7 Best Running Shoes For Supination in 2025

How we test running shoes for supination

Apart from buying the running shoes for supination with our own money, we have also invested in creating our own shoe testing lab. Here's how we review shoes and find the best picks: 

• We run in the supination running shoes for 30-50 miles to see how they perform, fit and how sturdy they are
• We measure the shoes' breathability, weight, softness, stiffness, outsole hardness, and other features. This allows us to describe each shoe with 20+ data points. 
• We cut the shoes in half on our band saw. This allows us to perform tests that would be inaccurate if done on a whole shoe, plus we're able to examine all the layers, technologies and details that make the shoe

What supination means for runners

Our joints pronate and it’s a normal thing. But, when we look at the angle, some ankles roll far too inward (overpronation), some are neutral, and the minority of runners actually supinate or underpronate, which means their ankles roll outward. If you’re a supinator, you most likely place more weight on the outside (lateral) side of your shoes. 

And there’s nothing wrong with supination. Especially if you are pain-free. If you’re experiencing pain and injuries, best to consult a specialist. 

There is a wet test that you can do at home to check your pronation. 

It’s very important to note that the accuracy of this test is not comparable to the assessment and diagnosis done by an orthopedist, ideally a one that specialises in running (works with a lot of runners and/or is a runner themself). 

5 features to look for in supination running shoes

Runners who supinate wear neutral running shoes. The difference between those with neutral pronation and supination is usually the foot strike as supinators then to use the forefoot more and in the wear of the shoe. Supinators usually see more wear on the outer side of the outsole (and midsole, when the outsole disappears). 

With that in mind, here’s what to focus on when looking for a supination running shoe:

1. Cushioned shoe. Obviously not a minimalist one 
2. Rich forefoot cushioning. Flatter shoes can work but not for beginners 
3. Heel drop that’s lower than 10mm. Usually, overpronators (and heel strikers) enjoy a higher drop of 9, 10mm and above 
4. No arch support features 
5. Grippy and durable forefoot 

We cover all of these features below in greater detail.

Width and shape of toeboxes in supination running shoes

Some runners simply have wider feet, wider toes, or bunions and similar conditions which is why they need more room in the forefoot. Others may have very narrow feet and here, we explain how we measure the volume of the toebox and how you can look for the fit you need. 

In order to measure the volume of the toebox, we first make a gel mould of each toebox that enters our lab 

Once the gel has set, we measure the width of the toebox in 2 places. 

Having these 2 measurements allows us to understand how pointy the toeboxes are and which shape would suit us more. 

Different toe shapes ask for different toebox shapes!

Knowing all this, you can look for more room in one of those 2 places. 

This gel mould is great because we can also measure the height of the toebox. Some runners need vertical room as well, so knowing the exact height is great when avoiding pressure on the toes, black toenails, and similar. 

Protective forefoot is a must 

Especially if you’re a beginner. Minimalist shoes usually have lower stack heights and less protection. They are great for strengthening foot muscles but ask for an adaptation period and are not recommended to beginners. 

We advise looking for cushioned running shoes. We measure the amount of cushioning by measuring stack heights. 

For context, here’s how big stack heights are in best-rated running shoes for supination:

In case you want as much forefoot cushion as you can get, here are the top 5 shoes:

High heel drop is out of the question in supination running shoes

Heel strikers (and overpronators) usually enjoy a higher heel drop because this means more cushioning for them where they need it: at the heel. Beginners are usually advised to go for a 10mm drop. 

However, when you’re landing at the forefoot, having a high heel toe to drop can feel very chunky and bothersome. We recommend finding shoes that have a heel drop lower than 10mm. If you’re not used to a lower drop, like 1-4mm, then look for a shoe that has a heel drop of 5-9 mm. 

As if this wasn’t enough, we have to warn you: brands often publish specifications where a heel drop is simply wrong. We have found many cases like that and some are rather extreme, where the measured heel drop is 2x bigger or smaller! than the advertised.

