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Best running shoes for women: This sedentary lifestyle has surely taken a toll on the physical health of many and it has become really hard to stay in the pre-lockdown shape with the closure of gyms and fitness centers. Running can be a really good solution in this situation. It is a full-body, minimum-hassle workout and is suitable for people of all skill levels. It might seem like a challenge but the sheer good looks of some of the best running shoes for women will do a good job in fueling the athlete in you. Let’s shrug off the boredom and look at the best running shoes for women with the coolest looks.
How are running shoes for women different?
Running shoes for women are different from those made for men and so are the choices. The differences like smaller and narrower foot size, lesser muscle mass, and wider hips are group tendencies that are counted to make women’s shoes.
These factors tend to contribute in making women’s running shoes, more lightweight and have thinner midsoles and support higher pronation tendencies. Apart from these, there are common features, based on which you should buy your pair of cleats. They are fit, weight, construction, cushioning, support and stability, grip, purpose, and motion control. We have also answered a few faqs that buyers may have, at the end of the article.
Best Running Shoes for Women in India 2023
Nike Pegasus Turbo 2: Best Nike Shoes
Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 | Credits: SnapdealBest running shoes for women Nike: A top daily trainer from Nike, the Turbo 2 has every good bit from the past edition and delivers even more cushioning. It gets the bouncy and best-in-class (85% energy return), ZoomX foam midsole featured in Nike’s racing cleats, along with the durable, React foam. A combination of these makes these shoes pretty comfortable and cushioned while having a lot of bounce. The upper mesh is padded minimally, reducing the shoe’s weight. If you are a serious runner and want a new pair of trainers, grab a pair. They are probably the best uptempo running shoes for women.
Pros
- Super soft and responsive, best-in-class ZoomX midsole
- Long-lasting React Foam midsole for increased life
- Better energy return.
- Good for a serious runner
Cons
- Less durable than the last edition
- Cannot be a daily trainer for any runner.
Asics Dynaflyte 3
Asics Dynaflyte 3 | credits: AmazonBest running shoes for women: A very lightweight shoe from one of the top brands, renowned for making cushioned, supportive shoes, Asics’ Dynaflyte 3 SP does not leave anything to complain about, though. Featuring the FlyteFoam midsole, which is 55% lighter than the industry standard EVA, this shoe is very durable despite its lightweight. The bouncy midsole foam and solid outsole ensure comfortable runs.
The fit is snug and appreciated for its comfort. It also features a redesigned stretched mesh upper, a thick collar and tongue, a solid heel counter, and Asics’ GEL cushioning to provide ample support. Another advantage, compared to other Asics’ shoes is the small break-in period. So, if you are a beginner, looking for a pair of running shoes for women, particularly that will ease you into running, here is the pair for you.
Pros
- Thick and bouncy foam provides a sprightly run
- Very durable
- A small break-in period
Cons
- Foam can feel too thick sometimes
- Experience runners will not choose this as their daily trainer
Reebok Floatride Run 2: Best Running shoes for women
Best running shoes for women: An evolution from the Floatride Run, this shoe from Reebok is well appreciated. A thicker, protruded collar and wider laces provide ample comfort and protection to the ankle and bridge. The Pebax-based, 100% Floatride foam is very soft and offers loads of cushioning to log the miles. It also gets a much-improved fit and the UltraKnit upper strikes a good balance between soft feel and functional stability.
A TPU midfoot cage and heel cup give structure to the stretchy upper and provide a good amount of stability to the foot. It receives a new outsole and better lugs, which are more durable and grip better onto the road. The cool looks of the knitted upper also make it a great fashion choice for other casual activities. Looking for a shoe that does everything? You already know it.
Pros
- Great cushioning with 100% Floatride foam
- Attractive looks and colors
Cons
- Upper can be too stretchy for some
- TPU cage is somewhat uncomfortable.
Adidas Ultraboost Parley: Adidas shoes for women
Best running shoes for women: We cannot miss out on this one if we are talking about the best everyday running shoes. The best till date in Adidas’s famed Ultraboost lineup, these shoes are supportive, comfortable and make tarmac seem as soft as cotton. Ideal for the road and indoor treadmill, this shoe is praised extensively all over the world for its quality of materials, design, and versatility.
