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The 7 Best Running Shoes For Every Runner Type
Here’s How to Earn an Extra $1,000 This Month from Your Smartphone
What Really Shows Up on a Credit Check for Employment

The 7 Best Running Shoes For Every Runner Type

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 11:10 AM PDT

Whether you're a would-be runner, a casual jogger or even a competitive runner, chances are you've contemplated spending big bucks to find the best running shoes.

Maybe you have existing problems with your feet or knees that could be alleviated by a good pair of stability shoes, or you might be looking for running shoes to take your pavement pounding to the next level.

Whatever your reasons for needing a pair of legit trail runners, it's important to understand exactly what you're paying for and if the potential extra cost will help you reach your fitness goals — or if you're just buying into a lot of hype.

We spoke to foot doctors for help identifying the best options in the running shoe market.

8 Best Running Shoes for Every Type of Runner

Best for daily runners: Hoka One One Mach 4
Best for occasional runners: New Balance 1080v12
Best for runners with high arches: ASICS GEL-Nimbus 23
Best for runners with low or flat arches: Brooks Dyad 11
Best for runners with bad ankles: Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Best for treadmills runners: Brooks Ghost
Best for sidewalk runners: Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 Waveknit Road Running Shoe
Best zero-drop running shoe: Altra Escalante 2

The best running shoes can cost an arm and leg — but they don't have to. If you're on the hunt for new running shoes, here's what to look for. The prices listed are suggested retail but you may run into sales on manufacturer's websites and from online shoe retailers.

Many of the running shoe manufacturers release new versions regularly. For instance, the popular Brooks Adrenaline GTS is on No. 22 in 2022. You can save money by looking for models from previous years, knowing that the shoes don't change that much. There may be limited selection of colors and sizes, but this tactic will help you reap some serious savings. Watch online sellers like Zappos and keep your eye out for coupons — then you will be paying Penny Hoarder prices!

Best Running Shoes for Daily Runners

Shoe: Hoka One One Mach 4

Price: $130

Why they're the best: "I like the Hoka One One Mach 4 for a daily running shoe since it's both stable and lightweight, with a good fit," says podiatrist and foot surgeon Kimberly Hoang Nguyen of Philadelphia Podiatry. Keep in mind that other reviewers say traction isn't the best on this model, meaning these make better road running shoes than trail running shoes.

Best Running Shoes for Occasional Runners

Shoe: New Balance 1080v12

Price: $160

Why they're the best: This versatile New Balance shoe has an incredible midsole and outsole, according to George P.H., founder of physician-backed Shoethority who goes by initials rather than a conventional last name. "Occasional runners often have an excessive heel strike; this shoe's sole helps protect their feet and knees from striking impact." Lightweight, and with improved heel-counter and lacing (as compared to the previous 1080v11 model), this shoe allows for less pressure on the foot (especially the heel) while also providing a snug fit around the midfoot. "Put short, you get the same incredible sole but an even better upper," says the Shoetority founder.

Best Running Shoes for Runners with High Arches

Shoe: ASICS GEL-Nimbus 23

Price: $120

Why they're the best: For runners with high arches, Nguyen recommends this Asics running shoe. "The FlyteFoam cushioning helps with impact while running, and this shoe has a GEL unit in the heel that allows for softer landing," she says. "The shoe also has an inner heel counter that helps keep your foot in place."

Best Running Shoes for Runners with Low or Flat Arches

Shoe: Brooks Dyad 11

Price: $130

Why they're the best: Nguyen likes these Dyad running shoes for their roomy toe box — which makes them a great choice for wide feet or heavier builds. The cushioned shoes also have durable support and enough stability for overpronators (think: ankle rolling too far downward and inward with each step), and enough space to accommodate a custom insert.

Best Running Shoes for Bad Ankles

Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS

Price: $140

Why they're the best: According to Eric Barber, founder of the shoe review blog Steady Foot, one of the best shoes for runners with bad ankles is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS line (they are up to 22 versions now). Among other reasons for his choice, Barber cites the shoe's versatility and "exceptional cushioning and ankle support" which helps runners with weak or injury-prone ankles. Prices start at $140 but watch for sales of last year's models. In July 2022, the Adrenaline GTS 21 was on sale for $110 on the Brooks site.

Best Running Shoes for Treadmill Runners

Shoe: Brooks Ghost

Price: $140

Why they're the best: With an extra-thick sole that keeps the feet energized as you run on treadmills, there's a reason the testers over at Shoethority love Brooks Ghost running shoes. "There's a little extra support in the midsole, helping you maintain good foot posture without feeling stiff. Most importantly, the upper keeps the foot stable and secure while still being light and well-ventilated — which is important when you're indoors," says George P.H. of Shoethority.

