They won’t get the identical air time as Hokas or Brooks, however the Ryka shoe evaluations that are on the market are positively glowing—and quite a lot of that reward comes from foot well being specialists (in addition to sneaker connoisseurs right here at SELF). “Ryka is nicely regarded amongst podiatrists, as they’re designed with girls’s foot biomechanics in thoughts,” Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist primarily based in North Carolina, tells SELF. “I’m impressed with their dedication to girls’s health and luxury.”
A trademark of the model’s sneakers is a wider toe field, balanced by a slender, snug-fitting heel. Dr. Daughtry says this design maps most girls’s ft (and we’d say that anybody with this foot form might profit from giving Ryka a attempt). Its strolling sneakers are simply its flagship class, however there’s a Ryka sneaker on the market for everybody—we’ve examined sufficient to know. Try our favourite pairs beneath, then learn on to study extra about what makes this model particular.
Our high picks
- Finest General: Ryka Devotion X 2, $120
- Finest for Cushioning: Ryka Devotion X Max RS, $100
- Finest Cross Coach: Ryka Affect Cross Coach, $90
- Trendiest: Ryka Devotion Max Mary Jane, $90
- Finest Athleisure: Ryka Podflow EZ, $90
- Finest for Cardio Lessons: Ryka Vida RZX, $100
On this article
Store the most effective Ryka sneakers
It’s time to step up your sneaker assortment.
Finest General: Ryka Devotion X 2
It’s simple to see why the Devotion X is Ryka’s bestseller: Its heel is stiff and supportive, whereas its forefoot bends and flexes as you progress. It additionally has a reasonable quantity of cushioning that retains the shoe feeling gentle but comfortable. To high it off, it earned a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA), which specialists solely grant to sneakers they contemplate good for foot well being.
That is an up to date model of my private favourite pair of Rykas, that are nonetheless going robust. I put on them for lengthy neighborhood walks, journeys to the park, and busy days filled with errands—they reliably help my flat ft and hold a spring in my step.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Finest for Cushioning: Ryka Devotion X Max RS
Take the Devotion X, add a layer of cloudlike cushioning, and also you get the Devotion X Max RS. It gained a SELF Sneaker Award this yr for its plush journey. “They’re my new go-to strolling shoe,” our tester mentioned. “Extremely advocate for working errands and occurring walks.”
Responsive padding runs the size of the shoe’s midsole, whereas its higher consists of breathable mesh—no sweaty ft right here. If sneakers with balanced cushioning don’t fairly soften your steps and most extremely cushioned sneakers really feel unwieldy, give this sneaker a attempt. It’s steady but shock absorbing, so that you get the most effective of each worlds.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Finest Cross Coach: Ryka Affect Cross Coach
Like any good cross coach, the Affect has what it takes to hold you thru weightlifting periods, cardio exercises, HIIT courses, and wherever else your fitness center sesh takes you. Its outsole is manufactured from sturdy, grippy rubber that retains you grounded, and its midsole consists of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which helps you keep gentle in your ft when the tempo picks up.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Trendiest: Ryka Devotion Max Mary Jane
An authority-approved ballerina sneaker? Signal us up. The Devotion Max Mary Jane has the identical well-padded midsole as Ryka’s Devotion Max strolling shoe, however its midfoot strap provides it a fashion-y edge. We love once we can hop on a sneaker pattern and nonetheless be form to our ft, and this Mary Jane actually suits the invoice.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Finest Athleisure: Ryka Podflow EZ
Out there in breezy pastels and geared up with an on-trend toggle fastener, the Podflow EZ was principally made to enhance your favourite joggers or leggings-and-crop-top set. However, in accordance with our tester, they’re not simply good to take a look at—they’re additionally constructed to carry out. “They’ve ample cushioning and are fairly light-weight, in order that they’re actually snug for on a regular basis strolling and being in your ft for prolonged durations of time,” she says.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Finest for Cardio Lessons: Ryka Vida RZX
Stevie Eberle, SCW, AFAA, a private coach and health teacher at Bay Membership Redwood Shores in California, beforehand advised SELF that the Vida RZX are their go-tos for fast-paced dance courses. “They’re light-weight, breathable, well-arched, and have an exquisite pivot level,” they mentioned. “I’m fairly tough with them, they usually maintain up!”
One factor to notice: This sneaker’s capacity to help multi-directional actions makes it excellent for dance and Zumba—however it isn’t designed for working, the place cushioning and ahead propulsion are your priorities. Fortunately, Ryka additionally makes some nice trainers you’ll be able to lace up in your subsequent jog.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and extensive
Steadily requested questions on Ryka
What makes Ryka sneakers particular?
Along with the model’s dedication to girls’s footwear, it’s additionally noteworthy for its podiatrist-approved cushioning—a lot in order that Dr. Daughtry recommends Rykas for folks with heavy footfalls. “Their cushioning know-how (particularly the RE-ZORB and EVA midsoles) present glorious shock absorption and influence safety, so these sneakers are very appropriate for high-impact actions,” she says.
Who ought to attempt Ryka earlier than different sneaker manufacturers?
Dr. Daughtry makes the case for Ryka as a very women-friendly model: “Ladies’s ft are anatomically completely different from males’s ft, with completely different heel-to-ball size, foot form, and arch construction. Shoe design can considerably influence efficiency and foot well being, making it essential for girls to put on footwear designed to accommodate their distinctive anatomical wants.” So, girls who don’t discover different manufacturers or sneakers with unisex sizing snug ought to actually try Ryka’s choices.
And, as we talked about earlier than, you don’t essentially have to determine as a lady to slot in Ryka’s sneakers. When you desire pairs with roomy toe packing containers and narrower heels, or you may have a situation that requires extra room within the forefoot (like bunions), you’re in all probability a Ryka buyer within the making. When you’re unsure, attempt a pair completely different pairs to see what feels greatest—fortunately, Ryka has a strong return coverage.
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