Research shows that constant well-monitored exercises such as walking can play a pivotal role in relieving symptoms of Parkinson’s and also help the patients move independently. These walks can be done in fields, around the house, or on treadmills at a moderate pace.
It is important to note that since these walks are meant to help relieve one of the effects of Parkinson’s, a movement disorder, the footwear used for it shouldn’t be randomly picked. It should have features that will help in the recovery process of the patients.
Before we get into the detailed review of Vibram shoes to wear for Parkinson’s patients, here is a short view of the shoes.
| S/no | Name | Unique Features | Rating (1-5) |
| 1. | Vibram Men’s V-Trek Shoe | It has the V-trek technology which helps relieve stress from the knees and also strengthen the feet. | 4.6 |
| 2. | Vibram Five Fingers Women’s CVT-Leather Shoe
|
It is made with a soft CVT and Kangaroo leather material which ensures its breathability and sweat-resistance. | 4.7 |
| 3. | Vibram Five Fingers Men’s 2.0 V-Train Shoe
|
It is properly cushioned with the Ultra GO cushioning technology which makes it hugs your feet firmly | 4.9 |
| 4. | Vibram Five Fingers Women’s V-Soul Shoe | It has a double velcro strap closure system for fit customization. | 4.4 |
| 5. | Vibram Men’s V-Aqua Water Shoe | Its sole is built with an anti-slip feature | 4.6 |
| 6. | Vibram 2.0 Stylish Women’s Sneakers | It is built with a Thermal Polyurethane (TPU) lining for the provision of top-notch support | 4.7 |
| 7. | Vibram Five Fingers Men’s CVT-Hemp Shoe | It has an EVA insole and an antimicrobial lining. | 4.5 |
| 8. | Vibram Women’s KSO Running Shoe | It is constructed with an XS Trek Rubber Design for exceptional performance | 4.6 |
| 9. | Vibram Women’s V-Trek Running Shoe | It is built with the Megagrip technology which hugs your feet firmly | 4.6 |
| 10. | Vibram Five Fingers V-Alpha Shoe | It drains water and sweat out of your feet properly | 4.4 |
What features must the shoes for Parkinson’s patients have?
The footwear should be lightweight, comfortable, have a closure system that allows you to adjust and customize its fit, be stable, have a great feeling when worn, and have a well-built sole.
Lightweight
Parkinson makes your ankles and feet stiff, so adding more weight to it through your footwear will be a very bad idea and will also retard your movement further.
Shoe must have that barefoot feeling
After ensuring your shoe is lightweight, you must also make sure it provides your feet with a barefoot feeling which could make you forget you have shoes on while also providing a soft feeling to your feet when worn.
Lace-up Closure System
The footwear used for these walks should have either a lace-up closure system, a velcro lace-up closure system, or both, so that you can adjust it to fit properly and hold the feet in place while you walk, preventing you from falling.
Shoe must be stable and fit
One of the symptoms of Parkinson’s is shaking, so in as much as you take short walks, your feet will shake at intervals, so, you will need a stable shoe that will help keep you balanced and on your feet hence preventing you from falling and sustaining injuries.
The sole must be sturdy, strong enough to protect feet
The importance of soles in this scenario cannot be overemphasized as they help hold your feet up properly, protects your feet from rocks, metals, and glasses while you walk, and also provides adequate traction.
You must also ensure they have an anti-slip design and can adapt to different surfaces.
Without a doubt, Vibram is one brand that comes to mind when the above features are stated. They have shoes in its collection which offer these features and even more.
So, we highlighted a list of some Vibram shoes which are best for Parkinson’s patients, to save you the stress.
Detailed review of my top 10 shoes for Parkinson’s patients
Vibram Men’s V-Trek Shoe
These well-constructed and well-cushioned shoes are made with top-quality and have standout features which can aid Parkinson’s patients while they take short walks or use the treadmill.
They feature V-trek technology which will help relieve stress from the knees of Parkinson’s patients, and aged men/women, and also strengthen your feet for ease in movement.
