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FOR SALE – 1972 Nike Pair of “Moon Shoes” Worn By Thomas McChesney Including ‘71-‘73 University of Oregon Full Track Set (8 Total Pieces) Belonged To Teammates of Steve Prefontaine

Another pair of the world’s most expensive shoes comes up for sale. 

In July 2019, Canadian collector and businessman Miles Nadal, bought a pair of 1972 Nike Waffle Racing flats known as the “Moon Shoe” for the princely sum of $437,500 (£350,395)! If anyone else fancies a pair, Shoeguide are aware of another pair coming up for sale in an amazing lot.

The lot includes a pair of the 1972 “Moon Shoes” worn by Oregon athlete Thomas McChesney, and a full set of ‘71-‘73 University of Oregon track clothing set that belonged to running legend, Steve Prefontaine

One of only a handful of pairs known to exist. The 1972 Nike “Moon Shoe” is handmade and designed by Nike co-founder and legendary Oregon University track coach Bill Bowerman.

Bowerman was first inspired to create the innovative quilted-sole traction pattern found on the brand’s early running shoes by tinkering with his wife’s waffle iron and pouring rubber into the mold to create the first prototype of the sole.

When athletes wore the Waffle Racing flats, they left a set of unique mark on the ground, resembling an astronaut’s moon print which is how the shoe got its nickname.

The full story of the “Moon Shoe” and this particular pair can be found here. Tom McChesney became the first athlete to win a cross country race in moon shoes, he would later go on to win the OSAA State Championship in them. In late 1972/early 1973, a blue upper moon shoe was created and made available for the public. In all about 50 pairs of moon shoes were made, even less exist today. The moon shoes would later become Oregon waffle which sold from 1973-1979.

So, if you fancy owning a pair of the world’s most expensive trainers and Steve Prefontaine’s running kit, you now know where to find them. You might just need to sell your house to afford them, I know I would… Happy bidding!

There have been some negative reports in world’s press about runner’s not respecting other people’s space during this terrible time. It makes sad reading, but we suspect, some of it is justified.

London have banned runners on some paths due to them being too narrow for people to co-exist while remaining a comfortable 2m distance from each other. Reports suggest that the general public is much more concerned about cyclists and runners than fellow walkers and that the 2m distance might not be enough.

People are rightly paranoid about Covid-19. This, coupled with what seems to be an increase in people exercising, is making the general public even more nervous. As an aside, we recently spoke to friends of ours, one who works for New Balance and another who works for a large cycling brand and both are reporting booming sales.

This pandemic is something most of us have never experienced anything like before and hopefully, will never again, but it does make us ask questions about our own personal safety that we might not have considered before. There are concerns over runners getting too close and perhaps leaving a vapour of sweat in the air as we run by. I was pondering this exact though myself while out walking in a park last week when a couple of runners ran by. 

There has been a study by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Eindhoven University of Technology who are saying that social distancing for runners and cyclists needs to be greater than the recommended 2m and great than for people walking. This is due to the effects of slipstream.

Professor Bert Blocken is a specialist in urban physics, wind engineering and sports aerodynamics and is recommending new distancing guidelines for outdoor activities and sports.

Researchers simulated the movement of COVID-19 particles by redeploying methods used to improve the performance of athletes using slipstream.

But while slipstreams help athletes run faster, when it comes to COVID-19, the effect is not so desirable.

When someone breathes, sneezes or coughs while running or cycling, particles stay behind them in the air and anyone running or cycling behind them goes through a cloud of these droplets.

Researchers’ recommendation is to stay out of slipstreams, with distancing of 4-5 metres for runners, 10 metres for slow cyclists and 20 metres for fast cyclists.

“People who sneeze or cough spread droplets with a bigger force, but also people who just breathe will leave particles behind”, said Blocken. “The biggest particles create the highest chance of contamination – although they fall down faster, when running through a cloud of them, they still can land on your clothing,” he said.

When it comes to cyclists passing each other, the advice is for this to be done at a ‘considerable distance’ of at least 20 metres and in a different lane 

“The message is, keep on exercising, but stay out of slipstreams,” said Blocken.

This information follows more general research about the distance the Coronavirus now travels. A study conducted recently by scientists at Beijing’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences, found that the coronavirus can spread in the air approximately 4m, twice the distance recommended for social distancing. The research focussed on testing air and surface samples from both an ICU and a coronavirus treatment ward in Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. The particles stay in the air much longer than previously thought. 

We are being bombarded with Covid-19 information on a daily basis and with new research data appearing weekly, it is easy to understand people’s paranoia. As runner’s, let us make it our duty to do what we can to keep people safe and give then a very wide birth. It’s the least we can do and when it is all over, we might just escape with our ‘healthy living’ reputation intact!

Polar – Vantage V

The latest and quite possibly the most advanced GPS and heart rate monitor on the market is designed to help you train smarter and recover quicker.

I’ve been using it for the last few months and here I take a look at the features and benefits of this amazing piece of kit.

At first glance the watch looks similar to a whole range of GPS watches on the market right now, but on closer inspection you begin to realize there’s more to this watch than meets the eye.

First up, the rear of the watch that sits against the wrist features a combination of sensors that measure heart rate. Unlike many other watches, which simply relay on optical sensors (that can easily be effected by light and thus give erratic measurements), the Vantage V uses both optical and skin contact measurement sensors. This eliminates any disturbance from motion or light that could disturb the signal and provides a highly reliable reading.

The spikes in heart rate signal I’ve experienced with previous watches have become a thing of the past thanks to this feature, which has proved very accurate in training, daily use and when sleeping.

This is another useful feature, Sleep Plus, where the watch will constantly monitor your sleep pattern to detect the time and quality of sleep. These figures are monitored and help to provide a further insight into your recovery over a period of time.

It’s recovery where the watch really comes into its own. As well as being a very technically advanced watch, it’s the online software as part of the Polar flow website (flow.polar.com) that stores, measures and creates the bigger picture in terms of your training and its effect. Here charts, graphs and every piece of recorded information can be compared and analysed to provide you with detailed insights into your performance and progress over a period of time.

One of the key features I found most useful was the Cardio load status chart. As well as being available on the watch itself, this can be seen over a longer period of time online.

Having started to use the watch after a short break from training I quickly started to see the correlation between my training and its effect on the body. If the user is prepared to spend a little time getting used to the watch and allows it to monitor there training and follows the guidance provided I’m convinced it will help steer them towards performing more effectively.

The most groundbreaking feature of the Vantage V is its use of power monitoring. A long time metric used in cycling, power essentially provides a measurement of the load on your muscles of running. It’s important to remember that this measurements works with the measurement of heart rate and not instead of, this way you get a more complete picture of the effort and effect of your training. Whist power is a very complex metric to explain I try to think of it as a ‘complete figure’ to represent a collection of data. So it’s a number to combine heart rate and speed together with GPS and barometric data. The watch is looking at the effort used in relation to the course you are running. Again this helps give the watch the ability to measure your effort and help with recovery. The power metric also reacts to change much quicker than heart rate, allowing you to maintain sustained effort more easily.

The Training Load Pro feature built into the Vantage V measures Cardio Load, Muscle Load and Perceived Load. Measuring your training and using quick feedback questions after a session the watch can build an in depth insight into your training and over a period of time use this to monitor strain and tolerance. This data is monitored over the previous 7 days and shows how well the body is adapting to training. Again, I found this to be very useful, as previously, especially when coming back from injury I would just continue to train, occasionally the watch suggested that I might be loading my system too quickly. Thinking about it retrospectively I know the watch was correct, as ultimately its measuring and calculating more data than anyone could begin to monitor on their own.

This data combined with the watches orthostatic test (a measurement of heart rate variance) quickly provides information on how well the body is recovered, helping the user to determine their training load for the day.

The watch features all the usual features we’ve come to expect from a heart rate monitor and GPS watch as well as those features now found on smart watches. So the watch is easily programmable via its Smartphone app and can accept notifications from your phone.

The watch has built in profiles for pretty much any sport you can imagine and will represent the data for these in the most usefully manor on its touch sensitive, colour display.

Ultimately the Vantage V is the most technologically advanced training tool I’ve experienced at I really think that with long term use it will be a massive advantage in providing specific insights into training and recovery.

The Polar Vantage V is available in three colour options and two wrist sizes.

New to running? Don’t worry – we’ve got the answers. Welcome to our beginners running guide!

Starting to run and getting the right information can be a bit daunting but don’t worry, at shoeguide.run, we are here to help. We hope you’ll find the following information a benefit as you begin your running journey.

The first thing to say is CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve taken the first step of wanting to run and that is often the hardest. Now to get started…

You will find out that running is beautifully simple, and it is cheap. As it is weight bearing (unlike swimming for example), it is one of the best ways of getting fitter. One of the great things about running is that it is totally flexible – you can do it on your own, with friends, when and where you want. You see the benefits of running relatively quickly but you’ll feel the benefits almost immediately – running is great for your mental health and you’ll be fizzing with enthusiasm post run and it also makes you happy – fact!!

There millions of people around the world running and all have taken their first running steps at some time so you’re not alone. Let’s get going!

Running is great for you – here are some of the key benefits

Running is the best bang for buck! – let’s face it, we want all the benefits but without spending an age on our fitness. Research has shown that just a 15-30min jog helps to fire-up our metabolism and Burn Calories. Running is the simplest and most effective way to burn up calories. This helps leads to you losing weight and importantly, body fat which will lead to a change in…

Body Shape – Running regularly will reduce your body fat percentage and tones your muscles so you will start to look better.

De-stress – Running is proven to lower stress levels so run and stay chilled!

You will sleep more soundly – Frequent exercise should improve you sleeping habits.  Better sleep reduces anxiety – win win!

Your Blood Pressure will drop – Blood pressure begins to drop in only a few weeks of running and that’s a good thing!

Your Heart will Increase in Size – Your heart gets bigger so will pump more blood per beat making it more efficient, and healthier!

