9 Best Running Shoes for Heavy Female Runners 2023 Reviewed


If your weight falls on the heavy side (or you run with heel Strikes), finding the right running shoes is a big challenge- try the best running shoes for heavy female runners. Best Running Shoes For Heavy Female Runners

In summary, ASICS Gel-cumulus 18 – Neutral Shoe has excellent arch support and cushioning that’ll favor both experienced and beginning runners. 

As an over/ under-pronator – get the best compression socks for standing all day and check the running shoes vs. walking shoes

Reviews: Top 9 Best Running Shoes for Heavy Female Runners 2023 Reviewed

1. NIKE Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33 – #1 Pick

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 features a Breathable engineered upper mesh with Flywire cables to securely lock your feet. The cushioning makes the shoe ideal for heavy female runners. 

NIKE Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Check Price On Amazon

The sneaker is designed to manage longer running distances. It assures a neutral, more cushioned ride. The footwear is also fitted with smoother foot strikes for added strength.

The outer sole has a responsive cushioning that allows a seamless transition from heel to toe. Overweight women and fat runners prefer shoes because of their level of strength and sturdiness. 

The footwear also has an internal sock lining that helps to absorb and remove moisture from the feet. The shoe is enhanced with a lightweight feature to accommodate heavy runners and those with a knee issue.

The shoes offer excellent cushion responsiveness for enhanced durability. The combinations of rubber and pylon make the sneakers stand out from the rest. 

The upper Flywire technology provides the feet with a tighter and secure hold. The excellent cushioning makes the shoe more stable. 

Pros

  • Mesh ventilation
  • Great cushioning for heavy runners and those with knee and other injuries
  • Excellent sock lining
  • Flywire cables provide a secure hold and
  • Quality rubber sole

Cons

  • The sole feels a bit narrow; a runner might contact unstable while running

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPr4cxY-cwQ

Read Also: Running Shoes For Men With Flat Feet

2. Mizuno Wave Rider 20 Running Shoe Motion Control – #2 Pick

The Mizuno Wave Rider 20 is a reliable product that offers firm and excellent cushioning. Most overweight women runners agree that they are the best shoes for beginner heavy runners. The shoe features mesh uppers that are Triple Zone engineered.

NIKE Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Check Price On Amazon

Mizuno has managed to dominate the sporting world because of its product offerings. Every new shoe they unveil surpasses the previous one with an even higher margin.

The Mizuno Wave Rider 20 is no exception; it’s equipped with a new technology to ensure runners get a smoother, softer, and enjoyable ride with a responsive feel.

The state of the art technology is the reason athletes cherish Mizuno products as they get to attain their full potential and remain in great shape to engage in running later.

Well, Mizuno has been careful and caring enough to consider heavy runners while designing their Mizuno Wave Rider 20.

The sole of this shoe includes a wave plate technology that offers the footwear a softer cushioning compared to its predecessor, making them best-running shoes for bulky and heavy runners.

The midsole offers the plus-sized females a dynamic ride. It has a unique grip and traction, allowing the runner to run on all surfaces. With this shoe, your weight should never be an issue. The Mizuno Wave Rider 20 is a proper fit that offers better support for heavy runners. The shoe is firm enough to accommodate all runners. The firmness allows more responsiveness, which is essential for tempo, race, and speed.

Another feature of the Mizuno Wave Rider 20 is the redesigned upper, which is equipped with a fantastic triple mesh design to enable natural breathability leaving your feet feeling fresh all day.

Pros

  • The top design is outstanding, as the heel is not that narrow or wide.
  • Also, at the arch, the shoe narrows appropriately to secure your foot in place firmly.
  • Hence, runners with a wide foot can use the Wave Rider 20; thus, they considered the best running shoes for heavy runners with wide feet. 
  • Best shoes for runners with wide feet
  • Light and responsive and Well-cushioned

Cons

  • Some customers complained that the Upper fabric is not durable 

Read Also: Tennis Shoes for Standing on Concrete All Day

3. HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 5 – Smooth Recovery Runs – #3 Pick

HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Bondi 5 tops the list of best running shoes for heavy female runners.

HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 5 - Smooth Recovery Runs Check Price On Amazon

Bondi 5 comes with top cushioning that’s excellent for long runs that have comfort with a 4mm heel-to-toe drop. 

Bondi 5 has a redesigned upper that has a seamless build and engineered mesh. This makes the shoe flexible, smooth, and good looking. Notably, with 33mm for toe and a  37mm stack height, it makes any women feel taller due to its soft and thick cushioning. 

Brooks Ghost 9 is perfect for heavy female athletes because of the tremendous support it offers. The insole and the padded system makes running on these shoes enjoyable and fun.

The seamless assembly of these sneakers makes it more spacious, allowing even those with wide feet the much-needed comfort. The sneaker also protects you from the painful and nonstop chaffing that quickly results in blisters formation.

Pros

  • The breathability of this shoe is made easy by the carefully placed overlays and the new engineered mesh. 
  • Thus, the upper cover your feet securely without exerting a lot of pressure on a single area. Hence, air can freely get in and make your feet crisp and fresh.
  • Smooth ride
  • Stability and soft cushioning

Cons

  • Tongue may be rigid considering your lacing

Read Also: Walking Shoes For Men With Flat Feet

4. New Balance W990V4 Run Shoe – Black/Silver

New Balance w990V4 has light cushioning and runner forefoot that offers great arch stability and support to overweight female runners. With its torsional stability in the mid-sole and stabilizer to ease heel to toe transition, New Balance 990V4 is great for overpronators.

New Balance Women’s W990V4 Run Shoe-W, Black/Silver Check Price On Amazon

The shoe also features N2 heel cushioning to provide support and comfort. It reduces the effects of musculoskeletal repetitive loading, including muscle, ligaments, and joints pains. This sneaker gives you a more personalized fit as well as an extra room to twist your toes comfortably.

Also, your arches and joints get advanced support to carry the extra weight. Its too great for women with overpronation, knee pain, and excess body weight. It gives your joints the right support and cushioning.

It has a durable rubber sole that’s best for heavy female runners, it’s well-cushioned to support the extra weight and has N2 cushioning technology.

It’s designed with a thin mesh on the upper, which allows the free flow of air to your feet and keeps them fresh all day long. Furthermore, the interior sock lining absorbs and removes all the moisture that might accumulate to keep the feet dry.

The OrthoLite footbed is well-cushioned and springy to absorb shock, allowing a pain-free running or walking. Also, the shoes are ideal for those with flat feet and are likely to roll inward or overpronate. 

Pros

  • Well-cushioned
  • Thin mesh for breathability
  • Highly durable
  • Padding on the sole offers additional stability, Ideal for runners with wide feet.

Cons

  • Quite pricey and Heavier than the previous model 

Read Also: Quality plantar fasciitis running shoes.

5. Mizuno Women’s Wave Creation 18 Running Shoe

Mizuno Wave Creation 19 also great if you’ll be taking the long-form runs and need awesome cushioning. However, you should know that this shoe needs some level of toe-off effort and is heavy (12.7 ounces) – mainly due to its moving tongue.

Mizuno Women’s Wave Creation 18 Running Shoe Check Price On Amazon

Mizuno Wave Creation 19 has an anatomical sock-liner that will enhance your underfoot comfort and overall fit. It has a full-length midsole, and a 12 mm drop to enhance the shoe’s shock absorption while you’re running.

Mizuno Wave Creation 19 has enough toe-box room, and with its 12mm heel drop, you’ll have a very comfortable run. The 940V2 offers superior arch support to your feet.

It has a soft heel collar that did not rub easily. While running on dry-road, I noticed that this Mizuno Wave Creation 19 gave me an excellent grip and great fitting on its upper. Its Upper is flexible enough to provide you with excellent stability while you’re running. 

