7 Best Running Shoes For Shin Splints in 2025

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best Running Shoes For Shin Splints in 2025

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Shin splints is a very common injury and, therefore, many runners look for the best shoes to wear while dealing with it. Here, we highlight the best picks for shin splints and we base our choices on both lab tests and our test runs. 

We also dig deep into which features are needed in the running shoes for shin splints, why, how we measure them in the lab, and how to find running shoes that may help you get through the rehab process. 

How we test running shoes for shin splints

We want to avoid being paid to review a certain shoe or getting any kind of incentive for our reviews. Because of this, we buy all the running shoes we test with our own money. We don't get told what to publish. Our reviews reflect our experience with the shoe, both from our runs and from our lab tests. 

The objectiveness and transparency of our reviews are reflected in our testing process:

  1. We buy the shoes on our own 
  2. We run in the shoes and note down everything, from how they fit and feel to how lively and durable they are 
  3. We test the shoes in our independent lab, where we cut them into pieces, freeze them, bend and twist them, and perform dozens of tests to end up with 20+ data points that quantitatively describe each shoe 
  4. We publish all our results on our website. The data is comparable across other shoes from the same category and is always compared to the average, so that our readers can easily understand the full context. 

Best running shoes for shin splints overall

Hoka Clifton 10
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

The Hoka Clifton 10 took nearly two and a half years to arrive—a long stretch compared to the yearly cycles of some competitors. Yet despite its familiar looks, we discovered a full overhaul under the hood. Hoka raised the stack to maximalist levels, widened the toebox, and increased the drop to favor heel strikers. There are downsides too, as the weight gain, outdated foam, and flatter ride make it less lively than before. Still, for comfort-seekers chasing a stable, everyday option, it remains a solid pick that’s likely to sell fast once again.

Pros

  • Superb joint protection
  • Wider toebox improves toe splay
  • Comfortable upper
  • Stable ride despite its high stack height
  • Works well for heel strikers
  • Ideal for long runs
  • Versatile for daily walking or jogging
  • Achilles-friendly heel collar design
  • Traction improvements

Cons

  • Needs a better foam ASAP
  • Notable weight gain from v9
  • Feels more Bondi than Clifton
  • Non-gusseted tongue
Full review of Hoka Clifton 10

Running shoes for shin splints with the best arch support

What makes it the best?

The ASICS Gel Kayano 32 sticks to its time-tested formula with a few smart updates. We tested it and found a thicker, more rugged design that improves durability and adds a touch of extra cushioning too. ASICS also lowered the drop, something we believe makes it friendlier for midfoot and forefoot strikers. On our runs, the shoe felt really stable, though the firmer foam and low energy return also stood out right away. Still, for runners looking for a tank-like stability trainer with a long-lasting outsole, we think the Kayano delivers once again.

Pros

  • Amazing shock absorption
  • Plush and breathable upper
  • Made to last
  • Dependable for most pronators
  • Heavy-duty outsole with excellent grip
  • Stable as a table
  • Pillow-soft heel padding
  • Improved fit
  • Excellent build quality

Cons

  • Not for soft-foam lovers
  • Bad energy return
  • Overpriced in Europe
Full review of ASICS Gel Kayano 32

Running shoes for shin splints with the best shock absorption

What makes it the best?

The Fresh Foam X Balos delivers a unique running experience with its ultra-rockered sole and plush foam. We found the premium upper and unfiltered ground feel exceptional during our runs, making it a standout for easy and recovery miles. However, in our lab tests, the minimal rubber coverage and lack of a full-PEBA midsole left us questioning its high price tag.

Pros

  • Plush, cloud-like cushioning
  • Amazing rockered geometry
  • Lightweight for its size
  • Breathable, moisture-wicking upper
  • Ideal for long runs and recovery days
  • Works for walking if needed
  • Fantastic knit tongue
  • Superb for midfoot strikers
  • 360-degree reflectivity

Cons

  • Low-volume toebox
  • Price feels a bit excessive
  • Not enough energy return
  • EVA outsole raises durability concerns
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos

Running shoes for shin splints with the best energy return

What makes it the best?

