Trainers, sneakers, runners or pumps – whatever you call them, you have to have good comfortable ones that suit you! Mine are okay, but they seem to have lost their bounce. So I asked around the team and some EL readers to find out what they think are the best running shoes for Singapore, and what they’re currently wearing. Hopefully, this helps if you’re looking for some new trainers for men or women!
Trainers for women
Danielle on best trainers:
“I get terrible blisters from shoes as I have a wide foot but a narrow heel – I use the Nike Flex runners as they are light and adjustable, and I can wear them all day without blisters. For dressier occasions, I wear Stan Smiths by Adidas – pretty comfortable, reasonably fashionable and I feel like they are appropriate for a middle-aged woman to wear!”
Juliet says…
“I’m a huge fan of ASICS’s trainers for women. I have high arches and the Gel range of running shoes provides just the right amount of cushioning for my feet – and they’re so comfortable! I’ve just bought the ASICS Gel Kayano 27 women’s running shoes.”
Anna on best running shoes:
“I have the Adidas Light Runner. As its name suggests, it’s super light and breathable. The shoes are great for running and daily walks, and they come in a hot pink colour. They are an old model though!
Veena on women’s best trainers:
“I recently got a pair of Reebok Memory Tech LT trainers. They’re so versatile and incredibly light yet durable. I can use them for short treks, running and the gym as well. And I love how easy it is to slip in and out of them!”
Michaela says…
“I wear the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37. During the Circuit Breaker, my shoes decided to fall apart; fortunately, Nike delivery was great in Singapore. My first pair were a little tight. Tip: check reviews to see if people say they ‘run small’. The Pegasus 37 are by far the most comfortable trainers I’ve owned – they add a bounce to every step! They’re great for running or walking big distances.”
Susan on customisable trainers:
“I love Nike By You – you can custom-make your own design and choose the colours you want – I have the Nike Blazer Low By You. I also have Converse All Star (white, low-cut) – they’re super old-school, comfortable and stylish. You can dress them up or down and they’re not too expensive, while still making you feel very hip!”
Emilia on best trainers for shin splints:
“For those who suffer from shin splints, I would say ASICS’s Kayanos are pretty good.”
Kristina on running shoes for flatter feet:
“Running shoes by On are fantastic – supportive for flatter feet and comfy enough to wear all day!”
Cecilia says…
“I like Nike and I love what it stands for – inspiration, innovation and empowerment. I was also looking for a specific style of trainers (less bulky padding) for walking and pairing with my wardrobe, and I found it in Puma. Tommy Hilfiger came close to this particular style but unfortunately the shop didn’t have my size. So Puma got lucky!”
Sharmeen says…
“I’m using Brooks.”
Verne on her preferred running shoes:
“I switched to Nike Free Runs a couple of years ago – they’re less structured and so closer to running barefoot, with all the advantages that come with less padding and constriction. It can take a while to adjust, but they suit me well.”
Natalie says…
“As a creature of habit, Nike has always been my go to, but lately Skechers have been stepping up their game.”
Cea Chow on the best running shoes:
“ASICS for running, Adidas for gym, although recently Skechers and New Balance have improved on their cushioning and design.”
Sizzle on getting the right fit:
“Interview Jeffrey from Feder shop; he is so knowledgeable and emphasises how important it is to get the right fit, especially for this climate where our feet expand hugely. Everyone’s feet are so different and have different needs.”
Wendy O’Keeffe on best trainers:
“Any ASICS are the best!”
Amelie Lim on best running shoes:
“Probably not the usual go-to, but New Balance is my preference after trying different brands!”
Nicole Issa Ioffe says…
“Hoka Cliftons 100%.”
Fifie on best trainers:
“For me personally, ASICS are still the best. Some of my friends like Hoka.”
Rachael Kilroy on best running shoes:
“ASICS GT-2000 is my go-to for running, and a great shoe for overpronators.”
Doreen Lim says…
“I’m using New Balance at the moment. They provide me with good back support and are easy on my feet.”
Lindsay on best running shoes:
“I wear Nike Air Zoom Winflo trainers for women when I jog. These running shoes have lasted me for over four years and they’re still going strong. They offer just enough cushioning and I like that the material is stretchable, fitting my wide feet without pinching my toes.”
Jo on stylish and sustainable trainers:
“Veja, because they look super-stylish, they’re really comfortable and – most of all – they’re sustainable. The brand uses raw materials sourced from organic farming and upcycled plastic bottles, and opts for environmental and ethical production. And, if they’re good enough for Meghan Markle…”
Dee says…
“I’m a fan of the ASICS Gel Nimbus Lite running trainer. They’re super lightweight, with gel in the sole to absorb impact and make you feel like you have a slight bounce in your step as you run.”
Leanda on best running shoes:
“I have Nikes, but I recently bought Fresh Foam 1080v10 trainers from New Balance and they’ve been ideal for my frequent running trails. I often do 5 or 10km runs around the neighbourhood, which means a lot of impact on my feet and knees from hard surfaces. The cushioned soles of the Fresh Foams are engineered to absorb a lot of that impact, and they give me a lot of bounce in each step. I’m clocking better times and feeling less strain on the legs, too; a bonus is that I love the colour!”
Trainers for men
Now that we’ve summed up the best trainers for women according to our team and our readers, let’s dive in to find out the best trainers for men as well!
Colin on best casual trainers:
“Low-cut Converse All Star are my favourite casual shoes – they work well with jeans and shorts too.”
Rey on best trainers for basketball:
“I wear Nike LeBron Witness 5 EP shoes for basketball. I feel like I’m LeBron James, my favourite basketball player – and my team always wins when I’m wearing them!”
Kym on best trainers for comfort:
“My go-to are Reebok Zig Dynamica trainers. Apart from the very comfy sole, they’re the only shoes that fit my feet perfectly. I can even wear them without socks on – that’s how comfy they are! I like the zig-zag style of the outer sole too; it looks really rugged. It also bends smoothly when I do stretches and the shoes feel really soft inside even when running on trails.”
Shamus on shoes that fit well:
“I’ve always loved Adidas Gazelle (because I’m a Beastie Boys fan from waaay back!), but for exercise I stick with Asics GT-2000 men’s trainers – no bells and whistles, just a great fit.
Thomas St Louis says…
“ASICS.”
Tempat on best running shoes for long walks:
“I do about 160km of walking per month. Over the years, I’ve tried Under Armour (their GPS inbuilt was awesome but they stopped it), Adidas and Nike over the years. Just recently I came address ANTA, which is a Chinese brand (it also owns some Fila brands). The designs are unique and the comfort is really good. It’s the first new shoe that doesn’t give my foot blisters at the start. So far, I’ve done more than 300km and I am very satisfied – they’re good quality shoes with lots of support and good cushioning. The price is good too. I found them at VivoCity.”
Ryme Emyr on best men’s trainers:
“ASICS for running, for sure!”
Gen on best running shoes for races:
“The Hoka Cielo X1! It’s fast, well-cushioned and fits like a sock. Perfect for your race day and faster runs.”
A final word
Whether you’re on the hunt for trainers for men or trainers for women, these tried-and-tested favourites from Expat Living staff and readers have you covered. With these personal insights, you’ll find the perfect pair for your needs in no time! Want to tell us what you like? We can add it.
For walking or running in Singapore, here’s a round up of 20 places to walk and hike to try!
