Hip pain has many causes, from a strained muscle or tendon to arthritis, and shoes are not one of the treatments. They still matter, because the NHS lists comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes with a soft sole among the things that can ease hip pain.[1]
The Arthritis Foundation adds that your feet decide how the forces of standing and walking spread to your knees, hips and back.[3] This guide covers what to look for and nine pairs for men and women that are in stock on the web US.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice. Shoes do not treat hip pain, and the NHS says not to try to diagnose the cause yourself. See a doctor if hip pain stops you from doing normal activities, wakes you at night or does not improve.
Hip pain shoe basics
- The NHS says to wear comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes with a soft sole, keep moving if you can without overdoing it, and try to lose weight if you are overweight.[1]
- Common causes include sprains, strains and tendonitis after repetitive exercise, osteoarthritis (more likely after 45) and bursitis, and they call for different treatment.[1]
- MedlinePlus says treatment for hip disorders may include rest, medicines, physical therapy or surgery.[2]
- The Arthritis Foundation says stability shoes take weight off the ball of the foot, which matters to people with hip, knee, foot or ankle arthritis, and neutral shoes with good cushioning accept an insert or custom orthotic.[3]
What Causes Hip Pain
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the thigh bone meets the pelvis, and it is stable enough that it normally takes great force to hurt it.[2] Sports, running, overuse and falls can lead to strains, bursitis, dislocations and fractures, and osteoarthritis can cause pain and limited motion.[2]
The NHS gives a rough guide. Pain, swelling or bruising after intense or repetitive exercise points to a sprain, strain or tendonitis. Pain that is worse when walking and stiffness after moving in people over 45 suggests osteoarthritis, and pain and stiffness that are worse after not moving suggest rheumatoid arthritis.[1]
Why Your Shoes Matter
A shoe cannot fix a hip problem, but it does change what reaches the joint with every step.
- Shock Absorption – The NHS recommends comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes with a soft sole when you have hip pain.[1]
- Force Distribution – Podiatrists quoted by the Arthritis Foundation say shoes change how the forces of standing and walking are spread to the knees, hips, back and spine.[3]
- Support for Your Foot Type – Stability shoes give motion control to people who overpronate, while neutral shoes suit people with normal pronation and are easy to fit with an orthotic.[3]
- Less Strain on the Body – The NHS says weight loss and gentle stretching can help too, so a pair that makes walking comfortable keeps you moving.[1]
Features of a Good Shoe for Hip Pain
- Soft, Shock-Absorbing Sole – Look for a cushioned midsole with gel, foam or air, and a rubber outsole with tread for steady footing.[1]
- Stability or Neutral Build – Pick stability if you overpronate and neutral if you do not. A store that specializes in athletic shoes can read the wear pattern on an old pair to check your pronation.[3]
- Removable Insole – If you use an orthotic, the shoe needs room for it. Neutral shoes and shoes with a removable footbed take one easily.[3]
- Roomy, Secure Fit – Choose a wider base and a toe box with room to wiggle your toes. For dress shoes, the Arthritis Foundation says men should look for stiffer models that bend only in the forefoot and avoid pointy toes.[3]
- Breathable Upper – Mesh keeps the foot cool on long walks.
How We Chose These Shoes
We do not test shoes ourselves. We compared each model’s cushioning, closure, width options and fit using the makers’ descriptions and The web product pages, and we kept only pairs that are in stock on the web US. Brands do not pay to be included, but we may earn a commission from purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Shoes for Hip Pain
- Can the right shoes help hip pain?
They can make walking more comfortable. The NHS says to wear comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes with a soft sole, but shoes do not treat the cause of the pain.[1] - Should I keep walking if my hip hurts?
The NHS says it is best to keep moving if you can, but not to overdo it, and to avoid putting too much strain on the hip.[1] - Are stability shoes better than neutral shoes for hip pain?
It depends on your feet. The Arthritis Foundation says stability shoes give good cushioning and motion control to people who overpronate, and neutral shoes suit people with normal pronation. An athletic shoe store can check your pronation.[3] - When should I see a doctor about hip pain?
