Running is one of the few sports where participation among the sexes is roughly equal, yet most reviews tend to focus on running shoes that suit men rather than women. This is pretty crazy, and hopefully this article will help redress the balance by taking a look at ten of the best running shoes for women that are currently on the market.
Now there are many different goals that a woman could be aiming for, and there are women with many different fitness levels, and body shapes. So a list of 10 running shoes that are perfect for all women is going to have to be quite diverse. This article will attempt to do this, we will look at 10 shoes and asses them on price, style, comfort, durability, breathability, and whether they are suitable for long distance running, short distance running, or any distance.
This means that there should be a shoe for everyone, and some people will have different shoes that could suit their needs at different times.
10 Best Running Shoes For Women
| Name | Price | Style | Comfort | Durability | Breathability | Distance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saucony Cohesion 10 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Any | 19 |
| New Balance Vazee Prism V2 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Long | 20 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 21 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | Long | 19 |
| Brooks Ghost 10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Any | 19 |
| Nike Free RN Flyknit | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | Long | 19 |
| Hoka One One Clifton 4 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Any | 20 |
| Adidas Adizero Tempo 9 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Short | 21 |
| ASICS Gel Kayano 23 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Any | 18 |
| Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Long | 19 |
| Saucony Guide 10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | Any | 20 |
Best Running Shoes For Women #1: Saucony Cohesion 10
Saucony are a fantastic shoe company that specialises in performance running shoes. In other words, these shoes are designed for fast times, personal bests, and an improvement in running gait or technique. The Saucony Cohesion 10s are a really good pair of everyday running shoes, they are perfect for those training for their first marathon, or women who are just getting into running for the first time.
They’re durable, and will last many miles provided that they are well looked after, they have reflective lighting panels which are perfect for early morning or night time runs, they are very comfortable and use a heel grid cushioning system which helps to improve stability as well as comfort.
The biggest benefit of these shoes is the low price barrier, Saucony shoes can be really expensive but the Saucony Cohesion 10s should be within everyone’s price range. Style wise, the shoes are okay. The colour combinations are a little off. There’s also a lot of visible stitching. But these shoes will look great during a race when you’re breezing past your opponents, so what does it matter?
Overall these running shoes are comfortable, durable, a decent price, they suit any distance, and would make perfect everyday running shoes. These running shoes are perfect for beginners, and are perfect for speed freaks.
Best Running Shoes For Women #2: New Balance Vazee Prism V2
The next shoes that we’re going to look at are something a little different. The New Balance Vazee Prism v2 shoes are trail shoes which means that they are designed to be used off road. If you want to run through parks, forests, fields, or dirt tracks, then regular running shoes will not suit you. What you need are shoes with better grip, sturdier protection for your ankles, and shoes that can adapt to different terrains.
The Vazee Prism v2 shoes are surprisingly light for trail shoes, making them great for running fast times. Luckily they are still very durable and will be able to survive anything that you throw at them. They have excellent soles and use EVA cushioning to stay really comfortable throughout your run. The soles have lugs which are spread out nicely, this helps to improve traction and will help you to stay upright through most conditions.
The shoes are excellently priced, and are definitely one of the most affordable shoes on this list. They are also very comfortable, look great (particularly the black and lime green combo) and have decent breathability. If you’re looking for a pair of running shoes that you can take trail running (or even trail walking) then these are the ones for you.
Best Running Shoes For Women #3: Mizuno Wave Rider 21
The Mizuno Wave Rider 21 is one of the most breathable running shoes on this list, it is absolutely perfect for anyone who is running in hot temperatures. A breathable shoe means less perspiration as your feet are better ventilated, this prevents your feet from slipping during a run, and also feels great.
On the flip side, being so well ventilated can actually cause the shoes to feel absolutely freezing if you are running in cold weather. Make sure you have some good socks on if this is the case. The shoe is well cushioned, it uses cloud wave and U4iCx cushioning in the sole which leads to a springy shoe which will help you through long distance runs.
