These Are the Best Neutral Running Shoes, According to a Podiatrist

You’ve probably heard it hundreds of times before, but having a pair of running shoes that work with your feet is essential to having a great run and preventing injury before you even get started. Yes, aesthetics are also important, but knowing your foot type and the best shoe to support your arch is absolutely imperative. To help you figure out the best neutral running shoes, we tapped Miguel Cunha, DPM, founder of Gotham Footcare located in New York City.

As a general rule, Dr. Cunha says to determine your foot type, you should look at the soles of a worn-in pair of shoes. “The wear pattern illustrates where you are accumulating pressure when you walk,” he explains. If your shoes are evenly worn, you have neutral feet and “an average gait with equal weight distribution across the foot.”

For those with a neutral foot, you need a shoe with moderate to high stability, providing a combination of cushioning and support, according to Dr. Cunha. “A lightweight sneaker that is flexible and can bend and twist more in the middle of the shoe will be sufficient to offer a good balance of cushioning and support,” adds Dr. Cunha.

When you’re in the store (or online shopping) for your next pair of neutral running shoes, Dr. Cunha says to look for a pair that “present structurally with a flatter sole more uniform throughout without a medial wedge.” (A medial wedge is built into the shoe under the arch to prevent the arch from collapsing or rotating inward).

Another pro tip: Purchase your running shoes at the end of the day. Your body isn’t in equilibrium at the end of the day, gravity has pulled down the fluid of your body, and this is when your feet tend to be the most swollen, so if the shoes are comfortable then, they’re more than likely going to feel comfortable throughout the entire day, he says.

To jumpstart your neutral running shoes shopping spree, Dr. Cunha shares his go-to running shoes for neutral feet. Check them out ahead.

Shop the best neutral running shoes for women

Asics Gel-Nimbus 23 — $150.00

Not only is this shoe great for neutral runners, but it also comes in a multitude of colors. This shoe features a blend of cushioning and a “responsive stride” to improve your performance.

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v11 — $130.00

If you’re looking for a tried-and-true running shoe, look no further than the New Balance Fresh Foam 880v11. The midsole provides a plush ride, so you’ll always be in comfort.

Saucony Ride 14 — $130.00

If “put some pep in your step” was a shoe, it’d be the Saucony Ride 14. It was designed to do just that: put a spring in every stride you take while providing a smooth ride and reducing the impact on your joints.

Brooks Ghost 14 — $130.00

If a daily run is a part of your routine, then you need the Ghost 14s. They were designed for everyday running and provide soft cushioning for your smoothest run yet.

Mizuno Women's Wave Rider 25 Running Shoe — $135.00

This is the 25 iteration of the Wave Rider, so you know it’s tried-and-true. This classic running shoe promises a smooth ride with eco-friendly responsiveness and breathability. Translation: You’re going to be running fast and comfy in these.

Hoka Clifton 8 — $130.00

This iteration of the Clifton has a new midsole compound with Hoka’s softest and lightest foam to date, so all you have to worry about is pounding the pavement.

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