13 Best Running Shoes For Bad Knees That Are Supportive
Run care-free and stress-free with specially designed running shoes for bad knees.
Experience: 3 yearsThe day Priyam learned that having strong opinions about everyday products can be a full-fledged writing career was the greatest day of her life. Partially driven by a passion for everything timeless, she likes to explore and recommend styles and makeup products that will endure the test of trends.
Read full bio of Priyam Gupta
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 2.5 yearsShatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.
Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Image: Shutterstock
There are multiple factors that can lead to leg pain while running, but a simple way to alleviate this is by investing in the best running shoes for knee pain. These shoes are specially designed to provide support and remove pressure from the knees to the muscles around the area. They are designed for heel shock absorption and provide a cushioning effect that protects your feet from injuries. Plus, these shoes are designed with lightweight materials and have padded rubber insoles and outsoles that provide an extra layer of comfort and flexibility. These running shoes are durable and feature-rich. They have a breathable exterior to provide comfort and a soft lining with a grippy sole to enable proper movement. Here we have compiled a list of some of the most popular, bestselling running shoes from trusted brands that are beneficial for bad knees. We have also included features that will help you decide better. So, find yourself the right pair of shoes and enjoy your favorite sport of running carefree.
In This Article
13 Best Running Shoes For Bad Knees That Extend Comfort
1. Best Lightweight:Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21
The Brooks Adrenaline running shoes for knee pain use GuideRails to keep your knees in check during intense movement. For every single footfall, you can rely on the DNA LOFT Crash Pad cushions that team up with BioMoGo DNA to adapt to your strides. A secure fit is offered by the mesh upper body that also aids in foot breathability to keep you cool and dry. The streamlined design has a 3D Fit Print for necessary structure without any added bulk which can be restrictive. With the reliable rubber outsole, you can gain maximum traction on any surface. Reviewers online find these shoes lightweight and extremely comfortable.
- Available in 27 colors
- Soft cushioning
- Adapts to movement
- Breathable uppers
- Lightweight
- Grippy rubber outsole
- Some may find the toe box to be narrow
Pro Tip2. Best Pain-Relieving:Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk
Gravity Defyer’s best running shoes for arthritic knees use the unique VersoShockPatented Technology for pain relief in your joints. With the roomy toe box and good forefoot cushioning, you can ensure a constant blood flow in the forefoot while the Front Rolling Design reduces stress in the forefoot. For flexibility and airflow, you have mesh uppers and an EVA sole that absorbs impact during your runs. You can avail a pair of free orthotics with this purchase that have a lightweight PU core for cushioning. The antimicrobial-treated cover keeps bacteria away while the perforated finish is a must for breathability. Numerous online reviewers have also commended the product for its lightweight design and accurate sizing.
- Available in 7 colors
- Aids pain relief
- Keeps blood and airflow constant
- Reduces stress
- Improves joint support
- Extra impact protection
- Antimicrobial insole lining
- Toe box roominess
- Some might find them to be bulky
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 12,093 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
3. Best Breathable:Saucony Women’s Cohesion 10 Running Shoes
Saucony offers the best cushioned running shoes for bad knees that are both lightweight and affordable. The mesh upper extends comfort even if you happen to be on your feet for long hours and most people can enjoy its benefits without a break-in period. With reflective elements, low-light running is possible and also enjoyable, which adds to the stylish look of the shoe. With 14 color options available, you can pick your favorite for your next marathon and keep up with current shoe trends! Online reviews highlight the sturdy nature of the shoes as well as the support they offer.
- Reflective elements
- Breathable
- Available in 14 colors
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Some may find the outsole to not provide much traction on wet surfaces
4. Best Anti-Odor:Orthofeet Coral Pain Relief Sneakers
Orthofeet’s running shoes for knee support feature a soft non-binding upper body and a seamless interior to alleviate aches. On the inside, the foam is gentle on the feet and eliminates pressure points for maximum comfort. The insoles have an anatomical arch support, helping with alignment. They also have a contoured heel seat and multilayer cushioning to reduce fatigue in your legs. To wick away perspiration and keep you dry, the DryPlex anti-odor fabric combines with PolyU foam to ward off odor.
- Breathable
- Anti-odor
- Moisture-wicking
- High-arch support
- Available in 5 colors
- Multilayer cushioning
- Helps with foot alignment
- Slightly expensive
5. Best With Mesh Uppers:ASICS GEL-KAYANO27 Stability Running Shoes
One of ASICS’ best running shoes for knee and back pain, you can fulfil your foot’s biomechanical needs with this knee-friendly footwear. They are expertly engineered with a jacquard mesh exterior that has more room between each fiber to enhance breathability and reduce weight. An External Heel Counter is used to hold your heel securely while providing stability with the Gender-Specific Trusstic System. In the outsole, Gel Technology is present in a deformable shape to evenly absorb and disperse shock during landing. Softer and extra FLYTEFOAM gives great bedding and plenty of cushioning to your feet, so you feel like you’re walking on clouds!
