The 5 Best Running Shoes For Women in 2019

Best Running Shoes For Women With Bad Knees: Hoka One One Bondi 6

HOKA ONE ONE

One of the most common questions runners wonder when browsing for the best running shoes for women is, will this shoe be okay for my bad knee? Not to worry, ladies. There’s no reason why your next run should be painful. Whether it was trauma to a knee, arthritis or what have you, rest assured, there are shoes out there that can ease pain and discomfort.

For the best running shoes for knee pain, look out for shoes that have enough padding to help take the impact out of your knee. Proper shoes should absorb most of the shock. But cushion is not enough. Look for a shoe that stabilizes the heel, a midsole that resists collapse which will keep the foot and knee in proper form and stop over-pronation ( a common cause to knee injuries). Hoka One One Bondi 6 is a great choice for bad knees. It offers stability, a wonderful cushion and a wide toe box for roominess. It’s also hecka cute, girls.

Hoke One Bondi 6 Pros

• Shock absorbing: Want to reduce the pounding on your knees? The shock absorbing soles will help.
• Stability: Sneakers are tight around your ankles helping prevent ankle rolls and other injuries.
• Smooth ride: Cushiony supper ensures a smooth run.

Hoke One Bondi 6 Cons

• Shows wear and tear: If you like your running shoes to stay new looking, these aren’t the best for you. They will show a bit of wear.

Best Running Shoes For Women With Wide Feet: Altra Olympus 3

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Finding the right shoes for wide feet is hard enough, let alone finding good quality shoes for running. Now, while you may be able to get away with squeezing your feet into a slightly less-than-comfortable heel, this should be highly avoided when it comes to running. That’s because the friction in a tight fit will cause serious pain. Keep your precious, mile-crushing feet safe! You can avoid blisters and raw skin with one simple, adequately spaced shoe.

You’ll want to find a shoe with wide toe boxes. Something that will let toes stretch out and allow you to master the perfect form. That’s why the Altra Olympus 3 is the best running shoe for wide feet.

Altra Olympus 3 Pros

• Strong grip: These shoes were made for trail running so have an excellent grip on pavement, trails, and most surfaces.
• Thick cushioning: Thickly cushioned soles provide strong support for your heals and help reduce pressure on your knees and joints.
• Strong support: These shoes will hug your feet and ankles, providing maximum support.

Altra Olympus 3 Cons

• Weight: Shoes are heavier than other running shoes.

Best Running Shoes For Women With High Arches: Mizuno Wave Inspire 14

Mizuno

Runner’s with natural high arches understand the necessity in choosing a foolproof shoe. Those with high arches are prone to many injuries without proper support. That includes pain at the ball and heel of the foot as well as instability. The latter of which can lead to more serious injuries like sprains or accidents.

So what can you do to prevent this? It’s simple. Choose a shoe with lots and lots of cushioning. This will counter the foot from rolling inward. That’s why we recommend Mizuno Wave Inspire 14. It offers great arch support but is still lightweight. These things are aerodynamic! Wear the Wave Inspire 14 and feel completed supported and stable so that you can finally beat your last PR.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 14 Pros

• Stability: Provide maximum stability throughout your entire run
• Soft cushioning: Your heels and joints will feel extra support
• Lightweight: Shoes feel lighter than they are

Mizuno Wave Inspire 14 Cons

• 12mm drop: This may be too high for some runners

Best Running Shoes for Women with Plantar Fasciitis: New Balance W1540

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Plantar fasciitis is a common running injury. Runner’s who overwork themselves by adding on too many miles too soon, avoid stretching or do not take adequate rest days, can develop this painful heel inflammation. If you are one of the lucky ones with a mild case, a dedication to running and given the a-okay by a doctor, then read on (just don’t forget to stretch and ice!)

Keep it light on the heels. Make sure the shoe you purchase has good cushioning, shock absorption and has a good arch that with heel support. Don’t overlook New Balance W1540 when considering the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis. It has all the support and comfort. Not to mention, it has received rave reviews from people with plantar fasciitis and bunions–and recommended by podiatrists.

New Balance W1540 Pros

• Breathability: Ventilation allows your feet to breathe while you run
• Strong support: Your ankles will feel gripped and supported
• Helps prevent joint pain: Runners with flat feet or other joint pain claim they can easily run (pain-free) with these running sneakers
• Size variety: Available in normal, wide, and extra wide sizes

New Balance W1540 Cons

• Weight: Heavier than other running shoes
• Price: More expensive than other models

Best Budget Running Shoes For Women: ASICS GEL-Cumulus® 20

ASICS

What if none of the above apply? You may just be a running newbie. Welcome to the team. Or, maybe you like to save a buck when you can. I can that resourceful and it’s definitely a virtue. You may be wondering if you can still get your hands on one of the best running shoes for women without breaking the bank. The short answer is yas, queen! Now, while it is ideal to research and invest in a shoe, it IS still possible to get good quality shoes at a good price.

