Most runners are aware that knees pain can be very distressing and vexatious. Knee pain is mostly caused by aging or much stress on the knee, but you will find that the wrong type of shoes causes the pain in most cases. Therefore, purchasing the best shoes for knee pain will greatly help treat, reduce and relieve the pain.

We have researched and prepared a list of the five best shoes for knee pain that are super comfortable, cushioned, and supportive. Furthermore, we have listed their pros and cons and included a well-detailed buying guide that will make your shopping easier.

1. New Balance Women's 928 V3 Lace-up Walking Shoe

New Balance Women's 928 V3 Lace-up are the best shoes for knee pain that will provide great motion control, cushioning, and support making. This new balance shoe is one of the most supportive and most comfortable shoes that are available on the market today for bad knees and foot inflammation, or Plantar Fasciitis.

The upper of the shoe is made of breathable and durable material. Additionally, it had a roomy toe room that gives your feet enough room, reduces injuries, and supports thick orthotics. The shoe is also designed with a New Balance technology referred to as the Rollbar, which will provide dual support. Moreover, the Rollbar helps with the stability of the rear foot, which gives you a steady and consistent motion.

The New Balance 928 V3 Lace-up walking or running shoes are also designed with a rubber outsole that is treaded, giving you a great grip. It also features ABZORB cushioning and a quick-dry liner. The amazing thing is that the shoe is available in Velcro and lace-up and is also available in full range sizes for both men and women.

  • Pros
  • Durable rubber outsole
  • Provides better cushioning and shock absorption
  • High-supportive shoe
  • Removable polyurethane footbeds
  • Made of upper Leather
  • Wide and Extra Wide sizes available
  • Great for people with flat feet, low arches, high arches
  • Cons
  • Not too many colors available

2. Saucony Women's Guide 13 Running shoes

Saucony Women's Guide 13, Blackout, 5 Medium
  • New PWRRUN cushioning provides just-right softness...
  • The new medial TPU guidance frame quickly and...
  • FORMFIT surrounds the foot with a made-for-me feel...
  • Shoe Category: Stability
  • Offset: 8mm (32.5/24.5)

Saucony Women's Guide 13 is the best shoe for knee pain, heel pain, ankle pain, and plantar fasciitis. These running shoes will provide exceptional cushioning and amazing shock absorption qualities.

Saucony Guide running shoes are constructed with PWRRUN cushioning that is soft enough to give you extra cushion and comfort. This shoe for women also has a TPU frame that ensures that your feet are straight and provide great movement control. In addition, the Saucony running shoes have a wide toe room that gives your forefoot enough room to stretch.

These best running shoes are designed with a synthetic and super breathable upper mesh that is super durable. The Saucony Guide 13 is the best option for runners with knee problems, and you need a shoe that will offer stability, provide balanced cushioned insoles, and give great running guidance through the gait cycle.

  • Pros
  • Excellent shock absorption
  • Provides maximum stability
  • Lightweight and flexible
  • Has a durable  Non-Slip sole
  • Perfect choice for ideal for runners and athletes 
  • Cons
  • Offer more wide sizes.

3. Vionic Men's Walker Classic Walking Shoes

Vionic 23MWALK00110.5W 23MWALK Black 10.5 W
  • Premium full-grain water-resistant leather uppers...
  • Built-in Orthaheel motion-controlling footbed...
  • Breathable moisture-wicking 100% polyester mesh...
  • Podiatrist-developed biomechanical removable...
  • Molded EVA midsole with built-in .5" elevation for...

Vionic Walker Classic Walking and athletic or running shoe is the best shoe if you have bad knees or any feet issues. If you are running errands, doing heavy exercises, or running to keep fit, then this is the best and most appropriate shoe that will protect your feet and provide enough comfort.

The Vionic Walker Classic Walking and running shoes are designed with a flexible and versatile fore and rearfoot firm and super-supported with excellent padding. It is perfectly designed with an EVA cushioned midsole and unique midfoot support. The shoe is also constructed with an orthotic footbed that will provide your feet with excellent arch support for shock absorption and keep your feet in place.

