If you are looking for the best running shoes for calf pain, you should look for something, which has a lot of shock absorption.
Apart for that, your running shoe must have a very good heel cushioning.
Based on all these factors, Adidas Ultraboost 20 Running Shoes seems to be the perfect choice for you. However, if you want to check some more options, we have included 12 best running shoes for calf pain in this review.
Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why it is the best choice?
- Supportive cushioning for ultimate comfort.
- 10 mm heel-to-toe drop is beneficial for calf pain.
- Exceptional grip on dry and weight surfaces.
- Very durable.
- Best value for money.
Best Running Shoes for Calves Pain in 2021
Adidas Ultraboost 20 is a lightweight running shoe with a good amount of cushioning at the heels.
It comes with Boost midsole which is a highly energetic sole designed to improve your performance.
Also, this cushioning is thicker at the heels providing greater shock absorption.
The upper is made from Adidas PrimeKnit 360 which wraps around the foot to provide you a sock-like fit.
Also, it is seamless and will not cause you any irritation while wearing them.
The outsole is made from Continental Rubber and is stretchable providing you with exceptional grip on a wet and dry surface.
Along with the stabilizing torsion spring, this running shoe will provide you with a good running experience while simultaneously damping the impact to reduce the calf pain.
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If you are dealing with calf pain while running, you need to have a lot of cushioning at the heels.
This will dampen the impact and your pain will also not aggravate.
ASICS Gel-Venture 7 is a good choice in such cases.
Why?
Because it comes with a lot of cushioning at the heels. This cushioning is mainly due to the gel cushioning that is present near the heels.
This will dampen the impact of your running and your calf muscles should remain protected.
However, apart from this gel cushioning, it is also a great shoe from an affordability perspective.
Plus, the ruggedness of this shoe is unparallel and is bound to last for a long period of time.
This longevity of the shoe is also due to the presence of the AHAR outsole. This is a special type of high-abrasion rubber from ASICS which is meant to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Also, the upper is well ventilated and comes with traditional lacing.
Another important thing is, this shoe works great on even trails…
If you want to save money on this shoe and yet have a wonderful running experience, go for its previous version, ASICS Gel-Venture 6. It is an excellent shoe and you may get it at a cheaper price.
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The midsole of the Nike Air Zoom Structure is made from the Air Zoom unit.
This type of midsole is cushy and provides you with the required responsiveness.
Also, it comes with Dynamic Support which provides you with a smooth and stable transition.
Combining these features, this running shoe reduces a lot of stress from your calf muscles helping you to deal with the pain better.
Also, to provide you with a comfortable fit, there is a partial sleeve that wraps around the foot for a snug fit.
For additional midfoot support and fit, this running shoe comes with Flywire cables.
This along with the traditional lacing provides you a truly custom fit.
The upper of this shoe is made from engineered mesh for targeted ventilation and support.
Overall, you will get a comfortable running experience with lesser calf pain.
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Salomon X-Mission 3 is a trail running shoe that comes with a host of features to provide you with comfortable running experience.
This is a multi-terrain shoe that has lug patterns that work well both on smooth and rough surfaces.
They work well even on soft and loose surfaces.
The midsole is made from EVA foam which provides you with a good amount of cushioning.
Also, the heel area has a thicker sole and is a bit wider. This provides good shock absorption if you are a heel striker and a smoother transition for forefoot and midfoot strikers.
The upper is well ventilated and has mesh material placed strategically to improve the breathability.
Also, the Quicklace system helps putting on and taking off your shoe easier.
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Altra Lone Peak 4.0 is a trail running shoe.
You may be surprised that we are recommending it here as this is a zero drop shoe.
Being a zero drop shoe, it will not take off any stress from your Achilles tendons and calf muscles.
However, with its good cushioning, it will be able to dissipate the impact of running from your tight and painful calf muscles.
Also, there is an energy return material that sits directly under your foot and reduces ground impact, and adds a spring to your every step.
There are canted lugs present in the metatarsal region. This not only provides traction but also helps in easier toe-off.