Best Running Shoes for Sidewalk Runners

Shoe: Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 Waveknit Road Running Shoe

Price: $95

Why they're the best: If most of your running takes place on hard surfaces like a sidewalk where you need extra shock absorption, Nguyen recommends this Mizuno Save Inspire running shoe. "The mesh upper portion of the shoe makes it very soft and breathable," she says. It also has more cushioning than many other running shoes, which should provide a soft ride and extra comfort on high-impact runs.

Best Zero-Drop Running Shoe

Shoe: Altra Escalante 2

Price: $130

Why they're the best: When it comes to zero-drop running shoes (aka the "barefoot" shoes that have become popular), the Altra Escalante reigns supreme. With a quality lacing system, an insole that stays springy (even after months of use) and a highly breathable stretchy upper, it's easy to see why runners love this shoe.

"It combines a zero drop with the kind of cushioning modern runners are used to," says the Shoethoirty founder. Meaning, you can use it to easily transition from regular running shoe to zero-drop model. "There's also a lot of toe space thanks to the extra-wide forefoot. Together with the zero drop build, this gives you an easy, natural running gait that's easy on your joints."

Are Running Shoes Worth It?

The short answer is yes, and as it turns out, picking the right running shoes can not only help keep your feet and joints happy, but might even give you an advantage over your running buddies.

"Running shoes are a necessity since this is one of the few equipment items that a runner actually needs, as they hit the ground with three times their actual body weight," says Nguyen. "Running shoes help to provide arch support and cushioning, promote performance and aid in the prevention of injuries."

If you're ready to invest in premium running shoes, foot and ankle surgeon Tom Biernacki says the technology built into some high-end models can make a difference.

"Nike Vaporfly Next % shoes are a major breakthrough in running technology, and were recently used to break the marathon world record," he said. "These shoes have actually been declared illegal by many running governing institutions, as they're very light and have a carbon plate that's been shown to create a springlike effect— in what some say is an unfair advantage."

Despite the light weight and springiness of these shoes, the main reason they've been blacklisted in competitive environments is the prohibitive price tag. "Some runners simply can't afford a $250 – $400 range shoe for a high school event," says Biernacki.

3 Tips for Finding the Right Shoe

Finding the best running shoes for your needs (without spending the equivalent of a down payment on a car) isn't always easy. Here are some general tips for picking the right running shoes.

1. Make sure the shoes fit your foot shape and foot width.

"My biggest tip would be to make sure to fit the shoe properly," says Biernacki. "Try on shoes later in the day when your feet are more swollen, and be sure to test the toe box room while standing (not sitting)."

Ideally you want some wiggle room between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe to ensure you don't have any bad friction points.

2. The right running shoes for most runners are cushioned and supportive.

You're not looking for the best running shoes for Olympic competition. You need the best running shoes for you — meaning adequate cushion and support based on your age and the type of running and exercise you plan to do.

"Younger people in general can find decent results with a more minimalist shoes or more unique shoes," says Biernacki. "But in our experience the older, the stiffer or the less athletic runners would benefit more from a more supportive shoe with a slight heel lift (8-12mm), more cushion and more support, like a shoe from Brooks, Asics, Hoke, On, or Nike."

3. Bring your inserts to the running store.

"If you have custom orthotics, try them out in your running shoes to make sure it is the proper fit with these devices in," says Nguyen. "Remember, if running shoes aren't comfortable while trying them on in the store, they won't be any more comfortable when running."

Contributor Larissa Runkle frequently writes on finance, real estate, and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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Here’s How to Earn an Extra $1,000 This Month from Your Smartphone

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 11:01 AM PDT

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People say lots of things that used to be true, like "There's no such thing as easy money," or "You have to spend money to make money." Yeah, not true.

Companies are willing to pay you real money for some pretty basic tasks, such as testing apps, reviewing websites and completing surveys.

If you know your way around an app or a website, you can find all sorts of opportunities to make easy money through a site called Freecash.com.

You can pick the most interesting quick cash tasks from your Freecash dashboard, complete them in your free time and cash out whenever you want — no matter how much or little you've earned.

Free time is the only thing you'll have to spend to make money. And if you have enough time on your hands, you could add more than $1,000 to your budget this month.

Earn $1,000 for Completing Simple Tasks

You could scrape the internet to find all sorts of "get paid to" opportunities. But that would be a waste of time, time that could be spent earning money.

Freecash has already compiled some of the best opportunities from about a dozen companies, from offerwall companies to market research firms. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019 and is currently paying out over $50,000 each day.

It's all straightforward. Complete a survey. Install an app and register. Create an account on a website. Play a game and reach a certain level. Test an app or website. Take on whatever sounds interesting to you.

Once you complete a task, you'll be awarded digital coins that you can convert into a cash balance — basically, 1,000 coins equals $1. And many opportunities pay thousands of coins for your time and effort.

Other "get paid to" sites hold your earnings until you accrue enough money to cash out. That could be $15, or it could be $25. But with Freecash, you can cash out with as little as $1 earned.

