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
Average to Low Arch Feet
(All shoes on our list meet the criteria for a “good” shoe)
Women
Click shoe for link to amazon*
Men
ASICS GT-2160
No added cushion. Upper part of shoe assists with foot guidance and sense. Helps to hold teh foot onto the shoe. Really good shoe for ground sense. Reminds us of teh beloved ASICS Foundation 8 from the early 2000s.
Brooks Ariel (women) or Beast (men) 24
No added cushion. Guiderail for heel arch and toe sense during gait cycle. Provides more stability for laxed (flatter) foot and/or larger individuals. Reduced posting over prior versions makes this shoe more accessible to more people with average to low arches.
ASICS GT-2000 v 13
Minimal added cushion. Guiderail for heel, arch and big toe sense during the gait cycle. Narrow heel counter very good for ankle instability.
Brooks Adrenaline (GTS) 24
Minimal added cushion. Guiderail for heel, arch and big toe sense during the gait cycle. Average toe box. Recent upgrades to this shoe still keep it a great option for the majority of our PRI patients.
ASICS Gel Kayano 31
Moderate cushion. Not for individuals who are challenged to sense the ground under the foot. Good for individuals to work on foot/ankle stability.
Karhu Ikoni 3.0:
Minimal added cushion. Guiderail for heel, arch, and big toe sense. Wider toe box. Some people find the shoe has a tendency to cause rocking back too far on the heels.
**exclusive at Fleet Feet in the US or online.
Brooks Adrenaline (GTS) 23
Great overall shoe for average arch individuals for heel, arch, and big toe sense during the gait cycle. No added cushion (as opposed to the version 24)
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!
High Arched Individuals (limited pronation)
(These shoes are all compatible with PRI orthotics)
Women
Click for link to amazon*
Men
Karhu Mestari 1.5
Minimal added cushion. Guiderail for heel, arch, big toe sense wtih gait. Wider toe box. Caution: Some tendency for lateral heel give.
**only available at FleetFeet in the US or online
ASICS Cumulus 26
Moderate added cushion. Sole tends to wear out quickly, needs to be replaced frequently. Average toe box. Not the best shoe for individuals challenged to sense the ground. Narrow heel counter is good for ankle instability.
“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 2 (Average to High arch)
ASICS Nimbus 27 (Average to High arch)
ASICS Glideride Max
**As an Amazon Affiliate the Hruska Clinic may earn from qualifying purchases when you use the links on this page
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.
Follow us on Social Media for updates to the list throughout the year
Shoe List Archive

Hruska Clinic Shoe List Wall of Fame
NB 1080 V1 (Fresh Foam)
Brooks Dyad 11
Asics Cumulus 20
Asics Foundation 8