September is a month of new beginnings. After the summer, many runners set goals for the second half of the season, and others decide to take their first steps in running. Whatever your case, this is the perfect time to look for the right equipment, and choosing the right shoe will be key to enjoying the process and avoiding injuries.
To find the right shoe, the ideal thing to do is go to a specialty store. There, the staff will ask you about your level, usage, and gait type (and if you're unfamiliar with it, they'll help you identify it), and from a wide catalog, they'll guide you toward the options that best suit you. Because yes, taste and the feeling you get when you wear them also count... as long as they're among the right options.
At 365Rider, we have trained staff, not just riders, but also constantly updated through training with brands, so we can recommend the best to you.
If you purchase through our website, don't worry, because we'll explain step by step what to look for.
The first thing is to find a base shoe, that is, a training model, which you will find on our website in the section Cushioning.
The sections Mixed and Light o Competition They will rather be complements for a wider rotation, while the category Supertrainers It can be another good option as a base thanks to its versatility of use.
So, let's explain all this to you step by step.
If you buy online: where to start
In our top menu you will find the category Running → Cushioning Shoes. There is the starting point: models of training, and, designed for daily use, with cushioning, stability and durability to accumulate kilometers without risk of injury.
Within “Cushioning” you will see two subcategories:
- Neutral
- Support and stability
Neutral
If you don't notice your foot rotating or sinking inward significantly when you run, you're a neutral runner. However, pay attention to more than just the first few meters: with fatigue, your stride can change and you may begin to pronate more. If your stride remains stable, you can fine-tune it further and enter the subcategory. Cushioning – Neutral.
Neutral shoes already offer a good foundation of stability, but they will be less structured than support shoes, as they don't need that extra reinforcement.
Examples: SAucony Triumph, ASICS GlideRide Max, ASICS Novablast, Puma Magmax Nitro, Puma Velocity Nitro, NB Fresh Foam X 1080, Brooks Ghost o Hoka Clifton
Support and stability
If you notice that your foot rolls inward (pronation) from the start or with fatigue, this is the category for you. This is the category misnamed "for pronators," as current stability controls are less invasive and adapt to all foot types. So, whether you're a pronator or a neutral foot looking for extra stability, this is the category for you.
And what about supinators? The low percentage of runners (5-10%) means brands don't develop specific models for them. In this case, you can opt for a model stable within the neutral category.
Increasingly, stability models are no longer exclusive to pronators. Previously, it was common to find internal reinforcements, dual densities in the medial area, or higher arches designed to "push" the stride outward, something that would not help a supinator.
Now, brands are betting on more versatile structures:
- Wide lasts which offer a larger support surface.
- Higher side walls that encase the foot and guide it forward, preventing lateral deviations both inwards and outwards.
If you have doubts or are not sure about your type of footprint, the most advisable thing is opt for a neutral model with a wide base, which offers stability without forcing the natural movement of the foot.
Examples: Saucony Guide, ASICS Gel-Kayano, Hoka Arahi, Brooks Adrenaline GTS o Altra Experience Form
According to your weight and needs
Runners over 80-85 kg
Search for models of maximum cushioning to minimize impact. They typically belong to the high-end ranges of the training category. The fact that they're among the highest-priced doesn't mean they're for higher levels or "elite runners." Here, they're classified by comfort, with the higher ranges being the most cushioned and comfortable.
Advantages: less impact on joints, firmer and denser foam (without losing cushioning) to withstand the greater stress exerted by a heavy runner, preventing it from sinking or deforming prematurely and extending its useful life.
Cons: somewhat more structured and less agile, although increasingly lighter and more dynamic.
Saucony Triumph, ASICS Gel-Nimbus, Puma Magnify, Hoka Bondi, Brooks Glycerin o Glycerin Max, Adidas ultra boost o Mizuno Wave Sky
Light or medium runners (up to 80 kg)
You can opt for models of slightly lower range within the training catalog. You lose a bit of cushioning, but you gain in lightness, versatility, and dynamism. The softer, more elastic foams allow you to take advantage of their responsiveness without compromising durability.
In the product sheets you will see data such as weight, drop and technologies, and in some cases integrated boards (carbon, nylon, or plastic) are less rigid than those used in competition. Their purpose is to improve efficiency and reduce fatigue, not to push explosively, so they can be used daily even if you're just starting out.
Examples: ASICS Novablast, Saucony Ride, Puma Velocity Nitro o Deviate Nitro, Hoka Clifton, Brooks Ghost, Mizuno Neo Zen o NB FuelCell Rebel
Supertrainers
Within the catalog you will find a relatively new category: the so-called supertrainersThese are training models that incorporate technologies previously only seen in competition shoes, but adapted for everyday use.
