The limit doesn’t exist when it comes to running shoes. There are several characteristics to consider before making a decision; lightweight, cushioned, and stability are only some of the categories to choose from. And men’s and women’s shoes aren’t one and the same.
Running shoe brands are no longer “shrinking and pinking” men’s shoes for women. Using research based on biomechanics and anatomy, shoemakers now design women-specific running shoes that accommodate the distinctive nuances of women's feet. The list below is constantly updated; our staff chooses the best women’s running shoes based on testing and wear-tester feedback.
Best Women’s Running Shoes
- Best Overall: Brooks Glycerin 21
- Best Value: Saucony Ride 17
- Best Daily Trainer: lululemon Blissfeel 2
- Best Cushioned Trainer: Brooks Ghost Max
- Best for Racing: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
What to Consider in Women’s Running Shoes
Foot Shape
Women’s feet aren’t just smaller, narrower versions of men’s feet—there are differences in overall shape that affect shoe fit. Women’s feet tend to be comparatively wider in the forefoot, with a narrower heel. Running shoe makers consider this statistical difference when designing their shoes for women. For example, a brand may build the same model of a shoe with a different heel shape and sometimes different heel materials between its men’s and women’s version.
The Hip Factor
Researchers have also found that because women tend to have wider hips than men, their feet are more likely to strike the ground toward the outside of their shoe soles. The inward rolling of the foot that results from this is known as pronation, which explains why more women are believed to overpronate than men. Some women’s running shoes account for this increased tendency with different materials used for support through the sole.
Why Trust Us?
Runner’s World has helped people who love running connect with the sport and the hobby they love for more than 50 years with news, fitness tips and, of course, gear recommendations. Our product guides for running essentials like running shoes and running shorts, are based on the hard work of our test team, who put the latest and greatest running gear through their paces day in and day out. In 2024, the Runner’s World test team includes Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate, and Test Editors Amanda Furrer and Morgan Petruny.
In 2024, the effort to update our guide to the best women’s running shoes was spearheaded by Test Editor Amanda Furrer. Amanda added or updated seven of the shoes in this guide based on her extensive testing, as well as data provided by the Runner’s World wear-test program.
How We Selected The Best Running Shoes for Women
We picked the shoes in this guide based on feedback from the women on our 250-runner-strong wear-test team, the expertise of our test editors, and the mechanical data collected in our RW Shoe Lab. Every shoe was evaluated over the course of at least 100 miles, with attention given to overall performance, comfort, ride, longevity, and value. Based on our extensive testing, the options below are currently the best running shoes for women.
Our Women’s Running Shoe Reviews
Pros
- Soft nitrogen-infused midsole
- Comfy all-around fit
- New upper breathes better than past versions
Cons
- Heavier than the Ghost 16
After adding DNA Loft V3 cushioning to last year's Glycerin 20, Brooks has heaped on an extra 2mm of padding to the Glycerin 21’s midsole, as if to remind us this shoe is still the brand’s most cushioned trainer.
“For logging lots of miles, these shoes are excellent,” said tester Erin Dewalt. “I’ve been a long-time Ghost wearer, but never tried the Glycerin. Based on the substantial foamy soles, I expected these to feel too squishy, but they ride smooth. I’d describe the Glycerin as soft, but not squishy. Everything about the shoe is easy to wear—nothing pokes, prods, or pinches. There’s not a single hard edge.”
Pros
- Comfy overall fit
- Responsive Pwrrun+ foam
- More outsole coverage, more durability
Cons
- Some testers reported stiffness
The Ride 17 is updated with a Pwrrun+ midsole and sockliner. It’s the same cushioned combo in the Triumph 21, Saucony’s plushest trainer, so you know it’s luxuriously soft and delivers even higher energy return than the Ride 16. Because of this pumped up midsole, the Ride is slightly heavier than the Guide—but that extra weight doesn’t sap any of its rebound.
lululemon Blissfeel 2
Pros
- Specifically made for a woman’s fit and biomechanics
- New contoured upper provides secure fit
- Supportive, thick foam buffers impact
Cons
- Heavier than to other trainers
The Blissfeel 2 feels slightly heavier and firmer than its predecessor, despite the fact it is the same weight as the original model and both its stack height and foam haven't changed. They feel similar to Adidas’ Ultraboost. It’s thickset, but there’s plenty of pop to the 2’s ride. The toe room and cushioning felt like a reprieve after testing narrower, less-supportive trainers.
It’s a neutral shoe that’s ideal for recovery days or for runners who want more support and firmer cushioning. Despite a sore Achilles during previous runs due to overtraining, Furrer found that the Blissfeel 2 provided the support she needed. You know a shoe is truly supportive when you somehow don’t suffer any repercussions after making poor training choices.
