What is the average monthly cost of living in Singapore for a student? Where's a good place to propose in Singapore? How much salary should I get to afford a car in Singapore? Which is better for a day visit: Jurong Bird Park or Singapore Zoo? Which colleges and high schools are famous in Singapore?We asked hundreds of SELF reader-testers to put 421 pairs of women's sneakers through their paces. Four weeks, 6,035 miles, 253 workout DVDs, 418 classes and 766 hours of strength training later, we present our first annual sneaker awards! Pinpoint your perfect pair to step up to your fitness goals. Cross-Training: For the Gym You need a stable, sturdy shoe for dumbbell workouts. Winner: Blade-Max Endure, $100; Athlete-engineered sliced soles provide traction. And who needs Louboutins? One tester loved the style as much as the function: "They're sexy as hell." Cross-Training: Group Classes Sidestep seamlessly in cross-trainers that help you move in any direction.  

Winner: Puma Pumagility, starting at $70; Flex-grooved bottoms welcome lateral moves. Foam compresses and widens to keep feet stable. Testers liked them for "quick changes in direction." That means you, Zumba. Cross-Training: Minimalist Trainers Deconstructed sneaks force otherwise dormant foot muscles into action. Make sure your feet are ready for minimalist kicks with this 4-week strengthening plan. Winner: Merrell Lithe Glove, starting at $63; Minor cushioning but major flexibility make these the ultimate minimalist multitaskers. 46 High Peaks T-ShirtTesters wore them to Zumba, on the elliptical and for a run, saying their feet "could really grab the ground." Freedom Curtains SaleSupportive Long-Distance Sneakers A more substantial shoe takes the pounding out of your feet and onto the pavement. Buy Laptop From Aliexpress

Winner: Mizuno Wave Creation 13; They have a double-decker plastic midsole separated by shock absorbers, which act like a springboard. "I barely felt the road," one high-miler said. Fit tip: Go up a half size.Minimalist Running Shoes Light-as-a-feather minimalist shoes encourage a more natural forefoot strike, which lessens the load on your joints. Winner: Asics GEL-Neo33, starting at $100; Designed to allow all 33 joints in your foot to move freely, these are minimalist without being too minimal, with a thicker sole. My feet weren't constricted," a tester said.Cushioned Sneakers Neutral runners go farther and faster in pillowlike picks that ease the impact. Winner: Reebok ZigNano Fly 2, starting at $73; The signature zigzag sole puts bounce in your step, literally. "The bottoms are like springs, easing you off the ground," a tester claimed.Superlight Running Shoes Superlight sneakers with a firm midsole can help you run faster. Winner: Nike LunarEclipse+ 2, starting at $110; A sock liner with two densities of foam cradles your midfoot.

These will fit like a glove. And even with all of the bells and whistles, testers found the shoes surprisingly "airy and flexible."Walking Shoes Walkers strike heel first, rolling heel to toe, so a supportive heel, flexible sole and bend in the toe box are key. Winner: Ryka Devotion, starting at $70; Eight squishy triangles create a platform along the bottom of the shoe. One tester said, "It was like walking on marshmallows."   More from Self: Superfoods for Flat Abs10 Busy-Girl Buffer Moves50 Healthiest Snacks5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin How can you tell if a friend is lying in a text message? How to dress appropriately in the gym? How to stay safe on the Internet? How long should you wait before tying the knot with someone? What’s a good number of friends to have?We asked running experts on how they pick out the perfect running shoe. After you stare at a wall of running shoes for awhile, they all start blending together: the garish colors, the suspicious layers of gel, the absurd and vaguely mythic names.

But at this time of year, we’re all dying to get outside and stretch our legs with the first runs of spring. So we called up a gang of runners—from Olympians to coaches to a famed podiatrist (because in 2015, even podiatrists can be famous)—and asked them all for advice on picking out new shoes.1. Molly Huddle, Olympian and winner of the 2015 New York City Half Marathon (Providence, Rhode Island)"Over the years I’ve realized you want a little extra room in your shoe, both width- and length-wise—I haven’t had my usual battles with plantar fasciitis since trying a wider shoe size and going up half a size. It’s also important that the shoe cradles your mid-foot comfortably. Be careful testing out any extreme model of shoe: If it is much more minimal and lighter (or more built up and heavy) than what you are used to, don’t dive into a long run with it right out of the box."FAVORITE SHOE:"My constant favorite is the Saucony Kinvara. It’s cushioned, but with a lower heel-toe offset and arch lock so you can do anything from a speed workout to a long run in them.

