What Are The Best Running Shoes
If youre looking for an affordable pair of running shoes that will get you through easy runs and speed workouts, the Hoka One One Rincon 3 is a great choice. At $115, the Rincon 3 is a good deal cheaper than some of the other shoes on this list, and its a great all-rounder for runners who only want to buy one pair of shoes.;
If youre after a pair of the best Nike running shoes, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 is a brilliant all-rounder. After a serious overhaul with the Pegasus 37, the Pegasus 38 contains Nike’s React foam, which is lightweight and reactive, making the shoe suitable for long, easy runs as well as shorter, snappier miles.;
If its a pair of womens running shoes youre looking for, the Brooks Ghost 14 is an extremely popular choice. Its a highly versatile, workhorse of a shoe that can handle daily miles and marathons. Brooks uses 3D fit printing to slightly tweak the shoes upper, conforming to the differences between mens and womens feet, making this a super-soft, comfortable running shoe for most female runners.
Read on for all our picks for the best running shoes.
Final Thoughts On The Best Running Shoe Brands
Now that youve gone through the pros and cons of almost all the best running shoe brands on the market, do you have a clear favorite on your mind?
All running shoe brands listed above are great and come with distinct features.
The best way to narrow down on a suitable brand is to assess your requirements and focus on the features of each brand before making up your mind.
We hope you found our guide to the best running shoe brands useful.
If you think weve missed a running shoe brand that deserves to be on the list, let us know, and well have it covered by our athletic shoe experts.
Nike React Infinity Run Fk2
Price: £139.95
Weight: 302g , 244g
Heel/toe drop: 9mm
Type: Road/Stability
It’s always interesting when a shoe brand claims its product can help reduce injury which is what Nike has done with this update. Theres no way to assess such a claim, short of mass-scale, clinical-level testing. So the best we can say is that no tester who wore these shoes got injured, and there was uniform enthusiasm for the cushioning , breathability and stability. The main changes to version one have come in the upper, which has been made more robust, with some cushioning added around the tongue. But those runners who had worn the original suitable for everything shoe such as RW deputy digital editor Jane McGuire were disappointed. She said: I was a huge fan of the last version, as I found them super-responsive. I wanted to love these but I dont. The arch feels higher and the shoes are too heavy for speedwork. The sizing comes up a little small, too. If youre not comparing these with version one, youll find them a durable workhorse for long runs.
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How Many Pairs Of Marathon Shoes Should You Buy
If youre in training mode for a full marathon, consider buying 2 pairs of the same shoe.
Why?
Running shoes gradually lose their support and bounce. ;;You should look to change out a pair of running shoes every 300 500 miles.
At the same time, running shoes need to be;broken in. ;;A brand-new pair of running shoes need a few miles on them before they are race-ready.
So for your marathon shoes, you want to be like Goldilocks dont run in brand new shoes, but dont use old, tired shoes either.
When it comes to marathon preparation, heres how I like to do it:
I buy two identical pairs of running shoes.
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Then I wear my first pair for almost all of my training by the time the marathon comes, they are a little worn and dull.
As for the second pair , I save them until around 4 to 5 weeks before the marathon, then introduce them into the mix. ;;Ill alternate the 2 pairs until the marathon shoes have around 50 miles in them. Then theyre ready.;
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The North Face Vectiv
Price: £180
Weight: 288g , 247g
Heel/toe drop: 6mm
Type: Trail/Neutral
Yes, this is a largely white trail-running shoe. And no, we dont know why The North Face did that. All our testers complained about that fact, but, aesthetics aside, this didnt perform badly. That will encourage the brand, which is a key player in the mountain-apparel market but lacks a track record in footwear. Its an unusual and overpriced shoe. The brand says its suitable for ultra-distance trail races but wed say that this is unlikely unless youre already a long-distance trail runner. There are some things to love: it feels a lot lighter than its actual weight; the upper, partly made from Kevlar, is extremely tough, if a little baggy; the grip is superb on most surfaces; and its nimble enough to cope with technical trails. However, theres a carbon fibre plate that is redundant unless you plan to run only on hard-packed, flat surfaces. Also, the rocker shape of the midsole works well on the flat and downhill but can be a hindrance going uphill. A shoe that has potential but isnt quite there yet.
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Neutral Running Shoes Vs Stability
Traditionally, all running shoes are divided into Neutral running shoes or Stability running shoes.
This is based on the concept that the height and elasticity of your foot arch determines what your shoe should do for you.
