Are you also tired of the pain at the side of your hip and knee? Has exercising become an ordeal for you? Are you also looking for the best running shoes for IT band syndrome? Well, I can assure you, you have come to the right page because I have just the thing for you.
In this article, I have combined you with a list of shoes that you can wear with your medical condition. After days of thoroughly searching and filtering out the products on amazon, I have finally made a list that you can trust on.
Keep reading below to find out what shoes best fit your expectations.
Best Running Shoes for IT Band Syndrome (For Women)
Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 (Best Running Shoes For IT Band Syndrome)
Overview:
The most popular shoe brand amongst runners and worth every penny. Even though the shoes are pretty expensive compared to other shoes in my list, buyers are ready to buy Brooks’ shoes because it delivers precisely what it promises. That means if a brand offers quality, buyers will come running to purchase the product.
In comparison to Ghost 11, Ghost 12 has extra padding, extra cushioning, and improved technology. Ghost 12 is pretty similar to Ghost 10. Not many buyers found Ghost 11 as impressive as Ghost 10, which is why Brooks resorted to the same technology they used in Ghost 10 with improvements in Ghost 12, and everyone seems to love it.
Looks-wise, the series has little differences, but the performance is undoubtedly improving as we go up the series.
Pros:
- Supports high arches
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Best for band pain and iliotibial band.
Cons:
- Expensive
WHITIN Women’s Minimalist & Barefoot Shoes (Best for Iliotibial Band Syndrome)
Overview:
I am amazed at how comfortable these shoes are given the prices. The quality is top-notch, just like that of any high brand shoe. If you are looking for a good pair of shoes, but you have a small budget, then these shoes are for you. It is incredibly comfortable with affordable prices compared to other brands on my list.
You can wear them for months and months, and they will keep providing the same comfort as day one, and it will not wear off. Many buyers who bought it once said they would rebuy the pair. And just because the prices are low, the company has made sure that the quality is no less.
The shoe supports high arches and generously hugs the foot’s outline even if the typical anatomy of the foot is distorted. This means anyone with a medical condition can wear such shoes and run like a regular person.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Supports high arches
Cons:
- Limited colors
JOOMRA Women’s Minimalist (For ITB Syndrome)
Overview:
The barefoot shoe is undoubtedly taking the lead. The manufacturers have exceeded the expectations of their buyers and offered high-quality shoes at minimal prices. The minimalist shoes put the least impact on the feet while giving an experience of running barefoot. The shoes are impeccable for any surface, and they provide a fantastic performance even on hiking.
The rubber soles offer exceptional traction with the help of its circular pattern of lugs that provide improved grip on an uncertain surface. It is necessary for people with IT band syndrome to keep the strain off the knee and keep it balanced. For this reason, Joomra shoes promote better balance by shifting the weight of the body on the balls of the feet rather than the heels.
The snug fit keeps the feet in place while running. This means your shoe will firmly enclose your feet, and it will not keep coming off during your workout.
Pros:
- Reasonable prices
- Comfortable
- Maintains natural balance
- Excellent fit
- Best for band problems outside of the knee.
Cons:
- Expensive
Merrell Women’s Vapor Glove 2 Running Shoe (Great for Running Injuries)
Overview:
Who can deny Merrell’s shoes? Merrell has yet again produced the quality that everyone is talking about. The fact that Merrell designs shoes with meticulous features bringing comfort and a great experience to the wearer are why a large number of buyers trust Merrell to bring them comfort regardless of the medical condition they have.
The barefoot running shoes have a breathable sole with extremely light in weight pads and a thin outsole, which assists in a better run for longer miles. The shoes provide an excellent fit that will prevent you from losing your balance or natural gait.
The contour of the arch of the shoe gives decent support to the arch of your feet while stabilizing your ankle to keep it in place without injuring it.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Supports gait
- Breathable
- Prevents iliotibial band syndrome injury / problem near knee joint.
Cons:
- Prevents running capability.
Best Running Shoes For IT Band Syndrome (For Men)
ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6
Overview:
An ideal shoe if you have IT band syndrome. Wearing ASICS’ running shoes makes you feel like sliding your feet in a pillow. The comfort level is extraordinary, almost like you are not wearing the shoes, which makes it even easier to put them on and to take them off.
People with IT syndrome struggle with running because their lateral side of the upper legs start to hurt. For this reason, ASICS has designed shoes to leave minimal impact on the leg. It does this by reducing the number of times a heel strikes against the ground, and in place of this, the strike is shifted to the midfoot to avoid putting pressure on the muscles.
Compared to its previous edition, the shoe is much lighter due to the thin padding used in this version, which may or may not be feasible for some.
Pros:
- Light in weight
- Comfortable
- Flexible
- Allows you to run long and run freely.
Cons:
- Limited design
Saucony Men’s Freedom ISO 2 Running Shoe
Overview:
If you have knee pain like me, it is incredibly comfortable to adapt to the shoe, which brings great relief to the knee while working out or running thanks to the stabilized padding. And just like me, you will also be blown away by how sustainable and comfortable these shoes are.
