On the chance that you’ve experienced discomfort around the ankle area, you might have heard your doctor mention sinus tarsi syndrome (STS) as a possible cause. STS typically occurs after an ankle sprain and causes tenderness and throbbing pain. What are the best shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome, then?
On top of understanding the condition, choosing the right shoes to wear while you’re recovering plays a huge part, too. STS causes discomfort and stiffness around the ankle area and prevents you from doing things you’d normally do regularly, such as working out, running, or even going to work.
When caught early, STS can be treated with rest, NSAIDs, physiotherapy, stability training, and appropriate footwear. Choosing the right footwear that guarantees to ease the symptoms of STS means opting for ones that offer support, protection, and movement control.
We’ll be covering all that and more below!
What to consider when choosing the best shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome
Okay, you’ve got the STS diagnosis and now you’re searching for an appropriate pair of shoes. What do you do now? What do you focus on?
First things first, you need to go for the right type of footwear that’ll offer plenty of support and protection for your feet. Choosing between sneakers and high heels, for example, shouldn’t be a tough task. But choosing between a high-cut and a low-cut shoe might not be as simple.
High-cut sneakers will provide you with more support around the ankles, but also limit your range of motion. That might not be great if you’re an athlete. Low-cut sneakers, on the other hand, are more comfortable and malleable, but they’re not as supportive.
Furthermore, you should be on the hunt for sneakers that come with a higher heel-to-toe drop. A higher drop alleviates some of that pressure off your ankles and offers more ankle support.
On top of that, going for motion-control sneakers might be the right move because of the added stability. Of course, lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must – and we can’t forget about the price, too.
With these features, you’re guaranteed to tackle the STS problems head-on. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite picks to make the hunt easier.
What are the best shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome?
1. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 running shoes
Starting with a BANG, you can’t go wrong with New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 running shoes. Maybe you’re planning on walking every day to keep up your exercise regime. Perhaps you’re thinking of switching to athletic footwear for work to alleviate STS symptoms.
Whatever the case, the New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers are the way to go. From a higher heel-to-toe drop and Fresh Foam midsoles to a wider frame and breathable fabrics, these sneakers are guaranteed to get you through the day pain and pressure-free.
New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers offer stability and support, reduce overpronation, and prevent compression against the sinus tarsi. With those features, they’re great for mild to moderate symptoms of STS. What’s not to adore?
2. Asics Gel-Kayano 29 running shoes
Moving on to the perfect sneakers for those of you who suffer from moderate to severe symptoms of STS, we’re bringing you Asics Gel-Kayano 29 running shoes. Asics are known to come out with excellent stability and motion control sneakers, and these are no different.
First off, they’re equipped with a higher heel-to-toe drop, which means they’re made to alleviate some of that pressure off your ankles and feet.
Moreover, they feature brand-new technology known as LITETRUSS™ stability, which promises to stabilize your ankles and tilt them outwards, in turn reducing pain. And we can’t forget about the deeper heel cuts, which are great for opening up the space around sinus tarsi and reducing discomfort, too.
3. Gravity Defyer Mighty Walk athletic shoes
Oh, the Gravity Defyer Mighty Walk athletic shoes might not be as popular and prominent as Nike or Adidas sneakers, but that doesn’t mean a thing when you’re searching for the best shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome.
Gravity Defyer sneakers are equipped with Hybrid VersoSchock technology which guarantees to relieve ankle and knee pain. On top of that, the Gravity Defyer Mighty Walk athletic shoes are made with VersoCloud nucleated polymer formula that provides you with comfort and stability.
Of course, these sneakers were designed to protect your feet, offer them plenty of support, and absorb shock from the ground up to prevent further damage to your feet and ankles.
4. Vionic Brisk Miles sneakers
Speaking of brands you might not be familiar with, Vionic Brisk Miles sneakers are perfect for people suffering from STS for a host of reasons.
