These Stability Running Shoes Add Support and Comfort to Your Runs (2024)

Long gone are the days of clunky, rigid, stability running shoes. With new designs and cushioning materials, supportive running shoes for overpronators and runners with flat feet or low arches can help you feel more comfortable as you run, while reducing the chance of an injury. The Runner’s World test team and its wear test cohort have sifted through many, many pairs of shoes to find the best stability running shoes. Whether you need a little support or a lot, whether you go for short daily runs or plan to train for a marathon, there’s a shoe on this list for every type of runner.

• Best Overall: Asics Gel-Kayano 30
• Best Value: Brooks Launch GTS 10
• Best for Recovery Runs: Hoka Arahi 7
• Best For Severe Overpronation: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14
• Best for Mild Overpronation: Nike InfinityRN 4

Runner’s World has been a trusted source of gear reviews for runners of all levels since its inception in 1966. For our most important gear recommendations, including running shoes for men and women, we rely on research and insights from our internal test team, which tests and evaluates the latest running gear. Currently, the team consists of veteran runner-in-chief Jeff Dengate and test editors Amanda Furrer and Morgan Petruny.

In addition, we recruit a network of more than 275 wear-testers, who test gear and provide additional feedback to ensure we incorporate a wide range of diverse perspectives.

And writer Cory Smith (a contributor and longtime running shoe expert) has tested and reviewed running shoes for over a decade for publications like Runner’s World, Outside Magazine, and Gear Junkie, diligently putting more than 100 pairs through rigorous trials each year. He’s also a full-time personal running coach.

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 testing process includes exhaustive market research, analysis of user feedback, and consultations with industry experts.

Petruny selected the shoes we recommend in this guide, based on the running experiences of both the test team and the wear-test team, as well as additional information from shoe manufacturers and other experts. Smith then wrote this article and consulted on the final shoe selections, combining feedback from the Runner’s World editors and wear-testing team with his personal experience in this comprehensive guide to the best stability running shoes for every kind of runner.

After a major overhaul, Asics’s flagship stability shoe feels both highly cushioned and very stable, making it a ton of fun to run in. The Gel-Kayano 30 adds an extra 4mm of padding, increasing the stack height to a hefty 40mm, which is the maximum legal limit for competition. Combined with the added PureGEL—a soft, enclosed silicone gel strategically placed under the heel—that padding creates a “phenomenal underfoot feeling,” according to one wear-tester.

Testers also praised the Gel-Kayano 30 for its noticeably softer, lively feel without compromising stability. “The cushioning is definitely abundant, and it has plenty of spring to it,” says that same wear-tester.

To maintain stability on such a tall, soft platform, Asics widened the midsole, creating a broader base. Asics also added a “4D Guidance System,” inserting a softer foam piece beneath the arch to adapt and guide your foot through your stride. Instead of feeling forced, transitions are smooth and natural. “The stability is noticeable without feeling overly aggressive,” remarks another tester.

To further add security, the simple engineered mesh upper with a firm but comfortable heel counter offers just the right amount of structure to steer your foot through each step.

For over two decades, the Gel-Kayano has led the way in stability running shoes: You’d be hard-pressed to find a shoe that offers such a balance of comfort, stability, and ample cushioning.

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In a time of escalating shoe prices, the Launch GTS 10 is hands down the best deal in the stability running shoe market. Known for its lightweight cushioning, it offers a speedy, more sensitive underfoot feeling than most stability shoes, appealing to runners seeking a more responsive feel and lightweight, uptempo ride. Regarding its speedy stature, one tester says it “provided excellent responsiveness for both hill workouts on grass and mile repeats on a track.”

Brooks’s BioMoGo DNA midsole, made with a biodegradable Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) cushioning, features firm plastic sides called “Guiderails” that add support along the outer heel and around the arch. That same tester noted the Guiderails “were part of the shoe I really appreciated without ever noticing it—these reinforcements made me feel a bit more supported… Sort of ‘more aligned’ to a neutral position.”

The Launch GTS 10 provided “the right amount of support and stability to keep my feet feeling secure,” another tester, an overpronator with flat feet, observes. “However, they still felt flexible enough for me to run naturally."

