I’m a Picky, Sneaker-Obsessed Running Coach — These 6 Pairs Are My All-Time Favorites

You know how some people grew up collecting Pokémon cards? I never grew out of that phase, and as a wellness editor, I collect running shoes. Last I checked, I own 28 pairs. Is it a problem? Yes. I live in New York and have a single closet to my name. Do I plan to change this any time soon? Nah. Rearranging things is like a game of Tetris brought to life —frustratingly exhilarating. Why do I own so many? Well, I test them and I run in them. In fact, I have a fun tradition where (when I’m not injured) I run a half-marathon every month. I started it a few years ago, and have only stopped when my hip and knee beg me to. 

Because of all of these factors, I have a rotation of running shoes for every mood I’m in. Some are built for recovery, others (like my favorite carbon-plated running shoes) are built for speed. Others are solid for soft comfort and even supremely long walks. Whether you have a half-marathon on your spring calendar or are just perusing long-distance running shoes for fun, I can guarantee you that there’s a pair on this list you’ll love. Trust me, I’m a picky AF running coach who tells it like it is.

6 Running Coach-Approved Sneakers

For Comfort: Brooks Glycerin 22 

Two things I know for certain I’ll love for the rest of my life: Brooks as a whole and anything in its Glycerin line. Brooks running shoes are like a comfort blanket to me, and they will be to you, too. These ultra sturdy supportive shoes feel like a hug at every step. They help me get out on the pavement even when all I want to do is binge-watch ‘The Pitt.’ If you’re somebody who overpronates, these are for you. I know this well because I walk and run with my feet out like a penguin, no joke. 

For Treadmills: Adidas Supernova Rise 2 

Have you even run a half-marathon on a treadmill? I have. Once. It was brutal. The treadmill is like a torture contraption for runners, I swear. It’s the ultimate mind test. When you’re on the tread, you need a supportive shoe (especially if you have flat feet) that won’t trip you up. I love a good stability shoe, but so many of them are wider than the Nile River. The restricted space on a treadmill makes things more dramatic than they usually are, so that’s why I always wear (and recommend) these Adidas shoes. They’re slim but still have a shockingly good amount of cushion and support. They’re lightweight and can go with ya well during speed bouts or cooldowns. These are the only shoes I’m wearing indoors at the moment. They’re solid outside, too, though. 

For Structure: Saucony Ride 18

I swear, wearing these is like getting strapped into your seat on a rollercoaster. When I first put these on, I thought to myself, ‘Is this how my feet are supposed to function?’ The answer is yes. I’m not to be trusted walking and running on my own, but with these on, my form and stride suddenly zip up like my lips when I hear some juicy secret from my friends. I will share the tea on these running shoes, though, and it’s that they’ll keep your stride locked into exactly where it should be. They’re also a fantastic pair of running shoes for those looking for quality arch support.

For Speed: New Balance Supercomp Elite V4

Ready to PR your next half marathon? In these, you will. I’ve worn the New Balance SC Elites for every single one of my big races this past year—including two marathons where I PR’d in both. As somebody who comes in around the 1:40 mark for 13.1 miles and around 3:30 for 26.2 miles, these carbon-plated shoes provide more structure and support than others, which are better for people faster than me. I recommend these New Balance shoes to my friends in a similar timeframe to me. They’re fast but sturdy enough to keep your paws in line and in check when you’re three hours deep into racing and feeling like crap. They’re my go-to for running a half marathon specifically because they have a great kick to them and the energy giveback is next-level. Can’t get better than these babies. And lucky for us all, New Balance just dropped a new colorway, so we can grab a few in different colors. What, you don’t do that?

For Tempo: Diadora Atomo Star

You know when you’re wrapping up dinner and you’re thinking about whether you should order the 18-layer chocolate cake? Inevitably, you treat yourself (at least, I hope you do). These shoes are like the 18-layer chocolate cake of running shoes. They’re upwards of $200, so when you buy them, it’s a treat yourself moment, but when you indulge, you’ll be rewarded with a sweet experience every time. They’ve got an impressive mix of cushion and kick. You can essentially create your own adventure in them. Want to go slow and recover while listening to a podcast about some wellness trend that’ll convince you to consume mud? (Please, don’t eat mud). They’ll give you that time and support. Want to push it and sprint to Lady Gaga’s new album? I speak from experience when I say they’ll allow and support those experiences, too. They’re quality, look cool, and you can pull up to a race feeling better than everyone else who is probably matching in the same pair of super shoes, because yours are made in Italy and theirs aren’t. 

For Support: Puma Deviate Nitro 3

Puma is the unsung hero of running shoes. The brand doesn’t get enough praise for what it’s doing in tech, and it makes me sad. So here I am, screaming to the stars about how much I love these cushioned running shoes built for the streets. In NYC, I put my joints through hell every day, forcing them to jolt and jiggle all up on these sidewalks and roads. Thankfully, these babies protect my knees and hips from giving up on me and finding a new body in which to reside. I don’t feel the ground much in these, and reach for them when I need extra support (mentally and physically). Anyone who spends the majority of their miles on cement should add these to the mix ASAP.

Final Thoughts: 

Running a half marathon is a huge accomplishment, and the shoes you choose to wear during this venture can make or break your experience. My best advice to anybody running the distance for the first time is to find a pair of running shoes that best fit your needs, then stick to them. Get at least a few long runs and shooter tempo stretches in wearing them before race day so that they’re nice and broken into, and then let it fly. 

Summer Cartwright is an RRCA-certified running coach who has run three marathons and too many half marathons to count. She’s way too invested in learning about—and testing—running shoes and will talk your ear off about things like stack height. Even if you don’t care!