7 Best Neutral Running Shoes For Women in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best Neutral Running Shoes For Women in 2023
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Whether you’re training for your first 10K or aiming to break your PB at your next half-marathon race, picking the right shoe can make a huge impact on your ability to train and race at your best.

For women with neutral pronation, there are a wide variety of shoes to choose from. Be sure to pick one that is specifically designed for women with neutral pronation (no excessive inward rolling of the foot). These are the type of shoes that have no additional stabilizers or foot guiding features.

With around 85% of the running shoe market available for neutral pronators, finding the right one can be pretty daunting to some. We can help you with that. Below we’ve handpicked our top choices when it comes to women’s neutral running shoes based on their performance, comfort, and overall fit.

How we test running shoes

At RunRepeat, we aim to give you the most recent and honest reviews on the best neutral running shoes for women available out there. With years of hands-on experience under our belt, we have developed our own effective methodology to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and provide you only with the right shoes for your specific needs.

Below are some of the guiding principles to achieve our goal:

  • We buy the running shoes with our own money. This is to ensure we remain unbiased and preserve the integrity of our reviews.
  • We dissect the shoes to see what makes them tick. Yes, that means we cut the shoes in half in our lab. Like a savvy surgeon, this is our method to weigh and measure 30+ different parameters of a pair of shoes, from cushioning, breathability, and any possible slippage, among others.
  • We test the shoes in various training and racing conditions. We have actual competitive runners in the team to test the durability, comfort, and race performance of a particular model.
  • We aggregate useful information that covers expert opinion and actual user reviews on every single shoe. We provide them in a summary format to save your time.

Finally, we’ve put in place a proven system that reflected the information above in the CoreScore, ranging from 0 to 100 assigned to each model. This is our patented scoring system that helps us select the top picks in each category.

Best women's neutral running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

The PUMA Deviate Nitro is back with a significant update that makes an already great shoe even better. It’s really comfortable, which is not always the case for carbon-plated shoes, and it’s extremely versatile. As a result, we have a real do-it-all companion to take on the road for every run, not to mention the quality-price ratio, which basically makes it a no-brainer.

Pros

  • Great all-rounder
  • Super-smooth and responsive ride
  • Plush cushioning
  • Comfy upper
  • Grippy outsole
  • Above average durability
  • Fairly priced

Cons

  • Heavier than other similar shoes
  • Not many colors available
Full review of PUMA Deviate Nitro 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Purple (37685511)
Yellow (37685506)
Azul (37680709)
Black (37685502)
Orange (37685504)
Bianco (37685503)

Best women's neutral running shoes for trail

Hoka Tecton X
92
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The Hoka Tecton X is Hoka's first carbon-plated trail running shoe. To justify the name, it just might have started a tectonic shift - that's how much it is loved by runners. It's positioned as a speed-ready, racing and training companion to the Hoka Speedgoat 5. Thanks to the dual-plated design, it shines at fast paces, especially the ultra ones. On top of this, it's a max-cushioned running shoe that keeps the feet protected without weighing them down.

Pros

  • 2 carbon plates: very propulsive ride
  • Insanely stable
  • Looks fast and runs fast
  • Lightweight
  • Very cushioned & responsive
  • Worth the investment
  • Room for feet swelling
  • Grippy
  • No break-in
  • Vegan materials used

Cons

  • Not for technical terrains
  • Might accumulate mud
  • Expensive
Full review of Hoka Tecton X

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Blue (SBDP)
Camellia - Blue Coral (1123162CBCRL)
Deep Teal/Water Garden (DTWGR)

Best women's neutral running shoes with wide toebox

Brooks Revel 5
90
Superb!

What makes it the best?

An affordable trainer that's got the makings of advanced running shoes? Hello, Brooks Revel 5! It's a smooth and lively jack-of-all-trades that will keep your feet comfy and bouncing. It can push the pace, eat up half-marathon distances, and breeze through your daily runs!