Sure, they might not be appropriate for people with high arches that suffer from pronation problems. But they’re perfect for anyone who needs added support, stability, and comfort.
First off, Vionic sneakers focus on three separate areas that need attention when you’re battling symptoms of STS. Mid-foot support, arch support, and ankle support play a huge part in your recovery, and you shouldn’t overlook them simply because you’ve never heard of the brand.
Vionic sneakers are designed by a team of podiatrists and footwear experts which means they’re geared to create the perfect sneaker. Needless to say, they’re breathable, lightweight, and supportive enough to wear all day long.
5. Nike React Infinity Run 2 running shoes
Nike sneakers don’t even need an announcement, but they deserve it, nonetheless! Nike React Infinity Run 2 running shoes are the right fit for anyone suffering from STS because they’re equipped with motion control for stability, a wide base for comfort, and Nike Flyknit fabrics for breathability.
Not to mention that they’re made with a Nike React cushioning system that makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds – which means they’re perfect for the office.
They’re hardwearing, too, which means a lot when you’re on a tight budget and need something that won’t break apart within weeks. They’re made with arch and ankle support, as well as Nike’s Flywire technology that provides you with a snug fit around the mid-foot area.
6. Saucony Cohesion 14 running shoes
We’re aware that not everyone can splurge on Nikes, no matter how hardwearing and protective they might be. What do you do when you need an affordable alternative that offers the same or similar features? Well, you turn to Saucony, of course!
Saucony Cohesion 14 running shoes come with high-performance stability and outstanding cushioning.
With these two features together, you can bank on support for your ankles and comfort for your feet – you don’t have to choose between the two! We suggest trying them on first, though, because they’re a little on the narrow side.
7. Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 sneakers
Whether or not you’re searching for sneakers that are as attractive as they are supportive, we can’t recommend Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 sneakers enough.
Adidas sneakers are known to be on-trend from time to time, but these are more classic and chic which makes them perfect for everyday wear.
Don’t worry, they come with plenty of features that promise to ease your STS symptoms, too. For one, they’re equipped with arch and ankle support, as well as a Primeknit upper that hugs your ankles and reduces discomfort.
Other than that, you can count on the Boost midsole technology and the Stretchweb rubber outsoles to provide you with pretty much everything you need.
8. Hoka Rincon 3 sneakers
Hoka’s one of those brands that have taken the athleisure world by storm, and we’re over the moon that they’ve designed one of the best shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome: Hoka Rincon 3 sneakers.
Hoka Rincon 3s are breathable, lightweight, and durable. They’re made with high-quality fabrics that hug your feet and ankles. They’re super, super cushioned for comfort, but they’re supportive at the same time, too.
And, they’re equipped with features that are great for STS symptoms such as shock absorption, ankle and arch support, a mesh upper, and an asymmetrical tongue.
9. NoBull high-top trainers
We briefly mentioned that you’ll need to choose between low-cut and high-cut sneakers, depending on what you’re planning on doing while wearing them.
NoBull high-top trainers are one of the best high-cut sneakers you can wear when suffering from STS. High tops are known to reduce stress and alleviate pressure off your ankles, and these NoBull ones are no different.
They’re great for working out, lifting weights, and playing sports such as basketball – but, they’re not appropriate for running. They’re durable, breathable, and lightweight, and they’re a great sneaker to experiment with, for sure.
10. Nike Kyrie 7 basketball shoes
We come to the end of the article with one of the best high-cut shoes for sinus tarsi syndrome – Nike Kyrie 7 basketball shoes. Whether you’re planning on shooting ball or you’re on the hunt for high tops, you can bank on these Nike shoes to provide you with great traction, a padded collar, and a comfy fit.
And, don’t worry, Nike also makes plenty of low-top basketball shoes for those of you who aren’t fans of high-tops.
Whichever STS-friendly sneakers you decide to go with, make sure they’re comfortable enough for your escapades.
Read more: Ball Of Foot Pain: 10 Best Shoes For Sesamoiditis
