Are Your Shoes Slowing You Down? Podiatrists Recommend These Instead

Best for wide feet: Altra Torin 7

Brenner, Gohil, and Sharkey all recommend Altra, a top running shoe brand that’s earned the APMA Seal Of Acceptance. This long distance running shoe is known for its Footshape™ technology, which carefully considers the unique anatomical variations in individuals' feet. 

Light-yet-luxurious foam in the midsole adds a little extra bounce and cushion for optimal rebound. Runners say the extra padding makes a huge difference in this shoe.

Best for impact absorption: On Cloud Monster

Multiple podiatrists we spoke to recommended On sneakers for distance running. The Cloudmonster boasts a unique outsole composed of individual cloud-like pods that adapt to your every movement, providing exceptional impact absorption and an ultra-responsive feel.

"OnCloud is a shoe company tailored to runners,” Sharkey says. “Those looking for extra cushioning and an edge to up the speed in their running should look to OnCloud.”

These shoes are great for casual runners who want a comfortable and lightweight option, but also a top choice for short and mid-distance runners who benefit from responsive cushioning for quick bursts of speed and agility. 

The Cloud Monsters have plenty of cushion to prevent fatigue. And, if sustainability is on your priority list, you'll love that this company uses alternative materials to create zero-waste shoes.

Best for narrow feet:: Nike Vaporfly 3

Brenner recommends the Nike Vaporfly as one of the best maximalist carbon plated shoes—and since Nike’s historically run narrow, this shoe will give narrow feet folks the race-day speed to conquer any distance. 

This shoe can benefit elite runners as well as brand new runners and those new to racing. The amped-up responsiveness of ZoomX foam provides explosive energy return, plus lightweight cushioning for a springy, bouncy feel. 

An updated thin outsole rubber uses less material without sacrificing durability, which reduces weight and thickness. This allows for extra millimeters of ZoomX foam underfoot and a smoother transition through your stride.

Best for high arches: Brooks Ghost 15

This shoe has been a long-time recommendation from podiatrists nationwide as boasts the APMA Seal of Acceptance. 

Per Sharkey, "The arch of the foot functions to absorb shock, store it, and then convert that energy into propulsion during the gait cycle—”and these shoes offer great arch support.

Brenner agrees that the Brooks Ghost 15 are among her top-recommended shoes for runners seeking a neutral, regularly cushioned shoe. I (the writer) have also used this shoe for distance running and loved it for its stability, support, and weightless feel. 

Just note: If you prefer a high level of cushion, this might not be the best pick for you.

Best for flat feet: HOKA Arahi

Hoka is celebrated for its maximalist approach to cushioning that has earned the podiatric APMA Seal of Acceptance, indicating the shoes promote good foot health. A mesh lining, compression-molded foam insole, and built-in meta-rocker helps make for smoother wear and better forefoot support in this particular shoe.

Sharkey and Brenner both frequently recommend the Arahi to their patients who need a neutral maximal cushioned shoe. “In the end, HOKA has an edge on the market for those with flat feet needing enhanced stability with the Arahi and Clifton models,” Brenner says.

This shoe is also a direct recommendation for runners with flat feet from Sandra Gail Frayna, physical therapist and founder of Hudson Premier Physical Therapy & Sports. “Known for their maximalist cushioning, this shoe is a great option for flat-footed women looking for extra support and shock absorption,” she previously told us.

Best for stability: Saucony Triumph

Another direct recommendation from Brenner for a neutral, high cushioned running shoe, this pick is great for whether you’re racing in marathons, running on the treadmill, or jogging around your neighborhood.

It’s a well-cushioned sneaker that delivers on stability and provides a softer landing, which are both important factors to look for when choosing a running shoe. Plus, this shoe has the APMA seal of approval.

What’s more, this sneaker is vegan, sustainable, and comes in wide sizes with over 10 colorways to choose from.

Best cushioned: HOKA Bondi 8

Another HOKA shoe recommended by Brenner, the Bondi 8’s are the brand’s most cushioned shoe of all time—and it’s surprisingly also one of the most lightweight. 

This shoe delivers tons of bounce and a tall stack height that’s designed to absorb impact with every take-off. 

We featured this shoe in our roundup of the best rocker bottom shoes, and I (yes, the writer!) believe it’s a total game-changer for running long distances. 

These shoes are cushioned enough to absorb the impact of your strides, but stable enough to keep the foot from over or under pronating. These shoes offer a spring with each step, which helped improve my speed.

Best for trail running: HOKA Speedgoat 5

Gohil confirms these Hoka shoes are specifically great for distance running on trails. “I've always said it’s not a brand but the shoes within a brand that can be the winning combination for people,” she says. “Hokas are fantastic.” 

These shoes feature added traction and breathability, as they’re designed for traversing over unstable or even slippery terrain. Sharkey explains, “Because it’s a maximalist shoe, meaning it has a high heel stack, and has foam made of EVA, it helps with shock absorption.”

Best for women: ASICS Gel Nimbus 24

Who better to consult for the best long distance running shoes for women than mbg’s very own marathon-running commerce editor? Carleigh Ferrante swears by the Asics Gel Nimbus 24. In fact, it’s been her tried and true shoe for years and they are the only shoes she trusts for marathon running. 

“Despite every modification and change, the Gel Nimbus continues to hold up—and I'm constantly impressed,” she says. “They're designed for long or short runs (or even walking), so they can be worn for sprints, distance runs, and everything in between.” 

Gohil also highly recommends these shoes for their “structure, material, and design to help benefit runners.” Oh, and at least 30% of the upper is made from recycled materials which ticks off a much-welcomed box for sustainability. 

Podiatrist recommendations

We took our experts' insights into account and provided expert recommendations directly from these podiatrists and fitness experts. We also sought out shoes with the APMA Seal of Acceptance. 

Features

Arch support, cushion, stability, and durability are important factors in long distance running shoes. We made sure our selections rank highly in each category.

Price

Running shoes can get expensive (especially when you’re replacing them every 300 miles), so we included a range of products to fit various budgets.

Sustainability

We always keep Mother Earth in mind when reviewing products. There are a number of brands on our list that make an extra effort toward using sustainable and recycled materials.