Nothing quite signals the start of an Aussie summer quite like a flock of early birds making their war around the city on foot!
Whether it be a casual jog around the neighbourhood, or some serious distance training in the CBD, in our opinion, putting your best foot forward requires a quality pair of running shoes.
Championing her richly-deserved and recently won NYC marathon medal, Laura Henshaw tells us “a good pair of runners is hands down the most important investment“.
Having run for over a decade, Laura has picked up every tool of the trade. In Laura’s opinion you simply can’t go wrong with a “great playlist for when running gest tough, chews to fuel the body, and a good pair of runners”.
Just as sports bras serve different purposes, running shoes are designed to serve varying needs from everyday use, to distance running and more.
To make it simple, we have curated a list of the best everyday running shoes, and the best race day carbon plate running shoes on offer this year.
Read on to find the best pair of shoes suited to your running goals and budget in 2024.
2024’s TOP RUNNING SHOES
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 ‘Celebrations Of Sports’ Women’s, $199, The Athlete’s Foot (here’s why)
- Brooks Glycerin 21 Womens in Coconut Aqua Autumn Sun, $209.99, The Athlete’s Foot (here’s why)
- Hoka Clifton 9 Women’s Shoes in Vanilla Astral, $259,99, The Athlete’s Foot (here’s why)
The best running shoes 2024
Best everyday running shoes
01
Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 ‘Celebrations Of Sports’ Women’s
$199 (usually $256.99) at The Athlete’s Foot
Best for: Smooth running experience
When it comes to running shoes, you likely think of Asics. A household name for good reason, the Gel-Nimbus 26’s are suitable for beginner and experienced runners alike. Inspired by “the city of lights”, this pair invite a softer and smooth running experience thanks to the FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Maximum | Running Type: Running and Road Running
Also available at:
- $260 from Asics
02
Brooks Glycerin 21 Womens in Coconut Aqua Autumn Sun
$209.99 (usually $279.99) at The Athlete’s Foot
Best for: Ankle and joint support
Yet to reach that sweet moment of a ‘runner’s high’? Featuring more nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning than ever before, this pair will have you drifting through the kilometres at your best.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Super-soft | Running Type: Road running
Also available at:
- $279.95 from THE ICONIC
- $279.95 from Brooks Running
03
Hoka Clifton 9 Women’s Shoes in Vanilla Astral
$259.99 at The Athlete’s Foot
Best for: Result-orientated running
Spotting a pair of Hoka’s in Bondi is hardly a feat…and it’s easy to see why. Not only do these Clifton 9’s make you look the part, but cleverly engineered to deliver lightweight, foot-hugging comfort, they offer everything you need to smash your run.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Super soft | Running Type: Running and training
04
Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 in Natural Mint
$270 at New Balance
Best for: All day wear
Taking first place in Laura’s eyes, the New Balance 1080 v14 runners “feel like running on a cloud”. Offering a unique combination of reliable comfort and high performance that offers versatility from everyday to race day, this pair has been designed to grow with you and your resistance.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Extra soft | Running Type: Running and all day wear
05
Triumph 22 Wide in Triple Black
$259.99 at Saucony
Best for: Wide feet
An all black moment is never a bad idea, especially when it offers an elevated running experience like these do. A favourite of many experienced runners, the Saucony Triumph 22 have been designed with advanced cushioning for dynamic responsiveness, and a plush feel too. Plus, the combination of a generously sized sole and mesh upper means maximum breathability with every step.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Responsive | Running Type: Running and everyday wear
Also available at:
- $259.99 from The Athlete’s Foot
06
Ultraboost 5 Shoes Women’s in Spark
$260 at Adidas
Best for: Heel-to-toe stability
Made with the lightest BOOST cushioning technology, this pair give back energy with every stride. Available in just about every colour combination possible, test out the Torsion System for heel-to-toe stability in any design you fancy.
Support: Superior | Cushion: Neutral | Running Type: Running and distance training
Best race day running shoes
07
Nike Alphafly 3 Women’s Road Racing Shoes
$370 at Nike
Best for: Road racing
Fitted with a full-length carbon-fibre plate, the Nike Alphafly 3’s will have you propelling forward with ease. Fine-tuned for marathon speed, this set will have you consistently testing your limits. With a double dose of air zoom units, you will be leaving old records in the dust. So what are you waiting for? “Just do it” *insert winking face*.
Support: Superior | Cushion: Ultra soft | Running Type: Marathon running
08
Adizero Adios Pro 3 in Solar Red
$252 (usually $360) at Adidas
Best for: Maintaining energy over long periods
Built with athletes in mind, packing this set into the overnight bag will be a sure way to achieve unbeatable feats. Designed with carbon-infused ENERGYRODS 2.0, experience true lightweight stiffness for a snappy and efficient stride.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Superior | Running Type: Marathon running
09
Brooks Hyperion Max 2 in Illusion
$299.99 at The Athlete’s Foot
Best for: High speed road racing
If high performance and increased efficiency sounds like something you could get around, then the Brooks Hyperion Max 2’s are for you. The RapidRoll Rocker geometry cleverly compliments the Speed Vault Plate, ultimately assisting in supporting heel-to-toe transitions.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Soft | Running Type: Marathon running
Also available at:
- $299.95 from Brooks
10
On Cloudmonster 2 Women’s Shoe in White Frost
$279.99 at The Athlete’s Foot
Best for: Smooth running transition
Designed to provide the ultimate forward rolling feeling, the On Cloudmonster 2 shoe is shaped to encourage a seamless heel-to-toe experience. Sandwiching two layers of lightweight and responsive helion superfoam for a cushioned ride, we can’t get enough of this set.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Super soft | Running Type: Marathon running
11
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V4 Women’s Running Shoe
$360 at New Balance
Best for: Conserving energy
Understanding the value that every second holds come race day, New Balance have packed the best of high performance technology into this swanky set. Encouraging you forward with every stride is a thin carbon fibre plate centred within the sole, offering superior energy return with every moment.
Support: Neutral | Cushion: Soft | Running Type: Marathon running
Also available at:
- $359.99 from Rebel
When should I replace my running shoes?
According to Laura’s personal physio, Alana Murrihy, “most people will get 700 to 1000km out of a good pair of runners”, depending on environmental and lifestyle factors. She goes onto say a good approach is to “keep track of your distance and replace your shoes when they start showing signs of wear, such as reduced cushioning or uneven wear patterns on the sole”.
Alana notes that “The wrong shoes for you can also lead to sore knees, hips and back”, so if “you are getting recurrent blisters, sore feet, ankles or legs, your shoes may not be right for you and it’s probably best to get yourself assessed”.
What is a top running tip?
In Laura’s opinion “strength training is so important”. As someone who experienced back-to-back injuries in her knee and lower back “focusing on your glutes, hamstrings, calves and core [has] significantly improved [her] runs”.
In terms of specific training, Laura suggests that “just one to two strength or Pilates classes” per week will be enough to notice a world of difference.
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