Women's Running AWARDS 2023
In our biggest and sparkliest Awards yet, our expert panel of women runners have tested hundreds of products to discover the very best kit of 2023
Welcome to the 2023 Women’s Running Product Awards!
Each year our panel, made up of luminaries from the world of running, along with some more familiar faces, ruthlessly test hundreds of running products, from shoes to skincare, to find out which ones we think are best.
Every bit of kit was taken on many runs, from 5K plods to actual ultramarathons; each nutrition item was consumed before, during and after our training, while clothing and shoes were scrutinised for technicality, durability, value for money and sustainability.
Over the next few pages you will find the pieces we loved the most, with additional awards being given for kit we think offers exceptional value, as well as our Editor’s Choice award being presented to special items we think worthy of additional recognition.
Turn the page to find out what we think is the very best running kit there is.
The 2023 Women’s Running Product Awards panel THE TEAM
Esther newman Senior editor
Megan Gibbings Head of advertising sales
Holly Taylor Digital editor
Kate Sellers Commercial editor
Tina Chantrey Fitness editor
ALEX PARREN Fitness writer
Our expert friends
Sophie Power Ultrarunner and founder of She Races
Hannah Lees Run Together coach and personal trainer
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys Author and co-founder of Black Trail Runners
Mara Hafezi Personal trainer and hybrid athlete
Chrissie Wellington Champion triathlete and parkrun luminary
Mel Bound Founder of This Mum Runs
Lucy Waterlow Author and running coach
Rahema Mamodo Brooks Run Happy team member
BEST NEUTRAL SHOE
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
£175 / asics.com
Loved the world over for guaranteed comfort mile after mile, our testers applauded the hugging fit of the new Nimbus iteration as well as the cushioning and bounce in every stride. Esther said: “For neutral runners, the Gel-Nimbus 25 is a crowdpleaser. Lightweight, flexible, cushioned and comfortable, it’s a reliable all-rounder for road runners of all levels and distances.”
BEST SUPPORT SHOE
Hoka Bondi 8
£145 / hoka.com
Hoka has made great strides in support shoes over the years and these ones combine the famous maximalist bounce with an effective high-arch support.
Mara said: “These beauties are brilliant for long or easy miles and I found the fit to be very good. I love wearing them for recovery runs after my hardest days where my legs need all the help they can get.”
BEST TRAIL SHOE
Arc’teryx Norvan LD 3 GTX Shoe
£180 / arcteryx.com
Impressively lightweight and bouncy f
