HRUSKA CLINIC SHOE LIST
Updated at least twice a year the Hruska Clinic shoe list is utilized by practitioners across the globe when trying to find appropriate shoe wear for their patients and clients.
Improper shoe wear can quickly defeat any Physical Therapy program.
Every time you stand up your whole body is influenced by your feet. No matter what is bothering you, if you aren’t getting better, perhaps you need someone to check your shoes.
Fortunately, the correct shoe wear can have dramatic positive effect on any Physical Therapy program.
The proper shoe can provide more control of the heel bone and mid-foot, or sensory guidance for proper gait mechanics, or cushion to sense the foot’s impact on their body. Our therapists can direct you to the shoe that gives you just what you need to have success. The correct shoe can be the key for some people to progress and get better in their program when nothing else has helped.
We will make sure your shoes are not holding you back!
The Hruska Clinic® recommended shoe list is reviewed and updated at least twice annually to provide individuals with choices of shoes that promote a successful PRI integrative program.
Guidelines
The qualities that we look for in a shoe are based on the mechanical and sensory input that each shoe gives our patients when they put it on their feet. The purpose of this shoe is to ensure that their entire body; legs, pelvis, thorax, and neck, can maintain an appropriate, neutral, position while they stand and walk. The shoes aren’t picked for their ability to stabilize just the foot and ankle, but for the whole body.
ALL of the shoes on the Hruska Clinic Shoe list have these qualities, however this is not an exhaustive list of all potentially “good” shoes. Every shoe on the list is also NOT going to be a “good” shoe for everyone. There will be shoes on the list that may not be “good” for you.
The number one quality to determine if a shoe is good for you is its ability to keep your entire body neutral as determined by objective PRI testing by a PRI Trained therapist!
The same qualities of the shoes on this list (which are all running shoes) should be used to determine if ANY other type of shoe, hiking, basketball, casual, dress etc. are “good.”
Qualities of a Good Shoe
Watch these videos to learn more how we assess shoes and what the qualities of a good shoe are, the latest updates to the list and an example of how we use those qualities to assess hiking boots.
Hruska Clinic Integrative Footwear: Top Shoes
Women
Click shoe for link to amazon*
Men
Brooks Adrenaline (GTS) 23
Great overall shoe for average arch individuals for heel, arch, and big toe sense during the gait cycle. Best heel counter of current shoe options (average arch category)
Brooks Adrenaline (GTS) 22 **Limited Sizes**
Last years model (still good) may still be available in limited sizes
New Balance 860 v13 ** Limited Availability**
Great overall shoe for average arch individuals for heel, arch, and big toe sense during the gait cycle with wider toe box. (average arch category)
The NB 860 v14 will not be on the list due to an excessive ‘rocker heel’ so if this is your shoe, stock up now!
Brooks Dyad 11***LIMITED AVAILABILITY**
Best shoe to assist with whole foot floor sense. The unique liner and design of this shoe best assists people to feel the floor under the shoe vs. the foot inside the shoe. (average heel and arch)
Hruska Clinic Integrative Footwear: Additional Choices (not our top picks)
Rigid Mid-Foot (high arch/ limited pronation)
Women
Click for link to amazon*
Men
ASICS Cumulus 26
Brooks Ghost 16
Version 15 is still good and available. Great shoe for PRI orthotic
Brooks Ghost Max 2 (not 1)
Brooks Ghost Max 1 is a rocker shoe, not in this category
Brooks Glycerin 21
New Balance 880 v13 (not V 14)
**Limited availability
Semi-Rigid Mid-Foot (Average to low arch)
Women
Click for link to amazon*
Men
Asics Kayano V31
Version 30 is still available and was previously on our list
Brooks Glycerin GTS 21
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Top choice
Laxed Mid-Foot (low arch/ limited resupination)
Women
Click for link to amazon*
Men
Brooks Addiction (GTS) 15
Brooks Ariel GTS 23 (Women) or Brooks Beast 23 (men)
ASICS GT-2000 v12
Brooks Addiction Walker Suede
A good “walking” shoe version of the Brooks Addiction
“Rocker” shoes (**Caution: only for those with limited 1st ray/toe extension)
Women
Click for link to amazon*
Men
HOKA Arahi 7 (average mid-foot)
HOKA Bondi 8 (rigid mid-foot/high arch)
HOKA Clifton 9 (Average to low arch)
Brooks Ghost Max 1
**Use with caution. Has good base of support with PRI orthotic, but with stiff toebox for someone with limited toe extension.
Brooks Glycerin 20 (rigid mid-foot – NO “guiderails”)
Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 (semi-rigid midfoot – has “guiderails”)
**As an Amazon Affiliate the Hruska Clinic may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the links on this page
Guidelines
The qualities that we look for in a shoe are based on the mechanical and sensory input that each shoe gives our patients when they put it on their feet. The purpose of this shoe is to ensure that their entire body; legs, pelvis, thorax, and neck, can maintain an appropriate, neutral, position while they stand and walk. The shoes aren’t picked for their ability to stabilize just the foot and ankle, but for the whole body.
ALL of the shoes on the Hruska Clinic Shoe list have these qualities, however this is not an exhaustive list of all potentially “good” shoes. Every shoe on the list is also NOT going to be a “good” shoe for everyone. There will be shoes on the list that may not be “good” for you.
The number one quality to determine if a shoe is good for you is its ability to keep your entire body neutral as determined by objective PRI testing by a PRI Trained therapist!
The same qualities of the shoes on this list (which are all running shoes) should be used to determine if ANY other type of shoe, hiking, basketball, casual, dress etc. are “good.”
Follow us on Social Media for updates to the list throughout the year
Listen to Lori describe much more about the advent of the shoe list and more in depth details on how we come up with the shoes we reccomend on the list in this podcast from Move Your Brain, Move Your Body from late 2021.