We all know what it is like to experience a bad shoe for those of us engaged in the tough sport of strenuous running. Speaking of tough running schedules, the best running shoes for heavy runners are needed.
Although simple, heavy running can be quite tricky. For starters, without a normal pace, you will lose your stamina as though it never existed. True that training is essential, but the gear is equally as important. Without the perfect gear, which is a nice pair of shoes for running, you’ll not only be tiring your muscles but also yield the minimum energy required for heavy running.
Shoes are an essential part of any sport, including Heavy running. That is why we have decided to put forth the shoes we consider to be the best running shoes for heavy runners. What makes them the best choice for heavy runners? You’ll find out soon enough.
The Best Running Shoes For Heavy Runners
1. Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 8 Running Shoe
Amazon affiliate link.
Amazon affiliate link. BUY NOW
Features
The Assert 8 model of Under Armour is starting to become a favorite amongst the runners. And it must. With all its amazing features, this shoe will be your running companion for a long time.
Charged cushioning
This is what includes this masterpiece in the best running shoes for heavy runners. The responsiveness and energy return.
The midsole features charged cushioning using compression molded form. This makes sure that the maximum energy is converted into work output during every strike on the ground without wasting much on compressions. This means an enhanced bounce back and better pace.
Durability
The charged cushioning technology makes this shoe very durable since it allows the shoe to resist compression and in turn enhance bounce back.
This implies that the compressions will not damage your shoe or its stitches. This means saving your trip to the store now and then to get new running shoes.
Rubber outsole
As with almost all of the Under Armour shoes, assert 8 also features a rubber outsole. Not all of the shoes feature a rubber outsole, but those which do have enhanced responsiveness.
Besides responsiveness, the rubber outsole makes this shoe perfect for running in almost all kinds of terrain. Wet or dry. Rocky or plain. Give this shoe any terrain, and this shoe will make sure to resist wear and tear at all costs.
Pros
- The rubber outsole makes it highly durable
- Charged cushioning technology makes sure its perfectly responsive
- Highly stable thanks to its durable leather overlay
Cons
- The width of the shoes could be improved
- The support and sole cushioning could be improved as well
2. Skechers Men’s Energy Afterburn Lace-Up Sneaker
Amazon affiliate link.
Amazon affiliate link. BUY NOW
Features
When it comes to comfort and being lightweight, nothing beats Skechers. Sketcher shoes are normally designed for those who walk regularly and those who seek comfort in their shoes. But the features of this shoe make it one of the best running shoes for heavy runners.
Padded heel
The main feature that makes it one of the best running shoes for heavy runners is its padded heel. The 1.5-inch heel is something that stands out when you even look at it. But it’s not just for the looks.
The padded heal acts as a perfect shock absorber, especially during strenuous hours of running when the foot strikes the ground. This ensures you keep a steady pace while conserving the energy needed to take you through that extra mile. Shock absorption will also reduce a lot of strain on your leg muscles.
Traction
The traction on these shoes is simply excellent. Featuring a non-slip rubber outsole with a midsole cushioning, it ensures you not only make it through the most surprising of terrains but that too super comfortably.
The road ahead is uneven? Or perhaps it’s a rocky, dirt road? Whatever it may be. The super-amazing traction will make sure you jog through the road as if you were walking on a plain, well-made track. Plus, it will help you avoid rain and help you save your mental energy about what you’re going to do for the puddle ahead.
Stability
This shoe provides great stability for those runners who are either overpronators or supinators.
Thanks to its slight ankle support and lace-up design, the shoe will embrace your feet perfectly and will keep it in a breathable cushioned environment. It’s the design that makes it super stable. Plus the shock absorption helps as well. The arch support is an additional feature to provide stability.
Pros
- Excellent shock absorption thanks to its padded heel
- Sleek, lace-up design than provides stability as well
- Highly durable sole
Cons
- The cushioning in the sole needs slight improvement to make them more sketcher style
- The presence of air holes could have made them more breathable
3. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoes
Amazon affiliate link.
