Consumer Reports recently gave an account about the best running shoes and for both women’s and men’s running shoes, the most important consideration is fit. They highly recommend checking the “Quarterly Shoe Guide” from Runners World, which is considered “the gold standard for running shoe reviews.” Other sources for reviews include Men’s Journal, Shape, Women’s Adventure and National Geographic Adventure. Consumer review sites are generally not reliable sources of information on their own, but they’re helpful for cross-referencing a few pairs you may be interested in, Consumer Reports concludes.
Runners World’s spring 2010 Shoe Guide found favor in running shoes from all brands, including Reebok, Asics, Puma, Saucony, Ecco, Nike and Adidas. However, their personal favorites seemed to be Mizuno, Brooks and New Balance, which saw at least three of their shoes listed. The shoes ranged as low as $85 and as high as $220 in the reviews, with details given as to which shoes provided the most cushioning, the best arch support or the most durability. Most of their rated shoes are for the everyday road runner or treadmill exerciser, rather than the professional racer or marathon runner. For more information, you can view the complete article at www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-400–13408-1-1X2X3X4X5X6X7X8-9,00.html.
If you don’t want to just take Runners World’s word for it, you may prefer the reviews from Consumer Reports, who looks at several different well-respected publications to find a general consensus. When it came to “Stability Running Shoe Best For Most Feet,” they found the Asics Gel-Kayano 15 ($145) to be the best shoe for people with normal arches who have a tendency toward over-pronation (rolling your feet inward as you run). The preferred “Budget Stability Running Shoes” were the Asics Gel-1140 ($90) for people with normal arches and gaits. They recommend the Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS ($115) for the best “motion control” shoes that encourage proper running techniques with rigid support and cushioning. People with high arches should like the 1063 New Balance shoes for running ($125) or the Saucony Grid Cohesion NX ($55) if you’re on a strict budget. Lastly, if you’re into eco-friendly products, the Brooks Trance 8 ($140) has been praised for the fact that it will biodegrade in a landfill after 20 years.
When you’re purchasing shoes for running, be sure to consider fit, cushioning, flexibility, breath-ability and weight. Look at the bottom of your shoe to see where it’s worn so you know where you will need the most support. Consider whether you have wide feet or narrow feet, high arches or normal arches, and whether you like cushioning in the heel or in the forefoot. Most stores will have an area where you can run around in the shoes a little bit to get a feel for what to expect. Note that unlike walking shoes, running shoes should be a half size bigger than what you normally wear. Lastly, remember to keep track of the distances you run and replace your shoes every 300 to 500 miles to minimize the risk of injury.