The NHS says to see a doctor if hip pain stops you from doing normal activities or affects your sleep, keeps getting worse or coming back, has not improved after two weeks of home care, or comes with stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes after waking. Severe pain after a fall, or inability to put weight on the leg, needs emergency care.[1]
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asics Gel Nimbus 28 | Running | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | PureGEL | – |
| 2 | Skechers Shape Ups Max Cushioning Elite / Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 (women's) | Running | Lace-up | Medium | 6 mm drop / ULTRA GO | 11.5 oz |
| 3 | adidas X_PLR Path | Running | Lace-up | Medium | Cloudfoam | – |
| 4 | Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 | Dress/casual | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | – | 10.2 oz |
| 5 | Under Armour Charged Assert 10 | Shoe | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | 10 mm drop / Charged Cushioning | 9.5 oz |
| 6 | Under Armour Charged Surge 4 | Shoe | – | Medium | 8 mm drop / Charged Cushioning | – |
| 7 | ASICS Gel Venture 11 | Running | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | GEL technology | – |
| 8 | New Balance 608 V5 | Casual sneaker | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | ABZORB | – |
| 9 | Propet LifeWalker / TourWalker (women's) | Walking | Hook-and-loop | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | EVA | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Reviews: Shoes for Hip Pain
Here are our picks. Each pair is in stock on the web US. We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Cushioned Trainers for Hip Pain
1Max-Cushion Neutral Trainer
Asics Gel Nimbus 28 - Men
Currently unavailable
Asics Gel Nimbus 28 - Women
Currently unavailable
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is a neutral, max-cushion trainer. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- The engineered knit upper is light and breathable, with few overlays.
- Rearfoot PureGEL and FF Blast Plus foam give a soft landing and a responsive ride.
- An OrthoLite X-55 sockliner manages moisture, reflective details add visibility, and the Hybrid Asicsgrip outsole grips on varied surfaces.
2
Max-Cushion Walking and Running Shoe
Skechers Shape Ups Max Cushioning Elite - Men
Currently unavailable
Skechers Shape Ups Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 - Women
Currently unavailable
The Skechers Max Cushioning Elite is a thickly cushioned trainer for walking and running.
- An Ultra Go midsole and an Air-Cooled Goga Mat insole absorb shock, and the men’s pair sits on a 6 mm drop.
- A seamless engineered mesh upper keeps the foot cool, and the outsole has flex grooves for smooth transitions.
- The shoes are machine washable. The women’s pair is the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 with a natural rocker.
3
Lightweight Everyday Sneaker
adidas X_PLR Path - Men
Currently unavailable
adidas X_PLR Path - Women
Currently unavailable
The adidas X_PLR Path is a lightweight, running-inspired sneaker for everyday wear. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- The mesh upper is light and breathable, and the textile lining feels soft.
- A Cloudfoam midsole gives step-in comfort and cushioning.
- The rubber outsole has good grip and a low-profile look.
4
Neutral Trainer with Wide Options
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Men
Currently unavailable
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Women
Currently unavailable
The Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 is a neutral trainer that balances cushioning and flexibility. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- The mesh upper has leather overlays that add midfoot support, and at least 30% of the upper is recycled content.
- Charged+ midsole cushioning is soft, and the rubber outsole has flex grooves for toe-off.
- It weighs about 10.2 oz and comes in medium, wide and extra-wide widths.
5
Light Everyday Trainer
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Men
Currently unavailable
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Women
Currently unavailable
The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 is a light everyday trainer. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- The breathable mesh upper has synthetic overlays for durability and support.
- An EVA sockliner adds soft step-in comfort, and the Charged Cushioning midsole uses compression-molded foam.
- The solid rubber outsole covers high-wear zones, the offset is 10 mm and the shoe weighs about 9.5 oz.
6
Under Armour® Men's Charged Surge 4 Cushioned Everyday Shoe
Currently unavailable
The Under Armour Charged Surge 4 is a light, cushioned everyday shoe.
- The breathable mesh upper has synthetic overlays for structure, and extra padding around the ankle collar.
