Best Stability Running Shoes

Saucony Guide 18

Saucony has an early contender for “stability shoe of the year” on its hands with the Guide 18. It’s simply a well-executed model that brings together much of what makes for a fun, reliable, and supportive daily shoe. And it does so at a super reasonable price and with multiple widths available. You may want something plated for speedier days or races, and you may look to the also stability-minded Saucony Hurricane 24 for the cushiest of recovery day rides. But the Guide 18 keeps you moving for all those miles in between with a great rocker geometry that truly complements Saucony’s PWRRUN midsole foam and CenterPath Technology (which the brand describes as a combination of higher sidewalls, a broader platform, and an asymmetrical profile). The overall design softly guides your foot ever-forward through the gait cycle, and the rest of the Guide 18’s build promises both comfort and durability for loads of miles. Read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price $140

Puma ForeverRUN Nitro 2

The Puma ForeverRun NITRO 2 is a top pick for stability and comfort over a lot of daily miles. Pros included: great value at the $150 price point, a Runguide system that provides unobtrusive but reliable support, utterly elite PUMAGRIP traction and durability, dual-density NITRO cushioning that beats the experience of typical stability-shoe midsoles (once broken-in), and an upper and gusseted tongue that are mindfully-padded and mold to your foot.

The major Cons came down purely to the fit being extremely unaccommodating to wide-footers and the volume being quite low for those with high insteps. The main impact of that was not only a too-restrictive fit for some, but it also detracted from the experience of the midsole. So if you are a wide-footer, you’d probably do best to steer clear. But average-to-narrow-footers with lower insteps looking for stability in a package that outclasses the competition should look no further than the Puma ForeverRun NITRO 2.

For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True-to-size, Drop: 10mm, Price $150

Mizuno Wave Rider 29

The Mizuno Wave Rider 29 and its supercritical midsole deliver the best all-around Wave Rider in an already illustrious history, continuing Mizuno’s recent hot streak.

Its Cons are found in its sort of generic aesthetic and the fact that it may not be able to take everyone through long-distance or speedy miles. But the Wave Rider 29 is a viable option for a large cross section of runners and non-runners alike, and its Pros are indeed closely connected to how widely approachable this shoe is. Thanks to a TPU WAVE plate and a nitrogen-infused, entirely EVA version of ENERZY NXT midsole foam, its balanced and supportive ride (short of full-on stability) offers a different type of versatility. The midsole foam is great for new runners and for those who simply want a moderate amount of cushioning with some impact protection and without the trending marshmallowy underfoot feel of many modern running shoes. The Wave Rider 29 also doubles as a great walking or working shoe—just firm enough to keep the feet grounded and just soft enough to keep your body feeling good throughout a long day on your feet. Add to all that an accommodating, true-to-size standard fit as well as wide versions in both men’s and women’s sizing, and the Wave Rider 29 further becomes a great choice for those with wide and/or flat feet who need a thoughtful platform underfoot.

The Wave Rider 29 is a reasonably priced, durable daily trainer with a firm-ish yet protective midsole that’s best used for soaking up miles on easy or recovery runs. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 10mm, Price: $150

Nike Structure 26

The Nike Structure 26 is a fantastic-looking, stability-focused daily running shoe that provides unobtrusive support and a smooth ride.

Pros: a helpful but not overbearing stability system; a comfortable and great-looking upper with superior midfoot lockdown (thanks to the lacing system and integrated midfoot bands); and an approachable price point without a Swoosh tax. Cons: a firmer underfoot feel; below-average outsole durability at the forefoot; and a puffy, bulky tongue. The Nike Structure 26 fits true-to-size lengthwise, but wide-footers should opt for the extra wide men’s and women’s versions once available on the Nike site. The Nike Structure 26 is best used as a stability-focused daily trainer for easy and recovery runs; it does have the ability to occasionally pick up speed and can likely handle medium-long runs (depending on the runner’s size/build). At $145, most people will get their money’s worth in usage.

Though it has a few subpar characteristics, the Nike Structure 26 is, on the balance, an above-average option that shows Nike still cares about creating a solid stability shoe for those who need the extra support. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price: $145

Hoka Arahi 8

HOKA redesigned its signature stability shoe with a softer carrier foam and new H-Frame of firmer foam (rather than the J-Frame of previous versions), and the result is a high-cushion daily trainer with plenty of support.

The Arahi 8’s Pros are: an inviting ride for runners of all experience levels; a surprising amount of support and stability given the cushioning experience; and a design that seems it will last for a lot of miles. Cons: while comfortable and smooth, the ride isn’t all that dynamic; every HOKA daily trainer is starting to look the same; and the standard version is rather snug through the medial midfoot and slightly so through the forefoot. Thankfully, HOKA has wide and x-wide versions available in both men’s and women’s sizing, and we recommend one of those as a starting point for any slightly-wide or wide-footers. The fit is otherwise true-to-size.