Running improves Blood Cholesterol – Overall cholesterol levels should drop and the ratio of good to bad cholesterol (HDL/LDL) improves with regular training.

Your Bone Density improves –The impact of running makes your bones denser which is important the older you get – strong bones are good bones!

Feel Proud – Starting to run is an achievement. Feel good about it. You will be running further and maybe faster in no time so be sure to celebrate that fact daily. You’ll still be you, just maybe a better version of you!

Running improves self-esteem – Research has proven that running improves confidence and self-esteem. This is largely due to the feeling healthier, fitter and looking better.

Running is Life Changing – Use running to take you to new environments – run in the country, through the city and through new cities when you are on holiday! But please use your new-found sport to new people – we’re a friendly bunch! Go to the local Parkrun and meet new people, find a local running partner and strike up new friendships. The friendships we’ve made is probably the best thing to come out of running for us and we hope it will for you.

Running will give you a new outlook on life – enjoy the ride!

OK, let’s run!

Starting out can be a bit daunting especially when you don’t really know what you will need and how to actually get going. Don’t worry, here are some simple tips:

How do I start to run?

One thing is for sure – you’re not going to be able to go to the park and start running laps like you’re Mo Farah and that is absolutely fine. You may not be able to run for two minutes without stopping, again, perfectly fine. One thing to understand from the start is that you will improve but it will take some time.

So, try not to be too ambitious and do not start to run as fast as your legs will carry you – you won’t last long and you’ll soon become de-motivated.

We suggest, beginning your running life by going walk and introduce some jogging within the walk. The reason we say this is that you need to ease your legs in to getting used to the different motion and impacts. Your muscles and joints need easing in to running, so start slowly. See below…

Here’s how to get going

We have devised an amazing walking and running programme with the help of one of the world’s best running coaches, Alan Storey. Check out our Training Tab from the Home Page of our website. Just follow the instructions and your bespoke training programme will be sent to you via email. The programme is entirely flexible and built around you so if you find the programme too easy of too hard, or you’ve had a busy week and not managed to get out at all, just go back to the Training Programme, adjust the information and it’ll send you a new programme. It’s that simple and it’ll get you from a couch potato to jogging a 5k in no time at all!

BUT, if you want some general information now, here’s what we would suggest…

Start by walking three times a week for 15minutes and include some timed jogs. You might want to get yourself a cheap sports watch (you can get them on Amazon for about £10) or use your phone to time yourself.

Start with 15mins of fast walking. Introduce just 30 seconds of slow jogging every 5min. Always start and finish with walking so put the 30 second jog in the middle of each 5-minute walk. You may need to slow the pace of the walking between these three 30 second runs – that is fine. Do not worry about how fast the running stints are, start as slowly as you wish. Your pace will improve as you get fitter.

Once 30 seconds is manageable, step up to 45 seconds in each 5-minute walking block. Build-up in 15 second steps until you are up to 90 seconds in each 5-minute block. 

Do not push it! You may need to stick to the 15 or 30 or 45 second jogging session for at least a week before it becomes comfortable. Only move up when it is comfortable for you.

At this point, switch to one minute of walking followed by a minute of running. 

Do not panic if this is actually harder than it sounds. Be patient and listen to your body. It may be necessary to take a step back at some point; it is perfectly normal to have the odd bad day or days so don’t worry and if you are ill, certainly don’t train. If you miss training through illness or other reasons, don’t worry – take a step back and spend a week or two building back up, e.g. go back to 30 seconds of running and build back up.

Once you are able to run for a minute on, minute off, introduce the 30seconds jogging to the second walk in your week. Continue through the process as before until you get to a minute on, minute off. Once there, introduce the 30 seconds jog to your third walk of the week. You will end up run/walking three times a week, so you’ve come a long way – be sure to congratulate yourself. 

Once comfortable with minute on minute off, gradually lengthen the running stints and shorten the walking breaks. Before you know it, you will reach a point when you’ll be able to jog the whole 15 minutes.

You will start to get fitter and be able to run further. As you get fitter, your muscles, heart and lungs will get stronger and more efficient. You may have started with a 15min walk but you reach a stage when you can run for that 15min period and you may be covering twice the distance – you are doing more than twice the work without spending any longer exercising! Running that far in 15min when you started out with your exercise programme would have been impossible. Once comfortable, add a couple of minutes on to the 15 minutes. Keep doing it and before you know it, your 15mins might become 20mins, 25mins and so on.

Don’t be afraid to walk before you can run. Don’t feel the need to batter your body into submission. Always work at a level you can sustain and then step it up once you become comfortable with this.

Put some stretching in to the mix to increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

Sticking to the task

Running is meant to be fun (and it is – a lot of fun!) but in order to get to a point where you can go for a run and love every minute of it, you’re going to go through a little hardship and discomfort. There will be times when it is tough to keep going. There will be plenty of ‘reasons’ not to run today and you can always go tomorrow – right?!  Tomorrow never comes. Here are our top 10 tips to staying motivated:

1. Find a training partner. Is there someone at work you can run with at lunchtime? Can you run with someone local to you after work? Like putting a session in a diary, you are far more likely to train if you are going to meet someone. Most people won’t want to let their friends down so make it a commitment to meet at a specific time and place – and turn up!
2. Do a short session. That’s the brilliant thing about running – it’s a great bang for your buck, remember. You don’t fancy that 30 min jog? Run harder for 15mins instead. Better to do something than nothing and after 10min you often change your mind.
3. You tell yourself, “So what? It’s only one session.” But one missed session turns into two, two becomes a habit. Before you know it all your hard work to date is wasted, your clothes don’t fit, you’re out of breath walking upstairs and when you look in the mirror it looks like you’ve been super-sized. Just because of ‘one session’. Don’t lose all the good work you’ve already put it – it’s easily lost.
4. Have a training schedule. If the schedule on the fridge says 20min jog and it is there in black and white, you are going to do it. It removes the thinking out of what you’ve got to do so you can just get on with it.
5. Be accountable. Just telling your husband/wife/colleague/friend that you are going to do certain training sessions means they are likely to ask whether you did them or how they went. That accountability is great. If you did it, they’ll be impressed, and you’ll feel good about telling them how your run went!
6. Keep a training diary. Filling it in will make you feel good and keep you motivated. Add details like how you felt on the run, weather conditions etc, not just distance and potentially, time it took. Also check your heart rate when you finish your run – if you have not got a heart rate monitor, don’t worry, just count the beats for 15 seconds and x this by 4. Make a note of it. Taking your heart rate is a good habit and it is a good indicator of you perhaps becoming a little run down or an impending illness. You’ll notice that your HR might be slightly elevated on what was meant to be an easy run for example.
7. Don’t be afraid to miss a session. If you are feeling ill or have a niggle that feels worse than just an ache, go easy and miss a day. You could do yourself real harm by training forcing you to miss far more training. Knowing when NOT to training is important and a skill you’ll learn. Seasoned runners will tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than having to take time off to recover from an injury – let alone all the physio expense!
8. Have a goal. If you have a reason to training, you are much more likely to stick to the task. It might be something simple like you want to run a Parkrun at the end of a month’s training, or it might be something grander like a 10k, half marathon or even a full marathon by this time next year. Set the target and work towards it. Again, register for our training tool on our home page.  

Be SMART

When you ‘get the legs’, i.e. are able to run non-stop for a distance two or three times a week, you might want to think about running longer. Setting yourself some realistic goals is the key to staying motivated. Think about what you want to achieve. Your goals should be SMART:

Specific – Be specific about your goal. Change, ‘I want to be fitter’ into ‘I want to be able to run 5k without feeling exhausted’. Have a plan of how to get there (again, register for our training programme!) and don’t throw in the towel if you have a bad day. Accept it, revise your goals if you need to (see below) and move on.

Measurable – Being specific is a big step towards having measurable goals. Measurable means being able to see whether you have done what you set out to achieve. If you felt comfortable for 4k but the last 1k was a real slog, then that is not absolute failure! You can see how far you’ve come and what more you need to do. The following week might mean you achieve your goal!

Adjustable – You may intend to run three times a week a crisis at home or work may mean this becomes just too unrealistic. That’s not a failure – you just need to adjust and be flexible. Adapt to take into account changing circumstances. You may be getting fitter more quickly or more slowly than you expected. Adjust goals accordingly. It’s the smart thing to do.

Realistic – There’s nothing more demoralising than setting yourself a goal that was always going to be too difficult. Conversely, don’t set a goal that you might be able to achieve in a week. Set a goal or series of goals that you can achieve but are challenging. But remember the previous point – adjust your goals rather than sticking with ones that become inappropriate.

Time-Based – The best way of setting goals is to have a series of them. You should set some short, medium and long-term goals. In particular, focus on daily and weekly goals to give you motivation to get out there every time. Your short-term goals should be steppingstones towards longer terms goals. For example, going for a run three times this week will take you towards your goal of being able to run a 10k race perhaps.

If you want to have a training schedule that matches the SMART system then see our training programmes and coaching section.

Check out our full SMART article here.

Food and Drink

All this running is going to make you hungry! It’s not uncommon to feel hungrier when you start to run but remember, if you are running to lose weight, don’t increase your calorie intake too drastically. You will burn about 100kcals for every mile run so eating more “because I’ve run today”, will just mean you’ll put more weight on. Just change your eating habits.

Check out our top tips to a healthier diet

Ways to a healthier diet:

1. Eating five to nine portions of fruit and vegetables every day
2. Go for wholegrains when you eat grains
3. Choose lean meats
4. Try to get your fats from plants or fish rather than animals
5. Choose healthy food preparation methods, i.e. don’t fry.
6. Don’t panic if you do eat something unhealthy
7. Don’t diet – change your eating habits.

For our full article, see here.

You might actually find that running makes you eat more healthily. You might well get a feeling that is like, “I’ve put the hard work in so I’m now not going to ruin it by eating a sandwich laden with mayonnaise for lunch”. You may well find yourself choosing a healthier option that will give you energy for your evening’s run.

