Running Shoes : Question and Answer

A:

The best women's running shoe really depends on a person's foot size, arch type and the amount of pronation in their gait. It is also important to consider where and how the running shoes will be used (ex. trail running, treadmill running, sprinting on a track, marathon training, etc). For women who have normal arches and pronate normally or high arches and under-pronate, running shoes with "neutral cushioning", like the Brooks Ghost, will be the best fit. Neutral running shoes have sufficient cushioning for shock absorption, but they won't provide as much support, which is especially great for under-pronators because the foot is encouraged to pronate naturally. "Stability" running shoes, like the Nike Women's LunarGlide+ 4s and Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12s, are ideal for women who have normal to slightly low arches and over-pronate moderately, but they are also great for women who have normal arches and pronate neutrally. Stability shoes offer enhanced cushioning and support to help runners smooth out transitions in the gait cycle and, thus, avoid injury. "Motion control" running shoes, like the Brooks Beast, are designed for women who have low arches and severely over-pronate. While they tend to be heavier than other types of running shoes, motion control shoes provide these runners with the most support and cushioning, which help to prevent them from injuring themselves. The lightest shoes (i.e. barefoot, minimalist, lightweight) will have the least amount of cushioning and are ideal for running on softer ground or for competitive racing on a track. Stability shoes will offer more cushioning for shock absorption, which makes them better suited for running on hard surface or running long distances. Examples of the best running shoe manufacturers include Nike, Brooks, New Balance, Saucony, Adidas, Mizuno, Asics, etc. The personal favorite of yours truly is Brooks because they only focus on running gear. With normal arches and mild over-pronation, I'm a devoted fan of the Adrenaline GTS line and have owned the GTS 11 and 12. If you would like to learn more about some of the best women's running shoes that ProductReportCard.com has reviewed, please click here.