The 10 Best Running Shoes For Women Of 2023 And How To Find Your Fit, Per Podiatrists

Multiple experts, including holistic podiatrist Robert Kornfeld, DPM, have sung this shoe’s praises. “It’s a perfect shoe for runners with high arches, with its cushioned forefoot and predictable fit,” Kornfeld told mindbodygreen.

What’s more, these shoes recently won over our commerce editor, Carleigh Ferrante, after nearly a decade of running in another shoe brand. 

Ferrante has been marathon training in these for the past four months and loves how they support her feet during road running, treadmill sprints, and long runs. The best part? She runs significantly faster in these than the shoes she used to wear.

Altra is one of Sharkey’s most recommended running shoe brands, and the Paradigm 7 offers the supportive heel counter that she looks for. It’s breathable, responsive, and designed for road running, making it one of Altra’s most popular models.

We even highlighted this shoe in our best zero drop running shoes round up, where it was the top choice of podiatrists. We specifically love its 30mm stack of lightweight midsole foam, which is more cushioned than most other zero drop shoe options without compromising a true zero-drop, barefoot feel.

Plus, The Paradigms offer Altra’s gentle GuideRail technology to encourage a neutral foot placement with each step

If you like to take your runs to the road, the Nike React Infinity Run 4 has a lot going for it. It’s even a personal favorite of fitness trainer Julie Stern, Founder of Show Up. “The distribution of the cushion helps prevent heel striking," she says.

Crafted with the innovative Nike ReactX foam, this shoe promises an impressive 13% surge in energy return compared to its predecessor, the Nike React foam, ensuring a revitalizing and energetic experience.

What's even more noteworthy is that Nike ReactX not only elevates your performance but also contributes to environmental sustainability, reducing the midsole's carbon footprint by a remarkable 43% compared to Nike React foam, aligning with your commitment to supporting the planet.

We called this luxuriously cushioned running shoe out in our 10 best shoes for arch support article, and think it makes the perfect pair for long runs, too. Gohil of DG Podiatrist also touts her love for the brand ASICS and highly recommends them for their “structure, material, and design to help benefit runners.”

Our marathon-running commerce editor loves the Asics Gel Nimbus 24 so much, she wrote a whole article on them. She says, “Like most sneaker brands, ASICS upgrades and evolves its designs over the years. Despite every modification and change, the Gel Nimbus continues to hold up—and I'm constantly impressed. They're designed for long or short runs (or even walking), so they can be worn for sprints, distance runs, and everything in between.”

Plus, we love that at least 30% of the upper is made from recycled materials.

Another Altra shoe on our list? You read that right. Altra is a top running shoe brand recommended by DG Podiatrist and Anne Sharkey, plus the Torin 7 even earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

This shoe boasts an additional two millimeters of premium, lightweight foam, enhancing the midsole's rebound effect. The tongue has been reimagined to provide a more opulent sensation, while a contoured heel collar guarantees a secure and cozy fit.

This running shoe is loved for its innovation and Footshape™, which carefully considers the unique anatomical variations in individuals' feet. Next, the two extra millimeters of light and luxurious Altra EGO™ MAX foam to the midsole add a little extra bounce and cushion.

Podiatrists agree that you should always pick an exercise shoe based specifically on the exercise you’re doing, however the Peluva Strand might be a rare acception.

Why, you ask? Because they mimic wearing no shoes at all, which can be beneficial for walking, hiking, running, or hitting the gym if you’re following the barefoot movement. In fact, research shows it can improve foot strength by 57%!

Plus, its durable EVA midsole at a 9mm stack height give it just enough cushion for comfort on hard surfaces while its rubber treads at specific anatomical points to maintain traction on any surface.

If you have high arches, don’t sleep on the Brooks Ghost 15. This waterproof, carbon neutral shoe isn’t just the personal favorite running shoe of chiropractor and fitness trainer Sarah Sponaugle. It’s the winner of Runner's World 2023 Shoe Awards for “best trainer”.

The cherry on top? It earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance for its improved cushioning, smooth transitions, and enhanced upper which promotes foot health. It’s available in medium (1B), wide (2E), extra wide (4E), and narrow (2A) sizes, so everyone can find the right fit.

Sponaugle gave a big thumbs up for recommending her go-to running shoe for women with high arches. “One of the best running shoes for women for an easy, long distance run is the Brooks Ghost.”

Its segmented crash pads deliver support in all the right places and cushioning all around the foot. Then, its 3D Fit Print upper and DNA BioMoGo actually conform to your foot for a Cinderella-fit and superb stability.

Whether you’re running marathons, on the tread, or around your neighborhood, Saucony’s sustainable and well-cushioned sneaker delivers on great stability—an important factor when running shoe shopping. After determining this sneaker to being beneficial to foot health, The American Podiatric Medical Association gave their stamp of approval.

This shoe ticks a lot of niche boxes, like being vegan, semi-recycled, wide sizes available, and over 10 colorways to choose from. Lightweight yet supportive, reviews mention that these shoes are helpful for reducing shin splints, too, since it’s made with extra cushioning for softer landings.

Every podiatrist we’ve consulted has great things to say about Hoka (all their shoes are APMA certified after all), but Dina Gohil, Founder and CEO of DG Podiatrist (luxury podiatry as seen on Vogue and Cosmopolitan), says these Hoka shoes are specifically great for running on trails. “I've always said it’s not a brand but the shoes within a brand that can be the winning combination for people. Hokas are fantastic.”

Sharkey explains, “Because it’s a maximalist shoe, meaning it has a high heal stack, and has foam made of EVA, it helps with shock absorption”, which is perfect for long distance running on trails. These shoes have more room in the toe box for even more comfort, which is why we selected them for the best running sneakers for wide feet and best trail running shoes, too.

The difference between the Speed Goat 4 and 5? Less weight and more traction. (A half ounce lighter, to be exact.)

Brooks is another fan favorites of our podiatrists, though only certain models from Brooks meet APMA standards. The Trace 2 might not be on that list, but it was given the thumbs up in our podiatrist-approved article on best cushioned running shoes.

When you’re just starting out running, a highly comfortable shoe will ensure a more pleasant experience than not. The Trace 2’s breathable materials provide a snug fit without sacrificing airflow, which means more comfortable feet. Then, Brooks’ premium cushioning technology in the shoe adapts to your individual running speed and stride which aims to increase your performance.

If you prioritize a sustainable shoe, you’ll love that this one is made from 45.3 % recycled materials in the upper and 6.54 % made from plastic bottles diverted from landfills.