Whether you’re jogging through the park or testing your endurance with a cross-country marathon, you’ll want a pair of running shoes that won’t give up before you do. But with hundreds of brands, makes and models on the market, how can you be sure which shoes are worth the cost? Here are just 10 great examples of attractive and technologically sound footwear that can take your running to the next level.
1. Saucony Kinvara 5
Overview
- Men’s weight: 218.3g
- Women’s weight: 189.9g
- Price: US$100 (S$125)
Show off your style and your national spirit with the Kinvara 5 running sneakers from Saucony. Especially noteworthy is their Pro-Lock lacing system designed to support those who run on the forefoot or midfoot; as serious runners know, everyone has their own running technique, so it’s important to find a shoe that will cater to your natural gait in order to prevent injuries and allow you to reach your top speed.
2. Mizuno Wave Rider 17
Overview
- Men’s weight: 260.8g
- Women’s weight: 221.1g
- Price: US$114.99 (S$143)
Made for everything from gravel roads to hard-packed earth, the Mizuno Wave Rider 17 was designed as a flexible, versatile shoe with SmoothRide engineering and Lateral Forefoot Sculpting for cushioning and ground-to-air transitioning. If you’re looking for a shoe targeted to your specific foot shape and running style, this isn’t it, but if you’re happy with a modular, multipurpose sneaker that you can throw in your gym bag for a variety of occasions and environments, you won’t find a better brand out there.
3. Vibram FiveFingers SeeYa
Overview
- Men’s weight: 272.1g
- Women’s weight: 212.6g
- Price: US$60 (S$75)
Everyone has an opinion on Vibrams, but facts are facts: Barefoot running has been shown to decrease repetitive stress injuries and even reduce the energy cost of running, and since you can’t complete the London Marathon barefoot, Vibram’s minimalist design is the next best thing. Even their habit of separating your toes has been linked to lower impact, less tension and a more natural rearfoot strike.
4. Adidas Aidstar Boost ESM Shoes
Overview
- Men’s weight: 314.6g
- Women’s weight: 263.6g
- Price: US$170 (S$212)
Groundbreaking boost™ midsole makes the Aidstar Boost ESM Shoes a running shoe full of return energy with every step you take. The breathable mesh lining and FORMOTION® ensure you will enjoy the smoothest and most comfortable run. With the techfit™ upper technology, which is engineered for flexible and natural support, it also fits your feet seamlessly like a sock. If you’ve dreamed of an athletic sneaker that will fuel you with endless energy, the Aidstar Boost ESM Shoe is how you can achieve that.
5. Asics Gel Foundation 8
Overview
- Men’s weight: 362.8g
- Women’s weight: 311.8g
- Price: US$110 / Singapore retail price: S$179
Kihachiro Onitsuka began the Asics brand in his living room in 1949. He wanted a strong, durable shoe for basketball, and nothing on the Japanese market had been good enough. This dedication to longevity is the backbone of all his footwear today: Not only does the Gel Foundation 8 come with shock-absorbent gel in the front and rear of the shoe, but it also boasts DuoMax insoles for flexibility and a ComfortDry lining to keep your feet cool and free of sweat.
6. Under Armour SpeedForm Apollo
Overview
- Men’s weight: 184.2g
- Women’s weight: 184.2g
- Price: S$169
Would you wear bra technology on your feet? What if it gave you one of the lightest running shoes on the market? Under Armour went unconventional for their SpeedForms, modelling their uppers on a seamless, near-weightless fabric design most commonly utilised by the bra manufacturers at PlayTex. The result hugs your foot like a lover and weighs in at only 170 grams, making it easily one of the lightest and speediest shoes available in athletic footwear.
7. Hoka One One Conquest
Overview
- Men’s weight: 334.5g
- Women’s weight: 272.1g
- Price: US$170 (S$212)
The first thing people will notice about your Hokas is their bright, eye-popping design. The second is their sheer height. With a name taken from a Hawaiian chant meaning “run, run, fly, fly”, Hokas are huge, soft, well-cushioned shoes that have been quietly revolutionising the industry for the past five years. Runners all around the world have enjoyed podium finishes when they embrace the Hokas’ quick toe-off and super-absorbent shock technology. If they can do it, why can’t you?
8. VivoBarefoot Evo Lite
Overview
- Men’s weight: 200g
- Women’s weight: 200g
- Price: US$130 (S$163)
Another barefoot shoe, the Evo is notable for improving on its design with each new generation, becoming lighter, softer and more durable for a variety of terrains and cross-training purposes. Now in its 4th generation, it comes with everything from comfortable Dri-Lex Performance lining to 5mm V-MULTI 2 soles to resist abrasion and keep your arches well-protected from the elements even in a minimalist design.
9. Nike Flyknit Racer
Overview
- Unisex weight: 160g
- Price: US$150 (S$187)
If you hated having to choose between Nike’s equally appealing Free and Flyknit brands, you can now enjoy both models in one with the Flyknit Racer. It fits like a sock, using highly flexible weaving technology to cover and conform to the shape of your feet, and this level of pliancy allows for stretching, flexing and transitioning in a way that you simply can’t get in a lower-end running shoe. You could be ahead of the curve and the first across the finish line with style with this pair of featherweight devils.
10. Scott T2 Palani
Overview
- Men’s weight: 230g
- Women’s weight: 210g
- Price: US$130 (S$162)
With soft, supple aero foam and an incredibly lightweight design, this shoe sets the standard for multipurpose sneakers. In fact, the “T2” in the T2 Palani refers to the transition made between cycling and running in a triathlon, so you know it’s a shoe that can handle being put through its paces. It may not be the best option for those who are looking for a heavy-duty model, but joggers, day trainers and triathlon enthusiasts won’t want to miss the T2.
Pick Your Favourite Pair and Pamper Your Feet
If you’re ready to fly through a marathon or get your blood pumping on the back trails, these are just 10 cool sneakers for runners of all ages, genders and skill levels. What do you think about the list? Are there any shoes you would consider even better than what’s covered here? What’s your favourite running shoe? Show off your running shoes in the comment box below or discuss it in our forum.
*The price converted to Singapore dollars is based on the market currency conversion and should only serve as a guide. The price may vary from time to time. Do find out more about the current prices of the featured shoes on the official websites or at your local stores.
