Most of the shoes we kept on the list fit that description. Traditionally, most running shoes have a sole that’s 10 mm to 12 mm thicker at the heel than at the forefoot. We also considered heel-to-toe drop (the difference in the thickness of the sole from the heel to the toe). In general, we favored lightweight models, though our experts pointed out that shoes are getting lighter and lighter across the board. Shoes that promised both features caught our attention. Often these two criteria are at odds with each other: Extra cushioning is likely to absorb the impact of each running stride, rather than give you much rebound. We looked for shoes described as being both cushioned and responsive (that is, ones with the “rebound” effect underfoot). They should tie securely, without slipping.) A heel-lock lacing style can keep feet from sliding up in back, whereas nontraditional toe lacing can provide more spreading room up-front. (Take note of the material the laces are made of, as well as their shape and general feel. Laces that are too tight or too loose-in the right or wrong places-can significantly affect the feel of the shoes. You should also play around with the laces. “Ask yourself, ‘Which shoes were you least aware of?’ and buy those,” said running coach Melanie Kann. To compare, put one model on one foot and another on the other foot, and do a lap around the store. Try on a bunch of shoes, then go back to the pairs that seemed most comfortable. If possible, however, we recommend that you first get fitted by a knowledgeable salesperson at a specialty running shop. To help inspire your search, we have recommendations for women’s and men’s styles and sizes, including dependable neutral trainers, stability shoes with various amounts of cushion, and a low-drop option.Ĭompare shoes head to head: You may choose to order a few pairs of shoes online, with the intent of returning the ones that don’t fit. And if you’re ordering from home, consider a retailer that has a solid return policy, such as Zappos, REI, Running Warehouse, Road Runner Sports, and JackRabbit. To find your best running shoes, you’ll likely need to try on several different pairs, either at your local running store (where you can leverage staff expertise to help you find the ideal fit) or in your living room (if you prefer to shop online). We take a look at the two main running-shoe types (neutral and stability), the anatomy of a running shoe, and how a shoe should fit. The focus here is on go-to shoes for everyday runs. If a shoe feels off when you try it on for the first time, it most likely won’t feel much better on a run.įor this guide we’ve gathered advice and insight from eight experts, performed dozens of hours of research, and run more than 4,000 miles over the years.