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The 6 Best Running Shoes for Underpronators

Stay steady and pain free with the Brooks Ghost 11 running shoe for women

Assortment of running shoes we recommend for underpronators outlined in white and displayed on a blue striped background

Verywell Fit / Chloe Jeong

Underpronation, also known as supination, can raise your risk for injury to your foot and ankle. Underpronators typically experience greater pressure on the edge of the foot and small toes due to their outward-rolling tendency. Shoes specifically designed to help with underpronation will help you reduce stress and your risk of injury.

Look for shoes with flexibility and sufficient cushioning that can support high arches. We researched and reviewed running shoes for underpronators based on affordability, responsive cushioning, support for a natural gait, and flexibility.

We also had an RRCA- and USATF-certified running coach from our Review Board review this article for accuracy surrounding what to look for when buying running shoes for underpronators, how wearing the right shoes can help, and what causes underpronation in the first place.

Here are the best running shoes for underpronators.

In This Article

Best Overall for Women

Brooks Ghost 11 Running Shoe

Brooks Women's Ghost 11 Running Shoe

Amazon

This Runner’s World Editor’s Choice pick and our best overall pick is the perfect shoe for women who won’t let supination hold them back on the road. The high-energy cushioning creates a soft finish for runners who land on the outside of their foot, and the moderate arch support makes it an excellent choice for most runners. The shoe’s BioMoGo DNA blends earth-friendly materials with responsive Brooks cushioning for an eco-friendly stride with a premium feel. The Omega Flex Grooves allow for a more natural forefoot movement, correcting underpronation for a more comfortable run.

Brooks Ghost 11 Women’s Road-Running Shoes

Verywell Fit / Danielle Directo-Meston

Best Overall for Men

Mizuno Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe

Mizuno Men's Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe

Amazon

Mizuno is an industry leader in creating cushioned, responsive shoes for runners at all levels. Their Wave Rider 22 is a great choice for male runners who supinate and want a shoe from a reliable brand. The Wave Rider’s Cloudwave cushioning softens your foot’s impact when you land and provides gentle gait guidance—perfect for underpronators who need protection from an unstable step. The U4ic midsole works with the shoe’s soft heel center for optimal shock absorption, and the full-length mesh upper is durable and breathable for a sneaker that you can run in during any weather. Wave Rider fans who supinate noted they were great for training or running marathons.

Best Budget

Saucony Cohesion 11

Saucony Women's Cohesion 11 Running Shoe

Amazon

This highly-reviewed sneaker is the latest entry in Saucony’s popular Cohesion series. It has advanced footwear technology (like Grid, a sole-based stability and cushioning system) and enough cushioning for supinators at an affordable price. The flexible sole allows for a natural heel-to-toe stride for runners, and these sneaks are built to last.

Underpronators who bought this pair of shoes loved that it worked wonders on their pain levels during and after a run, and found they were inexpensive enough to stock up on more than one pair.

Best for Wide Feet

Brooks Glycerin 17 Cushioned Road Running Shoe

Brooks Women's Glycerin 17 Cushioned Road Running Shoe

Amazon

Finding a great running shoe when you have wide feet isn’t easy. This striking shoe from Brooks is lightweight, has the extra support that underpronating runners need, and is available in wide sizes for a perfect fit. This road shoe uses Brooks’ DNA LOFT Transition technology for a softer, smoother ride between steps, and IDEAL pressure zones disperse impact evenly throughout the shoe to avoid the repetitive impact that comes with a supinator's altered stride. It’s a high-tech pick for wide-footed runners, and the five fun colors are a bright spot in anyone’s workout gear.

Best for Long Distance

New Balance 1400v6

New Balance 1400v6

 Zappos

Marathon runners who underpronate need to be especially careful about choosing a great pair of shoes: you’ll need a pair that have the perfect amount of lightweight cushioning, but you’ll need them to perform for longer under conditions that are more stressful on your joints. The New Balance NYC Marathon running shoes have the flexible response you’ll need in a racing shoe with cushioning that protects your feet from a modified gait.

The Engineer Fantom Fit design in this pair has a structured upper that secures the midfoot, which helps reduce rolling from one side to another. The no-sew construction makes this shoe light as air over distances, and the blown-rubber outsole adds extra cushion and traction for runs in the rain. Distance runners experienced more responsiveness with this shoe than with other brands they’d tried, and one reviewer who underpronates said that it made training for long races easier.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Brooks Addiction 13

Brooks Addiction 13

Amazon

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that occurs when the tight band of tissue that forms the arch of the foot becomes inflamed. Underpronation is one of the most common causes, and if you want to keep running but leave the pain behind you’ll need supportive shoes that tackle both issues. The Brooks DNA midsole provides hearty cushioning with a 32-millimeter heel height for substantial shock absorption. The Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar is specifically designed to help control pronation, creating a smoother stride so you can run without aggravating your plantar fasciitis.

Final Verdict

A pick that's both wallet-friendly and supportive, Saucony's Women's Cohesion 11 Running Shoe (view on Amazon) is designed to last throughout all your training sessions and leisure runs. Its advanced technology supplies just the right amount of cushioning to promote neutrality in your strides. 

What to Look for in Running Shoes for Underpronators

Cushioning

Underpronating runners need extra cushioning that responds to each step with some bounce. But the cushioning should be lightweight, to keep the shoe from feeling heavy on your foot (especially if you're running long distances).

Flexibility

While running, you need a flexible shoe that allows for movement throughout every step. The sole of your running shoe should be durable yet flexible.

Arch Support

Look for well-cushioned running sneakers that provide high arch support. People with high, rigid arches may be susceptible to underpronation, because their arches don't flatten enough during a stride, putting added stress on the outer edge of the foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you fix underpronation?

    Look for running shoes with good cushioning and flexibility. Supination exercises and adding orthopedic inserts, like insoles for flat feet, can also help. However, you may need custom orthotics from a podiatrist if your supination is severe

  • How do I know if I underpronate or overpronate?

    Heel pain can be a sign of under- or overpronation. See a podiatrist for an examination and diagnosis.

  • What causes underpronation?

    There are a few possible causes of underpronation, including flat feet, high arches, uneven leg lengths, imbalance. Some people are just born with this type of gait.

  • Why is it important to find the right shoes for underpronation?

    Underpronation is associated with a significantly higher injury risk. The right shoes can help prevent injury.

3 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Podiatric Medical Association. Heel pain.

  2. Gurnee Podiatry & Sports Medicine Association. What is the difference between overpronation and underpronation?.

  3. Pérez-Morcillo A, Gómez-Bernal A, Gil-Guillen VF, et al. Association between the Foot Posture Index and running related injuries: A case-control studyClin Biomech. 2019;61:217-221. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.12.019