Knee pains might impede your running performance if you don’t have the best running shoes for bad knees. These shoes have all the features to keep your knee pain at bay so you can run optimally. They are within reach due to their affordable price.

All you need to do is find a pair that works great for you and start running normally without backing down because of a bad knee. There are a lot of running shoes on the market and only a few of them actually help alleviate knee pains. Here, we’ve brought you great pairs to take full advantage of.

10 Best Running Shoes for Bad Knees 2020

The uppers of these shoes feature a mesh material the covers them entirely. This upper mesh is of high-quality and feels smooth on the skin. Lightweight but durable pigskin leather overlays cover the upper mesh.

They protect the uppers as they make fit customization convenient. The shoes have a lace-up closure with flat laces. The tongues have a tab through which the laces go to keep them in place. Also, they have dual-density foam padded ankle collars for sufficient ankle support.

In their midsole units, the shoes pack their signature ENCAP technology. This technology comprises ACTEVA LITE foam padding with polyurethane rims. The foam cushions your foot excellently while the rim provides durability and stability to the midsole.

Besides cushioning the foot, the midsole also provides corrections to overpronation, making the shoes best for runners with bad knees. The outsole units feature blown rubber material with flex grooves.

As such, these shoes provide extra cushioning in the soles and are flexible to let your foot to move naturally during the gait cycle. The outsole provides excellent traction on milt trails, roads and tracks. These features make these shoes must-have footwear for runners with bad knees.

PROS They have mesh and leather uppers

They have mesh and leather uppers The ankle collars are dual-density foam-padded

The ankle collars are dual-density foam-padded The ENCAP midsole with PU rims is durable

The ENCAP midsole with PU rims is durable The shoes cushion the foot excellently

The shoes cushion the foot excellently The flex grooves make the shoes flexible CONS The shoes might be a bit clucky

The shoes might be a bit clucky They might not be very durable

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The upper units of these shoes have a highly engineered mesh. The mesh is breathable and stretchable, giving the shoes the ability to adapt to the shape of your foot and sufficiently keep your feet fresh and dry.

With a conventional traditional lace-up closure, the shoes have one of the easiest fit adjustability. The Asics signature on the upper units also acts as a protective overlay. It also supports the upper units, making the shoes both durable and stable.

In their midsole units, these shoes pack the proprietary AMPLIFORM midsole. This is a soft cushioning material that’s flexible, resilient and comfortable. Its flexibility makes the midsole units to encourage the natural rolling motion of the foot’s gait cycle.

This midsole material excellently absorbs shocks, making these shoes ideal for runners with bad knees. Also, the shoes have the Gel technology on the rearfoot and forefoot. The purpose of this technology is to absorb all the shocks during foot strike further.

With their Ortholite sock liners, these shoes provide additional shock absorption and comfort to underfoot. They also fight bad foot odor so you can have fresh, dry and odorless feet. The outsole units are made of AHAR+ which is a proprietary material. It provides some cushioning, and it’s lightweight as well. Also, it’s twice as durable as other materials.

PROS They are breathable

They are breathable Traditional lace-up closure

Traditional lace-up closure They are lightweight, durable and affordable

They are lightweight, durable and affordable The AMPLIFORM midsole cushions the foot excellently

The AMPLIFORM midsole cushions the foot excellently AHAR+ outsole material is durable and offers additional cushioning CONS Their toe box might be a bit small

Their toe box might be a bit small They might not be as durable as you’d expect

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A highly engineered silhouette mesh comprises the upper units of the shoes. The uppers have 3D Fit Print technology as overlays to protect them from abrasion. As such, the uppers are very breathable for a comfortable running experience.

The shoes have padded tongues and collars for a comfortable fit. They have flat laces that don’t choke your feet if you tighten them. The midsole units pack three high-quality cushioning materials to absorb all the shocks during running.

All the midsole materials make these shoes best for people with knee problems. First, there is a BioMoGo DNA compound that gives targeted cushioning to the foot. Besides, it’s environment-friendly.

Another material, DNA LOFT which is EVA-made, provides extra cushioning and bouncy rides. As such these shoes give back some energy for a hassle-free running. There is also GuideRails support system on the lateral sides of the heel and medial midfoot areas to give you excellent foot lockdown.

The outsole units are blown rubber-made to give you abrasion-resistant performance. Also, the outsole provides additional cushion and bounciness through its spongy configuration. The flex grooves on the soles also make the shoes flexible.

