A good pair of shoes is essential for running. Running is a very popular form of exercise and have many health benefits. It is an exercise that doesn’t require a lot of money and can be done at any time.
So, if you are looking for the best running shoes for women in UK, you have come to the right place! We have selected for you the best models, those whose technical characteristics we hold in high esteem, and whose quality-price ratio we consider excellent. For the novice runner and the expert runner alike, the right equipment is essential, so we’ve put together a selection of different types of running shoes, followed by a dedicated buying guide to help you decide which is the best running shoe for your needs and budget.
Discover our top 7 of the best running shoes for women in 2023.
How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Women?
Choosing the right running shoes is essential for your health and safety. Running shoes for running a marathon are not the same as running shoes for a 15-minute jog every morning. There are some technical characteristics, but also focus on your personal preferences, in order to find the best running shoe. Here are the essential criteria for choosing the right running shoes for women in UK.
Type of Stride
Before buying your new pair of running shoes, consider analyzing your stride as we don’t all have the same way of running. To do this, you must observe the wear of the soles of your previous running shoes. There are 3 types of stride, which overlap with wear and tear:
- The universal stride concerns one out of two runners, and corresponds to a wear located on the middle of the forefoot.
- The pronated stride comes second, corresponding to about 45% of runners. This time, it is on the inner edge of the forefoot that the shoe wears.
- Finally, supinator strides concern only 5% of runners. In this case, the shoes wear on the whole of the forefoot.
Your Body Type
Running involves using your joints and muscles to support the weight of your whole body in movement. To absorb shock, running shoes must therefore be adapted to your body type by providing cushioning and stability. Although cushioning also depends on the type of terrain, it is mainly based on the weight of the runner. The heavier the runner, the more cushioning is needed to protect the foot and joints with each stride.
Women weighing less than 125 pounds can choose running shoes with little cushioning, while women weighing more than 125 pounds should choose running shoes with a lot of cushioning.
Size
With each stride, the foot tends to move forward in the shoe, so that it can quickly find itself cramped, or even too compressed, possibly leading to an injury. Choosing the right running shoe size is essential for comfort and performance. A pair of shoes that is too big or too small could lead to joint pain or more serious injuries. Here are some tips on how to choose the right size for your new running shoes.
Measure the length of your foot
With a pencil and a piece of paper against a wall, measure your foot while leaning against it. Draw a line where the longest part of your foot ends and then measure the length with a ruler or tape measure. This length is your centimetre size, which can then be converted into UK or European sizes via charts available on the web.
A size up for running
The rule of thumb for choosing a new running shoe size is to add half to one full size to the result. During exercise, the foot tends to swell and lengthen. People running less than 20 kms can take half a size larger than their usual size. For athletes running more than 20 kms, it is best to take a full size larger. It is best to try on different pairs and choose the one you feel most comfortable in.
Check the brand’s sizing chart
Each brand of running shoes has its own size chart. This chart allows you to choose the best size for your foot length. This chart is available online. Of course, the best way to find the right running shoe size is to try it out. It is always preferable to go one size larger than your actual shoe size.
Comfort: feel, breathability and weight
A running shoe should be light enough, between 250 and 350 grams, so that it does not weigh too much and is uncomfortable over time. Similarly, consider how you want the shoe to feel: do you simply not want to feel the shoe? Or do you want to get a better bounce? Or, on the other hand, more shock absorption? Remember that more cushioning also means more weight and therefore more discomfort. Take this into account!
Running Surface
Running surfaces can be broadly classified into three categories. Each surface has a different shoe design. It is important to determine which surface the shoes will be used on. Below are the details for each category.
Running on roads or plain surfaces
These shoes can be used on smooth surfaces without any irregularities. These shoes are extremely light and have good cushioning, flexibility, and stability according to the stride requirement.
Running on trails or rough surfaces
These shoes are made for rugged surfaces with lots of ups, downs, rocks and other natural terrain. The sole provides protection from sharp rocks by providing stability, support and ruggedness. It has excellent traction, which allows for greater grip.
Indoor running or treadmill running
These shoes are designed for running on treadmill and indoor activity. These shoes are lightweight, flexible, and have good ventilation.
Budget
Running shoes are generally more expensive but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend more money to have a good time. A similar trend is to avoid shoes that are too cheap. They may not be designed for running and might not be able to withstand the strains that running places on them.
Running shoes of high quality generally cost between £80 and £200. Running shoes that fit the daily running needs of most runners should cost between £90 and £120.
Read also: Best Walking Trainers For Women With Flat Feet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is running shoes really necessary for runners?
Yes. Running on your feet produces a force equal to one-half to three times your body weight. Running shoes serve two main functions. One to absorb shocks through cushioning. The second function is to guide your feet through the running gait in a safe, efficient way. Ordinary shoes will not provide benefits that running shoe give, and you’re putting yourself at greater risk of injury.
Is it useful to wear soles for running?
Among the favorite equipment of the regular runner, there are of course headphones, knee pads, GPS running watches, but also running soles. These are ideal for improving cushioning and are particularly useful for runners who regularly suffer from knee tendonitis, stress fractures and back pain.
When should you change your running shoes?
While choosing the right pair of running shoes is important, it is also important to know when to change them so that you can continue running in the best possible conditions. To do this, you need to take several things into account. Firstly, your weight. A person weighing 130 pounds will not put the same strain on the shoes as the person weighing 160 pounds. Also consider the terrain or running surface. Shoes will wear out faster on a road than on a dirt track. Finally, the duration and frequency also plays a greater role.
To know if it’s time to change your running shoes, first look at the outsole. But not only that, the condition of the inside of the shoe should also be taken into account to ensure comfort and support.
Which shoes to choose to avoid irritation?
Running shoes can really irritate the skin on long distance runs. To avoid this, you should choose a running shoe with a seamless upper. The absence of seams prevents rubbing when you run and can prevent skin irritation. Secondly, if the ankle area is a problem, you can look for a model with extra cushioning to keep your feet comfortable. Finally, on the parts of the foot that can get irritated, you can use leukotape. This is a breathable, stretchy tape for support that moves naturally without irritating the skin.