Merchandise are fastidiously chosen and evaluated. When you purchase by way of a hyperlink we might earn fee.
We get it, selecting the best trainers can really feel completely overwhelming with so many choices on the market. However don’t fear, we’ve received your again, or ought to we are saying ft? And sure the concerns do change for our heavier, taller, rock star runners as a result of we have to take a look at stability, cushion and sturdiness.
Our workforce has been testing out all types of footwear and sharing sincere suggestions together with the important thing particulars you’ll want to make the only option on your ft. And it’s level of delight round right here that almost all of our testers aren’t sub 3 hour marathon runners, however on a regular basis mid to even again of the pack athletes with quite a lot of physique shapes.
Plus, having coached hundreds of runners we have now SO MANY folks offering us suggestions on a regular basis that we really feel actually assured this checklist goes that can assist you discover the fitting present.
A superb pal of the positioning, Drew from Put on Testers, is an enormous ol’ basketball dude turned distance runner. And we love that he busts a variety of stereotypes by cranking out some speedy instances, however he’s additionally advised us that footwear are simply completely different whenever you add weight.
It completely adjustments the longevity of many footwear, but additionally merely the texture as you place extra stress in to the cushion or search for that added stability.
Greatest Working Sneakers for Heavier Runners
All proper, now let’s get in to this checklist! As at all times, we attempt to share quite a lot of types and types as a result of there is no such thing as a 1 good model that works for everybody. So that you’ll discover some are a bit of softer, some wider, and so forth, however all nice choices.
Greatest Stability Shoe- Saucony Hurricane 24
My first impression was HOLY STACK HEIGHT. Saucny isn’t messing round with max cushion on this stability shoe and the excellent news is you don’t sink into the shoe when you begin operating.
The Saucony Hurricane goes to have a wider base offering extra floor contact and you’ll even see larger sidewalls serving to to safe your foot in place. As you are taking every step, you’ll really feel the slight rocker which is able to assist with that roll by way of from heel to toe.
One factor to notice is that this isn’t a pace shoe, although it’s not likely a lot heavier than many max cushioned footwear I feel the broader base and stack top could make it really feel a bit clunky.
This shoe is good for runners and walkers needing stability (pronation management), on simple runs, lengthy walks, or as an excellent possibility for standing all day.
Greatest Impartial Day by day Run Shoe- Hoka Skyflow
Once I first heard in regards to the Skyflow, I assumed, why? However after a number of runs, I may inform that it was a pleasant mashup of the Hoka know-how that I really like in different pairs like the nice ol’Clifton.
The midsole packs a variety of EVA foam underfoot, which implies extra cushion for these lengthy coaching miles. Certain, it’s a bit of heavier, however you’ll respect the consolation trade-off.
The heel-focused Lively Foot Body hugs your foot for a extra secure trip, and the match is ideal should you’re on the lookout for a roomy toebox or want a bit of additional area when your ft swell throughout these longer miles.
This shoe is finest for center of the pack runners who’re on the lookout for a every day coach with good cushion with out feeling too gentle or your foot sinking in.
Bonus factors for the sturdy rubber outsole that holds up towards put on, even when your stride isn’t completely even. The Hoka Skyflow ought to final you thru your coaching and even a half or full marathon!
- Weight: 10 oz Males’s, 8.6 oz Ladies’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Impartial Shoe
- Average to Max Cushion
- 7 colours
- Huge in some colours
- Obtainable on Hoka.com for $160
- Take a look at our full overview of the Hoka Skyflow >>
Greatest Light-weight Coach- Asics Superblast 2
The Asics Superblast 2 is a non-plated tremendous coach that’s extremely mild for the max cushion and for certain to be a terrific race day possibility for a lot of runners.
Whereas labeled a “tremendous coach”, the truth is these footwear are unbelievable for lengthy runs and race day for the center to again of the pack runner.
Asics designed this shoe utilizing 2 varieties of foam within the midsole, Flytefoam Turbo Plus on the highest later and Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco backside layer. This combo goes to offer a gentle but responsive really feel, serving to to soak up impression, which goes to be essential should you’re a heavier runner.
Plus, using EVA primarily based foam goes to make sure that these footwear are sturdy and going to final by way of ALL of the miles.
Certainly one of our massive questions at 45mm stack top is at all times does it really feel secure and the reply is totally. That is because of the flare you see alongside the midsole and the prolonged heel. Your complete shoe is simply wider, which controls that lateral motion with out a inflexible information. That makes this actually good for lengthy runs and marathon runs.
This shoe hits the mark as one that may do a LOT of issues for runners at a variety of paces.
