The first thing you should do before buying this type of footwear is to consider the kinds of running you’re going to be doing while you wear them. This footwear is categorized by models that enhance their specific features, and some features are specially created only for certain types of activities.

For example, those who compete in marathons or only run long distances are going to need specific footwear to help ease the long periods of stress created against the foot. It is also important for these runners to wear a design that provides comfortable cushions and that is breathable and can keep the feet cool. The longer you run, the quicker your feet are going to tire, so it’s truly important to wear footwear that provides long-lasting support.

The terrain is important to consider too, as it goes hand in hand with the type of training you’re doing. If you run uphill, on dirt trails or off-road, you’re definitely going to need an option with good grip and traction. Another feature that is important for this type of running is durable soles and materials. Dirt and mud can easily wear down the quality of your footwear, so either be prepared to clean it often or find a pair with strong, long-lasting materials.

If you’re training on flat concrete or man-made tracks, you won’t need a feature like traction as much. Instead, you need to look for features that absorb shock and help ease the pressure on your feet from contact with hard surfaces. Durable and flexible soles that can provide a little rebound. Bounce back is also a good feature to look for. Features like these ease the flow of movement on unnatural surfaces.

If you like to sprint and fully maximize your body’s potential, you’re going to want specific features for that too. You’ll want to find breathable footwear with lightweight protection against the solid terrain. A feature like mesh uppers is good to look for because the material is lightweight and also allows for proper air circulation to keep your feet from getting hot. Another feature is padding around the contact areas of the foot so you can avoid the quick friction and potential for blisters.

Once you can identify the types of training you’re going to do, finding features that are better suited to your performance are much easier to locate. This also helps to narrow down Brooks' large selection of athletic designs.

Arch support is a key feature for all footwear of this type. If your design has completely flat insoles then it is going to do much more harm to your feet than good. Even providing a simple, light curve around the arch is much more beneficial for runners.

Arch support is a necessary feature for evenly distributing the pressure to the whole foot. Like walking barefoot, if your footwear doesn’t provide proper arch support, the heel and the ball of your foot are the only parts coming in contact with the surface. This can create hot pressure points that cause discomfort, calluses, and an uncomfortable burning feeling.

The proper amount of arch support will help to ease the pressure created against your foot. Being able to use the arch of your foot while you move will keep your feet at ease for long periods of time. Since your feet take you to all the places you aim to go, it’s important to not make some parts work harder than the rest. The even distribution is key to lasting longer on the track or beating your fastest run time.

All footwear from this brand comes with some form of arch support, from light to high. Our list of best Brooks running shoes includes all these types of arch support. For those of you out there with flat feet, it’s especially important that your footwear is equipped with this feature. For those of you who have ‘normal’ feet, arch support is still a key feature in preventing future health concerns.

An additional way to enhance your form and prevent your foot from sliding forward in your sneaker is, again, arch support. This support forms to the shape of your foot, not only creating a comfortable feel, but also a secure fit. Footwear without this kind of support makes your feet slide around which can cause many injuries.

Arch support is important for a variety of reasons and can truly improve the condition of your feet while training. It is an essential feature that all of the items on our list come with, but you should still keep an extra eye out for it. Each design is created with a different level of arch support that uniquely helps enhance performance.

This brand has been creating the most functional and innovative designs since 1914; that’s over a century! The company has built a quality reputation for themselves as a name who specializes in running footwear and still to this day is creating the most popular designs on the market. From basic styles to modern, current technology, you’ll find it all here from Brooks.

Their large team of professionals, scientists, and runners are constantly doing in-depth research on what features work better and how to enhance previous designs for better performance. Every model is created with smart technologies to provide the proper functions.

For starters, the brand creates its footwear with a DNA midsole that adapts to the shape of your feet and the type of training you do. Also located in the midsole area, their footwear is equipped with a guide rail construction that allows the runner to move freely in the joints and knees. Between the midsole and the outsole lies a ballistic rock shield that helps to spread out blows and protect the footwear and feet from sharp objects.

On the outside, the brand uses 3D fit print, a high-tech revolutionary process that adds structure to the uppers, using screen-print technology. Not only does it enhance the overall structure of the footwear, but it also adds flexibility and a lightweight feel.

Rounded heels help to align the force of the center of your ankle joint, reducing pressure on the feet and internal stress on the body. On a basic innovative level, the brand also makes its footwear with colored materials that can be seen in the dark. This is especially good for those thrill-seekers who insist on late night runs. All athletes can be seen in all types of lighting with their quality materials and outstanding science.

If all that isn’t exciting enough for you, there’s more! From shock absorbing crash pads to evenly distributing pressure points, the brand has found all the features to bring comfort to your experience. It doesn’t stop here either, as Brooks is always working hard to research and find better ways to enhance performance. If a new feature comes along, you can expect the brand to make a new design with it.

Comfort can be found in all aspects of a good design. This brand knows how important it is to ease the pressure on your feet during training and aims to use their designs to help the runner enhance their optimal performance. They take the design a step further by putting themselves in the runner’s shoes, truly understanding what features are needed for the comfort of each run.

Starting from basic features like a padded tongue and collar, the smallest enhancements can sometimes be the most essential. Since the tongue and collar are what comes most in contact with the foot, it’s important to have this cushion there to prevent the possibility of friction. These contact areas can create irritation and blisters which is why the brand lines their footwear with comfortable cushioning to protect your skin.

On the inside of the design, Brooks uses light cushioning fabrics that are soft against the foot but also breathable and able to keep your feet dry. Their padded insoles are created with moisture-wicking technologies and foam cushions to help form the design better to your foot. Their insoles are removable and can be washed to keep your footwear and long-lasting.

On the outside, these most comfortable Brooks shoe designs are equipped with shock-absorbing technology, plush transition zones, and durable rubber outsoles that provide traction and grip against all running terrain. These features are essential in providing comfort and allowing the runner to work harder and longer without feeling the pressure. The bottom curves of the design also help to ease the transitional strides from heel to toe, creating a more comfortable flow of movement.

All around, the brand uses its innovative technology and quality materials to create footwear that offers complete comfort and support. From lightweight cushioning to thick, strong soles it’s no wonder why it has been a leading brand in the industry for over a century.

Running can be extremely rough on your feet, which is why having the proper gear is crucial to staying healthy and maximizing your performance. Footwear that doesn’t provide the proper amount of support can cause unwanted pressure on your feet. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can also damage your feet and your performance.

The brand that is the focus of this guide works hard to use their biomechanical, innovative technology to create designs that alleviate pressure and provide proper support. One of their main goals is to ease the flow of movement and keep your footwear from weighing you down. While shoes protect your feet against the rough environments you run on, it’s also vital that they come equipped with the proper shock absorption so your feet don’t feel what your footwear does.

Using their revolutionary technology, the brand reshaped their outsoles to evenly disperse pressure throughout the entire foot, instead of being directed in unbalanced pressure points that create heat and friction. These hot spots no longer exist. The balanced distribution in pressure creates easier transitions in your flow of movement while allowing your feet to stay comfortable and perform longer.

The segmented crash pad, found in the midsole of the design, is another feature that helps to ease pressure and aid the transitions in movements. This midsole is fully integrated with a shock-absorbing feature that takes the pressure off of running on hard surfaces. The midsole is flexible and forms to each movement you make.

Brooks put themselves in the runner’s shoes to create designs that let the runner feel free and lightweight during every movement. No longer do you have to feel the heat and pressure of running on concrete. Let these products help you maximize your performance and keep your feet happy and healthy.