Lightweight running shoes for women are hard to find. True there are hundreds of Lightweight shoes but not all of them are for running.
When a shoe is lightweight, there are high chances of it being less durable. This means you have to make multiple trips to the store for an exchange or even buy a new one in worst-case scenarios. This can turn out to be a real pain.
Lucky for you though, you don’t have to. In our guide, you will find lightweight running shoes for women that are both durable and have just the features that make them best for running. Because who doesn’t like lightweight running shoes? Especially if you’re a beginner.
Lightweight Running Shoes For Women
Now before we proceed further, we will be discussing some extra features of these shoes as well which we think makes them a great choice for running. So if you don’t see a lightweight feature under our shoe guide, don’t worry, because all of these shoes are lightweight. That said, let’s jump right in.
1. Adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Running Shoe
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Features
Cloudfoam Memory sock liner
When it comes to running shoes, Adidas is still one of the best out there. Admired by tens of thousands of people around the globe. And it has its reasons
The memory foam sock liner is one of the best cushioning foams out there. Not only does it cushion your feet perfectly but also helps in a small amount of support for the arches. Besides support and cushioning, the memory sock liner is preferred in lightweight shoes because the memory foam is very lightweight, and washable too. Also, it can help you prevent injuries. A great feature for beginners
Foothold
The foothold in this shoe is simply superior. It hugs the foot like an old friend and embraces it completely.
This is a great feature when talking about lightweight running shoes for women since it reduces friction to negligible amounts, hence preventing painful injuries and soreness. You wouldn’t want your feet to be sore and painful after a nice run now would you?
Also, these shoes come in women-specific feet. And if you know your anatomy well, you must be aware that men’s and women’s feet have very different forms and curves. In general, a woman’s feet are sleeker, and these shoes are designed for just that kind of foot.
Durability
Adidas has a life-long history of making durable shoes and these shoes are no less disappointing.
While making sure you run faster in these lightweight running shoes, they also ensure you don’t damage the shoes with some sort of heavy impact. While the rubber outsole makes sure of this, the durability is also enforced by heavy, high-quality stitching. This is something rare you see in lightweight shoes, to be honest.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Women-specific fit
- Great cushioning
Cons
- A little less breathable
- Could use a little more support
2. Under Armour, Women’s Charged Assert 8 Running Shoe
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Features
Upper mesh
The upper of these shoes feature a high-quality mesh, making sure they blend in with the overall design of the shoe.
2 things you should know about upper mesh in any shoe whatsoever. Wherever you see them, know that they are one, very lightweight (which makes sense because mesh uses less material), and two, they are extremely breathable (for which they are specifically designed)
EVA sock liner
The EVA sock liner featured in these shoes is designed for comfort and cushion. This is again great when considering lightweight running shoes for women because you would want your feet to be as comfortable as you can get.
Lightweight shoes do not always feature a lot of support and cushioning. That’s why the ones that do are technologically very improved. Just like this one.
Charged cushioning midsole
The charged cushioning midsole takes the responsiveness of this shoe to a whole new level. The charged midsole will help you run extra fast while conserving your energy
The way it does this is by resisting compressions. When the midsole resists compressions, not only does it allow a smooth transition from heel to toe but also increases the bounce back. This means that the amount of muscular energy you would’ve expended to resist compressions is conserved now since the midsole is doing that for you.
Pros
- Great traction
- Highly responsive
- Very breathable
Cons
- Could use some arch support
- Could use a little more cushioning around the heel area
3. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V2 Running Shoe
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Features
Fresh foam midsole
The cushioning in Arishi V2 is just next level. With the latest fresh foam technology, the shoe makes sure you stay away from all kinds of injuries and that your running sessions are as comfortable as possible.
The fresh foam provides one of the best cushioning out there. What makes this foam stand apart is its stiffness. You’d think the stiffness will nullify the cushioning effect but you couldn’t be more wrong because it does not. This brings us to our next point, responsiveness
Responsiveness
The fresh foam midsole provides proves an amazing cushion but it is also stiff at the same time, which adds to the responsiveness of this shoe.
You see, most of the cushioning foams are soft and squishy. Which causes your muscles to absorb the stride impact. This not only wastes your stamina but also slows you down. However, the fresh foam with its stiffness absorbs most of the stride impact and compression and not only reserves your stamina but also speeds you up by enhancing bounce back. Hence the reason for this shoe’s amazing responsiveness
Breathability
The featured engineered knit uppers of this shoe are what make this shoe highly breathable. Not only that, the knit uppers are quite lightweight as well.
You can appreciate the knit upper even by just looking at the shoe. The pores are quite wide compared to the normal mesh upper. And this is the reason why this shoe is more breathable than more lightweight running shoes for women
Pros
- Enhanced breathability
- Highly cushioned and durable
- Great responsiveness
Cons
- Could use some arch support
- Some added flexibility would’ve been nicer
4. New Balance Women’s 520 V5 Running Shoe
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Features
Underfoot
These shoes feature an injection-molded EVA foam midsole. Now for those of you who do not know the benefits of injection-molded EVA foam. They are not only durable but also quite buoyant as well. Which of course means they’re good resistors of compression.
