Best Women's Running Shoe Reviews 2023

Price is an important factor when it comes to buying women’s running shoes. With different running shoes having different price tags, it’s important to work around your budget. Having some surplus funds in your budget will give you the flexibility to pick the right pair of running shoes.

When working on a tight budget, you’ll have to look out for affordable women’s running shoes with all the features you need to support your pronation for comfortable runs or workouts. But be careful not to settle for something cheap; this usually means a lower quality product that won’t suit your needs.

Women’s running shoes range in price from $20 to $250, but you’ll find some cheaper brands or high-end designer shoes that cost more. For instance, Asics has some high-end running shoes that can cost you about $400 whereas Adidas has a variety to fit different budgets.

Some factors that influence the price, as you can guess, are the materials they’re made from, the type of running shoes you’re after, and the brand you’re buying from.

Women’s running shoes, just like any other kind of shoes, come with various features you need to consider when shopping for a pair. The specific features your running shoes come with determine whether they’re ideal for you or not. With the right pronation and type of shoe for your sole wear pattern, you’ll be in a position to find a good pair.

Here a few important features to look out for in your women’s running shoes:

• Pronation (the manner in which your soles wear out)
• Running shoe type; trail, road, or crossfit shoes.
• Upper sole material for breathability, weather-resistance, and comfort properties
• Mid-sole material for cushioned comfort and stability; offers stabilization
• Outsole material for cushioned support and lightweight runs on roads and protection on trails
• Color to match your outfit and personality
• A fitting size
• Torsion bar or medial post for control of severe over-pronation
• Heel counter for extra heel support and cushioning
• Drop (the difference in height between the heel and the toe); for heel, forefoot 7 mid-foot ground strikes

The right pair of women’s running shoes comes with the features you need for hours of comfortable runs, whether you’re training or going for a cross-country marathon.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to the construction of your running shoes. Consider these things when choosing your ideal pair.

Upper Sole of Running Shoes

The running shoes’ uppers can be made of synthetic leather or even nylon. Derived from polyester and nylon, synthetic leather is durable, supple, and resistant to abrasion. Nylon mesh or nylon, on the other hand, is also durable but improves breathability, and lowers the weight of your running shoes. Look out for thermoplastic urethane (TPU) overlays on your shoes’ upper soles just above the breathable panels (the heel and the arch). The material improves stability, resists abrasion, and is long-lasting. Women’s running shoes are also designed with breathable or waterproof upper soles. They feature membrane embedded on the linings of the running shoes’ interior to prevent moisture from getting to your feet.

Midsoles of Running Shoes

Sandwiched between the outsole and the upper sole, the midsoles are cushioned for improved stability. They’re mostly made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam for cushioning purposes. Typically, a single layer is featured on running shoes. Running shoes’ forefeet are stiffened using plates made of TPU or nylon for flexibility and thin layering. They’re found in trail-running shoes to safeguard your feet from obstacles such as roots usually found on trails. The midsoles are also stiffened using shanks for arch and heel protection. They offer ultralight backpackers’ support and protection on trails while allowing lightweight use.

Outsoles of Running Shoes

Outsoles are usually made of rugged carbon rubber on the heel for use on roads. The forefoot usually features blown rubber cushioning for comfort. For trail-running, go for shoes with carbon rubber outsoles for resistance to trail wear; in road-running shoes, blown rubber helps lower the shoes’ general weight.

Heel Drop (Difference between Toe and Heel Heights)

The heel drop of women’s running shoes determines how your foot hits the ground during runs. For mid-foot or forefoot strikes, go for low to medium heel drops, ranging from 0 to 8 mm. Opt for a 10 to 12 mm high drop if you need your heels to hit the ground first when running. Note that shoes with a zero heel drop can still be well-cushioned, and the converse is also true because the two factors are independent.

Heel Counter

Heel counter is a running shoe’s rigid heel structure. Sometimes available in the form of a wedge, heel counter offers motion control for extra heel cushioning and support. Look out for this feature in your running shoes if you suffer from Achilles tendonitis.

Torsion Bar/Medial Post

Shoes with torsion bars or medial posts on the sides or edges come in handy when you need to control excess outward or inward motions in supination or over-pronation sole wear patterns.

Choose the right type of shoes designed for your specific pronation. For neutral pronation, opt for super-cushioned neutral shoes to offer support and shock absorption. Opt for stability or motion control shoes for over-pronation to get the support your soles need. Consider barefoot shoes with no heel drop and sufficient cushioning for protection on trails. Minimalist shoes are ideal for basic pronation, offering stability and lightweight use.

Whichever women’s running shoes you opt for, ensure they are strong and durable to last months of running. They should also be easy to clean and come in a color that matches your training or running outfits. Go for running shoes of the right foot size to fit your feet. If shopping online, ensure you know your foot size; however, if you’re planning to visit physical shoe stores, try out different running shoes to find the right fit.

A good pair of running shoes is built to last three or four months of regular running, or four-hundred to five-hundred miles of running. When the outsoles or midsoles of your running shoes are worn out or compressed, it’s time to let them go.

When trying out women’s running shoes at a shoe store, you’re bound to find many comfortably-fitting shoes. However, you can only tell how comfortable your shoes really are after running many miles in them. Finding the ideal running shoes is all about your foot’s shape and your running style.