The 10 Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints - including High Arches, Flatfeet, Supination, Overpronation
Have you ever faced shin splints? Excruciating pain in the shinbone right!
As an Athlete, I have been there – the pain it causes in the lower leg takes from a week to a month to heal.
Shin splints happen in the bone tibia(shin bone) caused due to inflammation in the tendons and muscles near the shinbone.
Before you can get rid of shin splints, you should know what causes shin splints injuries.
- Wearing worn-out running shoes
- Intensified workout
- Change in training routine
- Having supination
- Having overpronation
- Having flat feet
- Having high arches
- You are a new runner
These are our top picks – the best running shoes for shin splints with high arches, overpronation, flat feet, and supination.
Note: All the mentioned shoes above are good for the normal feet as well.
The main culprit here is the worn-out running shoes that cause the issue, according to the podiatrists.
“Choosing proper running shoes with shock-absorbing insole prevents recurrence of shin splints and its symptoms,” says Mayoclinic.
Cushion in running shoes absorbs the force of impact from your foot movement, and it is one of the main factors that prevent shin splints.
Experts in our crew have analyzed various factors to recommend you with the perfect running shoes to evade excruciating pain caused by shin splints.
List of Top 10 Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints | Footcrawlers Picks
Table of contents
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Running shoes for Men and Women
- Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe for Men and Women
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 23 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Saucony Triumph 18 Road Running Shoe for Men and Women
- New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6 Running Shoe for Men and Women
- Adidas Adizero Adios 4 for Men and Women
- ON Running Cloud X Sneaker for Men and Women
- ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes for Men and Women
1) Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Running shoes for Men and Women
- Excellent shock absorption
- Great cushioning
- Light-weight
- Comfortable
- Prevents shin splints, knee pain, and over-pronation
- Narrow toe space.
Brooks running shoes are always known for their high quality and Soft underfoot cushioning. Brooks Adrenaline GTS21 provides greater support, stability, and cushioning than its predecessor GTS20.
The Reliable support given by this shoe makes you feel comfier, and you will never feel like you are wearing a shoe.
DNA Loft combined with Guide rails technology makes it the best-running shoe of all time for shin splints.
Features of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
The DNA Loft midsole cushioning made up of EVA foam, rubber, and air makes your shoe light-weight, absorbs shock to help with the shin splints. DNA Loft combined with BioMoGo DNA(midsole material) makes it adapt to every stride.
Here is the best part of GTS 21 it has GuideRails support technology for runners. It is like the training wheels we used to practice in our bike rides as kids. Likewise, this GuideRails support technology support system reduces heel movement and reduces excess shin. It keeps you floating with excess movements in check.
Modernized Fit in GTS 21 engineered for the best structure,3D print, and fits the adrenaline.
Specifications of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
Material – Synthetic and mesh
Sole – Rubber
weight -2 pound
Shoe designs – 21 colors
Size range – 7 to 15-x wide
Shoe designs – 26 colors
size range – 4.5 to 13-x wide
2) Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Comfortable
- Stable
- Luxurious upper
- Smooth ride transitions
- Breathable
- Midsole responsiveness low for few.
The second one on our list goes to Brooks Ghost 13 running shoes.
Ghost Running shoes are introduced in 2008 by the brooks team as they started using them for night runs like a “Ghost” so there is no surprise they named it Brooks Ghost.
We can assure you that Ghost 13 is always been a favorite for most of us for its smooth ride and soft cushioning.
Runners love Ghost 13 for its smoothness in transition, and it is a go-to shoe for daily trainers. Its outer sole can last for around a thousand kilometers and beyond.
So, now you know why it is in the 2nd place for shin splints.
Features of Brooks Ghost 13
Brooks Ghost 13 also has DNA loft midsole as well as BioMoGo DNA(midsole material).
DNA loft will be on the lateral side, and BioMoGO DNA appears below the lateral side. This dual helps in preventing stress on the shinbones providing more stability and balance.
Stable and smooth – they have a segmented crash pad inside for absorbing shocks to the foot.
For cushion heel strikes, Ghost 14 has extra heels to absorbs the excess shocks for distance runners.
Specifications of Brooks Ghost 13
Material – Synthetic and mesh
Sole – Rubber
Shoe varieties – 21 colors
Size range – 5 to 15-x wide
Shoe varieties – 22 colors
Size range – 5 to 13-x wide
3) ASICS Gel-Nimbus 23 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Breathability
- Comfortable
- Superior Smooth Ride Transitions
- Super Cushy foam
- Outsole tends to wear down quickly
As we all know, ASICS has been in the market for more than two decades, and here is its 23rd recent version Nimbus 23.
