Velcro shoes are an easy way to make an active lifestyle easier if you have ailments that make putting on shoes difficult. In this post, you will learn about the best Velcro shoes for seniors and the elderly.
Having a pair of securely fitting comfortable shoes is important for being active outside. If you have lower back pain, arthritis, weak legs, or any other ailment that prevents you from comfortably putting on your shoes this can severely affect your motivation to go outside and be active.
Exercise and an active lifestyle are very important for your health as you age. We are funny in the way our motivation works. Only the most strong-willed individuals can force themselves to do things that cause discomfort or pain. That’s why it’s extremely important you find activities and solutions that make you enjoy exercise. And make starting the activity effortlessly.
This can be as simple as finding shoes that are easy, fast, and comfortable to put on, so you choose to go for a walk instead of staying inside. This is where Velcro shoes come in. But what exactly are Velcro shoes? Let’s take a look!
What Are Velcro Shoes
Velcro shoes are shoes with adhesive Velcro strips as a fastening mechanism instead of laces. This makes them much faster to put on and take off. Because they have a fastening mechanism unlike slip-on shoes, they will stay securely on your feet while walking.
Velcro shoes come in all forms and uses. There are Velcro-fastened walking shoes, leisure shoes, trekking shoes, running shoes, work boots, etc. Pretty much any kind of shoe you can think of will likely have a Velcro-fastened version available.
Velcro is a type of adhesive fastener for clothes and shoes. It consists of two strips of plastic. The other is covered with tiny loops of fur and the other is covered in tiny plastic hooks. When the hooks are pressed against the fur, they will stick to it but can be separated without breaking the mechanism thousands of times.
Here’s a great explanation of the Velcro strap by Design Squad Global (YouTube embed. Content not created or owned by ElderStrength.com):
Velcro is actually the company that first manufactured this kind of fastening device and owns the patent for them. Thus it’s become synonymous with this type of fastener. The Velcro mechanism was invented by Swiss electrical engineer George De Mestral in 1941 when he examined why burdock seeds clung so well to his coat and dog fur.
Pros And Cons Of Velcro Shoes For Seniors
The pros of Velcro shoes are that they require minimal time and dexterity to fasten. You simply slip the shoe on your feet and wrap and press the fastener. The Velcro allows the shoe to stay in place as securely as if you had tied laces.
This makes Velcro shoes optimal if you have problems with your dexterity or grip strength. Many many conditions can make tieing laces impossible. But that doesn’t have to mean you can’t use comfortable shoes. The Velcro strap is much easier to fasten even with shaky hands or finger dexterity problems.
The cons are that eventually, the Velcro will lose its adhesion as the mechanism wears down. Since the Velcro is usually sewn into the shoe, this means the shoe will usually become unusable. Unless you take it to a shoemaker for replacement Velcro pads. With shoelaces, you can naturally just replace the laces if they break.
Velcro shoes are also not optimal for long treks or walks. Or for running for that matter. This is because the straps can deteriorate quite fast. They are meant for more casual use.
I recommend you check out the articles Best Running Shoes for Seniors and Best Walking Shoes For Seniors if you are looking for something a bit sturdier.
Why are Velcro shoes useful for seniors?
Moving on your own feet, going outside interacting with the world, and just generally having an active lifestyle are one of the most important things for your physical and mental health as you age.
The things that affect how easily we choose to go for a walk outside instead of sitting in front of the TV are incredibly simple. People choose the easier option 90 percent of the time. Even if you truly enjoy going outside, you might choose to stay inside. And be inactive if going outside requires several discomforting and possibly painful steps.
Having comfortable shoes that are easy to put on even if you suffer ailments or disabilities like arthritis, lower back pain, mobility issues, etc. are very important for making the decision to put your shoes on and go outside for a walk. If you have diabetes or other ailments that cause discomfort and swelling in the legs, there are special adaptive shoes for the elderly as well.
If going outside means you will have to suffer through 5 minutes of pain and discomfort the odds that you choose to stay inside become much higher. If bending over to tie your shoes is uncomfortable you will not do it. Plain and simple.