We tested the Infinite Elite 2 in the lab and were pleasantly surprised by how much better it is than version 1. It gave us a lively and cushioned ride that felt great on both long efforts and slow recovery runs. We found it stable despite its oversized build and packed with comfort and durability. While it’s still a bit heavy, we believe that this is Under Armour’s best running shoe yet.

Pros

  • Explosive energy return
  • Maxed-out cushioning
  • Lighter and faster than version 1
  • Stable despite its towering height
  • Breathable upper
  • Reliable lockdown
  • A-tier durability
  • Improved traction
  • Shines for midfoot strikers

Cons

  • Toebox is a bit narrow
  • Still not a lightweight shoe
  • Not flexible at all
Full review of Under Armour Infinite Elite 2

Best running shoes for shin splints and wide feet

Topo Atmos
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

Topo finally steps into the max-cushioned category, and in our experience, the Atmos is a strong first effort. We found it delivers a stable, well-balanced ride with the brand’s signature anatomical toebox and moderate drop—perfect for midfoot and forefoot strikers. However, its energy return lags behind top-tier competitors, and the outsole design raises some durability concerns. That said, we think this is a promising start for Topo in the high-stack daily trainer space, with room for refinement.

Pros

  • Max-cushioned comfort
  • Ultra-spacious toebox
  • Stable ride
  • Premium Ortholite footbed
  • Midfoot-friendly geometry
  • Lightweight for its huge size
  • Great for easy long runs
  • No heel slippage

Cons

  • Lacks energy return
  • Not for narrow-footed runners
  • Could be a bit more flexible
Full review of Topo Atmos

Best running shoes for shin splints with the best durability

What makes it the best?

The Adidas Ultraboost 5X delivers the revamp this series needed, combining weight reduction, a premium-knit upper, and unmatched durability. In our lab tests, we found it retains its iconic DNA while addressing past flaws, making it more runner-focused while remaining great as a casual sneaker.

Pros

  • Works well as a casual sneaker too
  • Premium, high-quality materials throughout
  • Stretchy, roomy upper
  • Fantastic energy return
  • Built-to-last durability
  • Best Ultraboost version to date
  • Stable for heel strikers
  • Increased stack height
  • Noticeable weight reduction
  • Grips very well

Cons

  • Steep price
  • Ventilation falls short of expectations
  • Limited to slower paces
  • Less stack height than advertised
Full review of Adidas Ultraboost 5X

Best budget running shoes for shin splints

What makes it the best?

We think the Versablast 4 is much more than a budget Novablast. In our tests, it delivered a smooth-and-steady ride with just enough bounce to make daily runs enjoyable. For our feet, the underfoot feel was really good, though we found the snug fit will not work for everyone. It performs especially well for heel strikers and newer runners, and we believe it’s one of the top budget-friendly options out there right now.

Pros

  • Stable ride
  • Cushioned for long runs
  • Good performance-to-price ratio
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Solid outsole durability
  • Great option for heel strikers
  • Can be used as a casual shoe
  • Inspired by Novablast DNA

Cons

  • Not for summer
  • Upper durability concerns
  • Narrow fit
  • Probably a bit heavy
Full review of ASICS Versablast 4

While it seems easy to diagnose, this injury, like any other, can get worse. We always recommend seeing a specialist for a proper diagnosis and rehab plan. In this guide, we give no medical advice. Also, the pain can persist or worsen, which might lead to a stress fracture. Better to prevent this! 

Shin splints and running 

Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome or MTSS, are a common overuse injury in runners, causing pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). The repetitive stress (overuse) inflames the muscles and tendons around the shin bone which results in pain. 

shin-splints-anatomy-runrepeat.png

In most cases, overtraining is the cause of shin splints. However, other factors can also contribute, such as a BMI over 30, bad choice of footwear, or ankle/foot muscle imbalances. 

This is the third most common injury in runners, with women being affected more often than men. 

shin-splints-shoe-cut-into-pieces.jpg
In our lab, we cut all running shoes for shin splints into pieces to lab test and analyze thoroughly 

4 features to look for in running shoes for shin splints

Given that shin splints are an overtraining injury, we found that a combination of support and stability works best when taking things slower. These are the features that reflect that stability and support: 

  1. Cushioned running shoes with at least 35 mm of stack height at the heel 
  2. Running shoes that are somewhat torsionally rigid. These shoes score 3, 4, or 5/5 on our torsional flexibility test. They can’t be twisted easily! 
  3. Platforms that are wider than 90 mm at the heel. We want planted landings! 
  4. Daily running shoes without carbon-fiber plates. Taking it slower and easier means not doing tempo runs or races, so daily trainers are your best option as they won’t nudge you toward faster paces. 

