While I've always been a runner, as I've gotten older, my devotion to the sport has changed a lot. I used to be someone who would go out and run a short distance every so often, typically maxing out at three miles every time. In the last couple of years, however, I've completed both multiple half and full marathons.
And as my distance has grown, so has the amount of thought I put into the sneakers I wear. While I used to pick out shoes based on what I thought looked the coolest, now I've learned to put foot health and comfort at the forefront.
As a commerce writer who often covers sneakers, I've researched and even tried a number of popular pairs and spoken to many podiatrists about the shoes that will do just that. And Brooks and Hoka are two brands that repeatedly pop up in my research and during conversations with experts.
So I tried two bestselling shoes from the brands, the Hoka Clifton 9 and Brooks Ghost Max 2, wearing them both for runs and walks around New York City as well as on the treadmill, to see which activities they may be best for.
Best running shoe:
I have post-traumatic arthritis, which often causes pain in the top of my foot so my physical therapist recommended that I wear highly cushioned shoes that absorb impact and can help minimize some of that pain. While she told me that Brooks' sneakers typically don't have enough cushioning for someone with my condition, sneakers in the Ghost line are one of the exceptions, specifically the Ghost Max 2, which are some of the most cushioned shoes Brooks offers.
While they don't completely relieve pain, I find that the pain is less frequent in these shoes, as compared to some other sneakers that I've tried.
I also have weak ankles — and am still recovering from a recent sprain — so I appreciate that the sneakers feature a GlideRoll Rocker, so it curls upward at both the heel and toe, and the brand says that adds some additional protection for your ankle joint. It helps, so I don't feel like I'm at risk of rolling my ankle as I'm walking or running, which I sometimes worry about when I'm wearing a shoe with a large sole.
For me, one of the things that set Brooks's Ghost Max 2 sneakers apart was the added stability features. As compared to the Hokas, they have a slightly wider base under the heel and raised side walls along the sole, which helps create a more stable foundation, making it the better choice for runs, where I feel like I'm the most at risk for turning my ankle.
Best everyday shoe:
Editor’s note: The sneakers originally included in this piece were the Hoka Clifton 9s, but they are now low in stock. The newer model, the Clifton 10s, are similar, but they have slightly more cushioning and a larger heel-to-toe drop.
I've been a longtime fan of Hoka, and have tried many of its most popular shoes, but it wasn't until this year that I tried one of the brand's bestsellers, the Clifton 9. I had heard about it from coworkers and friends, so I was excited to finally try them out — and they lived up to expectations.
The shoes deliver the ultra-cushioned feel that the brand has become known for. While it's not the most cushioned shoe that I've tried of Hoka's, it provides a good balance of that springy, cloud-like feel, while still feeling structured.
While both pairs are heavily cushioned, I found the cushioning in these shoes to be a little more comfortable and bouncy overall. And even though they have a hefty sole, I appreciated how they felt more lightweight so my feet didn't feel weighed down during walks or runs. And thanks to the cushioning, I experienced minimal foot pain during most of my walks and runs.
Much like the Brooks sneakers, the Hoka Clifton 9s feature a MetaRocker, with a curve at the heel and toe, so every step feels smooth as I transition from my heel to toe. So while they worked well for shorter runs or brisk walks, I also found myself reaching for them for running errands and casual hangouts with friends when I wanted my feet to feel comfortable. I've even gotten compliments on the style and color!
While neither will likely be my go-to shoe for strength training workouts, as they're a little too bulky, I felt more comfortable (and less like I might topple over) while doing squats and lunges in the Hokas, because of the slightly smaller sole.
New Balance Women's 574 Core Sneaker
Award: Best overall walking
$74.99
$99.99
New Balance
$74.95
$99.95
Amazon
$74.95
$99.95
Zappos
Nike Women's V2K Run Shoe
Award: Best all-purpose shoe
$91.97
$130.00
Nike
$125.00
Nordstrom
$79.98
$125.00
DSW
Best overall: Brooks Ghost Max 2
While both shoes offered a very similar level of comfort and support that kept my feet feeling great throughout runs, walks and more, because of my recent ankle sprain, I found the stability that the Brooks Ghost Max 2 offers to be the best option to support my recovery.
Other people, however, might appreciate the springy and more lightweight feel of the Hoka Clifton sneakers (both the Clifton 10s and 9s have this). So the best option will depend on your personal needs, but in my opinion, for those looking for a cushioned, supportive shoe, you can't really go wrong with either pick.
How we chose
We chose the two sneakers highlighted because they are similar in style, cushioning and benefits. Both of the brands are popular in the fitness space and they're also expert and editor favorites. I am currently training for a half marathon and used both of these shoes for some of my training runs, which are a mix of long and short runs as well as speed work. On days when I'm not running, I typically walk between two to five miles, so I wore the sneakers on some of these walks as well as for occasional strength training workouts.
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Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She has over a decade of experience in digital media — with nearly half of that time being focused on the health and wellness space. She has interviewed dozens of podiatrists and other experts for her coverage around sneaker trends, foot health and top shoe brands. At Shop TODAY she covers a range of topics, from wellness products to expert-approved beauty trends.
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