Running shoes. Oh, how I love thee. I have so many pairs and yet, I'm on the hunt for some new ones. You see, all my pairs have been so loved that they are all at or near their mileage expiration date. I'm starting to think about a new pair, but I'm having trouble deciding which to invest in.
Soooo I thought I'd ask all my Fit & Fashionable readers (that's you!) what you think of my top five picks!
Here's what I'm looking for in my next pair of kicks:
- A neutral shoe - I don't need any special stability or fixes for high arches/flat feet or anything like that.
- Decent cushioning - Cushioning in the ball of the foot is key for me. Otherwise, my feet will get too tender during long runs.
- A wide-ish toe box - Narrow shoes tend to squeeze on my pinky toe to much, so I like something with a little width in the front.
- Something cute! - I want to like the look of what I'm running in. This is of the lowest priority, but a girl's gotta feel cute while she gets all sweaty and gross, right?
Ok, so now you know what I'm looking for - let's dive into the options!
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ASICS fuzeX Lyte
I've had good luck withASICS in the past. My last pair lasted me over 300 miles, and I never had issues with them. This new model uses ASICS GEL cushioning technology, which is designed to provide cushioning without being too heavy. I'm also digging the black and blue, so this shoe seems to check all the boxes! Price: $85 -
adidas Ultra Boost STs
I've had good luck with adidas in the past, as well. I love love love the knit (adidas Primeknit, actually), which is engineered to naturally expand with your foot for a more comfortable fit. Then the boost™ technology is supposed to give a lightweight cushion. Another one that hits my checkpoints.Price: $180 -
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080
I've never tried New Balance running shoes. I'll totally honest, one of the main reasons I want to try New Balance is because if I like them, I can get the specialrunDisney New Balances (hehe). Plus, the "N" on the side could totally stand for Nicole! Disney and names aside, these shoes do seem to have everything I want. This is straight from their site: In addition to supremely comfortable Fresh Foam cushioning, an engineered mesh upper gives your feet room to move..." - sounds perfect! I don't like the look as much as the others, but looks are the least important... Price: $150 -
Hoka One One Bondi 4 Road Running Shoe
I'm currently still running in a pair of Hoka One One Cliftons that I got from theFitness Blogger Meet & Tweet. They took me a few runs to get used to, but now I love them! They are well cushioned, incredibly light (despite their clunky look), and very comfortable.The only issue I have with them is the color bleeds onto my socks. Not a huge deal since I don't really care what color my running socks are, but still. Anyway, the Bondi 4 is supposed to be even more cushioned than the Cliftons, so I'm intrigued! Price: $150 -
adidas Pure Boost X
I am probably the most intrigued by these shoes. I think it's because they were specifically designed with women in mind. They're built to really form to a woman's arch and provide more comfort and stability. I also think the look of them is really unique with the floating arch. Plus, all of the reviews so far are pretty darn great.Price: $120
If I were to go based on cost, the ASICS would win hands down. On paper, the STs and the New Balances seem the best. The Hokas appear to win on the cushioning front, and if I were to go based on design, I'd probably go with the adidas Pure Boosts. You can see where my dilemma is! I'm sure I'll have try them all on and go based off feel, but where should I start?
Why don't you all give it some thought, add your fit & fashionable links (remember any sort of fitness, fashion, healthy living post or even healthy recipes are fair game) and then chime in with which pair you like best, mmk?
Also, don't forget about the PROBAR and Fitbit GIVEAWAYS!
Let's Chat:
Have you tried any of these shoes?
Which pair would you go for?
