10 Best Running Shoes For Heel Strike in 2022
Choosing the right running shoe for heel strikers can be quite tricky. It’s not just a question of which model has less or more cushion. It’s a combination of many things like drop, rearfoot support, angles, and more.
The good news is you don’t have to go through all those. Here, you’ll find the ten best running shoes for heel strikers from five different categories.
Overview of this guide
How we select the best running shoes for heel strikers
To test their quality, we put all the running models on this list in a series of tests in our lab. To avoid brand loyalty, we purchase them with our own money. And we only give our feedback once we hit the 30 to 50-mile mark.
This helps us assess the shoe’s strength and performance better. It doesn’t stop there, we also:
- Slice them open to see what’s inside
- Measure every aspect of each shoe in various parameters
- Generate their CoreScore for you to see how they stack up against other running shoes
Best running shoes for heel strike overall
48 colorways available 48 colorways available If there's one thing we can't take away from the Pegasus 38, it's that it's the GOAT of all workhorse shoes in our arsenal! It oozes with plushness, stability, and pop, doing it all from slow days, tempo sessions, and gym workouts even. If you want to run with fun, take the Pegasus any day!
17 colorways available 17 colorways available Best daily trainers for heel strikers
11 colorways available 11 colorways available The Saucony Ride 14 is a daily trainer that impressed us with its utilitarian and consistent ride. It stays nice and stable from short to long-distance runs, giving us that peace of mind to run with confidence from start to finish! It's neither too soft nor too firm and can handle just about any type of run - from daily runs, recovery days, and even tempo paces.
14 colorways available 14 colorways available Nearing its 24th iteration, Gel Cumulus sure did something right. And we couldn't disagree. The Asics Gel Cumulus 23 is here yet again to prove that it's the most value-oriented neutral trainer out there. It's a one-shoe-fits-all kind of running shoe. It's comfortable for jogs, daily runs, and even for your first race day in 5K or marathon!
Best running shoes for heel strikers with flat feet
24 colorways available 24 colorways available Thanks for making our daily runs nice and stable, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21! The upper hugged our feet well, and the midsole is balanced - it's neither mushy nor too rigid. It just kept our motions in check, preventing any excessive movements. It's certainly not a light shoe, but having tested its precursors, we can say that Brooks is heading in the right direction! Apart from support, what stood out to us also is its tank-like durability.
14 colorways available 14 colorways available Still staying true to its Kayano roots, we found the Kayano 28 retaining its hallmark on stability and support while seeing some updates to amp up comfort and flexibility. And with better flex, the shoe was just overall fun! Although designed as a daily trainer, we found it fitting as a standalone shoe that you can take out of the closet during race day and on long, slow miles.
Best budget shoes for heel strikers
4 colorways available 4 colorways available The Floatride Energy 3 is a neutral trainer from Reebok with a lightweight design and a lightweight price tag. It’s got an aggressive full-length outsole for runs on varied terrain and is surprisingly comfortable for a budget shoe. Don’t be scared off by the price, this affordable little bundle performs well! They look pretty cool too!
8 colorways available 8 colorways available An affordable trainer that's got the makings of advanced running shoes? Hello, Brooks Revel 5! It's a smooth and lively jack-of-all-trades that will keep your feet comfy and bouncing. It can push the pace, eat up half-marathon distances, and breeze through your daily runs!
Best trail running shoe for heel strikers
4 colorways available 4 colorways available For us, the Salomon Sense Ride 4 is a surefire winner in the trail running scene! It's a beast that has INSANE grip, loads of underfoot protection, and a fun, lively ride. Now, that's a combo you don't get every day from a dedicated trail shoe! It can eat up anything you throw at it, for sure, but where it shines is during steep climbs, telling you so much of its ground-digging traction!
9 colorways available 9 colorways available A beast in all our trail runs, the Saucony Peregrine 11 was more than confidence-inspiring! It's a tank that mutes out all the harshness of the trails while eating up everything you throw at it! From slick mud, snow, dry, and rocky stream crossings, this shoe just bites hard and deep into the ground. It's also built to run fast, and we got exactly that in the Peregrine!
.
What are the most popular running shoes for heel strike in 2022?
- Brooks Ghost 14
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38
- Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 2
- Brooks Glycerin 19
- Brooks Revel 5
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3
- Brooks Levitate 5
- Nike Zoom Fly 4
- Asics Gel Nimbus 24
- Asics Gel Nimbus 23
- Nike React Phantom Run Flyknit 2
- Asics Novablast 2
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
- Nike ZoomX Invincible Run
What are the cheapest running shoes for heel strike in 2022?
- Adidas EQ21 - from $35
- Saucony Cohesion 14 - from $35
- Adidas Runfalcon 2.0 - from $36
- Reebok Floatride Fuel Run - from $39
- Reebok Floatride Run Fast 2 - from $40
- Asics Trail Scout - from $40
- Puma Speed Sutamina - from $40
- Columbia FKT - from $40
- Puma Hybrid NX Ozone - from $41
- Asics Versablast - from $41
- Under Armour Charged Assert 9 - from $43
- Asics Gel Excite 8 - from $43
- Saucony Excursion TR 14 - from $43
- Under Armour Surge 2 - from $45
- Puma UltraRide - from $45
See all running shoes for heel strike sorted by lowest price
