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Shin splints are caused by many factors, including sudden increases in intensity or mileage, running up hills, or bad running form. The type of shoes you use can also lead to or worsen shin splints, so you want to be sure you're wearing the best shoes for shin splints. If you're interested in exploring a wide range of running shoes, not specific for shin splints, we have compiled a list of the best running shoes available.
The Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Our Top Picks
- Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints Featured Pick: Nike Pegasus 40
- Best Overall Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Hoka Clifton 8
- Best Cushioned Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
- Best Lightweight Running Shoes for Shin Splints: adidas Adizero Adios 7
- Best Road Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Nike Invincible 3
- Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints and Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12
- Best Stability Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Saucony Guide 15
- Best Trail Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Salomon Speedcross 6
- Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints and Pronation Control: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
- Best Distance Running Shoes for Shin Splints: Asics Gel-Kayano Lite
Shin splints are one of the most common injuries in runners, especially newer runners or those returning to the sport after a break. They happen when the muscles and tissue outside the shinbone become inflamed. Also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints cause soreness along the front part of your lower legs. In the beginning, the pain or discomfort occurs only when exercising, but can progress to continuous pain. More serious cases can lead to stress fractures or compartment syndrome.
With so many running shoes on the market, how can you know which are right for you? The ACTIVE Reviews Team researched several options, keeping in mind key factors such as stability, support, and comfort. Read on to see their recommendations for running shoes for shin splints.
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Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints Featured Pick - Nike Pegasus 40
SPECS
- Weight: 10.9 oz (men’s 10.5), 8.5 oz (women’s 8)
- Colors: Men -6 colors , Women - 7 colors
- Sizes: Mens 6-18, wide option; Women 5-12, wide option
- Cushioning: Nike React technology, 2 Zoom Air Units
- Materials: Single-layer mesh upper, Durosol rubber outsole
Why We Picked It
Nike’s recent release of its best-selling model, the Pegasus 40, is a running shoe that offers a comfortable fit for all runners. It is an especially solid shoe for anyone experiencing shin splints, thanks to the Nike React technology which strategically places cushioning along the underfoot to promote smooth heel-to-toe transitions. It does so while also providing neutral support and ensuring you don’t feel the impact from every footstrike. The Pegasus 40 includes a forefoot Zoom Air Unit and a heel Zoom Air Unit, which work together to propel your foot forward for a smooth and effortless stride.
Other notable upgrades include a padded collar, larger heel area, and a waffle-like pattern on the outsole for better traction. An additional flex groove has been added to enhance the shoe's smooth toe-off. Overall, the Pegasus 40 is designed for performance and provides the secure yet comfortable fit needed to help avoid shin splints.
Best Overall Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Hoka Clifton 8
SPECS
- Weight: 8.9 oz.
- Materials: Engineered mesh upper, recycled content lining mesh, zoned rubber sole
- Cushioning: Compression-molded EVA foam, plusher heel and tongue
- Sizes: 7-16, including some half sizes; regular and wide widths available
- Colors: 21 color options
Why We Picked It
Hoka introduced the world to highly cushioned running shoes with its Clifton line. The Clifton 8—the company's eighth version—still features Hoka's unique meta-rocker technology designed to propel runners forward. But it's been updated to include an extended crash pad at the heel for a much softer landing.
The Hoka Clifton 8 has a compression molded EVA foam running the entire length of the shoe, along with a much plusher tongue and heel. For such a cushioned shoe, it's surprisingly lightweight, too.
What We Like
- Tons of comfortable cushioning
- Lightweight
- Great arch support
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
- Not suitable for speed
Best Cushioned Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
SPECS
- Weight: 9.2 oz.
- Materials: Double-layered knit, engineered mesh upper; carbon rubber outsole
- Cushioning: 2 Zoom Air units underfoot; lightweight durable foam
- Sizes: 5-12, including half sizes; regular and wide widths available
- Colors: 11 color combinations and customizable options
Why We Picked It
When Nike launched its Pegasus line of running shoes in 1983—the first mid-priced running shoe with Nike's proprietary pressurized Air technology—the shoe was designed with one job in mind: running. In the years since, the Pegasus has become the most popular running shoe in the world, and for good reason. It's a comfortable shoe, which is key to helping you avoid overexertion and shin pain. And because of this, the Pegasus' latest version, the 39, is our overall top pick for best running shoes for shin splints.
The Pegasus 39 is more comfortable and lighter than the previous version, with a new midfoot design and more prominent air zones—one at the forefoot and one in the heel. This allows for smoother heel-to-toe transitions. Reactive foam at the sole helps protect your foot upon impact, and accounts for the shoe's decreased weight compared to earlier iterations.
What We Like
- Lighter than Pegasus 38
- More comfortable than earlier versions
- Good amount of grip on outsole for wet concrete and light trails
What We Don't Like
- Can feel a "lump" where air zones are positioned underfoot
- Narrow, non-gusseted tongue is prone to sliding
Best Lightweight Running Shoes for Shin Splints - adidas Adizero Adios 7
SPECS
- Weight: 7.5 oz.
