When it comes to running shoes, sure, the stability, the cushioning, the weight—those details are important. But what matters most is how a shoe makes you feel. A great pair of shoes should make you want to jump out of bed in the morning, eager for early morning miles regardless of the weather. They should contribute to that invincible sensation that washes over you when everything clicks midrun. They should feel like such a natural extension of your body, you forget you’re even wearing them. Those are the feelings that keep you coming back for more.
So we went straight to the source for our winter shoe guide: our wear-testers, who put in around 100 miles over a month in these shoes, and are sharing their experiences so you get a first-person perspective on the ride—without ever having to leave your couch. Find their feedback and some other need-to-know details on these 7 new shoes below.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18: Editor’s Choice
“This is one of those shoes that feels good going on and continues to feel just as good when you’re running in it. It did a good job of supporting my foot without me feeling like I had a brick on. The fit and comfort was the best I have felt in a long time—and I have about 15 shoes in my normal rotation.” —Steve Kreft, 67, East Lansing
The Adrenaline GTS has been a go-to shoe for nearly 20 years, and it just keeps getting better. Why? In a word, fit. Like Steve says, it feels great going on and it feels great when you run. For this edition, Brooks removed the overlays from the forefoot and put stretchier material on the arch, but kept the softness and, more important, the stability that Adrenaline wearers expect—and love.
Price: $120
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Nike Air Zoom Span 2: Best Buy
“Soft but firm enough for speed, reliably stable, and a breathable upper that fits like a glove (well, sock), the Zoom Span 2 is my go-to for both distance and recovery.” —Derek Call, 31, RW’s man behind the camera
For years, the Zoom Span was an entry-level running shoe, and made a name for itself as a high school workhorse, offering reliable cushioning with a touch of stability at a good value. After years out of production, after a five year hiatus the Span has returned to Nike’s line with the same airbag in the forefoot for a snappy feel at toe-off. There is a two-layer mesh in the forefoot with bands that run from the laces over the arch to lock the foot to the midsole—a standard construction that’s not fancy, but it works, and that’s what’s important.
Price: $100
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361 Degrees Spinject
“I really liked the fit and feel of this shoe. I normally have issues with blisters on my forefoot on long runs, but with this shoe I didn't experience any blistering. I also don't like a shoe that feels super soft. This felt firm enough to offer enough support for my longer run, without being heavy.” —Jenna Drauer, 40, East Lansing, Michigan
If you’re a hard heel striker, the Spinject is your long-run shoe, with a comfortable seamless upper and lots of support. Although it has the firmest heel cushioning in this guide, its forefoot is soft, and that transition, from firm heel to soft forefoot, can make for an uneven ride. You might not like that—or you might love it!
Price: $110
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361 Degrees Meraki
“We’re lucky enough to try tons of shoes at Runner’s World, so it takes something special to really stand out. The Meraki hits that just right feeling for me—comfy, but not too plush with a secure fit on my narrow feet. They’re great for any type of run, whether we’re running around town at lunch or I’m meeting a buddy on the track in the morning. I just throw them on and know they’re ready to do the job.” —Brian Dalek, 31, senior digital editor
The Meraki is a good long-run shoe for faster runners or a tempo shoe for bigger runners who want to add a bit of pep to their step. A softer-than-average forefoot masks the shoe’s overall stiffness. While the shoe does a great job locking down the heel, the Meraki doesn’t have any extra stability features, so if you want added support, you should look elsewhere.
Price: $130
Brooks Levitate
“This is one of the best lightweight yet durable trainers that I've tried in nearly five years. The ride was extremely smooth and the cushioning was incredible. It was a pleasant surprise to have a lightweight trainer where I didn't feel like my forefoot was coming through the bottom of the shoe. Moreover, the durability has surpassed every shoe I currently own. Even with running on rugged trails, the shoe remains very durable and almost looks new after running in it for several weeks!” —Rachel Dickman, 29, East Lansing
The new Levitate is all about the bounce. Its sole is a high-tech mix of old-school foam and new-school rubber, ranking it among the 20 bounciest shoes of the thousands tested over the years at our lab. One slight drawback? The weight. At 11.4 oz for a men’s size 9, and 9.2 oz for a women’s size 7, the Levitate is more than an ounce heavier than most running shoes. Even so, the fit and feel seem to “outweigh” all else—our wear-testers weren’t too concerned with the extra heft.
Price: $150
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Nike Air Zoom Structure 21
“The Structure was true to its name, giving me plenty of stability on my long runs. I liked the way the upper hugged my heel; however, the forefoot felt a bit baggy—the extra material puckered slightly.”—Cindy Eiseler, 60, East Lansing
The new Structure is nearly an ounce lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a new knitting technique, with the same magical balance of stability and cushioning—not too stiff but with the added support overpronators need. If you’re looking for a stable, relatively lightweight shoe that can handle a ton of miles, well, you don’t have to look any further.
Price: $120
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
Skechers Go Run 5 Go Therm 360
“An excellent shoe—true to size, with a glove-like fit that is super comfortable. I was surprised that it was actually pretty stable. For a road shoe, I felt okay to take off in the woods on the trails!” —Barb Beatty, 65
Think of the Go Run 5 Go Therm as a Snuggy for your foot. Essentially, it’s the same midsole from the current Go Run 5, but with a new, warmer upper for serious cold-weather runs. The shoe feels quite soft underfoot, although our lab tests showed the forefoot is quite firm. This is because the shoe is built close to the ground, which also helped Skechers shave off some weight—at 7.3 ounces for a men’s size 9, it’s pretty light. Be aware that though Go Run 5 may feel like it has plenty of cushioning, it may not be enough for long runs where you need added protection.
Price: $105
Men’s Review · Women’s Review · Buy Men’s · Buy Women’s
