Best Running Shoes 2022: Our Top Picks For Training

The best running shoes are designed to cushion your feet whilst on the road or on challenging dirt trails, but knowing how much you need to spend to pick up a top-quality pair can be a little difficult at times.

Fortunately, we’ve put together this list based on price, reviews, and any unique features that make these sneakers stand out from the crowd.

Whether you’re looking for something built for road running, like the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%, or you’re after something slightly less expensive, like the Brooks Revel 5, we’ve got you covered right here.

We also discuss some of the latest news surrounding upcoming running shoes to mark in your diaries for future consideration.

Let’s begin…

Best Running Shoes

• adidas 4DFWD
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
• Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%
• SALOMON Speedcross 5
• Brooks Revel 5

Best Lightweight Running Shoes – adidas 4DFWD

Brand: adidas | Material: Primeknit+ | Closure: Lace-up

When running, you’ll need a pair of trainers that are both comfortable and will cushion the impact made with each stride you take.

adidas 4DFWD‘s are designed to achieve both of these objectives with their lightweight Primeknit+ outer and their responsive 3D-printed midsole, helping you progress each week in conjunction with other bits of top tech like the ‘s.

The 3D-printed midsole utilises adidas’ latest technology to generate three times as much forward motion when compared to its previous 4D midsoles, meaning it should help when running on angled surfaces like hills.

All in all, these shoes are a great all-round option to run with thanks to the vast amount of technology packed into them to help you perform to the best of your ability.

Best Running Shoes For Flat Feet – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21

Brand: Brooks | Material: Fabric | Closure: Lace-up

If you’re slightly flat-footed and tired of wearing out the soles of your shoes on the inside then the Adrenaline GTS 21‘s might be your answer.

These trainers have been designed to support the inner side of the shoe to help keep your feet straight and subsequently reduce the chance of you falling over and injuring yourself.

One of the biggest pros of these shoes is the immense amount of cushioning and support they include which should keep you comfortable and protected across all manner of distances, from 5k’s to 10k’s and so on.

The Adrenaline GTS 21‘s are advertised as the go-to-shoe (GTS) for every purpose including long-distance jogs, slow recovery runs, and even just a full day of walking and would therefore be a great item to carry around with you in your .

Best Road Running Shoes – Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%

Brand: Nike | Material: AtomKnit.Flyknit | Closure: Lace-up

Designed as the consumer version of the shoe Eliud Kipchoge wore to run a sub-two-hour marathon, the Air Zoom Alphafly‘s should be the perfect shoe to fulfill your road running needs.

These trainers come with a lot of ZoomX foam to provide exceptional support and cushioning, but they also come with the uniquely designed Air Zoom pods on the forefoot which are engineered as a firmer block to deliver a bit more punch off the toe.

The Air Zoom Alphafly‘s also come with the latest Flyknit technology, much like some of Nike’s , helping keep these shoes as light as possible and to provide you with a bit of flexibility for when your feet get hot during your run.

On the whole, these shoes are designed to be the perfect road running trainer and would therefore suit anyone who enjoys running longer distances like half and full marathons.

Best Trail Running Shoes – SALOMON Speedcross 5

Brand: SALOMON | Material: Synthetic/Textile | Closure: Quick Lace-up

Like some of the , running trainers vary massively to cater to all manner of workouts.

These SALOMON Speedcross 5’s, for example, are a great option if you enjoy tackling the tough terrain of trails.

The main difference with these trainers compared to the previous entries is the extremely aggressive Mud Contagrip technology, engineered to be excellent at tearing up the soft, technical ground of a trails course.

Moreover, these shoes feature EnergyCell+ which, SALOMON boasts, provides exceptional energy returns along with substantial cushioning and durability.

Ultimately, these shoes should be ideal for tackling every type of terrain you can think of, which is why they could even be considered some of the around.

Best Running Shoes For Beginners – Brooks Revel 5

Brand: Brooks | Material: Fabric | Closure: Lace-up

If you’re just starting your running journey and looking for a versatile trainer that is relatively affordable to help improve your performance, then these Brooks Revel 5‘s should suit your needs.

