Best Running Shoes: How To Find Your Perfect Fit

Whether you're pounding the pavement or hitting the trails, it's important to invest in a quality pair of running shoes – ones that can support your body during impact and offer the most comfort. Of course, in the end, it comes down to personal preference, but our guide can help you find the best of the best, no matter the kind of runner you are.

It is important to invest in a quality shoe to help prevent injury and make your running experience as comfortable as possible. More than 50 perfect of running injuries, including shin splints, ankle sprains, joint pain and knee injuries are due to improper footwear. Your feet are important when you are running, so you want to take care of them. When choosing the best running shoes for you, you want to take into account the running experience, body shapes and sizes, individual biomechanics, and more. There are thousands of different running shoes on the market. We've put together a list of our favorites.

Nike Pegasus 35

The Nike Pegasus is a great, budget-friendly option for runners. The lightweight shoe is stylish and accommodating for many foot shapes and sizes with the wider toe box. The Pegasus has consistently been a top choice for many runners and the latest model is no exception. The cushioned foam bottom ensures that your joints are supported upon impact without feeling too heavy. Whether you are a new running or are logging double-digit miles on a regular basis, the Pegasus 35 has a number of positive qualities that can apply to your training.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18

This running shoe continues to improve with each new model. This is a “Go-To-Shoe,” especially for over-pronators who need a little extra stability while running. In this running shoe model, Brooks has perfectly combined a lightweight design with a highly-supportive structure. The GTS can do a little bit of everything and that concept applies perfectly to new runners or athletes who like to do various styles of training, including running.

Altra Duo

The Altra Duo seems to be the answer to the "highly cushioned without being heavy" dilemma. Many maximally cushioned running shoes have runners lagging behind their regular pace due to heavy weights. The treads of these shoes are wider than the standard cushioned shoe, maintaining the lightweight ideal without compromising the cushion. This is a shoe you can trust the marketing on, they perform exactly as we would expect – which is very well.

Saucony Kinvara 9

The Kinvara is great for daily, moderate training and racing, offering a highly responsive ride. Through a number of iterations, this running shoe remains an industry favorite that is perfect for running the block, the treadmill or the neighborhood race. Those who prefer a rougher terrain may still find this running shoe suitable, although that is not necessarily the intention. The Kinvara perfectly balances cushion and responsiveness that supports the body on the way down, as well as on the way back up. If you've got an upcoming race this year, we definitely recommend working this running shoe into your rotation.

Asics Gel DS Trainer 23

The Asics Gel running shoe is one of the sleekest designs on the market with an upgraded mesh design that seamlessly wraps to the foot. This shoe is less supportive than some of the other maximally cushioned shoes, however, they provide the perfect amount of cushion for mild to moderate training. Additionally, the various, strategically designed tread styles make this running shoe the ideal option for an outdoor trainer who encounters various weather or terrain and wants to maintain control during their run.

How To Choose Running Shoes

When you are choosing the right running shoes for you, there is no single perfect answer that anyone else can give you. The running industry has an expansive number of options that accommodate all sizes, shapes, and training styles. Depending on what you prefer, in the shoe and in training style, you may love a running shoe that someone else despises. That is the beauty of all of the options out there. While you may not choose the same running shoe as another, one thing you should be doing is getting a gait analysis before you make a decision. An expert can tell you where your strengths and weaknesses lie throughout your stride so that you can match running shoe features to your needs.

For more information on running shoes and training, contact our running expert today.