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Gear en Technologie

Find the best running shoe for you

13 oktober 2020 | Door Brooks Staff
Illustration of two shoes with laces tied together
Pfeil nach unten
Pfeil nach unten

No two runners run alike. Your preferences, natural stride, body type, skills and experience are all unique to you — and  while that's awesome, it can also pose a challenge as your look for the right shoe.

Fortunately, we know a thing or two about matchmaking. To find your best running shoe, use these questions as a guide. It's more fun than setting up a dating profile. (And bonus: shoes will never ghost you.)

Where do you prefer to run?

Whether you're hitting the road or tackling the trail, you need a shoe that's built for the specific challenges of your environment.

Road shoes are lighter weight, with responsive cushion to soften your landing on hard concrete or cement.

By contrast, trail shoes tend to be more heavy-duty, with built-in protection from rocks and debris and more stability to counter uneven terrain.

How do you want your shoes to feel?

"Comfort" means something different to everyone. We want to match you with a shoe that feels good to you. So consider which of these categories aligns with your goals and running style.

Our Cushion collection is built to absorb impact for a soft landing and steady push-off. Perfect for runners who want to feel clouds beneath their feet.

Our Energize shoes are designed to give you back the energy you put into each stride. For a springy toe-off and a little more pep in each step, these are a great fit. 

Our Speed category features the sports cars of the shoe world. Light and fast, these models are just right if you plan to push the limits of pace and time. 

Illustration of runner’s legs, mid-stride, landing on a cloud

What are your support needs?

Your body has a preferred motion path — the way your joints and muscles naturally want to move with every step you take. To maximise comfort and reduce the risk of injury, the right shoe will help your body maintain its natural motion. 

Neutral runners

Neutral runners move the same way off the run as they do on the run. Their bodies stay in their preferred motion path without added guidance. 

You may be a neutral runner if:

  • The wear pattern in your shoes is consistent indicating you distribute your weight evenly with each step. 
  • Your feet and knees align as you run, tracking straight ahead.
  • Your knees stay parallel when you do a simple squat. 

Support runners

Support runners experience excess joint movement as they run. To help, we created GuideRails® support technology, designed to keep knees and hips in alignment. Think of GuideRails like the bumpers in bowling — out of the way when you're on course, and gently nudging you back if you deviate. 

Illustration of a Brooks shoe with GuideRails® technology highlighted in yellow.

You may be a support runner if:

  • There is excessive wear on the inside edge of your shoes, indicating lateral movement in your stride. 
  • Your feet and knees don't track perfectly straight as you run.
  • Your knees rotate inward when you do a simple squat.

A final note on support:

Whatever your natural stride looks like, all runners need extra support off-road. So while your trail shoes aren't defined as "neutral" or "support" — they don't have GuideRails technology – they all offer that essential stability.

So which shoes are best?

Tally your answers for terrain, preferred experience, and support style, then take a look at our suggestions here. 

Close-up on two runners' legs at toe-off
Illustration of arrow with a long arm, mimicking the path of a ball bouncing.

Energize 

Road | Neutral

Levitate Our best energy return for a super springy ride

Ricochet Max energy return served light and bold

Revel Styles to perform, with energy to spare

Road | Support

Levitate GTS Our best energy return and support

Illustrated arrow following a path in the shape of a fluffy cloud

Cushion

Road | Neutral

Glycerin The ultimate in softness and supreme comfort

Ghost An award-winning favourite, loved for its soft, smooth ride

Road | Support 

Transcend Maximum cushioning with industry-leading support

Adrenaline GTS Our legendary support shoe offers a smooth, balanced ride

Geïllustreerde pijlen wijzen allemaal naar voren en vertakken vanaf dezelfde lijn

Speed

Weg | Neutraal

Hyperion Elite Onze snelste raceschoen ooit, met onze meest geavanceerde technologie

Hyperion Tempo Onze snelste sportschoen, ontworpen om je langer sneller te laten rennen

Launch Lichtgewicht met een leuke, pittige loop

Weg | Support

Ravenna Snel en licht met toonaangevende ondersteuning

Twee hardlopers rennen op een bergpad, met heuvels erachter.
Geïllustreerde pijl die een pad volgt in de vorm van bergachtig terrein

Trail

Trail | Cushion

Divide Tractie en bescherming om hardlopers te ondersteunen van weg tot trail

Cascadia Bedwing de trail met gedempte, duurzame bescherming en stabiliteit

Cascadia GTX Dempende, duurzame bescherming met een waterdichte buitenkant

Trail | Energize 

Caldera Uitstekende tractie en responsieve demping op elk terrein

Catamount Lichtgewicht demping en superieure tractie voor snelle kilometers

Op zoek naar advies op maat?

Probeer, nu je ons aanbod beter kent, onze Shoe Finder! Een fantastisch interactieve tool die je nog uitgebreidere resultaten kan geven. En het duurt maar vijf minuten.

Of ga naar een plaatselijke hardloopspeciaalzaak en vraag om een persoonlijk advies. Je kunt met een deskundige praten over je specifieke behoeften en aandachtspunten — plus verschillende schoenen passen om te ontdekken wat het lekkerste zit. 

Verzorg ze

Het maakt niet uit welk paar je uitzoekt, zolang je maar voor zorgt dat je schoenen een lang en gelukkig leven leiden. Dus verzorg ze goed. Check hier een aantal tips over hoe je je sportschoenen kunt onderhouden. 

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