Pros
- Great cushioning and responsiveness with a Boost midsole
- Breathable Ultraknit upper
Cons
- The quality of materials is top-notch
- Not true to size, take a size larger
Asics Gel-Kayano 28
Best running shoes for women in India: In the running arena, Asics means superior stability. Asics’ Kayano 28 is the latest in the legendary Kayano lineup. The shoes have a perfect, sock-like fit and a wide toebox. The new, flexible mesh upper is very well-ventilated and has a deep groove on the outsole for stability to overpronators. The heel cup is rigid yet lightweight and provides a lot of support.
The brand uses a gender-specific SPACE TRUSSTIC system for managing different levels of pronation among both genders. The midsole has ample cushioning and the trademark GEL technology in the impact positions like toe and heel for shock absorption. The strong structure and SPACE TRUSSTIC system makes it a bit heavy for a daily trainer. If are someone who overpronates and demands a performance-oriented, durable stability shoe, this is the one to go for. Obviously, if you have the money. This can be one of the best running shoes for women in India.
Pros
- Great cushioning and use of Gel in the midsole for comfort and shock absorption
- Breathable, flexible engineered upper
- Attractive design, available in 72 colors
- Cons
- Slightly heavy for a trainer (310 gram for women)
- Shallow heel cup leads to heel slippage in some runners
Best running shoes for women: FuelCell Echo
Best running shoes for women in India: If you do not want an Adidas, Nike, or Asics but still desire a seriously good lightweight and fast shoe, New Balance has one up its sleeves. The FuelCell Echo is a really lightweight and comfortable shoe. Everything about the shoe oozes top quality.
It is supremely soft and provides a good bounce and sprightly run. There is a slight lateral curvature on it, to ensure it takes the first impact as the foot hits the ground. The biggest positive is its impressive performance for handling intense speeds and wide-width, suiting athletes with wide feet.
Pros
- Premium quality of materials and feel
- Personalized fit
- Breathable, woven upper
Cons
- The exposed outsole is not durable
- Cushioning is light
Best running shoes for women: Adidas Lite Racer 2.0
Best running shoes for women in India: A very well-appreciated budget shoe from Adidas has got a very secure fit and reliable performance. The biggest feature is its women-specific design with ample support on the heel and toe. It is equipped with a breathable, mesh upper which aids in adaptive comfort. The shoe packs in a standard midsole from Adidas and being true to its name provides a high degree of flexibility and an ultra-responsive gait cycle.
The high arch, decently wide toe width and supportive structure is specifically helpful for neutral pronators. Many women users have worn these for indoor uses like in a gym or treadmill and really appreciate the shoe. It is also pretty versatile in looks and goes well with lots of casual fashion wear.
Pros
- Very supportive structure
- Designed for women
- High arch design, suitable for pronators
- Attractive design and versatile
- Impressive responsiveness
Cons
- Not as popular as the costlier Ultraboost and Adizero series
- Not suitable for neutral runners at all
- Unsuitable for intense training
Best running shoes for women: Asics GT 2000 7 
Asics GT-2000 7 | Credits: Amazon classic shoe from Asics, this is one of the best running shoes for women available. Based on stability, it gets a very strong midsole with the Guidance Trusstic system and Duo Max Support technologies. This is complemented by a jacquard mesh upper, which is more durable and has synthetic overlays which secures the midfoot and prevent heel slippage.
The outsole is a typically resistant and grippy unit, featuring a mix of AHAR and AHAR+ rubber for added grip and protection near the toe. A standard lace-up closure ensures your feet are in place always, locked, and secure.
Additionally, it gets an EVA sock liner with anti-bacterial properties for added comfort.
Pros
- Super soft and responsive,
- The recycled, environment-friendly upper mesh
- No fatigue even on long distances
- Cons
- The durability of the outsole is questionable
- Slightly priced higher than competitor shoes
Best running shoes for women: Asics GT-1000 6
One of the most balanced and versatile running shoes in this list, the sixth edition GT-1000 is a very durable shoe made with top-notch materials. A typical Asics shoe, this gives excellent midfoot arch stability from its Guidance Trusstic system and good energy return from the SPEVA midsole, without giving up on a cushioned ride.
