Let’s Talk About Supination of the Foot and The Best Shoes for Supination:
If you spend a lot of time on your feet – standing, walking, or running – then you already know how critical it is to choose an every day running shoe that is both protective and supportive. This applies to everyone, but it is especially imperative for people struggling with a common condition called supination.
If you are not sure what supination is exactly, here is a quick overview:
What is supination of the foot?
In an ideal standing or walking state, a person’s weight should center around the ball of the foot, with the foot rolling slightly inward with each normal step or stride. Supination (of the foot), occurs when a person’s body weight tends to roll instead onto the foot’s outer edges. This is commonly known as “underpronation”. Over an extended period of time, this outward pressure can lead to a lot of pain, discomfort and – at worst – injury.
What are the most common side effects of foot supination?
Excessive and prolonged supination of the foot can cause a wide variety of unfortunate side effects and ailments for a person. Most notably, people who are supinating tend to feel sharp pain in the feet, knees, back or hip. Over the longer term, people become increasingly prone to ankle and foot sprains, plantar fasciitis, calluses or bunions on the outer edge of the foot, and shin splints.
What causes supination of the foot?
A lot of factors can cause supination and the ongoing stress on the outer side of the foot. If you were born with a high-arching foot, you are at higher risk of suffering from this issue. Additionally, if you have suffered from an injury in the past that created muscle weakness in your feet or ankles, you also could be high risk.
The third causal factor (that is totally in your power to control!) is repeatedly wearing shoes that do not fit and are not actually supportive. Do you have running shoes that seem to wear down super quickly? Do you notice that the wear down seems to be worse on the outer sides of your shoes? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, then it is definitely time for you to make a change.
Top 10 Best Shoes for Supination in 2020 – Review Guide
Now that we have covered the basics of supination of the foot, and the importance of finding the right shoes for avoiding supination, we can dive right into our shoe reviews. We have done all of the research for you, so read on to discover more about the top 10 best shoes for supination in 2020:
1. ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5 – View On Amazon
First on our list is the ASICS Men’s Gel Venture 5 Running Shoe. This men’s shoe is one of the best available when it comes to everyday comfort and impressive levels of breathability. The rear foot GEL Cushioning in this shoe is best in class, and is proven to promote foot health and fitness. This GEL cushioning also works perfectly for people with naturally high foot arches – a common contributor to supination of the foot. Not only does the shoe design provide baseline comfort for high arches, but the shoe also has a removable sock liner. This is a really important feature for anyone struggling with supination, as this accommodates individualized medical orthotics which can lead to an even more effective comfort level and fit.
Beyond the shoe’s comfort features, the Men’s GEL Venture 5 is an outdoor, performance-driven athletic shoe that works effectively and comfortably for pretty much any terrain. This is in a large part thanks to the shoe’s rugged AHAR outsole rubber material. This AHAR outsole includes reversed traction lugs that can handle even the most uneven or rocky grounds. You will feel supported, sturdy, and comfortable with the Men’s Gel Venture 5’s excellent stride support features.
- 15 different color designs
- Rear foot GEL Cushioning
- Removable sock liner (you can easily place medical orthotics in the shoe)
- AHAR outsole rubber with reversed traction lugs
- Hind foot stabilization
- Breathability
- Sizing runs narrow
- Unpadded insoles
2. Saucony Women’s Cohesion 11 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
The Women’s Cohesion 11 Running Shoe is one of Saucony’s top-rated products that delivers reliable comfort and durability. The proprietary Saucony Grid cushioning is the first sole-based stability and foot cushioning system that really is the best of advanced supination support technology. Designed to provide extra support to the outer edges of the foot during a wide range of exercise or walking activity, this shoe is certainly a top pick for anyone concerned with supination pain or discomfort.
Even more, reviewers from a wide variety of fitness levels and athletic abilities report that this shoe gives them support and comfort to match their unique needs. We are big fans of this wide range of support advantages offered by the Women’s Cohesion 11 Running shoe, and feel confident recommending it to a wide audience of individuals.
The final advantage to call out for this Women’s Cohesion 11 Running Shoe is that the style and fit are extremely versatile. The shoe has a wide array of color selections, and an extremely flexible sole with the added bonus of including a removable insert. You can adjust these shoes to your liking and wear the style on a daily basis.
