8 Top Running Shoes for Overpronation

By Noel Paine  

Welcome to our Top Running Shoes for Overpronation review.

“Want a strong, solid relationship that is willing to go the distance? Get to know your running shoes.” – American ultramarathoner and author Dean Karnazes

Ever see that person walking in front of you who’s foot feet are just rolling in over the shoe as they walk along? They are overpronating and are in the wrong shoe! I have been running for the age of many of the people reading this article (a long time), have worked in specialty running shops, worked helping people with their feet, shoes and orthotics and gained a lot of knowledge and expertise that I want to use to help you.

Running Shoes for Overpronation

How Many Runners are Actually Overpronators?

According to ASICS a leading running shoe manufacturer, about 50% - 60% of runners in the USA are mild overpronators while 20% - 30% are serious overproators.

Pronation

Overpronation

The Pedorthic Association of Canada (Pedorthists make orthotics and help treat foot problems) defines overpronation as a condition in which the foot rolls excessively down and inward. The arch may elongate, and collapse (or fall) and the heel will lean inward.

Your foot is like the foundation of a house, and when there is something off at the bottom, there can be problems created throughout the house. Overpronation can contribute to running injuries such as iliotibial band syndrome and plantar fasciitis.

So, can a shoe help with overpronation? Yes.

The right type of running shoe can help many people avoid injury. It is the first thing to try before looking at other options such as insoles, orthotics or other preventive options or treatments. I have personally seen how much difference a good shoe that fits well and provides the right support can make.

Your feet are often so neglected and do so much work for you. Treat them well and keep them and you happy and moving!

Top Running Shoes Designed to Help with Overpronation

1. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13

This shoe is in the stability category. It has been around long enough in the New Balance line-up to be on the 13th version.

I have started with New Balance as I used to love this brand as they were a brand where multiple widths for most of their shoes were available [B, D (regular), 2E, 4E for men and 2A, B (regular) 2E and 4E for women]. They have great customer service, a return policy and really focus on making shoes for different feet.

This shoe has the Fresh-Foam X which is New Balance’s top cushioning and to help the foot that overpronates, they add a supportive medial post to provide essential stability.
 
The shoes comes in two widths, eight color options (depending on what each store carries) and 3% of the shoes is made from bio-based content. This shoe is a reliable, cushioned but stable training shoe.

For American readers, this is a US company and I believe a small selection of some of their shoes are still made in the US!

2. ASICS GT-2000 11

The Asics GT-2000 is from a long line of stability shoes that have worked for many people. This moderate stability shoe is relatively light for the type of shoe but quite stable. Asics uses their FLYTEFOAM™ to cushion the shoe and keep it light while adding rearfoot GEL® technology to add additional help to absorb shock as the foot hits the ground. The brand’s LITETRUSS™ technology improves medial support and midfoot integrity to help stop the foot from rolling over or compressing the running shoe due to overpronation.

I have always liked shoes from Asics, I find some of their shoes can be lighter than others in their category and still provide comparable support. If you want some support but less than GT-2000, take a look at the GT-1000.

Like other companies Asics is trying to go green and 50% of the upper is made from recycled content.

3. Saucony Guide 16

Like many stability shoes that brands bring out and work, if they work, they stick around, and this is the case with the Guide. Saucony call this a structured cushioning shoe, meaning its still a cushioned shoe with a Saucony PWRRUN foam midsole but it meant to be a bit more stable.
 
I have tried this shoe on and it’s a firm cushion (firmer than those who are familiar with the Saucony Kinvara) and is stable but may not be enough support if you overpronate a lot. For shoe geeks, this would be like the old Saucony Shadow from the 1990s compared to the Jazz.

This shoe is also said to be vegan and contains recycled materials and comes in two widths.

4. Asics Kayano 29

This is the Cadillac of cushioning and support for Asics and has been for many years. The price is at the upper end for this shoe but you get what you pay for.

