Less supportive than heavier stability shoes

• We recommend the best stability shoes for every type of runner, including overpronators and late-onset overpronating neutral runners
• Before buying stability shoes, you should first consider if you need them; running in overcorrective shoes could lead to injury
• When shopping for stability shoes, comfort, cushioning, and the type of runs you’re using them can help determine what kind of pair is best for you

If you suffer from knee, hip, or Best Trail Shoe, you may want to consider running in stability shoes (or retiring your current pair). Stability shoe tech has undergone a major shift in the last decade. Instead of beefing up shoes with hard plastic and firm medial posts, brands are manufacturing trainers that offer unobtrusive stability components so you can get that extra support when you need it. The new line of thinking: allow runners’ feet to do what feels natural—with a little guidance, when needed.

Technically not a true stability shoe

• Best Overall: Asics Gel-Kayano 32 (Men’s / Women’s)
• Best Value: Best New Balance Shoes (Men’s / Women’s)
• Best Daily Trainer: The 6 Best Nike Running Shoes (Men’s / Women’s)
• The 9 Best Asics Running Shoes: Runner’s World Shoe Awards 2025 (Men’s / Women’s)
• Best for Long Runs: Saucony Guide 18 (Men’s / Women’s)

Why Trust Us

Runner’s World has been a trusted source of gear reviews for runners of all levels since its inception in 1966. To ensure we incorporate a wide range of perspectives, we recruit a network of 300 wear-testers, which logs hundreds of miles testing shoes throughout the year.

We selected these shoes based on tester feedback and consulted Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer, Test Editor Morgan Petruny, and contributor and full-time personal running coach Cory Smith, who has tested and reviewed running shoes for over a decade. They also shared their insights on what to consider when choosing stability shoes and explained how some runners may need a little extra support.

How We Selected

From pounding the pavement to scrutinizing performance in our Shoe Lab, the Runner’s World test editors and wear-testers rigorously tested all of our selections. Our process includes exhaustive market research, analysis of user feedback, and consultations with industry experts.

In addition, Smith combined feedback from the Runner’s World editors and wear-testing team with his personal experience to determine the best stability shoes for every kind of runner.

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Full Reviews

Everything that we loved about the Gel-Kayano 31—bouncy ride, pillowy cushioning, subtle support—was kept in the Gel-Kayano 32. The newest iteration has the same high-stacked FF Blast Plus midsole foam with a bubble of PureGel silicone cushioning for even more support in the heel.

The shoe uses Asics’s 4D Guidance System, which involves a beveled heel, wider base, flared midsole, and spongy medial post. These features provide “adaptive stability” because they activate support only when needed. The result: a less prescriptive, more fluid ride compared to stability shoes of yesteryears.

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At $110, the GT-1000 14 is a more affordable option for runners looking for more support. The Flytefoam midsole is updated with lighter and bouncier FF Blast. Like the Gel-Kayano 32, the shoe also has PureGel for extra padding in the heel.

The GT-1000 14 uses Asics’s 3D Guidance System to promote stability. Similar to the 4D Guidance System in the Gel-Kayano 32, the GT-1000 14 has a wider base, increased heel bevel, and a flared forefoot.

The shoe is ideal for new runners not wanting to break the bank on more expensive stability trainers. Its supportive cushioning makes it extremely versatile. From daily trainers to recovery shoes, you definitely get a bang for your buck.

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If you’re logging daily miles, a reliable daily workhorse is essential. You need a shoe that can handle the grind of distance runs while keeping your feet comfortable mile after mile. Enter the all-new The 6 Best Nike Running Shoes: A well-cushioned stability shoe that blends support with a smooth, comfortable ride.

On a run, the Nitro 2 feels more like a cushioned neutral trainer than a stability shoe. Puma’s nitrogen-infused foam midsole, which combines a softer inner core and a firmer outer rim frame, feels about as lively as possible for a cushioned stability shoe.

“The cushioning provided a good balance between softness and responsiveness,” pointed out one tester, adding, “It allowed me to maintain comfort without feeling fatigued.” A heel clip and strategically placed overlays on the upper provide additional support.

