If you're thinking of getting into running, or maybe just upping your mileage, it's worth investing in trainers that will go the distance and that will be comfortable whilst doing so. Poor quality, ill-fitting trainers could potentially lead to a whole host of problems, be that blisters, black toes or even more serious, long-lasting damage.
To help you avoid these, we've come up with a few hints and tips to help you choose the perfect trainer, including advice on flat, wide and narrow feet and high arches. We'll also share our top picks available on Amazon and eBay including Nike, Asics, and Adidas. Whether you're a road or trail runner going short or long distances, they'll ensure nothing stops you in your tracks!
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of running shoes for women available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Asics | 2 ![]() Brooks | 3 ![]() Saucony | 4 ![]() New Balance | 5 ![]() Adidas | 6 ![]() Nike | 7 ![]() Under Armour | 8 ![]() Newton | 9 ![]() Merrell | 10 ![]() Salomon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Gel-Cumulus 21 | Adrenaline GTS 19 | Omni ISO 2 | Nitrel | Ultraboost 19 | Air Zoom Pegasus 36 | Charged Bandit 5 | Distance 10 | Vapor Glove 4 | Speedcross 4 GTX W |
Features | Shock-Absorbing Heels To Support Your Feet | Avoid the Bulk With This Supportive Shoe | A Supportive Shoe to Keep You on Track | A Trail Shoe Without the Added Weight | A Super Flexible Shoe to Fit Your Feet | This Shoe Lets Your Feet Breathe | A Cheap Trainer That Won't Slow You Down | A Lightweight Shoe for Raceday | A Minimal Shoe That Will Take You Anywhere | Run Off-Road With This Grippy Shoe |
Price | £87.22 | £69.95 | £116.48 | £126.00 | £126.12 | £94.99 | £64.99 | £122.98 | £71.99 | £120.00 |
Cushioning | Heavy | Heavy | Heavy | Heavy | Heavy | Heavy | Medium | Medium | Light | Light |
Heel Drop | 10 mm | 12 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm | 2 mm | 0 mm | 11 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral | High | High | Neutral | Neutral/high | Neutral | High | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Weight | 236 g | 272 g | 281 g | 258 g | 268 g | 229 g | 201 g | 193 g | 244 g | 280 g |
Road/Trail | Road | Road | Road | Trail | Road | Road | Road | Road | Both | Trail |
Size Range | UK 3-10 | UK 2.5-10 | UK 3-10 | UK 3-10 | UK 4-10 | UK 3-9.5 | UK 2.5-9.5 | UK 3.5-8.5 | UK 2.5-8.5 | UK 5.5-10.5 |
Link |
If you like the idea of feeling more connected with each step, then a minimalist shoe might well be for you as they have less support and cushioning, particularly around the heel. The 'HTT drop' or 'heel-to-toe drop' (how much material there is beneath your heel in relation to beneath your toe) is also low, usually under 10 mm. The theory is that this allows your foot to do the work in the way that it was intended – barefoot with no support.
These shoes are often the faster choice as you can really use the natural spring of your stride, but having little to no support around your foot might not be suitable for everyone, especially if you have developed a running style wearing shoes with more cushioning as most of us have.
At the other end of the spectrum to the minimalist running shoe, there is what is called a maximalist shoe. These shoes often have a larger heel, more padding throughout, and a higher heel drop of 10-12 mm, with the idea that it will soften the blow and therefore put less strain on your body. The majority of popular trainers on the market belong to this category.
One drawback of this is that too much cushioning does slightly dampen the bounce of your strides, and it can make trainers feel a little bulky and heavier, although new technology is allowing heavily cushioned shoes to not be burdened with extra weight. If you are a beginner, a shoe with more padding is the best option as they suit slower speeds.
If the high point in the middle of your foot (known as the arch) tends to sink, think about going for shoes that provide support around this area. This will help prevent injuries as collapsed arches can lead to other joint problems.
Some shoes will be described as neutral, meaning that they don't have this extra structure around the midsole, which is absolutely fine if arches are not a problem for you and your feet are flatter. If they are, look for trainers which specifically say that they are designed to support arches and have a higher midsole.
This one is pretty obvious, but when you're running there is no greater sensation than feeling lighter than air. You don't want anything to add to the heavy legs you will inevitably have a few miles in, so the lighter the trainer, the better.
There will most probably be a trade-off between support and weight, but try and find that sweet spot in the middle where you have enough cushioning but your trainers don't feel like they're weighing you down. The big brands including Adidas, Asics and Nike have a large range of lightweight trainers. Anything less than 200 g is extremely light, but shoes that weigh between 200-300g are a good figure to aim for.
Selecting the right running shoe for you will also mean thinking about the terrain on which you do most of your runs. If this is normally on roads or treadmills, then look for a trainer that is designed for this sort of high impact, though fairly consistent, ground. If you prefer going off the beaten track, then trainers marketed as trail shoes will be more suitable.
Trying to enhance your running experience? Why not check out our recommendations for the best sports bras for large busts, running tops and running shorts.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£87.22
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 10 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 236 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 3-10 |
£69.95
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 12 mm |
Arch Support | High |
Weight | 272 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 2.5-10 |
£116.48
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 8 mm |
Arch Support | High |
Weight | 281 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 3-10 |
£126.00
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 8 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 258 g |
Road/Trail | Trail |
Size Range | UK 3-10 |
£126.12
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 10 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral/high |
Weight | 268 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 4-10 |
£94.99
Cushioning | Heavy |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 10 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 229 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 3-9.5 |
£64.99
Cushioning | Medium |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 8 mm |
Arch Support | High |
Weight | 201 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 2.5-9.5 |
£122.98
Cushioning | Medium |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 2 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 193 g |
Road/Trail | Road |
Size Range | UK 3.5-8.5 |
£71.99
Cushioning | Light |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 0 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 244 g |
Road/Trail | Both |
Size Range | UK 2.5-8.5 |
£120.00
Cushioning | Light |
---|---|
Heel Drop | 11 mm |
Arch Support | Neutral |
Weight | 280 g |
Road/Trail | Trail |
Size Range | UK 5.5-10.5 |
Although running shoes can be worn for walking, it is not always ideal. For example, experts have recommended that you stay away from wearing minimalist shoes for walking. That said, if you have found a pair that are comfortable and offer you the right support then it is fine to wear them for both activities!
Written and researched by Emma Cramp
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications