7 Best Running Shoes For Heavy Men in 2024

The Glycerin GTS 21 is Brooks’ stability version of its well-loved daily trainer, proving its comfort and gentle support in and out of the lab. Its generous DNA LOFT v3 cushioning complements the GuideRails system to deliver a balanced and surefooted ride, making it our top choice for heavier runners.

The pillar of support is the GuideRails system, which integrates firm foam pieces in the sidewalls and heel to increase rigidity. This design enhances support by resisting excessive movements and maintaining our foot alignment. Our manual assessment confirms its stiffness, scoring impressive ratings of 4/5 and 5/5 in torsional and heel rigidity, respectively.

Another stability element is the vast platform that gave us solid footing. Our caliper reveals one of the widest landing bases in our lab at 117.3/100.2 mm in the forefoot and heel, respectively.

Glycerin GTS 21 breaks the norm by keeping its ride comfortable. It features a taller-than-average stack, particularly its 37.2 mm heel for dampened impact. We measured this protective foam using our durometer at a balanced 20.9 HA, aligning with our lab average. This strikes the balance between comfort and stability no matter where we stride.

However, the knit upper’s focus on comfort sacrificed ventilation. The shoe felt warm and stuffy during summer runs. Those who prioritize breathability should explore elsewhere.

Nike’s Vomero 17 is a steadfast companion, highly versatile for different workouts, and cushioned for repetitive impact. It delivers a premium in-shoe feel, allowing us to soak up the miles mindlessly. Supported by our lab and run tests, we find it provides the best comfort for heavier runners.

This daily workhorse offers dual-density cushioning: the top is a plush 11.9 HA ZoomX foam that feels exceptionally soft and gentle underfoot. Meanwhile, the bottom foam is a firmer 22.0 HA to enhance stability and to ensure it doesn’t compress unevenly under heavier loads. Further adding support to our strides are the midsole sidewalls in the heel area, offering a helping hand to neutral runners when the fatigue sets in.

Underneath is a waffle-patterned outsole with strategic cutouts for flexibility. The shoe feels easy to maneuver, making it versatile for other activities as well. Our bend test confirms it’s 36.2% more malleable than average.

Last but not least is the dual-layer mesh that delivers both a soft premium feel and ventilation, which our lab confirms with a 4/5 breathability score. This makes it the perfect trainer for any season.

However, we didn’t feel as surefooted on wet pavements. We recommend staying away from wet conditions while sporting this pair.

After rigorous testing in the lab and on the streets, we confidently pick the Hoka Skyflow as the ultimate choice for heavy runners seeking indulgent cushioning. With reliable stability, we devoured miles while keeping unsteadiness and leg fatigue away. On top of that, it features an exceptionally ventilated toebox for a refreshing ride.

Our caliper reveals a staggering stack height, notably its 39.3 mm heel. The generous slab of foam assures supreme comfort at any distance for any runner and foot strike. Even forefoot strikers have 30.6 mm of foam for impact protection. The ride has a satisfying bounce that makes the miles melt away.

Remarkably, it maintains a balanced 19.4 HA foam composition to offset potential instability that comes from its height. Moreover, Skyflow widens its base to 116.3/94.7 mm to help us land safely. It also has some stiffness to guide our foot alignment. Our manual assessment confirms our sensations with a 4/5 torsional rigidity rating.

Topping it all off is a breezy upper that gave our feet room to breathe. Our smoke test confirms its exceptional breathability with a 5/5 rating.

However, Skyflow’s extra wide midsole and stiff ride reduces the agility that some runners prefer. Those in search of a more natural ride should check other shoes.

Gel Kayano 31 has a substantial stack height packed with the plush FF Blast+ foam to cancel out landing impact in our runs. Despite its flexible build, it holds supportive features to ensure surefooted strides for all types of runners. Our runs and lab tests confirm it's the leader of the stability game for big guys.

GK31 proves a maximalist can be stable through its 4D Guidance System and vast platform. It integrates a softer foam under the arch and adjusts to our feet for custom protection. The massive midsole ensures safe landings, accommodating even the widest feet with an extra 8.3/7.1 mm allowance in the forefoot and heel vs. average.

