Varicose veins are annoying. They will cause you discomfort and pain and will hinder your day to day activity.
If you keep on exercising and work towards maintaining a healthy weight, then you can easily tackle this problem.
And if you are a runner with varicose veins then these best running shoes for varicose veins will definitely help you.
I like Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoes. as it is an all-round performer with proper cushioning and heel height. However, please feel free to do your own research.
Also, don’t forget to check the buyer’s guide and the FAQ section. They have a lot of important information for you.
| # | Product | BPG Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoes |
(4.7) |
Check Price! |
| 2 | Salomon Speedcross 4 Running Shoes |
(4.7) |
Check Price! |
| 3 | Mizuno Wave Rider 22 Running Shoes |
(4.4) |
Check Price! |
| 4 | ASICS Gel-Kayano 25 Running Shoes |
(4.4) |
Check Price! |
| 5 | Nike Air Zoom Vomero 14 Running Shoes |
(4.0) |
Check Price! |
| 6 | Merrell Allout Crush Toughmudder 2 Boa Sneaker |
(4.0) |
Check Price! |
Brooks Ghost 13 is a very lightweight running shoe that will give you a very smooth ride.
It helps you with a very smooth heel to toe transition and you will always get a very comfortable running experience in every run.
If you need neutral support and ha medium to high arch then these shoes are ideal for you.
The cushioning uses different types of technology in different parts of the sole. This makes the cushioning very energizing.
The front portion of the shoe has a DNA crash pad. This provides you will have superior shock absorption when you land on your toes.
The impact of the shock is minimized and your toes remain protected.
This is especially beneficial for you if you have bunions. Any extra pressure or shock on a bunion will aggravate the condition.
Since most of the forefoot shock is absorbed by the crash pad, no pressure is transferred to your bunions thus your condition is not aggravated.
The other two key components of cushioning are BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT.
They work together to give you a soft cushioning that is just right without losing its responsiveness.
The Ghost 13 has the DNA LOFT extended beyond the heel up to the forefoot, it gives a more comfortable landing to toe-off.
It is made for roads and can very well work on concrete surfaces which are 10 times harder than asphalt.
The heel-to-toe drop is 12 mm with a heel height of 30 mm.
If you are suffering from the varicose vein or the spider vein, you need mainly two things in your running shoes.
Firstly, it should have a soft cushioning and secondly, it should be gradually able to strengthen your calf muscles.
Any shoe which has a heel height of 1 to 1 and a half-inch (25.4 mm to 38.1 mm) will gradually strengthen your calf and overall leg muscles.
Since Brooks Ghost 13 has a heel height of 30 mm, this is ideal for your varicose condition.
It comes with synthetic overlays and a traditional lace-up closure.
The plush collar, tongue, and soft inner fabric lining give you a very nice in-shoe experience.
The insole is removable and if you need it, you can replace it with your choice of orthotics.
Also, the toe-box is wide enough so that you will have a decent amount of wiggle space.
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These shoes are made for trail running and are made from a combination of Textile and Synthetic materials.
It has a low drop of 10 mm and the sole has aggressive lugs.
This gives you penetrating grip and traction on soft ground.
Also, the outsole is made from Contragrip rubber material which is very durable.
The midsole is made from EVA foam which is a very lightweight foam providing you with proper cushioning and stability.
It comes with a traditional lace-up closure with Salomon’s traditional wire-like laces which is minimalist and one-pull tightening.
Since the midsole is made from EVA foam, it gives you good cushioning.
This is a must if you are suffering from varicose or spider veins.
Another important thing that your shoe must-have in such conditions is the proper heel height.
It should be between 1 inch to 1 and a half-inch (25.4 mm to 38.1 mm).
In this running shoe, the heel height is 30 mm and the weight of the shoe is 310 g.
These shoes are true their size and they work great on asphalt.
They may not be as effective on tracks as the lugs are very aggressive and will make then too sticky for them.
You can use them as a multipurpose shoe and you can use them for running, cross-training, football, etc.
It will work great with orthotics and will give you the kind of support you need.
You can machine wash them and are water-resistant. So maintaining them is very easy.
These shoes are great if you have neutral pronation otherwise you will have to use an orthotic.
As mentioned before since they work great with any orthotics you will be able to add any kind of arch support you need.
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This is a pair of very comfortable shoes if you have varicose veins.
It is a lightweight shoe with ample amount of cushioning.
The heel has the wave built into them.
This makes them great with shock absorption and cushioning and will give you a very responsive and smooth ride.
People suffering from varicose veins need to have very good cushioning.
This running shoe comes with U4ic cushioning which is a very soft foam type cushioning.
Also with this, these shoes have a soft heel center curtsy U4icx heel wedge.
This is the reason that these shoes are so responsive.
