Below I’ve reviewed the best running shoes for Achilles Tendonitis – only the physiotherapists-approved models from Brooks, Nike, and Adidas. 
What aggravates Achilles Tendonitis injury? Well, two of the critical factors are (1) using improper shoes or (2) Quickly increasing the distance and intensity of running.Â
Thus, first, get yourself a running shoe with ample heel ankle support to protect this vital tendon that links your calf muscles.
Reviews: Top 9 Best Running Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis 2023
1. Adidas Performance Ultra Boost Running Shoe Men’s – #1 Pick
Adidas Ultra Boost will offer proper arch support, firmness, correct heel-height, and heel cushioning. The pair has FlyteFoam midsole and Forefoot & Rearfoot GEL cushioning to give you a more responsive ride.
Adidas UltraBoost takes tops this list for being well-built, equally flexible, and durable to help you prevent Achilles tendon pain. Despite being a high-end shoe (price-wise), these Adidas UltraBoost neutral shoes are excellently cushioned to prevent Achilles pain.
Other treatment options are RICE Treatment, tendon stretching, and eccentric therapy (avoiding Isometric Exercise).
Your Achilles tendon might feel extra stress while you’re running, which could lead to injuries. It’s essential to ease the sudden increase in training outdoors in winter. Recently my friend purchased this Adidas UltraBoost and took Eliud Kipchoge’s Pace challenge.
It has a flexible Primeknit upper, which will allow the show to move with your foot while you’re dashing. Besides, the shoe is amazingly beautiful. It’s built from Boost technology that gives one a great spring but equally soft running – including cross country running.
This modern shoe combines both the primeknit upper (comparable to the Nike Flyknit) and the boost midsole (for maximum under-foot boost), which are features that’ll help so much with your Achilles tendonitis.
- The Boost midsole will allow the shoe to easily last for over 500 miles.
- The prime knit upper will give any narrow-feet athlete the much-needed fit.
- For excellent Achilles tendonitis protection, this shoe has a highly responsive cushioning thanks to the Boost midsole (full-length ).
- Not great for people who don’t have narrow feet.
- It’s relatively pricey.
2. Brooks Women’s Ravenna 9 Running shoe – #2 Pick
Brooks Ravenna 9 comes out as a bit clunky for some runners, but I still consider it as generally great for Achilles tendonitis.
I know for sure that it’s highly supportive and springy, features that’ll protect the integrity of your Achilles’ tendon while helping maintain your running speed.
You’ll get extra traction since the shoe’s forefoot has “grippy†sections created from blown rubber. It has a breathable and seamless upper mesh that will readily hold your foot.
Leaving out the mid-foot shank, the company redesigned the mid-sole to prevent shoe bending. The Sole Unit lacks any firm material or plastic and has a density foam in its heel, which helps keep a runner stable and well supported. Check Video
- Its sole has the BioMoGo DNA build that’ll readily match the force from running steps.
- It also has a snug fit to help particularly secure your heel while you’re running but its sadly narrow-fitting.
- Slightly clunky
3. Saucony Triumph ISO 4 with Full-length Everun midsole – # 3 Pick
The Saucony Triumph ISO 4 has the new ISO fit lacing system and an engineered mesh created for everyday training.
I’ll go right into the features to demonstrate why the Saucony Triumph ISO 4 is a personal running fit for my Achilles Tendonitis. Overall this is a maximum cushion shoe that is highly flexible and will allow you to increase your pace whenever required and stand all day in your running.
The engineered mesh allowed the shoe to adapt my foot and give me a proper lockdown fit created by the seamless and soft wrap. Also, the engineered mesh is highly super light and breathable, which enabled my toes to spread quickly at the front. Also, the shoe allowed super breathability at its upper.
On its inside, the Saucony Triumph ISO 4 has a full midsole with adequate cushion underfoot to give you a truly smooth ride. Further, the woven heel support enhanced the shoe’s back structure and hence helped keep my feet completely locked.
It is a neutral running shoe that comes with the innovative Saucony Triumph ISO 4 lacing system allowing a more personalized fit that will adapt to different foot shapes.
