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If youve been inspired by marathon season, or are just looking to up your training and take on your first 5K in 2022, finding the best women’s running shoes can make all the difference. A comfortable pair of running shoes might give you that extra motivation to lace up and run on wintery mornings, but they can also help improve your technique. For female runners, along with finding a comfortable sports bra , the right pair of running shoes can help elevate your performance and run stronger.
To answer the obvious question, womens shoes arent the same as mens running shoes. Womens feet are often smaller and narrower than mens feet, plus there have been studies that suggest that womens feet are more flexible. Although womens running shoes will look similar, there will be small differences in terms of the fit, construction, and cushioning used. Confused? Read our guide on how to buy running shoes to understand the jargon behind shoes.
Honorable Mentions: Asics Gel Kayano 28
The Gel Kayano 28 is an ASICS legend that is another great stability alternative for any runner. With a few upgrades in the latest iteration, the Kayano 28 is more comfortable, slimmer, and ready to help overpronators on their daily runs. The Kayano 28’s gender-specific Trusstic technology tunes into a woman’s biomechanical needs, offering better protection and a smoother ride. There is also an additional 3-mm offset in the women’s version, making it easier on a woman’s Achilles by providing more cushioning in the heel, along with softer midsole foam to accommodate a woman’s lower weight relative to a man’s. Lastly, with the addition of the FlyteFoam Blast, the Kayano is a more fun, soft, and bouncy stability option.
How To Choose The Best Women’s Running Shoes For You
The best womens running shoes are specifically designed for a womans foot. Therefore theyre usually lighter, softer and ergonomically designed to fit a narrower, smaller foot. That said, if you have bigger feet or wide toes, you might prefer to run in unisex shoes, which can offer a wider toe box to prevent hotspots and blisters. You’ll find some of the best below.
With any running shoe, make sure you have at least a fingers width of space at the end of your toes to allow room for your feet to expand as they get hot. Most runners will go up at least half a size from their normal shoe size. If you have a history of injuries, cushioned shoes can help provide a greater impact on each foot strike.
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Best For: Runners Who Want Stability But Without Extra Weight
Heel/toe drop: 8.4mm
Type: Road / Neutral
If youre looking for a soft, plush shoe for long, slow runs, this is it. The Nike Zoom X Invincible Run was described as fun by our testers and its easy to see why: the enormous amount of cushioning meant their feet felt wrapped securely, which meant they didnt have to worry about how to land, where to place their feet or, indeed, think about anything they could just run. Nike says theyre a good shoe and, after several testers reported having less muscle pain after their long run in these, wed have to agree.
Heel/toe drop: 7mm
Type: Road /Neutral
If you care about doing your bit for the planet, youll love the Allbird Dasher made from renewable natural material, the shoe causes 9kg of carbon dioxide per pair through production, manufacturing and recyclability at the end of its life. This is 30 per cent less than the average running shoe. Underfoot, there’s a nice amount of cushioning, however it is on the firmer end of the spectrum and doesn’t give you a great deal of ‘pop’. There’s a warm, water-repellent, Merino wool upper, designed to keep your feet cosy and dry in wet winter weather, and we can confirm they did exactly that when we tested them during the winter months. A good entry-level shoe that’s suitable for easy runs up to 10K.
Heel/toe drop: 12mm
Type: Road / Stability
How Does Someone Get Flat Feet
There are many reasons why someone might have flat feet. It’s a condition that’s passed through genetics, but you can also develop flat feet due to other changes in life, says Dr. Julia Sinclair, DPM, another podiatrist at Performance Podiatry Partners, including arthritis, pregnancy, aging, and injury.
She says that when someone acquires flat feet later in life, it’s often an issue with the posterior tibial tendonthe tendon that wraps around the inside of the ankle and connects to the inside of the foot. Translation? That’s the tendon that’s responsible for arch support. If this tendon is injured significantly, it could result in a decrease in arch support.
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Best Overall Workout Shoes
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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Review: Price And Availability
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 was released in April 2022 and costs £109/$120. In the UK, it is currently available on the Nike website, and on retailers like sportsshoe.com . This is the same as the Nike Pegasus 38, although youll likely be able to pick up a pair of last years shoes at a discount right now. In the world of super shoes, the Pegasus has always been a more affordable running shoe, popular with beginners and more experienced runners alike.
