10 Best Motion Control Running Shoes in 2021

Good running shoes aren’t just going to offer padding and comfort – they will also make it much easier for you to move around, especially if you are dealing with uneven ground or rough terrain. Motion-control shoes are able to fill this niche really well, and it is almost always down to their design and shape: some of them don’t even look that different from regular running shoes.

Not only are they meant to be more stable and provide better protection against injuries, but they are versatile enough to work well for any kind of exercise. Unlike specialized workout gear, they are still based on regular shoes, so they are an accessible option for almost anybody who needs a little more foot support.

We have listed ten of the best motion control running shoes on the market today, as well as the reasons they are worth investing your money.

View the Best Motion Control Running Shoes, Below.

• ASICS Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe
• Brooks Men’s Beast ’18
• ASICS Gel-Foundation 13 Running Shoes
• New Balance Women’s W1540V2 Running Shoe
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19
• Brooks Addiction 13
• New Balance 1260V7 Running Shoe
• HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota Running Shoe
• Mizuno Wave Inspire 15 Running Shoe
• Saucony Guide Iso 2 Running Shoe

1. ASICS Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe

This gel-cushioned running shoe uses a flexible and breathable mesh to keep your feet cool and comfortable in hot weather. The cushioned rear section of the foot absorbs shocks and adds a little more spring to your step, and you can replace the internal sockliner with your own insole for even more personalized support.

The outsole below is able to provide excellent traction on almost any surface, even if you are traveling up or down a slope, and it is made with ASICS high-abrasion rubber to provide a massive boost to its durability. Thanks to the simple heel design, it is also really easy to adjust your posture and running stance without losing your balance.

This motion control running shoe takes a common design and builds on it, adding more padding, comfort, and strength without feeling bulky or heavy.

2. Brooks Men’s Beast ’18

These men’s running shoes are designed for great performance in every situation, using a durable gum rubber sole that can offer excellent protection and traction at the same time. The standard lace-up design means that they are instantly familiar to even the most casual runners, and the low-heeled shape provides much greater stability on a range of different surfaces. The Progressive Diagonal Rollbar system helps you keep your movements natural while you are on the move, while the mesh upper section manages moisture and keeps fresh air flowing through to your skin.

The Beast running shoes are tough, stable and great for all kinds of running, providing excellent amounts of comfort and performance at the same time with no significant downsides or weak points.

3. ASICS Gel-Foundation 13 Running Shoes

These women’s running shoes have a well-designed mesh upper section that offers far better breathability, comfort and flexibility than solid shoes. The ComforDry insole adds more cushioning to the design, alongside an anti-microbial feature that helps keep your feet healthy and odor-free during tough exercise sessions.

The gum rubber sole has an unconventional design that makes the shoe suitable for almost any terrain, while the reflective elements on the sides and back help you stay visible in darker conditions. On top of that, the design as a whole of these motion control running shoes is much roomier than usual, reducing skin irritation.

The amount of comfort offered by these shoes makes them perfect for casual exercise, but they are also strong enough to work really well for committed runners and tougher routines.

4. New Balance Women’s W1540V2 Running Shoe

These synthetic running shoes use a standard lace-up design that combines simplicity and comfort, replacing a solid exterior with a breathable mesh that helps wick away moisture and keep your feet cool. The durable rubber sole can stand up to most terrain types, and the plush cushioning on the tongue and collar protect key areas from skin irritation.

The removable footbed on the side can be replaced with your own personal preference and the ENCAP midsole that provides most of the cushioning using strong EVA to add some extra strength and shock absorption.

Having protection while running is always great, and these motion control running shoes use a mixture of padding and durable materials to stay strong and reliable for long-term running on all kinds of terrain. If that wasn’t enough, the moisture-wicking materials keep you dry in bad weather.

5. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19

These breathable shoes use a mostly-mesh upper section that keeps your feet cool and comfortable in hot weather, along with a comfortable set of supporting materials to help it keep its shape. The inner lining is made with soft textiles that add some softness to each step, and the HRP Plus rubber on the outsides offers excellent traction on any surface you might encounter.