Nimbus 23 is entirely designed differently for both men and women however far better than the earlier versions.
Nimbus 23 -this name justifies it all, it will be like running on the cloud and gives you a max cushioned trainer.
It provides greater comfort and is designed to have the best long-run impact absorption which helps less strain on the shinbone.
Features of Brooks Ghost 13
GEL TECHNOLOGY CUSHIONING helps by placing in both front and rearfoot.
Rearfoot gel technology helps for heel strikes allowing us a smoother transition.
Front foot gel technology takes care of shock reduction during the forward movement. This helps in reducing stress on the shin bones and knee.
FLYTEFOAM PROPEL TECHNOLOGY gives us lightweight foam with supreme bound elastomer compounds which gives better performance on every stride.
ENGINEERED MESH UPPER – Its perfectly designed upper mesh makes it more ventilated, stable, and reduces carbon emission.
Nimbus 23 has a spongy layer near the foot’s innersole, and it gets firmer when it goes to the outer sole.
Specifications of Brooks Ghost 13
Material – Synthetic and Mesh
Sole – Foam
Shoe varieties – 21 colors
Size range – 5 to 15-x wide
Shoe varieties – 17 colors
size range- 6 to 16-x wide
4) Saucony Triumph 18 Road Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Most comfortable with a lot of cushions
- Durable
- Breathable
- Suitable for long-distance
- Bottom is little bit heavier
Saucony Triumph series is an easy-run shoe with the most highly cushioned trainer.
Saucony Triumph 18 is bouncy with good cushioning in the shoe. We can use it for daily recovery miles and long runs.
With good cushioning in place it can absorb a lot of shock, hard impact on the heel and you will never feel sore the next day.
Let’s look into the features of Saucony Triumph 18.
Features of Saucony Triumph 18
Saucony Triumph 18 upper is engineered with Jaguard mesh with plenty of breathabilities. The upper makes you feel natural and comfortable.
The tongue of Triumph18 is cushier which makes it protect us from the lacing pressure and it never slips out.
The Heel collar is too comfortable which locks down the heel better than the previous version Triumph 17.
Thick padding in the upper makes the shoe absorb sweat so it won’t gain weight during the run.
Okay, now we will look into my favorite part of this shoe midsole.
The Power run midsole is made of polyurethane with greater bouncy quality. It is so soft, responsive, and helps in smoother transitions.
Because of the power run midsole, it makes the shoe get a lot of energy return during the runs. It is firmer, stable, and durable.
You can even use this shoe for daily long runs without having any stress in the shinbone which prevents us from shin splints.
The Outsole has a lot of rubber without crystal rubber in triumph 17 which makes traction much better with greater stability.
The absence of crystal rubber in triumph 18 is a substantial improvement that makes the not slippery on wet surfaces.
There is plenty of grip on the outsole which makes it usable for both off and on roads tracks.
Specifications of Saucony Triumph 18
Material – Synthetic and Mesh
Sole – Foam
Shoe varieties -10 colors
Size – 7 to 15 wide
Shoe varieties – 10 colors
Size – 5 to 12 wide
5) New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
- Best for wide feet
- Breaks down quick
New Balance is always known for the wide toe box and thick midsole. This extra space and thicken sole makes a new balance fresh foam 1080 v11 more comfortable, stable, and shock-absorbent.
If you are having a wider toe and facing Shin splints on your daily run, then new balance fresh foam v11 is the go-to running shoe for shin splints.
To my shocking surprise, New Balance Fresh Foam v11 is the shoe with a surprising weight of 261grams.
The grip in the forefoot is firm, the upper mesh was very comfy, thin as air in weight and everything is perfect which is crucial for people to avoid shin splints.
Features of New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V11
Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is engineered in a way for better comfort and a lightweight ride.
Upper sole and back heel construction makes the shoe a snug fit for your foot increasing stability.
The heel counter is molded externally to control the heel movement.
Material – Synthetic and Mesh
Sole – Synthetic
Shoe varieties – 12 colors
Size range- 7 to 16-x wide
Shoe varieties – 11colors
Size range – 5 to 13-x wide
6) Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Breathable
- Flexible in the front with air pouch
- Durable
- Less cushion on the tongue.
Nike is one of the best brands in the world who has made an impeccable mark for its quality, cushioning, durability, energy propulsion.