Below, we’ll cover all of these shin-splints-friendly features in greater detail. 

Look for high-stacked shoes when dealing with shin splints 

The idea here is to make sure less stress is sent toward the lower-leg extremities. One way of doing this is running in cushioned running shoes. We recommend those with at least 35 mm at the heel. Such running shoes offer a lot of impact protection, which is great for shin splints. 

stack-height-running-shoes-for-shin-splints.jpg
Using a digital caliper to measure the forefoot and heel stack height at 75% and 12% of inner shoe length (according to the WorldAthletics guidelines) 
high-stack-vs-low-stack-running.jpg
Choosing minimalist running shoes with barely any cushioning instead (right) may increase the pain 

The good thing here is that there’s a lot of “wiggle room” when it comes to softness.

You may look for a firmer or a softer platform, depending on what feels good and what does not irritate your shin muscles. 

midsole-softness-shoes-for-shinsplints.jpg
Measuring the softness of the foam with a shore A durometer. The lower the number on the durometer, the softer the foam 

How can heel drop help when you have shin splints

When discussing cushioning, we mentioned only heel stack height (minimum 35 mm). What about the forefoot stack height? This difference between the 2 stack heights is called heel-to-toe drop. The drop varies from 0 mm to roughly 16 mm. 

And the most significant effect of heel drop on runners’ legs is the way it changes which muscles are utilized: the higher the drop, the greater the stress sent to the higher leg muscles. In running shoes with a low drop, lower-leg muscles are utilized. Following this logic, zero-drop running shoes make runners use foot muscles the most.

different-stack-heights-and-heel-drops.jpg
Heel drop and stack height variations

This means that you may experience less strain on the calves and shins in running shoes with a higher heel drop (5mm and higher) and see if that works for you.  On the other hand, runners sometimes gradually transition to lower-drop running shoes because this strengthens the calves, Achilles, and foot muscles. 

Dead midsoles are bad for shin splints 

The longevity of the midsole is not something that is easily measured or quantified. It depends on the quality of the foam, how old the shoe is, the weight of the runner, their foot strike and pronation, and other factors. 

Runners usually start experiencing premature fatigue when foams are dead. However, an injury or strain can creep in without you noticing that the midsole is done. It makes sense to pay special attention to the midsoles after 300 miles. The difference between the new and old shoes (the same model) can be significant! 

Here, we can talk about the types of foams though. There are 2 large groups of foams found in running shoe midsoles: standard foams and premium foams. And the differences are wild.

Standard foams

Premium foams

Usually found in daily trainers

Usually found in race shoes

More durable

Less durable

Affordable

Expensive

Not so bouncy

High energy return

In this regard, you can rely on standard foams to be more durable. Fortunately, most daily trainers feature standard and not premium foams. The difference, next to the energy return that you can experience only once you’ve tried them on, is in the price tag. 

premium-or-standard-foam-shin-splints.jpg
Just by looking at the foams, in most cases, it’s impossible to tell the difference between the standard and the premium one 

If you’re wondering about the foam used in your shoe, we recommend finding it in our extremely detailed guide on running shoe foams and learning about its features. 

Find running shoes with a rigid platform

The idea is not to run in shoes that are too flexible. When the running shoe’s platform can be twisted easily, our feet and lower-leg muscles need to work more. Even if it’s micromovements, when it comes to the overuse injury, we’d rather avoid that. 

Running shoes that are not torsionally rigid can be twisted easily (this one scored 1/5 on our torsional rigidity test) 

We recommend finding shoes that scored 3, 4, or 5/5 on our torsional rigidity test. 

