Spring Running Shoe Guide

Fitness Magazine recently surveyed women on the latest running shoes for spring. Nine shoes were finalists.

1. The Best Neutral Running Shoes: Adidas Supernova Glide 3. This shoes is best for people with high arches because it provides maximum cushioning and minimal support. Testers found it to be an overwhelmingly soft shoe with tons of cushioning that takes the pounding for you. The shoe has a two-part heel design with subtle arch support and strategic flex grooves on the outsole. Supportive and responsive with every step, the breathable open-mesh upper keeps your feet comfortable temperature-wise. Price: $110.

2. The Best Neutral Running Shoe Runner Up: Karhu Fast Fulcrum Ride. This shoe looks fast and feels light and quick on your feet. The outsole is relatively flexible, like a racing shoe's and special technology within the midsole uses greater firmness to create an efficient strike and encourage you to land on your midfoot. The mesh upper, welded lace eyelets, and seamless construction around the heel creates a bedroom slipper cushiness. Price: $130.

3. The Best Midstability Running Shoes: Nike LunarElite + 2. Designed for the average strider who slightly overpronates, this shoe has high marks for the wedge support that kicks in when you start to overpronate, providing you with better stability. These shoes are superlight, cushiony, and have strategically placed flex grooves on the outsoles that make you feel like you're running on air. Price: $100.

4. The Best Midstability Running Shoes Runner Up: Brooks Trance 10. Testers found it remarkably cushioned with a trampoline bounce effect with every stride. The shoe disperses impact evenly, leaving your joints feeling fine post-run. The midsole gets progressively denser toward the inner curve of your foot, offering a significant amount of support and prevents your arch from flattening and turning inward as you land. The mesh upper and sock liner make for a comfortable fit. Price: $140.

5. The Best Extra Stability Running Shoes: Asics Gel-Evolution 6. This shoe is for those with flat arches and have feet that turn inwards. If you are a flat-footed, over-pronator, then this shoe is going to feel like heaven. Its dense midsole provides good stability and great shock absorption, and details like a wider midfoot; a soft, wicking sock liner; and a stretchy upper that does not rub or irritate at all mean that the shoe cradles your foot in a comfy, pleasant way while you run. Price: $120.

6. The Best Extra Stability Running Shoes Runner-Up: New Balance 940. Testers state that they ran free with this shoe on and stability was fantastic. A special thermoplastic in the midsole provides smooth transitions through each step and extra shock absorbing cushioning in the heel and forefoot helps you feel like you've got a built-in spring. Its seamless sock liner and mesh upper hug your foot perfectly. Available in four widths to provide the best fit for your foot. Price: $120.

7. The Best Trail Running Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 6. This shoe is going to provide the best footing on uneven terrain. It is a flexible, yet stable, lightweight yet well cushioned shoes that makes it great on every type of terrain, including sand, snow, and loose rocks. Testimonials say that you'll feel like you can conquer the toughest trails with its incredible traction, breathable, water-resistant upper, thermoplastic rock shield beneath the forefoot, and stabilizing pivot posts in the midsole. Price: $110.
8. The Best Trail Running Shoes Runner-Up: Salomon XR CrossMax Neutral. This is a flashy, lightweight runner. Rocks beware! With this shoe, you won't even feel them. The durable outsole grips the trails, and the cushioning is wonderful thanks to molded EVA foam midsoles and orthotic-like (that's what we like to see!) foot beds. A very comfortable fit is what testers say, guaranteed by its airy mesh upper, gusseted tongue, and friction free eyelets. Price: $130.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
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