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. 

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Best running shoes for shin splints overall

Hoka Clifton 10
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

We just loved Saucony Ride 17 and it has outperformed all the other shoes when it comes to shin splints and offering much-needed comfort and support. It's cushioned, very stable, locks our feet in perfectly, and rides wonderfully on the daily runs! 

At 35.1 mm, Ride17's heel is surely high-stacked, but in a good way! It's 10% softer than the average road running shoe, but it's also stable. The platform scored 3/5 on our torsional rigidity test, which explains it. 

The midsole at the heel is slightly wider than the average, which sounds like a too small of a difference, but it is actually noticeable. The landings are planted and it feels even better for the forefoot strikers, where that difference is much greater (the platform at the forefoot is 11 mm wider than the average, 125 mm vs 114 mm).

Saucony Ride 17 has all it takes for a runner with shin splints to take it slower and to take care of their feet and legs. However, those who have very sweaty feet or who plan to run in very hot weather should look for another option. The Ride 17 scored only 2/5 on our breathability test, which makes it better for cold weather.

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?

PUMA ForeverRun Nitro is our top pick for arch support in running shoes for shin splints because it offers arch support in an obtrusive yet very welcome way, and because it cushions each impact with a remarkable midsole (supercritical foam, yes!). 

There's no measurement for arch support, so we can describe it: ForeverRun Nitro running shoes are very stable and very supportive. There's no medial post or dual-density midsoles, but there are reinforcements on the upper, around the heel, and there's a sole flare. The flare is very pronounced so the landing base is remarkably wide, almost 11 mm wider than the average!

Weighing 9.67 oz or 8 grammes more than the average - this is superb! Many running shoes for flat feet or overpronators are significantly heavier due to all the stability technologies they utilise. 

Legs experiencing shin splints love the PUMA ForeverRun Nitro because of the great cushioning and stable landings and toeoffs. Plus, there's the arch support that's subtle yet working. However, if you're experiencing severe overpronation, you may want to look for running shoes with higher levels of arch support. And, keep in mind that this shoe is on the narrower end. 

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?

From the moment we put the Bondi 9 on to the last step, it felt divine. Comfort levels are out of this world, and the cushioning feels like it's hugging our feet. Even though it looks sky-high, it's actually so stable that we could also use it as a walking shoe with no issues. What more can one ask when dealing with shin splints? Slow paces, stable ride, cushioned feel. This is why Hoka Bondi 9 is our #1 pick when it comes to cushioning for shin splints! 

Fortunately, this is when Hoka let go of the outdated EVA and used a supercritical one. With our durometer showing 25.1, it's not too soft but actually balanced, and we're thankful for it. Softer midsoles at this height are usually very unstable. Not only that, but the foam got lighter and more responsive! Talk about superb cushioning! 

Given that shin splints is an overuse injury and that we should all take it easier, finding a running shoe that is comfortable and stable at lower paces is imperative. Bondi 9 delivers just that. At 41.3 mm, its heel is 17% higher than the average. And we love it! all thanks to its torsional rigidity (we rated it 4/5, so quite rigid!), a wide platform and a well-balanced midsole. 

When you land on the heel, beneath it is a 104.2 mm wide midsole, which is crazy! Crazy good, given that that's 14 mm more than what an average road running shoe offers. 

All wide-footed runners should be warned, this shoe is most likely not for you. Look elsewhere if you want your toes to splay or your feet to enjoy roomier enteriors! 

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
  • 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?

Adidas Ultraboost 5 is cushioned both for heel strikes and forefoot strikers, it's stable and has a wide toebox! It's also durable and breathable which makes it perfect for runners dealing with shin splints who plan to do easy runs only. 

To measure the toebox width, we can't just fit a laser inside or a calliper. So, we make a gel mould of the toebox interior. Then, we use digital callipers to measure the width at the big toe and where the toebox is the widest. In both places, the Adidas Ultraboost 5 offers more room than the average! Focusing on the width of the toebox at the big toe, which is a wide-toebox indicator, Ultraboost 5 is 5 mm wider here than the average. But, it's not just about the strict width, but also about the upper. Ultraboost 5 features a knit upper, which is soft, stretchy, and wonderful for runners whose toes want to splay. 

Adidas Ultraboost 5 features 35.2 mm at the heel and, with that number, it sits just around the average. However, based on our test runs, this is perfect even for the long slow runs. Or daily activities, where the Ultraboost 5 doubles as a walking shoe easily. We found this to be perfect for shin splints when slower paces and resting are a must. 

What you can expect from this shoe is a soft midsole. It's actually 19% softer than the average but, the great thing is, this does not affect its stability. There's no wobbling. The price was paid though at the energy return front. That's why this is a daily trainer and nothing more. 

