Daily trainer for heavy female runners

Saucony Ride 18

The Ride 18’s supportive Pwrrun+ midsole has the comfort and stability that heavy runners need.

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At the time of publishing this review, we vote the Saucony Ride 18 as the best everyday trainer in its class.

Everything a daily trainer needs is present in just the right quantities, be it the midsole cushioning or how the upper fits.

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For 2025, Saucony has made a few changes to the Ride.

The Pwrrun+ foam has been tweaked to add softness while reducing weight. This makes the Ride 18 more comfortable and fun than the Ride 17. The second update concerns the upper fit, and we’ll get to that in a moment.

Even with the softer ride, the Pwrrun+ midsole performs well under heavy loading.

The Ride 18 has just the right amount of softness that adds everyday comfort without affecting the shoe’s ability to go fast. The Ride 18 is ideal for everyday training, including tempo runs. It’s comfortable enough for a half-marathon too.

The mild rocker profile helps the Ride 18 perform well even at 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile) paces.

The gusseted upper fits true to size and securely.

Readers should know that the Ride 18 fits tighter and shorter than the Ride 17 due to the increased heel padding. In return, you get a plusher interior because of the extra foam padding and softer mesh.

An optional extra-wide (2E) is also available.

Soft cushioning for heavy female runners

Asics Nimbus 27 Womens

This cushioned trainer also has excellent load-bearing capabilities.

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Despite its 42.5 mm and 34.5 mm stack, the Asics Nimbus 27 is a surprisingly good choice for heavy female runners.

There are a couple of reasons why the Nimbus is capable of heavier loads. The new Flytefoam on the 27 (similar to the Kayano 31, but softer) is quicker to rebound than the Nimbus 26. It’s also firmer than comparable shoes like the New Balance 1080V14, leading to a more stable ride.

The relatively firm ride, deep transition groove, and neutral midsole design make load-bearing easier. There’s lots of soft cushioning comfort from the plush footbed and Flytefoam midsole.

The Nimbus 27 is also a great pick as a cushioned marathon shoe.

Standard daily trainers like the Asics Nimbus 27 use a hard heel counter.

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These features make the Nimbus 27 an ideal long-distance cruiser, marathons included. The midsole rocker also helps, as it keeps the forward transitions rolling. The outsole grip has improved due to the reformulated Hybrid Asicsgrip rubber.

The 27’s stiffer forefoot accentuates the rocker effect to make it more propulsive. The Flytefoam stack doesn’t feel sluggish at 4:30 min/km (7:00 min/mile) paces.

While the upper design resembles the Nimbus 26 in the midfoot and heel, the forefoot is more spacious. The thinner mesh on the new model frees up room.

Supportive trainer for heavy female runners

Saucony Guide 18 Womens

The Guide 18’s midsole is wide and supportive – just what heavy runners need.

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Unlike the Asics GT-2000 13, the Guide 18 doesn’t have a defining gait control feature.

What it does have in spades is true stability – thanks to the ultra-wide midsole, deep transition channel, and high sidewalls around the heel. The foot is seated securely within the ‘walls’ formed by the raised midsole edges.

The Guide 18 has the same midsole as the Guide 17, so the specs haven’t changed. The midsole stack heights are 35 mm and 29 mm (6 mm heel drop), so there’s ample cushioning for long runs – something that the prior versions (Guide 16 and older) lacked.

Unlike the Ride 18, the midsole is still EVA foam-based. This makes the Guide 18 lightweight (9.6 Oz/272 grams) with decent versatility for most everyday runs. It’s note exactly a tempo trainer, but this shoe can wear many hats.

The plush upper is sold in two other widths. The increased heel padding makes this year’s model fit snugger than the 17.

Max cushioning for heavy female runners

Hoka Bondi 9

The Bondi 9’s ultra-wide midsole has the support that heavy runners need.

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Has the Bondi 9 something new to offer over the Bondi 7 and 8 besides its deep cushioning? Yes, it does.

The midsole is softer and bouncier than than Bondi 8. The upper is more comfortable too – the mesh is softer, and the pressure hot spot under the arch (from the Bondi 9) has been corrected. The larger reflective heel trim makes it easier to be seen at night.

That was the gist of the updates. That doesn’t change the Bondi’s supportive ride character.

The Hoka Bondi 9 has a cushioned yet supportive midsole.

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The tall midsole stack is matched by a wide outsole footprint, creating a stable base for heavy runners. Even though the Bondi 9 is softer, the midsole has a firm and supportive undertone. The raised midsole edges keep the foot seated inside the heel.

