The Best Running Shoes for Heavy Men in 2023
The best running shoes for heavy men are as supportive as they are speedy. Here are the top options on the market today.
Running shoe technology has evolved leaps and bounds over the past decade. While minimalist models used to be all the rage, the popular running shoes of today are highly cushioned, supportive and comfortable, while retaining a lightweight feel on feet. These advances mean that many of the popular mainstream models are great for heavier runners, where cushioned midsoles and secure uppers provide a structured platform to support athletes of all sizes. Below, we've rounded up the best of the best running shoes for heavy men to keep you running in comfort, support and style—whether you're going for a neighborhood jog or looking to chase down a new PR.
The Best Running Shoes for Heavy Men
The best running shoes for bigger and taller runners have supportive cushioning, stable platforms and durable constructions. To find our list, we looked at models from the top brands that checked all those boxes and are designed for high-performance for runners of all levels. Here are the best running shoes for heavy men on the market today.
1. Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 ($150): Best All-Around Running Shoe for Heavy Men
The Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 is the best overall running shoe for heavy men due to its supportive cushioning, stable platform and responsive midsole foam. The Shift 3 uses a max stack of Saucony's PWRRUN foam, which is an EVA-based compound that's highly durable and has an energetic feel when pushing the pace. The back of the shoe has a plastic heel clip to add mild stability to the platform, which makes it a great option for both neutral runners and those who need support for overpronation. An aggressive rockered platform helps the shoe roll along at all paces and makes the shoe just as comfortable for walking and easy runs as it is for uptempo efforts.
Saucony Endorphin Shift 3
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2. Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 ($160): Best Max Cushioned Running Shoe for Heavy Men
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is a max cushioned cruiser with a pillowy soft ride. The Nimbus has a 41.5 mm heel stack of FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco foam, the brand's top daily training compound that's also in shoes like the Novablast and Magic Speed. Here, it's plush and supportive, compressing gently with each stride and pairing with a forefoot rocker to create a platform perfect for relaxed everyday runs. The gel unit in the heel adds more cushioning and impact absorbing properties that will be appreciated by heavier runners. The shoe also has a knit upper that's padded around the heel collar and stretchy throughout the midfoot—one of the most comfortable overall packages in the game.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
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For runners interested in the max cushioned Gel-Nimbus who need a bit more stability, consider the Gel-Kayano 30. The Gel-Kayano uses a similar foam but has a firmer feel and is reinforced by prescriptive guidance elements on the sides of the shoe.
ASICS Gel-Kayano 30
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3. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 ($160): Best Traditional Running Shoe for Heavy Men
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is a cushioned daily trainer that has a firm, smooth ride. The shoe uses New Balance's Fresh Foam X compound, an EVA-based foam that's durable and supportive for bigger runners, while also performing well across a range of paces. There's an engineered mesh upper that's soft and forgiving, perfect for accommodating a variety of footshapes. The only downside is that you're not getting the most exciting ride for the price, as there are softer (Gel-Nimbus) and more responsive (Shift 3) shoes at this price. But for a cushioned, do-it-all trainer with a more natural feeling ride, the 1080 v12 has got you covered.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12
4. Hoka Arahi 6 ($140): Best Hoka Running Shoe for Heavy Men
The Hoka Arahi 6 is a stability daily trainer with a cushioned and versatile ride for bigger runners. The Arahi is the stable version of the Hoka Clifton, the brand's cushioned everyday running shoe. In the Arahi, Hoka uses their J-frame technology to add support to the outsole and medial side of the platform, helping promote stable landings and add extra support. The compression-molded EVA foam in the midsole is comfortable and will hold up well over the long haul, but as with most other standard EVA shoes doesn't provide the liveliest ride. The Arahi will slot into your lineup as that reliable everyday shoe—and the trendy Hoka cachet will get you some 'burb cred as well.
