1. ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoes For Beginners
2. ASICS Men’s Gel-Contend 4 Running Shoes For Beginners
3. Nike Men’s Revolution 4 Running Shoes For Beginners
4. ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 24
5. Brooks Men’s Ghost 11
6. ASICS Men’s fuzeX
7. Mizuno Men’s Wave Rider
8. Saucony Men’s Triumph ISO 3
9. New Balance Men’s MZANTEV2
10. Nike Men’s Lunarglide 6
Running Shoe For Beginners Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of Beginners Running Shoe
We’re all experienced runners here at Shoe Hero, but we all had to start somewhere. Using our knowledge, we used these 3 important factors to determine our selection of the most effective running shoes for beginners.
Reviews - Reviews are a great resource for finding out everything we needed to know about different running shoes. Written by real people with genuine experiences, they helped up discover all the secrets about what helps to make a great running shoe. Even though some reviews came from those who have run a marathon or two (or ten), these reviews were still excellent for figuring out what makes a running shoe suitable for newbies.
Brand - Even if you’ve never taken a run around the park before, we’re sure you have at least a little idea about the brands you’ll find, and you’ll no doubt recognize many of the brands on our list. However, we didn’t want to only give you one or two brands as options, so we dug our heels in a little deeper to find a range of great brands anyone can enjoy and get the benefits from.
Price - Normally, we look for a range of prices to appeal to both beginners and experienced customers. However, in this instance, we knew we only needed to find suitable entry-level running shoes. That being said, we understand not everyone has the same budget, so we still sought a wide range of prices.
We felt no one should miss out on getting healthy just because their budget won’t allow them to pick out the most expensive options possible, and sometimes cheaper didn’t always mean inferior.
Features To Look For In Beginner Running Shoes
Before making your decision, check out which features you need to look for when picking out good running shoes for beginners.
Foot Type - You may already know your foot type, but if you don’t, we’d advise you figure then out before making your final decision. Running shoes have many purposes for different types of feet and by understanding what your arch is you’ll be able to find the most effective, comfortable, and reliable running shoe for you.
Size - Not too small but not too large. You need a shoe that’s durable but not bulky, and one that’s too big can add extra weight that will cause fatigue and tire you out much faster. You also don’t want to sound like you’re solo-stampeding down the road and scare anyone foolish enough to get in your way, but you also don’t want shoes that are too tight.
Most running shoes will fit true to size, but if you’ve got wide feet, look at a size or half a size larger just to be sure. You can also check out our buying guide for best running shoes for wide feet to narrow down your choice.
Fit - When looking for running trainers for beginners, you may not be entirely sure of the right fit for you. Form the best results, you need a running that’s snug but not too snug so there’s no movement on either side of the ankle. However, still, look for some room around the toe box to prevent cramping.
Breathability - News flash guys and gals: running can get hot, so breathability is another important feature if you don’t want to end the run prematurely. Excellent ventilation helps the feet breathe, prevents overheating, and also allows the foot to dry as you run so you don’t get home stinking of sweaty feet.
Terrain - Different terrains demand a different tread, so consider this before purchasing. Regular road or sidewalk running will get on fine with standard running shoes with a mostly flat sole, but if you’re going off-road, you need extra traction to help you grip the surface better to help you maintain your balance and reduce the risk of injury.
Support - If you’re prone to over or under pronation, support around the ankles and arches is crucial for ensuring you minimize the risk of injury on your run. Sufficient heel support is also useful to prevent aches and pains the next day (and the day after), but when you first get started, this will be difficult to avoid. You should check out our buying guide with specialized running shoes for underpronation.
Style - Style isn’t everything, but it’s hard not to want to look good while running. It’s more about the design, though, and some style features are also practical. This includes the tongue length, the lacing style, and extra protection around the heel and toe to provide a more comfortable run for beginners.
Flexibility - A flexible running shoe helps you run more naturally while also reducing strain on the foot. It also allows for better mobility to ensure more sufficient purchase on inclines and declines. Your running shoes should be flexible enough to bend as you toe-off and provide a sufficient energy transfer.
Shock Absorption - Running is a high-impact sport and a shoe with less shock absorption can cause havoc on your joints. If you want to get the best from your runs and be as consistent as possible, good shock absorption is key, otherwise, you’ll spend more time staring bitterly at your demon shoes than actually wearing them.
Best Running Shoe For Beginners FAQ
Q: How do I pick the right running shoe?
A: Finding and choosing the right running gear for beginners can be a little stressful, and it’s tempting to just pick whatever pair you first come across. As you’ve seen, there are almost too many running shoes to count, but understanding these factors will help you settle on the rights ones for you.
- Understand Pronation and Gait - which way your ankle bends when running and how you run
- Foot type - do you have thin feet or wide feet? A normal arch, low arch, or high arch?
- Get your Foot Checked - shoe and sports stores will have advice on what type of shoe you need
- Try and Test - Putting the shoe on is the best way to determine the right shoe for you
Q: How much should I pay for running shoes?
A: Running trainers range from the cheap to the expensive to the very (almost obscenely) expensive. If you’re a beginner, you’re unlikely to want to splash out on the most expensive running shoes around, unless of course, you’re more of an All the Gear, No Idea kind of person.
As you’ve seen in our selection, the most expensive doesn’t always mean the best for everyone, which means you should only spend what you’re comfortable spending on your running shoes, at least until you understand yourself and your running technique better.
Cheaper running shoes may not be as durable as more expensive options though, so if you plan to run 5k every day (although we find that unlikely), you may want to spend more now to spend less later.
Really, it’s down to how much you want to spend, because while it’s great to get into shape, there’s no point spending too much money on something you may not use as much as you expect to.
Q: Should you buy running shoes a size bigger?
A: Not always, and it often depends on how true to size the running shoes are. Luckily, this information is readily available based on reviews, so you’ll know whether you need to go up or down half a size or a full size to ensure you get the proper fit for your running shoes.
Without this proper fit, you risk blisters, injury, overheating, and too much or too little flexibility, which leads to a loss of control, which is especially important on uneven terrain.
Q: Can running shoes be used for walking?
A: Absolutely, but your shoes will last longer if you only use them sparingly, as more use will cause the shoe to deteriorate faster. Running shoes are designed to handle greater impact when the foot lands and provide cushioning to ensure the most comfortable run possible. They are often more lightweight than walking shoes and boast a variety of features to provide better protection such as flexibility.
If you do more walking than running but want the option to use them for running if needed, a pair of decent running shoes could end up being more beneficial than standard walking shoes.
Q: Do I need to wear socks with running shoes?
A: It depends. Most people wouldn’t dream of wearing running shoes without socks as they’ve grown up with the idea that no socks can lead to blisters and chafing, and you lack the extra layer of protection socks offer.
However, depending on the fit of your shoes, socks may not be necessary, and recent models boast a no-sew feature than prevents abrasions and rubbing, which can quickly lead to blisters and discomfort on older models. If your running shoe is a little tight or you prefer a more snug fit, going without socks may be better for you and will help you have a more enjoyable run when you’re next out. With that being said, you should check out our buying guide for best barefoot running shoes.
Going sockless also encourages better breathability, so if you live in a warmer climate, you may prefer no socks over socks, anyway.
Sources:
- How to Choose the Right Running Shoe FOR YOU - Instructables
- Can You Wear Running Shoes for Walking? - Very Well Fit
- Running Shoe Guide for Dummies - ACTIVE
- Do I need to wear socks when I run? - Running Advice
