There’s no need to carry on running with bland, damaged old trainers. New trainers can protect your feet and even boost your running performance. There has been much more research and product development into the way a shoe flexes when you’re running, and the way in which it aligns with your foot joints as they move through the running gait. It helps the shoe to feel lighter and more comfortable, and as your feet aren’t fighting the trainers, it cuts down on the risk of strain.
If you’re new to running and want a simple but effective shoe, opt for one with a pillow-like cushioning to help improve your performance. If you can find one that’s water and strain-resistant as well, this will help to ensure that you’re safe and that they’re effective in all weathers. If you’re running in more rugged terrain then you’ll need a trainer that suits the environment and minimises damage to your feet and joints. You’ll need to find one that offers a lower profile to keep you lower to the ground, and has a nubby outsole grip to help you stay on track when you’re running on difficult and slippery ground.
Supportive trainers are important to protect joints and keep your feet safe from the hard surfaces you’re running on. So you’ll need something that not only looks good but also delivers. One with a supportive frame and plenty of cushioning, like the Under Armour Spine Vice, will ensure this is the case, keeping you in comfort mile after mile of your workouts.
A cushioned sole is important, and something like the Reebok One Cushion uses a mixture of three different foams in the midsole to provide neutral runners, whose feet usually roll in a straight line, with a softer landing as they hit the terrain and a faster toe-off during everyday miles. The Brooks Pure Drift makes you feel as though you’re running barefoot, in the best possible way. It offers a wider toe box to allow your toes to splay naturally as you run, giving you better shock absorption, as well as asymmetrical lacing to reduce irritation along the top of the foot.
If speed is your goal, many trail shoes can feel like they’re filled with rocks. The North Face Single-Track Hayasa II delivers a fleet-footed effect, as well as reflective colours to help you be seen easily after dark. If you’re looking for something that feels light and comfortable at the same time, the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+ is soft and moulds to the contours of your feet. The Adidas Springblade trainer has 16 angled blades on the sole, which look like scuba fins, which vary in thickness and propel you forward to help you run faster and further with every session.
Tough enough to work well on daily runs but also light enough to combat the fatigue in your legs, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 boasts a springy sole with a Double Fan Wave shape that really cushions your foot. The Asics GT 1000 2 PR is a bright colour but don’t let that fool you – this is a tough trainer with plenty to offer. The groove between the midsole and the outsole keeps you offering a healthy step with a more efficient gait. And you’re even doing good – money goes towards a women’s charity with every pair sold. There are so many trainers on the market that no matter what you’re hoping for from your workouts.