We all know how important it is to wear a good pair of running shoes to avoid injury, feel comfortable, and perform at our best. But with so many options out there, how do you decide which women’s running shoes are right for you?
At Tom’s Guide, our female runners have put countless pairs to the test, logging miles and assessing performance to bring you the best recommendations. When choosing the right pair, it's essential to consider whether they fit well, provide the right support for your foot type and running style, and suit the surface you’re running on—whether that’s road, trail, or track.
If you're in a hurry, check out our quick picks. But if you have time, dive into our in-depth guide to the best women's running shoes, where we share hands-on insights to help you find the perfect running shoes.
Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor and she's spent years writing about all things health and fitness. She crossed the finish line of her last marathon in 3:38, with the Garmin Forerunner 965 on her wrist, and the New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite V3 on her feet.
Jessica Downey is a fitness writer for Tom's Guide and a lifelong avid runner. This year she made her marathon debut at the Manchester Marathon, testing several of the women's running shoes featured in this guide during her training.
The quick list
The Saucony Ride 17 is an extremely versatile daily trainer. It features Saucony's PWRRUN+ foam which gives a lovely mix of cushion and spring to your stride. Whether you're heading out for easy runs, speed sessions, or longer distances, this shoe is a reliable choice that delivers great value for money
The Brooks Ghost 16 is ideal for beginners due to its exceptional cushioning, stability, and versatility. Featuring Brooks’ DNA LOFT v2 foam, it provides a soft yet responsive ride that helps absorb impact and reduce strain on joints.
Read more below
The lululemon Blissfeel 2 is an everyday running shoe, designed for women. In a world of carbon fiber plates, this is a simple shoe, that’ll get you around a 5K, or a treadmill class.
A seriously versatile shoe, the New Balance 1080v13 is plush enough to keep you comfy on your long runs, but can also pick up the pace for faster tempo sessions.
For excellent comfort and stability, the Saucony Hurricane 24 is perfect for long and easy runs. Its plush cushioning and supportive design ensure a smooth, steady ride mile after mile.
Don't be put off by the unique design of the On Cloudmonster. This is a running shoe that delivers a cushioned, energizing ride, perfect for long, easy miles. It's our favorite On running shoe to date.
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It's hard to find a sustainable running shoe because creating durable, high-performance footwear often relies on synthetic materials that are hard to recycle. However, the Veja Condor 3 is made from a higher percentage of bio-based and recycled materials. It's the best performing sustainability focused shoe we've tested, excelling in comfort.
A responsive, stable race-day shoe, that we’d say is the best Saucony has ever made. It’s got an extremely lightweight upper and has a good amount of bounce underfoot.
The Fuelcell SC Elite V3 is a fast, bouncy, carbon fiber running shoe, best suited for the half marathon or marathon distance. It comes up small, so size up here.
Best women’s running shoe overall
The Saucony Ride 17 is a fantastic running shoe for versatility that I've found to be one of the most reliable daily trainers in my running shoe rotation. It boasts key updates from the Ride 16 that make a real difference in performance. Having tested this shoe on various runs, I found the switch to Pwrrun+ midsole foam a standout feature; it provides the ideal mix of cushioning and energy return, creating a light, bouncy feel that supports smooth, comfortable strides.
The upper has been re-engineered with a new mesh design that locks in the midfoot while maintaining flexibility and breathability. During testing, I particularly appreciated the gusseted tongue and supportive heel counter, which enhanced stability and comfort throughout longer runs. The fit is snug yet flexible, adapting well to different foot shapes and ensur confidence on various terrains.
One small issue I noted was the lacing, which occasionally loosened mid-run. However, with a quick adjustment, the Ride 17 performed excellently across different run types, from easy-paced miles to faster sessions. The smooth transition from midfoot to forefoot, paired with a gentle rocker design, adds a nice touch of forward propulsion that feels natural and efficient.
Overall, the Saucony Ride 17 is a top pick for women seeking a dependable, high-performance running shoe that delivers exceptional comfort, support, and value, making it a smart choice for runners of all levels.
Read our Saucony Ride 17 review.
Best women's running shoe for beginners
The Brooks Ghost 16 is an excellent choice for beginner runners, offering a reliable and comfortable ride with significant improvements over its predecessor. The shoe features Brooks’ nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole foam, which provides a perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness. As a result, it's an ideal daily trainer, offering both softness for long runs and a touch of bounce for faster-paced workouts.
One of the standout features of the Ghost 16 is its lighter weight compared to the Ghost 15, thanks to the new midsole foam. Additionally, the Ghost 16’s outsole offers excellent grip, making it suitable for various surfaces and weather conditions and it's a running trainer that will deliver on durability.
The 12mm heel-to-toe drop may not suit everyone, but it provides a stable and smooth ride, which is particularly beneficial for beginners. The shoe’s wide forefoot and ample padding ensure a secure and comfortable fit, even on longer runs.