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While this isn’t as plush as some of the Hoka’s neutral shoes, like the Clifton, our testers appreciated the Arahi 7’s 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,” says tester Mitch R. “But this one I found to be firmer and very, very comfortable.”

Likewise, we deemed the Arahi 7 to be one of the most stable running shoes thanks to its wide base and Hoka’s J-Frame support, which integrates a firm (you guessed it) 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 very snug, gusseted, flat-knit upper also got rave reviews for adding to the shoe’s stability. 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 über-soft recovery run shoe: This is not it. If you’re looking for plush, circle back our top pick, the Asics Gel-Kayano 30.

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Drawing inspiration from the ever-popular New Balance 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 four extra millimeters 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.

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Historically, cushioning and support were on opposite sides of a spectrum. To have more of one, you’d have to sacrifice the other. In recent years, shoe manufacturers like Nike have created new, lightweight cushioning materials that let you have the best of both worlds.

Case in point, the Nike InfinityRN 4 is one of our favorite Nike shoes and delivers extra support for stability. The step-in comfort is nothing short of phenomenal. As you slip it on, your foot is greeted by a stretchy Flyknit upper resting on Nike’s soft yet durable ReactX foam, a generous 39mm of it under the heel.

Testers praised the blend of soft cushioning and gentle support in the Nike shoe, deeming it ideal for easy, relaxed runs. Dengate agreed, calling the underfoot experience “soft and bouncy” but also noting that its padding can be a liability if you’re pushing a personal record.

“The softness and tall stack height did fight back during my strides and accelerations (400-meter pace),” he says. That’s normal for such a cushioned shoe, though worth keeping in mind. If you prefer a plush ride, though, you’ll find this shoe to be just what you’re looking for.

A final word of advice: Dengate recommended going up half a size, as InfinityRN 4 tends to run slightly small.

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The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 is designed to go the distance. The brand new revision features some significant updates, including an extra 2mm of padding and a wider, more accommodating toe box. RW wear-testers praised the more comfortable fit as a very capable daily trainer, feeling assured in its wider-than-average toe box.

Even with the extra padding, the Ultrafly 5 offers a consistently firmer ride than most of the shoes we tested, unwavering from the first mile to the last. Garnering support from a traditional medial post, a sculpted heel clip, and raised sidewalls, the design is remarkably stable and protected.

While some testers wanted a bit more cushioning, those who like a firmer underfoot feeling and enjoy the extra toe space felt right at home in the Ultrafly 5. One tester who wore them for 48 hours during a 72-hour race said they fit well without causing any hot spots, earning an “A+” in their book.

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Designed as a stability-focused sibling to the Saucony Ride 17, the Guide 17 is a simple shoe that consistently delivers reliable performance that endures over time. In a top-to-bottom redesign, the Guide 17 ditched the medial post of its predecessors in favor of a wide base, high sidewalls, and an asymmetrical profile. The shift worked: The Guide 17 was one of the most stable and grounded shoes we tested.

One tester, a midfoot-striking overpronator with a high arch, calls the shoe comfortable and “perfect for long runs.” They also note that the ride felt a little flat. “The ride was stable,” they say, but there wasn’t as much bounce compared to other shoes she’s worn.

While it lacks that natural spring, the Guide 17 compensates for it with a rockered profile, which produces smooth and comfortable transitions—ideal for zoning out and settling into your long run rhythm.

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Reminiscent of old-school racing flats, the low-profile, minimally cushioned Hyperion GTS tops the charts for responsiveness, making it an ideal speedwork shoe. The second lightest shoe in the Brooks lineup, it features the brand’s responsive DNA Flash midsole, which is made with a nitrogen-infused EVA foam that testers found firm but quick off the ground, describing it as “firm, light, and fast.”

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 GuideRails definitely did an excellent job in replacing the old medial post technology, making this shoe feel very consistent,” remarks one overpronating tester. “The transition from heel-strike to toe-off was seamless.”

The breathable mesh upper and semi-flexible heel counter does a great job of securing the midfoot and heel. It does this, in part, with a very snug fit that might feel off-putting to some writers. One tester calls the fit “low-volume,” with less room inside the upper than the other shoes they tested.

