Running is the main form of physical activity for many today, whether it be on the streets or in the gym. If you run on a daily basis or every now and then, it is hugely important to find the right pair of shoes to meet your needs. As a result, I have put together a list of some of the best running shoes currently available, with potential customers needing to ensure that their demands are met when it comes to comfort, support and style.
Each of the products that I’ve picked has been designed to offer you something a little different. So, where one might excel, the another might struggle.
The products discussed also differ in price, with different budgets having been taken into consideration too. Let’s kick things off by taking a look at the first pair of running shoes.
The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is an excellent all-rounder, with my testing finding that this neutral shoe is perfect for all forms of running, including jogging, sprinting and long-distances. The Pegasus is a long-standing series from Nike, however the 35 features full-length Zoom Air for the first time ever, which works to offer a more natural stride.
Elsewhere, I found that the Pegasus helps to absorb the impact of landing when on concrete, the track and the treadmill, which is achieved by a premium foam from heel to toe. A mesh upper is utilised on the Pegasus 35, which helps to both keep the feet secure and provide flexibility when needed.
Another useful addition to this model of the Pegasus is the fact that the collar at the back of the shoe is turned away, which I found removes the potential of rubbing against your skin when running. The Pegasus 35 weighs in at 281g (UK size 9), which while not being the lightest offering from Nike, does ensure both comfort and durability.
The Pegasus 35 is available in a range of colours and is around the industry standard when it comes to pricing, with this shoe definitely worth the investment.
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The Adidas Ultra Boost is undoubtedly one of the best-looking products on my list, meaning that it has the ability to act both as a running and day shoe. The fact that they fuse comfort and the latest technology means that users will enjoy both a stable and flexible platform, with the knitted upper also meaning that they remain relatively lightweight.
One of the standout features of the Ultra Boost is the increased heel support on offer, which helps to support the achilles tendon. As a result, I found that it ensures for a smooth ride on a range of surfaces. Meanwhile, having tested the Ultra Boost in wet conditions, I found that its superior traction on the heel allowed for excellent grip in pretty unfavourable conditions.
The Ultra Boost is designed for mid to long distances, whilst also being suitable for the streets, track and gym. There are a huge number of different colourways available at present, meaning that you are almost certain to find something that suits your needs in terms of style. Despite being more on the expensive side of things, Adidas have undoubtedly developed one of the best running shoes in their entire range.
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The Asics Metarun is an excellent option for running enthusiasts, with the latest technologies having been utilised in order to develop their first ever shoe of this kind with a responsive ride. All of the Metarun’s features add up to make it perfect for those of you who enjoy long-distance running, however FlyteFoam technology offers added bounce back and responsiveness no matter what the distance is.
Elsewhere, gel technology, which is synonymous with Asics shoes, helps to provide both cushioning and stability in the heel, while I found that the dual density midsole helped my running motion during testing.
Due to their price point, the Metarun is certainly an option that is only likely to be suitable for serious runners, with it catering particularly for those of you who have pronation issues. Finally, Asics have developed a heel clutching technology system, that I found improves the fit and feel of the shoes throughout.
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The New Balance 860v9 is perfect for those who enjoy running out on the street, with these shoes having been built specifically with road running in mind. I found that the TruFuse mid sole allowed for fantastic cushioning during testing, even on the hardest of concrete surfaces. Elsewhere, a dual-density post ensures stability even on long-distance runs.
A synthetic mesh upper helps to keep the foot locked in place whilst running, while the materials used throughout help to make the 860v9 one of the most durable running shoes on the market today. In terms of comfort, these shoes are aided by two layers of foam in the midsole, which also helped me in maintaining a consistent running motion.
The New Balance 860v9 is both affordable and attractive, with its design making it one of the more traditional types of running shoe available. The 860v9 also comes in a variety of colours, meaning that you are likely to find something that matches your style preferences.
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I hope that you have found something that suits your needs when it comes to a running shoe from the products discussed. But, before you make up your mind completely, there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration before making your purchase.
The type of running that you are doing is likely to have a significant impact upon the style of running shoe in which you ultimately end up purchasing. Those planning on sticking to the streets will probably get by with a good pair of road running shoes. However, should you be looking to be a little more adventurous and take yourself into the woods, you will want something that performs just as well in rougher terrains.
Many of you may well have existing injuries of issues which running can potentially flare. As a result, it will be important to find a pair of shoes that helps to combat such issues getting any worse.
Running shoes are now made specifically with this in mind, whether it be overcoming overpronation or underpronation, with many specialist sports stores now offering gate analysis, which can help you to find what style of movement you have.
Finding the right fitting shoe is hugely important, with ill-fitting shoes potentially causing injuries and major discomfort. As a result, your running shoes must lock in your feet when your laces are tied to a comfortable level, while leaving around a half a centimetre beyond your big toe is also recommended.
It is now easy to find running shoes that come with all the latest technology, without spending a small fortune in the process. Better quality materials, such as foam or gel support will certainly add to the durability of a product, however they do not automatically make a shoe more comfortable. Take a look at the products discussed in this article and find a price point that works for you, before deciding upon the type of product that works.