The FF Blast+—ASICS' softest cloud-like foam—gives a homey feeling, measuring 27.1% softer than average. Its skyscraper stack sits well above normal to ensure a forgiving ride for heavier runners. Beneath the cushion, its outsole promises durability by making the rubber 4.0 mm thick.

Unlike most stability shoes, GK31 isn’t stiff. Its loose build allows us to move naturally and supports us without much restriction. Our flex test confirms it’s 14.4% more adaptive than average, boosting comfort for prolonged wear.

As expected from a cushioned stability shoe, GK31 sits heavier at 10.4 oz (295g) vs. the average running shoe (9.4 oz/266g). Those who want lightweight shoes should explore further.

After rigorous testing in and out of the lab, we've identified the ultimate running shoe for heavier runners with wide feet: the Mizuno Wave Inspire 20. Balancing comfort and support seamlessly, it guides our strides subtly, promoting a natural gait. The robust X10 rubber outsole provides unwavering support, promising both traction and durability.

At its core, the Wave Inspire features a broad platform and the Wave plate for stability. Our caliper reveals the midsole is 2.1/3.9 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel. The widened base provides secure landings, while the Wave plate under the arches enhances support, preventing ankle rolls and lateral movements. Overall, these features don’t feel intrusive, but we feel their presence when needed.

Setting itself apart from typical stability shoes, the Wave Inspire prioritizes comfort. Its flexible design allows unrestricted movement, requiring 28.6% less force to bend vs. the average. Despite its plush feel, it keeps us surefooted by making the foam a balanced 22.0 HA, per our durometer. We had no worries about the cushion collapsing unevenly.

Complementing its performance is a resilient outsole that exhibits minimal wear and exceptional traction even on wet surfaces, thanks to its innovative wavy pattern and miniature lugs.

However, its significant 12.6 mm heel drop caters more to heel-strikers. Mid-to-forefoot strikers may need to explore other options.

Our runs and lab tests verified the Altra Olympus 6 is the best trail running shoe for big guys. Its protective cushioning, stable ride, and grippy rubber kept us armed as we encountered various terrain conditions.

Our feet feel well-protected from ground impact, particularly in the 31.5 mm forefoot, 6.9 mm above average. Paired with a 32.2 mm heel, we measured a 0.7 mm drop which is amazingly close to its zero-drop claim. This setup naturally enhances stability, further boosted by the notable midsole sidewalls.

Its sticky traction in the outsole also contributes to our surefootedness. Featuring the world-class Vibram Megagrip with 3.5 mm deep lugs, we understood why Olympus 6 performed so well in our tests. Even against our Dremel, it showed an insignificant 0.8 mm dent, indicating durability won’t be a problem.

However, all the comfort and protection come at the cost of weight. At 12.6 oz (357g), Olympus 6 is 21.8% heavier than average. Those who seek a light and responsive ride should explore further.

Alphabounce+ delivers premium comfort, energy, and stability in our runs. It’s an excellent shock absorber with its double-foamed midsole and tough outsole. With a platform that can take a beating, this shoe offers significant support to heavier runners. The awesome part is it falls within the $100 range, making it the best budget shoe for big guys. 

The main star is the midsole, composed of a Bounce foam in the heel and a soft Cloudfoam that completes the rest of the midsole. Honoring its name, the first foam offers a lot of bounce and energy for heel strikers. Our durometer shows it’s slightly softer than average, allowing us to enjoy cushioned landings and snappy takeoffs. Meanwhile, the Cloudfoam feels plush underfoot. Our durometer confirms it’s 9.9% softer than average.

Each stride of ours met a vast platform, especially in the heel, ensuring rock-steady landings. Our caliper shows an extra 13.8 mm space in the heel vs. average!

The outsole has a monstrous build and is tough enough for abrasions. It stands thicker than average at 4.3 mm. Our durometer also shows it’s 9.3% harder than average. 

This pair feels heavy, making it difficult to perform faster efforts. It reached 12.0 oz (340g) in our scales — 2.5 oz (72g) heavier than average!