By Paul Freary HOKA and ALTRA are two of the youngest running shoe brands on the market. Both brands came about from a desire by their founders to create something different.Both Golden Harper of Altra and Jean-Luc Diard of Hoka wanted shoes that provided them with a running experience that wasn’t otherwise available at the time. […]
Paul Freary
Paul has a lifetime of running experience. As an athlete, he competed at the international level and has some pretty impressive PR’s including; Mile 3:56, 5000m - 13min55sec, Half Marathon - 64min 55sec and, although he says ‘It’s not that good’ a pretty impressive Marathon best of 2hr 35min from Chicago in 2002.
Paul was the British Half Marathon Champion as we as World Masters Champion at the same distance.
He says one of his best runs was at the Berlin Marathon last year, where he finished in 2hr 39min at the age of 54 and hopes to go a little quicker this year.
Paul has worked in the running industry for over 30 years, both with brands including Puma, Fila, Adidas and Nike as well as owning his own running specialty store.
He lives in Lancashire in the UK and writes for several leading publications including Athletics Weekly.
Paul Freary | LinkedIn | Strava | Instagram | Athletics Weekly
HOKA Gaviota 5 Review – Mastering the Run
By Paul Freary The Gaviota 5 is the latest stability running shoe from HOKA and features a brand-new design element, the H-Frame. This new stabilising feature has allowed the brand to use softer midsole foam for cushioning in a deep stack while still being able to provide sufficient control for over-pronators.If you click, or buy from, […]
Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 vs Adrenaline GTS 24 – Brooks Support Shoes Compared
By Paul Freary The Brooks Adrenaline GTS and Glycerin GTS have been running shoe staples for me for several years. Both from a personal perspective and from that of being a running shoe store owner, they have always proved reliable options for runners requiring a good combination of cushioning and support for daily training.If […]
8 Best HOKA Running Shoes for All Types of Runners
By Paul Freary Here, I’ll look at some of the most popular Hoka running shoes and make my recommendations for different runners, from those wanting a lightweight, performance marathon racing shoe or to those that simply want a shoe for everyday easy miles.If you click, or buy from, links on this page, we may receive […]
7 Best Walking Shoes for Overpronation Correction
By Paul Freary I am often asked what the best shoes for walking are by people who overpronate. In many cases, running shoes tend to be the best option as they are specifically the only category of footwear that is available that features different levels of control for pronation.Here, I’ll explain what overpronation is and […]
6 Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
By Paul Freary Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot injuries or conditions. Pain in the heel, arch and bottom of the foot is most commonly classified as Plantar Fasciitis and can be debilitating.Here we’ll look at some of the best walking shoes for those suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.If you click, or buy […]
6 Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet With Support
By Paul Freary I am often asked in my specialist running store what the best shoe is for walking for people with flat feet. I explain that people with flat feet often need more from their footwear than simply cushioning alone. Because the arch of the foot naturally collapses inward, the foot can roll excessively […]
6 Best Supportive Running Shoes for Flat Footed Runners
By Paul Freary Flat feet, or fallen arches, CAN cause overpronation, leading to discomfort and potential injuries when running. BUT it is important to consider the flexibility of your feet as well as the function of the foot and its shape. With 26 bones and 33 joints in each foot, it’s safe to say, there […]
6 Best Cushioned Running Shoes
By Paul Freary With so many running shoes on the market right now, it’s hard to know where to start when choosing a pair.One of the most common questions asked by both new and seasoned runners is, “What’s the best cushioned running shoe?”With variables such as the runner’s weight, pace and distance to consider, as well […]
11 Best Wide Toe Box Running Shoes for Wide Feet
By Paul Freary Runners with wide or higher volume feet often face challenges when selecting appropriate running shoes. Standard-width footwear may not accommodate their foot structure, leading to discomfort, performance limitations, and potential injury. Here we will look at the specific needs of these runners, biomechanical research, and potential injury implications, offering some […]
