for: wide feet, bunions, swelling, or any “I can’t find anything that fits” situation. Also a solid pick if you walk long distances and want a more stable, structured shoe.
Skip if: you have a narrow foot (the standard B may still feel roomy), or you want something lightweight and flexible. The 847 is built like a walking shoe should be — substantial, supportive, not flashy.
Skechers GO WALK — best slip-on for easy on and off
Honest take: the GO WALK isn’t the most supportive shoe on this list, and it’s not pretending to be. What it is, is light, soft, and easy to put on without bending all the way down or fighting with laces. For a lot of women over 60, that combination — especially if you’ve got any back or knee stiffness — is what gets the shoe actually worn instead of sitting in the closet.
Best for: errands, light walking, travel, anyone who values convenience and a soft underfoot feel.
Skip if: you walk long distances (3+ miles regularly), need real arch support, or have unstable ankles — in that case look at a structured lace-up like the 847 or a proper ankle brace paired with a more supportive shoe.
FAQ
Do I really need a women’s-specific shoe, or can I just buy a unisex one? You can buy unisex, but most women find the heel slips because the heel-to-forefoot ratio is wrong. If a unisex shoe happens to fit you well, great — keep wearing it. If you’ve been blaming yourself for blisters or instability, try a women’s last and see if the problem just disappears.
My feet got wider in the last few years. Is that normal? Yes, very common. Arches drop a bit, ligaments loosen slightly, and the forefoot spreads. Get re-measured rather than sizing up in the same width — moving from B to D in the same length is often the actual fix.
Should I get insoles, or pick a shoe with built-in support? Either approach works. The Vionic Walker has support built in, which is simpler. The Ryka and the 847 leave room for a custom insole if you already have one you like. If you’ve never used an insole, start with a shoe that has support built in.
How often should I replace walking shoes? Most walking shoes are good for around 400–500 miles, or roughly 6–12 months of regular use. The clearest sign is when the cushion starts to feel flat and your feet are more tired at the end of the day than they used to be.
Are these shoes okay for travel and long days on my feet? The Ryka, Vionic, and New Balance 847 all handle long days well. The GO WALK is fine for travel days where you’re mostly moving around an airport or sightseeing in short bursts, but not what I’d reach for if you’re doing a walking tour all afternoon.
Bottom line
Start with the Ryka Devotion Plus if you want the best women’s-specific fit for a typical foot, the Vionic Walker if you want built-in arch support, or the New Balance 847 in a wide width if your feet have changed shape and standard shoes just don’t work anymore. The Skechers GO WALK is a reasonable convenience pick, not your main walking shoe. Whichever you choose, get re-measured first — at 60+, your shoe size and width are probably not what you think they are, and that single fix makes a bigger difference than the brand.