Fluids are essential and it is vital that you drink enough fluids. Not drinking enough massively effects the way you feel on your run and your running performance. Follow these steps to stay hydrated and healthy.

1. Aim to drink approximately 2 litres of water each day. For a more accurate guide you should drink 30-35ml of water each day for each kilo you weigh. (So 70kg means 70 x 35ml = 2450ml = 2.5l)
2. After exercise drink a litre of water for each kilo of weight you have lost (almost all the weight you lose is due to water loss).
3. Don’t worry too much about sodium/salt replacement as this is likely to happen through your regular eating
4. Tea can count as part of your fluid intake as if you are used to drinking it tea is unlikely to have a diuretic effect (to make you pee more). But aim to base your hydration around water
5. If you are exercising for 30min or less, it is probably not necessary to drink while exercising
6. If exercising for more than 30min aim to drink 150ml to 200ml each 15-20min. 
7. Get used to drinking while exercising. Practise makes perfect. Many people find a half empty bottle is easier to drink from than a full one while running. It can also help to hold the water in your mouth before swallowing rather than trying to do everything at the same time and gulping down air with the fluid.
8. If you’ve entered a race as a goal, check out our race day hydration article.

For more information about hydration, check out the full article here. 

What do I need to run?

You honestly need very little. A simple tee, a pair of shorts or running tights, some sports socks and of course, a pair of running shoes.

Have a look at our guide to buying shoes and also look all the reviews. We hope we’ve written them in a user-friendly manner and that they’re easy to understand.

If you’re new to running, Just buy some basics and don’t feel pressured in to buying the latest line from the big brands – these can be very expensive!

Shoes

The one thing it’s important not to skimp on a decent pair of shoes. You don’t need the best of the best but if you buy really basic shoes or worst still, shoes that are not specifically designed for running in, you will feel the consequences!

Proper running shoes are a ‘must have’ item. Running shoes have been designed to give the right amount of cushioning, support and flexibility for running.

Good fit is important. When trying them on, there should be a fingers-width of space between your big toe and the front of the shoe when you are standing up. If you don’t have this amount of space, you may end up with your toes hitting the end of the shoe, bruising your toe nail beds and black toe nails are no fun!

Check out our website for more tips and the very best and latest running shoe reviews. You might also want to check out our article on how to choose the right shoe for you.

Clothing

Clothing that is made for running will make you feel more comfortable and will help you train more effectively. Sure, you can run in an old cotton tee but the technical fabric tees are much lighter and do not absorb the sweat keeping you dry and comfortable.

During winter months or when just running in the dark, make sure you are visible. Wear white or luminous colours and/or kit with reflective strips/tabs on. You can buy reflective running bands to wear around wrists of ankles, but most running jackets will have some sort of reflectivity on them.

It sounds weird but actually wearing kit that makes you look and feel good also has a psychological effect on you. Nice kit might well make you more likely to go out and train.

Here’s a checklist of what clothing you should consider:

Shorts and underwear – Specialist running shorts are lightweight and have built-in briefs. Men’s and women’s briefs are cut differently. If you don’t have a specialist pair of shorts, don’t worry, wear supportive underwear under a normal pair of shorts. Women should wear a sports bra for comfort and support.

Tops – Choose light and comfortable kit. Stay cool in warm weather by wearing a lightweight T-shirt or vest. In cold weather, warmer layers including a long-sleeved T-shirt and even a weatherproof jacket can keep you warm and comfortable. It is better to wear lots of thinner layers in cold weather than fewer thicker ones.

Socks – Good running socks will help keep your feet dry, will not bunch at the toe and will prevent rubbing in the key areas reducing the risk of blisters. You’ll be much more comfortable.

Tights– Again, technical fabric tights are much better than an old pair of jogging bottoms. They’re lightweight, will wick moisture away and it doesn’t matter if they get wet as they’ll remain light. 

Those little extras…

You’ve got everything you need above but the sports stores are full of little extra ‘must haves’ that might tempt you. The special water bottle, backpack, gadgets for your mobile phone (useful!) etc. You don’t need this kit, but it is nice to have as a treat. We say – that’s what birthdays and Christmas is for, right?! 

If you are feeling flush though, the world of the GPS watch awaits you and the prices have come down dramatically over recent years. You’ll be able to track and store your routes as well as a host of other great features such as measuring your heart rate, calorie counting and much, much more. Check out our article on using your heart rate as a fitness tool. Click here.

INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

Sorry! We hope this has been useful and will get you on the road to a long and happy running career. Take your time to check out some of the articles on the site and register for our training programmes. It really will take the worry out of starting to run. Good luck!

ASICS TO LAUNCH COLLECTION OF SHOES AND PACKAGING INCORPORATING RECYCLED MATERIALS IN TESTAMENT TO ECO- FRIENDLY PRACTICES OF EARLY TOKYO

ASICS are to produce some very selected shoes from a recycled polyester made from PET bottles. The polyester will be used to make the uppers. The range of 10 shoes, 6 running and 4 lifestyle shoes, will be packaged and called the Edo Era Tribute Pack.

The eco-friendly practices of Edo were practised by the Japanese during the 17th to 19th centuries where reusing and recycling was a way of life.

These items represent the first stage of an ASICS drive to switch to 100% recycled polyester fibres in all of its uppers by 2030 to help combat climate change. 

 The boxes will also be eco-friendlier. Made from 100% recycled paper, they will decals printed using water-based ink rather than their usual oil-based ones. These boxes will be rolled-out and Asics hope this will reduce their annual CO2 emissions by approx. 1,200 metric tons.   

The upper design incorporates a blend of Edo Era lettering styles. One lettering style is yose moji, typically used for posters and flyers. The other is kakuji, which are thick, squared characters, which often featured on scraps of paper that worshippers often posted on the gates of shrines and temples.

Nike launch their Air Zoom Pegasus 37

Shoe brands launching a new shoe is interesting but not always important. However, when Nike release their new version of the best-selling running shoe line of all time, well, that’s big news.

Nike launch their latest version of the Pegasus – the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 and the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 FlyEase 

The original Pegasus was launched in 1983 and was a success from day 1. It fit great, was flexible and fairly light. It had a big waffle hardwearing outsole and for the neutral runner, it was the go-to shoe.

I remember my days as head of nike running in the 90’s, we were discussing the merits of the latest Pegasus when a few of the sales guys were complaining about it being not as good as the old models (when we were selling a ton of them!). I found an old pair and they were chalk and cheese. The new model was a mile better, and so we now see that today the brand launch the 37^th version of their classic shoe.

The new Air Zoom 37 model is aimed at every kind of runner, from lifestyle to elite. The fit and feel will appeal to all as will the package of responsive ride, lightweight feel and durability.

So, what’s new about the new model? Here’s what nike say…

• Designers of the Pegasus transitioned from a full-length Zoom Air bag to a forefoot Zoom Air bag (the forefoot is where you rebound from the ground and need an airbag the most).
• The bag is twice as thick as the Pegasus 36 Zoom Air bag, offering more energy return.
• The team top-loaded the Nike Air Zoom technology into React foam for the midsole. React foam is lighter, more responsive and more durable than the previous Cushlon foam.
• The translucent upper gives the shoe a lightweight, feather-like look.
• An updated midfoot enables a fit band to secure your foot.
• The colour shift across the lateral side of the shoe highlights the placement of the Zoom Air bag in the forefoot.

What’s not changed…

• The silhouette maintains a heel collar that tapers away from the Achilles tendon — a design influenced by direct athlete feedback.
• The familiar waffle rubber outsole helps provide trusted durability.
• With every update made to the Pegasus during the years, runner benefits and design focus remain on improving comfort and fit.

So, the midsole is the big change here. The bigger air bag in the react foam should be very responsive a give a great toe-off. Its lighter weight will also be appreciated, and we can’t wait to trial it as soon as we get our hands on a pair.

Choosing the right shoes is really important if you are to enjoy your running, feel confident and comfortable and reduce the risk of injury! Here at shoeguide.run, we’ve been reviewing running shoes since 2007 so we’re quite used to putting together the ‘Best Shoes’ guides.

Choosing the best shoes is easier than finding the right shoes for you as everyone is individual – we just narrow the field to bring you the very best running shoes available right now.

So, what is the best running shoe on the market? Well, when it comes to finding the perfect shoe for you, as you might imagine, we have a great tool for that. Our shoeguide.run ‘shoefinder’ tool will help you hone-in on the right selection of suitable shoes for you by asking you just 4 easy questions. Check it out.

What brand makes the best running shoes?

Wouldn’t it be easy if one brand was simply the best and we could all just buy the same shoe but we’re all different that is what makes us interesting! When choosing the right shoe for you, there are a lot of variables to consider. We have tried to do a lot of this legwork for you but there are certain factors you need to consider: where do you run, what surfaces do you require the shoe for; do you consider yourself a light weight, regular weight or a heavier weight runner; what shape of foot do you have and do you consider yourself to have a high arch or a lower arch; and what type of runner are you – do you think you will need a neutral running shoe, need some support or really need a motion control shoe – in other words, you need to consider your biomechanics. Sounds mind-blowing but we are here to help – check out our expert information A Guide To Buying Your Running Shoes.

Running shoes have changed greatly in the past decade. Not so much in terms of running shoe function, but in running shoe innovation. All of the shoes listed in our review of the Best Running Shoes 2020, feature innovative advances and directly benefit the runner. Most notable to the runner, the major advances have been in the use of lightweight technical materials, mainly in the upper and in the midsole. Shoes can now be extremely lightweight whilst being good for high mileage or still offer great motion control; something that a decade ago was unthinkable. Uppers are engineered for strength, flexibility and durability whilst remaining incredibly light weight and more attractive than ever. These are all advances that us runners can directly benefit from.

How We Choose the Best Running Shoes 2020

As you know from our reviews, we give each shoe a score. We base this rating on an overall criteria based on a number of different categories but with one overriding question in mind – does the shoe do a great job at doing what it is designed to do? Simple.

