Best Running Shoes for Supination

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best running shoes for supinated feet are, my top choice is the On Running Cloudflow Men’s Sneaker for men and the Saucony Women’s Triumph Iso 5 Running Shoe for women. 

Runners at the start of a race

The benefits of taking a daily run have been extensively researched and proven. While running is a pretty natural thing that we all do on an almost-daily basis, for some people, it can be more painful. 

Those with supinated feet, that is, feet that lean outward and distribute weight on the outer edge of the foot, can have a hard time running comfortably. 

If there’s one change that you can make that will improve your running drastically, it’s to shop for adequate footwear. Choosing the best shoes for supination can enhance your running by a mile. 

Here are my picks for the best running shoes for supinated feet: 

What Exactly Are Supinated Feet? 

Supination of the feet is when the outer edge of the foot takes most of the weight when walking. That makes the foot’s natural shock-absorbing ability almost non-existent, which puts a much larger amount of pressure on the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. 

Opposite to flat feet, people with supinated feet usually have high arches. This can be a common root cause of the supination—if the arch is high enough, the outward twisting of the foot can happen to stabilize and balance. 

Common Problems With Supinated Feet 

Having supinated feet or higher-than-normal foot arches is something people can live with for years without any problems. 

But if you’re on your feet a lot, either standing or walking or enjoy running or foot-heavy exercise, your out-turned feet could lead to other painful issues. 

Some common things to be careful of include:

Person sitting cross legged

What to Look for in the Best Running Shoes for Supinated Feet 

If you have supinated feet, there are some boxes you should be ticking when shopping for new shoes: 

  • Cushioning and shock Absorption. 
  • Arch and heel support. 
  • Breathability. 
  • Durability. 

Cushioning and Shock Absorption 

Supinated feet often suffer in their shock absorption abilities since a limited amount of the foot comes into contact with the ground. The best running shoe for supination will do the shock absorbing for you. 

A shoe with a footbed made of memory foam or EVA foam will make a huge difference in your comfort, as well as reducing the risk of jarring injuries. 

Excellent cushioning not only provides a soft, easy surface for the foot, but it also absorbs impact and, if the foam is of high enough quality, has great bounce-back. 

Arch and Heel Support 

The best shoe for supination will conform to the foot, providing support to the arch, whether it’s normal or high. 

A memory foam or Ortholite type of insert or topsole will mold to the shape of the foot, supporting the arch without flattening. 

Heel support is equally important. If the heel isn’t well-supported, motion control isn’t as easy, and the foot doesn’t stay as stable as it could be. 

Most shoes are designed with a heel frame that’s rigid and keeps the heel from moving around. The rubber sole should also be thicker in the heel to provide extra stability. 

Breathability 

Running is a heat-producing activity, and feet sweat—it’s a fact of life. To combat this, your shoes need to be breathable and be able to keep your feet cool. 

The material has a lot to do with this. Mesh or textile is great for breathability, as long as it’s tight mesh and not loose. Some may come with odor-control, too. 

Durability 

Most of us run on somewhat unforgiving surfaces. For this, make sure you choose something durable, unless you want to replace your footwear every month. 

The sole tends to wear out faster on the outer edge, where supinated runners place most of their weight. Although most materials will wear out the same way, thick rubber soles are generally the best. They tend to be lightweight, too. 

People running

The Best Running Shoes for Supinated Feet 

If you’re a runner with supinated feet, try out one of the shoes on this list for a comfier, pain-free jog. You can thank me later! 

1. On Running Cloudflow Men’s Sneaker 

These funky sneakers tick all the boxes—they’re comfortable, breathable, supportive, and have fantastic cushioning. 

The insole is removable, so if you have an orthotic, you can insert that easily, which makes these easily customizable to the supinated foot. 

Your underfoot is cushioned by Zero-Gravity EVA foam, and the CloudTec cushioning technology only activates during the foot strike, making for a smooth, shock-absorbed jog every time. 

Just looking at them indicates how their shock absorption works. The unique rubber sole design allows for great energy return and bounciness, softening every stride. 

The mesh upper and textile lining make this footwear very breathable and help keep the feet cooler during the run. 

Sizing runs from a 6.5 to a 14 in only regular sizes. Unfortunately, you won’t find a wider option. 

Pros: 

  • Zero-Gravity EVA foam sole. 
  • Breathable.
  • Removable insoles. 
  • CloudTec cushioning technology. 

Cons: 

  • No wide options available. 

2. Saucony Women’s Echelon 7 Running Shoe 

The thick sole of these running shoes is immediately noticeable. They just look comfortable and well-cushioned! 

The synthetic and mesh construction makes them lightweight and easy to run in while being breathable and flexible. 