The other standout features include the Rearfoot Gel cushioning to enhance shock absorption. It also gets Duo Max Support in the medial foot area of the midsole for added stability and support. The upper is an engineered mesh with supportive synthetic overlays, which allows excellent breathability and gives a solid structure. A cushioned tongue, tight lacing system, and a blown-out AHAR+ rubber in the outsole and front of the toe helps in providing a locked-in feel, great grip, and protection, respectively.
Pros
- Soft and responsive SPEVA foam
- Secure glove-like fit
- No fatigue on long distances
- Lots of stability for overpronators
- Very durable rubber on the outsole
Cons
- Some might feel it is too supportive.
- Slightly heavy
Nike Shoes for women: Nike Downshifter 9
Best running shoes for women Nike: An excellent budget option from Nike, the Downshifter is a very popular series. A sleek-looking, performance running shoe this is suitable for any purpose, be it daily runs, casual wear or gym workouts. An excellent phylon midsole is complemented by a durable outsole that can deal with anything, even light gravel. The midsole is really cushioned very soft and the ride is softer than the previous editions.
A double mesh upper adds to the running experience by enhancing the ventilation and structural integrity of the shoe. The rubber outsole offers decent protection to your shows along with decent grip on any surface. And all of this comes in just 283 and a dirt-cheap price. This is something everyone wants, a trusted name for which they do not need to break the bank.
Pros
- Soft cushioning
- Sleek fit
- Comfortable run by phylon midsole
- Very durable outsole material
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- The heel counter is very bad and wears quickly
- Toe box could have been better
Under Armour Running shoes: UA Charged Rogue
Under Armour has quickly emerged as a popular sportswear and equipment brand, especially among the youth. This shoe, the Charged Rogue is admired by its users for lightweight construction and ideal fit. The upper is breathable while extra support is provided by the strong heel counter, which keeps the foot locked.
It is the midsole, where this shoe just blows you away. A mix of the durable and plush Micro G foam along with the explosive, Charged Rogue foam makes running in this an easy job. To make a complete design, UA uses rubber in high impact points like heel and medial part of the foot and a removable sockliner for added comfort.
Pros
- Lots of cushioning
- Good for short and long distances
- Dual foam on the midsole for a balanced run
- Durable and lightweight
- Comfortable ride
- Looks great
Cons
- Too tight construction for some runners
- Upper can wear off over time
Puma Nrgy Asteroid: Best Puma Shoes for Running
The NRGY Asteroid is an entry-level running shoe from Puma. A contemporary and sleek look is combined with a Softfoam sock liner in the midsole, which is amply cushioned for your daily jogs and runs. The latter makes the shoe supremely comfortable as soon as you step in. But remember, this is a beginner-level shoe and is better used only for daily short runs. Do not expect this to bear the brunt of intense and speedy runs everyday.
Pros
- Comfortable shoe
- Bouncy and smooth ride
- Softfit sockliner adds a lot of comfort
- lightweight
Cons
- Better stability expected
- Cannot use for long intense runs
- Sizing is slightly short
READ | Top 11 best Running shoes under 5000
READ | Common FAQs about running shoes
Neutral shoes are for neutral runners, i.e. those whose feet do not tend to pronate during running. This is what the majority of us are. Stability shoes are specifically for those who undergo overpronation and even under pronation during running. But, these can alternatively be used by normal runners, who prefer more stability in training.
> Choose an everyday trainer if you are looking for daily jogging. If you are into serious training, have 2-3 pairs of trainers and uptempo shoes.
> Prioritize your comfort while buying a shoe.
> ALWAYS, wear socks while testing.
> Check the flexibility of the shoe.
> Do not opt for a stiff shoe as it will hinder your feet’ flex.
It’s crucial to measure both the length and width of your feet. Always try on shoes and consider the sizing chart of the specific brand, as sizes can vary. Ensure there’s enough room for your toes to wiggle and that the shoe feels snug but not tight.
The choice varies based on individual preferences and running techniques. Some favor extra cushioning to absorb impact, while others seek a more responsive sensation. Experiment with various shoes to discover the ideal match for your comfort and specific running requirements.