- Available in 15 colors
- Stability shoe with mesh uppers
- Lightweight and breathable
- Keeps heels secure and stable
- Absorbs and disperses shock evenly throughout
- Soft foam cushioning
- Might trap in odor
Caution6. Best Ultra-Soft Cushioning:New Balance Women’s WW496V3 Walking Shoes
New Balance brings to you one of the best running shoes for bad knees made of 75% leather and 25% mesh. With a streetwear-inspired ergonomic design, this pair looks extremely stylish paired with any outfit. Flexible overlays added in strategic places makes these shoes lightweight to wear. Walking Strike Path Technology stabilizes and guides your feet with extra support for your gait. With a padded tongue and foam collar, you can stay extremely comfortable on your runs.
- Available in 7 colors
- Lightweight and flexible sole
- Ultra-soft cushioning
- Adds support and stability
- Padded tongue
- Foam collar
- Some might find the arch support to be insufficient
7. Best With Slimmer Design:Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36
Nike’s shoes for runner’s knees have perforations on the upper body that help with breathability. For a smooth and responsive ride the full-length Zoom Air unit comes into play along with a slimmer design that conforms to your foot shape. In the midfoot, Exposed Flywire cables give you a snug fit when you’re running at high speed. The Cushion ST Foam combines with a high-resiliency sockliner for padding and support. On the outsole, waffle pistons absorb impact with multi-surface traction. With reduced tongue weight and a heel collar that tapers away from your Achilles tendon you can move with ease. According to the reviews online, they also promote impact reduction.
- Available in 26 colors
- Perforations for breathability
- Conforms to foot shape
- Foam cushion and sockliner for padding
- Multi-surface traction outsole
- Reduced tongue weight
- Some might find the heel to be bulky
8. Best Shock Absorbing:Mizuno Women’s Wave Rider 23D Running Shoe
Mizuno brings to you the best running shoe for knee pain with a dual compound midsole. Using U4ic and U4icX technologies, you can enjoy greater responsiveness. With the Mizuno Wave Cushioning Technology your feet can rest softly in comfort. The breathable and lightweight mesh upper body controls temperatures to keep you cool and dry during your performance.
- Available in 6 colors
- Soft cushioning
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Temperature-controlling
- Shock-absorbing
- Might have a narrow toe box
9. Best Anti-Abrasion:HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Bondi 7 Running Shoe
With HOKA ONE ONE’s best shoes for knee pain, running can be comfortable as they have a thick sole with rubber inserts for traction. The well-engineered textile mesh exterior combines with seamless synthetic overlays to give you a breathable and stylish-looking shoe. A cloth-lined and foam padded insole extends both support and cushioning and the low-profile construction helps with ankle mobility. The inner lining is kind to your skin so that your feet can rest in an abrasion-free environment.
- Available in 6 colors
- Sole with rubber inserts
- Breathable
- Soft lining
- Improves ankle stability
- Helps ankle mobility
- Anti-abrasion
- Some might find the toe area to be too big
10. Best Cushioning Midsoles:Under Armour Women’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes
Under Armour’s best shoes for runner’s knee have an ultra-light mesh upper body featuring 3-color digital prints for full breathability. The durable leather overlays keep you stable and help lock in the midfoot. For a soft and step-in comfort, an EVA sockliner comes into play. The Charged Cushioning midsole makes use of compression-molded foam that gives you responsiveness. With the durable rubber outsole you can cover high-impact zones with lesser weight.
- Available in 13 colors
- Offers sole durability
- Breathable
- Aids stability
- Soft sockliner
- Improved midsole technology
- Rubber outsole for traction
- Made with lightweight materials
- Some might find it to lack needed arch support
11. Best With Good Traction: Adidas Women’s Edge Flex Running Shoes
Adidas’s running shoes for runner’s knee are lightweight with a breathable feeling. These Adidas running shoes for bad knees are engineered with a mesh upper body combined with a padded heel and collar for optimum comfort during your runs. A TPU rubber outsole with multi-depth flex grooves is present to give you good traction on any surface. With the bounce and energized cushioning midsole you feel like you’re running on clouds.
