It’s also adjustable around the calf – the design is wide and cinches down to suit everyone but those with the narrowest of calves. Much like the brand’s walking insoles, these are worn and promoted by the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt – but you don’t have to break Olympic records to feel the benefits. Austin recommends that you place one hand on the heel of the shoe and the other hand at the opposite end, then try to fold the shoe in half at the arch. If you crave that running-on-air feeling and love the maximalist feel of cushioned running shoes, these kicks are the best of the best. Whether you’re a runner or a walker, or just someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, there are plenty of options for a variety of functions – from ready-to-wear designs, to smart insoles that can track your pronation.

Available in five sizes, the insoles fitted perfectly into our trainers, with their shape helping to keep our foot in place to prevent blisters. The Sonic Pro 2 is one of the company’s latest models that’s made to be one of the softest, most cushioning shoes by the brand, and it features a breathable engineered mesh upper with synthetic overlays, a padded heel locking system that prevents any type of movement within the shoe, as well as a high level of support for those runners who tend to moderately or severely overpronate. Saucony Triumph 21 is a soft and comfortable running shoe with a flexible and foot-shaped sole that ensures a fantastic fit. Repeated exposure to such force will eventually lead to fatigue, pain, and injury, and may bring with it more serious problems that could have been solved by simply wearing the right pair of shoes. Perfect for users who need a neutral shoe, or who have a slight tendency towards overpronation, this is a great everyday shoe for road conditions.

The force a runner generates while landing on their heel can be as high as three times their weight, which is a huge amount of power going from the heel, through the ankle, and up the legs.

The 21st edition features full PWRRUN+ foam throughout the midsole, providing plenty of cushioning, comfort, responsiveness, and flexibility. Using their guidance, we narrowed down our choices to these 10 picks, judging each pair of shoes on their features, comfort, durability, value, and size availability. A newer version, BioMoGo DNA was the update that started using materials that degrade 50 times faster than the midsole materials used in conventional running footwear.Most trail running models will have a protective toe bumper, and may even include other features such as water or abrasion-resistant uppers for further protection. It still features Hoka's typical CMEVA foam, but it has been made lighter and softer, just as the geometry of the shoe has also been adjusted to optimise your running experience.

The upper is engineered in a knit fabric which feels like a sock and is breathable and provides plenty of ventilation and support and wraps itself smoothly around your foot. These insoles are more rigid than the ones above, and have a large foam heel pad, instead of a smaller gel one, to help absorb shock. Supportive trainers are more important than any other element of your kit for both performance and injury prevention, whether you’re a regular racer or a first-time jogger (even more crucial than finding a decent sports bra and gym leggings that won’t fall down. Before making a purchase, you need to be aware of the fact that your running footwear should never require any breaking in!

Kristen recently led the Shape Best in Fitness Awards and the Sneaker Awards, both of which involved lengthy testing and nomination processes to drill down into the features and differences of cushioned running shoes.