Athletic shoes

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Athletic shoes

What's behind our athletic shoe Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 20 models in athletic shoes to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
The overall score is based mainly on fit, cushioning, stability and flexibility. We also considered breathability, weight, and features like lacing systems and reflective strips.
Cushioning
Cushioning scores are based on outside lab tests and panel judgments of impact absorption at the heel and forefoot.
Stability
Stability combines outside lab tests and panel judgments of how well each shoe controls pronation, the foot's tendency to roll toward the inside.
Fit
Fit reflects the panelists' judgments on toe-box roominess, heel snugness, and arch comfort. Cushioning scores are based on outside lab tests and panel judgments of impact absorption at the heel and forefoot.
Flexibility
Flexibility combines lab measurements and panel judgments of the force required to bend each shoe at the ball of the foot.
Breathability
Breathability reflects how well moisture from sweaty feet will evaporate.
Weight (oz.)
Weight is in ounces for men's size 9 and women's size 7.

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Recommended athletic shoes

Recommended athletic shoes are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended athletic shoes

Athletic shoe buying guide

To find the athletic shoe that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Athletic shoes Ratings

Find out which Athletic shoes scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest athletic shoe ratings

Some sports require lots of expensive equipment, but all you need for running or walking is a good pair of shoes. Thanks to modern materials and sophisticated design, most of the athletic shoes we tested performed well overall. If you're looking for information about athletic shoes, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ athletic shoe reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our athletic shoe buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and athletic shoe reviews to help you choose the best athletic shoe for your needs.

Ratings & recommended athletic shoes

Athletic shoes (20)

Although some shoes performed better than others, all but four earned very good overall scores in our Ratings. But size can be a limiting factor, especially if your feet are wider or narrower than average. Most models offer a wide range of lengths, but nearly half come in only medium width.

Athletic shoe buying guide

Our test panelists logged more than 2,240 miles while evaluating two dozen models of running shoes and almost as many pairs of walking shoes. Besides pounding the pavement, we tested the shoes in our labs. We checked whether the front of the shoe flexed enough to let you push off easily with the ball of your foot. And we measured stability (control of ankle motion), shock absorption at the forefoot and heel (where the impact is greatest), and breathability (the ability to dissipate moisture). Weight also matters. The lighter the shoe, the better—as long as cushioning and stability don't suffer.

Where you shop should depend in large part on your experience. Most running and walking shoes are bought at department, discount, specialty athletic, sporting-goods, and family-footwear stores. You'll probably pay more at a footwear store that caters to serious runners, but you're more likely to find a seasoned sales clerk who can answer your questions and help you to get the right model for your gait and type of workout.

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