Also, the shoe is padded with a cushioned EVERUN topsole that runs the length of the underfoot. The soles are designed for enhanced energy return, meaning the shock absorption is unparalleled. 

They also have a contoured footbed for comfort and a great fit. The support is further enhanced by an external heel frame, while the special sock liner increases the resilience and durability of the footbed.

A really nice touch that I particularly like is the reflective elements on the heel for extra safety on the road. 

Customers specifically mention that these shoes are great for their supinated feet due to the plush cushioning and foot-molding shape. They’re definitely worth a try if you struggle with this condition. 

These sneakers range from size 5 to 12, and you can choose from a regular or wide fit. 

Pros: 

  • Full-length EVERUN midsole. 
  • EVERUN topsole. 
  • Contoured footbed. 
  • Insert is removable. 
  • Orthotic-friendly. 

Cons: 

  • Customers report that they’re a bit smaller than average, so order larger than usual. 

3. New Balance Men’s 1080v8 Fresh Foam Running Shoe 

These sneakers are sleek, aesthetically pleasing and are great for runners with supinated feet. 

Your feet will be kept snug and padded with high-quality Fresh Foam, full-length midsole that absorbs shock and a removable Ortholite insole. 

The ability to remove the insert is super for underpronated runners, who may have an orthotic they use to keep their feet supported. 

I especially like how the midfoot support is superb for those who have high arches. Runners with supinated feet should find these unusually comfy and cloud-like. 

The engineered mesh design also adds some stability while remaining flexible enough for motion control while running on more uneven surfaces. 

The size range is impressive, running from 7 to 16, in regular, narrow, wide and extra-wide. 

Pros: 

  • Variety of width sizing available. 
  • Removable Ortholite insert. 
  • Fresh Foam midsole absorbs impact. 
  • Midfoot support. 

Cons: 

  • Customers report the shoe wearing out quickly if they run 3/4 times a week. 

4. Mizuno Women’s Wave Inspire 16 Waveknit Road Running Shoe 

Mizuno categorizes this sneaker as a support shoe or stability trainer, making it well-suited to those with supinated feet. Customers specifically mention how good these shoes are for pronated and high-arch feet.

This stylish running sneaker has a knitted design that allows for more flexibility than other shoes. It’s firm but moveable, allowing for motion control while you’re on the move. 

The cushioning is enhanced by Smoothride wave support and heel perforations in the sole, which creates a soft but structured cushion that makes your run a breeze. 

An x10 outsole increases the durability, so you won’t have to replace these shoes any time soon. The redesigned, form-fitting collar liner around the ankle also adds an element of stability to keep the foot in place while moving. 

They’re available from size 6 to 12, but none of the sizes have a wide option. 

Pros: 

  • U4ic midsole for impact absorption. 
  • Cloud Wave plate technology. 
  • Wave Knit upper is designed to provide extra flexibility. 
  • Categorized as a “support shoe” by Mizuno. 

Cons: 

  • No wide sizes available. 
  • Customers report the shoe sizes running small. 

5. Asics Men’s Gel Nimbus 20 Trail Running Shoe 

This cool trail running shoe has a host of great properties to support your feet. 

Impressive cushioning is created using FlyteFoam technology, which utilizes special fibers to prevent flattening. 

Additionally, the shock absorption is superb, using two technologies to create the perfect energy return and bounciness—FlyteFoam and FluidRide, both reported to enhance the responsiveness of the footwear. 

The textile design is lightweight and breathable where it needs to be while staying sturdy for extra protection and support. 

You can find these in sizes 7 to 16, with regular, wide and extra-wide options on offer. 

Pros: 

  • FlyteFoam midsole technology. 
  • FluidRide midsole. 
  • External heel support. 
  • Rear and forefoot GEL brand technology. 
  • Available in regular, wide and extra-wide. 

Cons: 

  • There are reports of the toe box being slightly too narrow to be comfortable. 

Final Thoughts 

Person tying shoe laces

I feel that the best running shoes for supinated feet are the On Running Cloudflow Sneakers for men and the Saucony Women’s Echelon 7 Running Shoe for women. 

The Cloudflow is cushioned and breathable for support and comfort, and its sole is designed for superior shock absorption, to make you feel like you’re running on clouds. 

The Saucony model for women has a contoured footbed for an optimal fit, as well as a removable insert. The midsole is made for great energy return, and a really nice touch is the external reflective elements for extra safety. 

Choosing a shoe that will work with your foot and not against you can completely change the way you run, not to mention heighten your enjoyment of the activity. Be prepared for a whole lot of new PBs when wearing the right shoes for your feet! 

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