The NHS’s (opens in new tab) ‘Couch to 5k’ app had over a million downloads during the first lockdown in 2020. We’ve become a nation of runners, and if you’re one of the keen beans now lacing up regularly, know this. One of the simplest ways you can improve your running (opens in new tab) is by investing in the right kit. Hence this handy guide to the best women’s running trainers.
I’m a health editor who runs marathons for fun, so I’ve tested all of the running trainers below for you over 5km, 10km, and half marathon distances. Keep reading for an honest review of which are worth your investment – and which aren’t.
Shop the best options from the likes of Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and more, but also a few more purse-friendly trainer alternatives, too. I’ve run in all of the shoes included, so they have my seal of approval as the top running trainers you can buy.
Not into running? Don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up the best cross training shoes (opens in new tab) and the best weightlifting shoes (opens in new tab) for you, too.
Why investing in a pair of the best women’s running trainers is so important
Yeah, surprisingly enough your old Converse aren’t the best bet for your morning miles (that said, they’re on our round-up of the best weightlifting shoes (opens in new tab) for a reason). Wearing incorrect trainers can increase your risk of injury and encourage poor running form.
Think about it: if you wear super flat Converse for your 5km, your foot arch won’t have adequate support, your joints won’t have proper cushioning as your body hits the floor, and your hips, knees, Achilles, and tendons will likely have to work harder to over-compensate. End result? Likely injury (opens in new tab), if you run regularly (aka three times a week or more).
What should I look for in a women’s running shoe?
- Adequate cushioning – When you hit the floor during a run, you’re putting as much as three times your body weight through your foot. Think about that for a second – it’s a lot. Making sure you’ve got proper cushioning underfoot is vital.
- Appropriate weight – Again, this one’s fairly common sense and worth thinking about pre-investing in running trainers. The lighter your shoe, the easier it’ll be for you to move quickly in them, right? You’ll be smashing that 5km PB in no time. That being said, if you’re a distance or marathon runner (opens in new tab), making sure you’ve opted for a shoe with proper support for the mileage is key, so it may be best to opt for a slightly heavier shoe.
- Designed for the right terrain – In short, are you someone who’s going to be running on pavements home from work or heading out to the countryside for steady miles come the weekend? If it’s the former, invest in road shoes; the latter, trail shoes. Road shoes are more cushioned, to protect your body from the impact of the concrete, and trail shoes have more grip and support, for muddy trail routes.
Best women’s running trainers to shop now
Best AllBird running trainer
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Tree Flyer running trainer – £150 | Allbirds
USP? The lowest CO2 running trainer in the world.
Pros: They’re pretty great to run in. A significant improvement on Allbirds’ former iteration, I found them to be light, springy, and responsive.
Cons: Do note, though: they did take some time to break in and caused a few blisters along the way.
Best Veja running trainers
The Impala – £115 | Veja
USP? The perfect day-to-night shoe that doesn’t scrimp on function, either.
Pros: Fun fact: the Impala is the lightest trainer VEJA has ever created. I was apprehensive pre-trying – in my mind, Veja are a lifestyle shoe company and they certainly don’t design running shoes – but I was pleasantly surprised. They’re supportive, lightweight, and great for those of you with wider feet. I also love that while they offer adequate support for your runs or gym classes, they look smart for the office, too.
Cons: Get dirty quickly.
Best ON running trainer
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ON Cloudmonster – £150 | ON
USP? Super speedy and propelling, too – great for speedwork or improving your 5km time.
Pros: One of the newer shoes from ON is the Cloudmonster – a super springy, lightweight, and propelling shoe that challenges some of the top carbon plate shoes on the speed front. By far my favourite iteration from ON, when I tested them they didn’t rub once and I found that they worked well over both short and long distances.
Cons: A higher price point.
Best Hoka running trainer
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Hoka Carbon x 3, £170 | Hoka
USP: A more affordable carbon plate option, for those looking to improve their PB time.
Pros: New from Hoka are the Carbon x 3, a – yep, you guessed it – carbon plate shoe that promises even more propulsion and bounce for around £100 less than other carbon plate options. Not sure what a carbon plate is? It’s the latest must-have in shoe technology for more serious runners. Some say its part of the reason athlete Eliud Kipchoge was able to break the two-hour marathon record for the first time in human history.
Cons: A higher price point.
