There’s no such thing as the perfect running shoe. When it comes to running, all sorts of things come into play – your biomechanics, your weight, the surface you run on and the shape of your feet, meaning no one shoe will suit every kind of runner.
One of the things we’ve noticed over the decades of producing shoe reviews at RW is the way our network of runners express themselves when they’re filing their feedback on the shoes they’ve tested. Quite often, they don’t talk about the things the shoe does, but instead focus on the things it doesn’t do. As in: it doesn’t pinch, it doesn’t feel heavy, it doesn’t make their feet sweat – and so on. This shows that, for many runners, the aim in choosing footwear is simply to find shoes that stay out of your way, don’t intrude upon your run and just allow you to get on with it. The more experienced you become, the more you may look for a specific characteristic within a shoe – which is why we give each model such a thorough inspection – but it’s worth remembering that, at a basic level, comfort is key. 카지노사이트
How to choose your perfect running shoe
Each shoe on the list below was chosen because of its high overall performance scores, but we also looked at three important categories that should help you find the best model for you:
Weight: Lighter shoes typically have less cushioning, which can make them feel faster. That said, if you’re going long distances, the extra cushioning of a heavier shoe might be a better option.
Drop: A shoe’s drop is the difference between the heel and forefoot measurements, or, in simple terms, how much your toes drop below your heel. A higher drop can lead to more heel striking. Most shoes have a drop between 8 and 12 millimetres, some have less than 6mm and a few minimalist designs have zero drop.
Cushioning: Cushioning provides impact absorption. In the lab, we looked at cushioning measurements in the heel and forefoot, to give you an idea of the overall cushioning in each shore.
How we choose the best running shoes for 2022
Our team road-test the best new models, clocking miles at a range of paces in different types of sessions and varied conditions. We assessed them for their performance across every area runners need to consider: fit, feel, cushioning, responsiveness, comfort, grip, breathability and overall ride. 안전한카지노사이트
The best shoes made the cut for this guide, and the best of the best scooped our awards.
What are the best running shoes for 2022?
Here are the shoes that came out on top this year, following two periods of testing in the spring/summer and autumn/winter. If you keep scrolling, you’ll see that we’ve also included the models which made our list last year – some of which you may now be able to pick up at discounted prices.
Talking of discounts, if you didn’t know, today (October 11) and tomorrow (October 12), Amazon is hosting its second Prime Day of the year – the Prime Early Access Sale. We’ve rounded up the best health and fitness deals to be had here (which includes the hugely discounted Salomon Speedcross 4, which we rate), the best deals on running watches here and the best deals on massage guns here.
Nike Air Zoom AlphaFly Next% 2
Won: Best In Test – Autumn 2022
Weight: 238g (M), 173g (W)
Heel/toe drop: 8mm
Did the only ever to go sub-2 really need an overhaul? Why not? For the refresh, Nike focused on energy return, long-run cushioning and keeping weight low. The most visible change is an added thin layer of ZoomX foam under the forefoot air pods. There’s also a more durable but thinner rubber outsole material. That change makes the shoe more compliant when the forefoot hits the ground and improves energy return. The back half of the chassis has been reworked, too, improving stability. The midsole is a little wider and the foam wraps higher. The challenge with the new breed of shoes with seriously stacked soles (this sneaks under the World Athletics 40mm limit for sole thickness) is that they’re a bit tippy, especially when turning corners. But, now that your heel sinks into the foam better, you’ll have more confidence rounding turns. The upper’s new ‘AtomKnit 2.0’ fabric is more engineered than on the original, improving durability. Nike has bolstered the sides of the forefoot but left the top of the toebox open, given the tongue a little padding and added cushioned heel pods. Those changes make the shoe feel better. A worthy successor to the original world-beater.
