The best running shoes for overpronation and flat feet
The best stability running shoes for overpronation and flat feet, and what the research says about whether you need one.
Quick answer
For overpronation or flat feet, our top pick is the ASICS GT-2000 15: supportive, stable platform and balanced cushioning. The PUMA ForeverRun NITRO 3 and Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 are close behind. In one randomised trial, runners with pronated feet had fewer injuries in motion control shoes than in standard ones.
Our picks
- Top match£135
GT-2000 15
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size
275g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£140
ForeverRun NITRO 3
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, narrow fit
290g 8mm drop
- Also great£140
Wave Inspire 22
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
293g 10mm drop
Our picks
- Top match£135
GT-2000 15
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size
231g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£140
ForeverRun NITRO 3
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, narrow fit
247g 8mm drop
- Also great£140
Wave Inspire 22
- Supportive, stable platform
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
250g 10mm drop
How they compare
| Shoe | Price | Weight (men's / women's) | Drop | Plate | Wide fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS GT-2000 15 | £135 | 275g / 231g | 8mm | None | Yes |
| PUMA ForeverRun NITRO 3 | £140 | 290g / 247g | 8mm | None | No |
| Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 | £140 | 293g / 250g | 10mm | None | No |
Do you need a stability shoe?
Older advice matched every runner to a shoe by foot type. Reviews of the research have found pronation is a weaker predictor of injury than once thought, and comfort is a better guide.
That said, in a blinded trial of 372 runners, those with pronated feet had a lower injury risk in motion control shoes than in standard shoes. If a stability shoe feels better to you, it's a good choice.
What modern stability shoes do
Most no longer use a hard post under the arch. They use a wider base, firmer foam on the inside edge, or raised sidewalls ("guide rails") to keep your foot centred. They feel much closer to a neutral shoe than they used to.
Frequently asked questions
Do flat feet need stability running shoes?
Not necessarily. Plenty of runners with flat feet are comfortable in neutral shoes. If you overpronate and a stability shoe feels better, there's some evidence it lowers injury risk.
What's the difference between stability and motion control shoes?
Motion control shoes are the firmest, most corrective type. Modern stability shoes are milder, using wider bases and guide rails instead.
Can stability shoes cause problems if I don't overpronate?
In the trial above, neutral runners had no clear difference either way. Comfort is the best guide.
How we picked
Every shoe we track is scored on cushioning, stability, responsiveness, weight, drop, plate, width options and price. For this guide we ran that scoring for a typical runner with these needs and show the top three. No brand or retailer can pay to appear. How we rank.
Sources
- Malisoux et al. (2016). Injury risk in runners using standard or motion control shoes: a randomised controlled trial with participant and assessor blinding. British Journal of Sports Medicine 50(8)
- Nigg et al. (2015). Running shoes and running injuries: mythbusting and a proposal for two new paradigms. British Journal of Sports Medicine 49(20)