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The Best Running Shoes For Women 2026
Running shoes FAQs, answered:
What’s the difference between men’s and women’s running shoes?
It’s really important to remember that men and women run differently, so we recommend you opt for a pair of running trainers that have been designed specifically with women in mind.
But the biggest difference? Foot shape, including the relationship between the heel and the ball of the foot. Women often have a narrower heel in comparison to the ball of their foot. This means that if a woman wears a size nine running shoe, she will likely have a wider ball, wider ball girth and narrower heel than a man with the same-sized foot. Yeah, running shoes are technical.
In terms of how we run, women tend to have wider hips, so our feet are more likely to strike the ground toward the outside of our soles. Women’s running shoes also tend to be lighter and softer than male offerings, because women typically have lower muscle mass.
How should running trainers actually fit?
“Forget the number on the box and look for a shoe that gives you about a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe,” says Michael Gaston, Product Trainer at Runners Need. “This will give your toes good clearance at the end of the shoe to account for any movement, splay or swelling.
“Your heel should be snug with no slippage, and the midfoot should feel secure but not restrictive. If you do feel any movement at the back, try a Runner’s Loop lacing to keep it secure.”
But you’ve also got to take note of your socks: “And don’t neglect the impact of cushioned socks! Always try the shoe on with the socks you will be running in,” Gaston adds.
How to choose the best running shoes for you:
Not everyone is an elite athlete and needs a carbon-plated go-faster shoe. So, we suggest you consider the following when choosing a new pair of running shoes:
This is a speedy, low-stress study of how a person walks or runs, measuring various temporal, spatial, and kinematic parameters. This includes your pronation — does your foot roll inwards (AKA overpronation), outwards (supination) or not at all (neutral pronation) when you run? — and your arch height — high arches typically require more cushioning, while low arches favour stability. All of these will inform what sort of shoe you need to support your style of motion. FYI, there should be adequate room in the toe box, and your heels shouldn’t slip around.
Even if you’re a seasoned runner, we recommend getting a new gait analysis before buying a fresh pair of trainers, as there’s a good chance your gait has changed since your last result.
“It’s important to find out what kind of runner you are, says Senior Marketing Executive at SportsShoes.com, Ben Mounsey. “Once you understand how you run, you can find the shoe that is most suited to your running style.”
Think about what kind of terrain you’ll be running on and how often you intend to train and race. For those used to running off-road, we suggest durable shoes with good traction. For road running, cushioning is key.
“If you’re a beginner runner or someone who runs infrequently, it doesn’t make sense to spend a fortune on your first pair of shoes or buy the latest and most expensive carbon-plated super shoes, which are designed for elite competition,” adds Mounsey. “Instead, choose a style that best suits both your needs and budget, for daily use, all-around performance and capable of handling a range of different surfaces.”
We recommend you try your new trainers out on both a treadmill and on your usual running terrain, so you can get a feel for how comfortable and supportive they are. “Do your research and read the reviews before you purchase to make sure the shoe you’re considering is a good fit for your chosen preferences,” adds Mounsey.
“Our feet are as individual as we are, and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Running shoes have to be equally as diverse, and with hundreds of types to choose from, it can often prove difficult to find the right pair to match our requirements.”
Which brand is best for running shoes?
A hotly debated topic — and a deeply personal one too. Because what you rank as ‘the best’ may be considered the most uncomfortable running shoe for others. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Brooks consistently receive high marks for their innovative designs and technology.
That said, the most searched-for running shoes in the UK last year were the Nike Vaporfly. This is because the controversial shoe, first launched back in 2016, was almost banned from the Tokyo Olympics due to its advanced technology, with some claiming the combination of thick, energy-returning foam midsoles and embedded carbon fibre plates gave athletes an unfair advantage.
What is pronation, and does it matter?
“Pronation is simply the natural way your foot rolls inward to distribute impact,” details Gaston. “For the most part, it is no longer believed to a major cause of injury as has been believed in the past. But it can still matter.
“Neutral runners have a ‘normal’ inward roll, while overpronators roll inward more significantly, and supinators roll outward. Matching your shoe to your gait isn’t about ‘fixing’ your feet and it won’t make you immune to injury. The goal is long-term comfort, and getting a gait analysis can help to narrow down that search much faster.”
Can I use running trainers for walking or gym workouts?
“You can, but it will shorten the life of the shoe,” says Gaston. “The soft cushioning that feels great on a run can be unstable for lifting weights or HIIT workouts, and using weights will compress the foam faster.
“Running shoes are also designed for forward movement, so lateral (side-to-side) movements might overstretch the lightweight mesh and lead to premature wear and tear. When it comes to walking, this is less of an issue. It all depends on whether you want to prioritise comfort or longevity.”
Meet the experts:
Our team of shopping editors – Sophie Cockett, Shani Cohen, Georgia Trodd, Mayola Fernandes and Sophie Donovan – double as Glamour guinea pigs and so are constantly roadtesting the latest beauty, fashion and wellness releases to see which are really worth your cash. For this guide, the fitness keen were asked to road test each pair of running shoes for up to four weeks. This involved wearing them on short runs, longer training runs, in the gym and during treadmill interval sessions, checking for comfort, stability and breathability.
For those we haven’t yet tested, we asked industry experts whether the pairs selected would get their stamp of approval, and read countless customer reviews.
But we also roped in Alice Barraclough – an avid runner, fitness editor and writer who comments on running shoes for a living. “Over the past eight years, I’ve been testing the latest running trainer launches from some of the best sports brands out there. Think: Nike, Hoka, New Balance and adidas. I’ve tested their speed in tempo and interval sessions, their comfort and durability on those ‘Sunday long runs’, their cushioning both outside facing the elements and inside on the treadmill and their protection and grip on both muddy trails and pavements alike.”
I’ve been a shopping writer for over two years — that’s 17 months at Glamour and a year elsewhere. In that time, I’ve reviewed everything, from new-in sexual wellness products to yoga leggings and menstrual products such as period pants. Essentially, I’ve tried thousands of products across hundreds of brands, meaning I’m more clued up on the subject of wellness than your average online shopper.
Over the last year, I’ve attended countless press days, spoken to various running experts, activewear designers, women’s health experts and functional fashion pros, plus keep up to date on the latest wellness research. But I also run up to three times a week — I’m currently training for a sub-50-minute 10k — meaning I know what I want and need in a pair of running trainers. So, read on for my honest reviews.