The Vionic Walker Classic running shoes are constructed with full-grain leather of high quality and mesh inserts that provide breathability qualities. It has a lightweight rubber outsole that gives you great grip and attractions. In addition, it is designed with Active Motion System technology that will give your feet maximum comfort and motion efficiency, making it a perfect choice for back pain, Heel Pain, Heel Spurs, and knee pain.

  • Pros
  • Lightweight and flexible
  • Concealed Orthotic Arch Support
  • Perfect shoes for arthritic knees
  • Has a thermoplastic rubber to help with shock absorption
  • Promotes stability
  • Full range sizes for both men and women
  • Perfect as a casual and office shoe
  • Cons
  • Doesn't offer various widths

4. Brooks Women's Ghost 13 Running Shoe

Brooks Women's Ghost 13 Running Shoe - Alloy/Oyster/White - 11 Medium
  • THIS WOMEN'S SHOE IS FOR: The Ghost 13 is for...
  • SUPPORT AND CUSHION: The neutral support type...
  • BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA and DNA...
  • SMOOTH, STABLE RIDE: No matter how your foot...
  • SOFT, SECURE, FIT: The newly engineered mesh and...

Brooks Women's Ghost 13 Running Shoes are the best shoes for knee pain, ankle pain, back pain, hip pain, and flat feet. This shoe for women is among the top on the best walking or running shoes on the market today. It has a great and comfortable fitting that feels more like socks or gloves. The shoes are great for both casual style and office style and can be worn daily.

The Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoes have a wide toe room that allows your forefoot to stretch. The upper of this Brooks shoe is made with 3D woven mesh printing that breathable, lightweight, and flexible. The midfoot area is tight, giving you a snug fit. The ankle cooler is designed with soft nylon lining that is super comfortable.

The Brooks Ghost 13 features DNA loft cushioned insoles that prevent your heel and bottom feel from much shock. The insoles are made of Eva foam, air, and rubber, providing a soft landing. Additionally, the shoe's sole had the new segmented pad and flex grooves that will provide a soft and smooth heel-to-toe transition in your every step.

  • Pros
  • Has high volume foam
  • Has balanced cushioned insole
  • Help with stabilizing joints
  • Perfect as a casual and office shoe
  • Eva foam, air, and rubber sole
  • Designed with a slip-on design
  • Has a breathable mesh upper
  • Full range sizes for both men and women
  • Cons
  • Expensive

5. ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 23 Running Shoes

ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 23 Running Shoes, 7, Black/White
  • GEL Technology: Cushioning provides excellent...
  • Gender Specific 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION: Addresses...
  • Engineered mesh upper:
  • Reflective accents improve visibility in low-light...
  • FLYTEFOAM Technology: Provides lightweight...

ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 23 Running Shoes are the best shoe for knee pain, hip pain, high arches, and flat feet. In addition, these best running and walking shoes are designed to help minimize knee and foot pressure.

The Asics Cumulus walking and running shoe is constructed to provide maximum shock absorption. The upper of this Asics shoe is made of lightweight, flexible, and breathable materials that will greatly reduce foot, knee, and hip pain. It is designed with a fluid ride technology that will give you perfect cushioning. The forefoot of the shoe has gel padding technology that provides great cushioning.

Additionally, it has a durable rubber sole and will ensure that you have a great grip. Of course, the perfect thing is that the shoe has a gender-specific 3D construction that meets various compression rates based on gender.

  • Pros
  • Has FLYTEFOAM Technology
  • Provides lightweight cushioning
  • Reflective accents improve visibility at night
  • Forefoot GEL Technology
  • Equally, distributes weight
  • Improves smooth transitions
  • Comes in various widths and colors
  • Cons
  • Laces are flimsy

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Shoes For Knee Pain

1. Comfort

If you have bad knees, the most probable cause could be your shoes. The first vital factor you should consider when purchasing a pair of shoes is comfortability. The shoe should have a comfortable feel, and it should fit you perfectly if you want to reduce knee pain.