Greatest Speedwork Shoe – Saucony Endorphin Professional 4
The Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 is a shift from earlier variations because it now makes use of the PWRRUN HG midsole foam, which was beforehand solely used for his or her prime tier Endorphin Elite race shoe. This is called their tremendous foam with essentially the most vitality return.
What units PWRRUN aside from different midsole foams is its building. This foam will adapt to your distinctive stride and supply the help you want whereas serving to to scale back the impression and shield your joints.
Our pal Herm.runs, had this pair of footwear on his checklist for being “massive dude authorized” so we needed to embrace it. Based mostly on his expertise, he stated that the Saucony Endorphin Professional is a good entry-level carbon plate shoe. It’s not too aggressive, it’s comfy and it’s gentle. It’s not like what you could instantly consider when somebody says a carbon plated shoe like a pair of Nike AlphaFly.
If you’d like a stellar pace exercise shoe or carbon plated shoe that feels a bit extra secure and like your every day trainers, that is the winner. Among the actually bouncy plated footwear appear to be inflicting achilles and foot points, so this shoe is unlikely to have that outcome.
AND these ought to last more than footwear with simply the HG foam which goes to breakdown quicker.
Greatest Carbon Plated Lengthy Run Shoe- Hoka Skyward X
HOKA actually nailed stability with this shoe. It has a wider base and a comfortable match so that you’ll by no means really feel like your foot is shifting or unstable, even with the additional stack top underfoot.
The midsole is made with PEBA foam so that’s going to assist in giving the shoe a extra plush cushioning really feel, serving to take in the impression and giving a smoother trip.
I feel a variety of what makes this shoe really feel secure will not be solely their normal extensive base, however the distinctive form used for the carbon plate.
The plate’s H-shaped design goes to assist in a number of areas. On the extensive medial facet, it provides early touchdown help, whereas the narrower rail on the lateral facet features as a crash pad upon touchdown. PLUS, the rising carbon lip helps to maintain your heel safe and prevents any sinking or outward motion.
From operating simple tempo right down to half marathon tempo miles, this shoe goes to be a terrific decide!
Greatest Max Cushioning for Lengthy Runs – Brooks Glycerin Max
The Glycerin Max takes the unique Glycerin to a complete new degree, it’s an extremely completely different shoe however in all the fitting methods.
Quite a few workforce members have examined it and up to now it looks like a very sturdy shoe that even some runners have stated they really feel quicker in than different massive cushioned footwear.
The Glycerin Max has a GlideRoll rocker system serving to the roll of the heel to toe really feel smoother. That’s an enormous deal particularly with the 45mm stack top, supplying you with additional help with each step.

This shoe goes to really feel such as you’re strolling or operating on a supportive cloud from it’s DNA Tuned midsole. There’s a bit of little bit of firmness however compared to one thing just like the Triumph, the froth within the Glycerin Max actually helps take in the impression with every step.
Greatest Huge Foot Shoe- Asics Gel Kayano 31
When you’re a heavier runner and even somebody who overpronates, the Gel-Kayano 31 needs to be a shoe that you just take into account including to your rotation.
The shoe is designed with a 4D Steering System meant to maintain your gait very regular. Between the broader base and elevated sidewalls, your foot goes to really feel supported and never have the chance to simply flip inward with every stride.
The Gel Kayano 31 goes to have a sturdier really feel and get you thru many, many miles earlier than you’re going to note a breakdown within the outsole.
Nonetheless, understand that because of the weight of this shoe, it’s not a pair that you just’re going to need to take out for a pace exercise or to hit quicker paces throughout a race.
The whole lot about this shoe screams sturdiness, with a extra comfortable feeling kicking in after you break them in for a bit.
Greatest Restoration Run Shoe- Puma MagMax Nitro
Puma operating has taken off the previous couple of years, notably with some speedy footwear with carbon plates. However the Puma MagMax Nitro is lastly talking to the center and again of the pack that desires some cushion for lengthy hours on their ft.
Although the MagMax Nitro has an excellent excessive stack top of 46mm, don’t fear this shoe will enable you really feel supported each step of the way in which. To assist with stability, Puma designed the MagMax Nitro with a wider base, just like what you could have seen with a pair of Hokas.
This positively will not be a light-weight shoe, so that you in all probability shouldn’t count on to get an excessive amount of pace, nevertheless it may nonetheless be a very nice shoe to hit these longer distances!
Greatest Path Shoe-Brooks Cascadia 18
If you’re a path runner looking for a pair of footwear that supply stability and a wider match, Cascadia is a prime decide!
This shoe is constructed to go the space whereas on the paths. You’ll see protecting overlays on the higher mesh of the shoe in these areas the place you’re extra more likely to kick rocks or different obstacles on the paths. Brooks’s considerate design of the Cascadia will shield your ft from getting banged up on the tough terrain whereas remaining mild and agile!
