There are several common issues runners deal with. Some of them include runner’s knees, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, stress fracture, Achilles tendinitis, Arthritic feet. The good news is you can continue with your daily activities with these problems. However, there is one that can put you out of the game for a whole week, month, or season-calf pain.
Under extreme conditions, calf pain, also known as tennis leg or lower leg, can be torturesome than the proverbial sand in the Shoe. The pain becomes intense during a power move-usually jumping, sprinting, interval training, and execution of quick turns.
So if you take part in long-distance runs or Overtrain, chances are high you will soon become a victim of a calf strain. But we’ve got amazing news for you. We know how hard it can be to find pain-relieving shoes. That’s why this article is going to review for you the best running shoes for tight calves. Stick around to the end, and we promise to be valuable to you.
But first, here is the grandest recommendation for those in a hurry- ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe. Despite being inexpensive, the Shoe packs impressive cushioning, support, and manages to keep an ultra-lightweight feminine appeal.
Alright. Let’s now dive straight into all the other potential alternatives.
Best Running Shoes for Tight Calves
| Name | Made of | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe | 100% Synthetic, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| ASICS Women's Gel-Kayano 24 Running Shoe | Synthetic, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Saucony Men's Freedom ISO Running Shoe | 100% Engineered stretch mesh; Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoe | Flymesh upper, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
| Brooks Mens Ghost 12 Running Shoe | Leather, Rubber Sole | See On Amazon |
1. ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoes
For most women, ASICS Women’s GEL Venture 5 tends to be their go-to shoe for running activities. And judging by the tens of thousands of positive reviews, this kick seems to be a real deal.
For starters, it is super stylish with a narrow design as most ladies don’t have wider feet. Secondly, it pops up in feminine colors that allow women to look dapper in their leggings, crop tops, jeans, and workout attire.
And now to the million-dollar question, how does Gel Venture 5 quality as the best running shoe for calf support?
The gel cushioning is its biggest advantage. Much of that tech can be spotted in the heel to offer unsurpassed impact absorption. On top of that, you get ample toe space, great arch support, and easy on and off lacing style.
Dominant features
- Made from synthetics
- High-abrasion rubber sole
- Multi-surface traction
- Removable foam sockliner
- Rugged appeal
- Gel cushioning system
PROS:
- Long-lasting cushioning
- Great arch support
- Traction-rich outsole
- Can accommodate custom orthotics
- Massively breathable
- A sleek feminine design
CONS:
- No serious flaws
ASICS Women’s GEL Venture 5 qualifies as one of the best running shoes for calf support because of the great support and comfort features. On top of that, its cushioning system lasts fairly longer thus making the shoe a valuable purchase. So if thousands found it beautiful and practical, the odds are high you will too.
2. Asics Women Gel Kayano 24 Running Shoe
Asics Women Gel Kayano is a legendary running shoe that is spotted among many beginner and seasonal runners. Coming from an iconic brand, Kayano sports top-level technology that relieves strains that seasoned athletes and trainers go through.
There are three things that make this shoe great for relieving calf strain. The first one is the Impact Guidance System. This is an ASICS design that promotes natural feet movement from the heel land to the toe take off.
Secondly, the fluid ride midsole is fairly bulky thus reliable for both bounce back and shock absorption. So basically with impact absorbed and some energy sent back to the feet, the amount of work needed for another take-off becomes lower and this gives the calves a brief holiday.
Thirdly, Asics Women Gel Kayano features a Fluid Fit upper. This tech allows the fabric to expand accordingly for a comfortable glove-like fit. And when it comes to relieving calf strain, a proper fit is mandatory.
Besides being practical to the needs of those with tight calves, Kayano is breathable, lightweight, and optimally padded for comfort.
Dominant features
- Synthetic topping
- Impact Guidance System
- Fluid ride midsole
- Fluid Fit upper
- Rubber outsole
- Heel clutching system
- Gel cushioning
PROS:
- Bounce back ability for energized strides
- Provides a glove-like comfortable fit
- Promotes better gait through the IGS TECHNOLOGY
- Amazing impact absorption
- Breathable even in hot weather
- Support-enhancing heel counter
CONS:
- Narrow toe end
If you really are craving for a shoe that ensures your calves don’t ache constantly, Asics Women Gel Kayano is the option to go for. The sneaker is generously padded to hand intense training sessions while keeping your feet dry.
