Best Running Shoes With Arch Support (2024)

A good choice for runners with high arches, the Gel-Nimbus is a shoe designed to deliver plenty of soft cushioning over long distances. It brings together a trifecta of plush midsole padding, with Flytefoam, Flytefoam Propel, and gel pods at the forefoot and heel to absorb impact and launch your body into motion.

New gender-specific medial plate and forefoot designs provide targeted support based on slight differences between the gait of men and women. The upper is better fitted and more breathable than ever and uses 20 percent recycled materials—though some testers complained it felt tighter than previous versions of the shoe.

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If you’re not sure if you’re an overpronator or not but want something with solid support, the Gel-Kayano is here for you. The shoe has been a longtime favorite for its versatility—largely due to stability features that are supportive enough to correct an overpronator’s stride, but also subtle enough that they won’t hinder neutral runners.

The 28 changes up the shoe’s previous stability formula with a midsole that has stiffer foam on the medial side to prevent overpronation. There’s plenty of support through the arch and abundant soft foam cushioning throughout, with gel pods under the heel and forefoot for added shock absorption. Overall, the shoe has a smooth ride and plush feel that works for a variety of people—whether you’re training for a marathon or just walking.

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The Clifton 8 is popular with runners and walkers alike due to a generous mattress of cushioning that feels soft, lightweight, and forgiving underfoot—even into double-digit mileage. The shoe has great arch support for high-arched runners, and excellent impact absorption in its full-compression EVA midsole. Even with all that pillowy cushion, it doesn’t feel heavy, sluggish, or unresponsive.

Make no mistake: The Clifton is not the shoe for speed work or setting PRs—it’s a little too soft and cushy for that. But for completing a hilly, 20-mile training run without battering my quads to the point that I can’t function for the rest of the day, it’s my go-to.

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If you want something a little snappier to pick up the pace or to maybe set a 5K PR, the 38th Air Zoom Pegasus is a great option that upholds the line’s reputation for being a “workhorse with wings.”

The shoe’s midsole has lots of thick React foam for a soft, responsive feel underfoot, and gender-differentiated cushion—the women’s model has 15 PSI of pressure in its Air unit compared to 20 PSI for men.

The footbed feels like it forms to your foot after a few runs, with plenty of arch support and comfort for quick sprints or long runs. The redesigned upper has a roomier, more comfortable fit than previous Pegs with more padding at the tongue and plusher mesh.

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The latest generation of Saucony’s popular Endorphin line, the Endorphin Speed 3 is the ideal option for runners who require arch support but also want to stay fleet on their feet.

Boasting substantial cushioning thanks to Saucony’s proprietary sole material, this shoe has been redesigned from toe to heel. It delivers not only greater comfort, but also more support for daily training thanks to the updated S-curve winged nylon plate. This results in both a smoother ride as well as plenty of spring to help support fast runs.

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The Ghost is a perennial favorite for new runners and marathoners alike due to its ideal balance of cushioning and firmness. It’s not the fastest feeling shoe—its full-length DNA Loft foam midsole doesn’t quite have the snap of some of Brooks’ racier models—but it’s responsive, cushioned, smooth, and durable enough to be an ideal daily trainer for all distances.

The 14 also represents a huge step forward for Brooks: It’s the brand’s first carbon-neutral shoe, which is part of the company’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The execution of that can be seen in the 14’s all-new upper, which is made mostly out of recycled polyester so it retains the cozy, bootie-like feel of previous models—and provides more room in the forefoot.

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Need a workhorse trainer that’s built to last? The Fresh Foam X 880 makes a great pick for neutral runners and those with high arches. It features a dual-layer midsole with Fresh Foam X foams: One is firmer for more support, while the other is softer and more responsive. The engineered mesh upper offers additional targeted support around your foot.

I’ve run in this shoe and really loved the balance it strikes between the plush, bouncy heel and firm forefoot, and the wide footbed cradled my feet for a comfortable fit.

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Much like the Adrenaline, the Provision is a subtle stability shoe that only supports your foot when and where needed. It uses unobtrusive guide rails to bumper overpronating or fatigued feet back into place. For those seeking arch support, this shoe delivers with a padded and textured insole that cradles your foot like a hammock, and a feature called the “InnovArch” that connects the footbed to the lacing system for a secure hold that’s not over-constraining.

These shoes have all the comfort, support, and stability you need for serious time on your feet. Fans of Altra shoes will also recognize and appreciate the brand’s signature foot-shaped toe box, which allows toes to splay out naturally without being cramped.

