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The Ghost 16 is all about comfort and cushioning to protect the body against the impact of running. It features a nitrogen-infused foam midsole, along with padding around the collar and tongue for ultimate comfort, plus a heel counter at the back to help with stability. There’s sufficient wiggle room in the toe box, they don’t need lots of breaking in, and won’t feel heavy or clunky as you go. The Ghost isn’t one for speed work, but it’s ideal for clocking up your weekly miles.
The latest iteration of the popular New Balance 1080 shoes makes a sweet starter pair. Soft, stable and lightweight with just the right level of bounce, they’re a safe bet for anyone at the beginning of their journey. They’re extremely versatile, too – you can slip them on for any type of session, from walking and jogging to hill sprints and even marathon training. The lightweight padding around the tongue and collar feels extremely plush to run in, there’s an engineered mesh upper for good support, plus the shoe feels nice and breathable during more intense sessions.
Prepping for a half or full marathon? Meet your new training partner. The SC v3 boasts a light, stable design, offering a great balance of cushioning and responsiveness – comfy enough for Sunday long runs yet not too plush for speed sessions. The FuelCell midsole is designed to propel you forward with every step and weighing in at just under 210g, it certainly won’t hold you back. The shoe also has a wide base and feels nice and stable when you do want to pick up the pace, and the soft, breathable mesh upper to prevent sweaty feet. Just note, it does feel stiff to begin with.
There’s plenty to shout about with these female-specific running shoes from Lululemon. The brand’s design team analysed over a million foot scans to engineer a shoe that’s specifically designed for a woman’s foot shape and gait cycle. Though not the bounciest of trainers out there, they’re plush enough to absorb impact and they don’t feel too heavy or bulky. The lack of bounce and energy return means they’re best for running shorter distances and easy, recovery miles. They won’t look out of place in the gym or at brunch, either. Go half a size up for a comfortable fit.