Best Athletic Shoes for Comfort and Support
When you’ve got a lineup of challenging exercises ahead of you, your footwear needs to be able to keep up.
Athletic shoes that feature plenty of arch support, shock-absorption, and stability can help keep your stamina high and your feet comfortable through every Burpee or box jump.
KURU offers a lineup of some of the most comfortable athletic footwear for men and women on the market, so you can meet your fitness goals while keeping your plantar fasciitis at bay.
So, no—athletic shoes may not help us perform that final set of eccentric squats. But they CAN help ensure our feet last for it. With KURU’s high quality, comfortable athletic shoes, you’ll get Pain Relief Beyond Belief even through the toughest of training days.
Athletic shoes are designed to help you perform at your best in a wide variety of sports or fitness activities.
The best athletic shoes feature shock-absorbing foams to reduce impact and increase stamina, breathable mesh uppers to help your feet stay dry, arch support for lasting comfort, and lateral stability to help reduce injury when moving at high speeds.
When choosing a men’s or women’s athletic shoe, select an option that offers shock-absorbing EVA or polyurethane foams, which provides bounce back and helps redirect energy into your movement. This spring action is especially essential for high-impact activities, including running, jumping, and high-intensity sports.
Steer clear of memory foam, which tends to compress and retain its shape and absorb energy instead of redirecting it. Memory foam can be very effective for post-workout recovery, but should be avoided for the training itself.
There are so many options for athletic shoes out there, we’re breaking down our favorites!
Wearing proper athletic shoes based on activity type can improve performance and reduce injury. Let’s unpack a few options for women’s and men’s athletic shoes to help you shop for your next pair.
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Cross-Training ShoesWhatever your main activity or sport, a cross-training shoe that offers stability and shock-absorption can carry you through high-performance workouts—whether you’re riding a bike or weight lifting.Cross-Training Shoes
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Running ShoesWhen you’re out for long runs, you need plenty of cushion and support in the heel and ball of your foot to reduce impact with every strike. Look for shoes with shock-absorbing EVA foam, quality arch support, and a breathable mesh upper.Running Shoes
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Walking ShoesEspecially when walking long distances, comfortable sneakers with shock-absorbing foam, heel cupping, and quality arch support helps for stability and cushion for the long haul.Walking Shoes
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Trail-Running ShoesHiking or trail-running shoes should have the added element of traction-heavy rubber outsoles to provide stability, grip, and support on uneven terrain.Trail-Running Shoes
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Shoes for PronationPronation occurs when the ankle leans a bit too far inward while standing or walking. It is most likely to occur in those with flat feet or low arches. Pronation shoes offer an extra-cushioned footbed and arch support to help soften your landings and neutralize your alignment.Shoes for Pronation
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Shoes for SupinationThose with naturally high arches also tend to supinate, or roll outward from the ankle. Shoes with plenty of arch support and medial stability can help to neutralize alignment and help prevent injury.Shoes for Supination
Athletic shoes can be a versatile footwear option, especially when you know how to pair them.
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Start with neutral colorsIf you’re unsure of how to pair your athletic shoes with your wardrobe, start with neutral colors like black, white, or grey. These colors are versatile and can be paired with a variety of outfits.Start with neutral colors
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Match your shoes to your pantsWhen wearing athletic shoes with pants, try to match the color of your shoes to the color of your pants. This creates a cohesive look that is both stylish and functional.Match your shoes to your pants
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Coordinate with your topIf you’re wearing athletic shoes with a top, choose a color that complements the color of your shoes. For example, if you’re wearing black shoes, pair them with a black top or one that has black accents.Coordinate with your top
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Choose shoes that match your styleAthletic shoes come in a variety of styles, from sleek and modern to retro and chunky. Choose a style that matches your personal style and the vibe of your outfit.Choose shoes that match your style
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Accessorize with complementary colorsIf you’re looking to add some color to your outfit, accessorize with complementary colors. For example, if you’re wearing blue shoes, add a yellow scarf or earrings to create a pop of color.Accessorize with complementary colors
Shoe Care Tips
We take a look at helpful tips and suggestions to keep your favorite footwear in tip-top form.
- Protect your athletic footwear from household spills with a preventive spritz of KURU Shield, our proprietary blend of shoe protector spray. This water-repellent layer works on all shoe materials and helps safeguard your footwear from everyday accidents.
- Refresh a tired pair with our KURU Shoe Cleaning Kit. Equipped with an all-material shoe cleaner, cleaning brush and microfiber cloth, this kit ensures you can make your shoes look like you just bought them—over and over again.
- Allow your athletic shoes to dry out between workout sessions, away from sunlight. Sweat and sunlight can each prematurely break down materials, so giving shoes some breathing room in the shade after being worn each day can help them stay fresh.
- Wear socks with your workout shoes. Socks provide a barrier against sweat and bacteria, so it doesn’t all land in your shoes. Keeping bacteria and sweat at bay can help extend the life of your footwear and reduce the risk of odor.
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What are athletic shoes?
Athletic shoes are designed to help you perform at your best in a wide variety of sports or fitness activities.
The best athletic shoes feature shock-absorbing foams to reduce impact and increase stamina, breathable mesh uppers to help your feet stay dry, arch support for lasting comfort, and lateral stability to help reduce injury when moving at high speeds.
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How should athletic shoes fit?
Athletic shoes need to support you through some of the most intense activities, so it’s important to have the right fit.
Good athletic shoes should fit snug around the forefoot and ankle, but not tight or painful, with enough room at the toes to fit the width of your finger.
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How do I clean athletic shoes?
Many athletic shoes can be cleaned with a simple mixture of gentle dish soap diluted in warm water and used to apply with a rag.
For the leather parts of your shoe, you can opt for a cleaning solution to keep your kicks in top shape.
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Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their foot pain.
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How long do athletic shoes last?
Podiatrists recommend replacing footwear about once every 6–12 months or about 300–500 miles, depending on frequency of use.
Runners or those with more mileage may need to replace their shoes more often to help avoid injury and maintain the most optimal support.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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How is the arch support of KURU shoes?
KURU shoes deliver excellent arch support without the need for thick inserts or expensive, custom orthotics.
Superior arch support starts with our patented KURUSOLE technology, which delivers natural cushioning and dynamically hugs your heel with every step. Every foot is unique, and our ULTIMATE INSOLES adapt to fit your needs by using your own body heat to custom-mold to the shape of your feet over time.
The corrective nature of our superior arch support is designed to neutralize your weight distribution and place your foot in the best anatomical position. This support can take some getting used to. We suggest slowly breaking in your new shoes over the course of 2–3 weeks.
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I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology. Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad, so you can last through every Burpee or cardio sesh with less pain.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
When performing high-impact activities, shock absorption is a must. Our KURUCLOUD base layer is a cushioned footbed that offers padding …Show More
When performing high-impact activities, shock absorption is a must. Our KURUCLOUD base layer is a cushioned footbed that offers padding and shock absorption for the whole foot. This layer of dense EVA foam helps absorb impact to your joints, ligaments, and bones, even during a tough training session.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
The final layer in KURU’s technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of 5mm …Show More
The final layer in KURU’s technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of 5mm of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your feet to provide lasting comfort through every exercise of your routine.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad, so you can last through every Burpee or cardio sesh with less pain.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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