At launch, its available in five different colorways in the mens version red, white, all black, light blue, and black and white, and seven in the womens mint, grey, all black, white and pink, pink, white, and black and white. That said, being one of the most popular Nike running shoes on the market, its very likely that the Pegasus will be released in more colorways in the future.
The shoe is available in sizes US 6-15 in the mens version and sizes US 4.5-12 in the womens.
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New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Pacer
- Extremely lightweight
- Lightly cushioned less support
The Pacer delivers a snappy performance, but feels considerably softer than the old 1400 and thin racing flats in part because of what New Balance calls Energy Arc. Theyve placed a carbon-fiber plate thats curved like an arch between two layers of compression-molded EVA foam. I liked the carbon fiber, said a tester. It felt like it helped to push my foot off of the ground, thus leading me to run faster and have quicker turnover! The old New Balance racing flats that I had lacked this carbon fiber feature, and I can most definitely feel the difference.
- 5mm lugs shed mud easily
- Also available in a Soft Terrain version
- Some testers wanted softer cushioning
BEST ROAD-TO-TRAIL HYBRID
- New stitching on heel and midfoot for a more secure fit
- No rock plate
The Runventure has a just enough cushioning to handle occasional trail debris in your path. The lightweight trainers weight savings comes from omitting a rock plate in the midsole. Most of our testers like the groundfeel, but some desired just a little more cushioning for gnarlier terrain. The outsole is Vibram XS Trek Evo rubber, which testers highlighted as having reliable traction on slick and loose surfaces. The tread isnt too aggressive to transition onto the road or vice versa.
BEST FOR GNARLY TRAILS
Best Trail Running Shoe
For comfortable cushioning on long trail runs, the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 is our top trail running shoe that can really do it all. The Speedgoat features aggressive lugs to provide amazing traction on all types of terrain, along with a new upper for an improved fit that you can enjoy for mile after mile. The latest model offers added breathability and a springier ride for tackling any distance or condition on the trails. Whether you want a reliable daily trail shoe or a highly cushioned workhorse for your next race, the HOKA Speedgoat 4 has got you covered in style.
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Hoka Speedgoat 5 Technical Details
- Weight: 234g
- Surprisingly lightweight for a grippy trail shoe
Why we didnt
- Not as cushioned as other HOKA shoes if thats what you like about the brand
- Not super-waterproof
What our testers said
I absolutely loved taking these out for a spin for some off-road running. That initial comfort stood the test of time, as my feet still felt cushioned after several miles, and there wasnt a blister in sight these definitely arent shoes that you need to wear in. The soft EVA sockliner keeps me snug and supported, but is also nice and breathable. I quickly discover that theyre not entirely waterproof, and a few larger puddles leak through the upper slightly, but the fact that the Vibram sole is so chunky really helps to minimise this. I love the responsiveness, and am suitably impressed by the spring I feel in my toe-off. Theyre perfect for tackling my local canal path, which is a little rocky under foot, with the 5mm lugs helping me feel secur
- Ideal for race days or PBs
Why we didnt
- Not for longer trail runs or ultras
What our testers said
What About The Other Running Shoes
We have already stretched our selection by adding one shoe to our top 10. With hundreds of shoes available at any given time, we had to make a choice. There are some very popular shoes that we have decided not to include in this guide.
Ultimately, its very rare to find a poor running shoe, especially if youre willing to spend over $80. At this price point, running shoes are reasonably sturdy and comfortable. But if youre looking for the cream of the crop, then we believe our selection will give you that.
Here are a few more shoes with special mention:
- Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT% 2 because it would be near perfect if not for its sloppy upper
- Asics Gel Kayano 28 for its smooth and stable ride
- Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 because we can never have too many shoes with carbon plates
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All Womens Running Shoes
Let your personality shine during every run with some of the best running shoes for women. This line-up of running sneakers for women integrates fashion into function, offering options in a variety of colors and styles to fit both your aesthetic and athletic preferences.Road running shoes for womenRoad running shoes are designed to hold up as you pound it out on pavement, whether that’s an actual road, a sidewalk or the paved track at the nearby high school. Women’s athletic shoes designed for striking pavement tend to offer a springy step that cushions the impact of running on hard surfaces.One example is the Revel 4, which has functional elements inside and on the outsole to help you bounce back from each step. If you’re looking for an even softer landing for endurance runs through the neighborhood, the Glycerin 19 provides plenty of underfoot cushion.Trail running shoes for womenSometimes you want a running shoe that lets you adventure off the paved path. Trail running shoes like the Divide 2 offer extra traction to support stability as you sprint through woods and over uneven terrain.Whether you’re looking for women’s jogging shoes or something to keep you in the competitive race, you’re sure to find an ideal option in this selection of some of the best running shoes for women.
