When it comes to running shoes, you gotta get some that will support your most intense workouts or you could end up in pain or injured. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which ones are best? Our friends over at Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart magazine did the, yes, legwork for you.
They had nine men and women run in twelve pairs of sneakers each (twenty-four pairs total), then had lab experts test the shoes for breathability, cushioning, flexibility, stability, and weight. The same model won for both men and women—it was also one of the most expensive pair tested.
ShopSmart says, “Avoid buying the cheapest shoe you can find. The least expensive model we tested, the Champion Wonder C9 (from Target), was at the bottom of the heap in our tests. This is one place where it can pay to splurge, especially if you’re a serious runner.”
Here are the Top Five Running Shoes from Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart:
Women’s:
First Place: Nike Air Zoom Vomero+ 2
Price: $120
Why: Best cushioning of all shoes tested. Testers said it gave them the right amount of stability.
Second Place: Nike Air Pegasus+ 2007
Price: $85
Why: Super fit. Cushy, yet stable.
Third Place: Puma Complete Infinitus
Price: $85
Why: Excellent fit and flexibility.