The inbuilt technology of the sole offers excellent grip and stability to allow safety while running, walking, or working more extended shifts. The midsole and outsole are equipped with the Beam TPU system, which offers support to the feet. 

Pros

  • It prevents runners from feeling pain in their arches or knees.
  • Furthermore, the grip gives runners the confidence to run on all surfaces without fear of feeling pain.
  • The rubber sole is lightweight, allowing heavy runners to ride on them comfortably. 

Cons

  • None

Read Also: Quality knee pain shoes.

6. ASICS Gel-cumulus 18 – Neutral Shoe with Heel Crash-Pad

ASICS GEL-Cumulus 18 takes the top spot – it’s also a great shoe for neutral runners. It offers excellent flexibility (with great cushioning) and stability for your high-mileage or shorter runs. 

Best Running Shoes For Heavy Female Runners Check Price On Amazon

Heavy runners usually have heavy foot strikes, which ASICS GEL-Cumulus 18 readily accommodates by neutralizing the impact. 

This shoe has a solid build, its lightweight, and adequate cushioning. It has the Convergence GEL sole and has the Impact Guidance System to increase your running flexibility while distributing the cushioning to give every runner a natural gait. 

But the additional cushioning doesn’t make it feel ‘heavy.’ However, other smaller female runners also love the shoe’s softer ride. The shoe’s upper causes less pressure on a runner because the company eliminated the overlays on the upper’s toe-box. 

 The toe box is wide enough to allow your toes to stretch appropriately, making long-distance runs comfortable and enjoyable at the same time. The comprehensive toe box feature makes this shoe ideal for heavy runners with wide feet. Their toes get firmly secured on the inside to allow them a more comfortable ride.

The shoe upper also features a guiding eyelet. Although it’s a minor detail, it has a lot of engineering, which ensures that the tongue remains in place regardless of the time you want to stay outdoors or the way you twist your feet. 

Pros

  • It has a breathable mesh and a high-quality top.
  • Its tongues will remain in place even after long runs while its laces tie up excellently.
  • Also, they’ll help prevent knee pain, plantar fasciitis, supination shoes

Cons

  • None 

7. ASICS Women’s GEL-Kayano 22 Running Shoe  

ASICS Gel Kayano 22 is my third choice on this list. It has a 10mm drop, which is excellent for people with over-pronation.

ASICS Women’s GEL-Kayano 22 Running Shoe Check Price On Amazon

The shoe qualifies because it has the mesh upper (which is stretchable too), FlyteFoam, and Dynamic DuoMax Support sole to give a heavy female runner the needed cushioning and balance during their races. 

The sole build makes it stable and effective for your outdoor running. Notably, its toes have DuraSponge (for absorbing impact) while the heels have a rubber (High Abrasion type).

I noted that its upper has great mesh mixings that are aimed to make it more comfortable and breathable. 

Pros

  • An essential feature of this shoe is the engineered upper mesh, which offers free airflow inside the shoe keeping your feet fresh for breathability.
  • Also, the rubber sole is equipped with flex grooves for improved grip.

Cons

  • None 

8. Brooks Ghost 9 Running Shoes Orthotic Wearers 

Brooks Ghost 9 Running Shoe is designed with a refined mesh upper and a new plush interior to give you a seamless ride.

NIKE Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Check Price On Amazon

The shoe has DNA foam cushioning to support you and help transfer the pressure from the excess weight to your shoe sole.

You may be heavy and still experience other foot issues like a bad knee, flat feet, knee pain, or overpronation. You may want to avoid accelerating these conditions or, better yet, find a permanent solution. Therefore, finding the right running shoe can save you from many foot conditions.

You must understand the different types of feet, and then know where yours falls to choose the right size and design for them. Luckily, Brooks has unveiled Ghost 9, ideal running shoes for fat and heavy runners.

