Plus their picks for bunions, high arches, plantar fasciitis, overpronating and more.
Shoe shopping can feel like decoding the matrix. GTX this and 960v15 that: None of it gets you closer to understanding which shoes best fit and support your feet. Podiatric specialists, however, get up close and personal with feet and ankles every day and understand which shoes offer sufficient support and which fall flat.
According to Dr. Bobby Pourziaee, DPM“The High Heel Doctor” and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, “thin flip-flops, worn-out sneakers, unsupportive ballet flats, minimalist slip-ons without structure and overly soft foam shoes often fail to provide the stability needed for everyday walking.” Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Natasha Trentacosta agreed, saying these kinds of shoes place “greater demand on the muscles, tendons and other supporting structures.” Every orthopedic surgeon I spoke to echoed these answers and shared the shoes that tend to work for their patients and themselves, including options for bunions, plantar fasciitis, overpronating and more.
Best Overall Orthopedic Surgeon-Approved Shoes
- Top Recommendation: Hoka Clifton 11, $155 at hoka.com
- Stable Cross-Trainer: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15, $150 at newbalance.com
- Molds to Your Foot: Birkenstock Bend Low, $165 at birkenstock.com
- Great for Plantar Fasciitis: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, $155 at brooksrunning.com
- Cushions High Arches: Asics Gel-Nimbus 28, $170 at asics.com
Clifton 11 disappointment
Nearly every doctor I spoke to recommended Hoka shoes for all-day and exercise support. Dr. Elizabeth Dulaney-Cripeboard-certified orthopedic surgeon and integrative medicine physician at Valivera Health in Ohio, calls Hoka “the standout” for its Meta-Rocker sole found in models like the Clifton 11. “It reduces how much the toe joint has to bend with each step, which takes real pressure off an arthritic first MTP joint,” said Dulaney-Cripe, who mentioned that the shoe can also work well for bunions or with an orthotic insert for arthritis or plantar fasciitis when needed. Trentacosta also considers the Hoka Clifton series for people who stand all day or patients with high arches, saying the shoe combines substantial cushioning with a relatively broad platform, “which helps create a more stable base.”
Hoka Bondi 9
The Hoka Bondi 9 is built with greater traction and softer cushioning than the Clifton, making it great for long runs and cross-training. It also features a Meta-Rocker sole. “The rounded contour to the sole of the shoe allows for a balanced dispersion of force through the foot as it moves from heel strike to toe-off,” said Dr. Daniel Cutticaa board-certified orthopedic surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopedics. He also touted the Bondi 9 as “surprisingly lightweight,” calling it “beneficial for those suffering from various foot and ankle conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and arthritis.”
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
This New Balance sneaker achieves the trifecta of supportive, structured and stylish. “It provides enough foam to absorb impact and remain comfortable, while the broader, more structured platform helps control excessive motion,” said Trentacosta, who wears the shoe herself. When exercising, she favors this responsive shoe because it “feels controlled underfoot,” as opposed to an “extremely plush shoe” that might not provide much-needed stability. Plus, you can grab it in distinctive colors like fairweather blue and pink salt.
Birkenstock Bend Low
Support shouldn’t be the only feature you look for in athletic shoes. Dulaney-Cripe believes ”you can find real arch support, a stable heel counter and proper structure in shoes that look just as good as anything else in your closet.” She likes Birkenstocks because they’re durable enough for daily wear “without looking like a medical shoe.” The Bend Low sneaker features Birkenstock’s characteristic cork footbed, which Dulaney-Cripe says “breaks in and molds to your foot over time.”
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
When recommending shoes for plantar fasciitis, the Adrenaline GTS 25—tested and loved by one of our writers—made it onto Trentacosta’s list. Not only does she seek out “good heel cushioning, a stable heel counter and adequate heel support,” but she also prefers the shoe to “not fold excessively through the midfoot.” Trentacosta also said the Adrenaline GTS 25’s 10-millimeter midsole drop might also be more effective at relieving plantar fasciitis pain than a completely flat shoe, depending on your individual mechanics.
Brooks Ghost Max 4
Brooks shoes come up often among Dulaney-Cripe’s patients—specifically the Adrenaline GTS above and Brooks Ghost running shoes. The Ghost Max 4, a lighter redesign of the Ghost Max 3 that podiatrists and I love, checks a few of Dulaney-Cripe’s boxes, including heel and arch support, as well as a structured fit that can help with overpronating and make your foot feel generally secure.
Brooks Ghost 18
Pourziaee, who wears the Ghost 18 during his own workouts, recommends the shoe for running “because it provides dependable cushioning, a stable platform and a balanced ride.” He continued to explain that the cushioning doesn’t feel overly soft and “remains consistent throughout longer workouts.” The shoe is also podiatrist-recommended for high arches, thanks to its ample foot and ankle support.
New Balance Made in USA 990v6
Pourziaee said the New Balance 990v6 “provides excellent lateral stability” for gym workouts and cross-training. Luckily, the kicks are also fashionable and trendy. Wear the sneakers during a long day at work or on the town, and keep them on for your strength training regimen. It will make the transition seamless.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
“People with high arches often have a relatively rigid foot that may not dissipate impact as efficiently,” said Trentacosta, who generally favors “a neutral, cushioned shoe rather than aggressive motion-control footwear” for those patients. If you have high arches, she says the Gel-Nimbus 28 may provide the shock absorption and foot flexibility you need for balanced impact dispersion—and podiatrists agree.
Commbi Atlas Clog
Pourziaee stands by (and in) the Commbi Atlas clog for everyday casual wear, whether that’s running errands or doing housework. “It incorporates a removable footbed featuring structured arch support, a deep heel cup and metatarsal support that helps distribute pressure more evenly across the foot,” he said. Plus, you can remove the insole for custom orthotics.
On Cloud 6
Dulaney-Cripe called the On Cloud line “supportive but trendy.” She appreciates that the shoe “holds real structure” but still wears like a fashionable sneaker without looking like an orthopedic or purely athletic shoe. Available in 15 stylish colors, you can make a statement in any pair—without any medical overtones.
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