The best running shoe for bad ankles will depend first on what kind of ankle problem you have. There are three primary ankle problems that we commonly see in our practice for which the correct shoe can be helpful in reducing symptoms and I will provide recommendations for a specific running shoe for each of these problems. Before we go further, however, I want to make clear that while the correct shoe can help reduce symptoms associated with ankle conditions, it is rare that a shoe alone will eliminate these conditions. In most cases the shoe is simply a part of an overall treatment plan that might include rehabilitation exercises, proper orthotics or arch supports, training modifications, shoes and other treatments. Below I will recommend specific shoes and arch supports, but if you try these and don’t have relief within a couple weeks, then be sure to see a sports medicine oriented podiatrist near you. If you are in the Seattle area make an appointment to see us. Understand that while I recommend the shoes below on a regular basis with good success, no shoe works for everyone.
Also, here’s an about the products recommended in this article. If you have an ankle that is prone to sprains then you likely have a condition called chronic lateral ankle instability and it should be treated in a comprehensive manner. When looking for running shoes for an unstable ankle, you need to find a shoe that is stable on the outside (the lateral side). If a shoe is firm laterally then it is less likely to allow your foot to collapse to the inside and can help prevent lateral ankle sprains. My current favorite running shoe for prevention of ankle sprains is the New Balance 1080 series. The 1080 is cushioned on the inside but firmer on the outside of the midsole to help prevent the ankle from going over. Whether you’ve had a previous injury or if your ankles are “prone to twist or give way,” the best running shoe protects, provides balance, and keeps the ankle area stable. In addition to a running shoe with lateral stability, a number of studies have shown that the use of stable arch supports can improve ankle
The arch support we recommend most for lateral stability is the ProLab P3. Not only is it the most stable OTC arch support we have found but it is also incorporates a “post” on the heel to give it extra stability for people with unstable ankles. If you have arthritis is the ankle, be sure to get a doctor’s ok before running on it. If you are going to run, however, the role of a running shoe should be to reduce force through the joint by providing exceptional cushioning when your foot hits the ground and by limiting ankle joint motion with the use of a rocker sole. My favorite running shoes, by far, for ankle arthritis are currently from Hoka One One. They have three models of running shoes that provide an excellent rocker shoe (as shown in the picture). Some Hoka shoes do not have this rocker so it is critical that you get the correct model. Make sure that the forefoot does not bend when you push on the front of the shoe. As of winter 2017 the following models have a rigid rocker.
Other models may also, but check to make sure. You can use the links to see the shoes. If your foot is excessively flat, the rolling in of the ankle that occurs in this situation can put a tremendous amount of stress on the ankle. In this situation you will need a running shoe that helps to limit the excessive pronation. Our favorite running shoe for runners with flat feet and ankle pain is the Brooks Addiction. Although improved a bit every year, the Addition has been around for nearly two decades and is a well-proven shoe for those who pronate excessively. If your ankle pain is secondary to having an over-pronated foot, you will also need to use an arch support inside the shoe. Our favorite support for runners with very flat feet is the PowerStep Wide Orthotic. People with flat feet tend to have wider feet also and this is the only over-the-counter support we have found that has both adequate arch support and adequate width for flat feet. Depending on the severity of your flat feet you may need custom orthotics to eliminate your ankle pain.
You can learn about orthotics for flat feet here. For a complete evaluation of your ankle pain and a plan to eliminate it, contact us for an appointment in our Seattle clinic. No shoe works for every person. For a more complete list of our currently best reviewed running shoes you can download our shoe list. It has just recently been updated with the best shoe choices in most of the major brands for people with bad ankles Published on January 23rd, 2016 | Best Walking Shoes for Women 2016 I’m now at an age that when I tell people I have rheumatoid arthritis, I no longer hear, “Oh, you’re too young to have RA,” which we all know is just plain silly because toddlers get RA (and by we, I mean the RA community). Now people categorize my arthritis as the normal wear and tear osteoarthritis that their great-aunt has–I guess I’m old enough to have arthritis now. Even I get confused when an ache or pain hits a new joint. Is it an RA flare-up or just the wearing down of an overused knee or hip?
