Choosing among top rated running shoes will be a very individual decision and difficult to answer in general. Most of us have an idea of what we want from our new running shoes, such as lightweight, shock absorption, support and a comfortable fit. But there are also other things you should consider before you buy. We will explore that in this post.
How To Find Top Rated Running Shoes
To support you in finding your next great top rated running shoes, and to guide you towards your purpose with your runs, we have made a short list of the most important other things to consider when choosing your new running shoes below:
Your runner type
How you run, how much you run and the running distances are important factors to consider when choosing running shoes. If you primarily run long distances, a shoe with extra cushioning and support is a benefit, while a lightweight shoe is preferable for shorter but faster races in e.g., competitions.
Running surface
The surface you choose to run on has significance for the type of shoe you need. If you e.g., run a lot on trails, and in the forest, you should choose a trail shoe, i.e., a shoe with more traction, and grip, than if you primarily run on roads.
Support and cushioning in running shoes
Look for shoes with appropriate cushioning, support and stability to reduce the impact of running on your feet and joints. Think of the midsole, which is the layer between the sole and the upper. The midsole provides cushioning and support.
Durability of your new running shoes
Running shoes can wear out quickly, so it is important to choose a shoe that is durable enough for the purpose and can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use.
Try before you buy
It’s important to try on several pairs of shoes before you buy. Walk around in the store and jog a few steps to get a feeling of the shoes. Make sure there is enough space and the shoe fits well, but not too tight. It’s also a good idea with more than one pair of shoes to impact your body in different ways and create more resiliency.
Price
Running shoes vary in price and it is certainly not always the most expensive that is the best. Consider your budget and look for shoes that offer the features and support you need. Remember that by investing in a pair of quality running shoes, you can prevent injuries and improve your running experience in the future.
Now you have been through the first filters to narrow your target toward a new great running shoe. Below are 3 Top rated running shoes with specific features and proven practice.
Top Rated Cushioned Running Shoes – New Balance Fresh Foam More V4
New Balance Fresh Foam More is probably New Balance’s softest Fresh Foam shoe. With a huge molding of New Balance’s Fresh Foam X foam, (it looks like a boat), hard surfaces are no longer a problem. Despite the large amount of foam, the shoe is fairly light and flexible, which makes it a great shoe for volume training.
The large amount of Fresh Foam X ensures you a comfortable run, no matter how far or how intensive you run. The outsole has also been made extra wide, but the shoe still feels stable, despite the soft midsole. New Balance has once again managed to create a great flexible and breathable upper that sits comfortably on both narrow and wide feet.
Upper
The upper part is made of a mesh material that snuggles comfortably around the foot and at the same time ensures good breathability and comfort. There is good and comfortable space in the forefoot and the shoe fits without being tight in some places. The heel cap is high, which means that your foot is firmly fixed in the shoe.
Midsole
When you look at the shoe you see that it is not just a lot of the soft Fresh Foam X foam, there is even more than that. It’s the midsole that makes this shoe special. The foam works so you get an extremely comfortable shoe that continues to be comfortable – even when you are out on the long runs again and again. Fresh Foam X is light and highly shock absorbent, while also having a high energy return. So you can keep running for many kilometers.
Outer sole
Pieces of rubber are placed on places of the outsole where wear and the need for grip are most important. New Balance has chosen not to pad the entire outsole with rubber, to keep the weight of the shoe down and to ensure that the shoe is flexible. The shoe is best suited for running on asphalt, pavements, forest- or gravel paths.
Key Features
Type: Volume training shoes
Running style: Neutral
Rubber outsole
Drop 4mm
Fresh Foam X midsole
Engineered Mesh upper
100% comfort in every detail
Flex zones promote a natural stride
Check Price on:
New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 Men’s
New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 Women’s
Top Rated Trail Running Shoes – Hoka Challenger ATR 7
The Hoka Challenger ATR 7 is a versatile trail shoe that is also called a hybrid road/trail running shoe, where you switch from one surface to the other. Hoka One One One Challenger ATR 7, was conceived as a trail shoe for all types of soil. It does not lose the essence of the previous version 6, offering a cushioning level that is soft too, but also with optimal traction to adapt to the different mountain surfaces.
With an updated Compression molded EVA foam midsole (CMEVA) with a higher stack to increase cushioning for more comfortable kilometers, you get a shoe that ensures good stability in the terrain, but at the same time provides high shock absorption when you hit more solid ground.
The outsole has reinforced areas with Zonal rubber and is made with 4mm studs that provide a good but not too aggressive grip on the surface. The shoe has a combination of angular and squarish lugs that grip well in uneven and chunky terrain, while more exposed triangles of foam and tiny, tight squares near the center roll the shoe smoothly along the pavement.
Today, Hoka is working on more sustainable production, which is why this version is also made with recycled Unifi REPREVE® yarn in the upper part. An extension of the heel cap has also been made, for extra comfort and protection of the Achilles tendon.
Key features
- Running style: Neutral, Supination
- Versatile trail shoe
- Rock Plate
- Compression molded EVA foam midsole (CMEVA)
- Durabrasion rubber
- Recycled Unifi REPREVE® yarn in the upper part
- Extended heel cap
- Drop 5 mm
- Date First Available : April 1, 2023 (Women’s)
Check Price on:
HOKA ONE ONE Men’s Challenger ATR 7
HOKA ONE ONE Women’s Challenger ATR 7
Top Rated Long Distance Running Shoes – Asics Gel Nimbus 25
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25 shoe’s soft cushioning properties help you feel like you’re landing on clouds. This neutral trainer is revamped with new materials that create a softer and smoother running experience.
The Gel-Nimbus 25 has received a lot of updates compared to the previous version. It’s comfortable from the very top shelf! The shoe has a higher midsole, made of the renowned FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam, as well as the brand new PureGEL, which is used for the first time in an Asics shoe.
Nimbus 25 has a brand new, engineered, knit mesh upper. It feels smooth and soft and it stretches so it conforms to your feet. It comfortably wraps your foot while supplying advanced ventilation.
Its updated knit tongue construction provides better flexibility and extends around the ankle for a more luxurious fit and feel. The midsole is packed with the most cushioning that the series has offered to date.
By adding more FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and using Asic’s new PureGEL technology, this shoe creates a lighter and softer cushioning experience – great for long distances.
The upper is in version 25 of Nimbus made in a more adaptive design, with a thin stretchable tongue that hugs your foot and is super comfortable. The outsole is classic Asics with well-known AHAR+ Rubber in strategically selected areas. It provides a good grip and ensures that the shoes have good durability.
Key features
- Running style Neutral, Supination
- The sock liner is produced with the solution dyeing process that reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology
- PureGEL technology: Helps provide lightweight cushioning and softer landings
- FF BLAST ECO PLUS technology: Cushioning creates a softer landing and a more responsive toe-off
- Increased stability
- Improved durability
- Softer and smoother running experience
- Ortholite insole
- Heel Drop 8mm
Check Price on
Final Thoughts
Finding the right running shoes for your running purpose is a must if you want to get the most out of your efforts. Maybe you want to start up again after an injury and protect your joints and tendons by running shorter distances several times a week. So you go for a running shoe with extra cushioning!
Or you have been running shorter distances for several years and now you want to run long distances. So you are looking for a good long distance running shoe. Running off-road in the forest with trail running can also be interesting. So you want a good trail shoe.
As you see, it is always a good idea to make some considerations before choosing running shoes.
