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Best Stability Shoes

Engineered with patented KURUSOLE technology for natural movement and enhanced cushion.

Your footwear forms the foundation for the way you walk, run and jump. When your shoes are too flimsy to support you or get worn out, this can alter your gait. Even small changes in the way you move can lead to instability or falls.

On top of that, when you start walking differently you create a ripple effect that can lead to joint or back pain and a host of common foot conditions. Shoes with stability can get you started off on the right foot by guiding you toward a natural gait, and giving you a stable foundation to work with.

What are Stability Shoes?

What makes for stable shoes can vary by person and by activity! Many runners are looking for stability shoes for overpronation, which is a common gait issue where your foot rolls inward too much with each step. If you’re looking for stability shoes for runners, you probably want to visit a running store or specialist for a gait test and look into shoes with specific “posting” to adjust for your pronation.

For hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, stable shoes are often about supporting the ankle and keeping it from rolling as you navigate tricky terrain. Traction and tread can also be important when you take in Mother Nature!

People with mobility issues or who are prone to falls may simply want a wide-based shoe for extra support, and a design that promotes natural motion. If the mobility problems are from specific foot conditions or gait disorders, you may need specialized adjustments: and footwear can help!

  • A couple wearing KURU QUANTUM stability shoes walking down a set of steps.

Features & Fit

Find out what features to look out for in a shoe built for stability and motion control.

Base of Support: Shoes with a wider and bigger footprint tend to be more stable than narrow shoes or high heels, up to a certain point (obviously flippers come with their own stability setbacks!). This larger base gives your center of mass more space to balance over, which creates more stability.

Laces: Shoes with laces tend to offer more stability and motion control than slip-on shoes. Some shoes feature multiple eyelets so you can lace your shoes up different ways, to get more or less support around the ankle for example. Even with standard eyelets, different lacing patterns can give you better support for different situations or foot types.

Arch support: Over or underpronation can be a common cause of instability or foot pain. Shoes that guide your arch into a more natural posture can help reduce pronation, and thus increase stability!

Heel cup: Heel cups are popular for the extra cushion they offer, and because the deeper position of the heel helps seat your foot more securely for increased stability. Many people turn to aftermarket heel cups, but you can get unparalleled heel support with the technology built into every pair of KURUs.

Structure and materials: The shape of your shoe can affect stability, as can the materials. A simple canvas shoe may be lightweight and great for hot weather. But many of these styles do little to support your ankle and heel. Shoes with more structure around the ankle can help with stability, and you may find yourself walking with more confidence when you choose shoes made of firmer materials.

Outsole: The material of the outsole can play a factor in stability, but a large portion of shoes come with a rubber outsole. The specific blend of rubber can also matter, though. While you don’t need to learn about rubber ratios, you may notice that too much cushion in a shoe leaves you feeling like you’re being bounced around, while not enough cushion causes pain that can alter your gait.

Shoe Care Tips for Stability Shoes

Get the most out of your stability shoes with these shoe care tips to keep them clean and protected.

When looking for the perfect pair of stability shoes, step one is making sure they fit well!

We recommend shoes fit snug and secure around the forefoot without any pinching or tightness in the toes, heels, or bunion area. Plan to allow a finger-width of length between the end of your toe and the edge of your shoe. Ultimately, your feet should feel comfortable in your shoe!

For a few more tips, take a peek at how to find the right fit at KURU.

A Brannock device is an industry standard tool to determine your true shoe size. We recommend getting fitted at your local shoe store for the most accurate sizing, and never hesitate to reach out to a KURU GURU for tips on finding the fit for you!

FAQs

  • What is a stability shoe?

    The definition of a stability shoe depends on your needs and your activity. Runners commonly seek out stability shoes that use posting to correct for pronation issues, which usually involves going to a running store for a gait test. For people with mobility issues, a stability shoe is more about preventing falls. Shoes with wider, larger bases tend to be more stable while narrow shoes and high heels are generally less stable. Ankle and arch support can also be helpful for stability.

  • Do i need stability shoes?

    If you’re a runner with flat feet or low arches, or if you overpronate for some other reason, stability shoes might be for you. One way to check for pronation issues is to look at the wear patterns on the shoes you wear most often. If your shoes are more worn on the medial, or inside, edge you probably overpronate. If your shoes are more worn out on the lateral, or outside, edge you likely underpronate.

    If you are feeling like you aren’t getting the stability you need from your shoes, you may want to look for shoes that offer a wider base and help promote a healthier gait. You may also be after stability shoes if you have high arches, differences in leg lengths, or various other gait conditions.

  • How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?

    The best shoe for you will depend on your unique foot type and the style you’re looking for.

    The best shoes for men and women alike offer adequate arch support and cushion. Whether you’re looking for bright blue shoes, dark blue shoes, or white shoes with blue accents, KURUs line of pain-relieving footwear help alleviate foot pain symptoms for all-day comfort.

