Running shoes

Running shoes are a personal choice for everyone, but the two brands that I find work the best and provide excellent quality are Asics and Saucony. Different shoes will suit different feet and ways of walking, so if you have the opportunity and access to visit a store like the Running Room or any sports store, I highly recommend it. You should be assessed based on the way you walk (i.e. do your feet pronate?) and how much cushion you’re looking for in order to find the best shoe for you.

ASICS

For a neutral stability: Personally, I’ve used the Asics Gel-Nimbus model for most of my life. I have normal arches, don’t pronate (if anything my feet are slightly turned in). This model is known for being the brand’s top neutral shoe, and provides a very cushioned and protected run.

For added ankle stability: If you have less stable ankles or prefer a more “guided” stride (i.e. sometimes you’re worried about putting a toe out of line, literally), then Asics recommends the Gel-Kayano model. It provides more support and is their more expensive model, but is also a great shoe.

Both of the above shoes are great for outdoor running, and work on treadmills as well. There isn’t a ton of traction on either, so if you’re doing an intense trail run I would look into other options. However, I’ve done popular road and dirt trails in Toronto in every season except for winter with my Asics Gel-Nimbus, and they still work great.

You can also take a quiz to find out which Asics shoe is for you with the brand’s Shoe Finder tool.

SAUCONY

Many of my faster friends love this brand. I highly recommend getting a proper fitting in person, but you can also explore their models with their Shoe Finder tool. Personally, I think this is one of the top brands for winter shoes - their Peregrine Ice model has great traction for any intrepid runner, and the price point is similar to Asics. These are my winter shoes of choice!