10 Best Running Shoes For Underpronation (Review) In 2020

The majority of the running shoes that made it on to our list retail at around $100, some are cheaper, and some are significantly more expensive. However, you should expect to part with this kind of cash to get a pair of shoes that will comfortably carry you for miles. Of course, you can get trainers designed for neutral runners and try out insoles, but we think it pays to spend a little more on a pair of shoes that are tailored to underpronation.  We found that the price variation is mostly dependent on style and brand, so if you’re not too concerned with how they look, you might just bag a bargain.

We’re not about to present with our selection of top picks without telling you why they made the cut. When shortlisting the options on the market right now, we took brand, reviews, and price into consideration.

We know a thing or two about shoes, so when it came to choosing brands, we wanted to bring you a selection of some of the market leaders that specialize in shoes for underpronation. Of course, we’re always mindful of cost so we tried to bring you choices that will suit every budget, whether you’re looking to save or splurge!

Finally, we took a look at the reviews. The reviews are often the deciding factor when it comes to which shoes make the list, as no matter how good a pair of shoes look, or how cheap they are, the most important thing is performance and comfort. This leads us to our next point, the performance is all in the features!

Features To Look For In Underpronation Running Shoes

We understand that when you’re an underpronating runner, you might want to try before you buy. So, we’re going to give you the low down of the features you should look for if you’re heading out shopping. In terms of performance, the features you need to look out for are cushioning, support, flexibility and sole grip.

Cushioning - Cushioning is arguably the most important feature when it comes to choosing the perfect shoe for underpronating runners. Too much or too little cushioning will be uncomfortable for the shape of your arch. One of the most significant challenges you’ll face with underpronation is a lack of shock absorption, leading to high levels of shock that can potentially wreak havoc to your lower legs.

Therefore, it’s essential to get the extra cushioning that you really need. The more cushioning, the more it can absorb shock and take the pressure of your feet and legs to allow you to run further, more comfortably.

Support - As with all running shoes, the right support can make or break your performance. Getting the right balance of support and flexibility is often what makes a great running shoe that will serve you for a long time. It’s important to have the right support where you need it, combined with the flexibility to toe-off and breathability for comfort.

As you know, overpronating runners have high arched feet, which can sometimes cause an unbalanced stride which is why any additional support will do you some good. Finding the right support can often be down to personal preference so be sure to shop around if you find your current shoes are lacking where you need it most.

Flexibility - As mentioned above, as important it is to have supportive running shoes, you also need to take flexibility into consideration. A flexible shoe will help to evenly distribute impact and spread out any shock across your whole foot rather than just the outer edges.

Sole Grip - If you plan on running on a treadmill or tarmac, then sole grip probably won’t be too high up on your list of priorities. However, if you’re heading out trail running, you should opt for shoes with a decent sole. Typically, the deeper the cleats on the outsole of a shoe and the wider-spaced they are, the better traction you’ll get. A great example of specialized running footwear with good grip are cross country spikes. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re taking on tarmac or treadmills, you should look for a tread that is 6mm or less for optimal comfort.

Now that you’ve got the low down on our top picks and features to look for, we wanted to answer any questions you might have. Underpronation isn’t exactly the most straight-forward dilemma that runners face, so we wanted to make sure we’ve covered all the bases here.

Running Shoe For Underpronation FAQ

Q: What is underpronation?

A: Pronation refers to the natural movement of the human body and the way that your foot rolls inward to impact distribution upon landing as you’re running. It’s important to understand your pronation type in order to find a comfortable running shoe to suit your feet.

Underpronation occurs as the foot rolls outwards at the ankle, a little underpronation is normal during exercising, however, when this kind of movement starts to become excessive, it can end up causing a whole lot of pain and tissue damage in your feet.

Underpronators, which are sometimes referred to as supinators will find that the outside of your running shoes tends to show the most wear. If you place your running shoes onto a flat surface, you might notice a slight outward tilt, this is just one of the indications that you’re underpronate.

As an underpronator, you’ll be more susceptible to injuries related to lack of shock absorption such as stress fractures. However, with the right support and training, underpronation won’t be too much of a hindrance to your running.

Determining how you pronate your feet is important for two significant reasons: picking out the correct shoes and understanding and preventing the risk of any potential injuries. Therefore, choosing the correct shoes can go a long way to prevent any unnecessary injuries or pain.

Q: What is the difference between Overpronation and Underpronation?

A: Typically, overpronators tend to have a flatter arch while supinators are likely to have a high arch. Overpronation occurs if your foot rolls in more than it ideally should, whereas underpronation occurs if your foot rolls out. Every runner or athlete will experience some degree of pronation, it’s normal and essential for shock absorption. In an ideal world, you’d push off evenly with your entire foot, so when this isn’t the case, you need to invest in the correct pair of running shoes to compensate.

Q: How do I tell if I Overpronate or Underpronate?

A: First, you should determine whether you have flat feet or high arches. You can do this by looking at how your feet in print on a towel when wet: if most of your foot shows up in the footprint, you have flat feet, whereas if you see mostly your toes and ball of your foot, you have high arches. In that case, a pair of shoes for high arches are probably the best option. You need to be aware that arch height is not a completely accurate indicator of how you pronate, arch rigidity also factors into it. The more rigid your arch, the more likely you are to underpronate.

Next, you can check the wear patterns on your shoe. As we mentioned earlier, the outside of your shoe will show the most wear if you’re an underpronator. Look out for a slight outward tilt when you place your running shoes on a flat surface. If you think that you might be an underpronator, you can try placing insoles to support a high arch into your running shoes, if you notice an improvement you should most definitely purchase a new pair.

If your pronation is causing you major issues, you can consider a video gait analysis or 3D foot mapping. It can be a little pricey, but you can’t put a price on health. Some shoe stores will offer gait analysis free of charge, so if you’re still a little unsure of whether or not you’re an underpronator, it’s definitely worth paying your local store a visit!

Q: How do I treat underpronation?

A: There is no quick fix when it comes to treating underpronation, and it’s not something you can necessarily change, rather accommodate. As with all types of running dilemmas and habits, it’s important that you’re careful not to do too much, too soon in order to avoid injury. Rather than immediately attempting to force your feet into a different position in a bid to ‘fix’ your underpronation, you should first focus on buying the right running shoes to suit your arched feet.

Over time, you can make small changes in the way you run and walk that will gradually improve your biomechanics beyond buying the right running shoes. If your underpronation is significant enough to cause you discomfort, injury or poor form when you run, there are a number of changes you can make to strengthen your feet and ankles, prevent injury and eventually, improve your running.

One of the easiest ways to treat your underpronation is to try taking shorter and quicker steps as your run: this will prevent any over striding which can intensify any biomechanical problems you may experience from underpronation.

Secondly, you can work on strengthening your feet and ankles through various exercises, practices and stretches to help to alleviate any discomfort you may experience. Furthermore, you should be sure to warm up and cool down properly, ensuring you are allowing your muscles to repair and recover for the extra support you need.

In a nutshell, the most important step to take in order to alleviate any pain you might incur during your runs, treatment and prevention starts with buying the correct pair of running shoes. It’s most definitely worth parting with the extra cash when it comes to taking care of your body when you’re enjoying one of the hobbies you love most!