Our heel drop measurements, or stack height measurements to be precise, are standardised. We honour the guidelines from WorldAtheltics and measure the heel stack height at 12% of the internal length and forefoot stack height at 75% of the internal length. 

Here’s the heel drop of best-rated running shoes for supination: 

You can always check the drop measurements on our website. If you’re curious about all the wrong measurements, read our in-depth guide How brands' heel-to-toe drop measurements differ from reality in running shoes. 

How firm are supination running shoes 

In our shoe lab, we cut shoes in half to be able to stick a durometer needle into the foam. Of course, cutting the shoes in half allows us to do other tests as well, but we’ll focus on softness now. 

Durometer is a digital device that lets us know how firm or soft the foam is. Lower numbers on its display mean the foam is softer and higher numbers mean it's firmer. 

If this is your first time seeing durometer results, here’s how foams from best-rated shoes for supination scored: 

If you’re looking for the softest option out there, here are our suggestions: 

And, in case you prefer a firm ride, here are currently the firmest supination options. These tables are regularly updated with every shoe review we publish. 

Look for durable outsoles in running shoes for supination

When it comes to outsole tests, we perform 3 of them: 

1. Measuring its hardness
2. Measuring its thickness
3. Durability test using a Dremel. 

We use a shore C durometer to measure the hardness of the outsole. The bigger the number on the display, the harder the rubber. 

In general, harder rubber is more protective and durable. The softer one is more flexible and sticker. However, different compounds are available today so it’s best to look at the whole picture, not only one piece of the puzzle. 

Thicker rubber means more weight but also more durability and protection. 

And finally, we press a Dremel against the outsole (always the same duration, pressure, and RPM) and look at the damage. Then we use a tyre gauge tread to precisely measure how deep the dent is. Shallow dents mean more durability, while a deeper dent means the outsole is easier to go through or easier to damage. 

More flexibility means a more natural feeling 

While stiffness brings more stability and even propulsion (think carbon plates), some runners still prefer more flexible running shoes. This is because more flexibility comes with a more natural running feel. 

To test flexibility, we use a digital force gauge to bend the shoe to 90 degrees. Then we read what’s on display: higher numbers mean more force was needed to bend the shoe, which means it’s stiffer. Lower numbers mean the shoe is more flexible. 

Here are the most flexible running shoes for supination 

And in case you prefer a stiffer ride, here’s our always-updated list: 

What happens at longer distances? 

Simply, our legs and feet get tired. Then, they might enjoy more support and stability. This means different things for different runners, as we often see in ultra races when they swap their running shoes. 

This extra support can mean getting shoes that: 

• Are half a size or a full size larger. This works for runners whose feet swell a lot 
• Have a higher heel drop. This helps runners who sense they are getting tired in their lower leg area, especially if they are changing from forefoot striking to heel striking 
• Are stiffer and/or have a wider platform. This brings more stability so there’s less unwanted wobbling that tyres out the feet even more 
• Have stability features like sidewalls, sole flares, maybe even rails or similar technology that stabilises the feet even more. 

We wrote extensively about stability features and you can read more about the geometry elements used in stability shoes or trademarked technologies in our guide on Pronation. 

There are, of course, other elements you can look for, that bring more stability. Things like a wider base, sole flares, stiffer platform, etc. 

When it comes to the width of the base, if you’re a forefoot striker, look for a wider base at the forefoot. We do both measurements, of course, so you can look them up. 

Supination trail running shoes?

There are no special supination trail running shoes. Just like for road, supinators go for the neutral shoes. Trail shoes don’t even have a category for stability shoes (which would be a much larger group than the supination one).

This is because the terrain varies a lot; it’s constantly changing with the ups, downs, pebbles, and smaller and larger obstacles. It's difficult to stabilise feet or ankles on such terrain but there are features that can help you feel more stable and supported, like a stiff base, wide base, stiff heel counter, etc.