People Say They've Had '0 Falls' Since Wearing These Anti-Trip Shoes Made For Anyone With Poor Balance
The experts consulted for this story do not endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Footwear plays an incredibly important role in preventing falls, particularly in older adults and individuals who struggle with balance, mobility, or neurological conditions. This is all according to board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Bobby Pourziaee , who called the concept behind Cadense shoes "innovative" and claims it "addresses a real problem seen in patients with balance and walking difficulties."
Pourziaee explained that a common cause of tripping is inadequate foot clearance during the swing phase of walking. "When someone does not lift their foot high enough, the front of the shoe can catch on the floor, causing them to stumble or fall," he said.
And when it comes to traditional footwear specifically, Pourziaee said some shoe designs can actually increase the likelihood of tripping, especially if a shoe has excessive traction, bulky soles, or prominent edges that can catch on the ground.
The Cadense shoes, on the other hand, are lightweight, feature a wide, stable base, supportive cushioning, and a "rocking sole" that helps the wearer step forward with greater ease.
"What I find particularly interesting about Cadense is that the sole is designed to allow the foot to glide forward when it encounters the ground unexpectedly, rather than abruptly stopping the forward motion," he said, referencing the sole's designated grip and glide zones. "Once the person places their weight on the shoe, the design is intended to provide traction and stability."
Cadense anti-trip shoes come in options for both men and women. Cadense
Available in sizes for both men and women, two widths and multiple colors, the brand's original adaptive shoes are made with breathable uppers to help prevent foot sweating, a Velcro closure and a wide opening to make foot entry easier. But if you're someone who is hoping for these anti-trip benefits in more than just a tennis shoe, Cadense also offers many different shoe styles, from Mary Janes for women to derby dress shoes for men.
According to Pourziaee, though the Cadense design may be helpful for people with specific gait challenges, "the effectiveness of this technology depends on the individual and the walking surface." He did reference a recently published study that found substantial reductions in self-reported falls among people wearing these shoes.
"Although larger controlled studies are still needed, I find the early results encouraging, particularly for patients who struggle with foot clearance and frequently trip while walking," Pourziaee said.
Perhaps just as encouraging are the positive experiences reported by Cadense wearers who have opted for these shoes due to a number of mobility limitations, including cerebral palsy and drop foot.
"I have drop foot and would stumble in pretty much all my shoes. The toes would grab the floor and lurch me forward, once or twice sending me to the floor," one Cadense shopper wrote in a review . "The Cadense Adaptive Shoes eliminate that and allow me to walk more confidently."
Read more encouraging testimonials about these potentially helpful shoes down below.
Promising Cadense reviews:
" No more tripping on sidewalks! I love these shoes." — aron kansal
"I was a little skeptical at first of an 'Adaptive Shoe' but I put them on for the first time and was very impressed. These sneakers are like anything that I purchased in the past. When you have Cerebral Palsy or any Disability it's definitely challenging to find a brand like this. These shoes not only look great but to help you to have a stable structure to walk on. The level of comfort also helps . I would definitely Recommend These to anyone." — Brian Whitney
"I was hesitant to buy these shoes because I thought the sliders would wear out quickly from concrete and such. I have had my first pair for 10 months. I wear them every day and they have held up great. I have not fallen once since I started wearing them ." — Bobby
"This was my second pair of Cadence shoes - one black, one white for different looks and outfits. Both look like I am wearing standard sports shoes. I have drop foot and would stumble in pretty much all my shoes. The toes would grab the floor and lurch me forward, once or twice sending me to the floor. The Cadense Adaptive Shoes eliminate that and allow me to walk more confidently. The only objection you might find is the somewhat noisy clicking of the hard glides against solid wood, stone or tile. That's distracting at first, but you get past that rather quickly. I mean, that feature is the whole reason they work so you just accept it. I no longer where any sort of supportive braces when I'm wearing the Cadense shoes. They are not cheap but they are worth every penney of the cost. I highly recommend them." — Will Tucker
"Prior to wearing these shoes, I have experienced falls of 2-3 per week. SInce the shoes, 0 falls over the last 8 weeks ." — Dale Lippert
If you want to shop for more balance-promoting footwear, previously recommended by experts , take a look at the collection below:
DSW
One of Saucony's most famous sneaker designs
According to a board-certified podiatrist who previously spoke to HuffPost , this shoe by Saucony has a 6-millimeter heel-to-forefoot drop to place the foot in a more balanced position. The brand uses its 'CenterPath' Technology to help keep the foot balanced and stable during motion. It comes in multiple widths to accommodate multiple foot types, but you can only get the additional widths at Saucony's site at this time.
Promising review: "Super comfy plus look super: I have many pairs of saucony shoes. These are the most comfortable shoe I own.They also look super. Very happy with this purchase." — anonymous
Shop all sizes and widths at Saucony
Amazon
A pair of surgeon-recommended sneakers
Another board-certified podiatrist previously told HuffPost that the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is another good shoe option for balance, as it's a structured walking shoe with a stable platform and a slip-resistant outsole. For someone who spends a lot of time walking or standing but wants more support than a typical casual shoe, it can be a very practical choice.
It's a certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoe and has been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance . The brand's extended progressive diagonal rollbar can provide full-body support, making it easy to take natural strides safely. It's a good option for people who need extra arch and pronation control.
Promising review: "I didn't realize how much I needed this type of shoe. Wearing them helps my balance, I can walk much better & they are quite comfortable. Love my Brooks tennis shoes. Thank you." — RT
Zappos
A pair of specially-designed, expert-recommended New Balance sneakers
New Balance's "rollbar" stability technology, previously recommended by podiatrists, supports enhanced motion control and comes in a variety of widths to accommodate a wider foot structure.
One podiatrist, in particular, said they often recommend the New Balance 928v3 for people who need a very stable walking shoe. It has a broad platform, strong support through the rearfoot and midfoot, and comes in multiple widths, which matters because proper fit can greatly affect stability.
You can get these supremely cushy shoes in a wide variety of sizes and widths, along with three different colors.
Promising review: " I wear these everyday. They give me stability, and keep me from getting back aches.I have been wearing this same still for over 15 years now. I have tried other styles and other brands, but none compare to the comfort and ease of walking like these do. I should admit I am a very active 70 year old. there are WW928, I do not remember what the original number was but I continue to buy the current model 2 times a year." — anonymous
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