Shoes That Help Prevent Falls

shoes are one layer, not the whole plan

The fall-safe shoe map

Before new shoes, do the home fall-prevention pass: the same walkway that trips a parent in bad shoes is still a risk in good ones.

1. Buy nothing firstThe home walkway comes before the shoesThe home fall-prevention guide fixes the tripping surfaces, and the strength and balance guide builds the parent's own stability: shoes are one layer of the plan, not the plan.
2. The shoes that helpClosed-back, non-slip soles, low wide heels, secure fitThe NIA's falls guidance names the risk factors (backless shoes, high heels, foot pain) and the practical read is simple: shoes that stay on the foot, support it, and grip the floor.
3. What to skipBackless, loose, and heeledSlip-ons without a heel counter let the foot slide out mid-step, high heels are a documented risk factor, and shoes that are too loose are their own trip hazard.
4. The buy ruleFit matters more than style, and wet floors change the gameTry shoes with the socks the parent wears, walk on the actual floors, and check the walkers and canes map if balance support is the real need.

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What the research says about footwear

The NIA's falls and fractures guide names unsafe footwear among the risk factors for falling: foot problems that cause pain, backless shoes, and high heels all increase the risk. The practical read: shoes that stay on the foot, support it, and grip the floor are the ones that help.

The shoes that help

• Closed-back shoes. Slip-ons without a back heel let the foot slide out mid-step. A shoe with a real heel counter stays put.
• Non-slip soles. A rubber or textured sole grips tile, wood, and pavement. The bathroom safety guide notes that wet floors make grip the whole game.
• Low, wide heels. Flat or low heels with a wide base keep the parent stable; high heels are a documented risk factor.
• A secure fit. Shoes that are too loose are a trip hazard. Laces, velcro, or a snug slip-on that the parent can manage matter more than style.

The shoes to avoid

• Backless slippers and slides. They come off mid-step and give no support; the NIA guidance flags them directly.
• High heels. A fall risk on any surface, at any age.
• Barefoot or socks-only indoors. Socks on hard floors are a classic slip setup; the bedroom safety guide covers the same floor problem at night.

How to shop with a parent

1. Fit the afternoon foot. Feet swell through the day; shop when the parent's feet are at their largest.
2. Walk the store. A shoe only counts if the parent can walk comfortably in it on a hard floor. Test the grip and the back of the heel.
3. Buy one pair first. Try the pair at home for a week before buying the second. The walker and cane guide applies the same rule to mobility aids.

Related guides

• Fall prevention at home
• Strength and balance exercises
• Walkers and canes: what to buy

Sources & verification

This page is checked against the standards in our editorial policy, preferring government sources. Reviewed August 2026:

• NIA: Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention (retrieved August 2026)

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Quick answers

Common questions, answered plainly. The details match the sources above.

Do shoes really affect fall risk?

Yes. The National Institute on Aging lists unsafe footwear, including backless shoes and high heels, among the risk factors for falls in older adults. Shoes that stay on the foot, support it, and grip the floor reduce that risk.

What is the single most important shoe feature?

A closed-back shoe with a non-slip sole that fits snugly. Backless slippers and high heels are the documented problems; grip and a secure fit are the fixes.

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