Running is a great way to exercise, the fact that it's free and offers the opportunity to meet new people is a bonus! But, although running is free, you do need to invest in the right gear. If you have shin splints then you need the best running shoes for shin splints.
The medical name for shin splints is tibial stress syndrome, it's a common issue for many athletes. It's characterized by pain at the front of your lower leg and is a result of stress on the bone. This is especially common when you have poor running form, start exercising for the first time in a long time, or run on hard surfaces.
Dealing with the immediate pain requires painkillers, an icepack for 20 minutes after running, and making sure you warm up before exercising and stretch after. You can also consider exercising on softer ground.
If the pain is severe then you should stop running and allow your legs to heal. You can then start running at a gentler pace and work back up to where you were.
But, perhaps the most important part of the equation is getting the right support, that's why you need the best running shoes for shin splints. You can check out the buying guide later to help ensure you choose the right shoes.
8 Best Running Shoes For Shin Splints 2020
The following top 8 best running shoes for shin splints will all help to prevent the issue occurring and can even improve your running times. Comfort and the right level of support counts for a lot.
1. Acis Gel Nimbus 20 Men's & Women's - Best Choice For Neutral Runners
If you're a neutral runner you're going to find it hard to beat the ACIS Gel Nimbus 20. These shoes have gel-cushioned soles hence the name. In fact, even the heel has gel in it, ensuring the majority of the shock while running is absorbed before it can move through your body.
The actual shoe is surprisingly soft and flexible while offering a good level of support. It even incorporates an impact guidance system to help you keep proper form.
The shoe itself is made of textile and synthetic materials, has a rubber sole, and a low top. Alongside the gel sole, you also get a Flytefoam midsole.
Stability is important, the better balanced your foot as you run the less it will roll in either direction. This reduces pressure on your shin and decreases the likelihood of shin splints.
These are not the all-singing and dancing shoes but, they do work very effectively to help you run comfortably and keep shin splints away.
The shoe does have ABZORB cushioning throughout the sole, giving great cushioning and support for your whole foot. It's particularly effective for people with flat feet.
If you're new to running then you're probably not ready to spend a sizeable sum of running shoes. But, you do need the best running shoes for shin splints, because it's much easier to prevent this from being an issue than it is to deal with the pain.
The Saucony Cohesion 10 are well-built using injection molding and GRID technology, they are also very light and have a high level of cushioning in the sole to help protect your body, especially if you have a neutral gait.
Absorbing shock is an important part of protecting against shin splints and there are few shoes that do it better than this offering from Mizuno.
The Wave Inspire 14 use wave technology which copies the way that waves work in real life. In effect, the energy created when your feet hit the ground is dispersed in waves. The rippling pattern allows the force to be evenly distributed across your foot, decreasing the likelihood of injury.
Despite the technology built into the shoe, they are surprisingly soft, flexible, and comfortable.
It should be noted that there is a limited choice of colors. It has a mesh engineered upper, rubber sole, and the rest of the shoe is textile or synthetic.
Brooks is generally associated with marathon running, they're a high-quality shoe that will maintain comfort and support for you mile after mile. It should be said that the Ghost 11 works well for anyone with a neutral strike.
If you're ready to start running longer distances or if you're looking to run on road and trails, then this is the best running shoe for you.
It's designed with plenty of comfort and support. But, it also has a lot of traction. The sole is BioMoGa DNA foam with a segmented crash pad, it gives an impressive level of support and absorbs the majority of the impact as you run.
If you have a neutral gait, want to choose from a huge variety of color options, and believe that Nike is one of the best sports shoe manufacturers, then the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 14 is the only choice for you!
The base of the shoe is air-filled which provides great absorption and improves your bounce as you run. The mesh upper is built to provide support, durability, and breathability. You'll even appreciate the notched tongue that ensures the shoe fits snugly and securely every time.
There is also soft foam support in the midfoot and it uses Flywire technology to ensure the best support and fit. This technology from Nike will actually stop your feet from moving inside your shoe, helping you to get the strike right and improving stability.
If you love running on trails you need something that offers additional support to allow for the uneven surface. You also need more grip, the Speed Cross 4 offers these things and yet remains lightweight.
The simple fact is that Solomon specializes in trail shoes if you're serious about trail running these are the ones to get. The number of athletes that recommend Salomon shoes attests to the quality and durability of the shoe.
The shoes themselves are synthetic with rubber soles. They also use Sensifit technology that ensures your foot is snug inside the shoe, preventing movement and additional stress on your shins.
To run long distances you need to balance comfort with support, and lightness. This can be a difficult thing to balance but, Hoka seems to have managed it with the One One Clifton 4.
There are a variety of colors to choose from, it has a rubber sole, and is made from synthetic material. But, most importantly, it has a good level of cushioning, is wider in the front of the shoe, and is seamless. This ensures your feet will stay comfortable as you run. You'll also appreciate the breathable mesh on the top of the shoe and the breathable fabric lining, helping to maintain comfort and stability as you run.
There is also an active foot frame that ensures the best possible support and a low heel-to-toe drop.
What Makes The Best Running Shoes For Shin Splints
Whether you've got shin splints or not, choosing the best running shoes for shin splints will help you to deal with the issue or prevent it from happening. Check out this guide to ensure you get the right shoes:
Flexibility
Any type of running shoes need to be flexible, this allows you to bounce effectively without putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
While running shoes are not a good choice if you want to play tennis, they are essential if you want to develop proper form when running. Always look at running shoes when choosing the best shoes for shin splints.
Support
The best running shoes for shin splints are normal running shoes, there is no such thing as a shoe designed specifically for shin splints. But, the shoes listed above are designed to provide extra support. One of the key support areas is cushioning, reducing the vibrations traveling up your legs every time you hit the ground.
You need a shoe that offers great support under your foot and around it, this can help to correct your form even if you overpronate. It's a good idea to have your gait checked by a professional so that you know whether you run with a neutral gait, overpronate, or even underpronate.
This does mean the best running shoes for shin splints should have a low heel drop, be a snug fit, good arch support, and even heel support if you're prone to heel striking.
Quality
A running shoe has a limited lifespan. Experts recommend changing them every 300-500 miles. This is because the materials start to wear out and this can happen faster if your form is not correct, you use lower-quality shoes, or they aren't well made.
Check the quality of the stitching and the material before you commit to purchasing your new running shoes.
Reputation
It's very important to check the reputation of the shoes. You may already have heard of the manufacturer, but even the biggest manufacturers can get it wrong. Take a look on social media and online forums, you'll find honest feedback from people regarding their experience with a specific pair of shoes.
You can use this to help you choose the best running shoes for shin splints. Don't forget that there will always be some negative reports, as long as most are positive and the negatives are handled considerately by the manufacturer, you're making a good choice.
Budget
In a perfect world you could purchase any pair of shoes, but, in reality, you'll have to consider how much you can afford to spend and pick the best running shoes for shin splints within that budget
It's possible and better for your long-term financial plans.
Conclusion
All of the above 8 shoes will give you the support you need to manage or eliminate shin splints. You simply have to choose which the best running shoes for shin splints are depending on your running style and terrain.
The key is to develop proper form and use shoes that are supportive and comfortable, it will reduce your chances of injury and improve your running performance.
Try one of these pairs today and sat goodbye to shin splints, just remember to take it low so that your body can adapt to your new running regime at a healthy pace.