The key considerations within this are:

Fit – the most important element when choosing your perfect running shoe. How does it fit? If it doesn’t fit right, it won’t be comfortable, and it may well cause you other more serious issues ranging from simple but painful blisters to a costly injury.

Weight – in the past, less midsole was lighter, but this equaled less cushioning and less miles you could put on the shoe. New advances here mean that uppers are light but strong, outsoles are thinner but still durable and the midsoles can not only be extremely lightweight, but you can run for miles in them. ALL good news!

Cushioning – when we run in the shoes, we’re really focussed in on how they feel underfoot. Is the foam and tech within it absorbing the shock in a comfortable way, is it ‘squishy’ and unstable, responsive, firm but impactful? Cushioning is delivered in so many different ways by each brand. We analyse what works and what does not.

Flexibility – shoes need the right about of flexibility in some areas and they need to be firm in others. Some types of shoes need to be a lot more rigid than others. We analyse their performance based on this design criteria.

Heel drop – this is the difference in height, sometimes called ‘stack height’ between the heel and the forefoot. You see from our guides and reviews that we list the heel drop for each shoe – they are measured in millimeters. Shoes have traditionally had a heel drop of between 8-12mm but over the last few years, new brands have entered the market and had great success with lower drop shoes – around 5/6mm. Zero drop shoes have exactly that, they are dead flat and provide what’s known as a natural feel to them.

So, what are the best running shoes of 2020? Here we go…

BEST NEUTRAL CUSHIONED SHOES 2020

BROOKS GHOST 12

PROS

• Luxurious ride
• Light and flexible
• Durable everyday performer

CONS

• None

Offering a beautifully luxurious ride, the Brooks Ghost 12 is simply one of the very best neutral running shoes on the market.

The Ghost 12 offers a great engineered mesh upper. It fits exceptionally well and when you slide them on, it’s easy to see why the shoe is so popular.

Whilst the cushioning comes from a mixture of the brand’s DNA LOFT and BioMoGo DNA materials, it is perhaps more easily described as being a well-rounded mix that simple soaks up impact without you even noticing. Flex-grooves and a multi-piece outsole keep the shoe flexible and add to a feeling of hardly noticing the shoe, leaving you free to run. 

The Ghost remains a beautifully riding and well cushioned shoe. They are both light and flexible and if you are a neutral runner, put them on your short list.

ASICS GEL NIMBUS 22

PROS

• The best Nimbus yet
• Light, smooth and responsive
• Great retro styling

CONS

• A little bit pricey

The Asics Gel Nimbus is now in its 22^nd guise and this is the best Nimbus yet.

The shoe is still the same stable neutral high mileage model it always has been now delivering the culmination of over 20 years of development. 

It’s a stable, capable, long-distance cruiser. It is more comfortable than its predecessor offering a softer, smooth ride. It is also wonderfully responsive and lightweight.

The upper is constructed of a really well engineered mesh that holds the foot in place while maintaining lightweight breathability. Increased GEL in the rearfoot combines with FLYTEFOAM midsole cushioning to provide a lighter and yet more durable ride. The shoe feels slightly sleeker and a little more flexible now. 

We think that the Nimbus 22 is a great shoe. It is very comfortable and offers a smooth slightly softer ride than before. The only negative point might be the price poin.

SAUCONY RIDE ISO 2

PROS

• Reworked upper is a vast improvement
• A great one shoe for all disciplines
• Outsole flexibility allows a smooth transition

CONS

• Comes in heavier than some equivalent brands shoes

This beauty offers a dependable, smooth ride is now lighter than ever before. Now better fitting and more durable, the Saucony Ride ISO 2 provides the perfect balance of softness and responsiveness needed for tackling long miles. The original Ride had real issues with a poor upper and this has been addressed – this shoe shouts excellence in a very busy neutral category!

Straight out the box these shoes feel soft, fast and fun to wear! Don’t even think about buying the old model as it is not a patch on this new version! The Saucony ISO Ride 2 is great for everyday runs but avoid if you want to go for a slow recover run – you’ll just want to pick the pace up in these!

NEW BALANCE 1080 v10

PROS

• New Fresh Foam cushioning gives excellent ride
• Sock-like fit

CONS

• None

The New Balance 1080 is now in its 10^th version and it delivers even more responsive cushioning than its predecessors. This is the brand’s range-topping neutral flagship and features their new Fresh Foam X material taking the cushioning to new levels.

Unlike some maximal type shoes this shoe manages to remain neat and sculpted and does not feel at all bulky or cumbersome. It will give you a plush, stable, premium cushioned shoe that delivers the X factor at a fair price.

HOKA ONE ONE CLIFTON 6

PROS

• New midsole is noticeably softer than previous models
• A new rocker geometry proves a smooth heel to toe
• Well priced

CONS

• Low drop heel isn’t for everyone

For maximal cushioning fans, you need to check out the Hoka One One Clifton 6.

Designed for everyday road running, the Clifton 6 offers a silky-smooth ride and a high level of maximum protection. The Clifton 6 has also been on a diet and shed a little weight with a newly designed midsole and outsole that carries less rubber now and less rubber always means less weight. This is possibly the most radical update for the Clifton so far and the changes will not disappoint traditional Clifton lovers. It may well bring in more fans for this ever more dependable brand in the oversized shoe market.

Choose the Clifton 6 for updated speed, cushioning and comfort. As updates go, this is great, and the overall shoe is far superior to previous versions without losing too much of its DNA.

BEST SUPPORT SHOES 2020

BROOKS ADRENALINE GTS 20

PROS

• Great Cushioning
• Great fit
• A great everyday training shoe

CONS

• None

Whilst the GTS 19 was a very different shoe to previous versions of the model, it offered big improvements and it became a very popular model. The new ‘GuideRails’ in the Adrenaline GTS 20 have proved excellent at offering a balanced and smooth riding support whilst offering all the same benefits as before.

The upper is revised and more streamlined.

The actual midsole cushioning remains unchanged and feels beautifully smooth and soft, but Brooks have made improvements by integrating the GuideRails into the midsole for an even more supportive ride.

The Adrenaline GTS 20 is a soft, stable high-mileage cruiser. If you want a protective shoe to log some significant miles in, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is your go-to shoe.

ASICS GT 2000-8

PROS

• The best GT 2000 yet!
• A great new engineered upper
• Familiar performance makes it a safe choice

CONS

• Nothing at this price

In a market of so many new models it could be easy to forget the Asics GT 2000. It has been around for a long time, but it still remains one of the best all-round performers on the roads.

The ASICS GT 2000-8 has had an overhaul with many features tweaked. This new version is not only lighter but also offers a softer ride. The midsole materials are softer but more responsive than the previous model.

The upper has also been completely remodeled while the midsole has been updated and combines Asics Gel with FLYTEFOAM for a softer cushioned feel. Support is delivered in the form of the DUOMAX medial posting combined with the midfoot shank – tried, tested and works.

One of the brand’s best-selling models, the ASICS GT2000-8 uses familiar technologies and foams, re-configured for a smoother ride. Simply solid and dependable.

SAUCONY OMNI ISO 2

PROS                                                            

• Good level of control
• Padded, comfortable & plush upper
• Feels lighter than it is

CONS

• None

For higher mileage runners or perhaps those training for a marathon, The Saucony Omni ISO 2 provides a great combination of cushioning and control.

Like many of the brand’s shoes this season, the upper is well padded and instantly feels plush around the foot. The EVERUN midsole is essentially Saucony’s version of adidas BOOST and it’s embedded within the core of the shoe making for an all-together a more stable overall feel. Add a medial post and it does a great job of controlling over-pronation.

It is a shoe that gets the job done, simply as that.

NEW BALANCE 860 v10

PROS

• Traditional medial post for support performs very well
• Durable high mileage performer
• New seamless upper

CONS

• Heel collar may irritate some

The New Balance 860 v10 has been a brilliant shoe for some time. The changes to this new 10^th version are largely all in the new upper.

The shoe features a new designed mesh design that offers flexible support and a seamless fit. The most noticeable change to the shoe is perhaps around the heel design which is now more contoured and anatomically engineered.

The ride of the shoe is largely unchanged. New Balance use their TruFuse foam compound in this model. The material is long-lasting, reliable, consistently good. The support in the shoe is in the form of a medial post made from a much denser foam. It feels natural and as all motion-control wearers will know, this is not always the case.

The 860 v10 is highly capable. It’s highly accomplished and comfortable. It is also extremely durab.

MIZUNO INSPIRE 16

PROS

• Updates to this familiar high performer
• Good levels of cushioning and support
• Durable

CONS

• None

The Mizuno Inspire 16 is the brand’s most popular motion control model and it is poplar for a good reason.

A new, improved upper with lacing that integrates into the rearfoot, holding the heel securely within the shoe for added control adds to the stability to make the shoe a serious contender in this category. The wave in the midsole is thicker on the medial (inside) side of the shoe to resist the inward roll.

It offers a firm ride, but we think that will suit a lot of people requiring motion control in a shoe. But despite the technology, the shoe is really not heavy at all and offers an almost ‘race-like’ feel.

The Mizuno Inspire 16 is a great shoe and a popular model for those needing more control. It’s so well built; we also think it is a good choice also for the runner who might be slightly bigger and heavier than average.

BEST LIGHTWEIGHTS – RACER / TRAINERS 2020

NEW BALANCE FUELCELL TC

PROS

• Soft, springy feel
• Carbon plate for increased toe-off
• Competitively priced – for carbon plated shoe

CONS

• A little unstable
• Still expensive

Engineered to meet the demands of marathons and training runs alike, the FuelCell TC running shoe combines a fast and fierce feel with impressive durability.

The upper has been designed to help keep feet cool and dry from 5K to 26.2m, but carbon shoes are all about the midsole. The FuelCell features a high-rebound foam combined with an internal carbon fibre plate which adds unparalleled responsiveness to each step – but beware – it is strictly for the neutral runner. If you have any instability, you’ll find lots of wobble! 