This running shoe got a 4/5 on our test, meaning it is rigid 

There’s a lot of confusion between torsional and longitudinal stiffness, so we’re here to clear that up as well. Torsional: twisting the shoe, longitudinal: bending the shoe. 

stiffness of running shoes for shin splints
Measuring longitudinal stiffness in RunRepeat lab

To measure the longitudinal stiffness, we use a stiffness-testing machine to bend the shoe to 30 degrees after locking the toebox in place and adjusting the position of the bottom plate for the forefoot rocker. The force needed to bend the shoe tells us how stiff a shoe is; the lower the force, the more flexible the shoe! 

Fortunately, running shoes that are more torsionally rigid can also be quite flexible, for those worrying about the natural feel that comes only with running shoes that are flexible. 

Stable ride matters when dealing with shin splints

And this stability comes from wider midsoles (among other things like a rigid platform, firmer midsoles, stiffer heel counters, etc.). The wider the platform, the more stable the ride. That’s why race shoes often feel unstable at cornering or even on slightly uneven terrain - they are high-stacked and narrow! 

IMAGE race platform narrow vs wide daily trainer 

The difference in platform width between a competition shoe (left) and a daily trainer (right)

The great thing is we measure the width in our lab. 

heel-width-running-shoes-for-shin-splints.jpg
Measuring the width of the midsole at the heel in RunRepeat lab 

Knowing these numbers allows us to sort running shoes for shin splints by the width at the heel for those who want to feel extra stable. 

Daily trainers with no carbon plates 

We recommend running in daily trainers because the idea is to slow down, rest more, and exercise active recovery. Running in tempo shoes or race shoes will not do that but make you run faster. 

carbon-plate-visible-in-the-midsole.jpg
Carbon plate (black) is embedded in the midsole and we can see this once the shoe is cut in half 

We recommend running in daily trainers that are not plated because carbon-fiber plates work best when combined with premium foams. This makes the shoes less durable and more expensive, which is not ideal when dealing with shin splints. Also, running shoes with carbon-fiber plates are often activated at faster paces, while forefoot striking, both of which are not ideal for shin splints. We covered all of this and much more in our guide on plated running shoes.

Breathability of running shoes for shin splints 

Setting stability and support aside, weather matters. No one loves frozen toes or soaked socks. Here’s how we deal with this. We pump the smoke into the toebox and watch where the smoke comes out and how quickly. Based on this, we assign a breathability score on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable.

A breathable (5/5) and not breathable (1/5) running shoe 

Digging deeper, we also look at the uppers under the microscope. 

upper-under-the-microscope-shinsplints.jpg

This allows us to understand what’s happening: are there a lot of small ventilation holes? Are there more layers intertwined? Is the structure packed tightly so not even air escapes? 

breathability-microscope-shin-splints.jpg
Very breathable uppers (up) vs. not breathable ones (down). The difference in the size of ventilation holes and the number of layers is obvious

We recommend running shoes that scored 4/5 or 5/5 on our breathability test if you a) plan to run in hot weather, or b) have sweaty feet. If you live in a cold climate, we recommend running shoes that trap heat - those that scored 1/5 or 2/5.

How durable are running shoes for shin splints

We’ve covered the durability of the midsole above and here, we’ll show the durability of 3 parts of the shoe that we can actually quantify in our lab. We always use a dremel to damage the shoe and we do it in a controlled environment. Our tests are standardized, meaning we always apply the same force, same RPMs, and the duration of the test, as our videos show. 

Testing the durability of the toebox in RunRepeat lab 

When testing the durability of the toebox, we damage the upper and then quantify the durability on a 1-5 scale. 1/5 is the least durable (the largest and/or the deepest holes) and 5/5 is the most durable (barely any damage). 

toebox-durability-running-shoes-for-shin-splints.jpg
Durable (5/5) vs. not durable toebox (scored 1/5 on our Dremel test)

Runners who care about the durability of the toebox are usually runners whose big toe points up and sometimes pokes a hole through the upper, or runners who face some obstacles along the way and want their toebox to remain whole as long as possible. 

We do the same test and assessment with the heel padding and assign it a durability score of 1-5. 

heel-durability-shin-splints-shoes.jpg
Not durable (1/5) vs. durable toebox (scored 5/5 on our Dremel test)

The durability of this part depends on the material used but also on how you put the shoe on, whether there’s some heel slipping, etc. There are dozens of running shoes for shin splints on our website that have very durable heel areas (scored 5/5 on our tests).

