Consulting the stars has been a part of human nature for about as long as humans have been around on this planet. We’ve tried to predict our future based on their movements, played connect-the-dots with them to illustrate some mythological characters in the night sky and even determined our own personalities based on these zodiac systems. Innate traits and quirks of our character are supposed, according to the Western Zodiac, to be inherited partially through which star-sign we were born into. 

Running shoes seem to also possess characteristics that suggest that they too are born into a world controlled by Horoscopes. Which one are you? Does it match with your birth sun sign?

Aries (The Ram)

Aries, or The Ram, is the traditional first sign in Western astrology. I bet you know an Aries from your run club by the way they rock up with all the gear for the Saturday Social 5k: carbon shoes, racing top, sunglasses; rips a caffeine gel pre-run and relentlessly hangs on to the front of the pack before sprinting away to get back first. That’s them! Like their namesake Ram, they’re bold and daring, everything is a competition, whether that means headbutting fellow Rams or leading the flock.

The On Cloudboom Strike is the true Aries shoe. The Lemon Peel Yellow colourway is hard to miss, whilst the innovative approach to a super-foam insole keeps things fresh, new and built for winning. It’s a brave shift from On to develop a shoe like this, but as an Aries, it just makes sense.

Taurus (The Bull)

The Saucony Hurricane 25 is the Taurus of the shoe game. For the Bull star-sign, it is all about seeking comfort in the familiar, consistency in the routine contrasting with an all-or-nothing attitude to doing anything whatsoever. For the Hurricane, yeah, it is definitely a max cushion mileage monster, but it prioritises stability, trustworthiness and comfort above all. 

Gemini (The Twins)

The Twins are known in the astrological space as a charismatic pair that displays traits of dynamism, versatility and for being a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. They have a certain fun-loving spirit that means they’re often up for anything, provided they’re not too busy and can focus on the task at hand.

Newcomer to the running market, R.A.D., recently dropped the UFO and it didn’t take us long to figure out what star-sign they’re represented by: definitely a Gemini! The versatile shoe packs a punch at almost any pace range, whether easy, moderate, tempo or threshold, and will take on any challenge you throw at them. A pop of fluorescent colour goes a long way to creating a shoe with a bit of charisma, as well.

Cancer (The Crab)

Just like their namesake crab’s outer shell is its inner protection, Cancers use their caution and intuition to guard their own inner states and prevent emotional damage from creeping in. Yet they can sometimes come off as overly clingy due to their dedicated and loving nature… 

Hoka’s fanbase is as loyal (I didn’t say clingy, you just assumed it) as it is large and of all of their options, the Arahi 8 was definitely born a Cancer. Displaying a supportive and protective – some might even say compassionate – nature thanks to medial support and generous cushioning, there is occasionally a surrendering to intuition with the low-weight allowing the pace to increase when desired. 

Leo (The Lion)

The Lion doesn’t concern itself with the opinions of little-known running bloggers on the internet. And yet, here I am, a little-known running blogger on the internet sharing my opinion regardless of what the Lion thinks. Leos are big personalities with dominant natures, which sometimes leads to them being dramatic and a little vain. Yet they are fiercely loyal, with a penchant for the more luxurious side of life. Don’t worry if you’re not sure if someone is a Leo, they’ll very quickly reveal their astrological nature to you, often seen leading a pack of runners to the finest of London’s independent artisanal bakeries for the flakiest croissants and smoothest espresso known to science.

Drama, luxury, unashamedly themself? Did someone say Satisfy? Standing out on the shelves amongst hundreds of running shoes is a difficult feat, but TheRocker by Satisfy turns heads with unique styling, bold lugs and extremely unique approach to materials and construction. Is it for everyone? No, but then again, when would a Leo care about that?

Virgo (The Virgin)

Virgos, by nature, are the practical sort. Mention you’ve got a leaking tap, and they’ll be at your door the next day with their meticulously organised toolbox to lend a hand in repairing it. But don’t expect a quick fix, they’re notable perfectionists with a head full of ideas that they’re wanting to try. You’re always glad to have them around to sort you out when you need it, even if sometimes they obsess a little about every little thing and ask a few too many questions.

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v14 displays all of the traits of a Virgo: incredibly comfortable, practical, and designed with every single detail considered. So as they say, if it looks like one, smells like one, and sounds like one, then it most likely is one! For once, we’re thankful that New Balance seeked to nail everything on this one, the 1080v14 is a work of perfection.

