Sit scrolling on the internet for more than 10 minutes and you will be bombarded with which running shoe is best for you, if you are a heel striker, whether you pronate or are neutral (or you just don't know) there can be a range of contradicting advice. Here we have selected the best running shoes, which have been tried and tested to help a wide range of runners of all abilities get outside to help them kickstart their running journey, whether that be couch to 5km or even their first ultra-marathon.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
Arguably Brooks' primary shoe in its line-up, the Glycerin shoe sits nicely in the middle between its higher offset and less cushioned sibling, the Adrenaline GTS, and the more cushioned but less stable Glycerin Max.
What gives this shoe the edge over other support shoes is Brooks' GuideRail system, which, by situating the foot below parallel rails both medially and laterally, helps to create support that is non-invasive and therefore won't over-correct any gait-related issues. For instance, if someone pronates on their right foot but remains neutral on their left, the right foot will simply lean on the rail, pushing it back into a neutral position without causing any misalignments on the other foot.
With firmer rails and more cushioning, if you want to run further distances without having to worry if you need a new pair, this pair also ticks this box. Using their nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam, the shoe gives you good bounce and return without being too soft and therefore causing instability.
New Balance 860v15
Although this is a relatively new model in our store, it has sold exceptionally well since it was put on our shelves. Many brands have been moving toward a less invasive holistic support in their shoes instead of traditional podiatry control. New Balance brings these two ways together.
By using what the brand calls a Stability Plane this helps add firmness and rigidity to these newer rail systems. This plate runs from the medial side, underneath, and back up the lateral side of the shoe; therefore, for those who feel they may need even more stability than this model provides, this without being too heavy or cumbersome.
Given its relatively moderate stack height (which hides the plate), for some, it can potentially feel a little heavy; however, this helps to provide greater cushioning over those longer miles- it's not as soft as the brand's new 'Infinion' foam found in the 1080v15, but for those wanting that stronger support, this will work perfectly.
It would be worth noting that the New Balance 860v15 often sizes half a size too small, so if you're thinking of picking a pair up, either order half a size up or come into the store to double check!
Hoka Bondi 9
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Even though this list has been written to highlight the best stability trainers on the market, every shoe in this list will be found in the 'pronation control' or 'stability’ section; however, the Hoka Bondi is the exception to this rule. After Hoka received an endorsement from the Royal College of Podiatry in 2023, they have been crowned the unofficial shoe for curing Plantar Fasciitis.
Now, although certain other Hoka models lack the rigid stability to act as a good support shoe (but remain great for neutral runners), the Bondi functions extremely well. With its wide footbed platform and generous MetaRocker, it is one of the most stable of the neutral shoes.
For many, running in a shoe with a stack height of 43 mm (in the heel) would make them unstable, but the lowered offset of 5mm helps many people return to a more mid-foot-forefoot strike rather than heel striking, which can cause instability.
The Bondi has a supercritical EVA which again gives a softer feel and greater bounce, which works great for those who are both long-distance walking and running.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
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Similar to the Glycerin GTS 23, the Adrenaline line by Brooks continues to be one of the most successful non-invasive stability shoes on the market. Launched in 2018, their GuideRail system has been the key to helping pronators and supinators alike. This model comes with a smaller stack height, so for those who become more unstable on too much cushioning, this helps mitigate that, and as a little side benefit, it helps to bring the price down a little.
Looking at the shoes we sell, and having Running in our name, people assume that we only cater to those who are running, but with this model, Brooks has been consistent with cornering the market for both walkers and runners alike. With a higher offset of 10mm, compared to 8mm of the Glycerin range and even 6mm of the Saucony Guide 19, the Adrenaline line is more conducive to a walking gait, therefore working well for a wide array of individuals.
For those who are looking for a stable shoe to do a bit of everything in, walking, running, or even a pair that can help with other sports, then this is one of our most recommended pairs, and will continue to be for many years to come.
Saucony Guide 19
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Saucony has tried its best to tick every box on the market with this shoe, cushioned? Check. Supportive? Check. Good all-rounder? Check. They have tried, and they have definitely succeeded.
The use of their higher sidewalls-so your foot sits below the actual height of the cushioning- coupled with their broad base, means people running pretty much all distances and across a range of different paces can benefit from this shoe. Saucony's CenterPath technology, which gives your foot equal support to each foot, independently of the other, also means that it is not invasive, and there will be no sacrifice of cushioning under your foot at the same time- all pure PWRRUN foam underfoot and nothing else.
Even with this broader base, for those with narrower feet and higher arches, this shoe can also work extremely well. Often, those with a higher arch tend to sit over the stability of the shoe, but by the design of the brand's deeper sidewalls, this is mitigated here.