The New Balance FuelCell TC is a serious contender to the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%, which is the shoe by which all carbon plated shoes are now measured. This model is a little heavier – but not enough to be concerned about unless you are a sub 2:30 marathoner. The ride is smooth, engaging and certainly feel fast.

They are perfect for faster paced training runs and even races (yes, we think it is light enough for all but the very serious runner) this shoe is a more competitively priced carbon plated shoe and a great option.

Watch our YouTube video review here FuelCell TC – speed test

NIKE PEGASUS TURBO 2

PROS

• Fast feeling
• Highly responsive
• Really light for a high mileage training shoe

CONS

• Crazy increase in price over the Pegasus 36
• Upper is stiffer than the inline Nike Pegasus 36

Right, we’d better fess-up. We have added the Pegasus Turbo 2 into our top lightweight trainer list because it’s brilliant. Simple as that, but we question if it is a shoe you should buy – let’s start from the beginning…

WOW these are light!! The Turbo 2 looks like a Pegasus & feels like a Pegasus, but they are so light it’s unreal – then you see the price tag… 

Pebax foam (nike brand it Zoom X) is more expensive at source (like adidas Boost is expensive from BASF), but considering the line-up of amazing lightweight shoes Nike has in its roster right now, we ask what is the point of this shoe? It’s not as quick as a Zoom Fly and it’s not as durable as a Pegasus – so why would you buy it?

Well, probably because it’s great. This shoe feels good on the foot – it’s soft, really responsive and incredibly light. The outsole is thinner and more cored out than the inline Pegasus so there is a compromise on the durability but it’s like that for a reason as its all helps deliver a fantastically light running shoe.

The Nike Pegasus Turbo 2 is a quality bit of engineering. If you’re not bothered about the price tag and when all is said and done, it’s just a wonderful shoe to run in!

Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2

HOKA ONE ONE RINCON

PROS

• Light
• Lots of cushioning
• Rocker shape adds to responsive toe-off

CONS

• Durability questionable

The Rincon was an instant hit with HOKA fans. Ever since the original Clifton was updated, many felt it got too heavy and moved away from its original ‘light but very well cushioned’ design. This version of the Rincon takes us back to that original feel with the same CM-EVA foam (just lots of it) to create a soft and lightweight shoe.

The 5mm heel drop, combined with the low weight is what gives the shoe its fast feel. It promotes a more midfoot gait and with the brand’s cleverly marketed ‘rocker’ helps provide a swift feeling transition.

We think it’s a very good choice; perhaps perfect for the heavier runner looking for a lighter shoe without compromising on cushioning.

ASICS GEL-DS TRAINER 25

PROS

• Close, racer-like fit
• Good support
• Excellent traction

CONS

• A little firm for some

The DS trainer is perhaps the original racer/trainer and thankfully it stays true to the philosophy; light enough for racing but cushioned enough for training.

The DS is essentially a striped down Kayano or 2000. Lower profile cushioning but retaining the medial post for support. In such a low profile and light shoe that support is less effective at control over-pronation, but more about keeping such a light shoe stable.

The ride is firm by the standard of many of today’s shoes, but many like that more raw, aggressive feel that really gives a drive off as you pick up the pace.

The outsole is a standout feature on this model as it’ll grip on wet grass, moss covered pavements and gravel paths so you can push on with confidence.

THE BEST RACING SHOES 2020

NIKE ZOOM X VAPORFLY NEXT %

PROS

• The fastest shoe on the road
• Light and cushioned
• Spring-like response

CONS

• The price
• Durability

The best racing shoe last year is the best this year and for many, it’s the best running shoe ever. This is the much-hyped sub 2-hour marathon shoe and as the tech says, it makes the wearer ‘4% more efficient’ or as most of us understand it as, ‘faster’! This shoe has gained a massive following and sells out as soon as it becomes available.

It’s all about a combination of PEBAX foam and a carbon-fibre plate. The foam is super-soft and super-resilient meaning it provides comfort (to keep the muscles feeling fresh) and returns to its original form very quickly. The full-length carbon fibre plate stiffens up the MTP joint (the ball of the foot) and basically creates a larger lever by which to push off. The combination of the plate and foam give a feel like nothing else.

We could waffle on about them forever or you can just watch the video!

If you can afford them, buy them, you won’t be disappointed.

NEW BALANCE 1500v6

PROS

• Low-profile, classic racer styling
• Small medial support for added control
• Sock-like upper fit

CONS

• At this price – none

Built in the mould of an old-school road racing shoe, this model provides lightweight cushioning, a great fit and a touch of support, all at a great value price.

The upper is almost sock-like in its design and fit. The REVLight midsole offers a relatively firm ride but it feels perfect for shorter races on the road. Nothing is lost in terms of energy as you plant your foot. A small medial post helps to keep things stable too, so even mild over-pronators can use this model.

At this price, this is an accomplished shoe and even makes sense for those wanting to add a lightweight racer to their shoe collection. The added addition of the stability element will also help many of us

ADIDAS ADIZERO ADIOS 5

PROS

• Close, track spike like fit
• Responsive, aggressive feel
• It is light!

CONS

• Other shoes have more cushioning
• Rather a lot of money for little shoe

The racing shoe aims to give the athlete the fit and feel of a track spike for the road. Built for the faster runner and those more biomechanically gifted, it fits and feels great – especially if you are moving quickly.

The upper is super lightweight. In the midsole, Adidas Boost is combined with Lightstrike, a responsive cushioning foam, to deliver a light but connected ride.

If you are seeking the more traditional feel of a racing shoe in a world filled with deep foam and carbon plates, then this is the shoe for you. With the fit of a track spike and it being lower to the ground, it delivers an aggressive toe-off making you feel fast from the word go.

HOKA ONE ONE CARBON X

PROS

• Familiar HOKA feel
• Lots of cushioning
• Rocker ride

CONS

• Needs a little time to adapt to the ride

Not the first shoe from HOKA to feature a carbon plate, the Carbon Rocket was a pure out-and-out racer, but the Carbon X has been designed for the more mainstream buyer.

Featuring the familiar maximal cushioning and rocker shape to the midsole, the addition of a carbon fibre plate is used here not to specifically add ‘spring’, but to maintain the shape of the rocker over time as usually this is lost as the foam compresses.

The exaggerated rocker that results is what takes a little time to get used to, but fans of the brand love what it brings to the party.

The Carbon X will be especially good for ultra-distance athletes and it offers fans of the brand something a little different.

BROOKS HYPERION ELITE

PROS

• Old-school racer feel
• Responsive carbon plate
• Super light

CONS

• Price
• Durability
• Some won’t like firm ride

The Brooks Hyperion Elite looks a little like an old school racing shoe but comes with the added benefits of a Carbon plate offering a firmer and more aggressive ride than many.

The Hyperion Elite has an attractive super-light mesh engineered upper, but again, this shoe is all about the midsole. The carbon plate is sandwiched between two layers of DNA ZERO, Brooks’ newest and lightest foam. The shoe is surprisingly stable (a big problem with some shoes carrying carbon plates) and you should be able to run through your usual gait.

The Brooks Hyperion Elite is a super-fast racing shoe with a lovely old-school racing shoe feel. Firm and fast. Brooks state they are only good for 100 miles – we’ve race in them for over double that and they still feel great.

For 57 years, Brooks existed as a general sporting good company, then thankfully, they found running!

Brooks only make running shoes and they’ve been making great running shoes since the early 1970’s. Today, they make some of the very best running shoes available. Without making them sound boring, Brooks make solid, no nonsense functional shoes for runners and lets be honest, that’s all we need.

We’ve reviewed the Brooks range so here are the Best Brooks Running Shoes of 2020.

BEST CUSHIONED TRAINER – Brooks Ghost 12

The Ghost is a firm favourite with many runners, making it one of the brand’s best-selling models. The Ghost remains a beautifully riding and well cushioned shoe. If a neutral runner, put it on your short list. 

PROS

• Luxurious ride
• Light and flexible
• Durable everyday performer

CONS

• None

BEST FOR MARATHON – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 (yes it’s a trainer so not in the same category as Nike Next%, but for the masses – ideal)

Yes, we know it’s a support shoe but the Adrenaline GTS 20 is so good that if are in the 99% who are not going to be in the top 100 of a marathon major then this shoe could be for you. It’s supporting but if you’re a neutral runner it’ll work for you. It gives you a great balance lightweight smooth riding, plush and supportive cushioning. The Adrenaline GTS 20 is one of the best shoes on the market, anywhere.

PROS

•  Great cushioning
•  Great fitting
•  Great everyday training shoe

CONS

•  None

BEST FOR LONG DISTANCE – Brooks Glycerin 18

The Brooks Glycerine is the brands top of the range neutral cushioned shoe offering the most cushioned ride. Perfect for logging the long training mile required for the marathon runner.

PROS

• Great cushioning
• Seamless upper provides excellent fit
• Stable and smooth riding

CONS

• The Ghost may be better value

BEST FOR STABILITY – Brooks Transcend 7

Offering range topping cushioning and support. It’s as simple as that. If you need support and have not tried the Transcend, put it on your short-list.

PROS

• Bags of cushioning
•  Smooth ride with good levels of support
•  Plush and luxurious feel

CONS

• None

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CUSHIONING – Brooks Launch 7

A lightweight, everyday training shoe that can just as easily be used for racing and faster paced running. A good value, versatile shoe for those that want one shoe to do everything.

PROS

• Good cushioning
•  Lightweight
•  Brooks quality

CONS

• At this price, no real downside

BROOKS – TECH TALK

Brooks, the company, have been around since 1914 but it didn’t begin to make running shoes until 1972! It started out in the ballet and bathing business; we guess making bathing shoes for ladies who wanted to get from their beach changing huts to the sea in comfort…

Brooks moved into the sports business in 1921 making cleats for baseball players. Ten years later and via roller skating(!), they began to make American Football boots and at the end of the 1930’s they had expanded their offering to ice skates, gym, bowling, soccer shoes etc. I guess you could say that they were a proper sporting goods company offering sports shoes for the masses, and that’s where they stayed for the next 50 years.

