Bought these walkers for my 94 y.o. mother, who is beginning to show signs of her age. No more shoe laces for me to tie up for her. The sole helps her balance and the snugness stabilizes her foot in the shoe. She normally wore a narrow shoe but her doctor recommended these, with a thick white sports sock to cushion her toes. Bought a 2nd pair - one for indoors and one for shopping.