5. New Balance SuperComp FuelCell Elite v3 ($230): Best Uptempo & Race Day Shoe for Heavy Men
The New Balance SuperComp FuelCell Elite v3 is a carbon-plated super shoe with a soft and approachable ride. Unlike other top plated racing options, the SC Elite v3 has a more comfortable and relaxed underfoot feel due to the FuelCell elite foam mellowing out the rigid carbon fiber plate. Heavier runners will appreciate the soft cushion and inherent stability of the SC Elite v3, as well as the roomier fit and accommodating upper. The key downside to the SC Elite is that it doesn't feel as snappy as some other super shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 and Nike Vaporfly Next% 3, but this also means it's comfortable enough for weekly use during faster training runs, not just on race day.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3
6. Altra Via Olympus ($170): Best Zero Drop Shoe for Heavy Men
The Altra Via Olympus is a zero drop max cushioned shoe with a firm and stable ride. All of Altra shoe's use a zero drop platform, which means the height of the heel foam is the same as the forefoot foam. The Via Olympus has a 33mm stack of the brand's EGO Max foam, an EVA-based compound which has a slightly different feel in different Altra models. In the Via Olympus, it's on the firmer and structured side, providing an underfoot sensation that's more responsive than it is plush. While lighter runners may find the ride too firm, heavier runners will be able to get the most energy return from the platform. The Via Olympus also uses Altra's wide and roomy Original Foot Shape last, making it a great option for wider-footed runners.
Altra Via Olympus
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7. Brooks Glycerin 20 GTS ($160): Best Stability Running Shoe for Heavy Guys
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 is a highly cushioned stability running shoe with a soft and supportive ride. The Glycerin 20 GTS uses the brand's DNA Loft v3 foam, a supercritical EVA with a soft, bouncy and smooth feel underfoot. The shoe also has a rockered platform, which helps make toe-off easier. With 38 mm of cushioning in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot, it can feel like a lot of foam for some runners, but this will be appreciated by bigger and taller runners who like feeling supported. And if you don't need any stability, check out the Glycerin 20, which is the neutral version of the shoe.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20
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8. Asics Superblast ($200): Best Marathon Training Shoe for Bigger Runners
The Asics Superblast is a super max cushioned shoe perfect for the high mileage and varied demands of marathon training. The Superblast uses a dual-foam setup to achieve its bouncy and versatile ride—the shoe has a top layer of FF Turbo foam, the Asics' top-tier racing compound which is a supercritical nylon, and a bottom layer of FF Blast Plus, the soft and cushioned foam found in shoes like the Novablast 3, Gel-Cumulus 25 and Magic Speed 3. The effect of the foam combination here is a highly protective unicorn of a shoe that has a bouncy and responsive ride at faster paces and a cushioned ride at slower everyday running paces. The one drawback is the price, which is $20 to $40 above other competitive high-mileage trainers like the Saucony Kinvara Pro ($180), Hoka Mach X ($180) and Adidas Boston 12 ($160)—but there's no other shoe on the market that has the all-in-one versatility, speed-orientation and comfortable cushioning of the Superblast.
ASICS Superblast
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9. Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 4 ($160): Best Nike Running Shoes for Heavy Men
The Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 4 is a highly cushioned daily trainer with a smooth ride. It's the best Nike for bigger and taller runners due to the thick stack of ReactX cushioning paired with internal support. The upper of the shoe has an elastic Flyknit band that wraps around the middle of your foot to hold it in place as you run. There's also a rockered platform underfoot to help with efficiency through the range of paces. At $160, the Infinity Run 4 is fairly priced against competitors like the Brooks Glycerin ($160) and Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 ($150), though those shoes are tried-and-true options while the Nike is more of a gamble. If you're looking for
10. Saucony Kinvara Pro ($180): Best Plated Trainer for Heavy Men
The Saucony Kinvara Pro is a high mileage trainer with a cushioned and responsive ride. The midsole has a dual-foam set up with a top layer of Saucony's PEBA-based PWRRUN PB, which provides bounce and softness, on top of a bottom layer of EVA-based PWRRUN, which provides durability and structured cushioning. A three-quarter length carbon plate runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, stopping before the toes, and stabilizes the max stack platform without making the ride overly harsh. Due to the cushioned platform, the Kinvara Pro is great for long runs as well as slower paced recovery efforts. The one downside is there's no rubber outsole—instead Saucony opted to use the bottom layer of EVA as the outsole—so the durability on this shoe may be lower than others on this list.
Saucony Kinvara Pro
Final Thoughts
Due to advancements in foam and stability technology, there are many great running shoe models for heavier, bigger and taller runners. Whether you're interested in a cushioned cruiser or a race day rocket, there's a great running shoe out there for you. And if you're looking to explore all the top shoe options in the wide world of performance running, check out Supwell's performance running shoe database.
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