Which running shoes (long distance) are the best type for women with shin splints?

I can’t help you answer your question but I can tell you that there are exercises that you can do to help eliminate your shin splints. Try googling it…. I just spoke to a physical therapist about this at my pilates studio and she showed me some. I’ll try to explain: stand kinda like you’re going to do a lunge – with one leg bent and the other straight out behind you so you’re stretch your calf. Then switch. The other stretch was to be done sitting down, legs stretched out flat in front of you and just simply by extending your foot without moving your heel off the ground. Doing these daily helped me a lot!! As for sneakers, I recommend New Balances but that’s just because I’ve had mine forever and I love them.

I don’t know of somewhere that you can specifically go to get your shoes analyzed, but did you consider a podiatrist? You may benefit from orthotics.
When I had shin splits I switched to New Balance, and it made a huge difference! Great shoes.

Edit: Just read what @SamanthaRae wrote, and I remember doing an exercise when my shin splints were really bad where I would find something to step up on (maybe 3”-4” high), I would step up and get on my tip toes, then step down but leave my toes on the edge of the platform. I’m 5’9”, and I think a 4” platform was best for me, but you might need a different height to get the most comfortable stretch.

Here’s a brain dump of everything I know re: shin splints:

-Not an acute injury. That is, cause is from a constant, more long-term infliction of stress on your muscle or bones not a one-time accident kind of thing.

-Those that overpronate are probably more susceptible to developing this problem. See this video for an explanation of overpronation.

-When you have shin splints you need to cut back on your running routine. Something about tiny fractures or tears that will not heal unless you stop the vicious cycle. When I had shin splints, stopping running for a while was what finally got rid of them, but I am not an overpronater.

-Building muscle in your legs can help.

Someone that knows biomechanics, a PT, or maybe someone that coaches running for a living might be able to provide some insight.

I know that New Balance stores will check your running and such to best fit a shoe for you. Although, I don’t know if they have something specifically for shin splints, but they do for your running style (overpronator, underpronator etc). Also, here where I live, we have a store called Fit2Run: The Runner’s Superstore, who also check your running style. Maybe check to see where your local one is!

@lilikoi I have never heard that before about overpronation being related to shin splints. I have very high arches, thus I underpronate, is there a relation there as well?

Shin splints is a general term for lower leg injury and pain. Stretching and RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) will help as will a medical exam. If your shin splints are due to bio-mechanical reasons during running (like over pronation or landing with your feet pointing out ward) then the following running shoes made for maximum motion control will help you:

Saucany Grid Stabil MC 5
Asics Gel MC Plus
Brooks Beast, Brooks Ariel
New Balance 817

A podiatrist recommended any of the above shoes for me. They aren’t cheep. Be prepared to pay $80 to over $100 a pair. I’ve tried New Balance 817 and Saucany Grind Stabil MC 5. It took some getting used to but now I like them and my pains are greatly reduced. They have a good thick mid-sole and a very stiff so that your feet stay in proper alinement. Good running.

Everyone’s running style is different, so it would be best to go to a running store and get a professional opinion.

In regards to shin splints, I had them in my first year of running- I was heel striking/over-pronating slightly so I was told to get shoes with more heel support. It took me 12 months to realise that getting more heel support was not the best solution. I ended up buying Vibram Five Fingers and making my running style more natural/similar to barefoot running.

In other words, in order to solve your issue with shin splints, perhaps try to fix your running style rather than buy new shoes.

However, if there is no problems with your running style then there is no doubt buying suitable shoes will fix your problem.