On top of that, there is a flexible and durable midsole that combines support and comfort in a balanced way, providing the best parts of both with neither of the downsides. You can even remove the insole of these motion control running shoes to add your own!

These shoes combine the best parts of a comfortable casual shoe and a durable exercise shoe, giving you a great mixture of both. This makes them very versatile, regardless of the conditions you are running in.

6. Brooks Addiction 13

These Brooks shoes are mostly made with synthetic materials, allowing them to achieve better results in terms of comfort and support. The strong synthetic sole curves up at the front for better traction, and the extended progressive diagonal rollbar makes it easier to move naturally on rough ground. Not only that, but it uses a cushioned midsole that is meant to dynamically adjust to your stride and foot shape, becoming more comfortable the longer you run. This is baked up with a soft sockliner that prevents skin irritation and keeps your feet protected.

These motion control running shoes are easy to wear and get more comfortable the longer you wear them, making them great for dedicated running fans. The rollbar will also help you stay stable on uneven ground.

7. New Balance 1260V7 Running Shoe

The synthetic materials used in these motion control running shoes provide a greater level of comfort and protection, especially in the sole. The non-sown upper section removes most of the downsides that come from standard shoes, and the specially-designed midsole is able to add more padding and comfort to each step without being bulky or uncomfortable. The durable rubber sole and protective dual-density construction provide plenty of extra versatility while you are on the move, letting you take on almost any kind of terrain with ease.

These motion control running shoes stick to a standard design, making something that is familiar yet tougher than normal. The dual-density materials and durable midsole also mean that you will be protected from rough ground and harsh terrain, which can be useful for running on natural paths.

8. HOKA ONE ONE Gaviota Running Shoe

These women’s running shoes offer a lightweight, breathable and durable design that can work in a range of different conditions. The simple lace-up construction means that they are not hard to tighten to your exact foot size, and the mesh upper section keeps your feet cool and sweat-free on hotter days. On top of that, the strong synthetic materials used for the sole and outer surfaces provide far more durability than regular shoes, allowing you to deal with rougher terrain and tougher exercises that you’d normally struggle with.

These shoes mix a low weight with a high amount of protection, making it easier to run for longer without slowing down or getting thrown off-balance by rough ground. The simple lace design also means that you can quickly adjust them without having to take a long break.

9. Mizuno Wave Inspire 15 Running Shoe

These simple motion control running shoes use a tough EVA sole, allowing them to withstand far more punishment than your average pair of exercise shoes. The mesh and fabric exterior keeps you cool without making you feel too exposed, and the simple laces mean that it is easy to adjust them without having to stop running for very long.

Not only that, but the soft fabrics used in the design are perfect for keeping comfortable during a long run, and prevent scratches or irritation on your skin. The heel wedge design also allows for more natural, dynamic movement mid-run.

These motion control running shoes are perfect for runners who want to stay comfortable and protected during long, difficult running sessions, especially in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

10. Saucony Guide Iso 2 Running Shoe

These women’s running shoes use a 100% textile upper section to provide as much comfort as possible, preventing irritation or sore feet while also helping you run for longer. The ISOFIT technology used in the design also means that they have a lower weight and higher level of flexibility compared to other shoes, giving them more flexibility over how you can use them. The strong rubber and EVA outsole improves your grip on a range of different surfaces, while the midsole helps keep your feet safe and comfortable without feeling like a soft, weak point.

These motion control running shoes are perfect for women who value stability, comfort, and durability equally, acting as a jack-of-all-trades for all kinds of running situations and exercise routines.

Motion Control Running Shoes Buyer’s Guide

Choosing shoes is never easy, but motion control running shoes can be even harder since they are meant to fill a very specific niche. Some features will become worthless in the context of running, while others will become incredibly important, and you will also need to think about your personal preferences and requirements.

How Well They Fit

Let’s say you have just found a pair of shoes that you like in a physical store – most reasonable people will try them on, or at least check the measurements against the size of their own feet. However, it is easy to overlook this online, and just relying on the numerical size of the shoe won’t always work perfectly. There is any number of reasons that a shoe that “should” fit actually won’t.