And I travel with them so I can pack lighter."Related: 25 Foods for Better Skin2. Robert Tierney, rheumatologist at Park Nicollet Health Services and runner of 89 marathons (Twin Cities)"Don’t go looking for a shoe on a weekend in a crowded running store. Go during off hours, when you can find someone who can really help you. Make sure they have a good return policy, and wear them at home for a while. You want a cushioned shoe that’s lightweight, stable, a great fit, good colors, and is inexpensive. FAVORITE SHOE:"I’m currently stuck on the Asics Gel Kayano. They’re well cushioned for an older and ‘heavier’ runner, and seem to have a long-lasting cushioning midsole that I can run long distances in while avoiding injuries. Once you know the shoe you want, you may be able to find them online at a cheaper price, although I once got two left feet in the box."Related: 7 Worst Ways To Lose Weight3. Matt Taylor, Co-founder and CEO of Tracksmith (Boston)"I start the process with style.

There are so many ugly running shoes on the market, it narrows down to the least offensive choices."FAVORITE SHOE:"Honestly, I’m still searching. I’ve gone through phases, though. The original Adidas Oswego and original Nike Hurache were incredible. I ran in the Saucony Jazz—yes, the Saucony Jazz—and Asics Cumulus for a few years. And the first iteration of the PUMA Faas 500 was a great shoe. I still have a few pairs in my closet. There’s one shoe I’m dying to try, but can’t track it down—it’s a shoe made by master craftsman Hitoshi Mimura."Related: 6 Most Important Foods to Cut From Your Diet4. Dathan Ritzenhein, three-time Olympian (Grand Rapids, Michigan)"I believe it’s a good idea to buy multiple types of shoes to rotate. The expense is bigger up front, but you still end up with the same amount of mileage in each shoe. Some days, particularly after a hard workout, I need something with extra support."FAVORITE SHOE:"I love the Nike Zoom Pegasus. It has been around forever and is a great standard and neutral shoe, with a soft ride and great transition."

5. Dennis Barker, Team USA Minnesota coach (Twin Cities)"The first thing I want to feel when I put on a shoe is whether the arch fits naturally and comfortably into my arch. If it doesn’t, there’s a good chance it could cause problems—such as blisters—down the road. Or it might be the wrong size. (It seems that sizing can vary even within a single brand.) Next, I want to feel that my toes have a comfortable amount of room, with enough additional room in front to expand when I’m up on my toes at the end of each stride. But I also want the shoe to feel snug around the mid-section.Now comes the test drive. With the shoes on, I’ll walk slowly, deliberately putting each foot through the same motion as when I’m running: planting the heel and rolling forward to the toe. I want make sure that the shoe will roll the way my foot wants it to for both support and comfort. If it does, it’s a sale.”FAVORITE SHOE:"I don’t have any loyalty to a particular brand. My loyalty is to my own feet and legs."

Related: 12 New Rules of Eating Healthy6. Amol Saxena, renowned sports podiatrist and surgeon (Palo Alto, California)"Comfort is the No. 1 factor; not too tight and not too loose. The heel should be snug and the insole outline should match your foot. You can hold it up to the mirror with your foot superimposed—if you see your foot extending beyond the insole, the shoe will be too narrow."FAVORITE SHOE:"I like the Nike Pegasus because it is a neutral cushioned shoe. I have knee arthritis. Many people erroneously recommend motion control shoes for knee pain, but more shock absorption is needed. That is why I often recommend Hoka Shoes. They are great for most types of knee pain, big toe joint, and mid-foot arthritis."Related: 9 Things Every Man Should Have in His Pockets7.Jordan Metzl, sports doctor, Ironman, and author of the forthcoming book Running Strong: The Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide to Staying Healthy and Injury-Free for Life. (New York City)"Here are the top three fit factors: (a) snug around the heel, (b) a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the top of the shoe, and (c) snug but not tight in the toe box, so you have a little wiggle room.