- Materials: Flexible mesh upper, rubber outsole
- Cushioning: Lightstrike midsole cushioning throughout with Lightstroke Pro cushioning in midfoot and forefoot
- Sizes: 5-15
- Colors: 4 color combinations
Why We Picked It
Lightweight running shoes can improve your running performance by reducing energy expenditure and improving your form while also boosting your stride economy and efficiency. If you enjoy running in a lightweight shoe but want enough support to help prevent shin splints, we recommend the adidas Adizero Adios 7. Weighing in at just 7.5 ounces, it's the lightest on our list of running shoes for shin splints.
What we love about the Adizero Adios 7 is the superlight midsole designed to react quickly to dynamic movement and the grippy underfoot traction. The thin, breathable upper has limited elasticity, which makes the shoe more stable. A wider forefoot allows for natural motion, especially during push-off.
What We Like
- Superlight construction
- Minimal break-in period
- Made with recycled materials
What We Don't Like
- Not available in wide
- Very rigid
Best Road Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Nike Invincible 3 Road Running Shoes
SPECS
- Weight: 310g (M), 258g (W)
- Materials: Flyknit mesh upper, rubber outsole, foam cushioned midsole
- Cushioning: ZoomX foam
- Sizes: 6-15 (M), 5-12 (W), including half sizes
- Colors: 4 color combinations for men and women
Why We Picked It
Support is one of the most important factors when it comes to finding a shoe that will keep propelling you forward with minimal pain and discomfort. With its patented ZoomX foam cushioning the Nike Invincible 3 offers you stability, ample support, and comfort as you walk or run long distances. The plush cushioning helps you focus on the task at hand, and not on your shins.
With its 40 millimeter heel and 31 millimeter forefoot—giving the shoe a 9 millimeter drop—the Invincible 3's rocker midsole is responsive and provides enough stability to help prevent overpronation. There is also a wider midsole and heel tab to easily pull the shoe on and off.
What We Like
- Excellent amount of stability and support
- ZoomX foam cushioning
- Reflective heel tab
- Grippy rubber outsole
What We Don't Like
- May not work for runners with wide feet
BUY: Nike Invincible 3 Road Running Shoes
Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints and Wide Feet - New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12
SPECS
- Weight: 10.3 oz.
- Materials: Double-layered knit, engineered mesh upper; blown rubber outsole
- Cushioning: Fresh Foam X
- Sizes: 5-13, including half sizes; regular, wide, and X-wide widths available
- Colors: 10 color variations available for lace-ups, 3 color variations for unlaced
Why We Picked It
New Balance calls the 1080 the best running shoe it makes. The v12 represents a consistent progression of the model's signature qualities. Underfoot cushioning and updated midsole mapping apply more foam to wider midsole areas for targeted impact absorption and more flexibility at the shoe's narrower points. The concave pattern on the outside of the midsole creates a softer landing and allows for a better transition to help prevent overexertion.
We selected the New Balance 1080v12 especially for wide-footed shin splint sufferers because the shoe is available in wide as well as extra-wide widths for a more customized fit.
What We Like
- Variety of widths, from narrow to x-wide
- Laced and unlaced/slip-on versions
- Made from renewable resources and recyclable content
What We Don't Like
- May not provide enough stability for pronators
- Runs large
BUY: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12
Best Stability Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Saucony Guide 15
SPECS
- Weight: 9.5 oz.
- Materials: Modest cushioning, lightweight mesh upper, rubber outsole
- Cushioning: More underfoot cushioning and pillowed sockliner
- Sizes: 7-16, including some half sizes; regular and wide
- Colors: 10 color combinations
Why We Picked It
Neutral running shoes allow the foot to flex and move without any guidance, but stability running shoes are specifically designed to offset excessive pronation (the inward rolling of a runner's foot after it makes contact with the ground). Overpronation can lead to injuries like shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, IT band syndrome, and runner's knee.
Our top stability running shoe for shin splints is the Saucony Guide 15. It has a built-in guidance frame to help steer your foot into a more neutral position. It also comes with more underfoot contouring than previous versions, which allows the foot to sit deeper in the footbed. This structured cushioning not only helps to prevent shin splints, it can also correct flat feet.
What We Like
- Larger sizes available
- Structured cushioning and guidance frame
- Durable construction
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't come in sizes smaller
- Not as flexible as neutral shoes
Best Trail Running Shoes for Shin Splints - Salomon Speedcross 6
SPECS
- Weight: 9.93 oz.
- Materials: Tight nylon mesh upper made with recycled bottles or material waste, rubber outsole
- Cushioning: EnergyCell+ midsole compound
- Sizes: 5-11, including half sizes; regular and wide widths
- Colors: 6 color combinations
Why We Picked It
Trail running is a great way to connect with the great outdoors, but you must be prepared to navigate the roots, ruts, and rocks underfoot. You'll also likely be running up and down hills, all of which can do a number on your shins. If you love running trails, you need shoes specially designed to tackle aggressive or uneven terrain—shoes with lugged outsoles, a more dense, rigid midsole, and protective overlays in key areas such as the toes, heels, and sides of the shoe.