First and foremost, this shoe has been designed to be extremely comfortable by utilising a soft fabric outer and BioMoGo DNA cushioning which adapts to your stride, weight, and speed to divert the shock away from your body.

Moreover, the Revel 5‘s will likely keep your feet cool during your run, especially on a hot Summer’s day, thanks to the knitted design on the outer which has been engineered with breathability in mind.

All in all, these trainers are a solid all-rounder built for all kinds of runs, from mid-distance, longer rides, and to relaxing recovery jogs.

Latest Running Shoe News

Sneaker technology is constantly evolving, so we’ve decided to discuss some of the latest news surrounding running shoes to make sure you remain in the loop with any upcoming releases.

Andersson Bell Teaming With ASICS To Release New HN2-S PROTOBLAST Series

The long-rumoured Andersson Bell x ASICS collaboration has finally been revealed, with both brands offering a closer look at their special-edition GEL-1090 runners.

The trainers arrive in a matrix of shoelaces secured by metal fasteners more commonly found on a pair of hiking boots. You’ll also find the usual GEL midsoles for maximum comfort and improved energy returns.

The three collaborative colourways arrive on May 27, so stay tuned for further updates right here.

Nike To Launch Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% In Blue To Celebrate Its Origins

Nike is preparing to release new Blue Ribbon Sports-inspired Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%’s to pay homage to the brand’s original name.

The knitted uppers are paired with a grey backdrop and topped off with the unique BRS logos across the ankles.

No release date has been announced, so make sure you check back in with us for the latest news as and when it arrives.

ASICS Unveils METASPEED+ Series

After launching the METASPEED early last year, ASICS has now revealed the METASPEED EDGE+ and METASPEED SKY+, two refined racing silhouettes designed to cater to two distinct running styles.

The METASPEED EDGE+, for instance, is designed to help cadence runners improve their speed by extending their stride length while letting them control their cadence more effectively.

The METASPEED SKY+ is also designed to improve stride length; however, you should also experience better energy conservation and bounce thanks to FF BLAST TURBO foam underfoot and the shoe’s new carbon plate.

Both sneakers are expected to launch on 14 June 2022. Stay tuned for further updates right here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Running Shoes

With so many different kinds of running shoes available, you probably have a number of questions about them, but we’re here to clear up some of the most common queries.

What Should You Look For In Running Shoes?

It is no secret that running can be a tough form of exercise both on your cardiovascular endurance and on your muscles and joints.

In terms of what you’re looking for, we covered some of the basic features needed for running in our guide .

In the aforementioned guide, we mentioned that you need to look out for a shoe that has good cushioning to divert the impact made with each stride and a trainer that is flexible to ensure you remain comfortable as your feet expand during longer and/or warmer sessions.

Are Running Shoes Worth It?

Although the price of running shoes does vary, the most technologically advanced trainers on the market tend to come with a premium price tag.

So to answer this question you should probably first decide if running is a serious hobby that you look to build on and progress with each week.

If the answer is yes, then in order to keep your body safe and to help you progress, running shoes will probably be worth it as they offer you a number of key features tailored specifically for running that normal trainers don’t provide like big foam midsoles to soften the impact with the ground.

How Often Should I Run?

This is really down to you and how your body feels and recovers after each run you go on.

Running a few days each week will help improve your fitness, particularly your cardio, but be careful as you don’t want to overdo it and cause yourself long-term damage.

Make sure you include enough rest days each week to give your body time to recover before you set out on another run because running when you’re not fully recovered will greatly impact your performance and increase your chance of injury.

Can You Use Running Shoes For Gym?

We have previously discussed and in our guide we mention, for weightlifting, you need a pair of trainers that have flat, thin soles to increase your contact with the ground and so you can apply more force during lifts such as squats.

By contrast, running shoes are typically quite curved and padded to absorb the shock from each stride and to help with forward momentum so aren’t really the ideal trainers for weightlifting.

However, for cardiovascular, machine-based actives such as rowing, a pair of running trainers should be more than suitable.

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