- Runners with high arches dont amortise the shock of impact with the ground enough, therefore needing shoes with extra cushioning
- Runners with low or flat arches have their arch collapse under the impact resulting in mis-alignment of the running gait, therefore needing shoes that correct this issue
Although there is much more to choosing a pair of running shoes than this, most runners will be find in Netrual running shoes. Some runners though absolutely do need stability in their shoes in order not to get injured.
Is It Worth Buying Expensive Running Shoes
Just because a pair of running shoes is expensive, that doesn’t mean they are good. That said, cheap running shoes seldom deliver a running experience you might expect from decent running footwear.
What’s cheap? If you’re taking running training seriously, we would recommend spending around $/£100 on a new pair of running shoes. This might sound quite a lot at first, but running shoes in this category won’t fall apart after a few runs and will support your feet for a few years at least.
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The 10 Best Running Shoe Brands
The runners have spoken and the results are in. Our quest to find out which running shoe brand you think is best is complete, and were ready to share the results.
You had a lot to say about your favorite brands, and thanks to your colorful commentary we learned a lot about what it is you love so much about your favorite running shoes and the people who make them.
First and foremost, we hear loud and clear that above all else you most appreciate a running shoe thats comfortable. Of course, this comes as no surprise; who wants to run mile after mile in a shoe that cant keep your feet happy? Certainly not us!
Second, many of you are all about minimal, lightweight shoes that provide just a small amount of comfy cushioning; the three brands with the most votes all received endless praise for these qualities.
And third, you also value shoes that are durable; sneakers that hold up over time and the many miles you cover each week.
You shared a wide range of different opinions about your favorite running shoe makers, but in the end only one brand could come out on top. Although, we will say the fight for the number one spot was a very close onethe first place brand snuck ahead of number two with just one vote.
Hoka One One Rocket X
The Rocket X is built for bringing the speed on race day. Its fitted with an on-trend carbon-fibre plate to help provide that fast, responsive ride underfoot and uses CMEVA foam in the midsole to offer stable foundations to generate that speed. Theres a rubberised foam outsole and a mesh upper to help make this Hokas lightest racing shoe to lace up and crank out a 5K or 10K PB. £140.hokaoneone.eu
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Hoka One One Elevon 2
Soft, light and cushioned to perfection, despite its bulk and signature Hoka maximalism, the Elevon 2 is light as a feather and has earned a reputation among die-hard runners as the perfect recovery shoe. Thats in part because of their uber-soft midsole, but mostly thanks to their attention to heel protection, this area coming extra cushioned and extending behind the foot. £140.hokaoneone.com
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The Three Parts Of Your Running Shoe
There are many parts which make up a complete running shoe, but you can split the shoe into three main components.
Upper
The upper is the topmost part of your running shoe. The materials play a large part in determining the lifespan of your running shoe. The key to a durable upper is getting the balance between the thickness and type of material.
Friction plays a part in wearing down the materials in your upper, and one thing to watch out for is where your big toe lies in the shoe. If the big toe is against a part where two materials meet, then this can cause the join to wear down quicker and lead to the shoe coming apart before it should.
Extra reinforcement in the eyelets, where the laces run through, will help with the friction of the laces too. The heel is also a potential weak point, but the main thing which is going to affect this is the sizing of the shoe. A shoe of the wrong size will wear quicker.
The key for your upper is to choose a shoe in the right size. Do not make compromises, and make sure to have your foot professionally measured.
Midsole
The midsole sits under the sole of your foot and above the sole of the shoe. This is the part which comforts and supports your foot when you are running. When buying a running shoe, you want to look at the density and compound of the midsole.
Outsole
An outsole crafted from harder rubber will last longer than a softer model but is that the way to go?
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Daily Training Running Shoes Vs Racing/speedwork Running Shoes
The last distinction we want to highlight is the difference between high mileage, every day shoes vs shoes for speedwork and racing.
It has become a common practice for runners all over the world to have at least two separate pair of shoes:
- A pair of traditional, highly cushioned and comfortable running shoes in which they log the majority of their training mileage. These shoes are usually heavier and with a high drop.
- A pair of lightweight, low drop shoes to be used when they train at slower distances and higher paces. Or on race day.