- 12 different color designs
- Textile and synthetic material
- Rubber grip sole
- Shaft measuring approximately low-top from arch
- Grid supportive cushioning
- Extra supportive upper overlays
- Grid supportive inner sole cushioning
- Room to add additional insole support
- Shoe runs small
- Can be slippery in certain conditions
3. ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 19 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
Third on the list of top 10 shoes for supination is another top-performer from ASICS. The Men’s Gel-Cumulus 19 Running Shoe is a technology-driven power house of a running shoe – with a big list of ASICS proprietary tech advantages that directly prevent supination of the foot. The best part of this shoe is that it is very lightweight. The shoe’s FluidRide Midsole is notably low weight and durable, while also providing cushioning and bounce-back properties that create a seamless walking or running experience.
For rear foot and forefoot support, ASICS offers GEL Cushioning Systems that are shock absorbing during ground impact, and ensures a smooth transition through your foot’s natural gait cycle as you move in different planes and on different ground surfaces. This enhancement of the foot’s natural gait from heel strike to toe-off is particularly valuable for anyone that suffers from supination. The shoe’s I.G.S (Impact Guidance System) technology is yet another driver of this natural enhancement.
- 14 different color designs
- Shaft measures low-top from arch
- Proprietary FluidRide midsole
- Rear foot and Fore foot GEL Cushioningv
- Shock absorption
- I.G.S (Impact Guidance System) Proprietary Technology
- Not waterproof
- Great for running, less sturdy for hiking
4. Brooks Women’s Ghost 11 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
The Brooks Women’s Ghost 11 Running Shoe offers some of the best neutral arch support for women that have a natural medium to high foot arch. We break down our review of this shoe’s stand out qualities into the following three categories: Fit, Cushioning, and Shock Absorption.
Fit: Reviewers of this women’s running shoe absolutely rave about the genuinely soft and secure fit this shoe delivers. Brooks strategically put extra stretch in the upper mesh material, and extra structure in the inner and outer sole. The combination makes this shoe feel lightweight yet supportive with every step.
Cushioning: The Women’s Ghost 11 Running Shoe also boasts Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning – a powerful duo that targets underfoot comfort and long lasting support for people that tend to supinate.
Shock Absorption: Finally, the shoe’s Segmented Crash Pad – a dynamic system of shock absorbers in the shoe’s sole – create the most smooth heel to toe transitions and springy strides.
- 12 unique color designs
- Variety of width options
- Ideal for medium to high-arch
- Provides neutral arch support
- Balanced, soft cushioning
- Mesh upper with a lot of stretch
- Segmented Crash Pad
- Not ideal fit for flatter arches
- Not waterproof
5. Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 20 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
There are a lot of great things to say about Mizuno’s Men’s Wave Rider 20 Running Shoe – however, we think the number one standout feature for this shoe is the Mizuno Cloudwave sole. Not only does this sole bring a standout and visually exciting design element to the running shoe’s look, but it also provides a guaranteed smoother stride landing and heel to toe transition. This sole technology can seriously prevent any foot from turning outward, and the best part is that you won’t even notice due to the advanced Cloudwave technology.
We also really like the mesh lining on this shoe. We know most running shoes include a mesh upper, but with the Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider 20 Shoe, the triple engineered mesh provides next level advantages. People love the breathability, movement and hold that this shoe provides, and they can thank the dynamic mesh for all of those pros. Last but not least, Mizuno has upped their design game with this shoe’s U4IC Midsole Foam. This design provides 33% more response and durability compared to previous models. Overall, this shoe is designed to a tee to support someone who supinates or has a neural gait.
- Rubber, traction-proof sole
- Triple zone engineered mesh upper
- Cloudwave sole
- U4IC midsole foam
- Stylish and versatile design
- Comfortable fit
- Neutral fit and support
- Lightweight
- Less heel support
- Sole is very thick
6. ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
If you can’t tell, we are big fans of ASICS for shoes for supination support and prevention. The Women’s GEL – Venture 5 Running Shoe brings all of the best qualities and advantages that we outlined for the Men’s GEL Venture 5 Running Shoe. For women, this GEL venture shoe provides unparalleled levels of everyday, reliable comfort and durability. The shoe’s Rear foot GEL Cushioning is a stand out feature, as it is proven to promote foot health and prevent supination. This GEL cushioning also works ideally for anyone with naturally high foot arches that lives an active, athletic lifestyle.
The Women’s GEL – Venture 5 Running Shoe also accommodates orthotics, with a removable inner sole. The outer sole is made of high abrasion, high quality rubber that is rugged. This means you can rest assured that this running shoe can hold its own on any terrain and any walking or running conditions. The Women’s GEL Venture 5 is an outdoor, performance-driven athletic shoe that comes in a wide range of colors. Women that own these shoes report feeling really satisfied with not only the shoe’s comfort and supination support levels, but also the shoe’s unique and visually appealing design that transitions well and holds it own as a daily staple.