Aesthetically the shoes look great, really nice colour combinations, a sleek heel cushion, and a nice looking midsole make these shoes look very cool. Overall the Mizuno Wave Rider 21 is a stylish, well cushioned shoe which is incredibly breathable, and suitable for long distance running. The price is a little steep compared to the previous shoes, but considering how good the shoe is, it’s still great value for money.
Best Running Shoes For Women #4: Brooks Ghost 10
Brooks Ghost 10 running shoes are a great pair of all round shoes. They are very well cushioned with a dual density EVA foam midsole and as such will suit any distance up to marathon. They are perfect for road running, and the grip that they have is superb. These shoes will help you run fast, and will keep you steady through almost any weather or surface.
The mesh that covers the upper is seamless which improves comfort slightly but also improves the look of the shoes. Nothing worse than a shoe with stitches showing all over the upper. The shoes are aesthetically pleasing, with some bold colour choices, the purple, pink, and teal combination in particular stands out.
Overall the Brooks Ghost 10 shoes are a very comfortable and well cushioned set of shoes with excellent durability and breathability. They suit any distance of run, and will be enjoyed by people who want to run fast. They are an average price, you’ll find shoes that are cheaper and shoes that are more expensive on this list.
Best Running Shoes For Women #5: Nike Free RN Flyknit
Nike is probably the most well known and well loved shoe company on the planet. Their shoes are always high in quality, high in style, and high in price. The Nike Free RN Flyknit running shoes are all of those things, they are also one of the most comfortable shoes around.
The first thing you will notice about the Nike Free RN Flyknit is the upper. It’s made up almost entirely of Nike’s flyknit technology and it almost appears to be all one piece of material (rather than many smaller pieces stitched together). This gives the shoe a sock like feel, and helps keep it very light. When running in this shoe, you’ll feel like you’re running on air. This does affect its durability, and you might not want to wear this shoe in difficult terrain.
Style wise, you will either love these shoes or hate them. They are unique in look, with a wide range of colour schemes. The grey, black and white colour combination is beautiful, while the violet, blue and black shoes will be seen a mile off. This is what makes Nike so good, the massive choice of colour combinations will leave almost everyone happy.
These shoes may be a little pricey, but they look beautiful, are perfect for fast running and long distances, are supremely comfortable, and provide a lot of breathability. A near perfect set of shoes.
Best Running Shoes For Women #6: Hoka One One Clifton 4
Hoka One One are best known for making the most amazingly cushioned shoes on the market, they are also known for providing surprisingly fast shoes. This is the fourth version of the Clifton shoe, and Hoka One One have put a lot of effort into increasing the durability. These shoes will last you for hundreds of miles now, while staying ridiculously light and providing amazing comfort.
Your running technique will really benefit from the cushioning, and the weight of the shoes. This will create a smoother ride and improve your running economy. The shock absorption will be very impressive too. As with the Flyknit shoes you’ll either love the look of the Clifton 4s or you’ll hate them.
Due to the large amount of cushioning, the shoes can appear slightly bulky, and the colour combinations are quite eccentric. But many people love this about the Hoka One One shoes, they are exciting, and stand out, they don’t look like every other running shoe on the market. Basically these shoes are for women who want to run far, in comfort, and don’t mind the world seeing their bright and bulky running shoes.
Best Running Shoes For Women #7: Adidas Adizero Tempo 9
After the very unique and unusual Hoka One One Clifton 4s, the Adidas Adizero Tempo 9 is a return to normality. That does not mean that the shoes are any less fantastic though, just different. These shoes will suit most runs, but they are perfect for shorter races such as a 5km race, or just a fast run around your local park. They are very lightweight and have been created to be no nonsense.
The shoes are very breathable, similar to the Mizuno Wave Rider 21s but they seem to suffer less in cold weather, which is definitely a bonus! The cushioning is still very impressive, Adidas have used dual density boost cushioning around the arches which will keep your feet comfortable, but also will massively improve stability. The shoes use a torsion system between the heel and the forefoot which also increases stability.