- A Deluxe Comfort System sockliner molds to your foot, and the Charged Cushioning midsole is responsive.
- The rubber outsole grips well and flexes at toe-off, and the offset is 8 mm.
7
Cushioned Trail Running Shoe
ASICS Gel Venture 11 - Men
Currently unavailable
ASICS Gel Venture 11 - Women
Currently unavailable
The ASICS Gel-Venture 11 is a trail running shoe that also works for light hiking and walking. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- Rearfoot GEL technology absorbs shock, and the Amplifoam Plus midsole gives a softer ride.
- The mesh upper breathes, and the OrthoLite Hybrid Max Lite sockliner manages moisture and adds cushioning.
- The molded rubber outsole grips. The web notes that the shoe runs small.
Walking and Everyday Shoes for Hip Pain
8Casual Cross Trainer
New Balance 608 V5 - Men
Currently unavailable
New Balance 608 V5 - Women
Currently unavailable
The New Balance 608 v5 is a casual cross trainer that works as an everyday walking shoe. It comes in men’s and women’s versions.
- An Abzorb heel crash pad absorbs impact, and a molded insert adds cushioning underfoot.
- The suede upper breaks in to your foot, and dual-density collar foam steadies the ankle.
- A Phantom Liner interior has few seams to rub, and the EVA midsole has an internal shank for midfoot stability.
9
Strap Walking Shoe with Rocker Sole
Propet LifeWalker - Men
Currently unavailable
Propet TourWalker - Women
Currently unavailable
The Propét LifeWalker Strap (men) and Stability Walker Strap (women) are leather walking shoes with two adjustable straps.
- Two hook-and-loop straps make the shoes easy to put on and let you adjust the fit as your feet change during the day.
- A rocker profile and a built-in heel stabilizer add stability, and the padded collar and tongue cushion the ankle.
- The removable cushioned insole makes room for an orthotic, and the shoes carry the Medicare A5500 diabetic shoe code.
Index Table: Top Shoes for Hip Pain
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asics® - Max-Cushion Neutral Trainer |  |  |
| Asics |
| 2 | Skechers Shape Ups® - Max-Cushion Walking and Running Shoe |  |  |
| Skechers Shape Ups |
| 3 | adidas® - Lightweight Everyday Sneaker |  |  |
| adidas |
| 4 | Under Armour® - Neutral Trainer with Wide Options |  |  |
| Under Armour |
| 5 | Under Armour® - Light Everyday Trainer |  |  |
| Under Armour |
| 7 | ASICS® - Cushioned Trail Running Shoe |  |  |
| ASICS |
| 8 | New Balance® - Casual Cross Trainer |  |  |
| New Balance |
| 9 | Propet® - Strap Walking Shoe with Rocker Sole |  |  |
| Propet |
Importance of Comfortable Shoes for Hip Pain
Hip pain is a reason to see a doctor, not to guess. While you find out the cause, a soft, shock-absorbing pair that fits your foot type keeps daily walking easier.[1][3]
Sources
- National Health Service (NHS). Hip pain in adults. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- MedlinePlus (NIH). Hip Injuries and Disorders. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Arthritis Foundation. A Guide to the Best Shoes for Arthritis. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around NHS, MedlinePlus and Arthritis Foundation guidance, added a disclaimer, takeaways, How We Chose section and FAQ, regrouped the shoes under correct headings and changed the Under Armour Charged Surge 4 to a men’s-only entry because the women’s pair is out of stock
- Oct 2026: Updated Asics Gel Nimbus 26 to Gel Nimbus 28; replaced Orthofeet Gramercy with Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11; replaced Vionic Tide with New Balance 608 V5; replaced Brooks Ghost 15 with adidas X_PLR Path; updated Skechers Shape Ups Max Cushioning Elite to Max Cushioning Elite 2.0; replaced Dr. Comfort Ranger with Under Armour Charged Assert 10; replaced FitFlop Iqushion with Under Armour Charged Surge 4; replaced Asics Gel DS Trainer 26 with ASICS Gel Venture 11
- Oct 2026: Removed Skechers Go Walk Equalizer (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Mar 2020: Published