- 10 unique color options
- Shaft measures low-top from foot arch
- Mesh upper with bright overlays
- GEL Cushioning System
- Accommodates orthotics
- Trail specific outsole with multi surface traction
- High abrasion rubber sole
- Not waterproof
7. Nike Men’s Free Breath Running Shoe Synthetic – View On Amazon
Nike’s Free Breath Running Shoe has two major advantages: The shoe provides the foot strengthening benefits of more seamless and natural stride motion, and the shoe provides excellent cushioning protection of a more traditional shoe. This means that this shoe is, overall, extremely supportive as a top shoe for supination.
Reviewers of these shoe all agree that Nike delivers an extremely lightweight and comfortable shoe with the Men’s Free Breath Running Shoe. A few owners even reported that wearing this shoe feels equivalent to wearing slippers. That being said, these shoes offer slightly less traction support and multi surface traction in the outsole. These are a great option for someone looking for a best shoe for supination that is not a highly competitive athlete or long distance runner. Instead, if you are someone that does lighter walking on more reliable surfaces daily, this shoe will meet all of your needs and ensure that you are preventing the negative, long term side effects of supination.
- Shaft measures approximately Low – Top” from arch
- Durable, rubber sole
- Sleek design
- Lightweight
- Not waterproof
- Non multi-surface traction in sole
- No GEL Cushioning System
8. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v7 Running Shoe – View On Amazon
Number 8 on our list is the Women’s Fresh Foam 108ov7 Running Shoe – one of the best available for women that need extra structure and support particularly for the outer edges of the feet. This shoe is version 7 in New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080 line, and it really maximizes the use of fresh foam inner sole lining to deliver a plush, and stable stride experience. This shoe offers exceptional mesh forefront and well structured mid foot support, creating an overall cushioned and top to bottom supportive walking or running experience.
Owners of this Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v7 Running Shoe love that the shoe has a wider toe box fit than other options on the market. This extra toe space adds a lot of comfort to longer duration, daily wear in a variety of environments, This wide toe box fit makes the Women’s Fresh Foam 1080v7 Running Shoe an excellent option for anyone with a normal to wider width foot and neuropathy.
- Shaft measures approximately low – top” from arch
- Removable insole
- No sew overlays
- Slip resistant, rubber sole
- 100% Textile / Synthetic
- Unique and bright color options
- Arch support
- Not as much support for heavier weights
- Shoe runs small (so consider sizing up)
- No built in roll bar for custom orthotics
9. New Balance Men’s mc806 Tennis Shoe – View On Amazon
This New Balance Men’s shoe is quite different than our New Balance recommendation for women, as this is more of a traditional tennis shoe. However, this is a tennis shoe that is really ideal for extra support, cushioning, and traction control – all key elements to making the list of the top 10 shoes for supination.
We really like how this shoe creates added support and sturdiness with the inclusion of roll bars on both sides of the tennis shoe. Owners of this New Balance shoe that suffer from plantar fasciitis (a common ailment related to supination, as we mentioned in our supination overview), report that this tennis shoe significantly helps alleviate associated pain and discomfort that comes with this condition. Owners also rave about the shoe’s compatibility with pretty much any orthotic insert, with seamless insert capabilities. Overall, the combination of the proprietary ABZORB cushioning, unique leather material, and C-CAP, supportive midsole make this an awesome solution for anyone that is struggling with foot supination and discomfort.
- Leather and synthetic material
- Traditional lace-up tennis shoe style
- Proprietary ABZORB cushioning
- Non marking outsole
- C-CAP, supportive midsole
- Traction support
- Lateral motion support
- Roll bars
- Just one color style option
- Not ideal for running or long distance activity
- Tighter toe box fit
10. Brooks Women’s Glycerin 13 Running ShoeView On Amazon
This Women’s Running Shoe from Brooks is undeniably bold. Take one look at the Glycerin 13 running shoe, and you will feel immediately drawn to the unique design and bright rose, lapis and purple coloring options. We want to highlight the major advantages this shoe delivers that go below the bright surface.
This shoe is best for a neutral or under-pronator. The cushioning in this shoe is substantive, spreading from a thick padded tongue and shoe collar, to a full length, Super DNA midsole. Additionally, the Glycerin 13 Running shoe has a soft fabric lining and a removable foam insole. All of these cushioning features are enclosed by really breathable, lightweight mesh material, ensuring that you will never feel weighed down while walking or running long distances in this design. Users really rave about the Super DNA midsole, and we think that is the biggest standout feature for this women’s shoe. You can achieve smoother step and stride transitions, enhanced step efficiency, and ankle joint support. All in, this shoe – if you are okay with the vibrant color scheme – is a really sturdy and reliable option and is a great closer for the list of the top 10 shoes for supination.