While this shoe also sells in wide and extra-wide sizes, the snug fit of the standard version keeps the foot planted over the midsole.

Given its considerable midsole stack, the Bondi 9 is best used as a recovery run shoe or marathon shoe with a finish time of over 4 hours.

Best for overpronating heavy runners

Asics Kayano 31 Womens

The Asics Kayano 31’s firm cushioning makes it ideal for heavy overpronators.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Kayano 31 here.

The Kayano is a running shoe with a gait-corrective midsole. In plain English, that means that the midsole is designed to direct the loading of the foot in a direction opposite to the arch. Overpronators do well in such shoes, as the midsole prevents the foot from rolling in excessively.

The Asics Kayano 31 is also available in a wide and extra-wide.

The Asics Flytefoam last - cushioned, yet firm and supportive.

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A couple of features on the Kayano 31 make this possible. The inner midsole has more structure than the outer sidewall; that makes the inner side more stable and resistant to compression. However, the mild ‘motion control’ effect doesn’t affect the overall stability.

Though the Kayano 31 resembles the 30 in many ways, it uses a brand-new Flytefoam Blast+ compound. It’s firm and resilient, which is just right for heavy female runners.

The firmness and stiff forefoot also make the Kayano 31 surprisingly agile – making it a reliable daily trainer and a comfortable long run cruiser. The upper is just right, both in internal proportions and level of plushness.

Editor’s note: The women’s Kayano 31 has a 1 mm lower stack height than the men’s version.

Max cushioning for heavy female runners

Brooks Ghost Max 2 Womens

Thanks to its ultra-wide midsole, this mega-plush shoe supports heavy runners.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Ghost Max 2 here.

If you’re a heavy runner who doesn’t care about setting course records but wants the plushest ride money can buy, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is a strong candidate.

The ‘Ghost’ name is a misnomer, as the Ghost Max 2 and Ghost 16 are nothing alike. The G-Max 2’s ultra-wide and max-cushioned midsole makes recovery runs extremely comfortable while being supportive of heavy loads.

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The tall midsole has a deep reservoir of cushioning that keeps the feet fresh during long-distance runs and walks. Mind you, the Ghost Max 2 is not a versatile daily trainer; it’s too soft for that. But it’s an excellent cruiser with lots of comfort – both under the foot and above it.

The spacious upper is incredibly plush and fits the overall theme of the shoe. The foam-packed heel and tongue increase the interior comfort, and the forefoot has a true-to-size, but accommodating fit.

Marathon racer for heavy female runners

Nike Zoom Fly 6

The Zoom Fly’s wider and firmer midsole offers reliable performance under heavy loads.

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The Zoom Fly has always been an excellent choice for heavier runners, and it’s no different this time.

What makes the Zoom Fly more capable of managing heavier body weight? It’s two things working together. The lower half of the midsole uses firmer SR-02 foam for additional support, while only a thin layer on top is made of ZoomX foam.

This differs from how most supershoes (with 100% PEBA midsoles) are made. Also, the midsole has a much wider base than a typical super-shoe. This setup makes the Zoom Fly 6 our top pick for heavy female runners.

Like last year’s Zoom Fly 5, it’s comfortable and durable enough for pre-race training and everyday runs. You can go fast in these shoes when the occasion demands it, During a race, the carbon plate and midsole rocker help with quicker turnovers.

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Unlike deconstructed super-shoes, the Zoom Fly 6’s upper has a full sleeve, foam-padded heel, and a partially cushioned tongue. The snug and true-to-size upper secures the foot during quick transitions.

Tempo trainer for heavy female runners

Brooks Hyperion 2 Womens

The reassuring firmness of the DNA Flash V2 midsole makes it an excellent tempo shoe for heavier folks.

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This year’s ‘Hyperion 2’ is a bit misleading. In the sense that it’s not the true successor to the Hyperion 1, but rather an updated Hyperion Max at a cheaper price. The cushioning levels are similar, and the midsole foam is more or less the same.

This year’s Hyperion 2 is similar to last year’s Hyperion Max. (pictured above)

Both serve the same purpose – which is to be a running shoe for tempo runs, intervals, and even a 10K racer. The firm cushioning and the lightweight build work together to deliver a speed-friendly ride.

And what happened to the Hyperion Max then? Well, the H-Max V2 is now a completely different shoe than last year’s Hyperion Max – we’ll save the discussion for another review. These changes can be confusing, so we had to set the record straight.

Non-EVA compounds like the Brooks DNA Flash fares well under heavy loads.

