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As an independent shoe reviewer and athlete , Geoffrey Crow ( aka @ lets _ run _ faster ) has tested just about every shoe on the market over a wide range of paces , distances and weather conditions . Here ’ s what he rates , and why .
Gone are the days when you used one “ do-it-all ” running shoe . Shoe tech has evolved , and so have runners and their training needs . Runners are spoilt for choice in 2023 , with ever-improving and innovative training and racing options .
Shoe brands offer a variety of shoes built for purpose by tweaking the weight , midsole formulation , stack height , upper construction and geometries . But , if you ’ re new to running , the variety of running shoes on the market can be intimidating . How do you know what type to wear and when ? What even are the different types ?
With plenty of choices out there , the question is how to find the best running shoes for YOUR needs . I ’ m going to help guide you . As I am an unsponsored , independent shoe reviewer and athlete , I have experience in testing most of the newest running shoes . I am fortunate to be able to directly compare shoes as I have amassed an extensive shoe collection spanning all the brands .
If you ’ re running more than three days a week , it ’ s a good idea to have a minimum of two pairs of shoes that will cover your daily training and racing needs . This is called a shoe rotation . It ’ s good practice to build a shoe rotation to avoid injury and extend the lifespan of your shoes . Whether you ’ re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your training , here is a rundown of the main categories of road running shoes , including my top picks .
I ’ ve tested all these shoes over a wide range of paces , distances and weather conditions . I ’ ve also spoken to industry professionals , other shoe reviewers and a cross-section of runners with different builds and biomechanics to get their feedback . Some of these shoes were provided free to me for testing , some were purchased myself , but all the reviews below are my own independent , unpaid-for views . The shoes from these lists may overlap , so keep in mind to mix and match and find the styles that best suit you . For the best results , it ’ s always recommended to visit a running store to try on shoes in person as you ’ ll want to find a pair that works for your biomechanics and matches your preferences .
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