You’re bound to find a new love (or two) from these 15 highly rated styles.
You’re bound to find a new love (or two) from these 15 highly rated styles.
Sports shoes are no doubt the “big ticket” items in your fitness repertoire. That’s why it makes sense to survey the market and weigh your options before buying.
Be warned: shoes that are good for a particular type of workout may not be suitable for another. For instance, gym treads are not recommended for trail running, just as running footwear is not suitable for weightlifting.
If, like us, you love doing a variety of activities, like running and hiit on weekdays, and hiking on weekends, it’s best to get specific shoes for your sport. (trust us, you’ll feel the difference once you hit the ground running.)
If shoe shopping sounds like a major project, it’s because it is. with so much new technology and jargon to process, it may seem like a never-ending search peppered with doubts and questions.
So here’s the good news: we’ve done the work for you.
The Shape team, along with many running enthusiasts, put the newest styles to the test to reveal the best performers. whether you do short jogs, long runs, intervals, trails, hikes or gym sessions, we’ve got you covered.
BEGINNER RUNNING SHOES
MOST COMFORTABLE
Adidas Pure Boost X running ($169)
The stretchy uppers are detached from the outsoles at the arches, so these shoes really fit like a sock. The midsoles have energy-returning properties, making each step feel like a breeze. Breathable mesh panels all over the uppers kept our tester’s feet dry during outdoor runs.
BEST CUSHIONING
Asics Gel-Galaxy 9 ($99)
Heel-strikers, these are for you. At 246g each, these trainers provide all-round cushioning – with extra at the heel – while being considerably light. “The spring in my feet encouraged me to run faster,” says our tester.
SHORT-TO MID-DISTANCE RUNNING SHOES
BEST CUSHIONING
Hoka One One Vanquish 3 ($269, World of Sports)
With dual-layer midsoles made from two EVA compounds, you’ll feel as though you’re running on clouds. The curved shape helps propel you forward, so you’ll feel a spring in every step.
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
Skechers Gorun Ride 5 ($159)
For shoes with such generous cushioning, these feel unbelievably compact and flexible. Rubber pads are fixed on the outsoles to improve heel-to-toe transition and durability. They boast great traction too. Our tester says: “I could run on pavement, treadmill and off-road surfaces with ease.”
MOST COMFORTABLE
Reebok OSR Harmony Road ($189)
In these shoes, you won’t be dragging your feet. Instead of the usual EVA material, TPU foam – which is lighter and longer lasting – is used to cushion the heel region, giving plenty of protection and rebound without the weight. Rubber pods are strategically placed in the forefoot to enable powerful push-offs. Our tester experienced soft landings and smooth toe-offs throughout her 10km run. The toe box was roomy enough to accommodate her broad feet with bunions.
LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING SHOES
MOST VERSATILE
New Balance RC1500 v3 ($189)
Well-loved by many, these low-profile shoes prevent you from overpronating (when your feet roll inwards, which can throw you off form and lead to injury), thanks to a post that runs through the centre to keep you stable. Feel free to hit the trail too, like our tester did. This version has new sticky rubber outsoles for better traction, and increased protection in the forefoot. The no-sew uppers provide an even more secure fit than their predecessors.
MOST RESPONSIVE
Brooks Hyperion ($229, Key Power Sports)
Built like racers, these are your go-to shoes for a half or full marathon. The midsoles are made from a foam and gel blend, so cushioning remains strong throughout those kilometres. Our tester loved the snug fit from the smooth woven uppers.
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
Nike Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 ($255)
These gorgeous runners offer everything you need for big mileage: Sock-like fit, sleek and breathable uppers, as well as dual-density midsoles (a combination of soft and hard foam), plus pods on the outsoles to reduce pressure and create a smooth heel-to-toe transition. They feel so right, our tester did a half marathon on first wear.
SPEED RUNNING SHOES
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
Asics Tartherzeal 5 ($199)
The Industry-standard EVA foam gets replaced with a lighter, springier type called Flytefoam, created by asics after more than 300 prototypes and three years of research. Experience the magic during track intervals, where you’ll find yourself on a firm and responsive ride that will have you gliding, not trudging.
MOST COMFORTABLE
On Cloudflash ($259, Running Lab)
There’s nothing to weigh you down – not even midsoles. Instead, you’ll find 14 cushioning pods at the outsoles attached to a plastic plate, absorbing the force of each landing and transferring the energy to your next stride. They fit our tester so well, she ran 20km without any discomfort.
TRAIL RUNNING SHOES
MOST GRIPPY
Merrell Agility Peak Flex ($169, Royal sporting house)
You can handle whatever the trail throws at you. Made with sticky skeleton-inspired lugs, these shoes provide great grip even on wet and rocky surfaces. Moulded heel counters are in place to prevent slips and falls from sharp turns or quick descents.
MOST RESPONSIVE
Reebok All Terrain Super 3.0 ($169)
Even with protective material around the toes and underfoot, these shoes made our tester feel as though she was running barefoot. “There was great traction on hills and muddy trails, and water drained out almost instantly.” The treads have drainage ports in the uppers and midsoles to keep your feet dry and happy.
MOST VERSATILE
Skechers gotrail ($179)
Super-sleek, these shoes are water-resistant and come with multi-surface lugs that can deal with most terrains: dry, wet, muddy and rocky. They are equipped for running too: there’s sufficient cushioning plus a plastic plate in the forefoot to soak up impact.
GYM SHOES
MOST COMFORTABLE
Mizuno Synchro SL 2 ($109)
These are shoes you can wear any day, from short runs to interval training and weightlifting, because they feel good no matter what you do. Our tester raved: “the shoes wrapped around my feet nicely, and the toe boxes were spacious enough for my wide feet. They are so flexible and breathable, making me feel 100 percent confident with each foot strike. One of the most comfy pair of training shoes I have worn in a long, long time.”
MOST VERSATILE
Nike Metcon DSX Flyknit ($259)
Smash all your fitness goals in these multitaskers: there’s cushioning for running, external heel counters for stability during weightlifting, rubber bumps on the outsoles to give grip for rope climbs, as well as low-profile heel clips that let you do wall exercises and handstand push-ups without drag.
Photos Tan WeI Te
Art Direction Ray Ticsay
Backgrounds 123RF.COM