PROS They are flexible

They are flexible The midsole offers a robust cushioning

The midsole offers a robust cushioning The BioMoGo DNA compound is eco-friendly

The BioMoGo DNA compound is eco-friendly The blown rubber outsole is abrasion-resistant

The blown rubber outsole is abrasion-resistant GuideRails system properly locks down your foot CONS These shoes are slightly heavy

These shoes are slightly heavy They might run small to size

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The upper units of these shoes feature the Dual Zone engineered mesh. This means that the shoes are breathable and will keep your foot fresh and dry due to the constant supply of fresh air. The Dynamotion Fit technology is integrated into the upper mesh to make the shoes have an optimized fit.

The Mizuno’s signature logo acts as an overlay that also comes in handy during fit customization. You can use the lace-up closure to adjust the fit to your preference without problems. The tongues have loops through which the laces go. The loops or tabs prevent them from slipping to the sides and disrupting the comfortable fit.

Inside the shoes are U4icX Strobel Lasting board. They work to make your foot feel as comfortable as possible. When it comes to absorbing shocks, Mizuno Wave rider 22 does it better. First, the shoes have the Cloudwave to give you bouncy and more cushioned rides.

There are also U4ic and U4icX Heel Wedge to sufficiently absorb all the shocks and make your foot have a “pillowy” comfort. And to top it up, the shoes have premium-quality Anatomical sock liners for great underfoot comfort or feel. These qualities make the Mizuno wave rider 22 to feature on merit on the list.

Two high-quality outsole materials feature in the shoes- X10 (made from carbon rubber) and blown rubber material. The X10 is in the heel section to provide an excellent grip on multiple surfaces. The blown rubber, on the other hand, is on the forefoot to provide responsiveness and highly cushioned rides. Also, there are Flex Controller placed in high flex outsole areas for unmatched flexibility.

PROS They are breathable

They are breathable Dynamotion Fit technology provides an excellent fit

Dynamotion Fit technology provides an excellent fit The Cloudwave gives bouncy rides

The Cloudwave gives bouncy rides The shoes have U4ic and U4icX Heel Wedge for shock absorption

The shoes have U4ic and U4icX Heel Wedge for shock absorption The dual-material outsole provides traction and extra cushioning

The dual-material outsole provides traction and extra cushioning The shoes are lightweight CONS They might not run true to size

They might not run true to size They might have bunching issues

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If you’re looking for running shoes for your bad knees, you can consider these ones. First, their uppers are smooth leather-made, giving them an elegant look. The leather uppers have stitching accent in the toe, sides and the heel sections.

The upper leather is of premium-quality, which means that these shoes will definitely last to see you safe every single day you’re running in them. Customizing the fit is simple and effective. Just by using the lace-up closure, you will adjust the fit to your preference.

You can tighten the laces with zero pressure on top of your foot, thanks to the padded tongues. Also, the collars are padded and feature a low profile for unmatched ankle support. If you wear these shoes, your foot will feel very comfortable because of the soft fabric lining inside them.

And just as you’d expect, the shoes have well-padded midsole units to combat all the forces that might plague your feet. This property reduces pressure on the runner’s knees. And to add an extra layer of comfort, the shoes have soft and cushioned insoles.

These shoes are elegant-looking, especially with their “S” logo design on the sides. They have chunky outsoles, especially around the heels which are 1.5 inches high. This makes them durable and provide excellent traction.

PROS They have premium-quality leather uppers

They have premium-quality leather uppers They provide sufficient arch support

They provide sufficient arch support Their heel sections are padded

Their heel sections are padded The tongues and collars have soft paddings

The tongues and collars have soft paddings They provide great traction CONS They aren’t very breathable

They aren’t very breathable They run large to size

These shoes not only reduce pressure on bad knees but also provide great arch support to their wearers, thanks to their premium orthotic insoles. They are a great choice for runners with a bad knee, plantar fasciitis or back pain.

Their uppers comprise a soft and non-binding mesh for ultimate comfort during your running sessions. With the upper’s extra depth and wide toe box, the shoes provide superior comfort, meaning there’s no stress on your bunions or toes.

Their lining is soft and seam-free for great in-shoe comfort. The eyelets have been modified. Instead, the shoes only have two eyelets with the rest being loops or tabs through which the laces go for customizing the fit.

Their interiors have a generous amount of padding to cushion your feet against pain-causing shocks. Their uppers are breathable, giving you fresh and dry feet even after a whole day of wearing them. You can always run with zero pain on your knees with these shoes.

Besides, their outsoles provide great traction so you can remain up on your feet and safe while running. The outsole extends to cover part of the toe and protect you from paint from toe knocking.

PROS They are breathable

They are breathable They run true to size

They run true to size The midsole has ample padding

The midsole has ample padding They provide arch support

They provide arch support They feature a sleek design

They feature a sleek design Lightweight CONS Their toe box might not comfortably fit wide-footed runners

Their toe box might not comfortably fit wide-footed runners Some customers might not be impressed with their quality

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The upper units of these shoes feature a highly breathable mesh coverage that works to keep your foot fresh and dry all day! The uppers also have the Comfort Frame that guarantees comfort the foot during the whole running session.