Pros

  • Fits like a dream
  • Accommodating stretchy upper
  • Efficient transitions
  • Surprisingly peppy
  • Laces stay tied tightly
  • Low to the ground
  • Durable construction
  • Great deal
  • Do-it-all shoe
  • Impressive weight
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Not for long runs
  • No reflective details
Full review of Brooks Revel 5

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White/Navy/Pink (193)
White/Black (121)
White/Black/Bluebird (103)
Black Metallic White (036)
Grey/White/Baton Rouge (033)
Black Blue Pink (067)
White/Oyster (128)
Lilac/Ebony/Black (555)
More colors

Women's neutral running shoes with best cushioning

ASICS Novablast 3
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

It's a comfy daily running shoe. It can go fast. It can go far. In the words of an expert, the Novablast 3 from ASICS "sets the standard for what a daily trainer should be." What's more, you can race in it in your next marathon too. Talk about versatility! And if you want a light shoe that won't drag you down, the ASICS Novablast 3 is the all-rounder you need.

Pros

  • Super bouncy
  • Cushy feel for miles
  • Breathable
  • Light AF
  • Ready for cornering
  • Locks you in
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Grippy outsole
  • Mad durable
  • Sets the bar for a do-it-all shoe

Cons

  • A tad too long
  • More expensive by $10
Full review of ASICS Novablast 3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
PAPAYA/DUSTY PURPLE (1012B288701)
Fawn/Mineral Beige (1012B288702)
Metropolis/Dusk Violet (1012B288020)
Cream/Fawn (1012B288101)
Black/Soft Sky (1012B288002)
White/Dive Blue (1012B288100)
White/Piedmont Grey (1012B288102)
Safety Yellow/White (1012B288750)
More colors

Best women's neutral running shoes for long distance

What makes it the best?

Top-tier race shoe from Adidas gets an update. In 2020 V1 won a ton of praise and world records with its carbon rod (and plate) design and Lightstrike Pro midsole. The super shoe category was once owned but just one brand but in 2021 there’s some serious contenders for best in show.

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Responsive
  • Carbon rods
  • Soft midsole
  • Laces stay tight
  • Price

Cons

  • Runs narrow
  • Unstable at slow speeds
Full review of Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 2.0

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Legacy Indigo/Turbo/Sky Rush (GX3117)
Pulse Lime/Real Teal/Flash Orange (GX3124)
Sonic Ink Screaming Green Ftwr White (FY4082)

Best women's neutral running shoes with plush cushioning

Brooks Ghost 14
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The Ghost 14 from Brooks really fits the bill as the shoe for all runners. It's a workhorse that's comfy enough for easy days, responsive for tempo sessions, and is heavy-duty to handle light trails. Overall, a no-fuss daily trainer that will work for all your runs!

Pros

  • All about comfort!
  • True to size
  • Lots of padding
  • Smooth ride
  • Really stable, even on light trails
  • Great out of the box
  • Built for longevity (500 miles, easily)
  • Great grip

Cons

  • Lacks breathability for hot summer days
  • Not the best for long distances
Full review of Brooks Ghost 14

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/Pink/Yucca (013)
Peacoat/Yucca/Navy (446)
Black/Pearl/Peach (026)
Purple Impression Dutch Lime (544)
Oyster/Yucca/Pink (024)
Lilac/Purple/Lime (566)
White (192)
Fuschia/Yucca/Navy (612)
More colors

Best neutral marathon running shoes for women

On Cloudmonster
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The On Cloudmonster is the brand's max-cushioned running shoe that "changed everyone's mind." From firm to forgiving, it's a new take that's perfect for daily training and long runs. True to its name, it has a "monstrous" amount of foam that will keep your feet protected and comfy all day. So much so that you can take it out on your walks as well.

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Bouncy cushion
  • Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
  • Protective for long runs
  • Stable when cornering
  • Weighs less than it looks
  • Grippy on wet roads
  • Can work on light trails
  • Perfect lockdown
  • Durable
  • Sustainable upper

Cons

  • Firm for recovery days
  • Not for wide feet
  • Expensive
Full review of On Cloudmonster

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Nimbus/Hay (6198242)
White (6198243)
Black Magnet (6199024)
Frost/Cobalt (6198653)
99026 Acai Lavender (6199026)
Fawn/Turmeric (6198652)
Glacier | Meadow (6199022)

Comparison of the 7 best neutral running shoes for women

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CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.