3. Saucony Men’s Freedom Running Shoe
Saucony Men’s Freedom Running Shoe ranks well too when it comes to relieving the symptoms of calf pain. Designed with serial athletes in mind, its level of comfort leaves nothing to be admired. The addition of radiant color accents enables you to buy a shoe that makes you feel good about yourself-which is practically the first step to acing your goals.
Now the question is, how is it ideal for those with tight calves? The first thing is its minimalistic design. A light shoe means less load to drag around. The next marvelous addition is the comfort technology spotted in the upper, midsole, and outsole.
Let’s start with the top. This section boasts of a gentle stretchable mesh with massive breathability. So as you flex, the fabric stretches to doing away with any stiffness that could strain the feet tendons. The ISOFIT fit and TRIFLEX techs in the outsole serve the same purpose.
The Essence of the EVERUN cushioning in the midsole is to absorb as much impact as possible so the superficial calf muscles don’t get beat up. So from today, try to avoid wearing extremely thin shoes until your feet problem subsides.
Dominant features
- 100% stretch mesh
- Low top design
- EVERUN midsole
- ISOFIT Dynamic upper
- Triflex Crystal rubber outsole
PROS:
- Packs a good number of comfort-enhancing technology
- Offers a dynamic fit that is gentle on already strained feet
- Priced well for a top-end running shoe
- Multiple interesting color choices
- Durable outsole with great traction
CONS:
- Narrow toe end
Saucony Men’s Freedom Running Shoe is a top-level sneaker that specifically caters to the tough demands of athletes and sports individuals. It is minimalistic, lightweight, and generously cushioned to allow you to train as hard as you would like. So far, past reviewers highly recommend it.
4. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35
If you love minimalist shoes for their light feel but loathe them for lacking comfort, then Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35 could fit as an alternative. Though fairly bulky, this sneaker features premium AIR Zoom cushioning and a soft fabric that doesn’t carry too much weight.
The addition of AIR Zoom cushioning provides for a smooth and responsive ride-something both beginner and veteran runners would appreciate. With every stride, Zoom gives you spring-like feedback dispersing energy back to the feet for natural transitioning.
But that is not where comfort ends. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35 has an out-turned collar so it doesn’t rub on the Achilles tendon-which links back to the calf muscles. The collar and tongue are padded a little to hug the ankle tenderly.
The midsole is thickened out with Cushlon ST foam and works hand in hand with AIR Zoom foam to absorb as much impact as possible. While running a proper lockdown is required. That’s where dynamic flywire and engineered mesh comes in. Once you tie the laces, there will be no movement and therefore no friction that brings unnecessary turmoil to your work out sessions.
Dominant features
- Rubber outsole
- 10mm offset
- Beveled heel
- Dynamic Flywire technology
- Cushlon ST foam midsole
- Nike Air Zoom Footbed
PROS:
- Provides a proper lockdown fit for injury-free sessions
- Wraps up your feet in soft, shock-absorbing foam and fabrics
- Styled to meet modern trendy footwear standards
- Unlimited radiant colors
- Lightweight construction
CONS:
- A few people found it to be narrow
- The cheaper ones will not last long so it would be better to go close to $100 or beyond
Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is styled to improve safety and comfort while running. The tucked-away collar and robust cushioning help you deal with tight calves in the best way possible. This is a kick with over 80% 5-star rating from thousands of reviews-so yeah, it gets the job done.
5. Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe
Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe is the stuff legends are made of and you will know why. As other running shoes skimp on cushioning or stuff a shoe up with quickly degrading foams, this one combines two premium technologies. These are DNA Loft and BioMoGo. So yes, the kind of comfort you get from it is superior-it’s close to walking on cotton wools.
The same comfort-enhancing tech is designed to be responsive so you are not held back from exploring outdoor trails. Thanks to the 3D fit print, this shoe fits every contour of your feet thus minimizing the potential of foot movement that eventually triggers calf pain.
If you have flat feet, ankle twists, and other types of feet shapes that aggravate calf pain, Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe can help. Thanks to the segmented crash pad, your feet are restrained in place so the tendons and muscles are not worked up. The same system is laced with shock absorbers to smoothen landing impacts.
This shoe is an improvement of Ghost 11 and pops up in a myriad of amazing color options so you can don what you fancy. Above everything else, the shoe has been put to test by thousands of users and the multiple 5-star ratings indicate that it is indeed a good deal.
