Best Women's Running Shoes of 2022

A soft yet light daily trainer, the HOKA Clifton 8 is a highly cushioned, neutral running shoe that performs at any distance. With a comfortable upper and a well-cushioned midsole, the Clifton is a perfect everyday option for runners of all levels. From novices to elite athletes, it's no wonder this classic has a reputation for reliability and remains a favorite for its ultra-smooth ride. For pillowy soft cushioning that is inviting on every run, the HOKA Clifton 8 continues to deliver on both performance and ultimate comfort, which is why it gets our vote as the best cushioned running shoe of the year.

The Gel Kayano 29 is an ASICS legend that is a great stability shoe for any runner. With a few upgrades in the latest iteration, the Kayano 29 is more comfortable, slimmer, and ready to help overpronators on their daily runs. The Kayano 29's gender-specific Trusstic technology (which prevents excessive shoe twisting) tunes into a woman's biomechanical needs, offering better protection and a smoother ride. There is also an additional 3-mm offset in the women's version, making it easier on a woman's Achilles by providing more cushioning in the heel, along with softer midsole foam to accommodate a woman's lower weight relative to a man's. Lastly, with the addition of the FlyteFoam Blast, the Kayano is a more fun, soft, and bouncy stability option.

Building upon the learnings of the previous models, the Endorphin Speed 3 has been refined to offer more support and increased versatility. The shape of the nylon plate in the Speed 3 has been updated to center your foot on landings and increase the energy return during the gait cycle. The same bouncy PWRRUN PB midsole foam is re-shaped to smooth out transitions and improve the spring felt underfoot. The upper of the Speed 3 has undergone changes, with a comfortable fit ready to tackle daily runs to races and everything in-between. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 is a fast and versatile running shoe packed with everything you need to pick up the pace in comfort.

For comfortable cushioning on long trail runs, the HOKA Speedgoat 5 is our top trail running shoe that can really do it all. The Speedgoat features aggressive lugs to provide amazing traction on all types of terrain, along with a new upper for an improved fit that you can enjoy for mile after mile. The latest model offers added breathability and a springier ride for tackling any distance or condition on the trails. Whether you want a reliable daily trail shoe or a highly cushioned workhorse for your next race, the HOKA Speedgoat 5 has got you covered in style.

The Altra Vanish Carbon gives runners a propulsive and well-cushioned road racing option that offers modern performance while staying true to the brand's natural-feeling fit and zero-drop design. This unique racing shoe features Altra’s lightest and most energy-efficient foam available, and embedded in the comfortable foam is a segmented carbon fiber plate with a fork-like design. It gives runners a more natural ride that works with the foot while also providing an efficient and snappy toe-off. The overall geometry of the Vanish Carbon is highly efficient through the use of the Active Stance Rocker, and is built to create an ultra smooth ride at a variety of paces. The toe-box shape is designed to be slightly wider than traditional shoes and falls into Altra’s thinnest, but still naturally roomy, SLIM category. This shoe is perfect for the women's fit.