Also, the heel height is around 32 mm which is perfect for people suffering from varicose veins.
This kind of heel height helps you to improve the strength of your calf muscles and eventually improve your conditions.
The upper is engineered stretch mesh. So, it adapts itself with each footstep of yours.
Also, due to the nature of the mesh, these shoes are highly breathable.
Your feet will remain cool and dry throughout the length of your running.
Also, it will not let your feet get stinky as it will control the odor through breathability.
These shoes are meant for neutral pronation. So, if you will have to wear orthotics if you have supination.
They are perfect for roads and will provide you with the required traction.
The materials of these shoes are either textile or synthetic. No animal products are used to manufacture these shoes.
Hence they are 100% vegan-friendly.
They are available with 2 types of width. D – Medium, and 2E – Wide for the men’s version and B – Medium and D – Wide for the women’s version.
Also, you can use them for multisport and multiple types of exercises like running, CrossFit, HIIT, etc.
Overall a well-built shoe which will help you to run with your varicose veins.
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This shoe is a 100% man-made and ASICS has done a great job in bringing back the original fit of Gel Kayano.
They can run on any kind of surfaces like concrete and roads.
This is a low drop shoe and is suited for any runner dealing with overpronation.
This shoe also stands true to ASICS design philosophy.
It employs linked componentry to enhance your foot’s natural gait from heel-strike to toe-off.
This linked componentry is also called I.G.S (IMPACT GUIDANCE SYSTEM).
To enhance your gait efficiency you have vertical flex grooves in the midsole which decouple the tooling along the line of progression.
It is also called GUIDANCE LINE MIDSOLE TECHNOLOGY. You get an extra bounce from ASICS energetic foam formulation.
This is a unique elastomer compound created through FLYTEFOAM PROPEL TECHNOLOGY and gives this midsole its superior bounce.
In the form of FLYTEFOAM LYTE TECHNOLOGY ASICS lightest weight midsole formulation provides continuous cushion due to the presence of organic nanofibers.
Another midsole technology which comes into play for this ASICS superior bounce, cushioning and lightweight is FUILDRIDE MIDSOLE.
This also gives your shoe superior durability.
Due to the above factors the cushioning is just perfect for people suffering from varicose veins or spider veins.
Also, the height is just around 25 mm. Though it is a bit less for varicose veins running shoes but is workable.
You will also get an exceptional fit as this has no-sew underlays and a jacquard mesh upper. It helps the upper to stretch and adapt to your foot.
The integrated GUIDANCE LINES of the outsole also gives you a midfoot structural efficiency.
If you are suffering from Plantar Fasciitis or Shin Splints, these shoes are your perfect companion.
These shoes are a proper fit even if you have a very wide fit and you can remove the insoles to replace with orthotics.
Wearing these shoes, your feet will not feel fatigued even if you stand for the entire day.
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These Nike Running shoes are stylish and clean to look at.
They also look a bit different with back protruding heel and a pull tab extension.
You get a lot of color options which are different than that of other brands.
But looks apart, will they serve a person who is suffering from varicose veins?
Let’s find out.
A running shoe to support varicose veins should have two main things:
- Ample amount of cushioning
- Heel height of 25.4 mm to 38.1 mm to give extra support to your calves
Let’s check the first one a.k.a cushioning:
The midsole has Lunarlon foam cushioning. This is a proprietary foam cushioning created by Nike.
It uses specially designed foams of varying densities.
This provides incredibly lightweight, sport-specific cushioning that feels soft yet springy.
Hence, these shoes are light, soft and responsive.
The heel height is around 22 mm. This is almost the height that is needed. So, I would say, it is workable.
The upper of these shoes are made from synthetic and mesh.
This makes the shoes breathable and keeps you cool and dry for a longer duration of time.
Also, the sleek mesh upper is engineered for durability and support.
The outsole is made of rubber and is durable. They also provide you proper traction.
The laces are Flywire and they wrap the midfoot for supportive lockdown.
This is actually an implementation of Dynamic fit by Nike.
It uses these Flywire cables and the soft foams to give you a customized fit.
The collar is soft and well padded. This gives you a plush cushioning.
This gives you a super comfortable in-shoe experience
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However, most of us don’t know that they offer other varieties of shoes as well.
One such running shoe Merrell Allout Crush Toughmudder 2 Boa
It is made from 100% textile and synthetic materials and is 100% vegan-friendly.
It has a low drop of 6 mm and will give you a very stable running experience.
If you have a neutral arch then these shoes are perfect for you.
As far as the heel height goes, it is around 23 mm. This is a little less than the required heel height (25.4 mm) for calf support.
However, this difference is minimal and you will not feel a huge difference if you are suffering from varicose veins.
Now let’s take a look at the underfoot cushioning which is the second most important aspect for a person suffering from varicose veins.