Brooks Ghost Max
Pros
- DNA Loft v2 max cushioning
- GlideRoll rocker
- Broad base helps with stability
Cons
- Slightly bulky
- Stiff forefoot
“If you like the Ghost but you want more of it, that’s what the Max is,” said Carson Caprara, senior vice president of Brooks footwear. Both shoes use the same DNA Loft v2 foam, but the Max stacks it 39mm high in the heel. Think of the Ghost as your everyday workhorse. For recovery days or long runs when you need extra support, the Ghost Max will buffer your weary joints from months of base building. “This shoe provided so much comfortable cushioning when my muscles were especially sore,” said tester Kayte Flynt.
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Pros
- Carbon plate specifically placed for stride runners
- More streamlined fit than previous versions
- Midsole is lightweight
Cons
- Could use more traction
The evolution of the Metaspeed series continues with three key updates, which you'll find here and in the Metaspeed Edge Paris: a new FF Turbo+ midsole, which is approximately 10 percent lighter than the previous foam in the Metaspeed+ models; a new last that provides a closer fit and more stability in the forefoot along with better arch support; and a new MotionWrap 2.0 upper that is eight percent more breathable.
The Metaspeed Sky Paris’s carbon plate is flatter and sits closer to the foot, which helps stride runners leverage the midsole’s bounce over their longer steps.
Puma ForeverRun Nitro
Pros
- RunGuide tech reduces pronation
- Heel cup cradle
- Soft, responsive cushioning
Cons
- May require tighter lacing for narrower feet
The Nitro foam in the ForeverRun is surrounded by a firmer rim of foam, resulting in a dual-density midsole that feels soft and provides good responsiveness and stability. The second key ingredient that promotes support is the sockliner, which was engineered by Kaiser Sport & Ortopædi, a Denmark-based clinic and retailer that specializes in running and walking. The high-cushioned sockliner has a molded heel cup and metatarsal pad. High praise was given to the shoe’s flexibility, light weight, and stability.
“This shoe was snug in the arch and allowed me to feel safe and secure with each step,” said one tester. “Around curves on gravel, I remember thinking how the shoe handled it so well and how supportive it felt.”
Pros
- Updated midsole for even softer cushioning
- Rocker-shaped sole promotes quick turnover
- Accommodating wide width and toebox
- Modeled after the plush, supportive Olympus trail shoe
Cons
- Beefy exterior
- Shoe may be too wide for narrow feet
The Via Olympus provides an über-cushioned ride with a generous platform of foam for long-distance running—very long-distance running. It has an Ego Max midsole, which is an EVA-based compression-molded foam. It’s the most accessible zero-drop trainer due to its slightly curved sole to promote a rocker motion, and its foot shape is wide and accommodating. The molded heel collar and pillowy tongue amplify the comfort factor.
The Via Olympus 2 is a worthy predecessor with a finely-tuned molded heel collar for a more secure fit and an even softer midsole foam.
Pros
- More lightweight than the Hyperion Tempo
- 4mm extra DNA Flash foam
- Same breathable upper as the Hyperion Tempo
Cons
- No carbon-fiber plate
- Tongue sometimes doesn’t stay in place
The first Brooks Hyperion Elite had DNA Zero foam, which was later replaced with the Hyperion Tempo’s DNA Flash for a softer, bouncier ride. The Hyperion Max is the Tempo’s more cushioned, yet tenths-of-an-ounce-lighter, sibling. While their stretch woven uppers are the same, their rides are anything but. Brooks jacked up the Max’s midsole with four extra millimeters of nitrogen-infused DNA Flash for a springier but plusher ride. Inside word is this same foam will be in future Brooks Ghost and Glycerin models.
Topo Athletic MT-5
Pros
- Lightweight
- Wide toebox
- Supportive cushioning
Cons
- No rock plate
- Not grippy enough on technical trails
The MT-5 is a user-friendly option. It has the simple essentials that entry-level trail runners need, without the bells and whistles they’ll have to fuss over. Topo Athletic increased the stack height from 25:22mm to 28:23mm, which gives you more cushioning and protection underfoot.
The heel-toe offset was also increased from 3mm to 5mm to make the shoe more accessible for runners wary of low-drop shoes. Topo also shaved down the lugs, making the outsole less aggressive. With all of these changes, the MT-5 feels more like a hybrid model built for both roads and groomed trails.
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Pros
- Streamlined upper
- New Vibram Megagrip outsole
- Cushy midsole foam
- Lighter than previous versions
Cons
- Not enough toe room for some
- Stiff
At 9.6 ounces, the new Timp 5 is over an ounce lighter than the Timp 4. Its upper is more streamlined with lower exterior sidewalls, and Altra added a Vibram Megagrip outsole to squash any doubt this cushioned shoe can’t handle technical trail.
“This is my new favorite shoe,” said tester Jason Karpinski, who ran the Black Canyons 100K wearing the Timp 5. “The Altra Timp 5 is true to the family of Altra. Plenty of room while not seeming like your foot is sliding all around. Temperature regulation combined with draining allowed for all day comfort.”
Q+A with Test Editor Amanda Furrer
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