You can transfer your earnings to an Amazon gift card, Visa gift card, PayPal, Bitcoin or digital items for games like Fortnite and Counterstrike: Global Offensive. And there are even more types of gift cards you can choose from.

Depending on how you choose to withdraw your earnings, your payment could be processed in as little as an hour's time.

Start Earning from Whatever Device You're on Right Now

Ready to add another $100, $500 or $1,000 to your budget this month? All you have to do is create a username and password to open your Freecash account.

There's no limit to how much you can earn. And as long as you have a web-connected device, you can make money from almost anywhere — though opportunities vary location.

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What Really Shows Up on a Credit Check for Employment

Posted: 30 Jun 2022 09:00 AM PDT

You survived the interviews. You deftly explained where you see yourself in five years. You managed to sparkle even when you talked about your greatest weakness.

Now there's just one thing standing between you and your dream job: a credit check.

But what happens when you have a lackluster credit score? Will past missteps haunt your career prospects for years to come?

What Shows up on a Credit Check for Employment?

First the good news: Employers don't see your credit score when they run your credit. Instead they see a modified version of your credit report.

Here's what appears:

Open accounts with the account numbers redacted
Payment history
Outstanding balances
Amount of open credit
Accounts in collections
Bankruptcies from the past seven to 10 years, depending on the type of bankruptcy
Foreclosures from the past seven years

Now here's the bad news: The things employers look for when they check your credit — primarily negative payment history or a high credit utilization ratio — are the top two factors that can crush your credit score.

So if you have a low credit score, your credit report will probably have information that could be a red flag to employers.

If a company does check your credit for hiring purposes, you don't have to worry that your score will be affected. The pull is what's known as a soft check, which has no impact on your score. A hard check, which occurs when you apply for credit, can ding your score by a few points.

Pro Tip

If your current employer wants to check your credit, they'll need your written consent to do so.

When Do Employers Do Credit Checks?

For a lot of applicants, a credit check is unlikely to be an issue. A 2020 survey of more than 1,500 human resources professionals by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) found that just 6% of companies ran credit checks on all employees.

Obviously, credit checks are most common for roles that involve handling money or sensitive information. If your personal finances are in trouble, employers may worry you're more likely to embezzle money or commit fraud.

But some companies run credit checks simply because they think that if you can manage your own money well, it's a sign that you'll be a good employee — though a growing number of state and local governments oppose the practice. At least 11 states, Washington, D.C., plus Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia, limit the use of credit checks for candidates who don't deal with finances or sensitive data.

Employers usually do credit checks at the end of the hiring process. Most do them after a conditional job offer has been made, though some conduct them following a job interview.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have to consent in writing for an employer to pull your credit.

What to Do Before a Hiring Manager Runs Your Credit

If you're a job candidate and you've been asked to consent to a credit check, you'll want to know exactly what the employer will see on your reports.

The best way to do this is by obtaining a free credit report from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Ordinarily, you're only entitled to one free report per year from each bureau, but due to the pandemic, you can receive a free report every week through December 2022. However, checking your reports this frequently probably isn't necessary.

Pro Tip

Your credit reports are genuinely free on AnnualCreditReport.com. Unlike some sites, you don't need to fork over your credit card info for a temporary trial to obtain them.

If you find any inaccurate information, it's vital that you dispute it pronto with the bureaus — and let the hiring manager know that you're disputing it as well.

But when the report contains negative information that's correct, the proactive approach is best. If you've made mistakes in the past, ask to talk with the hiring manager before they run your credit.

If your credit troubles are the result of hardship, like a death in the family, a layoff or a divorce, you may want to explain the circumstances to the hiring manager, though be careful about offering TMI.

You'll be in a better position to make your case if you can explain how you're working to fix things and why your previous mishaps won't affect your job performance.

If the employer opts not to hire you because of what they found in your credit reports, they're required under the Fair Credit Report to notify you. They'll also need to give you a copy of the credit report they used to make the decision, a summary of your rights and ample time to dispute the decision.

While this process may seem stomach-churning, it helps to understand the employer's reason for checking your credit: It's usually about risk mitigation. They want to make sure they're not hiring someone who's likely to steal from the company or its customers, rather than judge you for missing a credit card payment.

Why You Need to Check Your Credit Reports, Not Just Your Score

Regardless of whether you're on the job market, you need to regularly monitor your credit reports. And no, signing up for a credit score monitoring service isn't enough.

While these services can be helpful, only the reports furnished by the official bureaus will show you what's really causing any credit troubles.

Think of the credit score as your temperature. If you develop a fever, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Obtaining your credit report is like getting lab work. It's the only way to get to the root of the problem.

Trust us: Even if you're not job hunting or applying for credit soon, it will pay off to address these problems now. Finding a job is stressful enough. Don't add unnecessary pressure down the line by neglecting to keep up with your credit report.

Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to AskPenny@thepennyhoarder.com.

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