Hoka Mach 5
Won: Highly Commended – Autumn 2022
Price: £130
Weight: 232g (M), 192g (W)
Heel/toe drop: 5mm
Type: Neutral
The cushioned and comfortable yet light and snappy Mach 4 got so much right that Hoka could quite justifiably have churned out the 5 by adhering to the old ‘if it ain’t broke…’ adage. Yet the brand has brought in significant ‘fixes’ to turn a really good shoe into a truly great one. There’s a new formulation of Hoka’s ProFly+ midsole foam, which testers found delivered a joyous ride – somehow both softer and snappier, cushioning landings better and delivering more pop on take-off. This meant that testers found the Mach 5 to be extremely versatile: forgiving on longer, slower efforts but with the energy return and responsiveness waiting to power you through quicker miles. All helped by Hoka’s signature rocker shape. The upper is made from a new mesh, which is thinner and more breathable; a gusseted tongue stays securely in place, and despite a roomy fit in terms
of width, lockdown is excellent. A well-padded ankle collar completes an upper package that testers felt was comfortable enough for long miles. Using EVA for the outsole material helps shave weight (the 5 is lighter than its predecessor),and also feels smooth. It offers good ground feel on landing, though one tester did feel as though the traction suffered a little in the wet.
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080V2
Won: Highly Commended – Autumn 2022
Price: £160
Weight: 292g (M), 234g (W)
Heel/toe drop: 8mm
Type: Neutral
A premium-quality shoe, the 1080 is one of New Balance’s bestselling models. The brand says it offers top-of-the-line performance to all kinds of runner, whether you’re training for competition or doing your weekly three-mile loop of the park. The good news is that
the updates to the version 11 have turned what was already a good shoe into something quite excellent– the rubber ankle collar that quite literally rubbed some runners up the wrong way has gone, to be replaced by a more traditional and comfortable foam collar. The new Fresh Foam X midsole is softer than its predecessor for a truly plush, cushioned ride. In addition, there’s a new Hypoknit upper, featuring stretchy mesh which, coupled with the pretty wide forefoot shape, offers ample room for the feet to move on the run, so there’s little danger of rubbing or bruised toes. (If anything, some testers thought the toebox a bit roomy.) While it’s pitched as a versatile model that can do the faster stuff as well, it’s such a comfortable ride that it really feels like a luxury limousine for your feet – soft, smooth and refined – and it irons out any bumps in the road brilliantly.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4
Won: Best Value – Autumn 2022
Price: £75
Weight: 238g (M), 198g (W)
Heel/toe drop: 9mm
Type: Neutral
Reebok’s Energy Series is capable of everything from long runs to daily mileage and speedwork, and all for a seriously affordable price tag. The Energy’s fourth iteration is lighter than ever and the slightly soft, bouncy Floatride Energy foam midsole that won us over from the s hoe’s inception remains largely the same. In the third version, Reebok tweaked the heel’s bevel, so it swoops upwards more and it’s not changed since. This lets you land smoothly and softly, without the shoe crossing over into aggressive-rocker-sole territory. The midsole is made from steam-molded beads of TPE, which tests at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab have shown to deliver better than average cushioning, especially from the softer forefoot. Testers said it doesn’t feel mushy when you crank up the pace and praised its consistent energy return after more than 100 miles. ‘It’s lightweight but has enough support that I felt secure with every step. It has enough cushioning for distance but is responsive enough for sprint workouts,’ one tester said. The biggest change in the Energy 4 is the recycled upper, which delivers extra protection and a more secure fit. The result is a good shoe made even better via considered updates that’s hard to beat for value.
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Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2
Weight: 286 (M), 224g (W)
Heel/toe drop: 8mm
Type: Road / Neutral
Nike’s max cushion daily trainer returns with largely minor fixes to the upper. All the bouncy goodness underfoot remains, thankfully, because we love the cushy ride it delivers on easy jogs and long runs. Credit the ZoomX midsole for the experience. The same foam used in the Vaporfly and Alphafly top-tier racing shoes, it’s lighter, softer and more responsive than other materials, returning about 85% of energy on foot strike. And there’s a huge slab of it under your foot in the Invincible.
To keep you from feeling unstable atop that marshmallowy pillow, the sole is oversized and rockered. Nike has also tweaked the shape of the heel clip to keep you centred over the foam. Unlike the debut, which our testers felt was wobbly on tight corners, there were no stability issues reported here, so that small change has paid big dividends. Testers also enjoyed the roomy toebox and ‘stretchy’ upper, which has been redesigned to improve breathability and boost security. The collar still has padded bulges on the outside, but it’s now in a more durable Flyknit fabric (the previous model’s thin material shredded quickly). An excellent update and a pillowy joy.