The uppers also have the 3D Puff Print Frame that makes them lightweight and durable at the same time. They feature a lace-up closure with flat laces for a comfortable fit. The tongues have tabs through which the laces go so they don’t slip to the sides of the shoes hence disrupting the comfort.

In their midsole units, these shoes utilize EVA cushioning materials. This material is responsive and cushions the foot for a long time! Since the material covers the entire length of the midsole, these shoes have one of the best shock absorption capabilities on the market.

The shoes also have the Meta-Rocker technology inside them. This technology assists your foot to roll naturally during the gait cycle. And to give your underfoot great comfort, the shoes have Ortholite insoles that also fight bad odor.

The outsole is rubber-made and has updated lug patterns for improved traction on the road. With the Heel Bevel present on the sole, the outsoles are durable and have additional traction. Also, the soles have Zonal placed rubber for improved durability and performance.

PROS The uppers are breathable

The uppers are breathable The Ortholite insoles give underfoot comfort

The Ortholite insoles give underfoot comfort EVA midsoles excellently absorb all shocks

EVA midsoles excellently absorb all shocks The Meta-Rocker allows a natural gait cycle

The Meta-Rocker allows a natural gait cycle Improved lug patterns offer excellent grip

Improved lug patterns offer excellent grip Heel Bevel increases traction and durability CONS The tongue has insufficient padding

The tongue has insufficient padding Some shoe sizes are expensive

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These running shoes by Nike use mesh in their upper units. The mesh gives these shoes breathability so your foot can remain fresh and dry throughout the running exercise. From the rearfoot to the midfoot, the mesh is tightly woven, the purpose of which is to make the heel non-slip and rigid.

The forefoot to midfoot upper mesh has pronounced pores for improved ventilation. Also, the uppers have synthetic streaks across the midfoot. They work to keep your foot in place and strengthen the uppers. And just to remind other runners of the shoe brand you’re wearing, these shoes have the Nike Swoosh logos on both of its lateral sides.

Wearing the shoes feel comfortable due to their padded collars and tongues. The shoes have a lace-up closure, with the laces crisscrossing through the printed overlays-reinforced eyelets. You can, therefore, excellently customize the fit effortlessly.

The shoes utilize full-length EVA midsole units to excellently cushion the foot. This material provides bounciness and flexibility for a natural gait cycle. Also, the shoes have insole units for comfortable underfoot feel.

A special rubber compound comprises the outsole for excellent traction and abrasion resistance. Besides, the rubber pads have semi-circular designs for improved traction. There are groove lines for outsole flexibility.

PROS They are extremely breathable

They are extremely breathable Their midsole is entirely cushioned

Their midsole is entirely cushioned Reinforced eyelets

Reinforced eyelets The semi-circular rubber pads provide improved traction

The semi-circular rubber pads provide improved traction The groove lines make the shoes flexible CONS The forefoot section might be a bit tight

The forefoot section might be a bit tight You might receive a color that doesn’t match visual representation on the web

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These shoes are best for trail runners with knee problems. First, their outsole units feature the proprietary material- Contagrip rubber for unmatched traction on trails. With the multidirectional lug pattern, the shoes offer excellent traction on all surfaces. Staying safe and staying up on your feet is a guarantee.

The entire length of the midsole is covered by a thick layer of molded EVA foam. This material excellently cushions the foot from shocks and sharp objects on the trail. Another brilliant EVA compound, the LT muscle compound, is in the midsole to absorb all the shocks or forces.

The whole midsole is lightweight so you can deal with less weight while running. The entire midsole is covered by a sock liner with antimicrobial treatments. It works to make your foot very comfortable and fight bad foot odor.

On their uppers, these shoes feature anti-debris and water-resistant mesh and fabric respectively. As such, these shoes are ideal for trail running, especially if you have to run on puddles or dirty trails.

Also, the uppers have mudguard to protect your from any mud on the trail. The whole upper units are breathable and will keep your foot fresh and dry for optimal performance.

With the SensiFit overlays at play, you can adjust the fit using the QuickLace System effortlessly and excellently. The laces are made from Kevlar fiber so they are of excellent quality. The tongues and collars have sufficient padding for comfortable rides. Besides, the in-shoe lining is soft to increase comfort.