They are sleek, lightweight, and enhance the flexible movement of your feet. This long-lasting footwear also fits like a glove and holds your heel up properly.
They offer maximum comfort to your feet even without socks, however, you can decide to put on light socks for added comfort.
Its breathable upper is made with 50% wood and 50% synthetic material and its interior is built with enough space to allow your feet to relax and move freely.
And unlike the velcro closure used on most Vibram shoes, this pair is built with a lace-up closure system with sporty laces which are structured like the ones on sneakers for advanced fit customization.
These minimalistic shoes are also built with a higher ankle design as compared to its previous editions, to prevent debris from getting into your feet and holding them up properly.
In addition, they offer your feet enhanced stability which is a great feature that will help aid the movement of Parkinson’s patients.
It also gives your feet a barefoot feeling and has a slightly thick polyurethane midsole for advanced comfort and support.
Its sole is made with a rubber material and a Megagrip technology that hugs your feet firmly holds it in place and produces no noise while you walk around the house or on hard surfaces.
It is also built to give your feet a greet ground feel and extra protection even on the hardest surfaces.
In addition, it has an anti-slip build-up which makes it wearable on both wet and dry surfaces and can be cleaned by washing in a washing machine and air-dried.
Vibram Five Fingers Women’s CVT-Leather Shoe
These durable shoes are as light as a feather and provide superior comfort, making them wearable all day long. They have a pull-on closure system and are built for stress-free slip-on and off.
These minimalist shoes which have the traditional Vibram five-fingers style are built to keep your toes in place without restrictions and feature commendable stability which will help aid in your movement.
The upper of this stylish and durable footwear is made with a soft CVT and Kangaroo leather material which ensures its breathability and sweat-resistance.
In addition, these shoes which can be worn indoors and outdoor fit like a glove and provide a smooth feel while also giving your feet gives your feet enough room to relax and move around. It also fits true to size so you don’t have to worry about its sizing.
Its lightweight sole is built with VI-LITE and XS TREK technology which provides proper shock absorption on every step that you take and adequate traction. This shoe can also be converted into a slip-on clog by simply bending over its heel region.
This casual shoe which is washable using a washing machine and air-dried for rapid dryness has received countless reviews by its users and still maintains an 80% 5-star rating, which speaks volumes about the quality it provides.
Vibram Five Fingers Men’s 2.0 V-Train Shoe
Vibram Five Fingers Men’s 2.0 V-Train Shoe is a fully functional shoe that gives your feet great stability and balance on every step you take.
This feature in conjunction with the slight massage that the footwear gives your feet when worn will play key roles in making your walking process an easy and stress-free one.
This footwear fits like a glove, offers top-notch comfort to your feet, provides a soft feel to the feet on every step you take, has a slightly snug fit, and gives your feet a barefoot feeling.
The comfort provided by this footwear is maintained even if you have flat feet with little or no arch.
This five finger-styled shoe has a well-built, tough, and durable upper which provides adequate protection for your feet and provides adequate arch support with its round and traction lugs.
It is also properly cushioned with Ultra GO cushioning technology which makes it hugs your feet firmly and a wide interior that gives your toes enough room to move freely without restriction.
Furthermore, it is constructed with XS Trek Rubber Design for top-performance, enhanced flexibility of your feet, enhanced responsiveness, and an inbuilt sock-like lining which gives your feet a great feel.
This footwear which has been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for use in the improvement of general foot health is made with both lace and hook-and-loop closure systems for fit customization and for properly holding the feet in place.
Its dual-density sole is well-developed, as compared to its previous editions but still maintains its barefoot feel, adequate shock absorption capability, proper traction, and slip-resistance.
It also has a non-marking buildup which makes it wearable both indoors and outdoor. In addition, it is waterproof and dries up rapidly when washed using either hands or a washing machine.
They are true to size and have a 90-days warranty attached to them, in case you experience a defect in this period.
You might also experience difficulties getting your feet fitted into its five fingers pocket at first, but once it gets in, its fitting becomes stress-free from then henceforth.
