Buying guide

Best Shoes for Overweight and Plus-Size Women (2026)

Not yet bench-tested. This guide was written by Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS from clinical experience and moved to Podiatrist Tested from the practice’s patient library. The products named here have not been measured or worn under the Podiatrist Tested standard, so no scores and no Seal appear on this page. Tested reviews replace these recommendations as they are published.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS · Last reviewed 9 October 2026

We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, including Amazon links paid by brand partners through Levanta, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we make money

Correction (7 October 2026): Corrected women’s model specifications, widths, source attribution and buy-link labels; removed unsupported body-weight replacement schedules and clinical prevention claims. These changes do not represent new bench or wear testing.

Model versions: several picks below have newer versions. Related spec pages: Gel-Nimbus 28, Adrenaline GTS 25, Gel-Kayano 32, Triumph 24 and Glycerin 23.

Best Shoes For Overweight Women: Quick Answer

Start with a comfortable fit, enough toe room, a stable base and cushioning that feels supportive during walking. Higher body weight alone does not establish that the softest shoe or the tallest midsole is best; the running trial discussed below did not find a clear injury benefit from softer shoes in its heavier subgroup. Top podiatrist picks: HOKA Bondi 9 (best maximum cushion); Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (best stability); ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 (neutral cushioning option); New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 (best wide widths); Brooks Addiction Walker 2 (best motion control); Vionic Walker (best with built-in arch support); Propet Stability Walker (best diabetic-friendly); Saucony Triumph 24 (neutral cushioning option); Orthofeet Coral (stretch-knit upper); New Balance 990v6 (best premium). If your foot needs additional support, compare a stability shoe with a neutral option during a try-on. These are clinical suggestions and specification comparisons, not a tested ranking or a guarantee of pain relief. Replace worn shoes according to changes in fit, cushioning and symptoms; body weight does not set a fixed replacement calendar.

Why Shoe Selection Matters More at Higher Body Weight

Every step of walking puts roughly 1.2 times your body weight through the foot on the ground, and running two to three times, so a 250-lb woman lands about 300 lb on each foot with every walking step, against about 155 lb for a 130-lb woman. The knee magnifies it further: in knee arthritis research, each pound of body weight added about four pounds of load at the knee per step.

This increased mechanical load: compresses shoe cushioning faster (check for changes in cushioning and fit rather than assuming a fixed lifespan); flattens the arch more aggressively (overpronation worsens); increases plantar fascia stress (plantar fasciitis is more common); strains the posterior tibial tendon (PTTD); loads the knees and hips disproportionately.

The right shoes mitigate these mechanical stresses; the wrong shoes accelerate them. Investing $150-200 in proper footwear is dramatically more cost-effective than treating the conditions that develop from cheap unsupportive shoes.

Top 10 Best Shoes for Overweight Women (2026)

1. HOKA Bondi 9 ($175) — check price on Amazon (women’s) · spec review — Best maximum cushion. EVA + rubberized foam outsole. Best for: plantar fasciitis, knee pain, all-day standing. Wide widths.

2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 ($150) —

— Best stability. GuideRails technology controls overpronation. Wide widths. Drop: 12mm. Best for: flat feet, knee pain.

3. ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 ($170) —

— Neutral cushioning option. ASICS lists an 8 mm drop and 242 g for the women’s GEL-NIMBUS 28, with Standard and Wide versions. The reviewed ASICS women’s product page does not state stack height. Cushioning is a feature to try for comfort, not proof that this model treats plantar fasciitis.

4. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 ($169.99) —

— Wide-width neutral option. New Balance lists women’s 2A, B, D and 2E, a 6 mm drop and 205.9 g. This version uses Infinion foam; try its soft cushioning alongside a stability option if you need more support.

5. Brooks Addiction Walker 2 ($140) —

— Best motion control. Heavy-duty support for overpronators. Best for: nurses, retail, healthcare workers.

6. Vionic Walker ($120) —

— Best with built-in arch support. Removable footbed. Best for: mild flat feet without separate orthotics.

7. Propet Stability Walker ($95) —

— Best budget for diabetic-friendly. Wide widths. Propet lists it as Medicare-approved under the Therapeutic Shoe Bill.