These shoes are really stylish, particularly if you want your shoes to look like normal running shoes (unlike the Hoka One One’s and Nike shoes we reviewed earlier). The cushioning is subtle and suits the shoe nicely, the colour schemes are slick (particularly the white, blue and orange combinations), and the uppers look great. These shoes really look the business, and raise the Adizero Tempo 9 up even further.
Best Running Shoes For Women #8: ASICS Gel Kayano 23
Asics are one of the most well known running shoe companies out there, they are loved by serious runners for their fair prices and their rarely beaten performance in everyday running. The Asics Gel Kayano 23s are a great example of why Asics is so good at what they do. The shoes are very lightweight and as such can be worn for speed training, or for long, slow paced runs.
They are very stable, and could be used in most conditions. They aren’t quite as good as trail shoes, but you would be absolutely fine running in muddy conditions while wearing these shoes. The shoes use the Impact Guidance System to improve your running gait, which will help you run faster, and lessen your risk of injury.
They also use FluidFit technology in the upper which allows the shoe to fit the runners’ foot perfectly, and to adapt to small changes in a runners’ technique. The upper is very flexible, yet more sturdy than the Nike version we looked at earlier. This has its benefits and downsides, and neither shoe is better than the other, just different.
The shoes also utilise gel cushions in the heel and on the forefoot which are designed to improve your running technique by guiding you to a heel to toe running style. This may take some getting used to at first, but long term it will really help you. Style wise, the shoes are okay. They are slightly boring, but not outright offensive like a lot of running shoes can be. A lot of the colour schemes remind us of hotel decors, dull but tasteful.
Best Running Shoes For Women #9: Mizuno Wave Inspire 13
Our second Mizuno shoe is the Mizuno Wave Inspire 13, which is a great long distance running shoe. Like the other shoes on this list, it is incredibly comfortable, using U4icx cushioning in the midsole just like the Mizuno Wave Rider 21 that we reviewed earlier. What’s great about this shoe is that it really suits long distance runs, while allowing you to run fast because it is so light in weight.
The uppers are very flexible, which will help you when running, and their breathability is excellent. This will help keep your feet ventilated throughout a hot and sticky run and will reduce perspiration and discomfort. The shoes are quite stylish, but not as nice as some on this list. They are quite boring, but inoffensive. Perfect for the woman who wants to run but doesn’t really care what the shoes look like.
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13s are a fairly priced, well balanced shoe that are light, well cushioned, and very durable. They are also very breathable, and a joy to run in. If you’re looking for a great pair of long distance running shoes, then you can do a lot worse than these ones.
Best Running Shoes For Women #10: Saucony Guide 10
We’re going to finish this review article on the best running shoes for women in the same way we started it … with an excellent pair of running shoes from Saucony. This time we’re looking at the Saucony Guide 10s. The shoes are particularly good for running on roads, and their grip is almost as good as the trail shoes we reviewed earlier.
What’s particularly impressive about the Saucony Guide 10s though is just how durable they are. You could basically run in these shoes for years without ever needing to replace them. The cushioning is superb and will really suit long distance runners, but the shoes are light enough and adaptable enough to suit shorter runs too.
Thanks to the engineered mesh upper the shoes are very breathable, and will suit running in hot conditions. The only let down is in the style. They are okay looking shoes, but some of the colour combinations are straight up odd! The grey and teal colour combination looks terrible, as does the purple navy and yellow shoes. But despite that, the design of the shoes is sound, and they will make a lot of dedicated runners very happy.
Final Thoughts
Overall the best shoes on this list are probably the Adidas Adizero Tempo 9s, they are very comfortable, designed to be raced in, they are durable, breathable, and they look good. The price isn’t too bad either, and considering how long they will last you, it’s an absolute bargain. But choose for yourself, all the shoes on this list are here because they’re amazing. It’s just about finding the right one for you.
