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How to choose the best running shoes
Some runners are very weight-conscious, and studies show that wearing heavier shoes consumes more aerobic energy. Lighter shoes generally have less cushioning, which can make them feel faster, but the new midsole foam now allows for luxury rides without adding weight to the shoes. If you’re going on a long trip, some extra cushioning might be a better option as it provides shock absorption.
To test for softness, we went to our shoe lab and measured the heel and forefoot separately, as the overall experience can vary depending on where the runner lands and where the toes come off.
Also, be sure to take into account the drop of a running shoe — sometimes called offset — which is the difference between the heel and the ball of the foot, or how much your toes “drop” below the heel. This is important because a higher drop results in more heel strikes and also transfers some of the stress from the calf to the knee. Conversely, a lower offset shifts the load further down the kinematic chain to the calf and Achilles tendon during your gait cycle. Many shoes have a drop between 8 and 12mm, but some have a drop of less than 6mm. Some designs based on minimalism have no gaps.
FAST RUNNING SHOES
Saucony Endorphin Pro 2
Offers more support around the heel for an even more secure fit, though runners with weak ankles may still feel wobbly corners. And, the new closure system strategically places elastic bands to keep the tongue from skewing.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion
Plates are nothing new for Mizuno, which has been using Wave technology for years. But the brand made a big change with its latest fiberglass material for fast-paced training. This light and strong product features a bio-based waveboard made of castor and nylon, reinforced with fiberglass
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v12
Like its v11 predecessor, the 860v12’s midsole has two layers of fresh foam – soft on top and fast on the bottom. New Balance adjusted the formulation of the lower layer (eva material), slightly lowering the durometer – a way to measure hardness. So in this shoe, it feels a little more forgiving. That’s fine.Brooks Launch GTS 8
If you think “GTS” stands for “Go-To Shoe,” you’re not wrong. This year, Brooks simplified the naming convention, paired stability shoes with neutrals and added gts, now redefined as “Go-To Support.”Saucony Guide 14
Saucony’s versatile stable shoe now looks race-ready, with a 3D-printed overlay adorning the engineered mesh upper and sharing the same color scheme as the more snappy Kinvara. The Guide features plush padding on the heel collar and tongue. This stable version of the Saucony ride has a lightweight TPU medial rear and sturdy heel counter for support that testers found comfortable support.Saucony Peregrine 12
Saucony’s Peregrine line has long been a fast running shoe that works well for many types of runners in a wide variety of conditions. It’s great for beginners making their first footprints on muddy trails or shielding stalkers’ toes on rocky single tracks. Its versatility – spanning terrain, foot shape and distance.Skechers GOrun Razor TRL
Regular readers of the RW shoe review know we love the Skechers GOrun Razor 3. These road boots are light, fast and fun. It hasn’t changed in almost three years because it’s just that good. But Skechers has expanded on the shoe with a carbon-plated version for road racing, as well as this grippy, fast trail running shoe. The midsole is identical to the road shoe, using the brand’s Hyper Burst foam. It started out as a solid block of EVA plastic that was exposed to a supercritical fluid — basically, carbon dioxide gas heated under pressure until it returned to a liquid state.Cyklon Trail Running Shoe
Mountain runners adore goats for their grip and agility, as they can jump up and down steep, rocky terrain with ease. La Sportiva’s trail running shoes have earned a similar cult reputation, thanks to their ability to tackle the roughest and steepest terrain with precision.
