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.
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.
If you have a foot condition or ongoing foot pain, talk to a doctor or podiatrist. Shoes can add comfort and support, but they are not a medical treatment.
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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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
- 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.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| No. | Shoe | Type | Upper | Cushioning (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 | Running Shoe | Knit | DNA LOFT v3 |
| 2 | Brooks Addiction Walker Suede | Walking Shoe | Suede | BioMoGo DNA |
| 3 | Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 | Running Shoe | Knit | DNA TUNED |
| 4 | Brooks Addiction Walker | Walking Shoe | Leather | BioMoGo DNA |
| 5 | Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 22 | Running Shoe | Knit | DNA Tuned |
| 6 | Brooks Ghost 14 GTX | Running Shoe | Not stated | BioMoGo DNA |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as stated by the listing, not tested by us; check the listing before you buy.
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
Supportive Cushioned Running Shoe for Daily Miles
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this running shoe is worth a look for Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Featuring holistic GuideRails for Go-To Support and soft, dynamic premium nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, it delivers distraction-free comfort mile after mile, a useful trait in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Guiderails Holistic Support System: the brand’s innovative technology – known as “GTS” for “Go-To Support” – supports your body in its natural motion path while keeping excess movement in check.
- Even more premium nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 cushioning delivers lightweight softness, and feel-good comfort mile after mile, a useful trait in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Trusted FIT: the breathable engineered mesh upper and flat-knit collar offer a secure, comfortable fit, providing both structure and flexibility to accommodate natural movement during active use.
- Smooth Transitions: the specially designed outsole and midsole work together to promote seamless transitions, ensuring comfort and support for every step, so you can stay active longer.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
2
Supportive Cushioned Walking Shoe for Everyday Walks
The Brooks Addiction Walker Suede comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this walking shoe is worth a look for Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Maxiumum support for stability and alignment, it features the brand’s Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB), this motion-control system supports your entire body by guiding each stride into its natural path.
- Designed with a durable, textured outsole that helps provide confident grip and steady footing for everyday walking comfort—indoors or out, helpful on the surfaces you meet during walking.
- Made with premium materials and sturdy construction, this walking shoe offers long-term durability without compromising comfort—making it a reliable addition to your daily routine.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
- Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.
3
Knit Stability Running Shoe for Daily Miles
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this running shoe is worth a look for Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- This Women’s Shoe IS FOR: the Glycerin GTS 23 blends plush comfort with smooth, stable support for distraction-free movement. Predecessor: Glycerin GTS 22, a useful trait in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Built-in GuideRails technology keeps excess motion in check by stabilizing the foot and aligning the knee, the kind of support many people look for in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Zonal nitrogen-infused DNA TUNED cushioning provides even more plushness in the forefoot, softening landings and energizing toe-offs, a useful trait in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Comfortable, Engineered Upper: a triple jacquard warp-knit upper delivers premium breathability and adaptive comfort in a streamlined package, which helps feet stay comfortable through running.
- With its 8mm offset and high-stack midsole, the Glycerin GTS 23 promotes a smooth, stable transition from heel to toe.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
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
Knit Stability Running Shoe for Road Runs
The Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 22 comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this running shoe is worth a look for Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Prepare for smooth transitions with the Glycerin Stealthfit 22, featuring DNA Tuned, the latest midsole technology that seamlessly blends and integrates dual-size cells, ensuring a balance of plush landings and energetic toe-offs.
- Provides neutral support while offering the maximum amount of cushioning, which helps keep long stretches of running comfortable.
- Cutting-edge cushion technology with larger cells in the heel to provide soft, plush landings, while smaller cells in the forefoot invite responsive toe-offs, a useful trait in Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Accommodating FIT: the updated soft, flat knit upper offers a blend of stretch and compression that moves with your foot for maximum comfort and a natural, adaptive feel.
- Smooth, Stable Transitions: the broad platform stabilizes your foot while the tuned heel and forefoot smooth heel-to-toe transitions, a feature worth weighing when comparing Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Men’s and women’s versions are listed separately on Amazon, each with its own size range.
- Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
6
Cushioned Waterproof Running Shoe for Daily Miles
The Brooks Ghost 14 GTX comes in men’s and women’s versions, and this running shoe is worth a look for Brooks shoes for bad knees.
- Runners looking for a smooth ride that won’t distract from the fun of the run. The Ghost 14 offers a simplified midsole construction which creates more seamless transitions.
- Support AND Cushion: the Ghost 14 GTX offers neutral support while providing high energizing cushioning and waterproof protection. Predecessor: Ghost 13, handy for running in changing weather.
- BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning work together to provide a just-right softness underfoot without losing responsiveness and durability – yet it feels lighter than ever.
- No matter how your foot lands, the brand’s Segmented Crash Pad – an integrated system of shock absorbers – will cushion every step and stride for smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
- Waterproof AND Cushion: the Ghost 14 GTX offers neutral support while providing high energizing cushioning and waterproof protection, handy for running in changing weather.
- Predecessor: Ghost 17 GTX.
- Engineered with a lightweight, flexible GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane bonded directly to the upper, offering breathable, waterproof protection to keep your feet dry in the rain without adding bulk.
Index Table: Top Rated Brooks Shoes for Bad Knees
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooks® - Supportive Cushioned Running Shoe for Daily Miles |  |  |
| Brooks |
| 2 | Brooks® - Supportive Cushioned Walking Shoe for Everyday Walks |  |  |
| Brooks |
| 3 | Brooks® - Knit Stability Running Shoe for Daily Miles |  |  |
| Brooks |
| 4 | Brooks® - Stability Walking Shoes for Bad Knees |  |  |
| Brooks |
| 5 | Brooks® - Knit Stability Running Shoe for Road Runs |  |  |
| Brooks |
| 6 | Brooks® - Cushioned Waterproof Running Shoe for Daily Miles |  |  |
| Brooks |
Sources
General background on foot health and footwear. This is not medical advice; see a doctor or podiatrist about foot pain or a foot condition.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo): Arthritis of the Knee
- NHS: Knee pain
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Knee Injuries and Disorders
Update History
- Oct 2026: Updated Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 to Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
- Oct 2026: Updated Brooks Anthem 5 to Brooks Addiction Walker Suede
- Oct 2026: Updated Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 to Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
- Oct 2026: Updated Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit to Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit 22
- Oct 2026: Updated Brooks Ghost 14 to Brooks Ghost 14 GTX
- Aug 2022: First published
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