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Quick picks
A podiatrist favorite: New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 860v15 Running Shoes
For overpronation: Hoka Women’s Gaviota 6 Running Shoes
To promote better form: Altra Women’s FWD Via 2 Sneakers
Whether you’re already managing joint pain or looking to prevent injury, finding the best shoes for ankle support will keep you comfortable (and therefore consistent!) throughout your health and wellness journey. From Hoka orthopedic shoes to cushioned New Balance sneakers, there’s a range of styles that provide enhanced stability for almost any activity.
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To find the very best ankle support shoes, I asked podiatrists what models and key design features they recommend. While it’s best to talk to your doctor first for a diagnosis and rehabilitation advice (which more likely than not will include lots of ankle exercises), adding a new pair of structured sneakers to your closet is a great second step towards recovery.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 860v15 Running Shoes
Dr. Brandon Maijala, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, said these New Balance sneakers offer a “solid balance of cushioning and heel support to help with better alignment of the foot.” In turn, he said this support system reduces stress and excessive movement in your feet and ankles, which could otherwise lead to injuries. The Fresh Foam X 860 line also features the brand’s Stability Plane, which prevents a pain-causing culprit, overpronation (the inward rolling of your foot).
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam X 860v15 Running Shoes
These shoes’ rocker bottoms boost momentum while walking and running, and studies show this design also supports your ankles by reducing the load on your Achilles tendons. These shoes are available in a range of colors and sizes, including narrow, wide and extra-wide, so you can find one that fits.
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Hoka Gaviota 6
Hoka Women’s Gaviota 6 Running Shoes
Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, a podiatrist and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, recommends the Gaviota 6 for folks who prefer max-cushioning and need more refined stability structures. This pair is a great option for people who also have plantar fasciitis because it features the brand’s proprietary H-Frame design, which Daughtry said keeps feet properly aligned while walking or running.
Hoka Men’s Gaviota 6 Running Shoes
The Gaviota 6 is especially ideal for those who overpronate. CNN Underscored health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright wears these often and said the expansive toe boxes and added structure allow her toes to splay naturally while preventing her ankles from rolling inward. “These are a great option for people with wide feet who need some extra ankle stability,” Cartwright, who’s also an RRCA-certified running coach, said. “They add a lot of support without feeling too cumbersome.”
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 25 Running Shoes
Podiatrists love Brooks running shoes for their durable and dependable designs. The experts I spoke with recommend the Adrenaline GTS lineup specifically for ankle, Achilles tendon and calf support. “The Brooks Adrenaline GTS is a very stable shoe that provides excellent heel support to help control motion,” Maijala said. “This can be beneficial for individuals with ankle instability and/or overpronating.”
Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 25 Running Shoes
These sneakers are designed with Brooks’ GuideRails Technology, which supports your feet’s natural motion and reduces extra movement throughout your stride. Cartwright notes these stability shoes keep her feet supported and comfortable during double-digit-mile runs and notes that the streamlined design is functional and fashionable.
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Altra FWD Via 2
Altra Women’s FWD Via 2 Running Shoes
Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a board-certified podiatrist, recommends the Altra FWD Via 2 sneakers for both running and walking. Parthasarathy highlights the 4-millimeter toe drop (which is lower than most of the other shoes on this list) and the wide toe boxes, which promote better forefoot engagement. The minimal height difference between your toes and heels helps you land on the balls of your feet instead of heel-striking and boosts support.
Altra Men’s FWD Via 2 Running Shoes
These are among the most comfortable walking shoes on the market, and Parthasarathy notes that, beyond ankle support, the extra-wide toe boxes are helpful for those with bunions and neuromas, since your forefoot has room to spread out. The plush cushioning and lightweight design make them an easy pair to add to your rotation.
Asics Gel-Kayano 33
Asics Women’s Gel-Kayano 33 Running Shoes
Maijala calls the Gel-Kayano 33 an excellent model and notes they provide stellar overall support and stability for ankles and heels. While I haven’t tested this exact pair, I did run roughly 100 miles in the very similar Gel-Kayano 31s during my last marathon training block. I found the shoes to be responsive, nicely padded around the ankle collars and lightweight for daily training.
Asics Men’s Gel-Kayano 33 Running Shoes
The Gel-Kayano 33 are designed with Asics Fluidsupport, which supports and guides your gait by promoting more efficient transitions between steps. What’s more, the outsoles are designed to be extra grippy, giving you better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. While the shoes don’t come in narrow sizing, you can shop standard, wide and extra-wide options to keep your feet comfortable while you log miles.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 880v15 Running Shoes
Parthasarathy notes she often recommends these shoes to patients. While they’re a neutral stability option, the shoes still support your ankles during movement, she said. The Fresh Foam sneakers have a soft feeling underfoot, but even with the plush cushioning, they don’t feel clunky or oversized.
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam X 880v15 Running Shoes
The shoes have a low 6-millimeter toe drop, which supports midfoot and forefoot strikers, and come in a range of colors, making it easy to find a pair that fits your style. Reach for these for runs or use them as a go-to pair of walking shoes. Either way, your ankles will thank you.
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Hoka Arahi 8
Hoka Women’s Arahi 8 Running Shoes
Extra cushioning can be great for joint support, but too much padding can put strain on weak ankles. Thanks to compression-molded EVA foam soles and H-Frame integration, the Hoka Arahi 8s have the perfect balance of plush protection and pronation-preventing structure that Daughtry said is ideal for daily trainers.