The Nitro 2 doesn’t have the most lightweight upper we’ve tested, but it’s comfortable. Heavy padding sewn into the heel cushions the back of your foot, providing extra comfort against the firm yet supportive heel counter. Plush padding all over has its drawbacks, though: “My feet were getting very hot and sweaty after 3-4 miles in these shoes,” said the same tester, noting that it might be a “tough wear in the summer.”

Despite its plush padding and supportive build, the ForeverRun Nitro 2 maintains a surprisingly springy ride. It may not be the lightest option, but the cushioned midsole and smooth transition make up for it, generating a stable yet surprisingly peppy experience.

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While not as plush as some of the Hoka’s neutral shoes, like the Clifton 9, the Arahi 7 won our testers’ appreciation with its firm but well-protected feeling on days when their legs were still screaming from yesterday’s workout.

“In the past, Hoka shoes that I had worn were too cushy for me… like I was walking on a too squishy pillow,” said tester Mitch R, “but this one I found to be firmer and very, very comfortable.”

Likewise, we found the Arahi 7 to be one of the most stable shoes thanks to its wide base and Hoka’s J-Frame support, which integrates a firm, well, J-shaped strip of foam on the medial side to reduce pronation. Testers noticed and appreciated the guidance, likening it to “a friendly nudge to maintain my stride in line.”

The snug, gusseted, flat-knit upper also got rave reviews for adding to the shoe’s stable feeling underfoot. One tester called it the “most secure-feeling running shoe I’ve ever had on my feet.”

Still, a word of caution for those who prefer an uber-soft recovery run shoe: This is not it. If you’re looking for plush, circle back to our top pick, the Asics Gel-Kayano 31.

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The Guide 18 has Saucony’s original PWRRUN foam, which translates to a soft, comfy ride that buffers the impact from constant pounding. The tooling is the same as the previous Guide: a wider last that’s straighter on the medial side. Saucony increased the foam around the heel for a more secure fit. The brand’s CenterPath tech provides stability with higher sidewalls and a broader base. “I loved the high wall upper design that literally holds your foot in the center of the cushioning, creating a comfortable ride,” said tester and overpronator Helen Capparell.

Tester Dave Block also praised the comfort of the Guide 18. “The first time I tried on the shoe, I cracked a big smile,” he said. “I loved the feel. It’s just so darn soft and comfortable inside! It put me in a positive frame of mind before I went out the door. If memory serves, this shoe has the most comfortable interior among all those I’ve wear-tested.”

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The Glycerin GTS 22 has that step-in feel we expect from Brooks: a slipper-like fit with a soft midsole that buffers miles of pounding. The shoe is updated with the brand’s new DNA Tuned foam, which first rolled out in the Glycerin Max. The dual-cell, nitrogen-infused foam provides a softer landing on your run but feels lighter than other max-cushioned shoes.

If the Glycerin Max is a mammoth, the Glycerin GTS 22 is a mastodon. The midsole is not as thick as its cushier counterpart, hitting 38mm in the heel (the Glycerin Max stack height is 42.25mm). But that lower height—and less squish—makes the Glycerin GTS 22 more versatile, positioning it as both recovery shoe and daily trainer.

The shoe blends everything you need when running short or long: lightweight cushioning with stability tech for late-onset pronation. The shoe absorbs shock while ensuring you’ll be taken care of when your form becomes sloppy, all thanks to Brooks’s bumper-like guide rails system.

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Drawing inspiration from the ever-popular New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6, the Fresh Foam X 860v14 ditches its rigid medial post for an EVA stability plate, which allows for more flexibility without sacrificing support. That creates a balanced and stable ride that serves as a perfect everyday workhorse for runners who need a lot of support. “It doesn’t drastically affect the support of the shoe, but it helps make the midsole feel softer,” says Petruny.

New for version 14, the 860’s dual-density Fresh Foam midsole now boasts another 4mm of padding in the forefoot and slightly less drop. The two layers–soft on top for comfort and firmer below for stability—provide a balance of cushioning and support that Petruny describes as “a touch more forgiving” without feeling “squishy-soft.”

