Brooks® Shoes for Bad Knees

Having bad knees may lead to knee pain, a common complaint among many individuals. Your daily activities such as bending, standing, walking, running, and some sports types could cause wear and tear on your knees, which weakens them and can cause pain.

Good shoes for bad knees can help to lighten the impact and provide some comfort and pain relief.

We have chosen Brooks shoes for bad knees that offer a more supportive and stable fit, with cushioning and support systems that take the strain off your knees and reduce the impact that could lead to further knee pain and damage.


Some Common Knee Problems

Most knee problems come with age due to wear and tear or stress on the knee joint, such as arthritis which may affect the knees. You can also have bad knees due to sports or overuse injuries.

  • Sprained Ligaments – The knee muscles or ligaments could become strained or sprained from an injury or twist. The symptoms can include pain, swelling, or difficulty in walking.
  • Torn Cartilage – Trauma to the knee could tear the shock-absorbing connective tissue pads that absorb shock in the knees. The Cartilage could tear, resulting in a knee strain or sprain.
  • Tendonitis – Tendonitis is a condition caused by overuse of the tendon in the knee called the patellar tendon, which can become inflamed and painful.
  • Arthritis – Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis that affects your knees. It is a degenerative process where the cartilage in your joints gradually starts wearing away. Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect your knees, causing inflammation in the knee joints.

Shoes for Bad Knees

The best shoes for bad knees will offer proper shock-absorbing cushioning to reduce hard impact and strain on the knee joints.

A more rigid sole and slight stability features will help to reduce excessive motion that could cause your knees to twist and ligaments to become inflamed.

A proper fit will ensure a better alignment of your feet and the rest of your body for more natural motion.


Features of a Good Brooks Shoe for Bad Knees

Brooks for Bad Knees

  • Uppers – Brooks shoes for bad knees will offer a comfortable and snug fit with a roomy toe box and a non-slip design to keep your feet aligned, preventing unnecessary movement. The uppers may be a breathable mesh design from engineered mesh or Creel Warp mesh which is much more lightweight. There may be more stretchable and sleek knit uppers, especially in the StealthFit ranges. Then there are also their leather ranges in full grain leather. Brooks shoes are lined to wick away moisture and for comfort, and most models come with a removable padded insole. They may have a padded collar for a more secure and comfortable fit.
  • Cushioning – Besides a cushioned insole, Brooks offers some superb midsole technologies. We start with their softest and most luxurious DNA Loft Midsole. Then we have the DNA AMP midsole that will expand underneath your feet to return energy. The DNA Flash midsole is nitrogen-infused and offers firmer and more stable cushioning. Lastly, as you will see, their BioMoGo DNA midsole is most popular, as it adapts to your weight, speed, and stride, offering more balanced cushioning and deflecting impact away from your feet and your body. Some models come with Segmented crash pad technology that offers better shock absorbency for landings in critical areas.
  • Support – Brooks offers Neutral shoes with mostly cushioning and stability or GTS shoe ranges with Guiderail technology for motion control and stability. Then they have a few ranges with an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB) that offers full support for more natural motion, which is ideal for excessive overpronation issues.
  • Outsole – Brooks shoes come with a rubber outsole that may have different tread patterns depending on the shoe’s purpose. They have slip-resistant and trail models with a more grippy TrailTack rubber outsole.
  • Options – Brooks shoe models may be available in narrow, normal, and wide widths, or normal, wide, and extra wide widths, depending on the specific model. Most of their shoe models offer many more color options, along with full and half-size fits.

Reviews: The Best Brooks Shoes for Bad Knees

The following shoe models from Brooks will reduce strain on your joints and knees to give some support to bad knees;


1

Stability Running Shoe for Bad Knees

  • The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is a stable running shoe with cushioning and stability for bad knees.
  • The shoe has textile and 3D print uppers for a structured fit, a roomy toe box, and a padded collar for a comfortable fit.
  • The DNA Loft cushioning is very soft and stable under your feet to take pressure off your joints and your knees,
  • With the soft midsole, Segmented Crash Pads offer a much easier flow and landing to reduce the impact on your feet and knees.
  • The shoe is available in more width options and colors from which you can choose.
  • It offers guide rail stability features to keep excess motion in check to prevent strain on our knees.