Sandwiched between A-Bound and EVA midsole, the StoneGuard offers flexible protection from rugged terrain by deflecting rocks into your midsole for a smoother and stabler ride.
These shoes are good for even people suffering from ingrown toenails or bunions. The forefoot of these shoes is spacious to accommodate both foot problems. Also, being zero-drop, it doesn’t put any additional pressure on the forefoot which is a plus for both of these problems.
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The Air Zoom unit runs the entire length and provides you with the required cushioning.
Cushioning of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus comes from Cushlon ST foam which provides a firm yet responsive cushioning.
The full-length Air Zoom Unit provides you with a smooth and responsive ride.
This version of Air Zoom pegasus has a slimmer design which reduces the bulk and provides you with a conforming fit.
This model from Nike also has the Flywire cables and they provide you with snug fit at the midfoot even at a higher speed.
The upper has mesh material that provides you with good breathability and will provide you a comfortable in-shoe running environment.
It has a beveled heel which provides you with a smoother transition and reduced impact from running.
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ASICS Gel-Kayano 26 comes with I.G.S technology which improves your foot’s natural gait.
It also has the Spevafoam 45 Lasting which is a 45-degree full-length Spevafoam lasting material providing you with a soft platform feel and improved comfort.
The midsole of ASICS Gel-Kayano 26 is made from FlyteFoam Lyte Technology which is the lightest midsole offered from ASICS which offers proper cushioning due to the presence of organic nano-fibers.
Also, this shoe has FlyteFoam Propel Technology which is an energetic foam formulation that provides a good amount of bounce due to the presence of a unique elastomer compound.
Along with these, it also employs the DuoMax Support System which is a dual-density midsole system positioned to enhance support and stability.
Combining all these technologies along with the gel-cushioning at the heels, this provides you with a good amount of cushioning to reduce your calf pain.
This running shoe may also prove to be beneficial, if your calf pain has started due to overpronation and using wrong shoes.
Since Kayano is a running shoe for overpronators, it will improve your gait, taking away a lot of stress from your Achilles tendon and calf muscles which may help you to recover faster.
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ASICS Gel-Kahana is a trail running shoe and comes with a trail-specific outsole.
This means they have reverse lugs which can provide you with a better grip on the trails.
However, today’s topic is to select some high-quality running shoes for calf pain.
Let’s see how Gel-Kahana 8 can help you with that.
The rearfoot of Gel-Kahana has gel cushioning. This attenuates any kind of shock and helps you with a smoother transition.
The SpEVA midsole material provides you with a good bounce back. It also decreases the midsole breakdown.
Also, it has the DuoMax support system which is a dual-density midsole positioned to improve your support and stability.
The Trusstic System Technology reduces the weight of the sole unit but also helps in retaining the structural integrity of the running shoe.
So, with a good bounce back from SpEVA midsole, DuoMax’s improved support and stability and the lightweight provided by the Trusstic system, this running shoe will help you to deal with your calf pain better.
Also, the gel cushioning at the rearfoot improves the shock absorption, thus minimizing stress on your calf muscles.
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This running shoe comes with a Full-Length Zoom Air Unit. This provides you with a responsive and smooth ride.
This version of Nike Air Zoom Vomero also comes with the Mike React technology. This also adds to your smooth ride experience.
The upper is made from mesh material and provides you with durability and support. This also provides you with good ventilation.
The tongue has a notch, which improves the fit of the shoe. Also, this makes the fit stabler.
This one also has Nike’s FlyWire cables and soft foam. This improves the supportive feel of in the midfoot of this running shoe.
Vomero has a thicker cushioning at the heels. This helps it to attenuates shock better.
Also, this takes off the stress from your calf muscles and may reduce the pain in your calf muscles.
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This is a trail running shoe from the house of New Balance. It is sturdy and durable.
The midsole is made from ACTEVA material which is a derivative of the EVA Foam, the industry-standard foam for the midsole.
This makes these running shoes durable and cushy. Also, it attenuates a lot of impacts thus protecting your feet and calf muscles.