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The Arahi offers premium support features in a lightweight package, and it’s also one of Lobkova’s top picks for a support shoe. While the Clifton is slightly lighter, the Arahi serves up a similarly cushioned feel with the addition of dedicated support features for overpronators.

The midsole includes Hoka’s J-Frame, a dense foam layer that runs along the medial side of the shoe and around the heel to counter overpronation. Combined with compression-molded EVA foam and a Meta-Rocker sole shape, the Arahi creates a cushioned, smooth, and supportive ride that won’t weigh you down.

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Another of Lobkova’s recommended shoes, the Saucony Tempus is unique among running shoes made with stability in mind. It’s a lightweight, bouncy trainer that can work for both overpronators and neutral runners alike.

The Tempus features an EVA-based Pwrrun frame to support your foot and guide its motion during your stride, as well as a full-length layer of Pebax-based Pwrrun PB foam for additional responsiveness. (That’s the same stuff used in Saucony’s speed-oriented Endorphin shoes.) The result is a cushioned, supportive, and lively ride that appeals to a wide range of runners.

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Nike has stripped down its Pegasus model to offer its lightest trail runner yet. It’s so light, in fact, that it almost ranks among the minimalist class, yet it still offers a surprisingly solid among of support thanks to its integrated Flywire technology providing stability at the midfoot while the brand’s proprietary React foam delivers a smooth ride.

A solid rubber outsole provides outstanding grip and solid side-foot protection when zipping over uneven trails, but some users have mentioned that the body mesh is a bit thin for top-foot protection. That’s the price you pay for a truly lightweight trail running shoe, I guess.

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Mizuno’s hallmark innovation is the wave plate, a plastic layer embedded in the midsole that increases energy return, absorbs impact forces, and helps the sole keep its shape while supporting your foot.

The Wave Inspire utilizes a wave plate, along with layers of soft, bouncy Enerzy foam above and below it, to create a cushioned-yet-responsive ride with plenty of support for overpronators. With its high drop and generous heel cushioning, it’s an especially good pick for heel strikers.

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If you’re looking for the ultimate all-weather offroad runners, Salomon has you covered. The XA PRO 3D V8 Gore-TEX line might be a mouthful to say, but a whole lot of foot protection comes with it.

The Gore-TEX material ensures that your feet fill stay dry, while the sticky Contragrip soles will provide rock-solid footing across virtually any surface, and the new 3D chassis deliver outstanding stability.

The exterior is also super tough, providing plenty of safety while running over unpredictable trails. They’re definitely a heavy pair of shoes, particularly in the clunky soles, but if you’re looking for outstanding offroad foot security, you’ve found it.

Key Specs

If you’re looking for the ultimate all-weather offroad runners, Salomon has you covered. The XA PRO 3D V8 Gore-TEX line might be a mouthful to say, but a whole lot of foot protection comes with it.

The Gore-TEX material ensures that your feet fill stay dry, while the sticky Contragrip soles will provide rock-solid footing across virtually any surface, and the new 3D chassis deliver outstanding stability.

The exterior is also super tough, providing plenty of safety while running over unpredictable trails. They’re definitely a heavy pair of shoes, particularly in the clunky soles, but if you’re looking for outstanding offroad foot security, you’ve found it.

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PM: Will arch support help bunions?

MC: Yes, Ferrigno-Taddeo says, the extra support will keep your bunions from getting worse. That said, you’ll likely want to get a pair of custom-molded insoles for your feet in addition to off-the-shelf shoes.

PM: How should you transition to wearing arch support shoes?

MC: If you do grab a pair of new shoes (or arch support insoles), make sure to give your body time to adjust.

“Don’t start running in them right away,” advises Nasri. “Start by wearing the sneakers for two hours on day one. Just walk in them. Then we add one to two hours per day to the wearing schedule until we reach eight hours.”

After that, you can run in them without overly fatiguing your arches.

PM: Are orthotics a good alternative to arch support shoes?

MC: Orthotic insoles can be a good alternative or complement to arch support shoes. Some of the experts I spoke with even suggested they’re a more effective way to get support, since the insoles are directly in contact with your foot (unlike the midsole of a shoe). If you choose the insoles route, Ferrigno-Taddeo recommends getting a pair that’s custom-molded to your feet for the best results. In addition, a true orthotic should be “semi-rigid,” says Lobkova. If you can bend it in half, it won’t do anything for your feet.