While it’s not built for outright liveliness or speed, the Arahi 8 will take many runners through the majority of their training miles, and the price of $150 is very reasonable in a market where $160 is common for similarly cushioned daily trainers. Even if the ride is at times unspectacular, the HOKA Arahi 8 is worthy of a look from those prioritizing both stability and comfort underfoot. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $150

Topo Aura

The Topo Aura is the brand’s max-cushioned stability model. It ups both the stack height and the feeling of support when compared to the Topo Ultrafly 5. The Aura employs a Y-Frame Guidance System in which dense foam is used at the base of the medial midfoot and the medial and lateral rearfoot to help offset overpronation through the gait cycle. The dense, Y-Frame foam and the main layer of ZipFoam make for an overall feel that is firmer than many max-cushioned shoes, but the topmost layer of foam is soft with lots of step-in comfort. The stability elements largely stay out of the way of neutral strides and offer a gently guided ride for those who need it.

The upper, with Topo’s anatomical fit, offers plenty of room for toe splay and provides a wide-foot friendly option for those in need of stability. It does seem to run slightly long, so bear that in mind, depending on how your shoes typically fit. The Aura isn’t particularly built for speed, and the traction was somewhat unreliable in tougher conditions. But our testers, regardless of height and weight, found the cushioning was plenty comfortable for both daily runs and long cruising miles. They also enjoyed the smooth ride, appreciated the characteristic Topo fit in the toebox, and felt the Aura was worthy of its $165 price point when compared to its competitors in the category. Read the full performance review.

Fits: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $165

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS has always been a stalwart, moderately-cushioned stability model for daily running and walking, and version 25 continues that tradition. 

Pros include its consistent and comfortable ride with a bit more cushion than previous models as well as a true-to-size fit that accommodates many foot shapes (plus a wide option will likely be available upon release). Cons are the midsole’s somewhat unspectacular energy return, a weight that’s heavier than many daily trainers, and a design that still feels a bit dated.

But the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 remains a top-tier option for those needing some motion control and seeking a firmer underfoot feel for their easy and recovery runs as well as for those looking for a great walking shoe. If that sounds like you, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is built to last the miles and will deliver on its $145 price point. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 10mm, Price: $145

Topo Ultrafly 5

The Topo Ultrafly 5 is a versatile daily trainer with Topo Athletic’s signature accommodating anatomical toebox. It’s comfortable, and while it doesn’t have the most breathable upper, its light touch approach to stability is subtle and effective. Most of the stability comes the heel clip but the media post does unobtrusive work to help out. It’s the kind of guidance that’s perfect for somebody who wants a more natural feeling (and shaped) shoe but needs a little bit of help keeping their feet aligned. Read the full review.

Fits: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $140

Saucony Hurricane 25

The Saucony Hurricane 25 remains a max-cushion cruiser for those who prioritize long-lasting durability along with measured stability for their easy-paced miles. The Pros for the Hurricane 25 are not surprising: it’s a solid performer for those relaxed, daily training miles; it has a comfortable midsole with a good blend of cushion and firmness; and there’s ample stability for long runs. As for the most easily anticipated Con, the Hurricane 25 is not versatile enough for tempo or speed work. But it also has a challenging fit that limits foot types that require more width and volume. We’re hoping a wide width emerges (like last year), as that will be a necessity for anyone with a wider/taller foot looking to take the Hurricane 25 out for runs over about an hour in comfort. And finally, it’s not exactly a shoe with a ton of core aesthetic identity. Another thing to note is that this version favors running over walking compared to last year’s version (which our testers found to be essentially the opposite).

While there are plenty of other shoes in the $140-$170 range that will give you better versatility (and therefore better overall value), the Saucony Hurricane 25 is still priced correctly as a max-cushion daily running shoe that offers strong durability and a large quantity of plush midsole. It is best used for easy or recovery runs during which plentiful impact protection and some extra support are a priority. For more details on the Saucony Hurricane 25, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price $170

Puma MagMax Nitro

The Puma MagMax Nitro is a fantastic running shoe and is ready to compete with all the other super trainers on the market. For us, it’s one of, if not our favorite long run shoe. It’s also getting worn when our legs need to be babied the day after a hard workout. It’s protective with plenty of cushion but also makes our stride feel fairly effortless with a nice bounce on toe off. The Puma MagMax Nitro is a powerhouse running shoe. Read the full review. 

Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $180