7 Best Running Shoes For Orthotics in 2024

Backed up by our lab, we gave the top orthotic-friendly running shoe spot to Brooks Ghost 16 because it blends comfort, versatility, and durability in perfect harmony. The plush and flexible midsole delivers a forgiving ride that keeps us running mindlessly.

Every footfall of ours is caught by a soft yet bouncy foam that feels gentle and delicate underfoot. Our durometer confirms a balanced 21.6 HA, creating a smooth, low-impact ride especially when rear striking the 35.1 mm heel. From the top, an extra thick 10.4 mm tongue cradles our feet, avoiding any traces of lacebite.

Its midsole flows seamlessly with every stride, providing unrestricted support. Our lab flex test confirms this, showing it to be 53.3% more adaptive than average, which translates to a more natural feel that enhances overall comfort and versatility.

The outsole has the makings of a workhorse because we barely made a dent after testing. Double checking further with our Dremel, it only showed an insignificant 0.7 mm dent in our abrasion test, promising underfoot protection and a long shoe lifespan.

However, Ghost 16 has a steep 12.4 mm drop that suits heel strikers best. Runners who think this is too steep should look elsewhere.

We cut open and ran in many orthotic-friendly shoes and the Pegasus 41 stood out as the best daily trainer. It perfectly encapsulates a reliable workhorse for gobbling daily mileage with its fluid nature, soft yet snappy cushion, and rockered yet stable ride.  

Our runs feel natural with this flexible pair. We discovered multiple grooves along the outsole, allowing the shoe to bend freely. This enhances comfort since we don’t have to fight much resistance. Our bend test proves the force needed to flex the shoe to 90° is only 19.2N, 34.0% less than the average.

Switching our attention to the midsole, the new ReactX foam is a standout feature as it offers a plush yet energetic experience. Our durometer reveals it’s 26.2% softer than average, with the two Air Zoom units further enhancing the overall ride.

What also keeps each stride smooth and effortless is the shoe’s rocker geometry. Our toe-offs felt springier! Surprisingly, each landing felt stable too. Inspecting the shoe further in the lab revealed midsole sidewalls and a vast landing space, particularly its 115.6 mm forefoot.

However, we find that the shoe’s steep 11.4 mm drop suits heel strikers best. Mid-to-forefoot strikers may want to consider pairs with lower drops.

Pushing the pace in the Novablast 4 feels smooth with the plush and peppy midsole. Our feet experienced its remarkable speed and comfort, and our lab results agree! Combined with its stable and robust base, it’s easily our best speedster among orthotic-friendly shoes.

Our durometer reveals a decadent foam measuring 28.7% softer than average. Underfoot, it feels buttery smooth and exceptionally guarded from the brunt of repeated landing impact of our high-paced sessions. Despite its softness, the midsole feels snappy and comes to life during our intervals and tempo workouts.

With a caliper in hand, we measured the midsole to be wider than average by 9.6/4.7 mm in the forefoot and heel. This means it should accommodate most custom orthotics. Not only that, it gives us a vast landing platform to find our footing securely during toe-offs and landing.

Surprisingly, Novablast 4 feels lighter than it looks. Our scales show it’s only 9.1 oz (259g), while the average stands at 9.4 oz (266g). What also keeps the feeling light is its adaptive midsole, which our bend test reveals is 13.5% more flexible than average.

While Novablast 4 can sustain high speeds, we find that it still lacks the energy return of a racer. We recommend PB-chasers to explore other options.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 has emerged from our rigorous lab tests and runs as the orthotic-friendly running shoes with the best cushioning. Aptly named Nimbus, it envelops the foot in a luxurious, cloud-like cushioning that feels surprisingly secure with every stride—a rare trait among maximalist daily trainers. With a removable insole, it’s easy to switch to custom orthotics as needed.

Its abundance of plush padding surpasses generosity, offering a height that exceeds race-legal limits. The midsole, towering at a substantial 40.4/32.0 mm stack, comprises a pillowy foam that delivers premium comfort and unparalleled impact protection across all distances. Our durometer readings confirm its exceptional softness, measuring 21.6% softer than average. Adding to its velvet touch is the PureGEL technology that facilitates softer heel landings.

Despite its ultra-soft feel, lateral stability is remarkably maintained, owing to its wider-than-average base and rigid construction. These elements effectively mitigate excessive twists and lateral movements to reduce the risk of injuries. 

However, its emphasis on comfort over speed may not suit those prioritizing pace, as its 10.7 oz (303g) weight requires additional effort to run faster. For speed-focused runners, we recommend exploring alternative options.

Adrenaline GTS 23 shines in offering subtle stability while putting a premium on comfort. It guides our feet without changing our natural stride and spoils us with soft foam and an airy upper. We switched the insole to our orthotics easily without issues. Based on our lab results and runs, it claims the top stability title for orthotic-friendly running shoes.

Each footfall is met with a vast landing platform that inspires safe landings. Our caliper shows it’s 4.2/6.9 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel. Another stability feature is its GuideRails technology that’s integrated into the sides of the heel for further support. Despite being a stable shoe, this pair doesn’t resist our natural movements thanks to its loose build. Our flex test confirms the midsole is 41.2% more adaptive than average.

The cushion feels balanced underfoot — soft and steady at the same time. Our durometer validates it stands 18.4% softer than average. Even with its velvet touch, we never bottomed out.

Switching our attention to the upper, it’s one of the most breathable shoes we’ve tried with no blister encounters. Our lab breathability test confirms this with a 5/5 rating. 

This shoe is better suited for heel-strikers since the forefoot stack falls 3.0 mm below the average. It's not cushioned enough for forefoot landing.

Upon lab-testing and running with orthotic-friendly shoes, we discovered Hoka Mach 6 leads the pack in the lightweight category. This workhorse excels across the board—offering responsiveness and grip for intervals, cushioning for long runs, and flexibility for recovery days. For such a light build, it’s packed with features that make our runs lively and vibrant.

At a mere 8.2 oz (232g), it’s exceptionally airy for its cushioning and remains 12.5% lighter than average. Along with its free-flowing midsole, we can move naturally and be quick on our feet. In our flex test, it bent in all the right places with a force 36.4% below average.

Mach 6 offers generous cushioning and our caliper confirms its 36.0/26.4 mm stack rises above the 33.6/24.9 mm average. It dampens landing impact effectively, allowing us to chase more miles with fresh legs. The shoe also includes a subtle rocker that helps with our forward momentum.

In our tests, the Durabrasion rubber, softer than the average at 75.1 HC, delivers exceptional grip, ensuring our safety and surefootedness no matter where we ran.

With its focus on agility, the shoe runs quite narrow. We recommend those with wide feet to explore alternatives for better comfort.

At only $70, we didn’t expect much from the Adidas Duramo 10 but were pleasantly surprised with how supportive and comfy it felt during our test runs. For those needing custom insoles for underlying foot conditions, we find the Duramo 10 to be the best orthotic-friendly running shoe on a budget. 

Requiring 32N of force to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our flex test makes it 7% stiffer than average. As such, the Duramo 10 resists the natural flexion of our foot during our stride to a certain degree, which prevents us from exacerbating any existing foot injuries by providing underfoot support. This level of stiffness also makes the Duramo 10 more receptive to custom orthotics. 

We also found the Duramo 10 to be high in torsional rigidity, earning a 4 out of 5 in our manual assessment where we bent and twisted the shoe in our hands. This is another supportive feature of the shoe that serves to keep the shoe from contorting with our foot as we run. The result is a nice and level platform for stable and secure landings, even on uneven terrains. 

While a certain amount of stiffness is beneficial, the Duramo 10 stiffens up by a whopping 85% in the cold; much more than the average shoe which only becomes half as stiff under similar conditions. This means the Duramo 10 will definitely feel too frozen to be comfortable during winter runs.