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?

8.2 oz! Or, 232g for the metric-system lovers. How crazy is that? Hoka Mach 6 is high-stacked, cushioned, has quite a lot of rubber coverage on the outsole, and yet it packs all of that into 8.2 oz! Given the lovely cushioning and a stable ride, there was nothing else we could have done but choose it as the best lightweight choice for shin splints! 

With 36.0 mm at the heel, there's always a risk of some instability. But, here we have a torsionally rigid platform (scored 4/5 on our assessment) and a stiff heel counter (another 4/5 rating in our lab). Hoka Mach 6 locks our feet in place and it does so wonderfully. Below, there's a balanced foam (with 20.4 showing on the display of our shore A durometer, it's as soft as the average running shoe) and a 4.5 mm thick insole. Together, they create a much-wanted cushy feel for legs that need as much comfort as possible, given the extra stress that the shins have been dealing with. 

This running shoe is ready for daily abuse. The outsole is very durable! On our Dremel test, it ended up with a 0.6 mm deep dent. That's almost 2x less than the average! We just have to warn you about its heel drop: the brand says it's 5.0, we measured 9.6 mm!

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
  • Not the best for walking
Full review of Topo Atmos

Best running shoes for shin splints with the best durability

What makes it the best?

Even injured runners have to deal with wet weather. When that's the case, and you're experiencing shin splints, we can't recommend Hoka Clifton 9 GTX enough. Its waterproofness is top-notch and, combined with a stable and wonderfully cushioned platform, it really sits high above the rest. 

We tested the Clifton 9 GTX on our test runs, and the waterproof membrane kept all the water outside. To double-check this, we pumped the smoke into the shoe and saw, well, nothing, at least in the toebox area. The smoke does not come out! Some of it passes through, but through the tongue. Smoke not passing through the toebox explains why the water could not get in on our test runs. 

With 37.2 mm at the heel, the Clifton 9 GTS sits slightly above the average, and we found that the stack height is perfect for heel strikers. Landing on the heel becomes a bad experience when the midsole wobbles and/or bottoms out. Here, however, the durometer measurements, with 23.9 HA, put the midsole in the balanced range which brings slight stability to the midsole. Also, the platform at the heel is 7 mm wider than the average. All of these features combined explain why running in Hoka Clifton 9 GTX feels so good when your shins are hurting and you're jogging or walking around. 

If you look at the Hoka's claims, this shoe has a heel to toe drop of 5.0 mm. However, our calliper measurements tell a different story: heel drop is actually 8.6 mm. For these measurements, we honour the World Athletics guidelines, meaning we cut the shoes in half and measure the stack heights at 12% and 75% of the inner shoe length. This makes our measurements objective, so we have to warn you about the drop that is higher than advertised! 

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?

When dealing with shin splints, rehab can take a while. If you're looking for a running shoe that will allow you to do daily runs or to use as a walking shoe, maybe even after the rehab, you will most likely want something durable. In that case, we found the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 to have the best durability when it comes to running shoes for shin splints. 

To test the durability of running shoes, we use a Dremel. We press it against 3 different shoe parts: the toebox, heel padding, and the outsole. Then, based on the damage, we can assign a durability rating of 1-5, where 5 is the most durable, or, we can measure the depth of the dent. Looking at the toebox, it scored 3/5, which may sound low but given how breathable the upper is, this is a great result.

Heel padding is more durable and we assign it a 4/5 durability rating. Our dremel barely touched it. When it comes to the outsole, because the rubber is a hard material, we measured the dent after the Dremel test, and it was 25% shallower than the average! Our Dremel made a dent that was only 0.8 mm deep. For context, some outsoles end up with holes that are 5 mm deep or more! Nimbus 27 is ready for the daily abuse and it's here to stay. 

Looking at the foam, this is a balanced midsole, as seen on our durometer and as we felt on our test runs. Although it's high-stacked, it remains stable thanks to the maximal torsional rigidity (5/5), meaning it really resists our efforts to twist it! The ride is wonderfully cushioned and works great for slower paces. 

We could not have it all. Breathability, durability, wonderful midsole, but once all of this is packed into a daily trainer, that daily trainer becomes heavy. It's not about the number on the scale but it tends to feel heavy. This is easy to overlook if you keep your mileage low and paces slow though. 

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 analyse 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-fibre 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 calliper 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.


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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 utilised: 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 utilised. 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) 
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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 
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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-fibre 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-fibre 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 
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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 standardised, 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 
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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. 


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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 tyre 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 stabilisation and support so that the heel is locked in place and the ankle rolls inward less.

stabilization-elements-for-overpronation-runrepeat.jpg
Different stabilisation 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. 


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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 mould, 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.