2

Running Shoe for Bad Knees

  • The Brooks Anthem 5 is a neutral running and walking shoe for bad knees.
  • It is ideal if you are a neutral pronator with a normal or high arch type.
  • They have engineered breathable mesh uppers with a moisture-wicking textile lining.
  • The lace-up system is designed to give you a much more secure and stable fit, reducing unnecessary ankle movement that could affect your knees.
  • There is a BioMoGO DNA midsole that absorbs shock and offers adaptable cushioning to reduce strain on your knees. TSegmented crash pads are also strategically placed, so they absorb impact in critical areas.
  • Furthermore, the outsole has an improved traction design for better stability and reduced slipping.

3

Stability Trail Running Shoe

  • The Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 is a very supportive stability shoe that is good for bad knees, especially f they are caused by Overpronation or having flat feet.
  • The shoes feature plush and comfortable synthetic uppers with a moisture-wicking lining and breathable design.
  • The fit is comfortable with a padded collar and a full lace-up system.
  • There is supportive cushioning to absorb shock, and a Guiderail system for stability, to reduce strain on your knees and ankles, which could lead to knee pain.
  • The shoes do offer arch support and a comfortable cushioned insole.
  • The rubber outsole ensures reliable grip and traction.
  • It is also fun to know that they are available in neutral colors and more bright and bold colored options.

4

Stability Walking Shoes for Bad Knees

  • The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is a stability shoe that is PDAC A5500 certified as a diabetic shoe.
  • It has a very accommodating fit, so it is ideal should you need to use orthotics for your knees.
  • There is a Velcro closure hook and loop, and the uppers are full grain leather.
  • The shoe has a moisture-wicking lining and a cushioned insole that you can remove if needed.
  • It features the Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that will support your entire body, keeping it in perfect alignment, which is ideal for bad knees.
  • The shoe also has a specially designed slip-resistant rubber outsole.
  • They are available in wider widths and extended sizes.

5

Shoe for Bad Knees

  • The Glycerin 20 StealthFit has a more sock-like and secure fit that is extremely lightweight and flexible.
  • It has a ribbed collar, and lightweight, breathable knit uppers offer a secure and comfortable sleek fit.
  • There is DNA Loft super soft midsole cushioning for good shock absorbency and luxury comfort.
  • The shoe is easy to pull on and off with the pull tabs and has a lace-up closure.
  • The outsole is a reliable and high traction rubber.
  • The shoes are ideal for daily and leisure wear when your feet need a break, and they offer softer, more comfortable cushioning for your knees.

6

Neutral Shoes for Bad Knees

  • The Brooks Ghost 14 is a popular neutral running and walking shoe with some superb features for bad knees.
  • They have mesh uppers with #D print for a more strategic yet accommodating fit.
  • The heel and collar are padded for comfort and to reduce excess motion on your ankles that could affect the knees.
  • DNA LOFT is softer underfoot midsole cushioning to absorb shock and provide comfort, alongside the Segmented Crash pads placed to absorb impact and protect your knees, joints, and ankles.
  • The outsole is a durable and high traction rubber for stability.

Index Table: Top Rated Brooks Shoes for Bad Knees

No.ShoeMen ♂Women ♀FeaturesBrandScore
1Brooks® - Stability Running Shoe for Bad Knees Adrenaline GTS 22 Adrenaline GTS 22
  • DNA Loft
  • GuideRails
  • Segmented Crash Pads
  • Wide and Extra Wide Widths
Brooks98.2
2Brooks® - Running Shoe for Bad Knees Anthem 5 Anthem 5
  • Adaptive Cushioning
  • Breathable
  • Segmented Crash Pads
Brooks97.9
3Brooks® - Stability Trail Running Shoe Glycerin GTS 20 Glycerin GTS 20
  • Neutral
  • Flexible Sole
  • Cushioned
  • Water Resistant
  • Slip Resistant
  • Wider Widths
Brooks97.8
4Brooks® - Stability Walking Shoes for Bad Knees Addiction Walker Addiction Walker
  • BioMoGo DNA
  • Rollbar
  • Velcro Closure
  • Wide and Extra Wide Widths
Brooks97
5Brooks® - Shoe for Bad Knees Glycerin 20 StealthFit Glycerin 20 StealthFit
  • Half Size
  • Round Toe
  • Ribbed Collar
  • Sock-Fit
  • DNA Loft
Brooks97
6Brooks® - Neutral Shoes for Bad Knees Ghost 14 Ghost 14
  • Narrow Normal and Wide Widths
  • DNA Loft
  • BioMoGo DNA
  • 3D Print Fit
Brooks97


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a running enthusiast, nature lover, and full-time mother for 3 lovely kids in South Africa. She has always had a fetish for shoes and has the best product recommendations for all her friends and family. So she turned what she loved into her full-time job - by testing and recommending the best shoes for our online readers. Read her reviews to know how detailed her observations are.