Newbies or the casual runner can get a good pair for under 100. I suggest a pair like the ASICS GEL-Cumulus® 20. It’s gotten a lot of praise for running hobbyists because it’s less than $85 and perfect for someone who doesn’t want to measure every mm in a heel drop. It’s also a good cross training shoe–ready for running, box jumps, you name it! These puppies are ready to show the road who’s boss. Are you?

ASICS GEL-Cumulus® 20 Pros

• Price: Affordable pricepoint.
• Cushioned: These shoes are extra cushioned and comfortable.
• Soft ride: Shoes will enable you to run for miles and miles without pain.
• Durable: Shoes can take you 400 miles or more.

ASICS GEL-Cumulus® 20 Cons

• Soles: Soles are a bit stiff at first.
• Toe box: Narrow toe box may be uncomfortable for some.

Running Shoe Categories

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Running shoes are a very personal choice and depend on the type of running you enjoy. What works for one athlete may not work for you, so make sure to do your research.

The first step when looking at running shoes is to determine what kind you need based on what your running style is. Do you enjoy running on roads, trails, or a mix?

Here are the most common type of running shoe categories:

• Road-running shoes: These shoes are made for people who like to pound the pavement. They are typically light and flexible and have strong cushioning support as well as stability.
• Trail-running shoes: If you’ve even run cross-country, we hope you had a good pair of trail-running shoes. Trail-running shoes are made for people who like to run through the woods. They support the body through soft terrain (and sometimes mud), across rough terrain such as rocky paths, and across any obstacle you can imagine. This type of shoe typically has a thick tread which provides solid traction, extra stability, and cushioned underfoot protection.
• Cross-training shoes: If you enjoy running on the treadmill or participating in Crossfit workouts, a cross-training shoe will likely be the best running shoe for you. There is typically less support and less cushioning, which is okay as the terrain is more user-friendly than concrete or trails.

Once you have determined what type of running you’ll be using your new running shoes for, it’s time to look at what makes a good running shoe.

Running Shoe Buyers Guide

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There are a few key things women should look for when buying a new pair of running shoes. We’ve broken them down for you:

Weight

Men’s running shoes and women’s running shoes are constructed differently. In general, women’s running shoes are a bit lighter than men’s as women typically (but not always) have less muscle mass than men so tend to weigh less. Women’s running shoes typically have a lighter and softer midsole than men’s.

When looking at new running shoes, consider the weight and which weight you prefer. Some women light their shoes as light as possible, while others like a heavier shoe as they feel more supported. Heavier shoes may be best for trail runs, too. Also – if you tend to like a heavier shoe, check out men’s running shoes.  Some women prefer men’s running shoes just a some men prefer women’s running shoes.

Toe Box

If you’re not a runner, you’ve likely never heard the term “toe box.” It’s an important term when looking at running shoes, however.

A toe box is exactly what it sounds like: the front part of the shoe that surrounds your toes. Running shoes tend to have wide toe boxes with varying degrees of cushioning. This helps prevent your toes from stubbing into the front of the shoe. Look for a toe box that allows your toes to breath and spread out while you run. The worst thing a runner can do is find a shoe with a binding toe box.

Cushioning

When trying on new running shoes, you’re going to want to find a pair of that offer a decent degree of cushion. Especially if you have joint pain! There are two main types of cushioning to look at:

• Heel cushion: Heel cushioning is imperative for comfort and to help reduce the impact when you run. Some shoes offer a softer cushion on the outer edge of the foot or a rounded outer heel, which can help smooth your landing.
• Midsole cushion: The midsole rests between the outsole and the upper sole and is designed to cushion the runner’s impact and help guide them through the stride. Look for a midsole cushion that isn’t too soft nor too firm.

Stability

There’s a reason you don’t want to run in flipflops or even athleisure sneakers: they lack stability, meaning it’s easy to roll an ankle.

Stability is a key factor in running shoes. You want to find a shoe that braces your foot and helps guard against excess motion. Depending on the type of running you do, you may need more or less stability. Shoes with superior stability tend to have a firm post which reinforces the arch side of your midsoles, which is an area prone to overpronation.

We hope this guide helped you in your quest for the best running shoes and will help you beat your PR!