After going through a couple of reviews, I realized this edition is much better than Saucony’s Freedom ISO 1. The durability, comfort, traction, and of course, the cushioning and the extra pads in the collar and sole works amazingly when you find all these features in one shoe.
Every factor is enhanced, and the improved technology makes this shoe worth spending your money on. Looking at the reviews about the product, I can surely add it is worth giving a shot.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Light
- Flexible
- Amicable for iliotibial band syndrome
Cons:
- Costly
ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 26 (4E) Running Shoes
Overview:
Balancing your gait while running with IT band syndrome is tricky when the pain kicks in. However, with ASICS’ new running shoes, you will not have to worry about losing your balance while running or strenuous exercises. Thanks to the Impact Guided System Technology, the shoe helps maintain an improved gait of the feet.
Moreover, the shoes are the most comfortable piece of clothing you can ever slide your feet. The shoes were ridiculously cozy for me. It helped me stay on my toes literally, for longer hours than before. If nothing, at least you will not have a wobbling gait anymore because of your knee pain.
Given the fact that the shoe has the lightest weight midsole is another added luxury for people like me. The light-weight of the shoe aids in more manageable steps, and it does not tire your feet like any other regular shoe.
Pros:
- Light in weight
- Extra cushion
- Maintains gait
Cons:
- Limited colors
Soulsfeng Men’s Running Shoes Mesh Athletic Sneakers
Overview:
Look wise; this is the most stylish and classic looking shoes in my list, and one of my favorites in my wardrobe. I am an avid runner, and the most important thing I look in a shoe is comfort, protection, and traction. I want to run for miles, and miles, not I do not want to stop because my feet hurt from a wrong shoe.
These shoes are affordable, but I also love running in them because they have all the qualities I look for in a shoe. The extra padded heel has assured me better protection for my feet against rough terrains and sharp rocks. And I also like how I can maintain a good posture and the right balance with my new shoes.
The added fact is that the shoes come with a breathable mesh that keeps your feet fresh. My feet did not smell bad even after hours of running. The other reason I can keep running in these shoes because they are light in weight, too.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light in weight
- Fashionable
- Breathable
- Prevents iliotibal band syndrome pain and problems.
Cons:
- Pricey.
Buying Guide
Does running barefoot (or with minimalist shoes) help alleviate pain caused by ITBS?
Many people with ITBS admitted that using shoes that promote better forefoot striking helps ease the pain they previously had in their knee. The right shoe will naturally change the way you run, which will transform your experience with running, and you will become more confident with your exercises.
The right shoe will also add extra miles to your running and increase your productivity. The point to remember is that IT band syndrome is not a chronic condition. However, it can become chronic if you do not take care of yourself. The best way out is to buy shoes that bring you relief.
Even after all this, it is best to consult an expert and get your condition analyzed. It is imperative to check your gait and see what works for you biomechanically.
How do I know I have IT syndrome?
It may be hard for some people to recognize ITBS at the start. The symptoms of having ITBS are not unique to it, but one can still tell if they have ITBS or not by noticing if they have pain on the outside of their knee, or if it hurts on touch, they can hear a click when using their knee, they experience swelling and redness in the knee area.
What are the best exercises and stretches for ITBS?
Light exercises and yoga pose is the right way out to improve IT band syndrome. A popular stretch exercise is to use a foam roller for your gluteal region. You may do this by lying sideways with the roller underneath you in a perpendicular manner to your body and roll slowly over the hip area.
This massage will work on the sour spots. So be careful when you try this. It may be painful at the start, but it does help if you do it correctly.
On the other hand, you may try a pigeon pose. Try sitting on a mat with your one knee out in front of you, and the other resting behind you. Pull the leg behind up using your hand. If it hurts, you may want to stretch lightly and gradually increase the pull as the pain subsides.
What physical traits make IT band syndrome more likely?
Multiple physical traits may end up developing ITBS. Such physical traits include bowed legs, knee arthritis, weak gluteal muscles, rotating your foot or ankle inward while running, or having a leg longer than the other.
Conclusion
I hope I have provided you with a list where you could find some of the best shoes for your condition. In the end, it is up to you to pick and see what fits you the most. Like you, I also have my favorite, and the product that stands out for me is Brooks Women’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe. We already know how incredible the ghost collection is. I do not doubt that you will like it, too.
JOOMRA Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes secures a second place for its affordable prices and exceptional performance.
While ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoe wins the game in men’s shoes. I cannot emphasize much on how comfortable I find these shoes. The padded sole is a luxury for me. I can run miles in these shoes.
My second favorite from the men’s section is Soulsfeng Men’s Running Shoes Mesh Breathable Lightweight Cushioning Training Athletic Sneakers. I am in love with the paint drop. The shoes provide a decent quality of minimal money.
