Fitness
The 3 Types Of Shoes Every Runner Should Own, According To Running Experts
Fitness
The 3 Types Of Shoes Every Runner Should Own, According To Running Experts
Run faster and smarter with these expert-approved running shoes.
If you ask a running expert about the best shoes on the market, they likely won’t give you a straight answer—and for good reason.
“There’s no such thing as the best shoe because everyone is so individual,” says Lynn Bourque, owner of The Runners Shop in Toronto, Ont.
A number of factors go into finding your best fit, including your gait, average weekly kilometres, and what you’re using the shoe for (such as training for a marathon versus travelling).
“If you want to move your feet quickly, you need lightweight shoes,” says Bourque. On the flip side, a novice or experienced runner in the market for an everyday shoe might require something with more stability or cushion.
Running shoes also have a lifespan—anywhere from 600 to 800 kilometres, depending on the runner—with their support and overall efficacy diminishing over time. If you’re running regularly, experts typically recommend replacing your shoes every year or so.
“Having multiple shoes will give the shoe time to recover, extending the longevity of each pair,” says Bourque. “Even though it’s an investment upfront, they’ll last twice as long.”
Looking to create or upgrade your running shoe rotation? While Bourque and Michael Denomme, the footwear manager at The Runner's Shop, agree that one can never have too many pairs, they recommend keeping a daily trainer, speed shoe, and race day shoe in your closet.
Here’s why each type is beneficial to reach for, plus the experts’ bestselling shoe picks. Keep in mind that the best shoe is the one that works best for you, so trying them out with a running shoe expert is key.
Daily Trainer
Brook Ghost / ON Cloudsurfer / New Balance 880v15
Neutral and classic, “you’ll do most of your running in these shoes,” says Bourque. These are the pair that you'll lace up for your everyday outings.
Besides the price, which typically sits on the lower end of the running shoe spectrum, around $120-$180, one of the biggest perks of daily trainers is their outdoor performance. They often have better outsoles—the rubber on the bottom of your shoe—which provides a stronger grip on trails and roads.
Daily trainer picks:
Speed shoe
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp / Saucony Endorphin / Brooks Hyperion Max
Less material is the recipe for a faster running shoe. “I like to compare it to the transition from wood to carbon tennis rackets,” says Bourque. “It’s revolutionary.”
Taking out excess, including padding around the tongue and heel, creates a more “performance-y” shoe that allows you to propel yourself further without being held back by the shoe. These are the pair that you’ll pull out for your track or interval speed training, which are key components of training plans.
These shoes will typically run you a slightly higher bill, from $200 to $260. “This shoe can go to the race,” says Bourque. “But If you want to take up another notch, try a carbon race shoe.”
Speed shoe picks:
Race day shoe
Saucony Endorphin Elite / Hoka Cielo / Puma Deviate Nitro Elite
“Think of it like gears in a car,” says Lynn. “Your everyday trainer is first gear, speed is second gear, and carbon brings you up another gear.”
To put it simply, these shoes are fitted with a curved carbon plate, full or partial, in the mid-sole of the shoe. On top of the light foam they typically rest on, carbon-plated shoes are meant to give you a spring-like effect to help propel you forward.
“Everything is enhanced,” agrees Denomme.
Race day shoes often start at closer to $300, making them a luxurious addition to your closet.
Race day picks
- New Balance SuperComp Elite
- Saucony Endorphin Elite
- Brooks Hyperion Elite
- Puma Deviate Nitro Elite
- Hoka Cielo
Bonus: trail shoes
If you find yourself on the trails or running through slush or ice, you might consider incorporating one more pair of shoes into your rotation. Many brands make Gore-Tex—a patented waterproof and windproof material—versions of their daily trainers that can be great options for damp runs.
If your feet run hot, Denomme also suggests considering trail shoes. “Tomir have some of the best grip I’ve ever seen,” he says. Plus, trail shoes are useful for everyday wear.
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