The Salomon Speedcross 6 is our top choice in trail running shoes for shin splints. The updated outsole has deep, impressive sharp lugs that shed mud quicker and grip wet surfaces tighter than previous versions. It's also durable and can withstand rips and abrasions while preventing debris from getting in on your foot. A generous 10 millimeter heel drop also helps protect the shins during high impacts from rearfoot strikes.
What We Like
- Lighter and grippier than previous models
- Faster mud evacuation
- Durable upper
What We Don't Like
- Not ideal for pronators
- Aggressive heel-to-toe drop can be difficult to get used to
Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints and Pronation Control - Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
SPECS
- Weight: 10.2 oz.
- Materials: Engineered mesh upper and rubber sole
- Cushioning: Moderate DNA LOFT cushioning
- Sizes: 8-15, including some half sizes; regular and wide widths available
- Colors: 10 color combinations
Why We Picked It
If your shin splints are due to pronation control issues, you need a running shoe with some stability. The Adrenaline line of running shoes sits in the middle of Brooks' stability lineup, providing holistic support via built-in "GuideRails" at the heel to help eliminate excessive movement whether you overpronate or underpronate.
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 also comes with a softer midsole and segmented crash pad than previous versions, which provide support without compromising comfort. The shoes also have a 12-millimeter drop, which can help lessen the strain on tendons and muscles and be especially helpful for heel strikers.
What We Like
- GuideRail support system
- Comfortable for a stability shoe
- Contains recycled materials
What We Don't Like
- Longer break-in time
- Aggressive heel drop may be uncomfortable for midfoot or toe strikers
Best Distance Running Shoes for Shin Splints - ASICS Gel-Kayano Lite
SPECS
- Weight: 10.10 oz.
- Materials: Made with recycled materials, engineered mesh upper, gel and lightweight cellulose nanofiber foam, rubber outsole
- Cushioning: FLYTEFOAM cushioning, GEL technology cushioning
- Sizes: 7-16, including some half sizes
- Colors: 3 color combinations
Why We Picked It
If you're pulling down marathon or ultra-marathon miles, you need shoes that will go the distance—shoes with plenty of cushioning to absorb impact and flexibility in the forefoot to allow for better push-off. If you are a distance runner who also suffers from shin splints, you need running shoes with enough stability to keep your step stable and in control. The ACTIVE Reviews Team recommends ASICS Gel-Kayano Lite for distance running shoes for shin splints.
The Gel-Kayano Lite shoes are made with more of ASICS's proprietary FLYTEFOAM cushioning at the forefoot. This lightweight foam, manufactured from organically derived materials, creates a more energetic rebound at toe-off to keep you running effortlessly in control.
What We Like
- Lightweight cushioning
- Eco-friendly
- Stable and comfortable shoe
What We Don't Like
- Limited color options
- Not available in wide
How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints for You
Support
Support is one of the most important factors you need to consider when looking for running shoes for shin splints. Unlike neutral shoes, stability shoes are specially designed to help guide your foot to reduce or prevent overpronation. This lowers your risk of injuries, including shin splints. Stability shoes tend to be less flexible than neutral shoes, but they should also be comfortable.
Fit
The best running shoes for shin splints should feel comfortable. Your feet should fit snugly in the heel and midfoot, with plenty of room in the toe box for you to wiggle your toes. Check for proper length while standing by pressing your thumb down next to the top of your big toe and/or second toe. You should have about a half to a thumb's width of space. Shoes any shorter may result in lost toenails, especially if you are a distance runner.
Cushioning
To prevent or manage shin splints, you need plenty of cushioning in your running shoes to absorb shock when your feet hit the ground. But, you don't want so much cushioning that your foot feels unstable. The best running shoes for shin splints often incorporate supportive cushioning in the midsoles, such as gels, air pockets, or foam.
FAQs About Running Shoes for Shin Splints
What type of running shoe is best for shin splints?
Shin splints are caused by putting repeated stress on the shinbone and connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone. This is often caused by running on hills, increasing the intensity or distance of your runs, or exercises with frequent stops and starts. Stability running shoes with structured support are best for preventing or managing shin splints.
Can running shoes cause shin splints?
While running on hills or longer distances can increase your risk for shin splints, running shoes that do not have proper cushioning and support to absorb the impact on your feet and legs can also cause or worsen shin splints. If you suffer from shin splints, be sure your shoes are both stable and supportive.
Is it OK to run with shin splints?
While it may be possible to run with shin splints, doing so may not be a great idea. It could worsen your pain and your injury, leading to stress fractures. When managing shin splint injuries, consider taking a break until your pain goes away or, at the very least, decreasing the mileage and/or intensity of your runs.
About the Author
Jennifer began her career as a features writer for daily newspapers before launching a freelance writing business more than a decade ago. Her work has been featured in websites like USAToday.com, HowStuffWorks.com, Psychedelicspotlight.com, Health.com, AARP, EverydayHealth.com, Women.com, AginginPlace.org, as well as magazines such as Omni, Sea Island Life, and Salamander.
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