In contrast to different path trainers, that is going to have a barely roomier toe field! Not fairly as roomy as a pair of Altras nevertheless it’ll do the job.
The outsole of the Cascadia makes use of TrailTack rubber alongside the tremendous colourful lugs to assist present additional grip whereas on uneven surfaces. This sturdy outsole can be going to assist with prolonging the lifetime of your shoe!
- Weight: 11.1 oz Males’s, 9.9 oz Ladies’s
- Heel Drop: 8mm
- Stability shoe
- Average cushion
- 4 colours
- Obtainable in extensive in some colours
- Obtainable from Brooks.com for $140
Greatest Strolling Shoe- Brooks Ghost Max 2
The Brooks Ghost has been a fan favourite for years, and it’s simple to see why. Reasonably than making an attempt to recreate the shoe, they determined to broaden the lineup to satisfy the brand new rising demand for max footwear.
Max usually means we’re getting an even bigger stack top to allow them to shove in much more cushion and it’ll really feel softer underfoot. Brooks upped the cushioning right here and used nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam within the midsole to assist present a softer touchdown.
Whereas this isn’t a stability shoe, it’s going to supply a naturally secure trip with average cushioning, making it a sensible choice for runners who already love the match and really feel of a Brooks shoe.
Like with the Glycerin Max, the Ghost Max 2 can be going to characteristic the GlideRoll Rocker to assist that heel to toe transition really feel extra pure.
That is going to be an particularly nice shoe should you comply with run/stroll intervals!
Selecting the Proper Sneakers for Heavier Runners
There are completely concerns that are available in to play for a way a shoe goes to suit no matter your dimension, which need to do along with your foot form, extensive, slender, excessive arch, flat ft AND your stride.
The footwear we’ve vetted hit on a variety of key factors, however there are two issues that transcend any shoe:
1. Power Work.
You must be doing power to maintain the knees, hips and again feeling good. A lack hip/glute power is tremendous widespread in runners and no shoe goes to repair that. The result’s with every step your knee falls inward and places stress on the ankle, knee and hip joint.
Instance of knee drift!
2. You must just like the shoe!!!
There are a variety of research what is an effective shoe and whereas it’s essential to account for a large foot or flat ft trainers, the shoe that you just like is what works finest.
Don’t be afraid to attempt a number of footwear in your rotation, that’s how most of us discover what we actually like long run.
Sturdiness For Heavier Runners
Discovering a pair of trainers which you can put on for plenty of miles with out breaking down too shortly is particularly essential for heavier runners. You need a pair of footwear that’s going to get you thru at the very least a coaching cycle whereas preserving your ft glad each step of the way in which.
Nobody has time to exchange their footwear each few weeks and we don’t need you to both!
So, what makes a shoe extra sturdy? It’s all about how and what’s it comprised of! Right here’s what you must search for:
- Midsole the sort and mix of cushion does make a distinction. So the racing PEBA footwear or a less expensive shoe with EVA foam goes to breakdown a lot quicker than these with a TPU foam. We all know that’s a variety of phrases, so we tried to try this analysis for you and are engaged on a foam article that makes it simpel.
- Outsoles which are sturdy to assist keep away from fast put on and tear on areas just like the heel and forefoot. That is particularly essential should you are likely to overpronate or underpronate. That means that your foot is probably going going to land extra on one a part of the shoe than one other. You’ll discover the shoe under has much less protection, so whereas we suggest it as a pace shoe that might additionally imply it’s not going to final you as lengthy and shouldn’t be your every day coach.
Additional Cushioning
Who doesn’t love feeling such as you’re operating on a cloud? However keep in mind that an excessive amount of cushion in a long term shoe can really backfire, as you begin to sink within the shoe, creating decrease again ache whereas operating.
- Outdated trainers breakdown and that may result in stress fractures, so it’s not simply in regards to the cushion however the entire construction of the shoe
- A shoe that matches ought to really feel good below the ball of your foot within the retailer doing all of your take a look at run, should you’re making an attempt to persuade your self the shoe isn’t too arduous and also you prefer it…stroll away.
- Every runner has a distinct degree of cushion that feels good, similar to shopping for a mattress
- You should have completely different ranges of cushion for various runs (i.e. pace work days vs marathon lengthy runs)
Like we stated above, there are such a lot of choices on the market for trainers for heavier runners that we hope you should use this as a information when on the lookout for your subsequent pair of footwear.
Hopefully, one among these stands out and will get you excited to lace up and exit for a run!
On the lookout for extra operating information?