Find the best shoes for you

No two parkrunners are alike. Your preferences, natural stride, body type, skills, and experience are all unique to you — and while that’s awesome, it can also pose a challenge as you look for the right shoe.

 

Fortunately, we know a thing or two about matchmaking. To find your best shoe for parkrunning, use these questions as a guide. It’s more fun than setting up a dating profile. (And bonus: shoes will never ghost you.)

 

Where do you prefer to parkrun?
Whether you’re hitting the road or tackling the trail, you need a shoe that’s built for the specific challenges of your environment.

 

Road shoes are lighter weight, with responsive cushion to soften your landing on hard asphalt or cement.

 

By contrast, trail shoes tend to be more heavy-duty, with built-in protection from rocks and debris and more stability to counter uneven terrain.

 

How do you want your shoes to feel?
‘Comfort’ means something different to everyone. We want to match you with a shoe that feels good to you. So consider which of these categories aligns with your goals and parkrunning style.

 

The Brooks Cushion collection is built to absorb impact for a soft landing and steady push-off. Perfect for parkrunners who want to feel clouds beneath their feet.

 

Brooks’ Energize shoes are designed to give you back the energy you put into each stride. For a springy toe-off and a little more pep in each step, these are a great fit.

 

The Brooks Speed category features the sports cars of the shoe world. Light and fast, these models are just right if you plan to push the limits of pace and time.

 

What are your support needs?
Your body has a preferred motion path — the way your joints and muscles naturally want to move with every step you take. To maximize comfort and reduce the risk of injury, the right shoe will help your body maintain its natural motion.

 

Neutral parkrunners
Neutral parkrunners move the same way off the run as they do on the run. Their bodies stay in their preferred motion path without added guidance.

 

You may be neutral if:

The wear pattern in your shoes is consistent indicating you distribute your weight evenly with each step.

Your feet and knees align as you run or walk, tracking straight ahead.

Your knees stay parallel when you do a simple squat.

 

Support parkrunners
Support parkrunners experience excess joint movement as they move. To help, Brooks created GuideRails® support technology, designed to keep knees and hips in alignment. Think of GuideRails like the bumpers in bowling — out of the way when you’re on course, and gently nudging you back if you deviate.

 

You may need support if:

There is excessive wear on the inside edge of your shoes, indicating lateral movement in your stride.

Your feet and knees don’t track perfectly straight as you run or walk.

Your knees rotate inward when you do a simple squat.

 

A final note on support:
Whatever your natural stride looks like, all parkrunners need extra support off-road. So while your trail shoes aren’t defined as “neutral” or “support” — they don’t have GuideRails technology – they all offer that essential stability.

 

So which shoes are best?
Tally your answers for terrain, preferred experience, and support style, then take a look at our suggestions here.

 

Cushion
Road | Neutral

Glycerin: The ultimate in softness and supreme comfort

Ghost: An award-winning favourite, loved for its soft, smooth ride

 

Road | Support

Glycerin GTS: Maximum cushioning with industry-leading support

Adrenaline GTS: Legendary support shoe offers a smooth, balanced ride

 

Energize
Road | Neutral

Levitate: Best energy return for a super springy ride

Ricochet: Max energy return served light and bold

Revel: Styles to perform, with energy to spare

 

Road | Support

Bedlam: Best energy return and support

 

Speed
Road | Neutral

Hyperion Elite: Brooks’ fastest racing shoe ever, with their most advanced technology

Hyperion Tempo: Brooks’ fastest trainer, designed to keep you running faster for longer

Launch: Lightweight with a fun, snappy ride

 

Road | Support

Launch GTS: Fast and light with industry-leading support

 

Trail
Trail | Cushion

Divide: Traction and protection to bridge runners from road to trail

Cascadia: Rule the trail with cushioned, durable protection and stability

Cascadia GTX: Cushioned, durable protection with a waterproof exterior

 

Trail | Energize.

Caldera: Excellent traction and responsive cushion on any terrain

Catamount: Lightweight cushioning and top-notch traction for high-speed miles

 

Want a more personalized recommendation?
Now that you’re familiar with the Brooks line, check out their Shoe Finder! It’s a great interactive tool that can give you even more detailed results. And it only takes five minutes.

 

Or, get some in-person help when you stop by your local The Athlete’s Foot store. You can talk to an expert about your specific needs and concerns — plus try on different shoes and see what feels best.

 

Brooks