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Aging, overuse, underlying conditions, and injuries can all cause knee pain: commonly accompanied by symptoms like swelling, instability, stiffness, a “locked” sensation, and limited range of motion. If you know what we’re talking about all too well (and are all too familiar with ThermaCare’s knee wraps), it’s fine time to reconsider the types of shoes you’re wearing while walking, exercising, or simply going about your day.
Depending on the severity of said knee and joint pain, surgery or at least physical therapy might be a necessary step to take for the sake of your long-term health. However, switching out your ratty, unsupportive pair of steppers can also provide oftentimes-instant relief and supplement the other pain management methods you’re currently engaging in.
Make the Switch: 5 Best Sneakers for Managing Knee Pain
The best shoes for knee pain are unified by a few key attributes, among them maxed-out cushioning; stability systems for keeping your feet in proper alignment; overachieving arch support; and wide bases that will prevent your feet from spilling out beyond the confines of the shoe while subjecting your already-weakened joints to unnecessary pressure.
Unfortunately, most people with knee issues aren’t sure where to look for sneakers that have both orthopedic-level specs and street-ready looks, settling instead for a geriatric-adjacent style that fails to complement their personal aesthetic.
That’s where our expert team of journalists at Footwear News comes in to save the day. We write about shoes for a living, from the best sneakers for treadmill walking to the top trainers for flat feet, and have curated a tight edit of shoes for knee pain that don’t shun chic appearances in favor of targeted performance.
You’ll find a range of colors, widths, and brands here for every need, budget constraint, and sartorial sensibility under the sun. Because achy bones should no longer translate to wearing kicks your grandpa probably did at some point in the past few decades.
editor’s choice
On Cloudmonster 2 Shoe
This is not On’s latest Cloudmonster model, but those of us with knee concerns refuse to wear anything else. The cushioning here is set to the maximum level, awarding just as much energy return for your casual runs and marathon training alike. A special foam insert creates even more distance between you and the ground, thereby eliminating the shock of every footfall that typically can, and does, crawl up to the knees.
We appreciate its ability to balance bounce with stability, which is rarer than it seems. Equipped with the Swiss brand’s “biggest ever CloudTec” technology (those hollow foam pods better known as “clouds”), the Cloudmonster 2 will feel like walking on nothing short of that.
Finally.
runner-up
Brooks Glycerin 23 Shoe
“When it comes to shoes designed with runners in mind, we have decades of experience developing technology that supports the joints,” says Brooks in an article, explaining how knee pain develops in runners and positioning its own footwear lineup as a gateway to alleviating said pain.
The Glycerin line in particular is a standout because of its built-in support and foam placement that truly understands the anatomy of the foot, harmonizing with each of its curves and propping you up where you need it most. The newest release, Glycerin 23, has two more millimeters of nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned cushioning than the predecessor, delivering flexibility, high responsiveness, and powerful toe-offs while keeping plushness the name of the game and minimizing the shoe’s weight.
Other Glycerin styles (like the Max 2) might dole out more support on the whole, but this runner takes the cake in context of balance — securing smooth transitions and sturdiness, courtesy of a wide platform.
best for stability
Hoka Gaviota 6 Shoe
The Hoka Gaviota 6 is frequently shouted out by runners and walkers struggling with knee pain, and for good reason: It’s the dictionary definition of a stability shoe meant to reduce overpronation-related joint issues, and it does so thanks to the company’s proprietary H-frame innovation. This, in turn, centers the foot sans rigidity, grants “a smooth entry into the gait cycle,” as Hoka puts it, and locks everything in without gait overcorrection.
On the scale from responsive to plush, the Gaviota 6 sits at the latter extreme, being forgiving on the knees every mile of the way with its six-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and compression-molded foam. Other elements worth the investment include upgraded softness in the collar, an abrasion-resistant outsole that won’t give up years into wear, and an internal lacing system that’s more like a hug and less like a choke.
clinician-approved
Orthofeet Kita Hands-Free Shoe
In theory, Orthofeet is a brand that crafts therapeutic shoes approved by podiatrists. In practice, it does all that without being yet another destination for orthopedic footwear — turning each and every style into something you won’t be embarassed to show off in public settings.
Case in point is the Kita, which is praised by over 300 clinicians around the country for its biomechanics that remedy heel, arch, and knee pain; inclusive width selections; cradling sensation; and hands-free formulation that spares wearers from having to bend down to re-tie the laces (all readers with mobility challenges know just how grueling of a task this often is).
Slip this women’s lifestyle sneaker on and start your day with pain-free confidence, relishing its joint-protecting cushioning, strain-decreasing rocker, roomy toe box, and water-repellent properties for staying active no matter the weather.
best for daily walks
Skechers Slip-ins Go Walk Workout Walker Shoe
Skechers is sexy again — just ask Knicks star player OG Anunoby. And if every movement is a battle for your knees these days, consider its Slip-ins Go Walk Workout Walker an under-$150 godsend. It’s light, it claims to mimic walking in sand, and it’s here to completely reimagine your stride, what with that dialed-up cushioning, grippy Goodyear rubber sole, thermoregulating insole, and gently propulsive Natural Rocker.
You’ll soon discover that the shoe benefits from a dedicated heel pillow for optimized lockdown and that you can easily and breezily step into it without fidgeting with the laces or expanding the collar (similar to the above Orthofeet pick).
Whatever surface you’re racking up those miles on, be it treadmill belt or pavement, the Go Walk’s impact absorption won’t let your knees become collateral damage, and its anti-slip tread proves to be a formidable opponent to slick, post-rain terrain.
What to Look for in the Best Sneakers for Joint and Knee Pain
Shock absorption: The main thing to pay attention to when shopping for knee-supporting sneakers is any given pair’s level of cushioning. Ideally, underfoot support should be at its highest, implying that the plushness you’ll experience will completely absorb and shield your joints from the harshness of the ground.
Heel-to-toe drop: While a shoe’s stack height intimately relates to its cushioning, the heel-to-toe drop is a different concept altogether. More pronounced stack heights are good for achy knees, but heel-to-toe drops (which measure the difference in thickness between a shoe’s heel foam and forefoot foam) should be kept below eight millimeters, so as to prevent your body weight from being pushed forward and putting your knees in an awkward spot — literally.
Base width: Look for sneakers that have a wide base, capable of aligning the foot and making stability a priority. Narrow bases, in contrast, correlate with ankle instability, foot fatigue, and an increased risk of falls: exactly what you don’t need when you’re already dealing with bad knees.
Firm lockdown: We recommend picking a sneaker with a firm heel cup or other stability systems in place that will both correct for overpronation and save your foot from twisting (the latter has a ripple effect, extending the discomfort and pain up the entire leg).
Rockers: Rocker bottoms are curved soles that emulate the mechanics of a rocking chair, propelling the foot forward in a smooth fashion. According to board-certified podiatrist Dr. Porsha Melcher, MD, “this type of sole may reduce how hard the ankle and calf muscles have to work during push-off.” On Orthofeet’s website, she also reports the following: “One study found that rocker-soled shoes can decrease the amount of load put on the knees, while another study suggested they helped reduce some joint-related pain.” Brands like On, Hoka, and Brooks are lauded for their products’ exaggerated rockers, but make sure this feature doesn’t come at the cost of stability.
Why Trust Footwear News
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the best footwear to shop for specific health needs.
