The needs of the road runner are vastly different than those of the track running athlete. Since street pavement and sidewalk concrete do not have the shock-absorbing cushioning a running track offers, street running shoes require more padding and stability in order to provide adequate protection for the runner's ankles, knees and hips. Several manufacturer's produce shoes that fit the needs of the road runner, but a couple of running shoe makers produce the best.
Long-Distance Road Running
Whether you are a competitive racer or simply looking for a pair of shoes that provides the cushioning resilience you need to make long training run, the Pearl Izumi SyncroFloat2 leads the way. Accorded the title "The Endurance Freak" for "best cushioning," in a recent National Geographic Adventure Online article on "Road Running Shoes: Choosing the Right Pair," the SyncroFloat2 offers the best padding for support of the foot and ankle of any shoe in its class.
Started as a bicycle apparel company in Tokyo in the 1960s, Pearl Izumi has been in the U.S. since 1981,and was a sponsor for the U.S. National Time. Over the years of their association with the USNT, Pearl Izumi has develop a solid research and development program leading to the introduction of the SyncroFloat2 as a leader among long-distance road running shoes.
Ladies Trainer
The National Geographic Adventure article promoted the New Balance 902 as the best women's general purpose training shoe for road training. The shoe is built on a last developed specifically for a woman's foot, and provides ample padding and protection for daily runs and training, while still being lightweight enough for running a competitive race. The 902 features many of the traits that have made New Balance a leader among running shoes. With stability-enhancing mesh uppers featuring reinforced sides, and a low, foot-hugging profile, along with ample mid-sole padding, the New Balance 902 fulfills the ideal of a street running shoe, whatever your running style.
The Veteran Runner
As a runner develops more experience, almost invariably, injuries accrue as part of the learning and training process. According to an Outside Magazine Buyer's Guide article the Saucony 3d Grid Hurricane is your best friend if you've suffered the traditional runner's injuries. "If you've had multiple ACL repairs or are minus some meniscus, you could be a candidate for the ultrasupportive 3D Grid Hurricanes." The shoe offers ideal levels of support and structural stability, both of which are critical to injury-free road running.
The only negative the reviewer discovered was the propensity for Saucony to "tart up its shoes with swoops and whooshes." Like many runners, the Outside reviewer doesn't feel a need to look like he's moving when he's not. Nevertheless, that's a pretty minor drawback in an otherwise excellent pair of shoes for the veteran runner with injuries.
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