Start with what you want your shoes to do. A pair for road running, muddy paths, lifting weights or walking around town can look similar in a photograph, but the useful features are different.
For most shoppers, the best starting point is your main activity, the surface underfoot, the fit and the condition of the actual pair. Price and colour come after that. This guide helps you narrow the choice, with examples from the kinds of footwear we stock at ThreadSociety UK.
Which type of trainers do you need?
| Your main use | Start your search with | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Regular runs on roads and pavements | Everyday road running shoes | Comfortable fit, cushioning you like and the exact model |
| Faster training or race days | Shoes designed for faster running | Intended use, construction and whether the fit works for you |
| Running on off-road paths | Trail running shoes | Grip suited to your route, secure fit and outsole condition |
| Country walks and hiking | Walking or hiking footwear | Terrain suitability, fit and whether you need waterproofing |
| Weights and mixed gym sessions | Cross-training shoes | Stability for lifting, foot hold and freedom of movement |
| Commuting and everyday walking | Comfortable trainers suited to walking | Width, heel hold and comfort during your usual day |
These categories are starting points. Some shoes cover more than one activity, but “trainers” on its own tells you very little about the design.
Everyday road running: begin with the basics
If your usual run is a few miles on pavements, an everyday road shoe is a useful place to start. You do not need to begin with the most expensive racing model.
Examples include the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27 and Brooks Ghost 16. ASICS describes the Cumulus 27 as a neutral everyday trainer; Brooks lists road running and walking among the Ghost 16’s uses. They illustrate this category, rather than a promise that either will fit every runner.
Think about a pair you already enjoy wearing. Is its forefoot roomy enough? Does your heel stay in place? Do you like the cushioning? Those answers make comparisons more useful than choosing by brand alone.
You can browse our ASICS footwear and Brooks footwear. Check the individual listing: different models within each collection serve different purposes, and sizes change as pairs sell.
Neutral or stability running shoes: what is the difference?
“Neutral” and “stability” describe aspects of a shoe’s design. They are not a diagnosis of your feet.
Some running shoes include features intended to guide movement. For example, Brooks’ GTS models use its GuideRails support system. That makes the full name important: a Glycerin and a Glycerin GTS are different versions.
Neutral does not mean a shoe offers no support, and extra guidance does not automatically make a shoe the better choice for everyone. Nor does the amount of cushioning tell you everything about support.
If a particular model and width have worked well for you, that is a useful reference. If you are choosing around recurring pain or an injury, a product description cannot replace individual advice from an appropriate professional.
Faster running: check the exact model and generation
Shoes designed for faster training or racing can differ in their foam, shape and internal construction. A familiar family name is not enough to identify what you are buying.
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, for example, has a nylon plate and is designed for training as well as racing. “Plated” does not always mean carbon, and the Speed and Pro names should not be treated as interchangeable.
Before choosing a specialist pair, ask:
- What would I use it for that my current shoes do not cover?
- Have I checked the exact version, rather than a review of an older or newer one?
- Am I happy with the fit and the condition, as well as the price?
Our Saucony collection can include everyday and faster-running models. Use the model name to narrow your research.
Trail running and hiking: choose for the route
A dry park path, a muddy woodland loop and a rocky hillside are different jobs. Trail running shoes commonly add grip and protection for off-road running, but their outsoles and intended terrain vary.
For pre-owned trail shoes, look closely at the lugs—the raised sections of tread. Check whether they are worn down, damaged or uneven. Also inspect the upper and the join between the upper and sole.
Hiking shoes need their own comparison. A shoe can have a sporty appearance without being designed primarily for running. Merrell, for example, places the Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX in its hiking range.
The adidas Terrex range also spans different outdoor activities. Read the full model name and intended use instead of assuming that every Terrex is the same kind of shoe.
Explore our adidas footwear and Merrell footwear, then check the exact pair against the route you have in mind.
Do you need waterproof shoes?
Waterproofing and grip are separate features. A waterproof upper does not automatically mean better traction on wet ground.
Consider how often your route is wet, the shoe’s construction and its weight. Compare the waterproof and non-waterproof versions where both exist. For a pre-owned pair, the original specification also cannot prove how an individual shoe’s waterproofing performs now.
Gym trainers: match them to your workout
“Going to the gym” might mean treadmill running, weights, classes or a mixture. Start by identifying which activity takes up most of the session.
For treadmill running, investigate running shoes. For lifting and mixed training, compare purpose-built cross-trainers and how they hold your foot during movement.
The R.A.D ONE V2 is an example from our range: its manufacturer identifies gym training as its purpose and describes features for lifting stability and movement. That is a more useful starting point for mixed gym work than assuming every cushioned running shoe is equally suitable.
Browse our R.A.D collection, checking the version, size and condition of each pair.
Everyday walking: comfort is personal
If you mainly want shoes for commuting, errands or weekend walks, focus on the surfaces you use and how the shoes feel.
A running shoe may suit everyday walking—the Ghost 16 is one manufacturer example—but a high price, thick sole or fashionable brand is no guarantee of comfort.
Check for toe room, a secure heel and pressure around the sides or top of the foot. If you are switching to a substantially different shape, use a pair that already fits as your comparison point. Do not assume the same labelled size will feel identical across brands.
Size and width can matter more than the model name
Before buying online, confirm:
- The sizing system. UK, US and EU numbers are different.
- The label on the actual pair. A listing title may not contain every detail.
- The width. Standard, wide and other fittings are not interchangeable.
- The full model and version. Fit can change between generations.
If your preferred model is only available in the wrong size, it is better to keep looking than to buy it because the price is attractive.
Our guide to checking running shoe sizes online explains labels, width and measurements in more detail.
New, without the box or pre-owned: inspect the pair
Condition and packaging are separate questions. Missing original packaging does not tell you how much a shoe has been worn. Equally, a clean-looking upper does not establish the condition of the cushioning inside.
For a pre-owned pair, check the photographs and description for:
- Tread wear and differences between the left and right shoe.
- Damage to the lining, heel collar or upper.
- Splits, separation or visible deterioration around the sole.
- The size labels and any stated width.
- What is included, such as insoles and the original box.
If previous mileage is unknown, it remains unknown. You cannot reliably calculate the running life left from a photograph or a cosmetic condition grade.
Read our pre-owned running shoe buying guide for the fuller checklist. Compare the total purchase cost with alternatives in the correct size and condition, including delivery.
Common questions
Can one pair cover running, walking and the gym?
There can be overlap, particularly between road running and everyday walking. Mixed gym sessions introduce different demands. Start with your main activity and check whether the exact model suits the others; do not assume every trainer covers them equally.
Are more expensive trainers always better?
A more expensive shoe may include specialist features you do not need. Fit, intended use and the condition of the actual pair are better starting points than price alone.
Should I buy a previous version of a running shoe?
It can be worth considering if the exact version suits your needs. Check its fit and specifications separately from the current model, and inspect its condition. An unworn older shoe is not automatically free from age-related deterioration.
What if a pair I like has sold?
Use its model, size and width as a reference for your next search. Avoid treating another pair from the same brand as an exact substitute.
Find a pair that fits your next activity
Write down four things before you browse: main activity, usual surface, size and width, and acceptable condition. That gives you a shortlist you can use.
Browse ThreadSociety UK’s latest arrivals, then read the photographs and details for the individual pair. Our stock changes, so the models mentioned here are examples to help you compare designs, not a promise of availability in every size.
Further reading
Product-design examples were checked against the manufacturers’ information. These explain intended use; they are not claims that we have performance-tested every model.