Home Guides Best Running Shoes for Heavy Runners 2023
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FOR BEGINNERS

FOR BEGINNERS

FOR BEGINNERS

Brooks Ghost 15

Brooks Ghost 15
Lightweight and well cushioned, it's an ideal everyday running shoe.
Lightweight and well cushioned, it's an ideal everyday running shoe.
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

LONG DISTANCE

LONG DISTANCE

LONG DISTANCE

Saucony Triumph 20

Saucony Triumph 20
Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a pair of Saucony Triump 20.
Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a pair of Saucony Triump 20.
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.

FOR COMFORT

FOR COMFORT

FOR COMFORT

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12
Not the fastest shoes, but one of the most comfortable.
Not the fastest shoes, but one of the most comfortable.
Michael Mason-D'Croz
Long distance runner, shoe expert.

FOR RACING

FOR RACING

FOR RACING

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3

Saucony Endorphin Pro 3
Carbon plated running shoes are sometimes skewed towards lighter runners. The Endorphin Pro has enough cushion and stability for heavier runners.
Carbon plated running shoes are sometimes skewed towards lighter runners. The Endorphin Pro has enough cushion and stability for heavier runners.
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

EXTRA STABILITY

EXTRA STABILITY

EXTRA STABILITY

Hoka One One Gaviota 4

Hoka One One Gaviota 4
The Hoka One One Gaviota 4 is a max-cushioned stability shoe built for many miles. Its balanced comfortable ride makes them an exceptional trainer.
The Hoka One One Gaviota 4 is a max-cushioned stability shoe built for many miles. Its balanced comfortable ride makes them an exceptional trainer.
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.

Running draws people of all shapes and sizes, from the thin, willowy runner that comes to mind for many people, to muscular athletes and weightlifters, to people looking to lose weight.

Running can put an average of 1.5 to 3 times your body weight of shock on the joints, good form and the right shoes important for all runners, and this is especially true for heavy runners, for whom proper shock absorption and support is even more important.

Runners are considered “heavy” if they have a BMI of over 27. Though BMI is not perfect,it can provide a point of reference when shopping for the right pair of running or walking shoes.

Here is a selection of running shoes that can help heavier runners offset the high impact of running. We have a guide about losing weight through running which you should check out!.

Running Shoes for Heavy Runners

If you have normal arches, which don't collapse inward while you run, you might be best suited to a neutral running shoe.

The shoes we selected here provide maximum shock absorption.

First choice
Weight
9.8 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Spectacular upper
  • Super smooth ride
  • Handles faster paces better
  • Very stable for a neutral trainer
“The Ghost 15 is a supremely comfortable daily trainer with a high drop which makes it most suitable for heel strikers. It’s a very safe choice when it comes to bread and butter mileage trainers because of its luxurious upper and its consistent fit/ride from version to version. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Ghost 15
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
9.7 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Max cushioned comfort
  • For runners who want a bit of everything
  • Excellent traction
“The Saucony Triumph 20 is a long-distance, everyday running shoe. It offers premium features that surely won’t disappoint. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a pair of these babies.”
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
Read the full review of Triumph 20
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.3 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • The upper is one of the most comfortable I've ran in
  • Visual upgrade from v11
  • Very well made
  • Very little wear after 100+ miles
“The New Balance 1080 v12 is a long-distance trainer designed for any runner wanting to log big miles. It works for almost every workout. However, the redesign falls flat on performance.”
Michael Mason-D'Croz
Long distance runner, shoe expert.
Read the full review of Fresh Foam X 1080 v12
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
7.2 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Lighter than the Endorphin Pro 2
  • Higher level of cushioning
  • Great foot lockdown
  • Better breathability
“The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a versatile racing shoe with copious amounts of cushioning and good stability. While it can handle everything from easy runs to fast workouts, it doesn’t have the “oomph” that some of the other carbon-plated racers have so it doesn’t feel as fast. Version 3 has a lot more foam and a wider base, making it softer and more stable; however the new minimal upper runs a half size too small. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Endorphin Pro 3
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
11.10 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Road
Reasons to buy
  • Comfort
  • J-Frame provides dynamic stability
  • H-Frame provides adaptable fit
“The Hoka One One Gaviota 4 is a max-cushioned stability shoe built for many miles. Its balanced comfortable ride makes them an exceptional trainer for longer distances. ”
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.
Read the full review of Gaviota 4
or buy them here: Men / Women

How Extra Weight Affects Runners

Extra weight affects runners in all different ways. Heavy runners need to think more about arch support, overpronation, and form.

