Should I use a stability shoe for outer ankle pain?

Classic stability shoes support the inner side of the foot, which does not help an outer ankle. A wide, firm, lower platform is usually the better match.

Choosing running shoes with outer ankle or peroneal tendon pain

The peroneal tendons stop the ankle rolling outwards. Runners with outer ankle pain usually want a shoe that rolls less: a low stack (35 mm or less at the heel), a base that is wide for its height and a midsole that is not very soft.

What loads it

The peroneal muscles run behind the outer ankle bone and work every time the foot tips outwards. Tall, soft and narrow soles tip more easily, so they work harder.

Uneven ground, cambered roads, previous ankle sprains and running on the outer edge of the foot all add load.

What to look for in a shoe

A low stack: The higher the foot sits, the more leverage a small tilt has. Many runners with outer ankle problems stay at or below about 35 mm at the heel; most current max-cushion and super shoes are taller.
A base that is wide for its height: Width only helps relative to height: a 40 mm shoe needs a much wider heel than a 25 mm shoe to be as hard to tip over.
A firmer midsole: Soft foam compresses unevenly and lets the foot tilt.
A wide forefoot base: Stability at push-off as well as at landing.

What to be careful with

Very soft, very tall shoes with narrow bases.
Shoes that are worn down on the outer edge.

Terrain

Best: Flat, even surfaces: track, treadmill, smooth roads.
Be careful with: Technical trails, roots and rocks, and cambered roads (run in the middle when it is safe, or switch sides).
Trail: Choose a lower, wider trail shoe with a firm platform and good grip, and save technical terrain for when it has settled.

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: heel 35 mm or lower (heel stack ≤ 35 mm). Ranked by how many of these also hold: wide for its height (heel base width at least 2.8 × heel stack); firmer midsole (firmness 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
Altra Escalante 5	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Firmer midsole Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	0 mmStated	24 mmStated	24 mmDerived	68.5 %est.	33 mmest.	11Derived
Altra Torin 9	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	0 mmStated	28 mmStated	28 mmDerived	65.2 %est.	38 mmest.	19Derived
Saucony Guide 19	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	35 mmStated	29 mmStated	65.8 %est.	35 mmest.	16Derived
Altra Via Olympus 2	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Everyday trainer	0 mmStated	33 mmStated	33 mmDerived	66.1 %est.	33 mmest.	—
On Cloudmonster 3	Heel 35 mm or lower Firmer midsole Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	35 mmStated	29 mmStated	63.7 %est.	49 mmest.	66Derived
Puma Velocity Nitro 5	Heel 35 mm or lower Firmer midsole Everyday trainer	8 mmStated	33 mmMeasured	25 mmMeasured	67.3 %est.	33 mmest.	7Derived
Saucony Kinvara 16	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height	4 mmStated	28 mmStated	24 mmStated	65.8 %est.	39 mmest.	21Derived
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5	Heel 35 mm or lower	6 mmStated	35 mmStated	29 mmStated	66.5 %est.	46 mmest.	—
Nike ACG Pegasus Trail	Heel 35 mm or lower	4 mmDerived	35 mmStated	31 mmStated	66.7 %est.	29 mmest.	41Derived
Nike Streakfly 2	Heel 35 mm or lower	4 mmStated	27 mmStated	23 mmStated	64.5 %est.	47 mmest.	0Derived

Trail

Shoe	Why it is listed	Drop	Heel	Forefoot	Apex	Toe tip	Stiffness
Altra Lone Peak 9	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Firmer midsole Everyday trainer	0 mmStated	25 mmStated	25 mmDerived	74.2 %est.	26 mmest.	21Derived
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro	Heel 35 mm or lower Firmer midsole Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	6 mmStated	34 mmStated	28 mmStated	60.7 %est.	44 mmest.	33Derived
Merrell Agility Peak 6	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Firmer midsole Everyday trainer	6 mmDerived	32 mmStated	26 mmStated	—	—	33Derived
Saucony Peregrine 16	Heel 35 mm or lower Wide for its height Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	4 mmDerived	32 mmStated	29 mmStated	61.9 %est.	39 mmest.	88Derived
Adidas Terrex Agravic 4	Heel 35 mm or lower Wider forefoot base Everyday trainer	8 mmDerived	34 mmMeasured	26 mmMeasured	61.8 %est.	39 mmest.	40Derived
Salomon Speedcross 6	Heel 35 mm or lower Firmer midsole Everyday trainer	10 mmDerived	32 mmStated	22 mmStated	—	—	25Derived
Altra Experience Wild 3	Heel 35 mm or lower Everyday trainer	4 mmStated	33 mmStated	29 mmStated	63 %est.	36 mmest.	—
Salomon Genesis 2	Heel 35 mm or lower Everyday trainer	8 mmStated	34 mmStated	26 mmStated	62.4 %est.	44 mmest.	—
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 5	Heel 35 mm or lower Everyday trainer	5 mmDerived	35 mmStated	30 mmStated	65.9 %est.	35 mmest.	—

Questions

Should I use a stability shoe for outer ankle pain?: Classic stability shoes support the inner side of the foot, which does not help an outer ankle. A wide, firm, lower platform is usually the better match.

Other guides

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