4 Stylish Women’s Running Shoes Comfy Enough for a Marathon

We all love our running shoes for one reason or another, but the majority of them tend to swing either toward performance or style. Finding a fashionable running shoe you like the look of is easy (most of the time), but finding something that will also perform during long runs and give you constant comfort can be much harder. Here’s a look at four different running shoes that were designed with both style and performance in mind.

All Arounder: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4

This is a go-to running shoe for runners wanting lightweight stability on road, trail, and even track runs. New Balance's Fresh Foam sole has been designed with weight and comfort in mind, giving runners impact protection they are sure to love. The simply designed mesh isn’t overbearing, and though it has a slight sporty finish, it’s a shoe that can be worn both for runs or as a lifestyle shoe. The ice blue is the perfect summer choice, but it is also available in black. There are a host of other fashionable options to choose from in New Balance's Fresh Foam line; check them out!

Futuristic: adidas Solar Glide

If you prefer your running shoes to have a futuristic edge to their final finish, then the adidas Solar Glides are for you. They offer a comfortable run to match their aesthetic. The magenta and carbon/grey complement each other and give the shoe a feminine-yet-functional finish, which was designed with a knitted material for an on-trend look. In recent years adidas Boost soles have been making long-distance running much easier by supporting both the heel and arch of the runner’s foot for much better recovery.

Affordable: ASICS Noosa FF 2

The Noosa is an unconventional ASICS shoe that makes you look twice. Usually, ASICS running shoes are the poster shoes for tech, hosting a lot of different features that make them unattractive in the fashion sector. While being attractive isn’t a vital component of a running shoe, ASICS makes some of the best running shoes on the market, and the Noosa has given a new take on what ASICS are typically known as. The Noosa is sleeker, more colorful, and less focused on branding, using the “A” symbol rather than the conventional track branding (which is very noticeable). The seamless construction makes this shoe stand out and look less like a running shoe, and a medium support FlyteFoam sole keeps you comfortable.

Supportive: Nike Air Zoom Structure 21

The latest installment of the Zoom line checks all the boxes. This Nike shoe is designed to support the foot and ankle both during and after long-distance running. The base of the shoe is an update to its predecessors with a Dynamic Support midsole that creates a smoother transition from heel to toe. With this sleeker style, the overall shoe looks less clunky and less like a running shoe, but it keeps all the benefits. The woven, water-resistant mesh upper is also designed to look less “tech-based,” which is what regular running shoes strive toward, and the Nike Air Zoom flies under the running shoe radar with this stylish finish. It’s a shoe that runners have looked to over the years, and as it has been able to make a name for itself in the running industry, it has evolved into a better-looking trainer that everyone can trust to perform.

Naturally, everyone’s taste varies, but it’s great to see some designs that aren’t too sporty. Being able to wear these running shoes with jeans or other casualwear shows a hint of your sporty side but not to the point where people think you’ve just been for a run. Or to look at it the other way around: The styles are much nicer to wear in the gym or out on a run, without seeming too clunky.

About the Author

Alexa is a budding freelance writer who enjoys writing about women’s fashion trends with a current focus on footwear and women’s loungewear.