8. Saucony Triumph 24 ($170) —

· spec review — Neutral cushioning option. Saucony’s buyer’s guide lists 43 mm at the heel, 33 mm at the forefoot, a 10 mm drop and 216 g for women; 250 g is its men’s figure. Regular and Wide versions are offered. These specifications do not establish suitability for every high arch or predict foam life under extra load.

9. Orthofeet Coral ($140) —

— Stretch-knit upper and removable orthotic insole. Coral is a lace-up shoe, with a separate No-Tie version; neither should be described as a Velcro closure. The current Coral No-Tie page lists women’s B, D, 2E and 4E. Check the exact version and width in the linked listing.

10. New Balance 990v6 ($200) — women’s 990v6 at New Balance ·

— Premium option. The women’s manufacturer page lists 2A, B, D and 2E; the existing Amazon button is the men’s 990v6 alternative, not the women’s model. Compare fit and return terms before choosing between them.

Critical Features for Heavier Weights

Cushioning that works with your fit and support needs: A taller stack is not automatically more supportive, and EVA or PEBA names alone do not establish durability under your body weight. Compare comfort and steadiness while walking. The research below does not justify a universal 30 mm minimum or a softness rule for heavier walkers.

Stability or motion control if you overpronate: Higher body weight + flat feet = significant overpronation that damages the posterior tibial tendon, plantar fascia, and knees. Brooks Adrenaline GTS or ASICS Kayano specifically address this.

Wide width (often necessary): Heavier women often have wider feet and benefit from D, EE, or wider widths. Brooks, New Balance, Hush Puppies, and Apex offer extensive width options.

Reinforced upper: Heavier weights stress the upper materials. Look for engineered mesh + reinforced eyelets + structured heel counter. Cheap thin uppers tear quickly.

Durable outsole: Heavy-duty rubber (Brooks Pure-Pro, ASICS AHAR Plus). Avoid worn-out shoes — heavier weights wear shoes faster.

Removable footbed: Allows custom orthotic insertion if needed. Often important for moderate-severe overpronation.

Walking shoes at a higher body weight

For walking, compare cushioning that feels comfortable, a stable base and a width that still fits at the end of the day. The guide has not measured how quickly these midsoles wear under higher body weight. From the list above, these are walking options and the reason to compare each.

• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25: a lab measured its heel platform at 100.7 mm, almost 6 mm wider than the GTS 24’s, and it comes in a women’s 2E. The one to start with if your ankles roll in.
• HOKA Bondi 9: the most foam underfoot for a sore heel or knee, in Wide and X-Wide as well as regular. It is tall, so it is a walking and standing shoe, not one for uneven ground.
• New Balance 860v15: stability, a toe box that measured 75.1 mm at the big toe, roomier than most, and women’s widths from 2A to 2E. Its tested sample has soft foam; compare how steady and comfortable the shoe feels rather than inferring a shorter life from firmness alone.
• Brooks Ghost Max 4: a rockered neutral shoe in women’s B, D and 2E, for a foot that does not roll in but wants a rocker. Take the D or 2E: its standard toe box measured on the narrow side.
• Propet Stability Walker: the budget pick with diabetes in mind; Propet lists it under Medicare’s therapeutic-shoe benefit for patients who qualify.

Walk in them in the late afternoon, when your feet are at their widest, and walk on a hard floor in the store. If the shoe feels unstable or uncomfortable during the try-on, compare another model; a brief try-on cannot predict its lifespan.

Which sneakers have the widest, firmest base? What a lab measured

The table below compares sole-platform width, foam firmness and heel-counter stiffness measured by an independent laboratory. These describe one tested sample; they do not by themselves establish durability under higher body weight. RunRepeat’s laboratory measures the first two and rates the third, and it has done all three for 15 of the shoes on this page. The widest bases under the forefoot belong to the Saucony Triumph 24 (126.5 mm), the HOKA Bondi SR (124.1 mm) and the HOKA Bondi 9 (123.2 mm): second, third and fourth of the 35 shoes we review that the lab has measured.

A wide fitting is not a wide base. The New Balance 1080v15, this page’s pick for wide widths, comes in a women’s 2E (4E in men’s), but the sole the lab measured is the narrowest under the forefoot of those 35 (108.9 mm), its foam the softest of the 33 we review that the lab has tested for firmness (21.5), and it was the easiest to twist of the 24 we review that the lab has twisted. The extra room comes from the wide fittings; the platform the lab measured is the narrowest and softest here. For wide feet that also need a broad, firm base, the Bondi 9 comes in Wide and X-Wide and measured the fourth-widest base under the forefoot and the joint second-widest at the heel.