For example, there is the height of your foot. Some people have a naturally higher instep or arch than others, and you can’t always adjust a shoe to deal with that, especially if it is not made of a flexible material. While you can sometimes solve the arch problem with inserts (if you are able to add your own), you might still find it uncomfortable if the shoe is pressing down on the top of your foot. The only way around this is to find a different shoe unless you are willing to risk skin irritation.

The width can also be an issue, and it is nowhere near simple to solve. People with wide feet might have to go up a size to feel comfortable, depending on how much room they need, and this might result in you needing extra padding to make the shoe fit in terms of height. There is no ideal solution to this since everybody has different foot shapes and sizes: plus, some companies might just not offer a particular style of shoe that suits your feet correctly.

Durability and Protection

The most important duty of a shoe is (arguably) to protect your feet from harm. Running puts your feet under a lot more stress and pressure, even if you are not feeling it, and a shoe that is damaged might become a weak spot that can lead to foot injuries or pain. Running across natural ground isn’t so bad with complete shoes, but even the smallest gap or crack can lead to small stones or dirt getting in if you aren’t careful.

Ideally, you will want shoes that can stand up to a decent amount of punishment before showing signs of wearing out or breaking. The more durable they are, the more they can protect you from, especially if you are a frequent runner who is likely to wear out shoes faster than the average person. Always focus on outsoles and midsoles when you are trying to look for durability since these are the areas that matter most.

An EVA midsole is almost always better for durability than a standard cushioned one. It might come at the cost of some comfort, but only by a little bit, and the extra protection is worth it. On the other hand, you might want a stronger outsole to prevent damage entirely, so you will need to choose between various materials. A synthetic sole, or a rubber sole? And, if you choose rubber, standard rubber or gum rubber? They all have their benefits and drawbacks but depending on how serious you take your running, you might not have to care about this at all.

Cushioning and Comfort

Staying comfortable is just as important as staying safe, and being able to ensure that you won’t be in any pain can make a huge difference to your running. It is like the difference between using weights in a safe way or trying dangerous exercises with them – even if it helps you get fitter, your muscles can hurt a lot more and you will be out of action for longer.

The more comfortable you feel while exercising, the easier it is to keep a long workout going. If your feet start hurting twenty minutes into a run, you will need to stop and rest for a while – softer and less tough insoles and shoe linings might help you bump that up to thirty minutes, or even forty, and your feet will be able to recover faster once your run is done. That is not even mentioning the added spring in your step that it can cause.

Comfort also makes it much easier to push yourself. The less your exercise hurts, the more likely you are to try and push yourself until it starts hurting. Many people use soreness as an indicator that they have done enough exercise for that particular session, so the longer you can hold it off, the more exercise you will get done. Even something as small as a cushioned insole or a memory foam insert can be enough to help you press your body a tiny bit further with every run.

Extra Features

There is also a handful of extra features that you might find useful, even if they didn’t cross your mind initially. It depends where (and how) you will be running, but there are some shoe designs that come with specialized extras or custom designs that can help you get more out of your running routines. A good example is reflective strips or patches: they improve visibility when light is shining on them, which can be a great safety feature for people who like to run near roads early in the morning or late at night.

Memory foam, as mentioned earlier, makes for a great insert or insole. However, it is also one of the best features for people with unconventional feet shapes and sizes. Having an insole that molds to your exact foot shape is incredibly helpful, and it can stop you from having to deal with uncomfortable shoes that harm your posture or put your feet in uncomfortable positions.

Not all running shoes will use a standard lace system, either. They might have a combination of Velcro strips and laces, or maybe the laces will be built-in rather than being the normal removable ones. It is even possible to get running shoes that use a slip-on design. The main differences between them are how tight you can get them, how easy they are to wear and how convenient tightening them will be when you are in the middle of a run.

Expert Tip

Make sure to measure your feet a short while before you go looking for new shoes. They get larger as you grow older, and some people’s measurements can quickly become out-of-date if they were done quite a while ago.

Did you know?

The faster you want to run, the snugger you will want the fit. Slower runners can use more wiggle room, but sprinters or other fast runners will want tighter shoes to compensate for the higher speeds.