Amazon affiliate link. BUY NOW
Features
If you’re on the hunt for some running shoes that make the sport more enjoyable while also keeping your style. Then there are the ones you ought to go for. These are the best running shoes for heavy runners who prefer to run in style.
Mythical Grip
We are not so fond of complimenting the shoes for their grips, but this one caught our eyes for good. It is something irresistible when you look at the shoe itself.
The pattern for the grip is what makes them so amazing. The inverted V shapes all over the whole improve the grip so much that even the most technical of all trails fail to let them lose their grips. Of course, this also means extraordinary responsiveness. And this feature alone would’ve them the best running shoes for heavy runners, but fortunately these shoes have more to offer.
Heel drop
The 10mm heel drop that this shoe provides is quite enough for all the heavy runners out there to gain that extra speed at the last minute.
Being a runner, you know that shoes with a good heel drop will put a lesser strain on your muscles, which is very true. Because if the midfoot strikes the ground first during the foot strike phase of running, your calf muscles will have to work extra hard to give you the bounce for the toe-off phase of the same foot. This means more energy consumption, which equals more stamina consumption.
But thanks to its average 10mm heel drop which makes it a perfect running shoe for heavy runners, this shoe will reduce the strain on your tendons and help you cover more miles with less energy.
Cushioning and breathability
A running shoe is not a good running shoe unless it provides good cushioning to your feet. Because let’s be honest, nobody likes sore feet after a fantastic run.
And since this shoe is made to run extra miles, it’s only natural for it to provide good cushioning and breathability, to provide your feet with the care they deserve. The midsole cushioning on these shoes is simply perfect for their function.
Pros
- Monster grip, traction, and responsiveness
- Highly breathable and cushioned
- Close to foot foothold improves precision
Cons
- Not water resistant
- The toebox could’ve been slightly wider
4. JOOMRA Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes
Amazon affiliate link.
Amazon affiliate link. BUY NOW
Features
A woman’s feet need special attention, just like herself. That is why we have decided to include these shoes for all the ladies out there looking to get there on some nice pairs of best running shoes for heavy runners.
Balanced traction
These shoes feature very balanced traction overall. This is especially something to consider if you’re an overpronator. Balance and stability are something you need if your feet overpronate during heavy running to save you from severe injuries, muscles, and tendon ruptures.
Thanks to its rubber outsole and its pattern, it provides traction for all types of terrains: soft and dirt, both. In case you wanted a run across the countryside.
Wide toe box
A wide-toe box is all you need to get the most comfortable feel in the world. For us, if we can wiggle our toes freely in the shoes, it means it’s the best in terms of comfort.
Plus, we think that running and training shoes must have wide-toe boxes. Because running in itself is quite a strenuous and tiring exercise and there’s no need for your poor toes to go sore after an excellent running session.
Design
Style is essential to ladies. And it is something to be proud of by the way. Fortunately, though, Joomra has realized this and made their shoes quite stylish. Stylish enough to please their eyes (even at night thanks to their reflective strips) and comfortable enough to please their feet.
All in all, it’s a shoe of choice for all the ladies out there looking for heavy running and training.
Pros
- Removable insoles to provide arch support
- The wide toe box gives extra comfort
- Great traction for all kinds of weather and terrains
Cons
- Lacks a slight heels drop
- Could use some extra cushioning on the back of the heels area
5. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Hierro V5 Trail Running Shoe
Amazon affiliate link.
Amazon affiliate link. BUY NOW
Features
When it comes to running shoes that offer extra comfort and cushioning while keeping aesthetics in mind, nothing quite beats New balance.
Highly breathable
The upper mesh makes this shoe one of the most breathable shoes out there for heavy runners. Plus, unlike many meshes that add weight to the shoes, this one doesn’t. Instead, one of the features of the upper mesh is its being lightweight.