On the same note, you should ensure that the shoe is breathable enough to ensure maximum comfort. The insole, midsole, and outsole also features you will have to look out for in a shoe that may also affect the comfort of the shoes. These features will affect the shock absorption qualities of the shoes, which will greatly affect the knees and bottom of your feet.

Additionally, you will have to check the cushioning of the shoes, ensure that the shoe is well-cushioned, and is specially designed to help with bad knees and other feet issues like plantar fasciitis. Most of the best shoes for knee pain will have EVA cushioning, which is great for bad knees.

2. Cushioning 

Having a pair of shoes with extra cushioning will greatly help with knee problems and other foot-related is that will absorb shock as your feet hit the ground. In addition, great cushioning and enough support will help reduce the stress on the joints, knees, and feet caused while running or walking.

Pay great attention to the midsole and make sure that the footbed will evenly distribute your weight; this way, you will reduce the risk of having knee problems and even reduce the pain.

3. Shoe structure

Another very crucial factor that you have to look at is the construction of the shoe. The design of the shoe will greatly affect how well the shoe will function. The three main parts to look at are the midsole, outsole, and upper.

The outsole is essentially one of the very first parts you should look at, especially if you have bad knees or feet pain. Most brands will make outsole from high-quality rubber, which will make the shoe lighter and, at the same time, are slip-resistant, giving you enough grip as you walk, even on wet surfaces. Additionally, a durable rubber outsole will highly reduce your back, knee, and feet pain.

Firm Midsoles is also a factor that you will have to look at. A great midsole will help with shock absorption and also give you maximum stability as you run or walk. The upper of the shoe is also equally important, which most people forget to consider. Ensure that the upper of the shoe is made of lightweight, breathable mesh and high-quality material. This way, the shoe will provide great ventilation and circulation, which will help reduce the pain.

4. Support

Another very important feature that you will look at is the support provided by the shoes for knee pain. Poor arch support and extensive pressure on the foot will largely increase the risk og having knee problems and other foot problems like plantar fasciitis. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the pair of shoes you purchase will provide maximum knee, heel, and arch support, give you stability, and prevent overpronating.

5. Durability

You will want to choose a durable shoe. This way, you are assured that the cushioning and the shoe's support will no wear out faster. You can tell the shoe's durability by checking the materials used in the shoe's construction example, ensuring that the shoe's outsole is made of sturdy and durable rubber material. In addition, the midsole, lining, and upper of the shoes should also be made of high-quality materials.

6. Weight

The weight of the shoe is another important factor to look out for if you have bad knees. It would be best to get a lightweight shoe that has great cushioning, support, and comfort. Heavy shoes will tend to strain and injure your foot while running. The other disadvantage of having a heavy running shoe is that it will increase the pressure on the lower back, knees, and feet. Lightweight shoes will have multiple advantages to your overall health.

7. Heel Cup

The heel cup of the shoes is one of the factors you should look at if you want to get a new pair of shoes. It would be best to look for a shoe with a supportive heel cup to help reduce the strain caused while running or walking. High heels, in particular, will not do any good to your feet, knees, back, and overall health.


Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Shoes For Knee Pain

1. Are my running shoes causing knee pain?

If you are wearing running shoes with poor cushioning, support, and comfort, that could be the problem. Ensure that you get a specially designed pair to help with your knee pain; this way, you will reduce the pain.

2. What kind of shoes are good for knee pain?

The best shoes for knee pain, joint pain, and feet inflammations are the best running or athletic shoes. Most of these shoes from reputable shoe brands are designed to provide maximum support, extra cushioning, and they will also help maintain great orthopedic health.

About the Author Brian

Hello, I'm Cindy. I’m a super duper mega hiking enthusiast, with a love for everything that has to do with outdoors, hiking, gear, footwear and more.

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