Stability shoes can feel cumbersome and sluggish, but the Hyperion GTS stands out as a rare speed demon, thanks to its remarkably lightweight and agile design.

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Shoe weight matters in a race day running shoe. The lighter you are, the faster you can go–even when the difference is only an ounce or two. When you need a lightweight, agile shoe with extra supportive guidance, nothing beats the Saucony Tempus.

Ideal for race day or as a speedwork shoe, it features a supportive frame that guides your foot through better pronation. The midsole is contoured to let you sit deep in the wide footbed, further adding support and structure. The combination impressed our wear-testers, who marveled at how light the Tempus felt. “It’s light enough that it feels like a natural extension of your foot,” says one.

Saucony doesn’t skimp on the cushioning for such a lightweight shoe, either. It sports nearly 37mm of the brand’s premium PWRRUN PB foam under the heel, which offers welcome relief to the legs amid the taxing demands of longer races. “The extra cushion was forgiving without the shoe feeling too heavy,” another tester says.

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When it comes to zero-drop shoes, Altra is the biggest name in the game. Among the brand’s best shoes, the Provision 8 stands out as the best choice for those seeking extra support. Boasting a modest cushioning stack height of 28mm and subtle stability derived from Altra’s GuideRail feature–yes, Brooks and Altra both have their own–the Provision 8 gives you a consistently smooth and stable ride.

Beneath the foot, a now softer EVA-based Ego midsole gives the Provision 8 a balanced feel that one tester calls “neither excessively soft nor overly firm.” The tall flared GuideRail sidewalls steer the foot through your step, and a wide forefoot provides additional stability so you feel planted as you touch down. Strategically placed grooves add more flexibility to the sole, enhancing the overall running experience by promoting a more natural and connected feel.

One reviewer found that the combination of the breathable mesh upper, which is on the thicker side, and Altra’s trademark wide toe box created ample space for their midfoot and heel. That said, they also noted that it led to slight slippage as they ran. Still, the Altra Provision 8 provides a distinctive blend of minimalist ground-feel and subtle guidance in a zero-drop design.

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If you run day in and day out, it pays off to keep a solid daily trainer like the Adrenaline GTS 23 in your arsenal. This workhorse of a shoe can pound the pavement, racking up miles while keeping your feet comfortable.

Yet again, Brooks’s secret ingredient to add stability to its shoes is the GuideRail feature, which adds extra-firm padding in areas that need more support. In addition, the Adrenaline features a wide base to create a stable platform that keeps your feet in line, even on the longest of runs. Underfoot, its ride skews firm, but not in a bad way. As one tester noted, the shoe’s firmness made it feel more stable, while providing “a responsive energy return.”

Adding to its comfort, a revamped engineered air mesh upper surprised our testers with its remarkably cozy and accommodating fit. One tester says it perfectly: “The shoe is a reliable workhorse, and I’m glad to have it in the rotation for longer runs.”

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With firm plastic extensions both medially and laterally to enhance support and stability, the Salomon Genesis quickly rose to become our go-to stability shoe for trail running. A more casual reinvention of the brand’s high-end, race-ready S/Lab Genesis, this version feels a bit more accessible, thanks to a firmer, more stable midsole.

One tester says the Genesis, compared to the S/Lab, “doesn’t compress as much over time, maintaining a consistent on-the-run feel even after stacking up miles,” making it ideal for maintaining consistency and durability on long runs.

The upper features a durable, form-fitting Maytrx weave made from individually coated polyamide (synthetic plastic), Kevlar yarns, and Salomon’s signature “Quicklace” no-tie lacing system. Testers applauded the durability and the shoe’s ability to repel moisture, all while delivering a snug, dialed-in fit that stays “very stable on technical terrain and tight turns.”

It also delivers great traction, thanks to Salomon’s tacky Contagrip rubber outsole and 4.5mm lugs. When Runner’s World senior video producer Pat Heine ran Tor des Géants, a 210-mile Italian mountain race, he was pleasantly surprised at how much grip he had going up and down its steep, rocky paths. If you need a reliable, sturdy trail shoe with plenty of stability and support, this one’s got you covered.