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The Hyperion 2 behaves very similarly to the Hyperion Max V1. The DNA Flash V2 is cushioned but not soft. The firm quality supports heavier loads while making the transitions efficient during speedwork.

The upper isn’t ultra-narrow but has the just-right level of fit security and comfort.

Trail runner for heavy female runners

Brooks Cascadia 18 Womens

Heavier runners will benefit from the supportive ‘Trailadapt’ plate and firm midsole.

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The Cascadia 18 is based on the same midsole as the Cascadia 17, so if you can find the previous model for a cheaper price, buy that instead.

That means that the 18 has the same performance benefits as the 17, particularly when it concerns heavy female runners. The Cascadia’s design leans traditional – meaning that the midsole isn’t a cushioned monstrosity, nor is the foam bouncy.

The midsole uses DNA Loft V2 – a firm foam that adds comfort without the instability of superfoams. Inside the midsole is a ‘Trailadapt’ plate that extends into ‘wings’ under the rearfoot. Finally, the midsole is protected by multiple lugs of grippy Trailtack rubber.

The plate and DNA Loft V2 foam give the Cascadia 18 optimal levels of stability. The outsole design also helps; the deep transition groove keeps the weight centered, and the multiple lugs help with proprioception on uneven terrain.

The secure upper combines reinforced layers (like the fused toe bumper) with soft mesh to make the Cascadia comfortable yet protective. This shoe is also available in a wide sizing and waterproof Gore-Tex version.

How we selected: What to look for

This is a slightly different take on the men’s buyer’s guide on the same topic. However, our criteria for selecting the shoes for this guide are the same, so have a quick read if you can.

As a heavy runner, do not buy pillowy-soft running shoes – though that’s the most likely advice you’ll receive from store associates or online forums. You’ll hear or read things like ‘soft cushioning provides better impact protection for heavy runners’, or ‘they’re good for your knees’.

People may also suggest ‘stability’ running shoes. You know, the ones with a firmer wedge called the medial post.

That has been the conventional wisdom passed down the generations. But that’s far from sound advice.

Let’s assume that you’re 5’7’’ tall and weigh 180 pounds with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 28. Or you’re a muscular athlete with the same height and weight, in which case, the BMI is a meaningless metric. The above-average bodyweight could also be a result of a large frame.

If any of the above apply to you, running in extremely soft shoes does more harm than good. Such running shoes are usually unstable and may cause injuries since the musculoskeletal system will constantly try to compensate for the soft ride.

We’re not saying that your running shoes should be rock hard; just avoid shoes with max-soft cushioning if you’re heavy. That is why we do not have the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 3 on this guide.

Women with a higher body weight should also stay clear of stability shoes with a biased ride – a design that makes the outer side of the midsole softer than the inner sidewall. We do, however, recommend the Kayano 31 due to its inherent stability.

On a side note, the medial post bias of present-day shoes is nowhere as intrusive as it used to be. But when superior alternatives are readily available, why settle for less?

If running shoes from the said categories are off the menu for weighty women, what kind of footwear should you buy?

Or to be specific, what qualities should you look for in a running shoe?

The cushioning should be smooth and supportive with a hint of firmness

The Asics Flytefoam Blast – cushioned, yet firm and supportive.

There is a difference between the terms ‘ultra-soft’ and cushioned. A shoe can be cushioned without being mushy. Examples would be the Asics Kayano 31 and Brooks Hyperion 2, two of the many on this list.

Not only do those shoes have a cushioned ride; but their resilient midsoles and grippy outsoles also add stability. The neutral midsole design produces a smooth ride without ‘sinking’.

To sum up, a cushioned midsole works for heavy runners as long as it isn’t unstable. The level of support should be based on both the midsole geometry and foam density.

Look for non-EVA foam midsoles

Non-EVA compounds like the Brooks DNA Flash fares well under heavy loads.

New-age materials like the adidas Boost, Saucony Pwrrun+/PB, and Asics Flytefoam Turbo have superior cushioning retention over time. At the same time, these foams do a better job than EVA at cushioning delivery for heavy runners.

This isn’t to say that standard EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foams are bad. The Saucony Guide 17 uses injection-molded EVA, yet is stable and long-lasting. Even the Brooks Cascadia 18 is also based on an EVA foam blend.

A secure upper fit

A stable midsole isn’t very useful when paired with a sloppy upper fit. An interior that grips the foot securely benefits the overall stability.

We’ve curated a dozen running shoes spread across a wide range of ride characters – ranging from cushioned trainers to lightweight speedsters.

Many websites only recommend heavy running shoes for heavy runners – that’s silly, we think.