Vibram Five Fingers Women’s V-Soul Shoe
Vibram Five Fingers Women’s V-Soul Shoe is an amazing and extremely comfortable shoe that aids the flexible movement of your feet and provides your feet with a barefoot feeling which makes you forget you have footwear on.
Made with polyester material, this lightweight shoe provides your feet with a great feeling when you have them on, and provides your feet with adequate protection, in case you lose your step or get on a hard substance.
Furthermore, these five-fingers minimalistic shoes which are great for patients with wide and flat feet fit like a glove, have a double velcro strap closure system for fit customization, and hold your feet in place.
Its upper is well-ventilated and breathable hence allowing air to circulate properly, preventing sweat or moisture from accumulating on your feet.
Meanwhile, its sole, which is made with Vibram rubber material offers adequate traction and can be worn both indoors and outdoor. It also ensures the footwear’s firm grip on your feet.
However, the materials which this shoe is made up of could stand as a blockage as to why these shoes shouldn’t be cleaned using the washing machine after using them as it could damage it.
The velcro strap closure system on this shoe is also extremely short and makes it hard to clip together. Its short design makes it nearly impossible to get it attached to its loop and properly hold the footwear in place.
Vibram Men’s V-Aqua Water Shoe
Vibram Men’s V-Aqua Water Shoe is an extremely lightweight and comfortable shoe that is built with an anti-slip feature and also features perforations that allow water to pass through it for rapid dryness.
It also enhances the flexible movement of your feet and provides it with a barefoot feeling.
In addition to its well-made lining is the silicone prints in its inner structure which help give your feet a secured fit and prevent you from slipping.
It is also built with a five-finger build-up style, with every toe going into its slot, ensuring a firm grip and a snug fit that gives you full control of your movement.
Its sole is made with a rubber material and a Megagrip technology that hugs your feet firmly and holds it in place on both wet and dry surfaces.
In addition, this highly durable sole holds up well and is well-constructed to protect your feet from being affected if you step on rocks, glasses, metals as you walk.
Furthermore, it is built to adapt to any surface it steps on and has commendable balance and stability which prevents you from falling while you walk.
This footwear which is washable using a washing machine and air-dried for rapid dryness has a commendable versatility and can be used for several activities. However, its drawback is that it has little to no arch support
Vibram 2.0 Stylish Women’s Sneakers
Vibram 2.0 Women’s Sneakers are shoes that have a cute look that complements their exceptional features.
These stylish shoes are built with a Thermal Polyurethane (TPU) lining for the provision of top-notch support and an XS Trek Rubber Design for top-performance, enhanced flexibility of your feet, and top-notch responsiveness on each step you take.
It has extreme comfortability which makes it wearable all day long and provides adequate arch support with its round and traction lugs. It is also durable, well-made to protect your feet, and gives your feet a great feel of the ground while you walk.
In addition, it fits perfectly and is true to size, so you should endeavor to order your actual size. It is also built with both lace and hook & loop closure system for fit customization and adjustability.
Furthermore, it is constructed to give your feet great balance and commendable stability while also being washable using a washing machine.
It has an EVA footbed, in conjunction with a polyester sock liner for an extra soft feel and a well-cushioned and well-built rubber sole that provides adequate traction.
Vibram Five Fingers Men’s CVT-Hemp Shoe
This CVT-Hemp Vibram shoe provides support to your feet, enhances the flexible movement of your feet, and has adequate stability.
It also gives your feet responsive feedback as you move in them, which will make your walking process less stressful.
It also holds up well, fits properly, and moves well with your feet, while also offering maximum protection to your feet.
This well-made thin footwear is long-lasting so you don’t have to worry about getting another model anytime soon if you order this pair.
In addition, it is super comfortable, making it great for all-day wear, and has a barefoot feeling which makes you feel like you don’t have shoes on. It also has an easy slip-on and off design and provides warmth in cold weather conditions.
Its comfortability is maintained even without wearing socks, however, the choice of either putting them on or not is left to you.
Its polyester upper is breathable and keeps your feet sweat and moisture-free. Meanwhile, its EVA insole has an antimicrobial lining which is complemented with a sock liner and a rubber midsole.