Libra (The Scales)

What brand comes to mind when we mention sleek, yet distinctive, aesthetics? Would it be On by any chance? Thought so! My powers of astrological comparison are now extending into psychic ability. The On Cloudsurfer Max is the latest in a line of shoes that combine On’s signature distinctive minimalism with a surprisingly sensible ride for just about anything easy and smooth.

Sounds like a Libra! All about balance, Libras are fixated on making sure things are neat and tidy, often resulting in them being the best dressed in the room. Their easy-going traits mean you’ll find them chatting it up in the middle of the run-club pack since they also need to always be in the company of others. Sometimes they can be easily swayed by whoever they’re around, much like the way that On have swiftly tapped into a huge fanbase through run club leaders, RunTok-ers and strong pro-athlete marketing. Savvy.

Scorpio (The Scorpion)

The beauty and the chaos of a Scorpio is in their mystery. Behind it hides a powerful nature, sometimes obsessive, yet dedicated to whatever their heart wants. Consider a Scorpio to be the runner hiding behind some shades, silently ripping solo 400m reps around the track, whom you then discover has won every race in the area. 

On the shelf, the Nike Alphafly 3 is the Scorpio of the bunch. It’s been loved, it’s been maligned, it’s broken records, and likely broken a few ankles as well, but it has used this reputation to feed its streak of PBs and race wins across the world. The power of the shoe is heard from a mile off, thanks to the ZoomX foam, carbon plate and massive Air Zoom Pod bubble that makes it what it is. No one knows why it’s so good, but it just is. And we’re not ones to question a Scorpio.

Sagittarius (The Archer)

For a sense of adventure, go seek out a Sagittarius. You know the Golden Retriever person that is at every run club you’ve ever been to? They’re a Sagg. They are optimistic and honest, seeking to find the best in people and the best in the world through their adventurous spirit. They might seem a little blunt sometimes, but you can’t help but like their impulsivity.

Enter the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL, the Saggitarius of running shoes. Built to go wherever the heart desires, whether on road or off on the trails, the GRVL keeps you feeling that you can do everything with a spritely feel underfoot. So what if they might not be the most stable of shoes for technical trails, they’ll throw caution to the wind and give it a go anyway! 

Capricorn (The Sea Goat)

Capricorn is represented by the Sea Goat. If you don’t know what that is, then I’ve looked it up for you. According to gods-and-monsters.com who I take to believe is the authority on these things, the Sea Goat “has the body of a goat from the waist up and the tail of a fish. It's a very unusual creature, even for mythical standards, because the two halves don't seem to make a whole lot of sense together.” I’m none the wiser. But those born as a Capricorn are said to be responsible and dutiful, carrying out everything with precision and in their entirety. They are persistent, yet possess a sense of humour that may not instantly come forth. 

Despite being neither a goat nor a fish, the Saucony Ride 18 is, by my estimates, a Capricorn. Trusty and dependable, you know exactly where you’re at when it comes to the Saucony Ride 18: not too soft, not too firm, nice and spacious and an underfoot feel that can perform at all paces. As for that sense of humour and personality, the bright colourways more than meet this aspect. 

Aquarius (The Water Bearer)

The Water Bearer, Aquarius, has a head filled with ideas. Each more out-there than the last. You know that meme of the head with beams of light bursting from within it? The person in that meme is an Aquarius, 100%. They know no bounds and cannot be told what to do - their independent nature means Aquariuses (Aquarii?) will go their own way, even if it causes them to feel outcast from the rest of their peers. 

In the creation of the Vomero Premium, Nike clearly had a brainwave that was equal measures original, distinctive and esoteric: to create the most cushioned, most plush shoe ever imagined. They succeeded, even if it makes them stand fully alone, with nothing else like it on the planet. They created an Aquarius.

Pisces (The Fish)

Pisces’ fish represent compassion and idealism, having a romantic worldview unrestricted by boundaries. Some say that, as the last of the star signs of the Western Zodiac, they absorb all of the issues of the signs above them, bearing the burden that they leave and sometimes being extra-sensitive because of it.

Driven by a mission to create performance running shoes sustainably, Hylo are the Pisces of the running world, with the Impact as the truest representation of these traits. Sustainably produced (compassionate), recyclable (idealistic), stylish (sees the beauty in everything) and a damn good running shoe (boundless). Hylo Impact, definitely a Pisces.

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Images by Adrian Varzaru

Written by Liam Dee

Concept by Cara Teton