Firmer foam compresses less under the same load, which is what this page means by a midsole that does not bottom out. The firmest here are the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 (48.7, the second-firmest of those 33), the Adrenaline GTS 24 (44.1) and the Bondi 9 (43.0). The softest, after the 1080v15, are the New Balance 860v15 (25.8) and the Brooks Glycerin 23 (29.2), but a firmness reading is not a wear-life test.

The heel counter is where some favourites give ground. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 and Gel-Cumulus 28 rate 5 of 5 and most of the shoes here rate 4, but the Bondi 9, the Addiction Walker 2 and the Ghost Max 4 rate 3. If your heel rolls in, the Kayano 32 has the strongest set of numbers here: a 5-of-5 counter, the second-stiffest in twist of the 24 we review that the lab has twisted, and a base wider than the median at both ends. The Adrenaline GTS 25 in the walking list above has the wider heel platform (100.7 against 97.2 mm), so try both.

Laboratory figures: RunRepeat, read 28 September 2026. Its published method uses men’s US 9 samples. These are not women’s shoe measurements or tests by Podiatrist Tested, and they do not establish how a different size, fitting or women’s version will fit. Base width is measured across the sole; firmness is a durometer reading on the Asker C scale; the heel counter is rated from 1 to 5, with 5 the stiffest. These readings alone do not predict shoe lifespan or injury risk.

Women’s shoes that come in 2E and 4E

In women’s sizing, D is wide and 2E is extra wide, and a women’s 4E is rare. These are the shoes on this site whose makers publish a women’s 2E or wider.

Widths as each maker publishes them, September 2026; toe-box figures from an independent lab. Availability varies by colour and size.

If women’s fittings do not work, a men’s version may be another option, using that brand’s size chart and a careful try-on. Width letters do not guarantee the same shape or heel fit across women’s and men’s shoes. Women’s 4E options do exist, including the Propét and current Coral No-Tie above; a men’s shoe is not automatically wider than every women’s option. And one caution about width letters: they are fitted across the ball of the foot, not at the toes. The New Balance 990v6 is sold up to 6E and still measured the narrowest toe box of the 34 shoes on our toe box width chart, so a wide letter is not a promise of toe room.

Conditions Common at Higher Body Weight (And Best Shoes for Each)

Plantar fasciitis (very common): ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 (PureGEL heel); HOKA Bondi 9 (max cushion); Brooks Glycerin 23. Add custom orthotic for severe cases.

Knee pain (very common): HOKA Bondi 9 (rocker bottom unloads knees); ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28; Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 (motion control reduces knee strain).

Lower back pain (common): Cushioned shoes with appropriate arch support. HOKA Bondi 9; New Balance 990v6; Brooks Addiction Walker 2.

Posterior tibial tendinopathy (PTTD — adult-acquired flatfoot): Motion control + custom orthotics with medial heel post. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, ASICS Gel-Kayano 32. See PTTD guide.

Bunions (often coexisting with overpronation): Wide toe-box options. Brooks Ghost wide; Altra Torin (zero-drop wide); HOKA Bondi 9 wide.

Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic-specific shoes (Drew, Apex, New Balance 928v3) — Medicare-covered annually for qualifying patients.

Lymphedema or chronic swelling: Adjustable closures (Velcro across instep). Orthofeet, Drew, Apex.

Work Shoes for Standing All Day at a Higher Body Weight

Standing a shift is a different load case from walking one, and it is the situation patients ask me about most. Walking has a swing phase — every step gives one foot a moment carrying nothing. Standing does not. The tissue under your forefoot and heel is loaded almost continuously for eight, ten or twelve hours, and at a higher body weight that continuous load is what decides whether the shoe works, not how it feels in the shop.

Three consequences follow, and they point at a different shoe than the running models listed above.

