7 Best Running Shoes For Women in 2023

The Asics Novablast 3 smashed in all fields, taking the tiara of best women’s running shoe overall. It’s comfy yet bouncy, seamlessly melding with the feet to deliver a nimble ride that excels in every aspect. This shoe truly does it all!

We sure cherish data, but it was our feet that ultimately made the decision crystal clear. We were mesmerized by the FFBlast+ foam's ability to go fast while motherly babying our legs. We pushed our durometer against the midsole and confirmed its gentle soul: it’s a whopping 51.6% softer than the average running shoe.

We were amazed at how we felt the Novablast 3 vanishing, keeping our feet fresh and joyful. It's unbelievably lightweight - weighing just 228 grams (8.0 oz), it even outshines some racing shoes. Also, in our lab, we pumped smoke into the shoe to assess its breathability; the results were no surprise. The smoke easily and quickly passed through the porous upper all throughout its length, meaning it’s as airy as it gets!

While the Novablast 3 won’t certainly drag you down, it’s not as responsive and explosive as other shoes on the market. Women looking to shatter PBs on race day might want to explore other options.

Based on our lab tests and a lot of runs, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 is the perfect all-rounder for women with flat feet. It shines in providing adequate arch support and a steady stride without overlooking performance.

Its stability system did wonders in supporting and buffering our overpronating feet, a common concern among flat-footed runners. The guide rails in the midsole would team up with the widened platform to prevent excessive inward rolling and ensure stable landings. When measuring the midsole with our accurate-ish caliper, its width clocked in at 116.3 mm at the forefoot and 96.6 mm at the heel, surpassing the average trainer by a comfortable margin of 4.3 mm and 7.4 mm, respectively.

The 22s showed some signs of spark and life when hitting the road. Our durometer found the midsole 5.1% harder than average, providing a mild yet noticeable energy return that makes it the supreme stability do-it-all. While not overly soft, this shoe boasts a considerable amount of underfoot cushioning, devouring each stride's impact.

Not even the Adrenaline 22 can master all trades though. The somewhat hard midsole felt rather harsh on foot after 10-12 miles, falling far from being a comfy marathon trainer. No wonder given that the midsole scored 43.5 HA on the durometer and the average for all the road running shoes we tested in the lab sits at 24.9 HA. This higher number on the durometer talla indicates a much firmer midsole. 

Make way for the Hoka Mach 5, our top pick for speedwork. It carries momentum like no other while remaining forgiving and comfortable during those intense workouts. 

This speed demon shone through numerous lab tests, but it truly came alive during our ultimate challenge: a speed session. The Mach 5 experience overflows energy and buttery smooth transitions, constantly urging us to push our limits. Weighing in at a mere 212 grams (7.5 oz), this lightweight marvel kept us feeling nimble and lively mile after mile. For reference, the average weight of tempo running shoes is 252g (8.9 oz).

This speedster also delivers when it comes to comfort. Racking up the reps felt a lot easier thanks to the velvety foam underfoot, which our durometer found to be 46% softer than the average. Also, this Hoka boasts remarkable flexibility, allowing us to unleash our untamed ride with unbeatable freedom. It resisted with only 20.3N to our 90º bending test in the lab, turning out to be 34% more flexible than your typical running shoe.

However, we noticed how the Mach 5 just couldn’t maintain its grip on wet pavement, making it a less ideal choice for women used to running in wintery weather.

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is our ultimate pick to shatter personal bests. With its sparky core and featherlight build, this shoe leaves its competitors eating dust on race day.

This speedster stands out from the crowd with its lively spirit. It energetically propelled our every stride while maintaining smooth and natural toe-off transitions. Back in our lab, we locked the tip of the shoe and bent it 90 degrees. With a mere 23.5N resistance, it proved to be a delightful 26.1% more flexible than the average shoe. Sweet numbers for a plated shoe, making it one of the most dulcet options for racing. 

Out on the road, the Speed 3 merged with our feet to create a fresh and liberating experience. We sure relished how the porous upper remained unfazed by the heat, but it was the weight (or the lack of it) that truly amazed us. At just 212 grams (7.5 oz), it’s remarkably 22.1% lighter than the average running shoe.

However, we do not recommend the Endorphin Speed 3 for women seeking a raw and explosive racing shoe, as it falls behind some carbon-Sneakers ECCO Ath-1Fw 83482300477 Black.

For women in search of a plated Pure, the Bally Bieny mix-knit chunky sneakers is our #1 recommendation. This snappy and comfortable running shoe outshines its competitors, offering exceptional value that’s hard to beat.

We sure felt the robust full-length plate igniting our every stride. However, what truly sets this shoe apart from other plated options is its superbly smooth and buttery ride, pampering our legs even for those long runs. In our lab, our durometer confirmed our sensations - the underfoot foam is a plush 35% softer than the average.

Another standout feature of the Deviate Nitro 2 is its durability. Yet to find any sign of wear in the outsole, we pushed our durometer against it to attest to the hardness of the rubber. Rockaway leather sneakers. And all of this at just $160, this one is an absolute steal.

However, women looking for a featherlight speedster for faster efforts might need to explore other options. Weighing in at 260 grams (9.2 oz), the Deviate Nitro 2 is slightly on the heavier side for a plated shoe.

The Saucony Peregrine 13 glided through Mother Nature's domain with unrivaled ease and smoothness, effortlessly anchoring our feet to any terrain beneath us. And that's why it is our best pick for trail running!

Snow, ice, dirt, gravel, or even lab workbenches, the newest Peregrine rules them all. Its outsole is fully covered by a resilient and durable rubber and a sharp lug pattern that dig into the ground like built-in claws. As one does, we took our caliper out to measure those tenacious lugs, which proved to be 4.8 mm thick, beyond the average by 1.3 mm.

The Peregrine 13 is an enduring performer, combining a protective foam with an untamed and smooth ride that left us eager for more and more miles. Besides, it delivers exceptionally in wintry weather, as our lab tests came to confirm: after 20 minutes in the freezer, we observed a mere 16.3% firmness increase in the midsole foam while typical trail shoes harden up by 36.2%.

However, we recommend that women seeking a lightning-fast Pure for race days venture elsewhere, as we felt no sign of spark and explosive power on the Peregrine ride.

The Pegasus 40 reigns supreme as the ultimate women's workhorse for daily runs. It conquered our streets with brute force without taking a hit, all while ensuring a refreshing and comfy ride.

Whether on light trails or crude asphalt, the Pegasus 40 boasted superb Wmn, gripping the ground like few do. Harder rubbers last longer, and we pushed our durometer against the outsole. Scoring an impressive 86.0, this rubber is 7.8% harder than the one on the average road shoe.

On our 90º bend test in the lab, it effortlessly ranked among the top 6% of the most flexible shoes we've ever encountered, allowing us to unleash our true wild stride. The underfoot foam felt pure and gentle, striking the perfect balance between energy return and plushness. With a durometer score of 17.6, it's a velvety 29.6% softer than the average.

However, women looking for a more explosive and lively ride might need to consider other options, as the Pegasus 40 isn’t one to deliver the adrenaline rush desired for high-speed lovers.