7 Best Running Shoes For Orthotics in 2024

Backed up by our lab, we gave the top orthotic-friendly running shoe spot to Deviate Nitro 2 because it blends comfort, speed, and grip in perfect harmony. Our rides felt smooth with this carbon-plated pair that accommodates slow to fast paces and runners that pronate. It has an easy-to-switch insole that can be replaced with custom-fit orthotics for better comfort.

Every footfall of ours is caught by a soft foam that feels plush and delicate underfoot. Our durometer confirms it’s 30.8% softer than average, creating a smooth, low-impact ride. 

Despite the buttery foam, we didn’t struggle to pick up the pace. The carbon plate generates a consistent and vibrant energy that springs us off with every stride. What helps is the stiffness, which our lab validates to be 95.3% higher than average. This didn't go unnoticed in our runs as we could hold faster efforts with finesse.

The outsole uses PUMAGRIP ATR, which is meant to handle mixed terrains. We proved this true as it delivered excellent traction on wet roads, loose dirt, and light trails. Our durometer shows this type of rubber is softer than average, meaning it has a better grip.

DN2’s 31.7 mm heel stack falls 1.7 mm below average. Heel-strikers who prefer more support in this area should explore other max-cushioned trainers.

We cut open and ran in many orthotic-friendly shoes and found the best daily trainer — the Pegasus 40. It perfectly encapsulates a reliable workhorse for gobbling daily mileage with its loose build, balanced cushion, and long-lasting outsole.  

Our runs feel natural with this flexible pair. We discovered multiple grooves along the outsole, allowing the shoe to bend easily. This enhances comfort since we don’t have to fight much resistance. Our bend test proves the force needed to flex the shoe to 90° is only 16.0N, 46.5% less than the average.

Switching our attention underfoot, the moderate cushion offers a good balance of foam, ground feel, and some energy return. While our durometer measures the React foam as 26.1% softer than average, its stack sits below the median. 

The Peg displays excellent durability and traction in the outsole. Its 3.4 mm rubber is thick enough to last long, but its dense material makes it more enduring. Our durometer shows it’s 7.2% harder than average. Despite this, it delivers the traction we need on different pavements.

With the comfy dual-layer padded upper, it lacks air ventilation. With a lower-than-average score on our breathability test, we don’t recommend this trainer in warm and humid conditions.

Pushing the pace in the Novablast 4 feels smooth with the plush and peppy midsole. Our feet experienced its remarkable speed and comfort, and our lab results agree! Combined with its stable and robust base, it’s easily our best speedster among orthotic-friendly shoes.

Our durometer reveals a decadent foam measuring 28.7% softer than average. Underfoot, it feels buttery smooth and exceptionally guarded from the brunt of repeated landing impact of our high-paced sessions. Despite its softness, the midsole feels snappy and comes to life during our intervals and tempo workouts.

With a caliper in hand, we measured the midsole to be wider than average by 9.6/4.7 mm in the forefoot and heel. This means it should accommodate most custom orthotics. Not only that, it gives us a vast landing platform to find our footing securely during toe-offs and landing.

Surprisingly, Novablast 4 feels lighter than it looks. Our scales show it’s only 9.1 oz (259g), while the average stands at 9.4 oz (266g). What also keeps the feeling light is its adaptive midsole, which our bend test reveals is 13.5% more flexible than average.

While Novablast 4 can sustain high speeds, we find that it still lacks the energy return of a racer. We recommend PB-chasers to explore other options.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 has emerged from our rigorous lab tests and actual runs as the orthotic-friendly running shoes with the best cushioning. Aptly named Nimbus, it envelops the foot in a luxurious, cloud-like cushioning that feels surprisingly secure with every stride—a rare trait among maximalist daily trainers. With a removable insole, it’s easy to switch to custom orthotics as needed.

Its abundance of plush padding surpasses generosity, offering a height that exceeds race-legal limits. The midsole, towering at a substantial 40.4/32.0 mm stack, comprises a pillowy foam that delivers premium comfort and unparalleled impact protection across all distances. Our durometer readings confirm its exceptional softness, measuring 21.6% softer than average. Adding to its velvet touch is the PureGEL technology that facilitates softer heel landings.

Despite its ultra-soft feel, lateral stability is remarkably maintained, owing to its wider-than-average base and rigid construction. These elements effectively mitigate excessive twists and lateral movements to reduce the risk of injuries. 

However, its emphasis on comfort over speed may not suit those prioritizing pace, as its 10.7 oz (303g) weight requires additional effort to run faster. For speed-focused runners, we recommend exploring alternative options.

Adrenaline GTS 23 shines in offering subtle stability while putting a premium on comfort. It guides our feet without changing our natural stride and spoils us with soft foam and an airy upper. We switched the insole to our orthotics easily without issues. Based on our lab results and actual runs, it claims the top stability title for orthotic-friendly running shoes.

Each footfall is met with a vast landing platform that inspires safe landings. Our caliper shows it’s 4.2/6.9 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel. Another stability feature is its GuideRails technology that’s integrated into the sides of the heel for further support. Despite being a stable shoe, this pair doesn’t resist our natural movements thanks to its loose build. Our flex test confirms the midsole is 41.2% more adaptive than average.

The cushion feels balanced underfoot — soft and steady at the same time. Our durometer validates it stands 18.4% softer than average. Even with its velvet touch, we never bottomed out.

Switching our attention to the upper, it’s one of the most breathable shoes we’ve tried with no blister encounters. Our lab breathability test confirms this with a 5/5 rating. 

This shoe is better suited for heel-strikers since the forefoot stack falls 3.0 mm below the average. It's not cushioned enough for forefoot landing.

The Hoka Mach 6 marks a stellar leap from v5, ticking off all our boxes for improvement. We were delighted to find it not just light and grippy, but also versatile and comfortable—though it still caters more to runners with narrower feet. We really liked how it effortlessly handles various paces and distances, performing admirably across the board. For us, it's a well-rounded upgrade that meets the mark of an excellent daily trainer.

At only £80, we didn’t expect much from the Adidas Duramo 10 but were pleasantly surprised with how supportive and comfy it felt during our test runs. For those needing custom insoles for underlying foot conditions, we find the Duramo 10 to be the best orthotic-friendly running shoe on a budget. 

Requiring 32N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our flex test makes it 7% stiffer than average. As such, the Duramo 10 resists the natural flexion of our foot during our stride to a certain degree, which prevents us from exacerbating any existing foot injuries by providing underfoot support. This level of stiffness also makes the Duramo 10 more receptive to custom orthotics. 

We also found the Duramo 10 to be high in torsional rigidity, earning a 4 out of 5 in our manual assessment where we bent and twisted the shoe in our hands. This is another supportive feature of the shoe that serves to keep the shoe from contorting with our foot as we run. The result is a nice and level platform for stable and secure landings, even on uneven terrains. 

While a certain amount of stiffness is beneficial, the Duramo 10 stiffens up by a whopping 85% in the cold; much more than the average shoe which only becomes half as stiff under similar conditions. This means the Duramo 10 will definitely feel too frozen to be comfortable during winter runs.