Hoka Men’s Arahi 8 Running Shoes
The 8-millimeter toe drop is on the higher side for stability shoes, but this design can prevent excessive ankle movement and take stress off the Achilles tendons. These shoes are also ideal for anyone who has fat pad atrophy and needs more protection underfoot.
Skechers Women’s Arch Fit 2.0 Rich Vision Sneakers
Daughtry recommends this pair of Skechers for anyone looking for the best arch-support sneakers. The built-in arch support insoles improve comfort for people with flat feet or high arches by dispersing weight and ground impact evenly across the foot. This kind of design also protects against conditions like plantar fasciitis or tendonitis. While there isn’t an exact match for men, the Skechers Performance Men’s Arch Fit 2.0 is a comparable model.
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Orthofeet Men’s Edgewater Sneakers
The Edgewater sneakers are designed to reduce overpronation, which might be causing your ankle pain. Daughtry highlights the shoes’ advanced arch support, which could provide some relief, while the rubber outsoles increase traction under your feet while you walk. While there isn’t an exact match for women, the Orthofeet Coral Sneakers are comparable.
What to look for in shoes for ankle support
Dr. Mikel Daniels, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, said it’s easy to get fooled by marketing tactics from shoe brands promising to cure pain, but simply finding comfortable shoes doesn’t mean you’re getting the support you need. When shopping for shoes to support your ankles, the podiatrists I spoke with said it’s best to find a pair that has motion control, wide toe boxes, quality arch support and heel stability.
Motion control and stability
Stability shoes are designed to keep your feet in alignment and prevent ankle rolling, two effects which Daughtry said could, in turn, diminish joint discomfort. Controlling excessive ankle motion during cardio activity is a crucial step toward eliminating pain.
A wider base
According to Daughtry, a wider shoe base provides a more stable platform for your feet, thus decreasing the chances of twisting your ankle. Additionally, wider toe boxes allow for your toes to spread naturally, optimizing your step without putting too much pressure on your feet and joints.
Good arch support
Arch support evenly disperses ground impact across your feet and keeps them properly aligned during walking, jogging and running. Look for shoes with built-in arch support or removable insoles that allow you to add your own orthotics.
Stable heels
Daniels and Daughtry recommend finding shoes with firm heel counters. This design keeps your heel bones in place, promotes proper step alignment and gives your ankle ligaments backup support, Daniels said.
You can check if a pair of shoes has quality heel counters by pressing on the back of them. “If it collapses like cardboard, it will not control your heel and ankle,” Daniels said. He also recommends twisting your shoes to figure out if they offer solid midfoot support. “It should not wring out like a wet towel or fold in half in the middle,” he said. “It should bend mainly where your toes bend, near the front. That stiffness under the arch and midfoot is what helps prevent your ankle from rolling off the side of the shoe.”
Know your foot type
Knowing what kind of arch support or structure your feet need is essential to buying proper footwear. Make an appointment with a podiatrist or head to a specialty shoes store to get your feet analyzed prior to purchasing new shoes.
Analyze stack height
Parthasarathy recommends checking out the stack height of shoes. She notes very high-stacks can feel unstable for those with chronic ankle instability or balance concerns, since the excess cushioning can lead to wobbling. “This becomes even more important when patients start adding over-the-counter inserts or arch supports,” she said. “If an insert has too much arch height or does not properly match the patient’s foot, it can actually tilt the foot outward and create a situation where the ankle is more prone to rolling or spraining. I often remind patients that more support is not always better. The right support should improve alignment and stability without overcorrecting the foot.”
FAQs
Neutral or high-stability shoes are the best for ankle support, per experts. The experts I spoke with recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15, Hoka Arahi 8 and Skechers Women’s Arch Fit 2.0 Rich Vision (among others).
When looking for a pair of Hoka sneakers that offer ankle support, Daughtry recommends the Gaviota 6 model because of its superior stability and cushioning, as well as the Arahi 8, a light and stable option. “Both shoes utilize Hoka’s advanced stability technology with their H-Frame or J-Frame to help prevent overpronation and provide a broad, supportive base,” Daughtry said.
“Some overly soft or very high-stack shoes may feel unstable for patients with chronic ankle instability or balance concerns,” Parthasarathy said. “Higher stack heights place the foot farther off the ground, which can sometimes increase wobbling or instability, especially on uneven surfaces.”
According to Daughtry, there is no significant difference between low-top and high-top shoes for ankle support. “Low-top shoes allow for a more natural ankle movement, which can potentially strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve stability over time,” she said. In certain cases, high-top collars around the ankles can transfer stress to other areas, which, she said, can increase the risk of knee injuries. The overall stability, heel support and fit are more important than collar styles.
Parthasarathy said high-top styles in footwear designed for rocky and unstable conditions, like hiking boots, can be beneficial.
Meet the experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
- Dr. Mikel Daniels, board-certified podiatric surgeon and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry
- Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, podiatrist, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, and fellow in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
- Dr. Brandon Maijala, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Care Podiatry
- Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, podiatrist, partner at US Foot & Ankle Specialists and spokesperson for the APMA
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored updates writer Ellen McAlpine consulted podiatrists and editors to find the best shoes for ankle support.
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Ellen McAlpine is a writer for CNN Underscored, contributing to updates across the site’s many verticals — from lifestyle to tech — as well as writing the occasional original piece. In her free time you’ll find her cheering on the Yankees, testing new recipes and trying the latest fitness classes.
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