But one thing’s for sure, I want to stay active as long as I can. I’m an older mom with young kids. I want to be able to dance at their weddings. I’ve tried jogging and love the cardiovascular workout and endorphin rush, but my knees nixed that crazy endeavor, as did my rheumatologist. So I returned to what I do best: I walk. While my friends do crossfit, hot yoga, early spin classes and kick-boxing, I walk. I really do wish I could participate in those activities to challenge myself, but I know my limits. It’s something I can do with relatively little pain, hopefully for a long while. Last week I got a little crazy, forgot my limits and reinstalled the couch to 5k app on my phone and started to jog ever-so-slowly when the nice lady told me to. Two days later, both hips started acting up. I worried that I’d need a hip replacement by February and feared I wouldn’t be able to stand at my son’s graduation, which isn’t for four more years, but you know how one thought leads to another.
I slowed down that train of thought and went back to walking–feeling a bit discouraged, yet thankful it’s the one activity I can count on for now. I do pay for a gym membership in the winter so I can walk the track safely without slipping on ice, but come spring, my walking shoes become my gym membership as I head outdoors. Currently, I enjoy walking the track in my Asics GT-2000s. They’re running shoes, but I love the cushioned insole, excellent arch support and room for my toes and they are a great candidate for walking shoes for women. I’m a mild over-pronator with a fairly high arch, and these fit my feet perfectly. But what other shoes are favorites among walkers with foot problems? Take a look at the best walking shoes for women 2016 as chosen by the Barking Dog. And if you have a favorite walking shoe, please leave a comment–it’s helpful to other readers. Best walking shoes for women with moderate overpronation: Saucony Grid Omni Walker These walking shoes for women has been around for at least 10 years and is a favorite among overpronators with it’s combination of stability and cushioning.
The Omni Walker will accommodate an orthotic and comes in multiple widths. Let’s see what online customers say: for $90, free shipping and returns; $90 at Zappos, free shipping and returns; Best for fitness walking shoes for women: Rykä Devotion (Winner of the Prevention Magazine Shoe Award for best “all-day comfort.”) I’d also recommend the Rykä Devotion for those with knee pain or back pain–the cushioning can’t be beat! This fitness walking shoe is constructed with RE-ZORB, Rykä’s proprietary cushioning technology. RE-ZORB can be found throughout the length of the midsole and the cobblestone pods on the outsole to provide even extra cushioning and comfort. What customers are saying: Available in medium and wide widths at Zappos for $75, free shipping and returns; $23.99-90 at Amazon with free shipping. Best for hammertoes or peripheral neuropathy: New Balance 411v2That’s the toe box in these walking shoes for women by New Balance. If you have hammertoes, bunions or an orthotic that requires more room than your average shoe, the NB 411v2 is the answer.
The soft fabric lining won’t irritate sensitive toes from neuropathy. Available in three widths at Zappos for $64.95, free shipping and returns. Best for Underpronation (Supination, or rolling the ankle outward) Asics Gel-Evate 3 Feet that underpronate often have high arches and need excellent cushioning and shock absorption. The Asics Gel-Evate 3 has just that with its rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning and a FluidRide® midsole. Although billed as a running shoe, the Gel-Evate 3 works as a walking shoe too. This shoe provides a snug fit and is recommended for medium to slightly narrow feet. I have a high arch and these give me the cushion I need to be comfortable. These are perfect shoes for a mild underpronator, like me. Available for $119.95 at Zappos, $46-155 at Amazon, free shipping and returns. Best for feet that suffer from plantar fasciits and forefoot pain: Abeo Rocs A true rocker-bottom walking shoe, Abeo Rocs are similar to MBTs (if you’ve ever worn those before), with all of the same benefits with a lower price point, and they happen to be more lightweight!
A rocker-soled shoe is recommended for those with forefoot pain due to Morton’s neuroma, bunions, metatarsalgia and rearfoot pain due to plantar fasciiitis. Available at The Walking Company for $99 with free shipping. Best walking shoe slip-on: Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Have you had surgery on knees or hips and can not possibly fathom tying your shoes? Or do you just have bad knees or back and need a cloud-like cushion between your achy self and the pavement? The Skechers Performance Go Walk collection provides instant relief. The Resalyte® midsole is a lightweight, injection-molded compound that features memory retention to help absorb impact with every landing. The mesh upper is breathable and forgiving of bunions and hammertoes. Available in medium and wide widths at Zappos for $60; Best walking shoes for women that don’t look like a walking shoe: The Ecco Chase II Tie A stylish option to mesh and brightly colored trainers, the Ecco Chase Tie II comes in neutrals and brights.