So how do you know if you’re a heavy runner?

Traditionally, runners are considered “heavy” if they have a BMI of over 25 or weigh over 90kg. It is best to weigh yourself in the morning right when you get up but after you have urinated. Do this regularly for a few days until you get an average and use that as your weight to calculate your BMI.

Though BMI is not a perfect science, it can provide a point of reference when shopping for the right pair of running shoes. To calculate your BMI use this formula: BMI = kg/m(squared).

Here is an overview of BMI for fitness weight:

  • Under 18.5 is underweight
  • 18.5 to 25 is normal
  • 25 and over is overweight

Arch Support

Heavy runners need more support in the arch because chances are your feet do not have a high enough arch to support your body. In this case, the arch is not enough, which means your body has to compensate and you may experience pain in the legs, knees, ankles, and feet.

Too much pain can be discouraging, which is why the right shoes are important to support your arch, feet, and absorb that extra shock.

Overpronation

With additional shock placed on the joints, it’s critical for heavy runners to carefully assess biomechanics and running form. A good first step is to determine if you overpronate. For more information check out our article describing different pronation issues.

Many heavier runners tend to overpronate, which means you will need some shock absorption. Overpronation puts more stress on the ankles and knees, making it even more important for heavier runners to address these issues before injury occurs.

While some heavier runners may not have the biomechanical issues described above, another issue to be aware of is the durability of the outsole. Over time, the midsole and outsole will break down because of continuous use. Keep an eye on your running shoes and replace them when the outsole or midsole start to break down. This way, your feet stay healthy and you stay less prone to injuries.

A good way to tell you need new shoes is if you notice your shoes are a bit thinner, they don’t bounce back enough, or you are more sore than usual after runs. To make your shoes last longer, rotate two pairs of running shoes and make sure they are completely dry in between uses.

The Importance of Good Running Form

Proper running form is important for all runners, but focusing on running efficiently is vital for heavier runners, not only to improve performance but also to help stave off injury. Proper running form distributes shock more evenly, which minimizes damage to the joints and tendons.

General strength and conditioning are also key for healthy, efficient running. Strong legs, core, and back will help improve running form and also help prevent injury. For tips on strength training, see Randy’s list of considerations.

For tips on proper running form, take a look at Randy’s overview. James also has an excellent round up of the top five most important habits for efficient running.

Here is a brief overview of running form to get you started:

  • Head — look directly in front of you
  • Shoulders —— pull back and don’t hunch over
  • Arms —— 90-degree angle, elbows at side
  • Hands —— relaxed —— don’t squeeze
  • Torso/Core —— strength train this area, keep core tight
  • Hips —— lean slightly into the run
  • Knees —— middle of feet so when the foot hits the ground right under the knee
  • Legs —— 90-degree angle when you land to absorb shock
  • Feet —— aim to hit the surface with the ball of your feet

What About Orthotics?

Orthotics can be helpful to relieve pain and prevent damage to people who are overweight. The best place to get these orthotics are from your doctor. The orthotics need to fit well, be relatively firm, and counteract the forces placed on the ankles and feet.

If you don’t have time to see a doctor for orthotics, an over-the-counter orthotic may work, as long as it fits properly. The PowerStep Orthotic provides enough support and is wide enough to counteract the force without digging into your feet.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right running shoes for heavier runners can help disperse the extra shock and weight put on the joints.

Make sure to practice proper form when you start running to get in good habits.

In addition, strength and conditioning can help improve your fun and help you achieve your overall fitness goals.

If you still have problems with the right shoes, talk to your local podiatrist to get fitted for custom orthotics.

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