(1) Improved sole unit (2) No-sew overlays (3) Sturdy rubber soles that support more weight (4) Comfortable insoles. To maintain superior cushioning, Brooks Ghost 9 has excellent DNA foam cushioning to keep your strides.

The cushioning easily adjusts to your steps and transfers pressure to the soles. The cushioning also helps to transition your motion and energy from heel to toe.

As a result, your running becomes more comfortable every time. The shoe also has a fantastic grip, allowing you to run on different surfaces without feeling any pain quickly.

Pros

  • Upper Engineered mesh offers breathability.
  • Removable foam insole
  • Lightweight synthetic overlays
  • Rubber forefoot material gives excellent grip and
  • Cushioning and plush collar and tongue

Cons

  • Some users say the heel is a bit high

Read Also: Shoes for High Arches And Standing All Day

9. Saucony Women’s Grid Cohesion 9 Running Shoe  

Saucony Cohesion 8 features breathable mesh uppers with excellent reflective qualities to give you appropriate visibility.

NIKE Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Check Price On Amazon

It’s the best running shoes for heavy runners with wide feet as its equipped with Flexible forefeet, sturdy midsoles, as well as a heel-grid system.

The Saucony Cohesion 8 is built on QualityQuality and affordability in mind. The heavy athletes have been sidelined for far too long, but not anymore.

Saucony has unveiled Cohesion 8 Running shoe for heavy runners. The shoe is built using the latest technology to accommodate heavy runners.

(1) For a snug fit, the sneaker features a supportive inbuilt overlay that allows support for excess weight (2) Breathable Mesh upper (3) stability Heel Grid mechanism.

The shoe features a stable heel grid mechanism which promotes a seamless heel to toe interchange allowing you to adopt an appropriate running form.

The heel of the shoe features XT-600 carbon sole rubber, which offers essential traction and resistance to the heavy female runner on all running surfaces. Furthermore, a quality foam insole is provided to keep your feet comfortable at all times.

The flex grooves design gives a heavy runner a more flexible ride. Because the design provides the forefoot much needed support, the runner can run for longer miles without feeling knee pains. Also, the shoes are equipped with quality fabric and synthetic material as well as a mesh upper and mesh underlay that features a reflective pattern for more visibility during night runs.

Pros

  • Affordable, Breathable Mesh upper 
  • Also, the shoe has a breathable mesh to keep your feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day long.
  • If you are on a tighter budget but still want to begin your fitness journey, the Saucony Cohesion 8 will work for you.
  • Stable heel grid system for cushioning
  • Supportive inbuilt overlays.

Cons

  • Toe box is a bit narrow

Considerations in Best Running Shoes for Heavy Female Runners 

1. Breathability:

Look for shoes that will allow air to flow freely when running. Nobody likes to feel excess sweat on their feet while running. Shoes made with mesh material are ideal as they are breathable and lightweight.

2. Comfort And Good Cushioning:

Being heavy, you need more comfy shoes that will make your running routines fun and enjoyable. Well-cushioned shoes will

3. Nice Fit:

When you buy a shoe that fits correctly, you’ll avoid foot pain and other foot-related injuries. Check the type of your feet, are they flat, wide, how are they? This simple assessment will ensure you get the right fit and size.

4. Specialized Design:

Running shoes come in different models fit for different kinds of runners. As a heavy runner, you may want to buy shoes that are flexible and allow for foot expansion.

Also, those with more gel cushioning are ideal as they give more support to your weight. If you feel pain on the outer sides of your feet when running, flex design shoes will be the best choice for you.

5. Insole:

Check out shoes that have removable insoles, mainly if you have orthotics. These removable soles will allow you to replace when they are worn out or buy one that offers improved support to your feet.

Conclusion

There you have it!! It’s no longer a challenge for you to get high sneakers if you’re overweight. 

A quality insole provides excellent cushioning and comfort. Check your feet while losing weight – Plus-sized females.

The guide has given essential pointers on what you should look out for as well as a review of the best running shoes. Any of the reviewed shoes are ideal for all heavy runners.

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