• Check cushioning as well as tread. A walking or work shoe can lose comfort or support while the outsole still looks usable. Inspect the midsole, upper and tread together; there is no fixed month-four failure rule.
• Size at the end of a shift, not the start. Feet swell over a long day on hard floors. A shoe fitted at nine in the morning can be a width too narrow by six, and a shoe that fits only in the morning will cause more trouble than a plainer shoe that fits all day. This is why a width range matters more here than any cushioning claim.
• A removable insole is the feature to insist on. It is what lets you put your own support in, if a clinician recommends an orthotic for your condition. A work shoe with a glued-in footbed has capped what you can do with it.

Here are women’s manufacturer specifications for the occupational models with related spec pages. Heel-to-toe drop varies across the group: Bondi SR’s 6 mm is within the running-shoe range above. Dansko publishes external heel and platform heights, which are different measurements from underfoot stack or drop.

Women’s sources checked 7 October 2026: Brooks Addiction Walker 2, Orthofeet Coral No-Tie, Dansko XP 2.0, New Balance 928v3 and HOKA Bondi SR. Values are manufacturer figures; none is our measurement. “Not stated” refers to the reviewed source. Check current price, size and width stock at the retailer.

If your shift is in healthcare or hospitality specifically, the fuller versions of this are our shoes for nurses guide and shoes for standing all day, both of which go further into slip resistance and shift length than there is room for here.

A Note on Terms: Plus Size, Obesity and Higher Body Weight

This page says “higher body weight” throughout, because that is the variable the biomechanics actually turn on — load through the foot, and how fast a midsole gives up under it. Readers arrive here searching for plus size shoes, for shoes for obese or morbidly obese women (class 3 obesity, a BMI of 40 or more, in current clinical terms), for sneakers or tennis shoes for heavy women, or simply for walking shoes; the clinical literature discusses footwear in obesity. All of them describe the same footwear problem, and the brief does not change with the wording: a wide and genuinely stable base, a removable insole, a width range you can grow into across a day, and a replacement interval set by compression rather than by how the tread looks.

Nothing on this page is weight-loss advice and none of it is conditional on losing weight. Feet need to be comfortable at the weight they are carrying today. If a shoe from the tables above still leaves you in pain through a shift, that is worth an examination rather than another pair — persistent forefoot or heel pain at any body weight usually has a specific, treatable cause. For assessment and clinical care, see Michigan Foot Doctors’ weight-related foot-pain guide. For people with diabetes, NIDDK recommends a thorough foot examination at least once a year, including checks of foot sensation and pulses.

When to Replace Shoes

There is no validated body-weight-based replacement calendar provided for these shoes. Wear depends on the model, activity, time in use and conditions. Use the following checks rather than assigning a fixed number of months to a weight bracket.

Running shoes: Brooks gives 300–500 miles as a typical range for its performance running shoes. This is manufacturer guidance, not a validated mileage limit for every shoe or body weight.

Daily walking and work shoes: Track use and changes in comfort. Brooks notes that sustained use for walking or work can break down cushioning and mesh sooner; it does not give separate month limits for people at 200, 250 or 300 pounds.

Signs to reassess the shoe: A compressed midsole, smooth or worn-down tread, torn upper material, or a shoe that feels flatter and less supportive. New or persistent pain also warrants assessment; it should not automatically be attributed to worn shoes.

Tip: Rotating pairs can be useful for varying activities and letting shoes dry. Brooks recommends rotation for performance and support; this page has not measured how much it extends shoe life or whether different cushion levels are necessary.

When Orthotics May Help

Choose orthotics for a specific problem, not a weight threshold: The 2023 plantar fasciitis guideline supports custom or prefabricated orthoses alongside other treatment, rather than alone for short-term relief. It does not establish custom devices as universally superior. Device life depends on materials, use and fit; this page does not substantiate a 3–5-year versus 6–12-month lifespan or a cost advantage.

Cost: $300-600 typical. Often covered by FSA/HSA. Some insurance plans cover one pair every 1-2 years.

OTC alternatives: PowerStep Pinnacle, PowerStep Pinnacle GREEN and Vionic Active are options to discuss or try for fit. These are examples, not tested rankings. Persistent symptoms call for reassessment; they do not automatically mean a custom device is the next step.

The numbers, side by side

The table compares manufacturer-published figures for women’s versions. Stack height is the depth under the heel; drop is the difference between heel and forefoot height. Neither tells you how firm the foam is or how well the shoe fits. The last column is a size fitting, not measured sole-platform width. “Not stated” means the figure was not listed in the women’s manufacturer source reviewed for this update; it does not mean no source anywhere publishes it.

