Walk into any running store and the wall of foam can feel overwhelming. Strip away the jargon and the choice comes down to three questions: how your foot lands, where you run, and how much cushioning you like.
Start with your gait
Check the wear on your current shoes. Even wear across the forefoot suggests a neutral gait — most cushioned daily trainers will suit you. Heavy wear along the inner edge points to overpronation, where a stability shoe with guided support keeps your stride aligned. Wear on the outer edge is less common and usually pairs well with flexible neutral shoes.
Match the shoe to the surface
- Road: smooth, cushioned midsoles with grippy rubber — our knit racers live here.
- Trail: lugged outsoles, rockered geometry and protective uppers.
- Mixed: a door-to-trail hybrid with moderate lugs.
Cushioning is personal
Maximal stacks feel plush and protective on long easy days; lower, firmer shoes feel faster and more connected. There is no universally right answer — comfort on your typical run is the best predictor of a shoe you will actually reach for.
Replace before they break you
Foam compacts long before uppers look tired. If new aches appear around familiar mileage, or the tread is smooth under the forefoot, it is time. Most runners get 500–800 km from a pair.