7 Best Stability Running Shoes in 2023

Do I need a stability running shoe?

Yes and no.

If you are a beginner, or if you don’t have any pain in walking or running, a stability running shoe is not absolutely necessary. You may find that neutral shoes are comfortable enough and can get you across Point A to Point B without problems.

neutral shoe (Saucony Ride) vs. stability shoe (Saucony Guide)

However, if you have excessive inward foot movement or if you are experiencing injuries related to it, you might have overpronation. In this case, a stability running shoe could help alleviate these issues.

What is overpronation?

To better understand overpronation, we will first define pronation. Pronation is the natural movement of the foot as it lands, such as during walking or running.

Normally, pronation is a side-to-side motion, which results in the foot rolling inward with each step. To some, this happens in higher degrees (could be mild or severe). When this occurs, you may have overpronation.

Neutral vs stability vs motion control shoes

For most runners, neutral shoes are the more common choice. This is relatively harmless, especially if you don’t have problems walking or running. On the other hand, if you have overpronation, stability shoes, or motion control shoes could be more beneficial. Here is a guide on how we can differentiate between neutral shoes, stability shoes, and motion control shoes.

Differences between arch types

• High-arched runners have a prominent rise on the bottom of their feet. Because it is high, the risen area has little to no ground contact. This results in the foot to move rigidly.
• Runners with moderate arches have an underfoot rise that is neither too high nor too low. Their foot rolls inward to a certain degree, which lends them impact absorption upon landing.
• Runners with very low arches usually possess flat feet. A runner with a flat foot does not get sufficient arch support. This means, as the foot lands on the ground, it tends to roll inward excessively.

Which type of shoe should you get?

• High-arched runners are the most compatible with neutral shoes. These shoes are well-cushioned to make the runner feel more comfortable and their foot more flexible.
• Stability shoes are for runners with mild overpronation. Runners with feet that tend to move inward will benefit from a shoe that offers support and controls the excessive rolling of the feet. Stability shoes offer adequate cushioning but have a firm midfoot area to reinforce arch support.
• For runners with severe overpronation, motion control shoes are most suitable. These shoes are similar to stability shoes in that they provide support and keep the foot from rolling inward. However, motion control shoes have stiffer parts, especially in the heel area. The aim of this is to make the shoe a bit heavier to prevent the foot from moving inward extremely.

Types of arch support in running shoes from least to most supportive:

neutral or no support (Nike Air Zoom Pegasus)

stability: support for mild to moderate overpronation (ASICS Gel Kayano)

motion control: supports severe overpronation (Hoka Gaviota)

3 noteworthy attributes of stability running shoes

An efficient stability running shoe should be able to correct your pronation and alleviate any discomfort brought by the foot rolling inward. The listed qualities below help stability shoes achieve these goals.

A semi-curved shape

A stability shoe has a slightly curved shape, which allows it to provide a good balance of support and cushioning. In contrast, a neutral shoe has more curves, while a motion control shoe is almost straight. Below is an illustration for reference:

On the left, the motion control shoe shows an almost straight layout with its shallow curves on the arch area. In the middle is the stability shoe, which is slightly curvier. On the right is the neutral shoe that displays the deepest curves among the 3.

Guide rails

A gradually increasing trend among stability running shoes, the guide rails are a special feature that prevents the inward rolling of the foot, which is the most apparent sign of overpopulation.

Here you can see an illustration of how the guide rails are typically positioned within the stability running shoe. This layout effectively prevents the foot from rolling inward, as with overpronation.

GuideRails on Brooks Adrenaline

Heel support

A usual companion of the guide rails in stability running shoes is a firm (even stiff) and well-padded heel counter. It clutches the heel and ankle, preventing the foot from rolling inwards in the early stages of the heel-to-toe transition.

Supportive heel counters on stability shoes. Left to right: Saucony Guide 14, Hoka Arahi 5, ASICS Gel Kayano 28

Frequently asked questions

Will a stability shoe correct my pronation permanently?

The answer is no, unfortunately. A stability shoe provides extra arch support and it stabilizes the foot to avoid unnecessary movements. However, the shoes are only meant to guide the feet towards a correct gait, but it does not permanently fix the condition. If you are looking for a long-term solution, you may try physical therapy and some exercises aimed at strengthening foot muscles.

Should I use stability shoes even when I am not running?

A stability shoe corrects the step of an overpronator by giving a sufficient amount of arch support. If you suffer from pain and injuries that are associated with overpronation, then a stability shoe can continue to be beneficial in your other activities that involve a lot of mobility.