  • Are stability shoes good for high arches?

    Depending on how high your arches are and how that affects your movement, you may benefit from specialized shoes. High arches can cause instability and foot fatigue, and people with high arches tend to underpronate (supinate is another term that means the same thing). For runners, when we talk about “stability shoes” we are generally talking about support to prevent the opposite problem, overpronation. But if you think of stability shoes as any shoe that guides you back to a natural gait, people with high arches benefit as much as anyone else.

  • Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?

    Stability shoes are designed to help correct posture issues and gait conditions, and so are orthotics. Whether or not you can combine these two strategies will depend on your specific needs, and the footwear and orthotics in question. A shoe with a deep heel may also benefit from a heel cup insert, or the two may work against each other. If you have prescription orthotics, you should consult with your doctor about the best shoes for you.

    Figuring out and paying for aftermarket inserts and orthotics can be a hassle. That’s why every pair of KURU shoes comes with built-in technology designed to cushion and support you, while helping you get back to a healthier gait.

  • 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.

Choosing Shoes For Maximum Stability

Finding the best shoes for stability depends on your body and your activity.

Finding the best stability shoes for men or the best stability shoes for women will depend on your body and the sorts of activities you plan to pursue. The type of terrain you plan to cover also matters. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that play into stable footwear, and when you might need certain features.

Traction: Keeping your footing can be more difficult depending on the terrain. Or if you plan to pivot and juke, you may want some extra traction even on regular grass and dirt. Cleats for athletes can have spikes around half an inch to support them. Hiking shoes feature more aggressive tread than sneakers, ensuring better grip on shifting surfaces like soil and sand.

Anti-slip: If you work on slippery surfaces or expect to encounter water underfoot, stability may be about anti-slip. Anti-slip shoes generally feature rubber outsoles, and the best anti-slip shoes use rubber compounds that “stick” better to the ground. The other factor in anti-slip is the groove patterns on the bottom of the shoe. These should be designed to move water out from beneath your foot. Anti-slip can be crucial in many workplaces, and there are specific standards shoes (like our KINETIC) must meet to be considered anti-slip.

Base of support: This concept is pretty simple but plays a big part in stability. Narrow shoes or shoes with high heels are less stable because there is less contact with the ground, and more opportunity for you to lose your footing by misstepping. Shoes with wider midsoles and lower heels, however, give you a broad and stable platform every time you step down. Generally speaking, the bigger your base of support the more stable you can be.

Gait: There are a variety of foot conditions that can alter the way you walk and cause pain or instability. The shape of your arch is one factor, and if you have flat feet or unusually high arches your foot may roll more as you walk. Pronation is a similar, related issue, and whether you under or overpronate you may want arch support or other guidance to correct your motion.

Three Layers of Support

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.

  • 1

    KURUSOLE

  • 2

    KURUCLOUD

  • 3

    ULTIMATE INSOLE

  • How KURU brings relief

    KURUSOLE

    The key to our three-part technology is our patented KURUSOLE. The support comes built right into every pair of KURU shoes, and it dynamically flexes to hug your heel as you walk. These hugs cup and contain your fat pad, a pillow of fat beneath your heel, to maximize your body’s natural cushioning and guide you to a healthier, more stable gait.

Our Secret

Animated GIF showing KURUSOLE tech in KURU shoes vs. typical flat interiors for plantar fasciitis pain.
Why Others Love KURU

Why Others Love KURU

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Best Shoe Ever. I had my ankle fused 6 months ago and I am overweight. As soon as I put these on, it was like a dream. The fit was perfect. They gave my feet support and stability. I can wear them all day and now I am walking “normal”.

Colleen V

Great for Neuropathy! My son gave me a pair of these shoes because I have neuropathy in my legs and feet. Because they gave me great stability and comfort, I bought a second pair so that I have a pair for outside and another for in the house. My walking is much better because of these shoes!

Bob K.

Like walking on little clouds! So glad I found Kuru! I’m flat footed and when I first put them on for my 10 hour serving shift I was concerned that the arch was too high but what they tell you is true! The shoe molds itself to your foot as you wear it. I didn’t even have to break them in. These are the most comfy shoes I’ve ever worn. They are very cushioned and have great stability as well as being cute. They are not listed as non slip but actually perform as if they were non slip so are great for restaurant work. I’m hooked for life!

Kitty S.

No Big Logos Just Big Comfort and Stability. I bought these Atom’s about 3 weeks ago and I have horrible pronation. With the brace in the middle that has helped tremendously. I feel that the inner sole conforms to your foot and not the other way around as with traditional sneakers. One thing follow the directions for breaking in the sneaker that seemed to help me a lot in getting used to the feel.

Greg from the South

Great Shoe! I am very pleased with my new sneakers. They fit really true to size and feel comfortable. I am still breaking them in as suggested. They have a very comfortable heel cup providing stability as well as cushioning. They also provide an ample toe box that doesn’t cramp my toes.

Marcia G.

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