From our testing we think some users may find the upper material lacks breathability, and the stiff heel counter could cause irritation around the Achilles. But, the performance of any running shoe will vary from person to person, so don't let this put you off the Ghost 16 as we were still confident this shoe's overall comfort and performance make it a solid choice for new runners.
For those just starting their running journey, the Brooks Ghost 16 offers the perfect blend of cushioning, durability, and comfort, helping to ease the transition into regular running without breaking the bank.
Read our full Brooks Ghost 16 review
Best women’s running shoe for casual running
A year after the launch of the Blissfeel (read our full Lululemon Blissfeel review here), the brand’s first-ever running shoe, Lululemon is back with the Blissfeel 2 — an everyday running shoe, designed for women. Lululemon has made some tweaks to the fit and feel of the shoe, completely reinventing the upper to improve the underfoot experience. In a world of carbon fiber plates and huge stack heights, this is still a simple running shoe, that’ll get you around a 5K, or a treadmill class.
Out of the box, the Blissfeel 2 looks alike in style to the original version of the shoe — it has a similar silhouette, yet noticeably, the plastic rails now continue along the side of the shoe for support. Lululemon has stuck with its simple design. Fit-wise, the Blissfeel 2 fit a lot better, with a lot more room in the toebox, although I still sized up, as last year's shoe came up pretty small.
I’ve tested the Lululemon Blissfeel 2 on a number of different runs, from easy miles on tired legs to faster tempo sessions. These shoes are definitely best suited for running gentle miles, up to a 10K or half marathon, as they don’t have enough responsiveness to be my go-to for faster miles.
The midsole foam isn’t overly soft, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You’re not getting a huge amount of sink-in plushness in this shoe, but there is enough midsole foam there that you’re not feeling the sidewalk beneath your feet. If you’re an overly stompy runner, I’d keep these shoes for shorter, easier miles, or for running on the treadmill.
Read our full Lululemon Blissfeel 2 review here.
Best all-rounder women's running shoe
The New Balance 1080 has been the brand’s most popular running shoe for the past few years, and the v13 lives up to the hype. What was once a shoe that was only suited for slow, easy miles, has evolved into a versatile all-rounder suited to a speedy 5K or a steady marathon.
If you're only looking to buy one running shoe, the 1080v13 ticks the right boxes — its plush 'Fresh Foam' midsole is comfortable enough to get you through most long runs, yet also bouncy enough to pick up the pace when you need it. It's also comfortable and good-looking enough to wear in the gym (although this will shorten the life of the shoe).
Compared to the New Balance 1080v12, the New Balance 1080v13 has more of the brand's Fresh Foam X midsole foam, and the stack height is larger, yet the shoe has gotten lighter.
The downside here is that the shoe is slightly more expensive than the previous iteration. That said, during testing we were pleasantly surprised by the 1080v13 — it’s a comfortable running shoe, that could easily be worn for anything from a 5K to a marathon. It’s a brilliant example of what you’d expect from an everyday running shoe and a reminder that you don’t need multiple running shoes in your closet to train well for a race.
Read our full New Balance 1080v13 review
Best cushioned women’s running shoe
The Saucony Hurricane 24 has secured a spot in our best women’s running shoes guide due to its exceptional comfort, stability, and durability. We found this shoe to be perfect for runners who prioritize support and extra comfort during easy or long runs. With its high stack height and dual-density midsole, the Hurricane 24 offers plush cushioning without compromising stability. The PWRRUN PB foam provides a soft, bouncy ride, while the firmer PWRRUN frame and broad base offers excellent support for overpronators.
Despite being a little weightier, the shoe delivers a smooth, comfortable run, aided by its rocker design, making transitions from heel to toe feel effortless. While it may not be the ideal choice for fast-paced training or speedwork, it shines in recovery runs or long-distance efforts, serving up reliable cushioning for tired legs.
During testing, we also noted that it’s a versatile choice for both stability and neutral runners, thanks to the wide base and sidewalls of foam providing subtle support. If comfort is your priority, the Saucony Hurricane 24 is an excellent pick for daily training and long, steady runs.
Read our full Saucony Hurricane 24 review.
Best runner up women's cushioned running shoe
The Cloudmonster stands out with its oversized, chunky design—a style that might seem a bit extreme at first, but it actually feels lighter than it looks. This shoe is built for long, easy-paced runs and high-mileage training. The Cloudmonster is designed with thick CloudTec pods along the sole, which compress to absorb shock and then spring back to add energy to each step.
Its Helion foam midsole—a mix of two materials—feels cushioned but still responsive, making it ideal for long, easy-paced runs. A thin, flexible Speedboard layer in the midsole helps push you forward with a quicker toe-off, but the shoe is better suited for comfortable mileage than for speed workouts.
During training for both half and full marathons, I found myself drawn to the Cloudmonster for the shoe's balance of comfort and subtle firmness. The cushioning not only absorbs impact well but also has a slightly firmer feel than many max-cushion shoes, adding a sense of stability on longer distances. The latter isn't what everyone wants in a cushioned running shoe, which is why this is the runner up to the Saucony Hurricane 24.