Typically, a supertrainer uses a next-generation foam in the midsole that offers:
- Cushioning and comfort superior to a standard training model.
- Greater reactivity and dynamism than these, which makes them more efficient and faster.
- A lower weight thanks to lighter materials, while maintaining high profiles to offer greater protection on long runs.
This type of shoes has a very wide range of uses:
- Recovery days.
- Daily filming or training.
- Long runs.
- Quality sessions such as tempos or series, depending on your level.
Even if you're not ready to make the jump to a pure racing shoe, you could still use them for racing.
Although it is not a requirement to be considered supertrainers, many include platesThese plates, whether made of carbon, nylon, or plastic composites, are generally more "friendly" than competition plates: less rigid and with less aggressive geometries, designed so you can use them daily without overloading your muscles and joints.
In short, they're an ideal choice if you're looking for a versatile shoe that offers riding comfort, long-distance protection, and extra responsiveness for faster days, without sacrificing the durability and stability you need on a daily basis.
Examples: Brooks Hyperion Max, Mizuno Neo Vista, NB FuelCell SuperComp Trainer, ASICS Superblast o Diadora Atomo Star
Advanced Categories
Mixed and light
This category has changed a lot over time. Previously, they were the "second pair" to alternate with training shoes: somewhat lighter, less cushioned, and more responsive, designed for fast days but not at the competition level. Today, many have disappeared as such and have been converted into models. versatile, which can even be used daily by light or medium runners.
The current mixed ones:
- They are still lighter and more agile than the cushioning ones.
- They have a little less comfort, or at least that's not their main objective, but rather to find a balance between comfort, responsiveness, and dynamism.
- They are ideal as a secondary shoe for days of series, sustained pace runs or long runs at a good pace.
Most incorporate less aggressive plates than racing shoes: more flexible carbon, nylon, Pebax, or fiberglass. This makes them a good entry point into plate shoes, as they offer more stability and durability than a pure racing model. In our menu, you can even filter by those with a carbon plate.
In short, if you're looking for something faster than your training shoe but easier to wear than a race shoe, a mixed shoe is the perfect compromise.
Examples: Saucony Endorphin Speed, ASICS Magic Speed, Adidas Adizero Boston o Hoka Mach X
Competition
If you feel that training models are not suitable for your pace, either due to a lack of energy return or because they seem too structured, and you feel similarly affected by mixed training, this is where the competition range comes in.
In our menu, you can filter by carbon fiber models, although most already include it. Remember that in each model's description, you'll find its main features, technologies, and recommended usage.
These shoes are for the D-day and H-hour, that is, for racing. You can use them for some fast training, but if you're just starting out, it's best to save them for racing. They're more aggressive on your joints, require more stability, better technique, and less durability. They're made for running fast.
Can a competitive runner wear them? Yes, but it will depend on their level and these points:
- If you're not going very fast, you may not fully benefit from the propulsion effect of the board, although you will benefit from its rigidity and efficiency.
- Its super foams will give you more bounce and softness, but you should consider whether these benefits outweigh its drawbacks: less stability and greater technical demands.
- At slower paces or in pronators, they can be much more unstable.
In short, consider whether the pros (lighter, more efficient, more responsive) outweigh the cons in your case (instability, requiring better technique).
Distance is also a consideration: in a 5K or 10K, they'll be easier to use because fatigue isn't as high and instability isn't as detrimental; but in a marathon, after the 30-kilometer mark, this lack of support can become a bigger problem than the advantage of responsiveness.
Within this range you will find very aggressive models, with reduced support areas that require almost perfect technique and high rhythms, such as the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 o Hoka Sky X1 2.0. And others that are more “easy to carry”, with wide and stable bases that work better for slower popular runners or those with more ground contact time, such as Hoka Rocket X 3, New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 o Diadora Gara Carbon.
Choosing the right shoe isn't about buying the most expensive or flashiest, but rather the one that best suits your stride, weight, level, and goals. An inappropriate model can diminish your sensations, shorten the lifespan of your shoes, and even increase the risk of injury.
If you have any doubts, it's best to seek guidance from specialized personnel who understand your situation and can help you narrow down your choice. 365Rider We have a trained and up-to-date team, as well as an online catalog classified by category so you can filter and find what you really need.
Remember: your shoes are your main tool, and choosing the right one from the start will allow you to enjoy more, progress, and go further.