Product Testing Criteria

Since 2005, we here at Running Warehouse have prided ourselves on being runners first, and retailers second. Through countless races, ultras, easy mileage days, workouts, and adventure runs, we have built our home in this community. We know how the right shoes, apparel, and gear can make or break a run, which can in turn make or break a morning, which can make or break a whole day. And so, we want to do our part to keep this community informed, equipped, and feeling your fastest every time you lace up.

To accomplish that, we make it a point to test, bring in, and highlight gear that we truly love and are willing to stand behind. Our team of testers makes a point of rigorously testing a variety of offerings from all major running brands so that we may provide you with honest, thoughtful product reviews that you can trust.

Here's how we ensure our product evaluations meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and diversity:

It all begins with our team, composed of running enthusiasts with years of experience and a range of running styles.

Our experts include:

• Certified coaches who have supported beginning runners through elite runners

• Former collegiate athletes, 5K runners, half and full marathoners

• Ultra-marathoners

• Runners who draw their joy from relaxed, conversational paces

• Trail running enthusiasts

• Running store employees with extensive shoe-fitting experience

We have pronators, supinators, heel strikers and forefoot strikers. Narrow feet, wide feet, women’s size 6.5 through men’s size 14. This variety of perspectives allows us to evaluate products for runners of all levels, from the fun runners to the most dedicated competitors. Because of this, we’re bound to have different takes on the items we’re testing, but we think that’s a benefit worth sharing. Our hope is, whatever your unique running profile and preferences, you’ll find a tester in our ranks who speaks your language.

Here at Running Warehouse, we’re fortunate to have developed relationships with the best running brands in the game. Each brand brings their own specialties and quirks to the table as, similarly, our community of runners brings a unique set of specialties and quirks to their reviews. We are proud that our review space offers a spectrum of insight into what works, or what doesn’t work, for each shoe, each brand, and each of us as runners. No one size fits all in this industry, and we think that’s part of what makes this process so invigorating. Well...that and the post-run endorphin rushes.

From our ultra trail runner who loves a wide toe box to our 5k enthusiast that wants to feel the road through as narrow a strapped-in feel as possible, our reviewers operate with the autonomy to tell you how they really feel about our shoes. We believe that this approach lends an authentic, unique perspective to each Running Warehouse review. Our hope is that, by having a variety of voices speaking their honest minds, you’ll embrace us as a trustworthy, reliable resource when considering your next rotation of running gear.

So then, on to our process itself...

We make a point of getting multiple perspectives about our reviewed shoes, so that whatever your foot shape, your stride, or your running goals, we can have an informed take worth offering. As such, we have developed a comprehensive testing process, ensuring that our reviewed shoes are tested by a minimum of two testers, and that those testers spend a minimum of three weeks trialing the shoes. Then, in our write-ups, we lean on a series of common touchpoints to make sure our reviews consider each shoe from all the important angles, including:

Initial Assessment

• Unboxing and first impressions of shoe features

• Comparing the brands’ reported specs against our own measurements, double checking standards such as weights and stack heights out of the box

• Detailed examinations of materials, construction, and craftsmanship

Real-World Testing

• Testing across various surfaces, including roads, tracks, trails, and treadmills

• We evaluate in different weather conditions and temperatures
• We assess shoes across a variety of runs and paces, especially easy, tempo, long, and race efforts

But what do we look for in the shoes while testing? With all of the variables at play, from our wide-ranging stable of testers, to variable running conditions, to the different styles and purposes of the shoes themselves, there can be a lot to consider. To stay consistent, we try to target our reviews around three key metrics which remain observable across all shoes and runs, whether they’re super shoes, daily trainers, max cushioned trail shoes, or otherwise. We ask questions about each, like...

Comfort

• How’s the cushioning and responsiveness of each shoe?

• Do the foam and the midsole shape work together effectively?

• How does the shoe’s base feel, underfoot? Too wide? Too narrow?

• How comfortable is this shoe vs other similarly styled shoes?

• Did they add or take away padding between this model and the last model?

Performance

• What type of energy return are we getting from the midsole?

• If there is a carbon plate, is it effective?

• How does the shoe’s traction hold up across different surfaces?

• How does the shoe perform across different run types, since casual miles, workouts, and races are all capable of drawing out the different characteristics of a model.

• Does the shoe seem durable?

• How quickly are wear patterns forming?

• How much stability and support are we actually receiving from a stability shoe?

Fit

• How narrow, snug, average, roomy, or wide is the heel fit?

• What about the forefoot?

• The toe box?

• Did we find any hotspots?

• How breathable is the upper’s material?

• Are any moisture management systems effective?

And then, of course, we’re proud to offer more than *just* shoes for your training. Our buyers work tirelessly to also bring in the best available gear and apparel to support you from your ankles on up. For shirts, shorts, hats, watches, and even nutrition, we stock a carefully curated selection of just about everything you need to hit the road. Or the trail. Or the track. Or the...you get the idea.

So, how do we trim these selections down? Our buyers work carefully with brands to make sure we’re getting the best they have to offer. And if a product seems particularly unique, we can grab it off the shelves to give it a run ourselves!

When we do this, we check for a variety of things, just like we do with our shoes:

• Wear testing during runs of various distances and intensity levels

• Evaluation of comfort, fit, style, and freedom of movement

• Assessment of moisture-wicking and temperature-regulation properties

• Durability testing through multiple wash and wear cycles

• Functionality testing of features (e.g., pockets, zippers, reflective elements, etc.)

By choosing Running Warehouse for your running gear needs, you're getting advice from a team that has a direct stake in your satisfaction and success as a runner. We're not just pointing you to products on other websites – we're standing behind them with our inventory, our reputation, and our commitment to the running community.

Our goal is simple: we want you to find the right gear, love your runs, and come back to us when it's time for your next pair of shoes or running outfit!

We value your feedback and experiences. If you have questions about our testing process or want to share your thoughts on a product you've purchased based on our recommendations, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our contact page to learn more or connect with us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok). Thank you for trusting Running Warehouse as your go-to source for running gear expertise. Let's lace up and get running!