The midsole is made from foam and it runs the entire length of these running shoes.
Due to this, you will always have a very nice and comfortable underfoot experience.
So, I would say that this running shoe has the required amount of cushioning for a person suffering from varicose veins.
Also, due to the thickness of the midsole, your feet will remain protected from sharp objects on the trails.
For additional cushioning and safety there is an extra layer of padding in the sole.
The outsole has multidirectional lugs. They stretch in all directions to give you a proper grip and support.
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| Editor Rating: | (4.5) |
Asics Gel Cumulus is a very cushioned running shoe and is very much suited for runners suffering from varicose veins or spider veins.
It has both forefoot and rearfoot gel cushioning which helps to attenuates shock from running.
Also, this doesn’t allow the impact to travel up and make your condition worse.
It comes with the impact guidance lines or I.G.S which helps to improve your gait efficiency.
The outsole is made from AHAR or ASICS High Abrasion Rubber.
This is a very durable rubber material which improves the overall lifespan of this running shoe.
The upper has seamless construction and this provides you with a blister-free experience.
Also, since the upper is made from mesh material, this makes this running shoe breathable and well ventilated.
This running shoe is meant to support you for neutral to underpronation.
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| Editor Rating: | (4.3) |
This is a very lightweight shoe and is very responsive. This makes your every ride very smooth and peppy.
The midsole is made from a foam-based material which makes this running shoe very lightweight.
Also, this material is highly shock-absorbing making this ideal to provide cushioning to you.
This makes these shoes very comfortable for runners suffering from varicose veins as they will dampen the impact related to running.
The outsole is made from a synthetic material which provides excellent grip while running.
Since this has a beveled heel, you can easily use this running shoe for walking as well.
Although this running shoe has a synthetic outsole, this doesn’t make it less durable.
It has got a textured upper which makes this shoe look very stylish.
It comes with a traditional lace up closure which keeps it secured during the entire duration of your run.
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| Editor Rating: | (4.3) |
This running shoe is meant for speed and performance.
These running shoes are lightweight and responsive and have an internal barefoot-friendly construction.
It comes with a REVLite midsole which will provide you with very good cushioning.
Also, this midsole is very responsive making it suitable for any running distance, starting from 5K to 26.2 miles.
Due to the impact absorption capacity and cushioning, this running shoe is very suitable for people suffering from varicose veins or spider veins.
The outsole is made from highly durable rubber and it enhances the overall lifespan of these running shoes.
It has a 10 mm drop which is also beneficial for you as it will help you to have stronger calf muscles over time.
This will help you to deal with the pain and discomfort of varicose veins and you will have very comfortable running experience.
The upper is made from engineered mesh material and is very breathable. This keeps the inner environment of your running shoe healthy.
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| Editor Rating: | (4.1) |
This is last Adidas on our list and is one of the finest.
It is a very affordable running shoe and is very responsive.
It will keep your feet well cushioned and will not let any impact travel up your leg.
This will provide you with a lot of comforts if you are suffering from varicose or spider veins.
The midsole is made from a foam-based material and is the main component which provides you cushioning.
It has a midsole drop of 10 mm, making it perfect for your condition.
This drop will help you to develop more strength in your calf muscles and will also relieve you from your discomfort.
The outsole is made from rubber and provides you with an improved grip and durability.
This running shoe is suitable for any kind of surface other than trails.
Also, if you have a high arch, this running shoe will provide you with that arch support as well.
The upper has air mesh, which is great for breathability.
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Buyers’ Guide
When you are selecting a running shoe for varicose veins or spider veins, make sure that the shoe fitting is proper.
It is tricky to select a running shoe and if you have a special condition it makes the process so much harder.
First, you need to know how to select a proper running shoe for your feet.
Once you understand the process, next you need to understand what is needed for your condition.
But first things first…
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skin.
They usually occur in the legs, but can also form in other parts of the body.
For some people, this is just a cosmetic issue but for others, it can cause pain and discomfort.
This usually indicates an underlying circularity problem.
Causes of varicose veins
The exact cause of varicose veins is unknown.
However, it is widely believed that any condition that puts pressure on the abdomen has the potential to cause varicose veins.
For example:
- Pregnancy
- Constipation
- Overweight
- Genetics
- Age
- Long hours of standing work like a nurse
- Being women
- and in rare cases tumors
How to select a running shoe for varicose veins?
When you have varicose veins, there are mainly two things that you should look for:
- Your running shoe must have a proper cushion
- It should have a small heel of 1 inch to 1 and a half-inch. This kind of heel will support your calves and will gradually make them stronger. It has the capacity to improve your condition
Also, check if you have any other foot conditions like bunions. If so you can then select a running shoe for bunions that will be of definite help.