- Available in 4 colors
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Padded heel and collar
- Good traction
- Soft inner lining
- Might need a long time to break into
12. Best Posture-Correction:ALTRA AFW1848G Women’s Paradigm 4.0 Running Shoe
ALTRA offers good running shoes for bad knees and uses FootShape to allow your feet to remain in their natural state. The Balanced Cushioning platform keeps the heel and forefoot at an equal distance from the floor for better alignment and form, which also helps with low-impact landing. This brand’s Altra EGO foam gives energy return with a soft and responsive feeling. Mapping the bones and tendons of your feet for natural underfoot movement the FootPod outsole technology proves useful. Additionally, the StabiliPod enhances 3 stability zones in your feet to eliminate pronation or foot collapse.
- Roomy toe box
- Aids foot alignment and form
- Helps with low-impact landing
- Improves pronation control
- Soft foam cushioning
- Enhances stability zones
- Keeps gait and movement natural
- Some may find the tongue to be stiff
13. Best Heel Support:Reebok Running Floatride Run Fast Shoes
With Reebok’s running shoes, knee pain will be a thing of the past as they have a supportive heel cradle contoured to reduce irritation. The Floatride Foam technology gives both lightweight and soft bedding for a responsive feeling. With the help of the stabilizing EVA foam your feet are centered throughout the gait cycle. The upper mesh extends constant airflow while the rubber outsole secures your footing for long-distance running.
- Available in 6 colors
- Breathable
- Anti-slip design
- Lightweight
- Soft foam cushioning
- Grippy outsole
- Reduces heel irritation
- Some may find the top material to bunch up
Now that we’ve looked at the best running shoes for knee problems, it’s time to learn how you can pick out the best pair for yourself.
How To Choose The Right Running Shoes For Bad Knees
- Cushioning
To best protect your feet when running you need footwear that absorbs the shock from your feet landing on the ground. This is helpful with an ample amount of cushioning that also provides support to reduce stress on your feet and eliminate fatigue. Memory foam padding with soft sock liners can help feel soft under and around your feet for maximum comfort.
- Outsole
Thick rubber outsoles with grip inserts are ideal for you to remain stable during your runs. This helps with traction no matter what kind of terrain you’re performing on. Good outsoles also protect your heels and absorb impact.
- Fit
One thing to look out for is a shoe that has a wide toe box, so that you can easily flex and stretch your toes without any constriction as this can reduce blood flow. Doctors recommend footwear that requires no break-in period as this guarantees instant comfort without any blisters. Additionally, the shoe should fit just right without being too loose or too tight as there are dangers of slippage mid-performance.
- Materials
High-quality materials play a key role in extending the lifespan of your footwear. You also need to look out for breathable materials such as mesh or perforated uppers for proper ventilation. Soft inner linings that are made of antimicrobial fabric can help eliminate odor-causing bacteria while also wicking away sweat.
The Bottom Line
Running and high-intensity workouts can hurt your knees badly. Therefore, it is ideal to invest in running shoes for your bad knees. These are specially designed to reduce pressure, support your knees, and prevent unwanted injuries like sprain or twists. The Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 offers a balance of cushioning and responsiveness for added stability and knee protection, the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 27 Stability Running Shoes provide excellent shock absorption, and the HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Bondi 7 Running Shoes feature a lightweight and stylish design, suitable for a comfortable ride. These running shoes have padded insoles to provide arch support and outer soles that offer good grip. They are made of breathable fabric and are flexible while running or jogging. In addition, these running shoes are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and odor-free. However, some shoes might be narrow at the toes. Measure your feet size before choosing one to avoid fitting issues.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Priyam Gupta, is a fashion enthusiast who experiments with different styles. She went through numerous reviews and feedback available on multiple forums and websites to curate a list of the best running shoes for bad knees. These running shoes provide a cushioning effect, remove pressure from the knees, and protect your feet from injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have knee pain when I run?
You may be facing knee pain because the lining or soft tissues present in your knees can be irritated. This could also be due to cartilage that is worn and torn or even tendons that have been strained. If you have a history of knee pain, consult your doctor regularly.
Does overpronation cause knee pain?
Yes, if you have excessive foot pronation which leads to inner leg rotation, this can cause inflammation around the kneecaps.
How can I run with bad knees?
It is advised to perform low-impact activities if you feel like you are losing cartilage in your knees. This is because intense exercise such as running can weaken knees further. You must discuss this matter with your doctor and proceed with runs only if they give you the green signal.
Can running shoes affect your knees?
Yes, well-engineered running shoes provide ample support, cushioning, and padding which can help with foot alignment, arch support, and pain reduction. On the flipside, ill-fitting, or non-supportive shoes can lead to injuries.
Is running on a treadmill bad for knees?
If you have weak knees or are losing cartilage, any kind of high-intensity activity must be brought to the notice of your doctor.
Read full bio of Priyam Gupta
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.