Running Bear’s Favourite Neutral Running Shoes
Below are our top 5 picks for best running shoes in 2021. If you have any questions about these running shoes and if they would be the right fit for you please schedule a virtual gait analysis or visit our shop in Alderley Edge!
New Balance 1080v11
The Facts:
MIDSOLE DROP 8mm
WEIGHT 263g/230g
TECHNOLOGY FreshFoam Midsole, Ortholite Sock Liner, UltraHeel Design
PRICE £135
Why Do We Love it?
The 1080v11 has become a favourite of the Bears in the den. The more cushioned sibling of the New Balance 880, we love the responsive cushioning of the Fresh Foam. The sock-like tab provides comfort and support with the stretchy upper allowing for a seamless and comfortable fit. Personally, I love the support underneath my arch, making it the perfect partner for me on my long training runs.
Brooks Ghost 13
The Facts
MIDSOLE DROP 12mm
WEIGHT 286.3g/249.5g
TECHNOLOGY Segmented Crash Pad, DNA LOFT
PRICE £120
Why Do We Love it?
This is an absolute workhorse of a shoe. Time and time again customers come back for this shoe and it has become a global favourite with neutral runners. It is often described as having a slipper-like feel due to the plush cushioning. It comes in a range of different widths too, making it easy to get hold of the perfect fit. Pretty much everyone in the Den who has a neutral gait has this shoe (among our many others – we’re all trainer addicts!). It’s a great one if you’re suffering from problems such as Plantar Fasciitis too, due to its higher heel drop and top tier cushioning relieving pressure off your heel.
Hoka Clifton 8
The Facts
MIDSOLE DROP 5mm
WEIGHT 250g/215g
TECHNOLOGY EVA Foam, Early Stage Meta-Rocker
PRICE £125
Why Do We Love it?
We’ve only had Hoka in Running Bear since December 2020, but boy has the Clifton’s flown off our shelves. The 8th Generation of this shoe, this new release just gets better, as Hoka say “We kept what you love and updated what you didn’t”. It has that wonderful secure feel in the shoe that Hoka are so good at, and if you love being propelled on your runs the MetaRocker keeps you flying along. With high abrasion rubber, its got the durability for those long miles with their new lightest foam to date making it the perfect training partner.
We love this shoe so much we made a first impressions video on YouTube check it out here!
Nike Pegasus 38
The Facts
MIDSOLE DROP 10mm
WEIGHT 275g/235g
TECHNOLOGY Nike React Foam, Zoom Air Unit
PRICE £110
Why Do We Love it?
The Nike Pegasus is perhaps one of the most famous running shoes in the world. Being an iconic sporting brand, this is perhaps the most popular Nike running shoe. Again, a workhorse, this one is popular amongst marathoners and half-marathoners but still has that speedy lightweight feel of a racing shoe. In this model, Nike has slightly widened the toe box and improved the fit around the tongue and heel for an even comfier ride.
Asics Gel Nimbus Lite 2
The Facts
MIDSOLE DROP Men 10mm/Women 13mm
WEIGHT 258g/221g
TECHNOLOGY FLYTEFOAM® midsole, I.G.S® (Impact Guidance System)
PRICE £135
Why Do We Love it?
Always huge fans and long time stockists of the Asics Gel Nimbus, when Asics announced the Asics Gel Nimbus Lite the Bears couldn’t wait to get their paws on it. Now on the second iteration, this shoe just keeps getting better. Not only is it a sustainable shoe, with 80% of the upper being made of recycled materials, it still maintains that responsive yet outstandingly cushioned ride that Running Bear Ambassador Carol Bird loves so much, thanks to the gender-specific FlyteFoam Midsole. It’s the perfect training partner if you’re preparing to put those long miles in for Autumn Races.