PROS The shoes have mudguards

The shoes have mudguards The QuickLace System and Kevlar laces are great

The QuickLace System and Kevlar laces are great The shoes are breathable and are dry inside

The shoes are breathable and are dry inside The EVA foam and LT muscle compound cushion the foot

The EVA foam and LT muscle compound cushion the foot The sock liners protect the foot from bad odor and discomfort

The sock liners protect the foot from bad odor and discomfort SensiFit system overlays protect the uppers

SensiFit system overlays protect the uppers They also assist in fit customization CONS The uppers might not dry very quickly

The uppers might not dry very quickly They might be smaller than their previous versions

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Synthetic leather is the primary material of the uppers of these shoes. This leather has perforations on the forefoot and quarter sections to make the shoes breathable. The shoes use a lace-up closure design when it comes to customizing the fit.

The uppers have stitched-on saddles that extend all the way from the heel and midfoot section to the eyelets. They come in handy when you want to customize the fit. Also, they provide excellent heel lockdown when you tighten the laces.

The toe area has the T-Toe design, which is basically an extra piece of leather added for protection against wear and tear and also to add more structural support. Inside the shoes are soft in-shoe linings for comfortable sensation on your skin.

The tongues and collars are padded to increase comfort. If you’re looking for stability during your athletic moments, you should opt for these shoes. Their midsole units have a low profile to put you as close to the ground as possible for excellent stability.

In their heel sections, the shoes have EVA pods that excellently absorb all the shocks. The rest of the midsole has an EcoOrthoLite sock liner for a comfortable underfoot feel. Also, this sock liner absorbs shocks during running, making these shoes ideal for people with bad knees. The midsole units are firm enough for excellent workouts and runs, thanks to the underlying TPU shank.

You can always find impressive traction from a pair of these shoes, thanks to the geometrical pattern of the outsole unit, which is rubber-made. The multi-directional treads provide traction in any direction.

PROS They run true to size

They run true to size They have EVA pods on the heels

They have EVA pods on the heels The sock liner is breathable

The sock liner is breathable The uppers are breathable

The uppers are breathable Low midsole profile for stability

Low midsole profile for stability The treads offer traction in multiple directions

The treads offer traction in multiple directions They have midfoot saddles for proper foot lockdown

They have midfoot saddles for proper foot lockdown T-Toe design gives the uppers some protection CONS Their insoles are not very durable

Their insoles are not very durable They might require a break-in period for some runners

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How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Bad Knees

To find the best running shoes for bad knees, you will need to consider a few features. They include the following:

The comfort of the shoes

If you are a runner with a bad knee, you should buy running shoes with great cushioning capability. Shoes with comfortable cushions will excellently absorb all the shocks that might put a lot of stress on your bad knees. As such, make sure that you choose shoes with enough paddings or cushions for a painless running exercise.

The support that they provide

If your foot muscles have a lot of stress during the gait cycle, your bad knees will also feel the effect. You should have a natural gait cycle for you to ease off stress on your bad knees. If you need arch support, you should choose a pair of running shoes that offer the support that you need (Arch support).

The same applies to ankle support. It is, therefore, great to know the kind of support your foot needs before buying a pair of shoes. With enough support, your foot muscles will not take a toll thus easing the pain in your knees.

Protection of the shoes

If you already have a bad knee, the last thing you want is another pain to deal with. As such, buy a pair of shoes that protect you from hazardous elements such as stones and sharp objects.

Also, choose shoes that protect you from slips and falls. Buying shoes with pronounced and highly designed treads or lugs will protect you from slips. This will eliminate falls thus keeping you safe. Protection takes multiple forms. Just make sure the shoes that you’re about to buy protect you from hazardous elements.

The durability of the shoes

If high-quality materials feature in a pair of shoes, then they will be highly durable. It, therefore, means that you have to select running shoes with the best quality if you want to have durable products.

Synthetics and rubber make great shoe materials. If a pair of shoes have highly engineered synthetic mesh with rubber outsole or its compounds, you can buy them. Other high-quality materials to check for in running shoes include pigskin leather and other leather products.

The fit of the shoes

The best running shoes for band knees should also fit the wearer excellently. Any unnecessary pressure will worsen the situation. Make sure that you have enough wiggle room in the toe box. Also, the heel section should fit snugly to prevent internal shoe slips.

If you have enough room for toe splay in the forefoot section and proper heel lockdown, your shoes fit you perfectly. Buying shoes that squeeze your foot will increase your knee pain since the foot and knee are interconnected. Also, buying oversized shoes will cause your foot muscles to stress out during the gait cycle, increasing your knee pain.

Conclusion

You will have to consider a few factors if you desire to have the best running shoes for bad knees. Fortunately, you already know a few factors to keep a closer eye on. What remains for you is to buy a pair of shoes that will reduce the pain in your knees while running.

You can find a great pair for yourself from your list. Be sure to check out our winner- the New Balance Women’s w990v4 Running Shoes. The shoes feature high-quality materials and the best and most durable cushioning, making them take the number one spot on the list.

Otherwise, all the shoes on the list are great and might help alleviate the pain in your knees. Be sure to check them all out.