Brooks say that their focussed changed in 1972 when they saw American, Frank Shorter, win the Olympic Marathon in Munich. I have mentioned this period before on other brand timeline histories, but this was an exciting time for US running. There was a jogging boom, major marathons were growing in number and size, new brands were coming on to the market and Americans were succeeding in the sport’s biggest events, thanks to runners like Frank Shorter and Bill Reynolds.

In 1974, Brooks release their Villanova running shoe. They make a great shoe straight out of the blocks and it cements their reputation as a running brand. 

In 1977, Brooks launched the Vantage. This was a game-changer in running shoe technology. The Vantage was the first shoe to feature EVA in the midsole. EVA is much more responsive than the rubber used in the traditional shoes of the time. The other big feature was that the midsole featured a Varus Wedge. This was designed to reduce over-pronation, another game changing feature, and laughable as it may seem now, but the Vantage also had a removable sockliner that moulded to your foot. It was no surprise that Runners’ World voted the shoe their number 1 shoe of 1977.

The Hugger GT of 1980 was the first shoe to feature a Gore-Tex upper. The off-road runner featured a rugged outsole with the breathable but waterproof upper. 

Your editor worked in a running store in the early 80’s (to support my running ambitions!) and I remember the range well. Brooks were gaining in popularity and reputation. Shoes like the Brooks Graphlex went head to head with the Nike Pegasus and featured a graphite heel counter. They made the Brooks’ Sting spikes which were as good as any available. They began sponsoring athletes and winning Olympic medals; it was an exciting era for Brooks Running.

In 1982, they launched the Brooks Chariot, a shoe that became the go to shoe if you were an over-pronator or just a big person. Beautifully made, the Chariot featured a duel-density midsole: firmer EVA to reduce the excessive pronation, softer EVA to provide a great ride. It replaced their Varus Wedge technology. The outsole was also dual density featuring harder rubber in high abrasion areas, softer rubber in other areas for a smoother, softer ride. This technology has only been tweaked since then and variations of this features in most modern running shoes today. 

Brooks launch the Kinetic Wedge in 1987; a softer pad of foam under the ball of the foot. This allowed this area to drop lower when walking / running and is said to stabilise the foot as it allows the arch of the foot to arch more naturally. The Kinetic Wedge helped reduce stress-related injuries. Brooks had produced women’s specific shoes earlier in the decade, but the Kinetic Wedge shoe was the first shoe stated to be designed to be anatomically correct for the female foot.

The 1980’s was a great decade for Brooks but the 90’s was about to get a whole lot better. There are some great shoes in the Brooks line today; shoes that have a huge history going back through the years and bought in the millions by us runners. Two of those stalwarts were launched in the early 90’s – the Brooks Beast and the Brooks Addiction.

The Beast and the Addiction are Brooks’ most successful shoes. The Beast was aimed at the runner needing maximum motion control and it also became a massive hit with the bigger runner due to its strength. The Beast had an exceptionally strong heel counter, numerous suede overlays through the midfoot saddle for support. It featured the brands’ new Progressive Diagonal Rollbar to counteract over pronation. The Addiction was the take down version, the baby beast if you like. 

Two years later, the Adrenaline GTS 1 was launched; the baby beast! GTS stands for ‘Go To Shoe’ and it has been for millions of runners who need a degree of stability. The Addiction had become a big hit but running store retailers were recommending that a lighter, more flexible stable shoe might also be required for those who just need a bit of support. The Adrenaline GTS 1 also featured the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar but the Adrenaline delivered a smoother ride and it has now become one of Brooks’ best-selling shoes.

Shoes were tweaked over the next decade, more a case of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Technologies were launched but it wasn’t until 2006 until they launched a tech, the DNA of which can be found in today’s models – MoGo.

MoGo is a polymer-based material that is much more environmentally friendly to produce – running shoe manufacturing is a ‘dirty’ business and traditionally, environmentally unfriendly. MoGo offered more cushioning, energy return and durability. A year later, BioMoGo was released; the worlds first biodegradable midsole foam. Amazingly, Brooks share the tech with the competition in a bid to keep things green.

Their PureProject line was launched in 2011. Lower, lighter, more stripped back but still biomechanically sound, the line was designed to offer that barefoot feel but with enough cushioning to protect you on your faster runs.

Running shoe technology has tended to correct runners gait issues. The Brooks Transcend was launched in 2013 and took the approach of trying to support the foot through its natural motion. Instead of trying to stop a motion, Brooks incorporated their GuideRails system in to the Transcend, a system used on other shoes today. The GuideRails are an extension of the midsole if you like; strips that rise up and surround the footbed. They help to just steer the foot through your natural gait through to toe-off and are now featured in a number of the brands’ shoes such as the latest Bedlam and Adrenaline GTS. The GuideRail system replaced the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar used in the earlier motion control models.

Brooks have always been at the forefront of over-pronation shoe design. The latest shoes also feature segmented crash pads. These can be found on shoes of other brands but work as if they are independent parts linked to deliver a cushioned brake designed to slow the rate of pronation. As you roll through your gait, the parts work to deliver a smooth and controlled transition.

Brooks followed the trend towards energy-return with their DNA AMP midsole material in 2017. The material is encased in a ‘skin’ so that energy expelled upon impact is returned upwards to the runner. DNA AMP is Brooks’ most energy responsive midsole material ever and is featured in the Brooks Levitate. 

DNA Loft is a blended material – foam, air and rubber blend to make Brooks’ softest material. It delivers a luxurious, comfortable ride that is still responsive. It is also durable and doesn’t break down easily. This means that shoes containing DNA Loft offer decent value for money. The material can be found in the Brooks Ghost and Brooks Glycerin models.

We rate many of the Brooks shoes highly, enough to put them in our Best Shoes of 2024 feature. Find out which made the cut for the ‘best of the best’.

Brooks only make running shoes these days. Long gone are the ballet shoes and football cleats and we’re thankful for it. Long may it last!

With an incredible back story, Nike were born out of a love for running. Still a core pillar of their business, they remain at the forefront of running shoe technology. Some models remain central to their range like the Structure and the Pegasus, they’re like an old friend to many, while other models are just brilliantly crazy. We have reviewed what works and what doesn’t. Here are the best Nike shoes of 2024.

BEST CUSHIONED TRAINER – Air Zoom Pegasus 36

There is very little not to like about this Air Zoom Pegasus 36. It has got everything that anyone really needs from great cushioning to fantastic durability. For the price, it is constantly hard to find a better packaged shoe delivering all the essentials for day to day running

PROS

• One stop shop training shoe
•  Upper is simple, comfortable and flywire delivers amazing support
•  Smooth heel to toe transition that is hard to beat

CONS

• Slightly too slim for everyone
•  Tongue is slightly thin

Check out our full review of the Nike Zoom Pegasus 36

BEST FOR MARATHON – ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 

The best racing shoe last year is the best this year and for many, it’s the best running shoe ever. Thanks to the exploits of Eluid Kipchoge and the much-hyped benefits of the shoe helping to make the wearer ‘4% more efficient’ or more (and most take that as faster) the shoe has gained a massive following and sells out as soon as it becomes available. If you can afford them, get a pair, you won’t be disappointed.

PROS

• The fastest shoe on the road
•  Light and cushioned
•  Spring-like response

CONS

• The price
•  Durability

Check out our full review of the Nike ZoomX Vapourfly Next%

BEST FOR LONG DISTANCE – Zoom Vomero 14

With so many shoes in the Nike line, the it can be distracting when looking for a great running shoe. The Vomero 14 offers you some laser focus for a superb high end running shoe that is best in class for a combination of cushioning vs performance! The balance is quite superb!

PROS

•  Crazy plush heel cushioning
•  Extremely responsive for a high end cushion shoe
•  Flywire is fantastic at locking down the foot and adapting to different widths

CONS

•  Forefoot cushioning is lean for a range topping shoe
•  Fits like a Pegasus – so may be too narrow for some

Check out our full review of the Air Zoom Vomero 14

BEST FOR STABILITY – Air Zoom Structure 22

PROS

•  Upper is incredibly comfortable
•  Outsole is hard wearing and versatile

CONS

• Solid feeling from the off – compared to other shoes its sluggish

Check out our full review of the Air Zoom Structure 22

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CUSHIONING – Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2

You’ve got to read our full review on this one. It reads like we hate it. We LOVE the Pegasus Turbo 2 – it is a quality bit of engineering, beautiful on foot and it feel lovely to run in, but… 

PROS

• Fast feeling
•  Highly responsive
•  Really light for a high mileage training shoe

CONS

•  Crazy increase in price over the Pegasus 36
•  Why not just buy a Nike Zoom Fly with carbon plate
•  Upper is stiffer than the inline Nike Pegasus 26

Read our full review of the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2

NIKE – TECH TALK 

Nike is a brand with running at its heart.

It all began with Phil Knight, a Stanford graduate and ex 1500m runner at the University of Oregon, had a burning desire to import running shoes in to the USA. Phil completed his MBA at Stanford University and wrote his thesis on marketing running shoes. He was pondering on the fact that the Japanese electrical goods had taken over the electrical world market during the 1950’s and 60’s, and he was making a case for them taking over the running shoe market.

At the time, Adidas were the big player in running but Japanese brand, Onitsuka Tiger (now ASICS!), were making the best shoes in Phil’s opinion. After finishing his MBA, Phil went to travel the world and while in the far east, made a pitch to Onitsuka Tiger. He wanted them to give him a license to sell running shoes in the USA. They granted the wish but only to sell shoes on the West Coast only. They asked him what his company was called – he made up the name, Blue Ribbon Sports on the spot.

