My picks for the top 3 running shoes for bad knees are based on my own personal experience running with them over the course of my 4-year running career.
1. Daily Trainer: New Balance 860v11
The New Balance 860v11 is the shoe for you if you’re looking to just buy one pair. New Balances are very durable and usually last longer than other brands. The fresh foam and the firm stability of the shoe make it a great pick for people with knee, feet, and hip pain. If you’re going to just go with one pair meant for your daily runs and you want them to last, go with the New Balance 860v11.
Buy it on Amazon here:
Men’s: https://amzn.to/3f9zrW2
Women’s: https://amzn.to/3tgZvXE
2. Best Racer Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Pro 2
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 is a cheaper alternative to the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2. The carbon fiber plate and extra cushioning makes this a great shoe for racing. I’ve used this shoes for mile time trials all the way up to half-marathons. I can hardly notice my knee pain when I wear these shoes.
The only downside to these shoes is the skinner base, which makes turning tight corners harder, but that’s usually the case with most racer pairs.
Buy it on Amazon here:
Men’s: https://amzn.to/3G7pjJk
Women’s: https://amzn.to/3r9bEeD
3. Best Budget Shoe: Saucony Kinvara 4
Saucony usually has a good variety of shoes that meet a variety of needs. The Saucony Kinvara 4 is a great budget shoe that reduces knee pain. Its steep heel-to-toe drop makes it so there’s less heel striking and more forward momentum. This shoe also has a good amount of memory foam so that each step is pretty comfortable. The Saucony Kinvara 4 is great as a beginner pair or as a rebuy for seasoned runners.
Pick it up on Amazon here:
Men’s: https://amzn.to/3f7ibRs
Women’s: https://amzn.to/3FeaMKG