Picking the right running shoes for you is very important for getting the best results. Adidas don’t tend to change the Boston much with each annual update, and frankly why would they? This is an incredibly popular shoe and for good reason. The Boston 7 is a tremendous race-day option for pretty much any distance, with just enough Boost cushioning to keep the pep in your step over a marathon, but not so much that you’re carrying unnecessary weight when shooting for a PB in a 5K. Make sure to size up, because Adidas shoes tend to run small – what it calls a snug racing fit, many of us might refer to as uncomfortably tight. However, once you have the right size there are few shoes that will serve you better in your next race, and during all the training leading up to that race as well.
I’ve been training in ASICS Speedstars for over five years and can get away with running my longest workouts in them – even up to 22 miles. If you have always worn a more structured shoe then I wouldn’t jump into the Speedstars for 100% of your mileage. Be smart and make the transition gradually since they have neutral pronation control. In other words, there’s no pronation control. Weighing in at 8.9 ounces, the Speedstar is light but not as light as more traditional minimalist shoes like the the Merrell Trail Glove, which weighs only 6.2 ounces. This extra weight comes from a combination of a more supportive upper – more on that later – and a cushioned sole.
How much do I need to spend? The RRP of running shoes is eye-wateringly high, with the top options from all major brands costing 110 to 160. This will get you the latest technology and newest colourways, but you certainly don’t need to spend that much to get a quality pair of running shoes. Your best bet is generally to look at last year’s model in popular lines because it will be substantially reduced and usually the differences between it and the latest release will be minimal. There are also good budget running shoes to look at, which cost 40 to 90 – you’ll find those on the best cheap running shoes list.
Unsurprisingly, designs with more cushioning like the Brooks Ghost 10 and Brooks Glycerin 16 typically score higher in landing comfort. The usual formula for the best landing comfort is a balanced design that is not too cushy and not too firm. You need balanced cushioning to find consistent comfort. We find this with the Nike Pegasus 35, which scored near the top of our measure. Its secret is that it embeds Zoom Air units across the entirety of the midsole. Elements comprised of hollow EVA structures even seemed to cushion more than that of the versatile Cloud. That difference in sensation could be partially explained by the rigid speedboard, which gave more pop and stability to each stride. This put the X at the top of the category and helped earn it the Editors’ Choice award.
This veteran speed training shoe got a major redesign for its 24th iteration, and it comes with a number of key changes. Most notable is the knit upper—the first on any Asics shoe—which enhances breathability and reduces weight. A redesigned heel counter keeps your feet in place when you pick up the pace, and the FlyteFoam Lyte midsole offers good energy return and ground feel for shorter, faster runs. See extra info at https://info4runners.com/asics-gel-venture-6/.