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 test running shoes
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
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Wider than Pegasus 37
- Very stable ride
- Peppy toe-off
- Hugs your feet
- Padded upper
- Very durable (400-500miles)
- Grippy even on dirt roads
- Legit workhorse
- Doubles as a gym shoe
- A joy to run in
Cons
- Runs warm
- Above-average weight
Verdict
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!
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 3% in Brooks running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- All about comfort!
- True to size
- Lots of padding
- Smooth ride
- Really stable, even on light trails
- Breathable
- Great out of the box
- Built for longevity (500 miles, easily)
- Great grip
Cons
- Lacks breathability for hot summer days
- Not the best for long distances
Verdict
Best daily trainers for heel strikers
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 8% in road running shoes
- Top 16% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 4% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Durable
- Breathable
- Soft, luxurious feel
- True to size
- No break-in
- Wide feet friendly
- Do-it-all trainer
Cons
- A bit stiff underfoot
- Could be more responsive
Verdict
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.
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 8% in road running shoes
- Top 7% in Asics running shoes
- Top 4% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Comfortable
- Lightweight for a daily trainer
- True to size
- Do-it-all shoe
- Budget-minded at $120
- Smooth ride
- No break-in period
- Durable
- Decent grip
Cons
- Not super efficient
- Runs a bit warm
- Stiffens up in the cold
Verdict
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
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 4% in Brooks running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- fits true to size
- secure fit
- great stability
- gusseted tongue
- soft but not mushy
- superb durability
- no lace bite
Cons
- not for speedy runs
- could be lighter
Verdict
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.
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 5% in road running shoes
- Top 5% in Asics running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Familiar Kayano fit
- Roomier toebox
- No lace bite
- Added pep
- No medial post
- Lost weight
- Kayano durability
Cons
- Heel slipping
- Overly plush
- Runs warm
Verdict
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 value shoes for heel strikers
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 2% in road running shoes
- Top 2% in Reebok running shoes
- Top 11% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Lightweight
- Responsive
- Peppy ride
- Heel tab
- Lugged outsole
- Durable
- Price
Cons
- Feels a touch long
- Runs a bit warm
Verdict
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!
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 27% in running shoes for walking
- Top 7% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Fits like a dream
- Accommodating stretchy upper
- Efficient transitions
- Surprisingly peppy
- Laces stay tied tightly
- Low to the ground
- Durable construction
- Great deal
- Do-it-all shoe
- Impressive weight
- Breathable
Cons
- Not for long runs
- No reflective details
Verdict
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
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 29% in trail running shoes
- Top 30% in Salomon running shoes
- Top 2% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fits wider feet
- Energy-efficient ride
- Great lacing system
- Doesn’t weigh you down
- No heel slip
- Insane grip
- Really durable
Cons
- Runs ½ size longer
- Needs breaking in
Verdict
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!
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 18% in trail running shoes
- Top 21% in neutral running shoes
- Top 7% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Outstanding grip
- Perfect foot lockdown
- Great for mud, ice, rocks
- Durable as a tank
Cons
- For narrow feet only
- Not breathable
- Heavy
Verdict
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!
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What are the most popular running shoes for heel strike in 2022?
- Brooks Ghost 14
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3 GTX
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3
- Asics Novablast 2
- Adidas Ultraboost 22
- Adidas Supernova+
- Asics Gel Kayano 28
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
- On Cloudmonster
- Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2
- Nike Air Zoom Tempo Next%
- Nike ZoomX Invincible Run
- Asics Gel Venture 8
- Nike Wildhorse 7
- Salomon Sense Ride 4
What are the cheapest running shoes for heel strike in 2022?
- Adidas Runfalcon 2.0 - from £23
- Under Armour Charged Rogue 2.5 - from £33
- Asics Jolt 3 - from £36
- Asics Patriot 12 - from £39
- Asics Trail Scout 2 - from £39
- Nike Renew Ride 2 - from £40
- Asics Gel Venture 8 - from £40
- Asics Gel Contend 7 - from £40
- Under Armour Charged Vantage - from £41
- Under Armour Charged Assert 9 - from £41
- Salomon Predict Soc - from £44
- Adidas SL20.2 - from £45
- New Balance Nitrel V4 - from £45
- Adidas EQ21 - from £45
- Asics Gel Excite 9 - from £45
See all running shoes for heel strike sorted by lowest price