Do I need orthotics as well?

Some runners use them with this tendon problem. That is a question for a clinician; the shoe characteristics here are independent of it.

Choosing running shoes with inner ankle or posterior tibial tendon pain

The posterior tibial tendon holds up the arch and controls how far the foot rolls in. When it is sore, runners usually prefer a shoe that limits rolling in: a stability shoe or a wide, firm base, a moderate drop and a forefoot that does not twist easily.

What loads it

The tendon runs behind the inner ankle bone into the arch. It works hardest when the foot rolls inwards (pronates) after landing and while the arch is loaded at mid-stance.

Soft, narrow shoes, flat feet, long runs as the muscle tires, and cambered roads add load.

What to look for in a shoe

A stability shoe or a wide heel base: Both resist the foot rolling inwards.
A firmer midsole: Soft foam lets the inner side compress more.
A moderate drop (6 mm or more): Many runners find a little heel height reduces strain on the inner ankle.
A stiffer forefoot: Resists the forefoot twisting at push-off.

What to be careful with

Very soft, narrow, unstable shoes.
Minimalist and zero-drop shoes while it is sore.

Terrain

Best: Flat road and treadmill.
Be careful with: Cambered roads, technical trails and sand, and long runs late in a tired state.
Trail: Smooth trails in a stable trail shoe; avoid steep, off-camber paths.

Changing shoes

Change one thing at a time and do it gradually: start with short, easy runs in the new shoe and keep the old pair in rotation for a few weeks. A shoe that feels right in the first few runs is a better guide than any number on this page.

Current shoes with these characteristics

Required: stability shoe or wide heel (stability shoe, or heel base width ≥ 93.6 mm (median of measured shoes)). Ranked by how many of these also hold: firmer midsole (firmness score ≥ 50/100); drop 6 mm or more (drop ≥ 6 mm); stiffer forefoot (stiffness score ≥ 50/100); wider forefoot base (forefoot base width ≥ 117.1 mm (median of measured shoes)); everyday trainer (daily trainer, max cushion, stability or trail shoe (not racing or tempo)). Medians are over the shoes measured on this site. Only the latest version of each model is listed, and shoes without a value for a characteristic are not counted as matching it.

Road

Shoe	Why it is listed	Drop	Heel	Forefoot	Apex	Toe tip	Stiffness
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	8 mmStated	44 mmStated	36 mmStated	66.4 %est.	45 mmest.	80Derived
Brooks Ghost Max 4	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	39 mmStated	34 mmStated	59.8 %est.	44 mmest.	64Derived
Saucony Ride 19	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	8 mmStated	38 mmStated	30 mmStated	66.3 %est.	37 mmest.	58Derived
ASICS Gel-Kayano 33	Stability shoe or wide heel Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	8 mmStated	41 mmMeasured	33 mmMeasured	65 %est.	40 mmest.	62Derived
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	10 mmStated	37 mmStated	27 mmStated	67.9 %est.	40 mmest.	33Derived
Brooks Glycerin Max 2	Stability shoe or wide heel Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	45 mmStated	39 mmStated	68.1 %est.	46 mmest.	73Derived
Hoka Gaviota 6	Stability shoe or wide heel Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	39 mmStated	33 mmStated	65.6 %est.	39 mmest.	58Derived
Nike Structure Plus	Stability shoe or wide heel Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	10 mmStated	42 mmStated	32 mmStated	67 %est.	33 mmest.	60Derived
Saucony Hurricane 26	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	41 mmStated	35 mmStated	64.8 %est.	38 mmest.	49Derived
Saucony Triumph 24	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	10 mmStated	43 mmStated	33 mmStated	69.3 %est.	40 mmest.	45Derived

Showing the top 10 of 32 matching road shoes.

Trail

Shoe	Why it is listed	Drop	Heel	Forefoot	Apex	Toe tip	Stiffness
Brooks Cascadia 20	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmDerived	38 mmStated	33 mmStated	63.3 %est.	43 mmest.	53Derived
Hoka Mafate 5	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	8 mmDerived	44 mmStated	36 mmStated	61.5 %est.	44 mmest.	48Derived
Hoka Speedgoat 7	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	4 mmDerived	37 mmStated	33 mmStated	58.8 %est.	42 mmest.	34Derived
Merrell Agility Peak 6	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Everyday trainer	6 mmDerived	32 mmStated	26 mmStated	—	—	33Derived
Salomon Ultra Glide 4	Stability shoe or wide heel Drop 6 mm or more Stiffer forefoot Everyday trainer	6 mmDerived	41 mmStated	36 mmStated	61 %est.	38 mmest.	62Derived
Saucony Xodus Ultra 4	Stability shoe or wide heel Firmer midsole Drop 6 mm or more Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	38 mmStated	32 mmStated	63.1 %est.	45 mmest.	38Derived
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9	Stability shoe or wide heel Stiffer forefoot Everyday trainer	4 mmStated	42 mmStated	38 mmStated	60.7 %est.	44 mmest.	54Derived

Questions

Do I need orthotics as well?: Some runners use them with this tendon problem. That is a question for a clinician; the shoe characteristics here are independent of it.

Other guides

Measurements are explained on the Learn pages and in the methodology.