Runner's World Announces Season's Best Running Shoes

New York, NY—January 21, 2010—Runner’s World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, highlights and reviews 27 of the best new running shoes on the market in its annual Spring Shoe Guide special, on sale on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Five of the 27 shoes showcased–all of which were put through rigorous testing by Runner’s World editors, 350 “wear-testers” and the one-of-a-kind Runner’s World Shoe Lab–were cited as best in class in the following three categories: Editor’s Choice, Best Update, and Best Buy. Criteria guidelines for awards in each category and winners in those categories for 2010 Spring Shoe Guide are as follows:

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Represents an outstanding shoe that successfully combines the highest-quality design and technology. Our Editor’s Choice Winner received the highest marks from the RW Shoe Lab, the wear-testers and the editors.

· EDITOR’S CHOICE WINNER, Brooks Glycerin 8

o The Brooks Glycerin has always stood up to the footstrike of big runners, and Brooks Glycerin 8 is no exception. It’s the first shoe with Brooks’ new gel-like material in the heel and forefoot, and the payoff is a ride that’s not too soft and not too firm but just right. This resilient ride is complemented by an upper that gives the midfoot a big bear hug that secures the foot over the supportive arch. Our wear-testers overwhelmingly loved the cushioning and superior fit. Recommended for high- to normal-arched runners as a go-to long-distance shoe. www.brooksrunning.com



BEST UPDATE: Recognizes a significant improvement made to an existing model.

· BEST UPDATE WINNERS, Nike Air Structure Triax 13+ (Men’s & Women’s) and Mizuno WAVE Elixir

o Nike Air Structure Triax 13+ (Men’s & Women’s Versions). The Men’s version is that rare stability shoe that delivers stellar support without feeling clunky and stiff. Nike removed the footbridge in this update and redesigned the midfoot post to gradually correct over-pronation without jutting uncomfortably into the arch. Testers loved the Men’s lightweight feel and cushy forefoot. Recommended for runners with normal arches looking for a comfortable everyday trainer. The Women’s version enhances the stability features of the Men’s version in two ways–the rounded crash pad helps reduce pronation forces before they really get rolling; and the upper uses a detached strap to lock down the foot over the sole. Recommend for women with normal to low arches looking for a supportive yet flexible shoe. www.nikerunning.com.

o Mizuno WAVE Elixir 5. The low-to-the-ground and zippy Elixir provides a surprisingly plush landing. Our lab tests show that it offers top-notch heel cushioning for a performance shoe. The lightweight and resilient new midsole material adds a whole new dimension with testers appreciating the springy cushioning almost as much as the shoe’s featherweight feel. Recommended as a training shoe for efficient runners or as a racing shoe for runners with low arches. www.mizunousa.com



BEST BUY: Acknowledges a shoe that offers the best fit and function for its price.

· BEST BUY WINNER, Mizuno Wave Nexus 4.

o Mizuno WAVE Nexus 4: This Best Buy standpoint, at just $85.00, offers a fair amount of stability with few frills. The upper is roomy in the toebox and snug through the arch, and the shoe uses a lot of padding in the tongue and collar to snugly hold the heel and ankle. Testers raved about the “great fit” and “fantastic weight-to-stability ratio.” Recommended as an affordable everyday trainer for runners with medium builds. www.mizunousa.com



Every shoe reviewed by Runner’s World is first bench-tested at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab—an independent testing facility in Portland, Oregon. All shoes are flexed, pounded and prodded to see how well they perform. Shoes are then matched to one of 350 wear-testers in one of our three wear-test centers across the country based on their individual biomechanical needs and the shoe’s performance characteristics.



Testers, who must log a minimum of 25 miles per week, run in the shoes for about a month before submitting their evaluations, noting their total mileage run in each shoe and rating it for qualities including weight, traction, cushioning, support, lacing system and upper material comfort, among other categories.



Runner’s World is the only magazine in the world to independently test running shoes in this way, in order to give its editors the most objective means necessary to determine which shoes are most deserving of award status. Because Runner’s World only tests and reviews the best products available, shoes that have been tested may use the “Tested by the Runner’s World Shoe Lab” label.



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About Runner’s World:

Recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, the mission of Rodale’s Runner’s World is to inform, advise, and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. Runner’s World, published by Rodale, aims to help runners achieve their personal health, fitness, and performance goals, and to inspire them with vivid, memorable storytelling. Currently Runner’s World publishes 14 international editions. Runner’s World’s award-winning companion Web site, www.runnersworld.com, is the largest running community on the Internet, featuring interactive, searchable, and targeted content for runners of all ages and abilities.