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New Balance Fuelcell Tc
- Best for: Competition runs
- Weight: 174.9g
- How much?£180
If you are looking for that extra motivation with every stride, then the Fuelcell TC’s are the running shoes for you. The bouncy foam midsole delivers a high rebound and has that propulsive feel when you step, helping drive you forward and maintain speed. You can rely on this pair for competition runs and racing.
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How Can I Properly Break In My Running Shoes
Some people may not need to break in running shoes, particularly if they have worn the same brand and model before. If youre trying something new or there are significant changes to a particular model, there are a few ways you can ease your way in without soreness or blisters.
The experts at Brooks recommend the following:
- Take a walk first. Whether just around your house or around the block, walking will get your feet familiar with the new shoe.
- Take shorter runs 20 to 30 minutes at a time versus starting out with one long run, which may cause blisters or soreness.
- Alternate with an older pair of your running shoes to get accustomed to the new feeling.
- Wear quality socks theyll act as a second skin and help you avoid issues such as blisters and trapped heat.
And dont forget your inserts. If you wear custom orthotics or other special inserts, dont forget to move them to your new shoes to get all the benefits.
If you regularly experience foot pain whether in new shoes or old shoes you may want to make an appointment with a podiatrist to get checked out.
How Long Do Running Shoes Last
The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends wearing shoes for 350 to 500 miles before buying new ones. So, your weekly mileage will play a part in how long it takes you to rack up this distance.
Body size and weight may also affect how quickly or slowly shoes wear out. For example, a shoes cushioning may wear out more quickly for heavier runners. As a result, they may need to buy a new pair closer to the 350-mile mark.
Shoes that are more than a year old should also be replaced no matter how many miles they have on them as materials can deteriorate over time.
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Women’s Ua Flow Velociti Wind Running Shoes
- Drop: 8mm
- How much?£100
The SL20.3 is a lightweight shoe with a snappy propulsive feel. It’s also breathable, supportive and comfortable, meaning you can get out and train without worrying about whether your kit will slow you down. The SL20 collection is designed to cross the line between committed daily runners and race runners: for when you want to do pace runs and set personal bests, any goal you’ve got in mind, these are the shoes to get you there.
Best Running Shoes For Women In 202: Your Ultimate Guide
It took some time, but running shoe manufacturers finally realized that women arent just small menthey require a running shoe designed specifically to fit their unique bio-mechanics, including wider quadriceps angles , lower body mass and narrower foot shape. Selecting the best running shoes for women involves taking all these particular into account, as well as evaluating your personal needs.
Manufacturers have also recognized that women make up a substantial chunk of the running shoe-buying market and deserve their attention. According to data collected by Running USA, in 2019, more than 10.7 million women completed a race of any distance, compared to just 8 million men.
Fortunately, this increased recognition of the needs and prevalence of female runners has led to a sea change in terms of the quality and variety of running shoe options being designed for women, with outstanding choices available in every category from beginners shoes to racing models.
Keep reading to learn more about why its essential to wear shoes designed to support your individual goals and bio-mechanics, get tips for finding the best shoes for you and discover the top-rated shoes in more than a dozen categories.
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Best Running Shoes For Women Of 2022
By: Sheryl Cannes Updated on: July 16, 2022
The perfect running shoes can help you forget your feet and let your mind drift into your running zone. The feel of the road and the rhythmic fall of your feet put miles behind you for a tranquil experience on long runs.
Running sneakers for womens feet cater to the unique physiology and characteristics of a womans body. For example, women tend to have a different foot shape than men, in particular a narrower heel. They also have wider hips that can cause overpronation or a turning in of the ankles on the landing. For that reason, many womens shoes have stability and motion control features.
We reviewed six of the best running shoes for women. These sneakers offer support, smooth transitions, and sleek designs. Weve also included a shopping guide with the different types of running shoes and key features to help you make an informed decision.
