We noticed that this midsole isn’t as responsive as others we tested, likely due to how soft the cushioning is. Most New Balance shoes offer solid support for the heel, arch, and forefoot, Tyler Miranda, DPM, a New York-based podiatrist, says. And they also have a wide toe box, which is especially important for people with bunions and hammer toes who need extra space to avoid friction and pressure.

So, look for a shoe that offers good heel and arch support before buying any shoe. Rigid Sole and Midsole Cushioning: Drop: The drop of a running shoe refers to the difference (in millimeters) between the height of the shoe at the heel and at the forefoot. A shoe’s drop can change your foot strike, how efficient your stride is, and which part of your body absorbs the most impact from running. If you have flat feet or flexible arches, you likely strike with your heels first, so you’ll want to look for motion control shoes with a higher drop (between 8 and 12 millimeters). As an added bonus, motion control shoes with a higher drop also tend to have more cushioning in the heel.Ample arch support. Proper support at the arches of your feet will help reduce stress on your feet, Dr. Jung says. Except for the surprise release of the FuelCell Rebel V2 last year, New Balance has been relatively quiet. Who knows, maybe this is a lull phase before the deluge of new models in 2022? Your guess is good as ours. Stability: Motion control shoes are more stable than neutral running shoes to prevent your foot from moving side-to-side in your shoes while you run. Some shoes also have a medial post, which is a firmer or denser material on the inside of your arch designed to reduce overpronation, says podiatrist Janine Ferrigno-Taddeo, DPM. Other pairs have stability technology throughout the entire midsole, like the GuideRails in Brooks’ Launch GTS 10, Adrenaline GTS 23, and Glycerin GTS 20, which help align your feet, knees, and hips.

A deep heel cup is good for plantar fasciitis to help hug and push the fat on the heel towards the center as a way to alleviate symptoms and atrophy,” explains Jay Bhuta, D.P.M. These shoes are a good choice because they can also help reduce aches and pains by placing your feet in the proper alignment. “These slippers are comfy. They have a deeper heel cup and flexible midsole—all of which are helpful in supporting the bottom of the foot,” Pruthi adds. One reviewer even says these shoes have “unbelievable support.” Materials: Nylon mesh upper, nylon lining, foam footbed, rubber outsole | Sizes: 5 to 12 | Weight: 8.2 ounces | Cushioning: Firm and responsive | Drop: 10 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Designed without compromise, New Balance running shoes are guaranteed to provide a responsive ride that fuels your run - in other words, get ready to feel faster-than-fast. Speed-seeking, breathable, conforming fit, optimal cushioning - New Balance has something for every run and every man. This article has been updated with current models for July 2022. The New Balance Hierro V6 has been replaced with its updated version. Materials: Recycled polyester mesh upper, recycled polyester knit lining, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Sizes: 7 to 14 | Weight: 10.4 ounces | Cushioning: Moderate | Drop: 6 millimeters Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 23 is our favorite motion control shoe for long distances. With a smooth ride and a supportive midsole, it’s an excellent shoe if you have flat-to-medium arches. When testing this pair, we immediately noticed how well they fit, from the wide toe box that gave our toes room to spread out, to the secure heel that kept our feet firmly inside the shoe. Plus, it also has the GuideRails support system we loved in the brand’s Glycerin GTS 20.

Even with a cushioning character that is biased slightly towards the outer side, the 860 V12 will appeal to most runners who are looking for a supportive and comfortable daily trainer. You won’t get the pronounced motion-control behavior of the older models, that’s all. A foam midsole offers good cushioning, while a well-ventilated mesh upper keeps your feet cool all day long. During testing, we found the shoe's seamless upper to be super breathable. That being said, we don't think it's protective enough in harsher conditions.At the same time, it’s responsive and ‘fast’ enough due to the embedded Carbon plate and inherent bounciness of the FuelCell (EVA+TPU blended) foam. Sizes: 5 to 12 | Weight: 9.4 ounces | Cushioning: Soft but responsive | Drop: 10 millimeters | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 We found that the shoe did feel heavier than some others we tested due to the amount of cushioning and support. However, the breathable mesh upper allowed good airflow, so the shoe didn’t feel too constricting or hot. And all that comfortable support is a worthwhile trade-off for a little extra weight. One downside is that the leather and mesh upper is not as breathable as some other New Balance shoes we tested. However, the shoe’s grippy rubber outsole offers excellent protection and traction for all types of conditions, surfaces, and activities, such as standing on balance boards. Better yet, they’re reasonably priced, making them a great value for high-quality leather shoes.