Women’s manufacturer sources checked 7 October 2026: HOKA Bondi 9 · ASICS Kayano 32 · Brooks Adrenaline 24 · ASICS Nimbus 28 · Brooks Glycerin 23 · Saucony buyer’s guide · New Balance 1080v15 · New Balance women’s 990v6 · Orthofeet Coral No-Tie. Figures are the brands’ published values, not measurements by Podiatrist Tested; sample sizes are not stated by every maker. Stock varies by size, width, colour and country. Independent laboratory measurements remain in the separate section above. See how we test.

Women’s width options differ from men’s. New Balance lists the women’s 990v6 up to 2E, while the men’s 6E discussed elsewhere is a separate fitting. Orthofeet’s current Coral No-Tie reaches women’s 4E. Saucony publishes a 43 mm heel stack for Triumph 24; an empty stack field for another shoe is not evidence that it has less cushioning. Manufacturer specs, laboratory sample measurements and your own fit check answer different questions; use the drop chart for the broader comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Shoes For Overweight Women

What shoes are best for overweight women with foot pain?

HOKA Bondi 9 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 are cushioning options; Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a stability option. Try them for fit and comfort. This guide has not tested them as treatments, and persistent or severe pain needs assessment.

How often should overweight women replace shoes?

Use wear, cushioning and comfort rather than fixed weight brackets. Brooks gives 300–500 miles as typical guidance for its performance running shoes, but walking and work use can wear shoes differently. Reassess compressed midsoles, smooth tread, torn uppers or reduced support.

Can shoes prevent plantar fasciitis at higher weights?

This guide does not establish that any named shoe prevents plantar fasciitis at higher body weight. Fit and comfort matter, but cushioning is not a prevention guarantee. For existing plantar fasciitis, orthoses may be used alongside other treatment rather than as the only treatment.

What’s the best wide-width shoe for overweight women?

New Balance 1080v15 lists women’s 2A, B, D and 2E. Current Orthofeet Coral No-Tie and Propét Stability Walker offer women’s 4E. Compare width, toe depth and heel fit; the widest fitting is not automatically the best fit.

Are HOKA shoes good for overweight people?

HOKA Bondi 9 is a cushioning option with women’s wide fittings. Whether it suits you depends on fit, comfort and stability during walking. Higher body weight alone does not establish that maximum cushioning is best.

Should I see a podiatrist for foot pain related to weight?

Yes — podiatrist evaluation can identify underlying biomechanical issues (overpronation, PTTD), recommend appropriate footwear, and provide custom orthotics if needed.

Do orthotics help overweight people more than thin people?

Benefit depends on the condition and device fit. The evidence cited here does not show that people at higher body weight benefit more, or that custom orthotics prevent plantar fasciitis, PTTD and knee pain. For plantar fasciitis, custom or prefabricated orthoses may form part of combined treatment.

What are the best shoes for obese women?

Start with comfortable cushioning, enough width and toe room, and a base that feels stable while walking. This guide has not established that a firmer shoe lasts longer or prevents injury at higher body weight. Inspect wear and compare fit using the shoe width chart.

What are the best walking shoes for overweight women?

Walking is the use case most of this page is written around, because it is where the load is repetitive and the shoe is worn for hours rather than miles. For walking specifically, prioritise torsional rigidity — the shoe should resist being wrung out like a towel — along with a broad, flat base and a firm heel. A rockered sole helps if the forefoot or a stiff big toe is part of the problem. Compare soft cushioning with firmer options for comfort and steadiness; softness alone does not establish which shoe will last longest. Our best walking shoes guide covers the category in general, and every model we have read the specs on is in the review index.

Do you need different running shoes at a higher body weight?

Higher body weight alone does not identify one best running-shoe type. Compare fit, support and cushioning for your activity. Foam construction, use and fit vary by model; this page has not tested their durability under higher body weight. Inspect cushioning and support as mileage accumulates. The rest of the advice is the same as for any runner — fit first, then support, then cushioning. One caution worth saying plainly: if you are returning to running after time away, load the tissue gradually. Most of the heel pain we see in clinic comes from a sudden jump in volume rather than from the shoe.

Which shoes are best for a heavy weight person?

