In today’s world, there are thousands of running shoes available: trail shoes, road shoes, daily trainers or speed shoes. With all of these options, how do you know what is right for you? A great running shoe is one that is correct for your body, and a good combination of traction, comfort, breathability, and support.
Daily Trainers:
- Asics Gel Nimbus-26 ($160)
The Nimbus-26 features the PureGEL technology, and Asics softest foam. This shoe is great for your short recovery runs and your long runs. The shoe has a ton of cushion, creating an excellent all-around comfort, and a stretchy knit upper allowing for great breathability. The Nimbus also has great durability.
- Nike Pegasus 41 ($140)
The Pegasus 41’s includes the new ReactX foam and Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot. The new Pegasus has improved breathability than previous models. The shoe also has expert lockdown reducing slipping while running.
- Brooks Ghost 16 ($140)
The Ghost 16’s presents the DNA LOFT v3 and an air mesh upper. The shoe is a dependable everyday shoe. From the durable outsole to the improved stability this is a versatile shoe. This shoe also includes a spacious toebox adding to the comfort.
- Hoka Mach 6 ($140)
The Mach 6’s showcases a soft foam midsole, a rubber outsole, and a breathable upper. This shoe is perfect for narrower feet. This shoe is very light but still has a great cushion, supporting different paces and distances. Like the Pegasus this shoe also has great lockdown to reduce slipping.
- Hoka Clifton 9 ($145)
This Cliften 9’s features a compression molded EVA foam midsole, a MetaRocker, and a breathable upper. This shoe is just an overall great daily trainer. It is light, very cushioned and stable. Perfect for easy and long runs, although it can be used with faster paces.
Speed Shoes:
- Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris ($250)
The Metaspeeds’s are very cushioned and have a grippy outsole all while staying extremely light. This shoe isn’t just light and comfortable, it also has great energy return coming from the carbon plate and superb foam. This makes it great for speed workouts and road races. This show is also versatile. It’s great for races ranging from the 5K to marathon.
- Nike Vaporfly 3 ($260)
The Vaporfly 3’s showcases the beloved ZoomX foam along with a carbon plate, upgraded outsole, and extreme breathability. Similar to the Metaspeed this shoe is also very light weighing only 0.1 oz more than the 6.4 oz Metaspeed. The vaperfly is a great shoe for speed training, but with any carbon plated shoe, it should be used sparingly.
- Nike ZoomX Steakfly ($95)
The Steakfly’s are the lightest Nike road racing show weighing a surprising 6 ounces. Like the Vaporfly, the Streakfly also contains the ZoomX foam and a good outsole. Although there is no carbon plate this shoe is great for speed work and races ranging from the 5K to 10K.
This list contains just 8 running shoes, but there are hundreds if not thousands of models available. The best shoe for you will be different from the best shoe for everyone else. When getting running shoes you need to think about your body. Do you need more cushion for your knees? Do you need stronger support? Are you a more conditioned runner and looking for a speed shoe to elevate your workout? These are just some of the questions you will need to think about when getting your first or fiftieth pair of shoes.
