by Sofia Moreau

Slipping into the right running shoe can be transformative to a fitness journey, often leading to frequent committed training sessions, decreased risk of injuries, or perhaps, setting a new personal best record. The main hiccup here is the plethora of brands and shoe fits to decide amongst. However, don’t sweat it. Our guide to the most apt running shoes for women, fitting to all experience levels, planned distances and various terrains, is your answer.

Why do women’s running shoes differ from men’s?

Adidas embarked on a research to study foot differences in men and women, to subsequently design the new Ultraboost 22, exclusively crafted for women runners. The result? Remarkably, it was found that women’s heels tend to be slimmer than men’s, affecting especially the forefoot width and the ball girth. Also, women’s insteps are typically lower.

That’s not where the differences end. Research confirms that women, due to their broader hips, run differently, causing their feet to hit the ground’s outer edge first and then rolling inward towards the arch. This often leads to overpronation in women. Factoring all these nuances, the ultimate women’s running shoes are slim at the heel, wider at the forefront, with varied cushioning, and notably, lighter – as women stride with less impact.

Decoding Different Types of Running Shoes

Enter any sports store and you will notice varying types of running shoes designed to cater to individual conditions – lightweight shoes, stability shoes, trail or road running shoes, motion control shoes and the list goes on. Don’t fret about choosing the right one yet. This guide is designed to help you choose the perfect pair.

Designing Your Everyday Run – Points to Consider

Before you invest in your ideal running shoe, ponder over a few key factors. Firstly, decide upon the terrain you will be running on. For pavements, road running shoes are a great fit. If you plan to run on softer, uneven grounds, go for the trail running shoe.

Next, take a moment to mull over the distance and the type of running you intend on doing. The general rule of thumb is – longer distances equal lightweight shoes with maximum cushioning, while speed requires shoes with less cushioning for improved responsiveness and ground contact.

Last but definitely not least, understand the type of cushioning your body needs with a running gait analysis at a trusted shoe store. This will indicate whether you lean towards being an overpronator, underpronator, or a neutral runner. Insight into these specific needs of your feet will guide you to make the right purchase.

Running Shoe Brands – Pick Your Fit!

We are spoilt for choices when it comes to shoe brands today. Classic sports brands like Nike, Reebok, Adidas, and Under Armour have a great range at a decent price. Yet, they can sometimes be driven by fashion trends rather than technical specs.

Technical shoes from specialist running brands like Brooks, Asics, Saucony, and New Balance may be a tad more expensive but offer a variety irrespective of your foot dimensions – narrow, regular or wide. Fresh offerings in the market by newer brands like On, Hoka and 361°, and sustainable alternatives from Allbirds, Veja, and Vivobarefoot are also worth considering.

Top Running Shoes for Women in 2023

Now, without further ado, let me roll out to you our recommendations, carefully chosen, researched, and tested to bring you the most transformative running shoe experience.

Shortlists include:

• Best Trail Running Shoe: Saucony Peregrine 13
• Best Road Running Shoe: Adidas Ultraboost 22
• Best Long-distance Shoe: Hoka Bondi X
• Best Shoe for Beginners: Reebok Floatride Energy 4
• Best for Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v12
• Best Cushioned Shoe: On Cloudstratus
• Best for 10k Runs: Asics Metaspeed Sky
• Best for Marathons: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

Read on to get a closer view of each of these shoes and understand why we chose them for you.

NOTE: The top recommendations are based on exhaustive testing and opinions of highly experienced runners. Always select your shoes based on your needs rather than just fashionable looks!

Best wishes on your running journey!

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