Shoes that keep their cushioning under load and limit how far the foot rolls in: a thick midsole that does not bottom out, a wide, stable base and a firm heel counter. Among the picks above, that points to the HOKA Bondi 9 for cushioning, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 for stability and the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 for motion control. On the lab’s measurements none of the three has all of it: the Bondi 9’s heel counter rates 3 of 5, and the GTS 24 and the Addiction Walker 2 stand on narrower bases than the median under the forefoot. Men need the same features; this page covers the women’s models and their widths.

What are some good shoes for people with chubby feet?

A wide, high-volume foot needs width and depth, not just a longer shoe. Look for 2E or 4E fittings, a deep toe box and a removable insole, which frees extra room. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 above comes in wide fittings, and the section on women’s shoes in 2E and 4E lists more. Going up a size in length to gain width puts the arch support and the flex point in the wrong place.

What are the best shoes for someone who weighs 300 pounds?

Mainstream athletic brands such as HOKA, Brooks and New Balance do not publish weight ratings, so be wary of any shoe sold as rated for 300 pounds. At that weight the usual features matter more: deep cushioning that is firm enough not to bottom out, a wide base, a firm heel counter and often a wide fitting. On the lab’s measurements no pick above has all of it: the HOKA Bondi 9 has firm foam on the fourth-widest base of the 35 shoes we review that the lab has measured, but a 3-of-5 heel counter; the Saucony Triumph 24 has the widest forefoot base of the measured picks and a 4-of-5 counter, on foam a little firmer than the median; the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 has the second-firmest foam of the 33 we review that the lab has tested, on a narrower base and over the thinnest forefoot of the 35. The laboratory section above has the figures. Inspect wear and changes in comfort as the replacement section explains, and seek assessment for persistent foot pain.

What is the most comfortable shoe for heavy people?

For many people at a higher body weight, comfort comes from a thick, cushioned midsole with a rocker and a toe box that does not squeeze. Of the picks above, the HOKA Bondi 9 is one of the most cushioned; people who also need stability often find the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 or the Addiction Walker 2 more comfortable over a long day. Comfort is individual, so try shoes on late in the day, when feet are largest.

What the research actually supports — and where it stops

There is one large randomised trial that tests the assumption underneath most “shoes for a heavier body” advice, and it does not say what people expect. 848 recreational runners were randomly assigned shoes whose midsoles differed only in hardness, and followed for six months. The runners in the harder shoe had a higher injury risk. Then the researchers split the group by body mass, and the protective effect of the softer shoe was clearest in the lighter runners; among the heavier runners the difference between the two shoes was not statistically significant.

Read that carefully before acting on it, because the limits matter as much as the finding. It is a running trial, not a walking or standing one; it ran for six months; the participants were recreational runners, not people on their feet for a twelve-hour shift on a hard floor. It does not transfer cleanly to this page’s readers, and we are not going to pretend it does.

The trial does not establish that higher body weight requires either maximum softness or maximum firmness. It did not test these named shoes or predict their lifespan, and it was not a study of walking or standing shifts. Use support, fit and cushioning as features to compare, and treat this page’s untested recommendations as starting points for a try-on rather than proven injury prevention.

Source: Malisoux L, Delattre N, Urhausen A, Theisen D. Shoe Cushioning Influences the Running Injury Risk According to Body Mass: A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving 848 Recreational Runners. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020;48(2):473–480. doi:10.1177/0363546519892578

For related specifications and fit questions, see our CURREX versus PowerStep source comparison.

Sourced, not guessed

Recently reviewed

Individual shoe pages state their evidence tier, published measurements and who should skip them.

Saucony

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

Spec Analysis

Light plated neutral trainer. Saucony publishes both stack heights and they match its 8 mm drop — not yet tested.

$175Not scoredRegular / Wide

HOKA

HOKA Mach 6

Spec Analysis

Lower, firmer neutral HOKA. HOKA publishes a 5 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.

Not scored

ASICS

ASICS Novablast 5

Spec Analysis

Bouncy high-stack neutral. ASICS publishes an 8 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.

Not scoredStandard / Wide / Extra Wide

All reviews

Our funding and evidence policy

We earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases. Our policy is to assess published evidence and fit needs rather than rank products by commission rate. Current reviews are specification analyses; see our method for their limits.

Browse the reviewsHow we assess shoes