Not only feet conditions, but you should also take into consideration the kind of surfaces you will be running on.
If you are running on concrete then check out this article on best running shoes for concrete or best zero-drop trail running shoes
And that brings me to the topic of zero-drop shoes. This is totally your preference.
In case, you want to check out some affordable options then the best cheap zero-drop running shoes are for you.
If you don’t want to go through the entire shoe selecting these best running shoes for varicose veins can help you out.
FAQs
1. Can you run with varicose veins?
That depends on the severity. If you don’t have any discomfort or pain then there is no problem to run with varicose veins.
However, if you are having discomfort, then consult your physician before starting a running routine.
If you are not careful, you may aggravate your condition.
2. Does running make varicose veins worse?
Running or another vigorous kind of exercises is not a cause of your varicose veins.
However, it may aggravate your situation.
On the flip side, running can improve your blood circulation in the legs and can help you to maintain a healthy weight.
Both of these can help you improve your varicose situation.
I would advise you to consult with a sports doctor before starting to run.
Also, remain in touch with him/her all the time to get timely advice.
3. Do varicose veins affect running performance?
If you are an athlete can affect your stamina and can cause performance issue.
But for an average Joe like me, there will not be much of a difference.
4. How do you make varicose veins go away?
Good news is you can make varicose veins go away.
The bad news is, it is not an easy task.
Here are some ways that can improve your condition:
- Exercise
- Reduce your weight
- Avoid heels which are above 1 and a half inch
- Elevate your legs to improve circulation
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time
- Try some alternative medicines like Horse chestnut, Butcher’s broom, Grape (leaves, sap, seed, and fruit), Sweet clover
- See a doctor
- Surgery (In extreme cases)
5. What exercises are bad for varicose veins?
Exercises that boost circulation in your body and legs are best for varicose veins.
However, not all exercises are good for varicose veins.
Avoid:
- Weightlifting
- Squats
- Sit-ups
- Crunches
- Lunges
6. How do you prevent varicose veins from getting worse?
Varicose veins once formed can cause a lot of discomfort and pain.
Your problems increase if you don’t take proper care of yourself.
In such cases, it aggravates and causes you more pain.
Here are some ways to stop varicose veins from getting worse:
- Lose weight
- Avoid wearing tight clothes
- Elevate your legs
- Avoid sitting or standing for long hours
- Work on your digestion
- Avoid certain types of exercises as explained in Question#5
7. Will varicose veins go away with weight loss?
There is absolute guarantee that your varicose veins will go away with weight loss.
However, the chances are higher as it will improve circulation in your legs and will take excess pressure off your legs.
If it doesn’t go away, your discomfort will surely reduce and your condition will not aggravate.
8. Can compression stockings make varicose veins go away?
Compression stockings may help to reduce the painful symptoms associated with varicose veins in some people.
However, it may not make your varicose veins go away.
If you want to use compression stockings, there are three types to choose from:
- Support pantyhose. They exert some amount of pressure but are not very tight. They are not very effective. But if you have a lot of discomforts, you may want to start with this one. Here are some options to choose from.
- Compression socks and stockings. These are specially made for compression and is available at any drug store or online store. They provide a higher amount of compression than pantyhose. You can choose from any one of these.
- Prescription compression stockings. They are prescribed by your physician and exerts the maximum amount of pressure. The fitting is done by an expert so that the stockings are tight enough but nor so tight that they will cut off the circulation
9. Should you massage varicose veins?
You can message varicose veins.
It will not make them go away.
However, it may reduce the swelling, discomfort, and fatigue in your legs.
10. Can varicose veins be cured with exercise?
There is no science-backed evidence that it will be completely cured by exercise.
However, it will definitely reduce the discomfort and pain you may be experiencing.
Also, remember that exercises are good for your varicose veins but you should also know which kinds of exercises to avoid.
Conclusion
Varicose veins can cause a very annoying discomfort.
And if you are a runner it can almost always affect your performance.
However, if you use any of the above shoes listed above, you have a fighting chance of performing at the same level you used to be.
Out of all of them, my favorite is Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoes.
However, I will advise you to do your own research on the best running shoes for varicose veins in [current_year].
References
https://lamvascular.com/varicose-veins-athletes-surprising-facts/
https://www.viavascular.com/running-with-varicose-veins/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/myths-and-misconceptions-about-varicose-veins/
https://www.runandbecome.com/running-health-advice/varicose-veins-running
https://www.mainlinelegs.com/varicose-vein-prevention-for-athletes/
https://www.radiologyofindiana.com/athletes-and-varicose-veins/
https://cfvein.com/varicose-veins-and-athletes-the-surprising-facts/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350649
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/varicose-veins-and-spider-veins
https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/circulation/varicose-veins/varicose-veins-getting-worse/
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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