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.

Reviewed & Approved

The Brooks Ghost 11 women’s running shoe is our top choice for women because its well-cushioned and made with eco-friendly materials. The Mizuno Wave Rider 22 is our top pick for men for its cushioning and gait guidance.

Here are the best running shoes for underpronators.

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.

Best Overall for Women

Brooks Women’s Ghost 11 Running Shoe

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 Overall for Men

Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe

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.

Best Budget

Saucony Women’s Cohesion 11 Running Shoe

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.

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 Wide Feet

Brooks Women’s Glycerin 17 Cushioned Road Running Shoe

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.

Best for Long Distance

New Balance 1400v6

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.

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.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Brooks Addiction 13

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).

Final Verdict

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 can help as well. However, you may need custom orthotics from a podiatrist if your supination is severe.
  • Learn More:
  • Pronation, Overpronation, and Supination in Walking and Running
  • 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.

Look for running shoes with good cushioning and flexibility. Supination exercises can help as well. However, you may need custom orthotics from a podiatrist if your supination is severe.

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

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.

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