Fit-wise, the Cloudmonster runs a bit short, so sizing up is recommended for a comfortable fit without pinching at the toes.
Read our On Cloudmonster review.
Best sustainable women's running shoe
Running shoes are typically challenging to make sustainable because most materials used are synthetic and end up in landfills after their lifespan. Many brands are now focusing on eco-friendly materials, but this often impacts durability and, or performance. The shoe that stands out the most for us is the Veja Condor 3.
Veja prioritizes eco-friendly materials and transparency in its manufacturing process, aiming to reduce the environmental impact without sacrificing performance. From our testing, we can vouch for the brand's latest running shoe.
The Condor 3’s comfort largely comes from its midsole, made from a unique blend of sugarcane-based EVA and Amazonian rubber, delivering a surprisingly smooth and cushioned feel. It also incorporates natural latex and recycled polyester, which, along with Veja’s focus on durability, contribute to its eco-friendly design.
While our tester did find during testing that it’s not the lightest or fastest choice for speedwork, they found the Condor 3 perfect for comfortable, steady runs. Though more expensive than other options, it’s a great investment for those who prioritize sustainability with their purchases, as it outshines most in eco-conscious construction while still offering a reliable, enjoyable running experience.
Read our Veja Condor 3 review.
Best women's running shoe for speed
The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a huge improvement on the Endorphin Pro 2, and is, in our opinion, the best Endorphin Pro yet. The Endorphin Pro 3 sees Saucony completely overhaul its most popular carbon fiber road racing shoe. The brand has changed the upper, and added more PWRRUN PB foam underfoot to completely change the ride of the shoe — it’s extremely fast, yet comfortable on the run.
The stack height has increased to 39.9mm, making it just legal in the World Athletics guidelines, and similar to the stack of the Nike ZoomX Alphafly Next% 2. Saucony's added more PWRRUN PB foam to make the midsole feel much softer than previous versions of the shoe. That said, it’s not overly plush, but it's comfortable and efficient, and it’s easy to pick up the pace when you need to in this shoe. The upper has also been overhauled to more of a mesh — it’s pretty much see-through and during testing I found it to be one of the most breathable uppers on the market.
Read our full Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 review.
Best carbon plated women’s running shoe
If you're a New Balance fan, the Fuelcell SC Elite V3 is the brand's carbon fiber running shoe, designed to get you a fast finish time on race day. It's arguably the brand's best ever carbon shoe. It’s got more pop than the RC Elite and feels much more stable around corners. It’s also similar in feel to the Supercomp Trainer, without the massive (illegal) stack height. It’s a forgiving ride, with enough cushion for long runs. We've enjoyed wearing this on the track and found I was able to pick up the pace with ease.
The magic of this shoe is in it's midsole. The carbon fiber plate sits between two layers of foam, designed to feel soft and springy underfoot. This still has the plushness and cushioning you’d expect from a racing shoe. The 4mm drop feels fast, but if you’re here for a dramatic rocker, you won’t find it here — there’s no aggressive toe spring here, and it feels more relaxed than other carbon fiber racing shoes.
This is an excellent running shoe to wear for your next race if you're hunting for a PR. It's not got the same dramatic rocker as other carbon fiber shoes on the market, but it's stable and comfortable, with enough bounce to propel you to the finish line.
Read our Fuelcell SC Elite V3 review here.
How to choose the best women's running shoes
When it comes to finding the best pair of running shoes for you, there are a few different things to consider. Firstly, how you run — like finding the right sports bra, there will be certain brands that just fit your foot better than others, so it’s a good idea to head down to your local running store and try on as many brands as possible. It’s also worth knowing whether you’re prone to overpronating when you run, as you might find you need to buy a pair of stability shoes to help this.
Secondly, it’s a good idea to think about the type of running you plan on doing. If you’re looking to PR on race day, you’re probably going to want something lighter, snappier, and faster. If you’re just trying to get around your first 5K, you’ll just want something comfortable and supportive, that won’t rub or leave you with blisters on the finish line.
Finally, the type of surfaces you’re running on mostly. Most road shoes will be able to cope with wet pavements, treadmills, and light trails, but if you’re planning on heading out on more technical terrains, you’ll probably need to invest in a pair of trail running shoes, which will have a deeper, grippier tread.
After you've picked out a pair of running shoes, you may want to consider one of the best running hats to keep you cool and protected on sunny runs.
How we test the best women's running shoes
We test the best women’s running shoes by running in them; we’ve clocked at least 50 miles in all of the shoes mentioned on this list. We also look at the fit of the shoe as well as the feel underfoot. We’ll test the shoes on several different sessions, from faster runs on the track to longer training runs — some shoes will be great on a long run, but feel heavy during a speed session. We also look at any impressive features of the shoe, such as carbon fiber plates, or ultra-lightweight midsole foams.
Also tested
