From Hoka Challengers to Nike Flyknits, the best women's running shoes for trails, treadmills and the city
Whether you're training for a marathon or you're working your way through couch to 5km, the most important piece of kit you need for a good run is a pair of supportive running shoes. The right shoes will help you avoid injury and give you momentum to run faster.
Some runners prefer lightweight models so they feel like they're running on air, while others like a sturdier design to cushion the impact made by pounding the pavements.
Here are eight new options for 2020 that all have different features to carry you to a PB over your favourite distance.
Adidas Women's Ultraboost 20, £159.99
If you find running hard work, let the adidas Ultraboost 20 take some of the strain for you. The large slab of Boost foam in the midsole makes for an enjoyable bouncy ride and helps your feet to spring back off the road so you can place them down again.
The 360 PrimeKnit sock is lightweight but supportive and there's a 3D printed heel counter to provide more stability and help you to strike the ground at a good angle.
There's also an eco-friendly bonus as they're made from upcycled plastic trash collected from remote islands, beaches and coastlines.
Nike Joyride Run Flyknit Zoom Running Shoe, £154.95
The Nike Flyknit is designed to mimic the feel of wearing a sock in that it's lightweight, snug and breathable.
But despite its seemingly minimalist construction, the Flyknit provides a surprising amount of arch support and structure as the material wraps from the inside of your foot to the top for a secure, contouring fit.
Tiny foam beads are contained in four strategically placed pockets underneath your foot. They compress and adapt to your every step for incredible impact absorption and a stable feel. The bright colours of the Joyride model will also give you a boost.
Brooks has really upped its game with the GTS 19, which has been designed with runners' knees in mind.
Most knee injuries are caused by poor running techniques so the GTS 19 has supportive guide rails which allow the wearer to maintain a healthy range of motion while reducing the kind of excess movement that leads to knee injuries.
There's also an impact-absorbing grid along the sole to protect ankles and reduce the risk of Achilles tendon damage. This is a shoe in which you can train for long distance events without fear of injury.
Hoke One One is Maori for 'time to fly'. The brand's philosophy is to make running easier on the body by rethinking the nature of running shoes. All of their shoes are hyper-cushioned yet lightweight.
However, the best feature of their newest design, the Clifton 6, is the rockered geometry of the shoe which promotes forward momentum.
Studies have shown that landing on the balls of your feet reduces impact on the joints, and these shoes help you to do it subconsciously. Combined with a soft midsole, the Clifton 6 is easy and comfortable to log miles in.
Saucony Women's Ride ISO Training Shoes, £64.28
With the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness, this women's neutral running shoe is designed to run like a dream.
It's the shoe equivalent of a memory foam mattress thanks to Saucony's signature ISOFIt technology that allow the shoe to adapt to different foot shapes and provide a personalised fit.
Having the shoe snug next to your foot eliminates movement as you strike the floor, reducing the risk of blisters and chafing and providing extra support for your joints. Complementing the soft but responsive midsole, a layer of TPU foam lies below the sockliner to further reduce impact.
Designed to be the world's lightest supportive running shoe, the On Cloud Shoes aim to make it feel like you're running on air.
The new SS20 black design with rose gold detail also look good enough to wear day-to-day with your favourite athleisure brands, so you'll get a lot of use out of them.
When running, you'll feel so light and free that it will help you go faster. The shoe contains 18 Helion™ Cloud elements and an explosive speed board to turn impact into acceleration. An updated foot shape allows for softer forefoot landings and more support at high speed.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 Women's Trail Running Shoes, £114.99
While some trail shoes tend to be on the heavy side, the Hoka Challenger ATR 5 manages to provide maximum cushioning while still being lightweight.
Support is ensured by the internal heel-counter, which adds stability in the rearfoot on initial impact. Finished off with a textured TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) toe reinforcement, the added durability provides protection against debris and sharp objects on the trails.
If you begin or end your runs on the road, the traction and grip performance of this shoe works just as well on the pavement as it does on trails and rough mountain terrain.
New Balance 860v10 Running Shoes, £107.99
If you'd like a supportive shoe that doesn't feel restrictive, the New Balance 860v10 is the answer. Some supportive running shoes can feel rigid as they're designed with the population's average foot shape in mind, but this New Balance shoe has an engineered mesh surrounding its upper, which tailors itself to individual feet shapes.
If you're prone to blisters you'll appreciate the V10's new no-sew construction feature, which reduces rubbing and chafing.
It's sturdy in areas surrounding the heel, which will hold the foot in place, preventing it from slipping around in the shoe.
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