As someone with a host of 5km, 10km and half marathons (no marathon yet; that’s next) under my belt, I like to think of myself as a bit of a seasoned runner.
So when it comes to the right shoe for the right event or foot, I have put in a few (hundred) hours of research.
The good news is that we are living in the Golden Age of running shoes.
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Trainers are not only faster and lighter, but more comfortable and resistant than ever.
It means you can not only nail that PB easier than ever before, but you can also recover faster from a hard run.
The main thing to know is that the same running shoe will not suit every single runner or every single type of workout.
This is where The Athlete’s Foot comes in.
Thanks to the store’s impressive MYfit 3D Innovation Technology, runners can have their feet 3D scanned to provide the perfect measurements across the foot.
Once this is done, you then step across and walk down a pressure pad with 4,000 individual sensors while your foot movement is filmed.
This lets The Athlete’s Foot’s trained experts identify the motion of your foot in order to understand exactly what kind of shoe your foot needs.
The service is, quite honestly, a gamechanger for identifying the type of shoe you will work with best – whether it’s a wide fit, big cushion or major stability.
Here, Best Picks reveals five of the best running shoes for all different types of feet – and what kind of runner they will work for.
1. Best running shoe for support
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pair of these 30th anniversary ASICS Gel-Kayanos earlier this year, and since then they have become my ultimate everyday running shoe.
Featuring a big and bouncy look with a chunky mid-sole, they honestly feel like you’re walking on a cloud when you put them on.
I love wearing them for my everyday training runs, as they are super supportive and help me recover faster, so I’m ready for any kind of speed session later in the week.
Thankfully, the shoes are still lightweight enough (about 257 grams) to hit a PB if you want to race in them – so you won’t feel like you have to drag your feet when running in them.
The trainers are available in a range of colours for men and women.
I chose the stylish White/Cyber Grape hue, which may not be my most practical of choices, but it certainly does look good.
Those interested in the running tech behind the shoes will also enjoy the fact that they boast never-before-seen 4D guidance system technology, which provides adaptive stability for the runner by adjusting to the way your foot rolls throughout the run.
What this means is whether you’re running up or down a hill, or whether you’re at the end of a run when your form is likely to suffer, the shoe will adapt and give you exactly the support you need – which is a major bonus for avoiding injury.
There is also a sculpted midsole for more lateral compression, additional cushioning and PureGEL technology – which allows for a softer landing with enhanced shock absorption.
2. Best running shoes for speed
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Women’s, $269.99
If you’re looking to get faster in your running, you’re going to need a lightweight pair of speed shoes.
I can’t go past these Saucony Endorphin Speed 3s – which are available in a number of colours and styles.
While they will work well for your everyday runs, they really come to life in interval or tempo sessions, as well as races.
This is thanks to the shoe’s inclusion of that speed holy grail: a carbon plate.
Carbon plates provide a spring-like effect and reduce the energy required to push off the ground with each stride, meaning you can run faster with less effort.
These particular shoes are made with an S-shaped plate to help support high arches, while the angle helps to propel you forward and cushion your feet at the same time.
I love these for a 5km or 10km race, but they do work as well across a longer distance should you wish to race in them across a half or full marathon.
3. Best running shoes for everyday
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40, $189.99
I have owned an iteration of the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus shoes for at least five years now, and find myself turning back to them time and again when I want an everyday shoe that will go the distance.
With neutral support, these trainers are ideal for walkers and runners alike – with their light cushioning and waffled outsole, which will keep you light, cool and bouncy with every step.
I’m not alone in my love for these trainers.
Reviewers online have described the shoes as “the perfect all rounder”, “light and comfortable” and “my everyday running shoes”.
“These are my third pair of Pegasus shoes. I’ve got a pair of 39s I use for everyday running, which I find very comfortable for those long easy runs and probably one of the most stable running shoes I own,” one reviewer wrote.
“They are extremely comfortable and fit perfectly. Like walking on air. A good multi-purpose pair of shoes, very reasonably priced.”
Another added: “I have been a loyal Pegasus wearer for 15 years because of the comfort and arch support. They have been on my feet for countless half marathons and five full marathons. I can’t imagine running in another shoe”.
4. Best running shoes for long runs
I have “retired” these shoes after clocking a lot of miles in them, but am always interested in re-investing.
While they might look slightly ridiculous in terms of the height of their sole, the reality is they are ideally suited to both amateur and pro long-distance runners alike.
They’re supportive, super well cushioned and unbelievably light.
It’ll feel like you’re not wearing anything as you clock kilometre after kilometre in your long-distance training.
I’m also obsessed with them from a support perspective.
I wore these shoes heavily during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when running was one of my only reasons to leave the house.
And I swear they kept my knees healthy when I was running some seriously long kilometres without any strength training classes to accompany them.
5. Best running shoes for comfort
I am yet to try a pair of the trendy Swiss brand On’s shoes, but the pair I have my eye on at present is the On Cloud 5s.
With their distinctive soles and ergonomic designs that are built to mould to the shape of your foot, On boasts a host of celebrity and athletic fans around the world.
The On Cloud 5 is one of their best options for runners.
Reviews online say the shoes are a “gamechanger” when it comes to comfort.
“Great walking shoe and great to travel with given they are so light. Look pretty good too and not bulky for all the support they offer!” one recent shopper wrote.
“So comfortable I didn’t need to walk these in at all – they are a gamechanger,” another added.
For more information, to shop The Athlete’s Foot range or book an appointment with one of their specialists, head here.