Also, being foam they are quite comfortable as well. This is along with them being resilient. This means they can withstand a lot of compressions without losing their forms.
Versatile
These shoes are designed not only for running but also for the gym, tennis, and other kinds of sports requiring good support.
This feature makes them pretty friendly financially. If you’re running tight on some cash and still want shoes for your gym, runs, and other activities. Consider buying these and wearing them to all places.
Support and breathability
These shoes do feature some arch support. This is great if you’re someone who plans to wear them all day, thanks to their versatility and lightweight. Your feet will feel great in these shoes.
Also, the upper of these shoes is knit-style mesh. This can mean only one thing; enhanced breathability. So even if you do wear them all day, your feet won’t feel bad thanks to its upper mesh.
Pros
- Slight arch support
- Great underfoot technology
- Highly versatile
Cons
- A little less durable
- A little snug
5. ASICS Women’s GT-2000 8 Running Shoes
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Features
Gel technology
Wherever there is ASICS, there is almost always Gel technology. This technology is pretty much the trademark technology for ASICS shoes and the comfort and ease they bring in running is unmatched.
With a rearfoot and forefoot Gel technology cushioning system, the shoes ensure maximum shock absorption and compression resistance during both the strike and toe-off phases. This ensures not only a smooth transition between various stances but also enhances the bounce-back of shoes hence making running easier and more fun.
FlyteFoam midsole
The FlyteFoam midsole is specially designed to increase the bounce-back of the shoes. This is in addition to Gel technology for shock absorption.
Increased bounce back means a quicker transition between the strike and toe-off phase of the gait. This means faster running, with a much more controlled form and preserved stamina.
DuoMax support
For all those people who want shoes with increased stability, this is the one to go for, thanks to its Dynamic DuoMax support system.
The technology not only increases the stability of shoes under various dynamics and technical tracts but also makes sure your feet get all the support they can get. This means lesser chances of serious injuries in technical tracks and running sessions with continuously changing dynamics.
Pros
- Great shock absorption
- Great support
- Enhanced shock absorption
Cons
- A little snug in width
- The shoes are a little too stiff
Comparison Chart
| Product name | Rating | Price | Dimensions | weight |
|
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4.7 / 5 | $31.60 – $155.00 | 11.1 x 7.5 x 4.2 inches | 1 lb |
|
2. Under Armour, Women’s Charged Assert 8 Amazon affiliate link. |
4.6 / 5 | $49.95 – $70.00 | 10.9 x 7.7 x 4.1 inches | 0.5 lbs |
|
3. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi Amazon affiliate link. |
4.4 / 5 | $37.56 – $140.34 | 12.5 x 7.3 x 4.6 inches | 0.5 lbs |
|
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4.6 / 5 | $41.38 – $135.58 | 12 x 7.2 x 4.6 inches | 1.2 lbs |
|
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4.7 / 5 | $47.99 – $249.99 | 10 x 15 x 6 inches | 1 lb |
Buying Guide For Lightweight Running Shoes For Women
Now that you know our favorite lightweight running shoes for women, it is time we tell you what you must look for in a lightweight running shoe when you’re buying one. Here are some of the things we look for in lightweight running shoes for women
Durability
Most lightweight running shoes are made of lightweight material. Lightweight materials are generally thought to be less durable, although there are exceptions to this assumption.
One way to guess the durability of a shoe is by checking out what material it is made of. Most shoes feature a rubber outsole for increased durability since that is the part of the shoe subject to most abrasion. In the case of upper, Leather, Textile, and synthetics are thought to be the most durable of all materials.
Cushioning
Many shoes feature some sort of foam lining or a foam insole to enhance the cushioning of the shoes. However, most of the commercially common foams add weight to the shoes. This is the reason many brands limit the cushioning to various parts of the shoes only. Some enhance the cushioning in the sock line while others think midsole cushioning is the most important.
You should always look for shoes that provide cushioning to areas where you need cushioning. And this makes sense since we all have areas on our feet that we think are a little too sensitive compared to the rest of our feet. Hence, whenever shopping for a lightweight running shoe, make sure its cushioning is enhanced in areas you need the most comfortable around.
Stability and arch support
Adding stability to a pair of shoes means adding extra weight to the shoes. This is the reason you’ll find very less lightweight running shoes for women that feature stability. Although many lightweight running shoes are quite flexible, they are less stable.
That said, it’s not impossible to find lightweight running shoes that feature stability. Sure there will be a teeny tiny increase in weight, but it won’t be straining and noticeable. What brands do when making lightweight running shoes that feature stability is mathematically distribute the weight of the shoes.
They do this by either using a different material for the shoes or doing a more data-based weight distribution, for example distributing the weight of the rubber outsole in a way that feels more natural.
These shoes are a little on the expensive side but they are worth it. With all that comfort and arch support, they do make running a whole different experience
Conclusion
And that is it for our guide on lightweight running shoes for women. We hope you found it helpful and we hope you find the perfect shoe for your next running session.
However, if you’re a brand-conscious person then do check out these amazing Asics running shoes.