Dominant features
- Rubber outsole
- Lightweight cushioning
- Neutral arch support
- Segmented crash pad
- BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning
PROS:
- Packs impressive shock absorption ability
- Stylish to pull up good looks
- Runs true to size to avoid dealing with returns
- Supportive and durable overlays
- Lightweight and durable
CONS:
- The shoe isn’t perfect but it has no serious deal breakers
If you don’t want to risk money on bad running shoes, your safest buy is Brooks Men’s Ghost 12 Running Shoe. It delivers an exceptional level of comfort that can help you successfully tend to your bulged calves. So go ahead and check it out.
Factors to Consider When You Choose a Shoe for Tight Calves – Buying Guide
Tight calves are among the most typical issues noticed amongst sportspeople, as their activities are quite challenging. Do you have tight calves? Do you need the perfect shoes to provide excellent support for those calves? You can make a better choice of footwear, as explained in this guide.
As a sportsperson who continuously engage in various sports activities, your calves may get strained on some occasions. Thus, wearing shoes that provides full support for your calves and protect your feet would be very nice. The regular shoes out there may not be the best choice, as you need footwear that would fit right. To get into a more effortless and effective choosing process, consider the factors below.
The Size of the Shoes
It’s quite absurd for someone who wears size E to try to fit his foot into a size D or the tiny size A. Tight shoes can cause severe pain around your toes and your heels. Thus, it would be best to go for footwear with the right size and help save your tight calves some extra burden.
Shoe Stability
The ability for footwear to provide enough cushioning of the feet can help relieve them from pains. Always check out the support features and try to go for footwear that would keep tight calves comfortable. The outsoles are not left out, as they are essential for the level of traction it provides.
Shoe Type
The kind of shoe is one factor that can help you choose comfy footwear for your feet. Having tight calves, you can choose running shoes in any of these three categories;
- The Neutral running shoes, for persons with normal foot pronation. With shoes like this, your feet can get more flexibility, and those tight calve would get the desired support. Movement can become more comfortable, as the shoes are lightweight too.
- Stability running shoes for persons facing issues with overpronation, as they come cushioned with excellent materials.
- Excellent motion shoes that are quite weighty and also durable. Your tight calves can get relieved and feel more relaxed with the comfort from these sore of footwear.
The Cost
The cost of the shoe can also help you make a perfect choice. Shoes available in stores come in various prices and quality. Although you should try to get affordable footwear, you must ensure you don’t buy very cheap ones.
Long-lasting Feature
As mentioned above, you should go for shoes of the best quality, designed from to-notch materials. Long-lasting shoes can fully serve its purpose and more. Try lookout for top brands known for producing quality footwear with excellent features that support tight calves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can orthotics cause tight calves?
Yes and no. An ordinary orthotic will do nothing to stop calf pain. To lessen this pain, you need to tend to the calves directly. However, since shoes and footwear accessories play a preventive role, it is wise to invest in orthotics that boost support, stability, and comfort. Anything that doesn’t meet those three merits will be a mere waste of money.
Can my shoes cause calf pain?
Yes, there are various ways in which a shoe can be hurtful rather than beneficial to calf strains. For instance, a shoe that doesn’t fit well results in movements that strain tendons which in turn fires up calf pain.
Improperly or inadequately padded shoes have poor impact absorption. So as you walk, all that impact is absorbed by the feet and is transported all the way to the calf muscles, knees, and back. New shoes, in general, come with a novel wearing experience and this change in gait can, to a smaller extent, direct some discomfort to the knees.
Can zero drop shoes lead to calf injuries?
The ‘zero’ drop fad rocked the running community for a couple of years with runners switching to zero drop shoes. These shoes give an almost barefoot running experience where the ball of the foot and the heel are at the same level.
The essence of zero drop shoes is to strengthen the foot muscles. However, the recent stats indicate that those who shifted to minimalist shoes experienced calf strain, metatarsalgia, and tendonitis. This could be because of the fast transitioning, ignoring the body’s response and failure to talk to professionals.
Wrap up
We exist in times where not even the sky is a limit (we’ve been to the moon, right?). We believe in going hard or going home. A runner who is always pushing the peripheries will eventually start experiencing tight calves, tendon soreness, and other sorts of feet inflammation.
If your calves are becoming a thing, then it is time to look into protective footwear. While any running shoe can help, we’ve gathered some of the best running shoes for tight calves that offer extra features to deal with this menace.
Understand that a shoe alone won’t get rid of lower leg problems. Other ways to prevent calf strain include using ice packs, compression wraps, putting the injured foot up on a stool while sitting, and taking some time off the action. Read more about calf pain among runners to learn how to go about the whole issue.
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