Better Than Slippers
Velcro shoes are the perfect solution when you need something that’s sturdy and stable enough to be safe for long walks and are easy to put on. Slippers and slip-on shoes can be even easier to put on. But they are not as safe because they aren’t fastened to your feet in any way.
This can cause you to slip during walking. Which can lead to a stumble or a fall. Having to be careful not to let the shoe lift off your feet will also affect your balance negatively.
Fall prevention is very important as you age as falls are often detrimental to your long-term health. So choose shoes that are easy to tighten securely on your feet. It’s also important to choose shoes with a good grip to avoid slips.
Check out the article How To Prevent Falls In The Elderly for more tips on fall prevention.
Best Men’s Velcro Shoes For Seniors
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Let’s start by looking at a couple of great options for older gentlemen.
1. Propet Men’s Vista Strap Shoe
Our first shoe is the Propet Men’s Vista Strap Shoe. It’s a classic leather walking shoe with two Velcro straps. It’s made out of real leather except for the sole which is a synthetic rubber. The two Velcro straps make it easier to adjust the fit depending on the shape of your foot.
The shoe has top reviews on Amazon and most users have used several pairs, so definitely a high-quality shoe that you will enjoy using!
2. Propét Men’s TravelFit Strap Walking Shoe
The second shoe is another Propet product, the TravelFit Strap Walking shoe. It’s a synthetic shoe with a bit of a more modern and casual look. Suitable for any age really. It’s made out of synthetic textile material and has a synthetic rubber sole.
This model has a single Velcro strap which means less adjustability but is even faster to put on. It’s a bit wider than standard fit shoes and lightweight build to make it very comfortable during travel and extended wear.
The shoes have top reviews on Amazon (4.1 out of 5 stars), so definitely high-quality shoes!
Best Women’s Velcro shoes for seniors
The next models are meant for the ladies.
1. Copper Fit Women’s Spirit Strap Sneaker
The first shoes are the Copper Fit Women’s Spirit Strap Sneaker. It’s a sneaker that’s designed for an active lifestyle that features mesh lining, lightweight design, and odor-reducing technology. The perfect shoe for outdoor activities with a design that allows ultimate comfort and breathability.
It features lightweight flexible soles, with adaptive and cushioned EVA sole for shock absorption. The shoe has one Velcro strap mechanism and a stretchable mesh design which makes it extremely easy to put on and take off.
The best part is that they look very good and get this, they have a full 5 out of 5 ratings at Amazon! You can’t really go wrong with this shoe and they will definitely not disappoint you!
2. Leader Show Women’s Elderly Casual Comfort Walking Shoe
The second model is a very affordable walking shoe specially designed for elderly women: Leader Show Women’s Elderly Casual Comfort Walking Shoe. It features a single Velcro strap design, spacious toe space, lightweight design, reflectors for added safety in the dark. And mesh fabric outer material for breathability.
It’s a fairly basic shoe but it has extremely positive reviews on Amazon (4.3 out of 5) so they are definitely a good bang for the buck. For the price, you will definitely not be disappointed with what you get!
Conclusion
I hope you found my review of the best Velcro shoes for seniors and the elderly useful and will try the shoes as an option yourself. Velcro shoes are definitely a good option if you have trouble using regular shoes. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments section below and I will be happy to answer them!
Having a pair of comfortable, secure, and easy-to-fit shoes is important for outdoor activities. Velcro shoes are definitely a good option if you are looking for shoes that are easy to use. Velcro makes it very easy to put on and take off your shoes as it’s a simple single-movement fasting mechanism. No need to bend over and squat down to tie your shoelaces.
Then again, if you have trouble tieing your shoelaces because it feels too strenuous, an active lifestyle and strength training are very good ways to take care of your health as you age.
If you have trouble being active due to weak muscles and mobility issues, definitely check out my free workout routine. It’s super simple and easy to learn and only takes about 15 minutes to complete in the beginning. You do the workout three times a week so that’s a total of 45 minutes of your week to make your health improve, sounds reasonable right?
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See you next time!