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

Saucony Hurricane 24

The Saucony Hurricane 24 is a max-cushion stability trainer with a roomy fit (potentially to a fault, depending) that looks to deliver long-lasting comfort for runners and walkers seeking a more substantial feeling underfoot. It excels at easy cruising miles in a package that resembles the Hoka Bondi or Gaviota, unapologetically prioritizing plush comfort and impact protection over versatility or breathability. It utilizes dual PWRRUN PB and PWRRUN midsole foams, updated geometry, and what Saucony calls its CenterPath Technology to create an extremely stable platform.

While many will benefit enormously from the abundance of trusty stability and comfy max cushion, the ride may feel overly controlling to those who prefer less noticeable guidance. Regardless of ride preference, traction and durability are impressive, and Saucony seems to have achieved what it set out to do in bringing back a stability-fan favorite. Read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price $160

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

adidas Supernova Solution

The adidas Supernova Solution is the stability portion of adidas’ new Supernova trio and ends up as the best of the bunch. The Dreamstrike+ is fairly minimal up front at 26mm but is effective at impact protection. You’ll get ground feel but won’t feel beaten up by the impact. It’s a quick shoe that can pick up the pace. It easily transitions to casual wear with an upper that’s plush all around. The TPU stability piece on the bottom does work but largely stays out of the way if you don’t need it making this a great neutral stable shoe that’s great for beginners and experience runners alike.

Fits: Typical adidas, Drop: 10mm, Price: $140

Asics Gel Kayano 31

The Asics Gel Kayano 31, Asics’ primary stability option, gets a big facelift for its 31st iteration and continues the trend of getting the stability out of the way unless you really need it.

Think of it as a slimmed down Gel Nimbus with extra support for those that need it. The underfoot cushion is good, and the upper is comfy and well-fitting. It’s a shoe that can soak up a lot of miles in all sorts of conditions. It’s the best Asics stability shoe and one of the best on the market in general.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 10mm, Price: $165

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 V14

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 excels as a daily training shoe, especially for runners who need stability and support. Its durable construction, reliable traction, and balanced cushioning make it my go-to when it’s time to put in some miles on the pavement. The shoe is not designed for speed or more specific running styles. Its weight and stability features make it more suited for steady-paced runs; and, in that context, it will probably be a good option for even experienced long-distance runners.

The updates to the 860 v14, including the reduced drop, increased cushioning, and the introduction of the Stability Plane, make this shoe a considerable improvement on the v13. While the shoe may not appeal to those looking for a lightweight or highly responsive ride, it offers outstanding reliability and durability. Read the full review.

Fits: Typical New Balance, Drop: 8mm, Price: $140

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

Hoka Arahi 7

While the Hoka Arahi 7’s fit could use a little fine tuning, it’s got a great rocker and makes good on its promise of support without feeling monstrous on foot. This one’s for runners who crave stability that won’t bog them down. See the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 5mm, Price: $145

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