Pegasus is an all-time favorite for runners all around the globe and here comes the 36th version of it.
Let’s look at what Nike Pegasus36 is going to offer us in helping to prevent shin splints in the shinbone.
Features of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36
Pegasus 36 has air pouches to provide superior cushioning and besides make it lightweight, hence the name “Air Zoom” comes in Pegasus36.
The outer sole of shoes is made of enough rubber to make them durable.
The midsole of the shoe contains Cushlon foam and Air Zoom to make it flexible and delicate.
The major upgrade that came from its predecessor 35 is superior seamless mesh on the upper part. This made the upper part of the shoe super flexible stretchy fabric.
It has delightfully exposed flyover cables on the top to help us lock the shoe with the foot.
Pegasus 36 comes with a slimmer tongue to make it weigh less.
The bottom of the outer sole has a Nike waffle which helps in reducing traction.
With the above things in place for this Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36, it is gonna help a lot by preventing shin pain.
Specifications of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36
Material – Synthetic and Mesh
Sole – Synthetic
Shoe varieties – 21 colors
Size range – 6 to 16-x wide
Shoe varieties – 26 colors
Size range – 2.5 to 12
7) HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6 Running Shoes for Men and Women
- Breathable
- Durable
- Suitable for long-distance
- Adaptable for every foot type
- Narrow toe space for some runners
Hoka One One is a brand founded in 2009 by the french trail runners.
Hoka is known for its comfort and support in varying levels of thickness in the shoes. They provide ultralight endless cushion support with exceptional shock absorption.
Clifton 6 is legendary among the Hoka brand lovers.
Features of HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6
Clifton 6 shoes have their differences for men and women based on their dynamics.
Men versions stack height – 29mm heel and 24 forefoot.
Women versions stack height – 27mm heel and 22 forefoot.
Clifton 6 is engineered to deliver a smoother ride and comfortable fit with six feature embroidered designs on the sides of the shoe. This design locks down your foot without adding any extra weight.
Clifton 6 has more forefoot space and an accomodating arch support in it. As we all know Clifton series is known for its cushioning however this has a softer midsole than other shoes.
Compared to its predecessor Clifton 6 has wider foot width making it suitable for all types of feet.
EVA foam midsole present in the Clinton 6 offers full compression and releases energy for a quick shift.
HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6 Running Shoes are suitable for long runs and daily use. You won’t feel any kind of stress on your feet, ankle, and shin.
Specifications of HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6
Material – Mesh
Sole – Rubber
Shoe varieties – 2 colors
Colors: Andarin Red/Imperial Blue
Shoe varieties – 2 colors
Colors: Black/Lead sea foam
8) Adidas Adizero Adios 4 for Men and Women
- Speed
- Durability
- Responsive
- Breathable
- Suitable for long-distance
- Narrow toe space
Adidas Adizero series is designed for peak Athletic Performance. It will give you a speed boost as well as impact cushioning. If you are looking for lightweight and all-rounder performance then go for it.
Adidas Adios series has the Marathon world record and it is renowned for its speed.
Features of Adidas Adizero Adios
The Adidas Adizero Adios 4 has a synthetic textile mesh upper which makes it more durable and breathable for hot weather.
The heel counter is sturdy to keep you more stable on the run. The Adidas Adizero holds a marathon record which makes it worthy of trying for longer runs.
Here comes the speed part, midsole of Adidas Adizero Adios 4 has boast foam material to give a speed boost for the runners. The midsole of this shoe will be squishy and responsive.
Three linings embroidered on the sides of the shoe makes you more visible even in low light conditions and snugs your foot.
The outsole of the shoe has continental rubber which provides a superior level of grip and traction on both off and on roads.
Another good in this is you will never feel like you are wearing this shoe.
This a comfortable, long-distance shoe that helps in your knee rotations and to prevent shin splints. This is one of my favorites on this list.
Specifications of Adidas Adizero Adios
Material -synthetic textile Mesh
Sole – Rubber
Shoe varieties – 4 colors
Size range – 6.5 to 12.5
Shoe varieties – 2 colors
Size range – 5 to 12
9) ON Running Cloud X Sneaker for Men and Women
- Breathable
- Spacious Front toe
- Good for a quick sprint
- Suitable for daily Run
- Lightweight
- Less cushion on the tongue.
- Suitable for smaller distances, max-7 miles.
On Brand is born in Switzerland to create a revolution in running space.
It is all about running on the cloud – float in air bud.
On Brand has always been innovative in introducing running shoes. It is for the runners who look for quick, responsive, impactful, and impactful absorption.
Okay, Let’s get to know the shoe.
Features of ON Running Cloud X
Running cloud x sneaker is more of a firm and durable shoe.
The heel collar has a mid-range cushioning but keeps your foot firm and makes the shoe stable.
The more What I like in this shoe is the front toe part which is super flexible.
Traction parts are excellent in this shoe with the cloud pods that are great for on the road.
These cloud pods while running when you toed on it will compress and release propulsive energy when you are toeing off in the run. This helps in avoiding stress released on the tibia(shinbone) to prevent shin splints.
Specifications of ON Running Cloud X
Engineered upper mesh
Material – Synthetic and mesh
Weight – 1.23 pounds
Shoe varieties – 9 colors
Size range – 5.5 to 11
Shoe varieties – 9 colors
Size range – 5.5 to 11
10) ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes for Men and Women (Affordable shoe for everyone)
- Affordable
- Breathable
- The shoe tongue is more padded
- Good for knee pains and shin splints
- Shoelaces are slimmer
- Shoes get stiffer on the longer runs
- Narrow fit for some people
The best affordable shoes of all time are the ASICS Gel-venture 7 running shoes. If you go out on a daily jog 3/10 of the runners will be using Gel-venture running shoes.
ASICS Gel technology reduces shock in the rear foot area. They are comfortable but not sure where the gel has been mend in them.
ASICS Gel-Venture is an entry-level shoe for runners which is affordable for everyone, but it is suitable for off-road.
This shoe helps to avoid shin splints only if you are using it for short runs max 10 Km.
REARFOOT GEL TECHNOLOGY CUSHIONING SYSTEM helps in the mid-distance impact on the rear foot.
Venture 7 has Ortholite X-40 Sockliner that provides moisture management with excellent rebound properties.
We truly recommend this for people who use it for low to mid-distance because this shoe will be too stiff for long-distance runners after
a certain distance.
Material- Synthetic and mesh
Sole- Rubber
Shoe varieties – 20 colors
Size range – 7 to 15-x wide
Shoe varieties – 24 colors
Size range – 5 to 12 wide
Our Final Thoughts on Shin Splints
- Don't over-train
- Give some time to your muscles to heal.
- Check for worn-out running shoes to get rid of it
- Go for renowned brands
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of running shoes do I need for shin splints?
You have to look for various factors in running shoes to choose for shin splints.
1) Best cushion
The midsole should be mushy to hold your foot in a way to provide shock and impact absorption. The heel collar needs to support you firmly for stability. Nowadays, every brand has its own foam material to silky smooth softness to your softness.
2) Fit
From your toe to your heel you should have substantial comfort. The tongue of your shoe should be mushy enough to hold the pressure from the shoelace.
It is great to have a shoe in the feet which fits naturally and never reminds you that you are wearing it. There should be no slipperiness on the wet floor.
3) Durable
Of course! It should have to last for a long time. If you are facing shin splints you should always go for reputed brands. Never look for cheap shoes.
We have evaluated with many criteria to come with each shoe above to support you with shin splints.
Do running shoes helps to prevent shin splints?
Yes indeed! Running shoes with great cushion helps by absorbing shock and the hard impact on the heel thus reducing the stress sent to the tibia bone (shinbone).
Running shoes controls the pronation and support arches of the foot which helps in preventing shin splints.
Do shin splints mean I need new running shoes?
Not always the case.
Shin Splints happen for many reasons but the biggest culprit will be wearing worn-out running shoes.
Keep in mind! Shin splints occur due to the overuse of your muscles. It is common for athletes, trainers, gymnasts, and military people.
Don’t put too much pressure on the leg if you are a new runner. Try to know your arch, pronation to avoid shin splints.
If you have flat feet, then for sure you need a good pair of shoes to avoid shin splints happening to you.
How do runners deal with shin splints?
Runners use aspirin to get rid of pain in the shin splint area or they will keep ice in the damaged area for more than 15 minutes.
You have to ice the damaged area 3 times a day to relieve the excruciating pain of shin splints.
It will take from a week to a month to get fully recovered from shin splints. To fasten the recovery try other exercises instead of running for few days to heal damaged muscles near the tibia bone.
Should I run through shin splints?
Try to avoid running when you are facing shin splints on your leg.
If you still run with the pain, it will make the injury worse.
Try to take care of shin splints as early as possible, heal the shins within a week then go on with the run. Don’t overdo things in a single day, warm up, stretch before starting the run.