- Mesh material throughout
- Breathability
- Maximum cushioning
- Removable foam insole
- Padded tongue and collar
- 3D Fit Print overlays
- Lightweight
- Full length, Super DNA midsole
- Soft blown rubber forefront for extra grip and traction
- Steeper price point
- Limited color options
Supination Shoes Buyers Guide: What to Consider When Buying the Best Supination Shoes:
Now that you have access to our 2020 list of the top 10 shoes for supination, we want to give you a more specific buyers guide for shopping around for the best supination shoes. This guide is really applicable to both men and women, and people with feet of varying widths and lengths. We know it is important to most people to find a shoe that matches their style and design preferences, and this is a big reason why we included such a wide variety of styles in our top 10 list. When it comes to foot supination, however, there are other, more important elements to consider that certainly trump style in terms of priority. Read on to learn more:
Supination Shoe Fit:
As a person struggling with supination related pain or discomfort, you should prioritize shoe fit above all else. You want your shoe to fit very snugly, ideally with an adjustability feature around the upper, tongue and lacing to match your unique fit needs. Even more, you should look out for a shoe that has built in a decent amount of room in the toe box. You want to feel like you are not ever crammed into the shoe and instead can move your toes comfortably and naturally. If you have particularly narrow – or particularly wide – feet, then you should always look for a supination oriented shoe that targets your specific foot measurements.
A good rule of thumb is to really accurately measure each of your feet – and, depending on whether there are differences – order the shoe size that aligns best with your larger foot.
Supination Shoe Cushioning and Support:
If you noticed any common theme from the list of the top 10 shoes for supination, it was most likely the prevalence of shoe cushioning, padding, and support technology across all of our 2020 frontrunners. This was very intentional. A shoe that does not prioritize cushioning and support could never adequately meet the needs of a person struggling from common pain and side effects associated with supination of the foot.
A perfectly cushioned shoe for supination will absorb shock upon every single step and stride. The cushioning will also provide maximum support to meet your unique needs depending on your natural foot arch. This will ideally mean cushioning your foot in a way that drives neutral positioning and and a more even step pattern.
Cushioning and padding, however, are not enough on their own. If you have ever bought a shoe that promised an extremely plush or soft walking and running experience, only to realize that you felt little to no actual structural support, you know where we are heading here. You should prioritize finding a shoe that combines top of the line cushioning technology and materials, with a supportive, structured, and sturdy build.
We recommend paying close attention to the outer sole material and traction capabilities for any given supination shoe. You also should look out for mid foot and hind foot stabilization technology, as this is an added layer of structural support. Finally, it would be great to find a shoe that has flexible roll bars on the shoe siding to maximize flexibility, fit and stability.
Supination Shoe Quality:
When it comes to buying a shoe that targets and provides support for supination in your feet, you really want to prioritize quality. High quality products have consistently high ratings across online selling places. You should limit your buying search process to only those products that meet a certain, high threshold for user satisfaction. You want to look out for reliable rubber soles that have unique traction additions. You also should look into the quality of the mesh lining and upper shoe materials and double check that the material is weather resistant, durable, and actually breathable.
The last thing to look out for with quality is shoe flexibility. Ideally, a great shoe for supination has varying degrees of product material flexibility, focused on different areas of the shoe’s design. You want to find a shoe that perfectly combines cushioning and plushness with actual structure and ankle and foot support. This requires high quality products and a really innovative design approach from the shoe manufacturer.
Supination Shoe Price:
Last but not least, we will close out the supination shoe buyers guide with an undoubtedly important element of the buying process: Shoe pricing. We are going to state the obvious here on this one, higher quality – in both shoe materials, fit design, and comfort level – is typically going to correspond with a slightly higher price point than a low quality alternative.
If you take anything away from this article, however, we hope it is that foot supination is a serious issue that can lead to long term health consequences and a lot of pain and discomfort. Picking the right shoe style and design is one of the only sure fire ways that you can dramatically reduce the potential for all of those negative side effects. Therefore, deciding on a high quality shoe from a reliable brand is a legitimate and worthy personal investment in your health and wellbeing. The best thing about going with one of these high quality products, is that you can rest assured that they will last you a very long time. We only recommend that you consider shoes for supination that have a proven track record of giving owners reliable support – even through daily wear and tare and rougher conditions – for the long haul.