Nike Zoomx Vaporfly Next% 2
A road running shoe with some serious sex appeal, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 is lighter and springier than ever before, updated with additional foam in the forefoot and a lower drop . Especially useful for running in the UK, where the weather is never quite guaranteed to be on your side, is the grooved rubber outsole that channels water as you go, giving them better traction in wet conditions. Not resting there, Nike has even swapped the Flymesh upper for a lighter Vaporweave. A blend of nylon and thermoplastic polymers, these add yet another layer of waterproofing to the shoe, while laces at the lateral side take pressure off the top of the foot. £209.95.nike.com
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Is It Bad To Run Without Running Shoes
Barefoot running is gaining momentum, especially among athletes who think modern running shoes are detrimental to foot health. Truth to be told, high stack, carbon plate-enhanced running shoes indeed force runners to run in a particular way which might not be the most ideal for at least some percentage of runners out there.
That said, running barefoot takes some getting used to, especially if you usually wear cushioned shoes. Even big-name barefoot brands such as Vivobarefoot recommend easing yourself into barefoot running as it requires you to move very differently compared to when you run in cushioned shoes.
It’s recommended to start running shorter distances as in a couple of hundred meters at first, then gradually increasing the distance as you get more comfortable. It’s also beneficial to run on softer surfaces such as grass or sandy beach at first, as these might mitigate impact force better than landing hard on tarmac.
How We Test Shoes
Runners World has the most comprehensive shoe testing process in the industry. We work with more than 350 local runners of all abilities, ages, and sizes for real-world wear-testing on paved roads, dirt paths, and rocky singletrack. After a month of running more than 100 miles in their respective pairs, our testers report back their findings on features like fit, comfort, performance, and ride. While theyre putting miles on the shoes, the same models undergo a battery of mechanical tests in our RW Shoe Lab, where we objectively measure each shoes cushioning, flexibility, sole thickness, and weight. Our test editors combine their own experience in the shoes with data from the lab and feedback from our wear testers to create reliable, useful reviews of every pair we run in.
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How Much Cushion Do You Want To Feel
The ride provided by your shoes is determined by two aspects of cushioning: the firmness of the foam and the thickness of the shoe material between your feet and the ground. This material in the midsole is usually a type of foam, typically EVA or polyurethane, that helps absorb the impacts as your feet strike the ground. From maximally cushioned midsoles to ones with no cushion, how thick or firm the midsoles below your feet is a matter of personal preference. Some runners want a plush, soft ride for extra comfort. Others dont want or need that much cushioning, preferring more response from each stride. The best way to decide is to try on a variety of shoes and see how they feel.
Here are your choices when it comes to cushioning:
- Maximum cushion:;These maximalist;shoes offer thick padding in the midsoles for the ultimate plush feel. Runners may prefer the comfort of thicker, softer foam underfoot when running long distances or multiday races. But super-soft cushioning isnt for everyone. Some dont like the squishiness;feel. Further reading:
How To Buy The Right Running Shoes
With so many different types of running shoes available to buy, it’s no wonder one can feel completely overwhelmed just by thinking about getting a new running trainer. To make a decision at least a little bit easier, we collected a few pointers that might help you when buying a new pair of shoes.
Have your gait analysed: you can do this in a brick and mortar running shoe shop or work it out yourself by performing the classic ‘stepping on a piece of paper with wet feet’ test. There is also the NURVV running insole that can tell you exactly how much you pronate.
Be mindful of sizing: not all running shoe sizes are created equal. Some brands are infamous for their sizing methods; for example, New Balance shoes tend to be half a size under, so if you wear a size 10 normally, you might want to get a size 10.5 New Balance. Also, racing shoes are usually tighter than trainers. The best women’s running shoes may also be narrower and lighter than unisex or men’s options.
Take the running surface into account: obviously, you need different shoes for the tarmac and the trail. That said, some shoes will perform well on all sorts of terrain, such as the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail, while others will excel on one more than on the other.
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Best Running Shoes For Men In 2021
Lightweight, supportive, durable: These running shoes win the roads, the trails and your races.
Whether you’re new to running or you’ve crossed several;, having the right running shoes can make or break your performance. The wrong running shoes can result in knee pain, injuries or even the dreaded plantar fasciitis. But the right shoe choice can make you feel fast, light on your feet and ready to take over the world — and that’s speaking from;personal experience.
If you’re shopping for someone other than yourself, be aware that the best running shoes are different for each person. No matter how much your gift recipient loves you, they will not wear a pair of running shoes that gives them blisters, pinches their toes or feels lumpy or lopsided.
Don’t worry: CNET has you covered with this guide to the best running shoes for men. Selected from my own experience wearing men’s running shoes , professional input from a running coach and thousands of online reviews, I present: the best running shoes for men in 2021.;
And yes, we also have a list of the best women’s running shoes. We update these lists periodically.