Rounding out the stable base is a structured engineered mesh upper that further adds to the 860v14’s supportive nature. While our testers mostly liked it, one tester found the ankle collar rubbed slightly, while another felt the midsole was firm.

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Reminiscent of old-school racing flats, the low-profile, lightly cushioned Hyperion GTS 2 tops the charts for responsiveness, making it an ideal speedwork shoe. It features an updated version of the brand’s responsive DNA Flash v2 midsole, which is made with a nitrogen-infused EVA foam.

The second iteration of this speed demon receives an additional 4mm of foam for a slightly more cushioned ride. While the extra foam softens impacts, the Hyperion still runs firm compared to most trainers, maintaining its snappy, responsive, fast feel. “The midsole is responsive, providing a springy feel underfoot without being overly soft or mushy,” said one tester.

Like all of Brooks’s GTS (Go-to-Support) models, the Hyperion GTS features firm foam “GuideRails” along the medial and lateral sides that help align your foot and knee. The support is noticeable, but certainly not overbearing. One tester who overpronates noted, “the stability features were effective without feeling intrusive.”

The breathable mesh upper and semi-flexible heel counter do a great job of supporting you at the midfoot and the heel. Like its predecessor, the Hyperion runs a little snug, which isn’t uncommon for shoes designed for speed where you want a secure fit. That said, one tester found the tightness became uncomfortable on long runs.

Stability shoes are often bulky and slow, but the Hyperion GTS 2 breaks the mold with its lightweight, agile design.

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Super shoes have fundamentally changed running. The combination of high-energy-return foam and a carbon fiber plate can make running fast easier and less damaging to your legs. While technically not a stability running shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 delivers the most stable ride of any race-day super shoe, and we feel confident recommending it to runners with mild stability needs.

Made from a blend of Saucony’s two high-performance foams, Pwrrun HG and Pwrrun PB, the Endorphin Pro 4 delivers a “snappy and responsive ride,” said one tester. A full-length carbon fiber plate embedded in the midsole lends stiffness and assists in a more powerful toe-off. That, combined with extended midsole "flaring" that extends outward from the upper, creates a wider base of support. That stable foundation centers you in the shoe and creates a stable platform for the foot. Faster paces just seem to come naturally in this shoe.

As with most race shoes, the upper is fairly minimalistic to reduce weight. The lightweight, breathable mesh and gusseted tongue provide excellent ventilation. If you generally wear stability shoes and you’re preparing for a competitive event, these are the ones to try.

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Trail running is inherently unstable. Between undulating paths and uneven terrain that can shift underfoot, every step requires a considerable amount of strength to maintain your stride. This can only exacerbate the impact of underpronation, overpronation, and other stability issues. The Brooks Cascadia 18 combats this with a suite of stability features that Brooks calls the “Trail Adapt” system, which includes a supportive yet responsive midsole, a dynamic rock plate that adds support, and an outsole designed to adapt to uneven ground.

The Cascadia 18 midsole is no different than its predecessor. It still uses DNA Loft 2 foam, which runs on the firm end of the spectrum. One tester called the midsole “a good balance of firm and supportive, which I liked.” The plate, paired with that midsole, provides some predictability and steadiness, counteracting the instability of trail terrain for a balanced and grounded ride.

The upper is a tough-skinned mesh that locks the foot securely. During twisty-turny descents down off-camber footing, I felt entirely in control and connected with the ground. My only gripe? The shoe’s a bit heavy: When the trail opened up for faster running, the weight left me feeling a bit sluggish through my stride.

My small nitpicks aside, I'll let this more holistic perspective from one of the testers be the final word: “The Brooks Cascadia is an all-around comfortable and very wearable trail shoe.”

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Stability Running Shoe Q&A

Do I actually need a stability shoe?

When should neutral runners consider wearing a stability shoe?

Is there an adjustment to running in stability shoes?

Do stability shoes “fix” overpronation?

What to Consider

Comfort

Cushioning

Type of Run