He had built up Onitsuka Tiger’s sales in the USA; opening a Blue Ribbon store, selling them on the road at events etc, but in 1971, Tiger wanted to expand at a faster rate and were considering moving away from Blue Ribbon Sports. Phil got wind of this and moved quickly to cover his bases. He was going to make his own shoes; the name of his company – Nike.

He had already partnered with his old track coach, Bill Bowerman, a wily character with a passion for bettering the footwear of runners. He was a brilliant coach and he used the athletes on the University of Oregon’s track team as guinea pigs for his latest designs. He would take standard shoes and shave bits of here, adding bits there, trying to better what was on offer from the shoe brands. In 1971, Bill had been playing around with an old waffle iron, trying to create an outsole that would give runners grip without cutting up the track. After many attempts, the waffle outsole was born!

Nike had launched the Cortez in 1972. Still sold today (in fashion stores!), the Cortez started to make waves in the running market. It was lighter than most shoes and offered a full-length EVA midsole with a herringbone pattered outsole. They offered runners more protection than the very low Tiger shoes of the day.

Bowerman’s waffle outsole was being used but only for his own elite athletes. In 1972, he had stitched the outsoles to a lightweight fabric upper and called the shoes the Nike Waffle Racing Flat. Only 12 pairs were ever made. Affectionately known as the Moon Shoe, they now hold the Guinness World Record for the most expensive shoes of all time. A pair was sold at Southerby’s in 2019 for $437,500.

However, it was the release of the Waffle Trainer in 1974 that really set the course for Nike running shoes. Using Bowerman’s waffle design, the Waffle Trainer. Shaped like the Cortez and offering a good level of cushioning, the shoe featured the now iconic outsole designed to give runners grip on and off-road.

Nike were building quite the reputation amongst runners in the USA, but their world changed in 1977 when Marion Franklin Rudy, an aerospace engineer, walked in the Phil Knight’s office. Rudy had developed the air bag, designed to be placed within the midsole of shoes. He had pitched this idea to 23 other shoe companies – oh how they must kick themselves now… But it would take Nike’s design skill and future marketing inventiveness to turn it in to the Nike Air we know it as today. Phil ran in a prototype around the Nike campus and came back intrigued. A deal was struck and the first Nike Air shoes, the Tailwind, was born.

The Nike Tailwind had twin air bags in the ‘Air Sole’ as it was called, and they carried a hefty price tag of $50. Despite early problems where a batch was recalled, the shoe was a massive success.

Nike and running boom!

The release of the Tailwind coincided with other factors in running’s history. Running in the 1970’s was a sport for runners. Sounds weird? Well, runners tended to be members of clubs, wore geeky-looking kit such as high cut shorts, women couldn’t compete in men’s races and you were mocked in the street for running – I’ve lost count of the times people shouted, ‘get those knees up’ in my direction… The jogging boom was happening in the USA, helped in part by Bill Bowerman who in 1967 had written a book entitled Jogging, but it was not until the late 1970’s that the jogging boom started to take off. Races such as the New York Marathon had encouraged other world cities, including London, to start their own mass-participation marathon races. The marriage of Nike, Air and the jogging boom was one made in heaven. Nike launched in other countries, became a worldwide brand, re-invented running advertising and sales boomed.

The growth of Nike Tech

It was their skill and ambition which cemented the brand. In the early 1980’s, the product went from strength to strength, athletes wanted to wear the shoes and they were making some of the best shoes available. Air soles continued to develop; some were encapsulated, others like the Air Max were designed to showcase the air bag. In 1995, the first Zoom Air running shoe was released, the Zoom Citizen. Part of the Alpha Project of shoes and as the head of running for Nike UK at the time, it was my job to launch the shoe in the UK. The shoe was OK, but the advert was pure genius – watch it here

Leaping forward, Nike continue to push the boundaries of foam design and offer the widest range of cushioning variations. The original Air shoes were all about being big and soft whilst the Zoom Air delivered a much more responsive, snappier feeling ride. A lot of technology in running is launched around the time of an Olympiad and the same must be said for Nike. In 2008, the brand launches Lunarlon in time for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Lunarlon offered a softer ride and was more responsive than traditional EVA foam, however, like many foams in the running world, they are unstable on their own. The Lunarlon material had to be surrounded by a protective, stiffer foam that had to remain in contact to the ground. While the main material was light, responsive and soft, the addition treatment altered the ride experience. Nike’s next major midsole development did not happen until 2017 when Nike React was launched.

React jettisons the use of EVA as a base for the foam using thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) instead. TPE uses a completely different chemical formula and allows the React foam to be used as a one-piece midsole, eliminating the need to glue foams together making manufacturing easier. It ensures that the sole is also lighter. The molecular structure of the midsole improves cushioning and energy return.

The other huge advantage is that the shoes maintain their energy return over time. All foams degrade over time but React foam delivers durability. Check out our video on React Foam here.

Zoom Air still features in the Nike line-up. The shoes just deliver a different experience for the runner, typically a lower profile snappier ride. The air bags never lose their responsiveness so, as a rule, Zoom Air shoes are excellent if running at pace.

In Nike-world, nothing stands still and their next direction in midsole design is their ZoomX foam / internal carbon plate combination found in sub 2-hour marathon racing shoe, and as I write, their latest is the Zoom X Plate Next % shoe. Found on the feet of so many sub 3-hour marathon runners, this is a shoe that sells out as fast as it runs.

The ZoomX / carbon plate midsole is slowly coming down the food-chain to us mere mortals and appears in the Nike Pegasus Turbo 2, an expensive but brilliant training shoe. The midsole transmits 85% energy return, and this is felt by an exceptional ‘spring’ at toe-off. We’ve looked at these and other carbon plated shoes – check out our video on all things ‘carbon plate’ here.

What the future holds is for Nike cushioning is hard to predict, but one thing we do know, good or bad, it’ll never be boring…

But it is not all about the midsole. Technologies run right throughout the shoes. Nike might be synonyms with outsole tech, the truth is, grip hasn’t moved on much from the Nike waffle days. Sure, shapes and configurations have been tweaked but the best gripping shoes on the market are deep lugs like the original waffle iron lugs… The real tech is all about how the outsole works in conjunction with the midsole. Elements like de-coupling the heel help cushion impact and slow down the rate of pronation, but these are used by most brands. Over the years, Nike’s outsoles have been tweaked and like most shoes, Nike typically use a blend of blown rubber for comfort and a carbon mix for durability. My favourite outsole was on a shoe called the Goatek. It was inspired by a Goat’s split hoof – have you seen how goats can grip on ridiculously steep mountain cliffs! The pattern reflected the hoof and was made from a sticky rubber. I was in charge of promoting the shoe in the UK at the time and wanted to tether a herd of goats outside JD Sports in London’s Oxford Street. I was shot down by the big boss. Oh well…

Every element of the shoe has been looked at over the years and more recently, uppers have benefited greatly from technical advances. These have largely been driven by modern manufacturing methods and materials.

Uppers were a nylon weave back in the early Nike days, then came a nylon / woven mesh as used in the Nike Internationalist in the early 1980’s, then a more open mesh in the 90’s to aid breathability. Small steps really but more recently, the fabrics have truly become hi-tech and modern manufacturing has given Nike license to utilise this combination to the max.

Today, the range features a number of different upper materials. This is down to function but also price. Some materials are expensive and/or more expensive to manufacture.

Many Nike’s have a flyknit upper. Here, nike have woven the entire upper on what can only be described as a big knitting machine. The upper is woven using different knits within the same upper. They will feature tighter knits in areas that need to be stronger, say around the toe of the shoe and around the saddle (midfoot area) to help support the foot, and looser and more open weaves in areas that might require an element of breathability or areas that need to be flexible. Using high quality fabrics, Flyknit can feel beautiful on the foot and the shoes can feel like socks.

Flyknit is lightweight. The benefit of knitting an upper is that you can do away with traditional overlays and the stitching and gluing that is required fix them to the upper. Weaving the upper not only makes the upper lighter but it is more environmentally friendly. Nike claim Flyknit produces 60% less waste during the production process.

Flymesh is another fabric used in some nike shoes. It is a another breathable mesh that has been ‘engineered’, woven to be flexible but also durable. Many brands use an engineered mesh. It is easy to produce and again, environmentally friendly. You will find flymesh uppers on many shoes in the nike range.

Recently nike launched a new knit – the AtomKnit. This is the fabric used on the very latest (as I write) Alphafly Next% racing shoe that we at shoeguide love so much. AtomKnit is Flyknit that has been steamed and stretched. The result is a stiffer version of Nike’s Flyknit that nike say supports the foot better. It is incredibly light, delivers a contoured fit, does not absorb water easily but is breathable.

Many of the upper features work in conjunction with others. On the latest Alphafly Next% shoe, the AtomKnit is used with what looks like a very high tech nylon mesh nike call VaporWeave. Reported to be incredibly strong and light, it is placed in areas that need additional strength and it is water-resistant – well you don’t need your shoes to soak up the water you’re pouring over your head at a marathon water station, do you?!

Nike often deliver the wow factor with their products. That’s not to say all their shoes are great, but you don’t make great shoes without taking a few chances and push the boundaries of innovation. We truly hope nike continue to keep pushing, keep making the odd mistake and keep delivering shoes with the wow-factor.

Why not check out our Best Shoes of 2020 Guide to see which Nike shoes made the cut.

The Nike story is an incredible one. If you are interested in shoes and the sportswear business, we would recommend Phil Knight’s book, Shoe Dog. It is a brilliant, warts and all read and it gives you an insight in to the stresses of growing a business and the challenges Blue Ribbon and Nike were up against for years.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED

What are the most comfortable Nike running shoes?

If you want a training shoe that is really comfortable, lightweight and has great cushioning, look no further than the Nike Vomero 14, Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2, or the Nike Pegasus 36. If you are after a comfortable shoe but need support, look towards the Nike Zoom Structure 22.