Saucony Ride ISO features the newly contoured power foam midsole with a never run top sole for the ultimate balance of responsiveness and shock absorption.
Also, it has a slightly tweaked outsole design that will provide excellent traction and durability. I consider the shoe best for people who require slight support but with adequate cushioning, particularly for athletes having neutral pronation.
The innovative FORM-FIT top-sole with its contoured outline will give your feet a great shape. The innovative ISO Lacing will offer a soft upper to allow your feet to fit comfortably and remain tight. Saucony Triumph ISO 4 comes with a heel offset that is 8 mm that is great for your Achilles Tendonitis. Its sole will offer additional flex and traction while you are running.
- Its ISOFIT upper will readily adapt to an athlete’s feet.
- It has a supportive and soft upper.
- It’s highly flexible and has adequate cushioning.
- Its tongue could bunch for long distances.
4. MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 21 – Lightweight, Great flex & High drop for Women
MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 21 is designed for high-mileage and tough running that will endure high abuse in your jogging and running.
You’ll realize that the shoes upper have a fit-in-motion to offer adequate flexible support, which has great flex and high drop appropriate for Achilles Tendonitis.
With its soft sock liner, WAVE RIDER 21 provides arch support and enough cushioning. Also, the shoe offers additional cushioning, smooth, lightweight, and soft. Its laces will lock down your feet for increased stability and reducing pressure on them.
I believe that its rubber sole will reduce Achilles Tendonitis pain with increased comfort. For increased breathability, the shoe has a mesh upper (engineered) that allows it to be protective and flexible.
Increase shoe drop (Heel-Toe Offset) – The shoe drop for the Best Running Shoes for Achilles Tendonitis, described as the slope, can affect the amount of strain that lands on your Achilles’s tendon. For example, a small drop escalated the Achilles tendon and the calf strain.
5. Asics Gel-nimbus 18 Running Shoes
The shoe is a neutral type runners, its 10.6 ounces weight, the heel-to-to offset is 10mm, and it’s designed for road or street surface terrain.
Further, the additional gel enhances your trail adaptability. If you are an under-pronator or a neutral runner, Asics gel-nimbus 18 will great for preventing or recovering as they provide top cushioning.
It has an AHAR rubber outsole that will increase the shoe’s durability and offer you additional traction. I like the FluidFit upper and the innovative heel counter that together provides excellent support.
The Asics gel-nimbus 18 for women come with 3mm additional cushioning to increase comfort for people with the Achilles Tendonitis condition. Check the running shoes for heavy women.
To give you perfect feet or fit, Asics gel-nimbus 18 combine synthetic overlays and mesh upper with the FluidFit technology for best outcomes. It has adequate cushioning on the rear-foot and fore-foot that will absorb a large quantity of the shock while you are running.
Its flex groove, soft interior and FluidRide cushioning are highly flexible which runs through the midsole to aid efficiency. Asics gel-nimbus 18 is durable and well-cushioned for your running to prevent or recover. The shoe is soft and is awesome for forefoot striking, midfoot striking, and high arches.
- Its out-sole offers great stability and high traction.
- Has a highly cushioned durable midsole.
- You’ll get top stability and support with the shoe’s great heel counter.
- Beautiful shoe with multiple colors
- Its relatively heavy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLvV4noNuWQ
6. Brooks Ghost 10 Running shoes – the best Neutral running shoe
Brooks is the most accepted neutral running shoe. If you’re recuperating, then Brooks Ghost 10 will be your ultimate shoe since it provides excellent fit, high drop, and great arch support.
With its 12mm midsole drop, Brooks Ghost 10 will reduce the pressure reaching the tendon. Also, Ghost 10 will give you a smooth footfall due to its innovative midsole cushioning (the BioMoGo DNA).
Brooks Ghost 10 has improved the upper, and thus you’ll still get a mesh in the forefoot that is truly flexible, breathable, and super comfortable. Also, the shoe uses the 3D Fit Print material for its back half, which makes for thinner overlays.
