Best running shoes
With these models nobody can stop you
© Jacob Lund / Shutterstock
Finding the best running shoes is a tricky business. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner, a returnee or an “old hand” – the right footwear is essential when running. We’ll help you find the right running shoe.
Choosing the best running shoe depends on a few factors. At first it doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out jogging or have been doing your rounds for years. Here you can find out what things you should pay attention to when buying your running shoe, why a good running shoe is important and which models are suitable for the individual types of running.
The best running shoes: These factors influence the choice
A brief overview of the factors:
- Weight
- foot deformities
- Heel, midfoot, or forefoot runners
- Running track / underground
- size and fit
- price
But what do the individual points mean when choosing the best running shoe? We’ll break them down a bit to give you an idea of where we’re headed.
Above all, the weight and possible foot malpositions influence the first important decision: will it be a neutral shoe or a stable shoe? The difference is obvious. Runners with a heavier weight or with weaker foot muscles (e.g. after an injury) may need some support when it comes to stability and tend to choose a stability shoe.
People without foot deformities and moderate weight usually do not need this support and can use a neutral shoe.
Two things are important when choosing between neutral and stable shoes:
- You don’t necessarily notice if there is a misalignment. A visit to a (sports) doctor and/or a specialist shop with a running analysis is advisable. If you have often noticed that the insides of your soles wear out more with your (leisure) shoes, it is reasonable to assume that you tend to overpronate. As a result, your foot tilts inwards too much.
- Would you like to rely on the support of a stable shoe because your muscles are not (yet) sufficient? No problem! However, we recommend that you also carry out special exercises that stimulate your foot muscles. After a while you could try a neutral shoe and continue to challenge and encourage your foot muscles. First, alternating with your stable shoes, you may later be able to switch completely to neutral shoes.
Tip: the Asics Gel Windhawk is one of the budget models and is recommended for regular runs of up to an hour, once or twice a week. That sounds pretty good for a start.
Let’s go back to the individual points that you should consider before buying running shoes.
- People who weigh a few kilograms more often have to struggle not only with knee problems. Your feet must also be able to carry the weight. Then it is often recommended a stable shoe to support and relieve the foot muscles. Here, as always, you decide what is feasible and right for you and your body.
- We have already briefly touched on foot malpositions. Special Ideally, foot positions should be determined by a specialist.
- Whether you count among the heel, midfoot or forefoot runners is not decisive for many running shoes. However, there are special models that are more suitable for the respective group than others. The division into heel, midfoot and forefoot runners refers to the placement of the foot when running. If you land heel first, you are a heel runner; the same applies to the middle and forefoot.
- The running route or path, i.e. the surface on which you primarily want to run in the future, can play a major role in the decision ‘which is the best running shoe’. While good cushioning is important on asphalt or otherwise paved paths, you want to Runners: enough grip inside on uneven routes to have. So if you like to go jogging in the forest or in nature in general, you need it above all for your running route a good profilewhich also provide support and security on slippery and muddy surfaces. Trail running shoes are particularly suitable herebecause they also weaken one or the other sharp rock or root.
- It goes without saying that the size and fit have to be right. Your feet are put under a lot of stress when running – you should thank them with maximum comfort. But beware: Leisure shoe size is not the same as running shoe size. Basically you should always one size larger orientate yourself and have space a thumb’s width in front of the big toe. In order to ensure that the running shoe does not pinch, it is advisable to wiggle your toes vigorously and see whether there is enough room to move around even with a flexed foot (i.e. pointed toes).
- How much money you can or want to spend on a good running shoe does not only depend on your own budget. As a beginner, you may have to try running for yourself first and don’t even know if you’ll be able to stay on the ball for longer. Then it is not necessary to go directly with the most expensive model. You can get good neutral shoes from around 120 euros. This means that good running shoes are still more expensive than a pair of simple leisure shoes – but it is also about the health of our feet. And fortunately, a pair is usually enough.
You now know what to look out for. But which running shoes are the best for you?
The best running shoes in the “neutral shoe” category
1. “Asics Gel Cumulus 22”
For people without foot deformities and a moderate weight, the selection of the best running shoes is enormous. Running shoes with good cushioning are particularly popular among athletes. This ensures a pleasantly springy running feeling and compensates for the often hard asphalt floor. One of the most popular neutral shoes is without a doubt “Asics Gel Cumulus 22”. Two gel elements give runners maximum comfort inside.
2. “Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37”
It is well known that Nike can do more than provide cool street style. With the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 the brand can convince the whole range of runners – beginners as well as experienced athletes. The slim design also invites you to choose the shoes as comfortable footwear in everyday life.
3. “New Balance Fresh Foam 880”
the “FreshFoam 880v11” from New Balance is currently in its tenth version a running shoe that has been continuously improved over the years. No wonder runners are enthusiastic about this model. On many surfaces at home, the range of fit sizes is particularly impressive. The widths of the “Fresh Foam 880” go from narrow, standard, wide to X-wide.
The best running shoes in the “stable shoe” category
1. “Adidas Solar Boost 3”
Actually he is “Adidas Solar Boost 3” a small all-rounder among running shoes. But it is particularly suitable for people with a little more weight. Because both the necessary cushioning and the desired stability were taken into account when developing the shoe. Therefore, this running shoe promises to be the best for getting started or if you are perhaps unsure whether a misalignment or similar could influence your choice.
2. “Asics GT-2000”
The constantly new models from Asics have been among the most popular running shoes for a long time. Years of experience and continuous optimization are convincing. the “Asics GT-2000” should be particularly useful for people with a tendency to overpronate. So if you notice and/or get confirmation that you tilt inwards when running, you should take a closer look at these running shoes.
3. “Brook’s Adrenaline GTS”
The “Brooks” brand is less well known among non-runners. Running shoes are valued all the more among runners for this. the “Brook’s Adrenaline GTS” should be the shoe of choice for everyone who wants a stable shoe. Additional plus point: All sizes are available in narrow, normal and wide versions.
The best running shoe for “off-road runners”
If you are lucky enough to be able to do your laps between trees and meadows instead of between houses and cars, you are often looking for special running shoes. After all, slippery surfaces, sharp stones, angular roots or inclines have to be mastered on these running routes.
“Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow”
If you don’t want to worry about the surface and would like to switch between asphalt and natural surfaces, you can use the “Terrex Agravic Flow” from Adidas can’t go wrong. Cushioning and profile ensure a safe run that is as gentle on the joints as possible. In the variant shown here, your feet are well protected against wind and weather with a Continental sole and a Gore-Tex upper.
Can you use your training shoe from the gym as a jogging shoe?
If you are active in sports, you may have a good training shoe that you wear in the gym or with which you do weight training. So the question is whether you can also use this training shoe for running. Sports shoes are sports shoes, right?! Unfortunately, no! theRequirements for a jogging shoe are quite different from those for a conventional training shoe. The focus of the jogging shoe is on its rolling behavior – an aspect that could sometimes be a hindrance in a training shoe. Because the often strong cushioning of the running shoes provides a lot of compensation. In the gym, however, when it comes to strength and a good, secure footing, the cushioning is rather counterproductive. Conversely, training shoes usually have thin soles and are therefore not suitable for jogging. So if you are looking for a sporty variety, you have to choose different shoes. For the sake of his feet.
When selecting the best running shoes, we used the test results of the experts at Runner’s World as a basis and summarized them with reviews from previous buyers. The numbering does not represent a ranking, but is only for clarity.