Furthermore, it has a rubber sole which provides maximum traction and prevents you from slipping on wet surfaces.
This casual footwear needs to be washed constantly to preserve its structure and color. However, you don’t have to worry about how long you will have to go without them as they dry up in no time.
In terms of sizing, they run small, so you must endeavor to order one which is a full-size up.
Vibram Women’s KSO Running Shoe
The Kick Stuff Out (KSO)-style of five fingers Vibram shoes are the most renowned due to their versatility and exceptional features it provides and this model isn’t an exception.
It is lightweight and is constructed with an XS Trek Rubber Design for exceptional performance, enhanced flexibility of your feet, and mind-blowing responsiveness on each step you take.
It also fits perfectly, has a snug fit, and provides your feet with superior comfort which makes it wearable all day long.
In addition, it provides your feet with a barefoot feeling and has a hook and loop closure system for fit customization and adjustability.
This footwear is also long-lasting and offers stability which helps in creating ease in your movements.
Its upper is made with a blend of stretchable polyamide, Hypalon and polyester materials.
Meanwhile, it has a thick sole that gives you great feedback and responsiveness in every step you take while also protecting your feet from being affected by harmful objects which you might step on while you walk.
Its sole also provides adequate traction, holds your feet in place, has a firm grip on your feet, and provides a great balance to your feet.
The lacking of a marking of this sole makes it wearable indoors and outdoor.
It is also washable using your hands or a washing machine.
Vibram Women’s V-Trek Running Shoe
The Vibram Women’s V-Trek Running Shoe is a lightweight shoe which has provides a barefoot feeling and increased ankle support as compared to other V-trek Vibram shoes.
It is also built with a lace-up closure system with sporty laces for fit customization and adjustability and a fiber lining which makes it rugged hence ensuring its durability.
In addition, its stretchy and super comfortable upper is built with a blend of 50 % polyester and 50% wool materials which forms its breathable and smell-wicking structure.
It has a perfect, snug fit and moves well with your feet. It can also be worn with or without socks and still maintain its level of comfort.
Its midsole is made with a polyurethane (PU) material, with slight thickness to provide your feet with added comfort and support while you take short walks or use the treadmill.
Meanwhile, its sole is made with a rubber material, and the exceptional Megagrip technology hugs your feet firmly, holds it in place on any kind of surface, and enhances the flexible movement of your feet.
Despite its exceptional features, this shoe which can be cleaned by washing it in a washing machine and air-drying has inadequate arch support.
Vibram Five Fingers V-Alpha Shoe
Vibram Five Fingers V-Alpha Shoe is a minimalistic and trail shoe that drains water and sweat out of your feet properly and has a comfortable snug fit.
This long-lasting shoe also offers your feet a barefoot and soft feeling, great ankle support, and adequate width to allow your feet to relax and move freely, making it great for those with either flat or wide feet.
Furthermore, it has an upper that is made with a blend of 50 % polyester and 50% wool materials which makes it breathable and prevents it from having an unpleasant odor.
This upper is also coupled with an antimicrobial interior lining and a well-constructed insole which provide your feet with added comfort.
Furthermore, its sole, which is made with a rugged rubber material grips your feet firmly on both wet and dry surfaces and enhances the flexible movement of your feet.
It also gives your feet a great ground feel while protecting them from glasses, rocks, or any harmful objects you might step on while you walk.
This sole which also provides adequate security for your feet has slip-resistance but isn’t waterproof.
However, in the aspect of sizing, this machine-washable footwear runs small, so you must endeavor to order a size up.
It is advisable that you avoid the use of thick socks on this footwear as it could make it extremely uncomfortable for you.
Related:
- 10 Best Shoes for SI Joint Pain
- 12 Best Running Shoes for Hamstring Injury
- 15 Best Comfortable Sandals for Disney World
- 10 Best Shoes for Piriformis Syndrome
- 15 Best Metatarsus Adductus Shoes for Toddlers
- 12 Best Shoes for Lupus Patients
This page may contain affiliate links.
To support the content and the knowledge I share here, I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon at no extra cost to you.