However, when it comes to the durability of the outsole, we don’t have to assess things. 

Given the hardness of the outsole, we can accurately measure the depth of the dent. 

outsole-durability-running-shoes-for-shin-splints.jpg
We use a tire tread gauge to measure the depth of the dent. The deeper the dent, the less durable the outsole 

Arch support in running shoes for shin splints

We haven’t discussed this at the very beginning because if you got injured running, you most likely know whether you need stability running shoes (if you’re overpronating) or neutral running shoes (if you’re a supinator or have medium arches). 

pronation-levels-runrepeat.jpg
Most runners overpronate (their ankles roll inward at the landing) and enjoy running in stability running shoes, while the smallest % of runners supinate, or underpronate, meaning they use the outer side of the shoes more 
different-arch-heights-runrepeat.jpg
The majority of runners with flat feet overpronate and use running shoes with arch support (stability running shoes or running shoes for overpronation)

Just because it was not mentioned at the beginning does not mean it does not matter. If you’re an overpronator, have flat feet, or simply enjoy the extra stability that comes from trademarked technologies or different design elements (like deep side walls, heel bevels, medial posts, etc), you can find stability running shoes for shin splints. These running shoes offer stabilization and support so that the heel is locked in place and the ankle rolls inward less.

stabilization-elements-for-overpronation-runrepeat.jpg
Different stabilization elements used in stability running shoes 1) stiff heel counter with a lot of padding 2) dual-density midsole where the firmer foam offers extra support 3) heel bevels - curved heel that imitates the shape of the heel to soften the landings 4) tall side walls 5) outsole with a lot of ground contact 6) forefoot flare 7) heel sole flare

On the other hand, if you’re a neutral pronator or an underpronator, there are great shoe choices for your needs: 

Wide toebox in running shoes for shin splints 

Nailing the fit is always a priority when buying new running shoes, and this especially comes to light when you're dealing with an injury. You don't want anything else to annoy you or cause discomfort. 

In our lab, we use a special gel that's poured into the shoes and frozen. This allows us to get accurate measurements of the shoe volume. 

toebox-width-measurements-shin-splints-running-shoes.jpg
Measuring the width of the toebox at the big toe (left) and the width of the shoe where it's the widest (right) 

Thanks to this gel mold, we also measure the height of the toebox. This is very important for runners whose big toe points up and/or who regularly get black toenails

toebox-height-shin-splints-shoes.jpg
Measuring the height of the toebox in RunRepeat lab 

If you need the most room where the shoe is the widest, consider these running shoes: 

In case you need room around the big toe, meaning you want toeboxes that are not (as) pointy, we sorted the running shoes by the widest toebox at the big toe here: 

If you simply have very narrow feet and want a shoe that fits so that there's no sliding, this is the selection of the narrowest running shoes for shin splints: 

And, if the upper in the toebox often puts pressure on your toes, meaning you need more vertical room, here's a selection of shoes for you:

Cheap running shoes for shinsplints 

If having the latest model the moment it is released does not matter to you, we recommend looking for discounted running shoes or setting a price alert that will notify you once the price drops. You can do both on RunRepeat. 

Some running shoes cost more when they are released - this is the so-called MSRP, the manufacturer's suggested retail price. They usually get cheaper over time, so here are running shoes for shin splints with the lowest MSRPs (with no discounts): 

Shin splints rehab

The best way to start the rehabilitation process is to rest. Pain often goes away just by doing that. However, active recovery is recommended, as well as: 

  • gentle stretching
  • non-weight-bearing exercises
  • ice packs to reduce inflammation
  • doing low-impact exercises like swimming or using a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer
  • checking whether you’re running in proper running shoes. 

Shin splints prevention 

Given that shin splints happen in the lower leg extremities and as a result of overtraining, prevention focuses on:

  • Strengthening and stretching calf and shin muscles
  • Gradually building up the mileage and intensity, this progression should not have sudden spikes 
  • Doing cross-training, ideally low-intensity activities like swimming and cycling
  • Making sure your shoes are not worn out; some foams are not as durable and might not offer enough impact protection after a certain mileage. Some data suggests changing shoes after 300 miles even if they look not damaged.

Sources

Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.