This shoe has all the Asics bells and whistles of other shoes in the brand with LITETRUSS™ technology for medial support and midfoot integrity and Rearfoot GEL® technology cushioning but adds a solid plastic external heel counter (plastic strip around the back of the heel on the outside of the shoe) plus 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION™ feature improves compression at foot strike and FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning provides lightweight impact absorption and a responsive rebound. It has everything thrown at it!

So this running shoe has a lot of cushion and a good deal of stability for the right foot. I have always found however the cushion in this shoe still quite soft and may not be great for the bigger runner who may need something firmer (more stable platform).

At least 50% of the shoe’s main upper material is made with recycled materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

5. Mizuno Wave Horizon 6

This shoe from Mizuno is a great choice for someone who wants a very solid, stabile platform with support and width. The shoe comes in two widths, has support for overpronation with asymmetrical foam wave and rubber wall and their ENERZY Foam for great cushioning.

The shoe is also very straight-lasted (straighter looking and not curved) which is better for feet that need support and has a durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear.

I have found Mizuno shoes have a different feel than some other brands due to the plastic wave they incorporate into their cushioning. I have found they feel a bit firmer than some other shoes, test them out and see if they work for you!

The MIZUNO WAVE® plate which is part of many of their shoes and is added to the shoe names disperses energy from an impact to a broader area providing a stable platform and superior cushioning.

This shoe also incorporates eco-friendly materials.

6. Adidas SolarControl

This rather heavy shoe in the Adidas lineup, may have a few extra ounces or grams of weight but it looks solid. The “Control” in the name implies it will help control excessive motion.

Adidas describes the shoe as providing extra stability and has dual density EVA (type of cushioning). The dual density usually indicates its placed on the medial (inner) side of the shoe to slow a pronating foot from rolling over and compressing it.

I have run in Adidas shoes before (way back in an Adidas Response) and found they can be a bit shallow compared to some and those with orthotics or insoles may want to try on before buying. This shoe may be an exception as its made for those with stability issues.

The shoe uses its patented BOOST cushioning (which has a unique feel) and says it has a rubber outsole (very durable) with an upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content.

7. HOKA One One Gaviotia 4

If you want to try something different, try HOKA. In all my years of running this shoe brand has been the one that really surprised me. While many brands were going light and minimal weight with just enough cushion, HOKA went chunky but light!

The HOKA Gaviota 4 is their stability shoe that contains their J-Frame(TM) technology designed to prevent excessive inward roll, or overpronation, without overcorrecting gait. Compared to other HOKA shoes, it features a higher bed of cushion, designed to provide a forgiving impact and ride. The shoe also comes in a regular width and wide.

I like the look of this shoe with width options, a broad stable platform designed to provide support. For those who have not tried HOKA you will want to put them on your feet before buying.

I loved some of their shoes and use their CarbonX model as one of my regular running shoes. Oh, and the pull tab at the back of their shoes works really well and was a great thought by their designers!

8. Brooks Beast 20

If you have a wide foot that needs a lot (max) of support, you may want try this staple that has existed in the Brooks line for a good number of years.

If you need a little less support, their moderate stability shoe that has for years also been in their line, the Addiction, which also comes in a number of widths is another option. These for me were always a go to for moderate to maximum control shoes for problematic feet!

Shoe Widths

Many shoe brands will sell their shoes in widths online, not every shoe store will carry widths or all widths but may be able to order for you. Always ask questions!

When do you Need New Shoes?

Your running shoes are like the tires on your car (which is your body in this analogy). Choose the right shoes/tires for your needs and regularly replace them when they are worn out! If you track your mileage, every 300-500miles (500-800km) is a good time to start thinking about new shoes.

How often you replace your shoes will depend on how often you use them and how hard you are on the shoes and how durable your shoe is. You impact with 3-4 times your body weight each time your foot hits the ground (ouch)! Even Kenyans usually grab a running shoe when they can to help them run. Take care of your feet!