Further, Ghost 10 has a thinner lace size compared to Ghost 10 and a smaller toe cap too, which makes the 10’s about 0.2 ounces lighter. The midsole has two layers of foam, which will give your heel a softer landing as it hits the ground. Further, Brooks has added an innovative cushion under the heel on Ghost 10’s outsole to give you a softer ride.
Notably, Ghost 10’s are the most cushioned and comfortable shoes. Its new outsole and midsole cushion will give you a highly comfortable running experience. Considering the outsole, Brooks has added pods on the bottom and added deeper flex
Screws between the pods on its lower side. Also, Ghost 10 has two guiding eyelets on its tongue to assist with lockdown and lacing, with its new round laces. The shoe uses Brooks’s DNA foam that will give you great energy return and is awesomely comfortable like I had noted above.
It maintained the outsole design and comes with a segmented forefoot and a crash pad for increased flexibility. It has a 12-millimeter drop but has no problems related to grip and traction.
The 3D Fit Print gives Ghost 10 a more adaptive and flexible fit for your foot shape. The shoe’s back uses a Comfort Collar, which was a preserve of the Glycerin and is great for the Achilles tendon.
7. NIKE PEGASUS 35 (AIR ZOOM) – Breathable Mesh Upper & Out-turned Collar
The NIKE PEGASUS has been known as one of Nike’s best all-around model. But the question is the PEGASUS 35 worth the upgrade.
Is it great for Achilles Tendonitis? Do you have a neutral stride and require arch support? Maybe you should try the NIKE PEGASUS 35.
Its fly-wire cable offers extra support and will secure the feet at your arch area. The shoe has a fly mesh that is a bit lighter and more breathable. It provides a better bonce; I stayed grounded while taking a turn. Considering that the shoe comes with a 13 mm drop, I found that it is the biggest in its class and thus significant for Achilles’ tendonitis.
Pegasus 35 received three critical and exciting updates from the previous model, Pegasus 35, full-length zoom air units, beveled heel, and an innovatively engineered mesh.
The shoe’s upper has a seamless full-length engineered mesh design that offers a lightweight ride. Further, the shoe is also super ventilated and hence will give you excellent airflow. The shoe feels snug and pleasant for the feet due to the internal bootie in the Pegasus 35.
I love what Nike did with the sole as it leaves a lot of space between the rubber, which also helps to reduce the shoe’s weight. Further, the rubber covers the full length of the sole.
Buyer’s Guide – How to prevent Achilles tendonitis
R.I.C.E. Therapy
In the resting stage, you’ll avoid putting weight or pressure on your Achilles tendon for about two days for it to heal and reduce pain. However, your physician might recommend using crutches to rest your tendon.
You can use ice massages, ice baths, or ice compresses. In this stage, you’ll need to put ice in a bag and hold against the skin, for roughly 15-20 minutes, near the tendon.
Use and athletic tape, clothing, or bandage to lightly compression your tendon injury. Therefore, the compression will prevent excessive swelling of the injury. On an elevation, you’ll need to list the leg with the injured tendon to a height above your chest to enhance blood flow to the legs.
Gait Analysis
You could get Achilles tendonitis if you’re having an inappropriate amount of support in your running shoes. Therefore, head on to the Gait Analysis to determine your current support.
However, you’ll need to filter using the “pronation control†option for the best support level in your shoe.
Increase Shoe Cushioning
Increasing the shoe cushioning will help reduce the impact force that gets to your feet and the Achilles tendon while running.
Podiatrist’s recommendation for OrthoFeet technology
In addition to the orthotic footwear, the Podiatrist recommends that you have ergonomic soles and orthotic insoles.
However, here are the ultimate features for the best orthotic shoes to prevent Achilles Tendonitis. The padded and soft collar that is foamed to ease inflammation and friction on your heel back.
Conclusion
The best running shoes for achilles tendonitis must have Soft Upper and Supportive foam padding.
Alsoc., check the orthotic insole that comes having anatomical arch support to lessens tendon train and reduces overpronation.
Finally, go for cushioned midsole and some heel-lift and Heel with air pockets and Soft fabric interior.