Do nike have a shoe like Adidas Boost?

Nike’s React foam is the closest to Adidas Boost. One of the best models is the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit. Both shoes are extremely responsive and great to run in.

Which is better for running Nike or Adidas?

Nike have been instrumental in recently in introducing some of the best lightweight and responsive shoes on the market. This has definitely been the direction for them and as a result, they have not released shoes that in the past might have been considered the real workhorses of the range and they only have one motion control shoe in the line, the Zoom Structure. Adidas have a more rounded range but perhaps lack the cutting-edge excitement in their lighter products.

What is the most popular Nike running shoe?

The Nike Zoom Pegasus is the most popular shoe and has been for many years. It is still the world’s best-selling running shoe. The Pegasus is intended to be the everyday ‘go-to’ shoe and forms part of the Nike Zoom series.

What is the best nike shoe for the marathon?

The Zoom Alphafly Next % is an amazing shoe and the successor to the Sub 2 hour marathon breaking achievement. It is worn by the front of the field in so many marathons now. We did a shoe count at the last Dublin Marathon. 246 of the top 250 runners were wearing the predecessor, the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite. 

For the masses, however, you would be better running is a still light but more forgiving, Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2

Is Asics better than Nike?

Asics have been at the forefront of serious running for decades now but they have certainly tailed off in terms of popularity. This is down to the technology not moving on, other brands bringing something new and better to market and also the price. However, recently they have added some very exciting products to their line. They make some of the best everyday trainers on the market, those workhorse shoes that will look after you for miles. However, they certainly fall behind nike in terms of lightweight cushioning technology.

How do Nike fit?

Nike usually fit true to size but always remember that you will need to factor in a finger’s width of space at the front of your shoe when buying running shoes to allow for expansion. This might well mean going up a size. Nike tend to fit the average foot and we might well recommend them for the narrower foot. Other brands like Asics would generally come up slightly wider.

Is Nike Free any good?

Nike Free was developed to give you the sense of barefoot running whilst offering a level of protection. They are very flexible and designed not inhibit the natural movement of the foot. They take a short while to get use to as you will find that your feet will work harder and get tired more quickly.

What are Nike Free Runs good for?

We would recommend them as an addition to your shoe collection. Do one or two sessions a week in them and they will strengthen your feet and lower leg muscles.  Also use them as an introduction to barefoot running if you aim to go that way. They are also good just as a walking shoe as they will strengthen your feet while just walking.

Do nike make a light cheaper racing shoe?

The Air Zoom Streak 7 is a brilliant racing shoe and often forgotten. It is a fantastic shoe to race a 5k or a 10k in. 

How long do Nike Zoom Alphafly Next % last?

The shoe will last in the region of 300km. You might be tempted to do some fast training in them but at the price, you might be wiser to keep them for race day.

New Balance are one of the biggest running shoe brands in the world. Although they have branched out in to a number of US sports and soccer of late, running remains at its core. Recent years have seen their best ever shoe innovations. We review the best of them. Here are the best New Balance shoes of 2020.

BEST CUSHIONING – New Balance 880v10

A great update to this popular model, Where it had previously lagged behind the pack a little this version brings it up to pace with the leading contenders. The new Fresh Foam gives it a light and plush feel.

PROS

• Smooth cushioning for great ride
•  Feels light
•  Nicely balanced

CONS

• There aren’t any!

BEST FOR MARATHON RACES – New Balance FuelCell TC

The second carbon plated shoe from New Balance, the TC or trainer-competition aims to bridge the gap between ultra light racing shoes and more cushioned training models. Perfect for faster paced training sessions, intervals and tempo running, the New Balance FuelCell TC is a serious contender to the Nike Vaporfly – and that is saying something!

PROS

•  Soft, springy feel
•  Carbon plate for increased toe-off
•  Competitively priced – for carbon plated shoe

CONS

•  A little unstable
•  Still expensive

BEST FOR LONG DISTANCE – New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v10

The Fresh Foam 1080 v10 takes the brands range-topping neutral flagship to new levels of cushioning

PROS

• New Fresh Foam cushioning gives excellent ride
•  Sock-like fit

CONS

• None, it’s great!

BEST FOR STABILITY – New Balance 860 v10

The cushioning is highly capable and the shoe quickly becomes a work horse model for the high-mileage road runner. Really comfortable and durable – great for everyday stability.

PROS

• Traditional medial post for support performs very well
•  Durable high mileage performer
•  New seamless upper

CONS

• Heel collar may irritate some. Try before you buy

 

BEST FOR LIGHTWEIGHT TRAINING – NB Fresh Foam Tempo

A replacement for the Zante series, the Tempo is supportive for a minimal training shoe. The Tempo would make a great second training shoe offering a firm responsive ride. Brilliant for faster tempo runs, interval sessions and you should consider it for longer races.

PROS

• Light and agile

CONS

•  A little firm

 

NEW BALANCE – TECH TALK

New Balance are now one of the biggest running brands in the world but like so many other brands, they came from humble beginnings.

Formed over 100 years ago in 1906 by Irish immigrant, William Riley, the Boston-based company was originally called the New Balance Arch Company. Whilst watching chickens’ parade around his yard, Riley was intrigued by their feet and how they could balance so well on their three-pronged points. Thoughts quickly moved to the human foot and the need to support it better with the aid of an arch support.

The company primarily focussed on selling their arch supports to workers who had to stand on their feet all day such as emergency service workers or factory workers. Riley had taken on a business partner, Arthur Hall, who eventually sold the business in 1956 to his daughter, Eleanor and her husband, Paul Kidd.

Eleanor and Paul drove the business on and by 1960, the arch supports had become popular with sports player and especially athletes who felt they needed that extra support. Many of these athletes were college runners who approached New Balance to produce a shoe. The Trackster was designed and released in 1961.

The Trackster was the first shoe to feature a rippled sole offering good grip. It was also made in different widths – revolutionary back then! It was manufactured in Massachusetts it became popular with local athletes who could run both track and cross-country in it. 

Only half a dozen people worked for New Balance back then. They could produce, pack and send out orders for the Trackster themselves to retailers and mail order customers. However, in 1972, the Kidd’s accepted an offer to buy NB from Jim Davis, still the current chairman.

The deal was completed on the day of the Boston Marathon, an important time in US running history. The running market was starting to boom in the US with people taking to it as a cheap form of exercise. Not only that, but Boston was right in the centre of that running boom. The Boston Marathon is the oldest in the world and Jim and New Balance found themselves right in the thick of this mass movement.

New Balance continued with their philosophy of producing shoes in width sizing. This was expensive but it was obviously important to the company as that process remained at NB for many years. It’s expensive as the company needed to make two widths per size and retailers had to buy two widths per size. 

The other thing that was different about New Balance was that they numbered each model rather than giving it a name; a tradition that remains today. The numbers inform the runner what gender and activity they are designed for, and whether they are designed to be cushioned or more stable. It’s a nice thought but in all my years of running, I’ve never met anyone who understands it.

In 1976, New Balance released the 320, a classic shoe that became a worldwide hit and cemented their reputation as an important and credible running brand. The 320 was also the first NB shoe to feature the N logo on the side.

The company went from strength to strength and by the early 1980’s were making some of the models that the company are now famous for. The general running shoes design direction then was to move in to bigger, plusher shoes. That suited New Balance whose shoes suited those who wanted max cushioning. NB launched the 990 in 1982; a shoe that became an icon for them. They were really popular for runners wanting a long-distance cruising machine and they were also great for heavier, bigger runners due to the cushioning but also because the production quality was exceptional. The nylon uppers were overlayed with copious amounts of pig skin which supported the foot and gave the shoe a great deal of strength. I remember buying a pair of 990’s in 1982 because I had shin splints at the time and thought the cushioning would help. They cost me a week’s wages, but I loved those shoes!

The 990 was a shoe designed by NB with one aim in mind; to design the world’s best running shoe. They were flexible, stable and offered the plushest cushioning available – did I mention they cost a fortune?! The midsole launched their ENCAP technology – EVA foam surrounded by a PU (polyurethane) shell which meant that the shoe was really bouncy and durable. They are still sold in high-end lifestyle sports and fashion stores today and they’re still expensive!

The company have always been conscious of their roots. They were growing fast but remained committed to making their better shoes in the USA and the UK where NB were strong. It is a commitment which exists today and whilst most of the shoes are made in Asia (typically Cambodia and Vietnam at the time of writing), they still make shoes in the US and the UK.

New Balance partnered with Dupont to create their ABZORB isoprene rubber technology shoes in the 90’s and launched their REVlite midsole tech in 2011 which delivered a more responsive ride.

REVlite has survived the test of time and still features in models today, but the majority of the range fits in to one of the three key NB tech categories: Fresh Foam, FuelCell or TruFuse.

Fresh Foam was launched in 2014. The material is light and offers a seriously smooth ride. Fresh Foam has been incredibly popular and when you run in a pair, you’ll understand why. Made by super-smart 3D mapping, NB can change the density within the midsole of the same shoe to deliver different types of shoe using the same foam. The foam is found in some of NB’s best-selling shoes including the shoe we rate as their best long distance shoe, the Fresh Foam 1080 v10.

FuelCell is used in shoes that are lighter where runners need a more responsive ride. Nitrogen is injected in to TPU foam – the result being a foam delivers better energy return. It has a quick, reactive feel to it which is why NB use it in their fastest shoes. Check out our review of the FuelCell TC – it’s an amazing shoe that would be great to run a marathon in.

TruFuse is a midsole made of two types of foam which provide a long-lasting and comfortable ride. Used is great workhorse-like shoes such as the 860 and 880, Trufuse is light and gives good energy return.

Check out our Best Shoes of 2020 Guide to see which New Balance shoes made the cut.

We at shoeguide.run, are honoured to know some of the guys in key positions at New Balance. All of them entrenched in running and all of them good guys. The company has that vibe to it. It’s still based in Boston and Jim Davis is still the boss. Long may that continue.