This lightweight shoe with the best breathability out there is all you need to keep your feet fresh and sore-free all the time.
Soft underfoot
One thing we could help but notice is how soft the underfoot of these shoes are. And not just that, the midsole cushioning makes them embrace the feet even more.
Thanks to its soft underfoot, you would not feel your feet in a typical shoe at all. It’s just walking on a very soft carpet. The comfort of these shoes is just way too extra.
TPU coating
Now for all those heavy runners who like to take a detour off-road, but can’t because they don’t like to bring dirt inside their homes with their shoes. This TPU coating is specifically for you.
Go anywhere you want. Across the mountains off-road into the woods, these shoes will not catch any dirt whatsoever. The coating makes them dirt free.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable along with ample cushioning
- TPU coating makes it dirt free
- MegaGrip outsoles provide excellent traction
Cons
- The structural support could be improved for better stability
- Although the rest of the shoe is very light, the sole is not as light as it’s supposed to be
Comparison chart
| Product name | Rating | Price | Weight | Dimensions |
|
1. Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 8 Amazon affiliate link. |
4.7/5 | $42.99 – $140.35 | 0.6lbs | 12.6 x 8.6 x 4.9 inches |
|
2. Skechers Men’s Energy Afterburn Lace-Up Amazon affiliate link. |
4.5/5 | $34.95 – $142.01 | 1lbs | 11.9 x 9 x 4.8 inches |
|
3. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoes Amazon affiliate link. |
4.6/5 | $99.99 – $225.95 | 0.6lbs | 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches |
|
4. JOOMRA Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes Amazon affiliate link. |
4.4/5 | $9.99 – $36.99 | 0.95lbs | 12.5 x 3.4 x 3.1 inches |
|
5. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Hierro V5 Trail Running Shoe Amazon affiliate link. |
4.7/5 | $62.78 – $259.45 | 1.5lbs | 13.15 x 8.27 x 5.12 inches |
Buying Guide For Best Running Shoes
Pronation
Pronation is the natural rotation of your feet either inward or outward when your feet strike the ground.
For all those with normal pronation, almost any kind of shoe will work. But if you’re an overpronator or a supinator, then there are several things you must look for in a shoe. Especially if it’s heavy running, you intend with them, to avoid severe knee and ankle injuries.
For the overpronators, we recommend looking for shoes that provide maximum stability. That way, the effects of overpronation can be overcome by the stability of the shoes.
For the supinators, we recommend either going for a soft shoe to absorb the extra impact from the ground, or a curved shoe to help to avoid supination as much as possible.
Durability
It’s something to always look out for whenever you’re buying shoes for heavy running. Because the wear and tear experienced by the shoes can be very great during heavy running sessions, it’s good to have durable shoes, to save your trips to stores and save some cash as well.
In general, the softer the shoe, and the more cushioning it provides, the less durable it is. Although this principle is prone to exceptions some shoes come with an amazingly durable outsole that increases durability by a lot. But in general, you should always look out for shoes that have just the right amount of softness. Not too much. Not too little. Just the right amount.
Weight
And lastly, do not forget your weight. We’re not talking about whether you ought to buy heavyweight or lightweight shoes because both of them have their advantages. And your choice will depend on how you want to use those shoes.
A lightweight running shoe will give you a better form of running. And you can also run faster in lightweight shoes. But they are generally less durable and provide lesser cushioning. These are recommended for beginner runners mostly.
A heavyweight shoe will provide more cushioning and durability, but it can distort your form if you’re not experienced enough. On a positive note, it’s really good for building momentum, since the shoe’s weight component will help develop it. Heavyweight shoes are generally recommended for experienced runners and runners who have an overall large build.
Conclusion
And that’s it for our post on the best running shoes for heavy runners. Just remember that training and gear complement each other, and none can go alone without the other.
This article was solely based on women running shoes, however, if you’re a man, we have something in store for you as well. Have a look at this article on running shoes for men.
Happy running.
