Finding Your Perfect Stride: A Guide to Choosing the Right Running Shoes
Jan 07, 2026
Finding Your Perfect Stride: A Guide to Choosing the Right Running Shoes
New year, new goals! With many people getting back into running this season, the most common question we hear in our sports department is, "What shoes should I be wearing?"
To help you navigate this, we sat down with Stuart to discuss the best footwear options based on your running style, terrain, and goals.
The Beginner’s Essential
If you are new to running, your main priorities should be comfort and protection. Stuart recommends investing in a good all-round cushion trainer.
What to Look For: Choose a shoe that offers ample support to securely hold your foot in place.
The Goal: You want to minimise impact as much as possible while your body adapts to the movement.
Top Pick: The Brooks Ghost is an excellent choice.
It features a lightweight upper and substantial cushioning in the midsole, making it a reliable option for those just starting their journey.
Taking It Off-Road: The Trail Runner
As we enter the wetter months, road shoes often struggle to provide adequate support on slippery or uneven terrain. This is where trail shoes come into play.
Traction is Key: Trail shoes feature deeper lugs on the sole, providing better grip. This design helps ensure that you won’t slip and slide when traversing muddy areas.
Durability: It's important to choose a trail shoe with a tough upper that can withstand rugged environments.
Top Pick: The Hoka Mafate Speed 5 is an excellent choice.
It utilises a Vibram® Megagrip outsole with Traction Lug technology, offering maximum traction and durability.
Chasing a PB: The Performance Racer
For experienced runners preparing for the marathon season, which typically begins around Easter, it's time to consider high-performance trainers.
The Tech: These shoes are designed for speed, featuring lightweight cushioning and highly responsive materials.
Top Pick: The Saucony Endorphin Pro is an excellent choice, now equipped with a carbon plate.
This design makes the shoe incredibly responsive, ideal for anyone aiming to achieve a personal best on race day.
The Most Important Step: Gait Analysis
Regardless of which shoe you select, it’s crucial to understand your gait, the manner in which your foot strikes the ground.
People have different landing patterns: some have a neutral gait, some over-pronate (where the foot rolls inward), and a few supinate (where the foot rolls outward).
By getting a gait analysis in-store, you can ensure that you are paired with a pair of shoes that will effectively support your specific movement.
Ready to start? Come visit Stuart and the team in the sports department to find your perfect fit. Let’s get running!