Best adidas running trainer
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adidas Ultraboost 22, £165 | adidas
Editors pick
USP: The new Ultraboost trainers from Adidas are one of the first trainers specifically designed to fit the female foot.
Pros: Like the sound of comfort tailored to the female foot? Yeah, us too, especially when it looks like these Ultraboosts. They’ve long been my go-to trainer as they’re bouncy, supportive, and don’t look mental if you wear them with your work outfit. Worth the ££.
Cons: These aren’t for everyone – they’re super springy, but perhaps not the most stable if you’re training higher mileage.
Best affordable running trainer
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adidas Solar Glide 5, £120 | adidas
USP: An affordable all-rounder from a trusted brand.
Pros: Like adidas trainers but can’t afford more than £160+ on a pair of running trainers? We hear you – which is where the more budget-friendly Solar Glide 5 come in, designed for runners who workout a couple of times a week and are after an everyday all-rounder.
Cons: Not the springiest, but a sturdy workhorse.
Best lululemon running trainer
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lululemon Blissfeel, £138 | lululemon
USP: lululemon’s first shoe, and another of the first female-focused designs.
Pros: The brand’s first foray into footwear, lululemon launch the female-first running trainer – the Blissfeel – next month. Designed over four years and using data from over a million foot scans, it’s a supportive yet springy everyday option that promises to help you go the distance. Plus, they offer ten different colourways. I’m a fan.
Cons: Not the best for speed work.
Best marathon training running shoe
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ON Running Cloudstratus shoe, £150 | ON Running
Editor’s Pick
USP? A really great cushioned shoe that’s super comfortable and supportive, too.
Pros: I love the Cloudstratus from On for a number of reasons – they’re ridiculously comfortable, offer enough (but not too much bounce), support you well for short or long distances, and feel like they’ll last the test of time, too. Whether you’re planning on running a 5k or a marathon, these shoes will see you through with two layers of Helion™-enriched CloudTec® for increased vertical and horizontal cushioning.
Cons: None spring to mind.
Best New Balance running trainers
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New Balance 1080v11 Running Shoes – £135 | New Balance
USP: This is the best all-rounder, IMO, and comes in a range of different shoe widths.
Pros: There’s a reason New Balance’s 1080 design is so loved. It’s got a supportive upper and enough cushioning to help you go fast, but also proper support for long runs. This one was built for the neutral runner (that is, not someone who over or under-pronates). Top tip: there are very minor differences between this new version (the v11) and the earlier v10, so if you’re on a budget, scroll down to buy the v10.
Cons: Not designed for those who over or under pronates, as above.
Best running trainer for speed work
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Adidas UltraBoost 21 Running Shoes – was £159.99 now £129 | Sports Direct
USP: The earlier iteration of the Ultraboost 22, these trainers are seriously springy, light, and comfortable, too.
Pros: Sure, I’m a big fan of the Ultraboost 22’s, but trainer hack for you (mentioned above with the NB’s): when a new shoe is released, the earlier version will normally be reduced in price, making it a more affordable option.
Cons: The Ultraboost 21 are white, so, you know, go figure (and avoid muddy puddles), but I really rate them for their breathability, comfort, and bounce. Fun fact: the upper is made from recycled ocean plastic, too.
Best Under Armour running trainers
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Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind – £140 | Under Armour
USP: Under Armour has made a speed shoe that’s also super light, and it’s certainly impressive.
Pros: Fun fact which you may not have noticed: the UA Flow Velocity shoes have significantly less cushioning than the previous two designs from Adidas and New Balance. But fear not: despite not looking it, they’re super cushioned, responsive and lightweight. Under Armour shoes also have a nifty function where your run stats are sent from your shoe to your phone, so you can see everything from foot strike angle, cadence, ground contact time and more. Neat.
Cons: They’re flatter than other competitors and not as springy, but definitely supportive.
Best Saucony running trainer
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Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 – was £155 now £109 | Saucony
USP: They’ve got an in-built composite plate, which means they’re light but fast.
Pros: I ran my first ever marathon in a pair of Saucony trainers, so it’s fair to say I’m a fan. The Endorphin Speed’s are comfy and super light, coming in at just 198g (that’s liiiiight).
Cons: Although, do note, with past Saucony shoes, I’ve had problems with the material on the upper wearing through after six months or so.
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