The outsole is made from rubber and at strategic places, it has another kind of rubber for better durability.
This also provides you with a good grip due to t the presence of aggressive lugs what New Balance calls as AT TREADS.
It comes with the traditional lacing system and provides you with a secure and comfortable fit.
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This is again a trail runner from ASICS. ASICS Gel-Sonoma 3 running shoes are durable and provide you with a lot of comforts.
The midsole material that is used in this shoe is pretty much standard to that of other ASICS aswell.
It is made from SpEVA midsole material which provides you with a good bounce back and also decreases the midsole breakdown.
It comes with a trail-specific outsole. In other words, it comes with reverse lugs which provides you with superior grip
The rearfoot has gel-cushioning which attenuates shock during the impact phase and allows for a smoother transition.
It comes with a reinforced toe-guard that protects you against rocks and dirt on the trails.
And for optimal comfort, it comes with Ortholite sock liner.
Overall, the stress on your feet and calves will be reduced.
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The midsole of this shoe is made from EVA foam which is very good with shock absorption.
Also, a thicker heel area makes for a better heel absorption.
The lining of this shoe is made from a soft fabric and the tongue and the collar has additional padding.
There is a TPU extra heel piece for additional support.
The outsole is made from durable rubber and provides you with good stability and comfort.
Overall a decent shoe if you are suffering from calf pain.
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If you are having calf pain and still want to run, you need a more supportive running shoe than a regular running shoe. To avoid confusion we have selected the best running shoes for calf pain and you can check out the list here.
FAQs
Q) Can bad running shoes cause calf pain?
A: Bad running shoes can cause calf pain as they increase the stress on your calves which is the primary reason for calf pain.
To avoid this, you can always replace your running shoes at regular intervals.
Also, it is a good idea to rotate your shoes.
Here is how often you should replace your shoes:
Running shoes may not be the only cause of your calf pain.
Here are some common reasons:
- Too much training.
- You may have increased your running distance too quickly.
- You may have changed your running style.
Your calf pain may be due to one or multiple such reasons along with your improper running shoe.
Q) Is it OK to run with sore calves?
A: It is OK to run with sore calves if it is due to your regular running and nothing out of limits.
If you have too much pain and cannot tolerate it, then you should not run.
Take a day or two off from running to observe if the pain subsides. You may also do some ice compress to check if the pain reduces or not.
However, with rest and ice, if it doesn’t come down, then you may want to consult a doctor as well.
Q) How do I prevent calf strain from running?
A: The first thing that you want to do to prevent calf strain from running is not to overdo anything.
For example, if you are training for 30 min a day, don’t suddenly jump to 60 or 90 mins a day.
If you want to increase, in this case, the rule of 10% comes handy. You may want to increase your training by only 10%.
This will ensure that you are not putting too much strain on your calf muscles.
However, if you still end up with sore calves, try the following:
- Avoid your leg day for that week.
- Ice it for 15-20 min for 2-3 times a day.
- Wear your compression pants or socks. (Related: Best compression running tights Reviewed)
- Keep it elevated.
- Use some NSAID.
- Once the pain reduces, start off with exercises to improve your calves’ flexibility.
Q) How do I strengthen my calves for running?
A: If you want to strengthen your calves for running…try the following exercises:
- Polymetric lunges
- Calf raises
- Seated Forward fold with toes flexed
Conclusion
Calf pain is very common among the runner. Most often, one of the frequent causes is your running shoes.
Also, the most effective one in preventing your calves’ pain is ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 7 Trail Running Shoes.
This is also, one of the most affordable options out there.
However, there are some more which will do the job as well as this one. Here is the entire list of the best running shoes for calf pain.
Calf pain in runners often arise from wrong running shoes. If you change your running shoes you will see an immediate improvement. Here is a list of best running shoes for calf pain that will help you to give some relief.
Best running shoes for calf pain. If you are suffering from calf pain from or after running, your shoes may be an issue. Changing your running shoes can provide you with much relief. These top running shoes will help you out.
Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.
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