Running is always in season, which means the search for the best women’s running shoes is always on. After all, it is not only our endurance and months of training that carry us through the finish lines, but the shoes that push us forward with each pounding of the pavement. And while finding the perfect fit is never an easy feat, I turned to the experts to make sure we are all equipped with the proper sneakers for the treadmills, tracks, and marathons that lie ahead.
The Best Running Shoes 2023
Through my own journey in rediscovering the joys of running last year, I sought out Nike Run Club Master Trainer Traci Copeland, who explained that the best running sneakers for women and men really depend on your running style and what your foot does while you run. “Some pronate or supinate,” Copeland says, explaining the difference between runners who place their weight on the inside versus the outside of their feet. “Sometimes you need more support based on this.” Determining your foot type is key, and there are several fundamental tests you can perform to do so in the comfort of your own home. The simplest being the “Wet Test” in which you wet the sole of your foot and step onto a blank piece of paper. The damp footprint left behind will help establish whether you are a neutral runner, or whether you overpronate or underpronate while running.
As a neutral and injury-prone runner, my doctor recommended the various Hoka prototypes to best fit my everyday running needs. The symmetrical cushioning bed and foam midsole design on the Clifton 9s provide just the right amount of support to protect my fragile ankles from the daily pressures of urban and treadmill running.
From the cushioned, stability shoe for the everyday jog to the high-performance sneakers fashioned for elite runners’ race days and everything in between, try these 24 best running shoes to amp up your fall running workouts.
Road Running
Designed for a reactive run, On combined their CloudTec and Speedboard technologies to create the Cloudstratus 3; their latest iteration that makes running on concrete feel like running on, well, a cloud. Its lightweight nature and superfoam midsole are perfect for the New York City streets, providing softer landings and maximum energy return. Or, take a lap in Nike InfinityRN 4s, a new style combining Copeland’s shoe family of choice, the Flyknit, and Nike’s iconic ReactX foam. APL’s Techloom Dream on the other hand comes as a new generation of their one of a kind technology to provide maximum shock absorption and cushioning for easy runs or long-distances. Tracksmith’s Eliot runner, a neutral everyday runner, aids in a similar running experience with their best-in-class materials—a Pebax insole and engineered mesh upper. New to the performance shoe game, both Lululemon and Veja entered the world of running with lightweight and durable sneakers for smooth, speedy, and swift steps that propel you forward.
In for the Long Haul
As a major feat, Vogue turned marathon running into fashion last September by sending a flock of brightly-clad runners of the North Brooklyn Runners down West 13th Street to open our VOGUE World event. The task? Ensuring our runners were equipped with top-of-the-line durability, stability, and fine-tuned cushioning to support the four-mile stride ahead of them. Styles from Adidas, New Balance, and Saucony, to name a few, were among the trainers to hit the ground running on an electric night. The Adizero Boston 12, Fresh Foam X 880v13, and Tempus trainers all provide the stability and support for mid to long-distances. Lightweight in nature, Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS, Nike’s Streakfly, and On’s Cloudrunner are equally designed with technology to boost that I-could-run-forever feeling.
Treading Lightly
Whether planning a quick HIIT run of sprinting or a 5K, treadmill running requires styles sufficient in higher energy return and shock absorption to push you forward farther and faster. Opting for supportive, lightweight shoes with breathability will help counteract the repetitive stress on your body from the belt’s machinery. Test my personal go-to sneakers, Hoka’s Clifton 9s and On’s Cloudsurfer for shoes that promote a lighter run without compromising on ample cushioning. Both APL’s Techloom Zipline and Nike’s Pegasus 40 styles excel in responsive and long-lasting comfort, adding a springy step to an otherwise rigid ride. For a more stable and balanced stride, try Adidas’ Ultraboost family or Asics Gel-Kayano 30 sneakers for an extra push with each tread.
Into the Woods
Trail running is a different beast of its own, with unpredictable terrain challenging the durability of sneakers at each stomp of the foot. Outsoles with gripping that enhance your ground connection and motion control, and keep you on your toes for the uneven surfaces just up the hill, are essential in finding the perfect fit. The Allbird Trail Runner SWT will certainly live up to the challenge with trail traction inspired by the bulbous treads found on mountain bikes. Stability gripping is also tested on Loewe x On’s Cloudventure and Salomon’s XA Pro 3D V9 Gore-Tex sneakers, both designed for the great outdoors. Dare to tackle the rain or shine of cross country running? Hoka’s Challenger 7 GTX, Nike’s Zegama, and Merrell’s Agility Peak 5 Gore-Tex have waterproof functionalities and increased stack heights for a plusher feel.