As you can imagine, here at The Sole Supplier we’re all huge sneakerheads, with the majority of us owning pretty hefty trainer collections. While we love copping the latest high-heat pair or hunting down that elusive grail that’s been on the WTB list for years, we’re also certified footwear nerds when it comes to running trainers .
Many of us are regular runners, both casual and competitive, with how many miles we’ve tackled over the weekend a common conversation topic in the office. Running is becoming more popular than ever before recently, so we saw this as the perfect opportunity to share our go-to choices when it comes to athletic footwear!
Whether it’s Nike , adidas , or New Balance , The Sole Supplier team are here to tell you about their favourite running shoes and exactly why they love them!
New Balance 980/1080 Pedrom Pourkashanian - Head of Acquisition
How far do you run per week? I try to run 5km every other day, aiming for around 20km a week. This peaked during the early stages of lockdown, although it’s quite difficult to run any longer distances in my area due to the hilly terrain.
What sort of running do you enjoy? I really enjoy trying to get my 5km time down. It’s a short burst of exercise and really gets the adrenaline pumping - all while burning those calories!
Why do you like your running shoes? I’ve tried a whole range of different styles over the years and they’re never quite right, either being too heavy or not fitting perfectly. My current pairs are the best, I use the 980 for shorter runs and the 1080 for when I’m covering a bit of distance.
Do you care about how they look? Personally I’m not bothered about how they look. I did quite a lot of research across multiple running sites to find the best road shoes for shorter runs, and these had great reviews across the board.
ASICS GT2000 George Sullivan - CEO and Founder
How far do you run per week? I’ve been building up my distance lately, and at the moment it’s averaging at around 15-20 miles per week. I’ll split this into several runs of varying lengths, but my weekly average is always the same.
What sort of running do you enjoy? I’m really into endurance runs right now. Anything 8 miles or longer, it’s great exercise and also acts as the perfect time to clear the mind and get some headspace.
Why do you like your running shoes? These ASICS are so light and comfy I barely notice them on my feet. Yet at the same time they provide all the comfort and support that’s necessary. I’ve bought the same pair twice now and will definitely buy them again when this pair wears out!
Do you care about how they look? For me it’s all about the performance, as long as they’re light and supportive I don’t care how they look.
Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 Jack Aldrich - Content Writer & Digital Marketing Assistant
How far do you run per week? I aim to hit 20km per week at the moment, at one point I was hitting higher numbers but I’ve got an ongoing injury that limits my distance currently. I tend to do a couple of 5km runs and one 10km run.
What sort of running do you enjoy? Any running! I just like to have some time to myself, it’s great for the body and for mental health plus I always run with great music in my ears.
Why do you like your running shoes? They’re designed to reduce the likelihood of injury which is really helpful for me considering I have problems with that, they’re also super lightweight and they look great.
Do you care about how they look? I’ll admit I’m a little bit pretentious about how I look when I’m running. I do care about how they look, and I’ll often match the rest of my gear to my shoes!
Hoka One One Mach 3 Dewi Nawasari - Head of SEO
How far do you run per week? I wouldn’t say I’m a regular runner, but I’ve been doing it a lot more lately! On average I run around 6-10km per week.
What sort of running do you enjoy? Runs around the city! It’s a great way to see the sights amidst the hustle and bustle while getting in your weekly exercise at the same time.
Why do you like your running shoes? I’ve got the triple white colorway, they’re really versatile, lightweight and also breathable! I did my research before settling on these and found they came highly recommended by many sites, so it was a no-brainer really.
Do you care about how they look? To a degree, yes! I wouldn’t want to run in ugly shoes, but the performance aspect needs to be there as well.
adidas Duramo 9 Ryan Wise - Senior Full-Stack Developer
How far do you run per week? It’s constantly changing but right now I’m averaging at about 34km per week.
What sort of running do you enjoy? I’m really into my longer runs. Throughout the week I’ll try and keep them short as time is pretty limited, but I’ll do a 12km run most weekends and I really enjoy those.
Why do you like your running shoes? Well most importantly they’re super comfortable. They’re also priced on the lower end of the spectrum which is great when I need to replace them, I live in the countryside so they can get wrecked pretty easily.
Do you care about how they look? As I mentioned above mine don’t ever last that long, so it’s all about the performance and durability for me!
adidas Ultra Boost Laceless Adam Cheung - Head of News and Creative
How far do you run per week? I’m actually injured at the moment so pretty much nothing, but I’m a marathon runner and during training I would usually be running 20 to 40 miles per week.
What sort of running do you enjoy? You can’t beat a good 1 hour 10k jog. Get a steady and relaxed pace on the go and just enjoy it!
Why do you like your running shoes? The combination of the Boost midsole and the Continental outsole is pretty hard to beat. They’re durable, comfortable and lightweight. I also much prefer the laceless version, you can just slip them on and off without the additional hassle of tying them up.
Do you care about how they look? Not really, it’s mostly about performance for me, although I am a self-confessed adidas addict so I don’t think I’d run in anything else!