There are a LOT of running shoes on the market and each pair comes in all shapes and sizes offering all sorts of things from speed to agility to support to style. While it might be tempting to grab the flashiest pair or the cheapest option, choosing the right running shoe for your needs is essential to keep you comfortable, supported, and injury-free.
That’s where we come in. We’ve done the hard work, put in the miles and tested dozens of running shoes (and let’s be honest, we love testing running shoes as a job) to help you identify the top-performing options for all kinds of runners. In this guide, we’ll break down what sets one shoe apart from another and how specific features cater to different running styles.
Before diving into the list, we recommend heading to your local running store for a gait analysis. This free service involves running on a treadmill while a specialist assesses your movement and foot strike. They’ll advise you on the type of shoe that best supports your running form. Don’t feel pressured to buy on the spot, instead you can use the insights from your analysis to explore the options in this guide.
If you already know your gait type and are ready to find the best running shoes we’ve tested, keep reading.
The quick list
The Asics Novablast 5 is a fantastic choice for runners of all levels, delivering an impressive mix of comfort, responsiveness, and versatility. Whether you're rotating it with other shoes or relying on it for every run, it’s a reliable, high-energy performer at a great price.
The Glycerin Max is built for marathon training, with plenty of plush cushioning to offer and a high-stack support to handle long miles with ease. It features a rockered design that helps you roll smoothly and with speed.
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The Brooks Ghost 16 may not be the flashiest shoe, but it's a favorite for beginners thanks to its cushioned midsole, stable ride, and comfortable fit.
The Saucony Hurricane 24 is an extremely comfortable running shoe packed into a stable design. Its cushioned midsole provides lasting support, while the structured build helps keep each stride steady and efficient.
Veja are a brand that pride themselves on making shoes with eco-friendly and sustainable materials and this is the best Veja running shoe we've tested to date thanks to the Condor 3's supreme comfort.
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Known as being Brooks’ ‘softest shoe’, the Glycerin is one of the most popular running shoes around, and the Glycerin 21 is our favorite version of the shoe yet.
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The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 wins the most versatile running shoe award for us — its plush cushioning keeps you comfortable on long runs, while its lightweight design lets you pick up the pace for speed sessions and anything in-between.
With its broad platform and cradling midsole, the Saucony Guide 17 offers a stable and comfortable ride. This is an excellent shoe for any overpronators or those who prefer a firmer feel.
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is a versatile trail shoe that provides reliable traction across varied terrain, from muddy forest paths to rugged mountain trails. It boasts comfort on long runs while remaining lightweight for quicker off-road miles.
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How we test the best running shoes
We put running shoes to the test by doing what we know best—running in them! While choosing the right shoe depends on your feet and running style, our experience with testing the market’s top models over the years helps us spot the standouts.
Each shoe is tested for at least 30 miles, during which we assess them for performance, comfort, and fit. We take them through a variety of runs to see how they hold up at different paces and distances. We also check how they handle on various terrains, from slick roads to muddy trails.
Finally, we factor in the price, comparing it to other shoes in the same category to ensure you’re getting the best value
The best running shoes you can buy today
For some categories we couldn't pick just one running shoe for each so make sure to scroll through the full guide to find out which brands and designs made our list and why.
Best running shoe overall
The Saucony Ride 17 is a dream daily trainer and introduces significant upgrades from the Ride 16, notably the transition to Pwrrun + midsole foam, designed to provide a perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness. This means each step feels light and bouncy, making your runs feel smooth and effortless.
The revamped engineered mesh upper enhances midfoot lockdown and heel comfort without compromising on flexibility or support. Featuring a stretchy, gusseted tongue and a moderately cushioned yet stiff heel counter, the Ride 17 ensures a snug fit and mile-after-mile comfort.
One minor gripe experienced during testing is the lacing system which loosened during runs. Nevertheless, once adjusted, the shoe excels across diverse running scenarios, from long marathon-training sessions to brisk commutes and speed workouts.
The Ride 17 strikes an impressive balance between cushioning and responsiveness, courtesy of its enhanced midsole foam, offering a soft and bouncy feel. Its smooth midfoot-to-forefoot transition, coupled with a subtle rocker geometry in the forefoot, offers up a nice and efficient forward propulsion.
In our eyes, the Saucony Ride 17 delivers excellent value for money, providing a versatile and high-performing daily trainer with premium features at an affordable price, making it a wise investment for runners of all levels.
- Read our full Asics Novablast 5 review
Best running shoe for marathon training
The Brooks Glycerin Max is the most cushioned running shoe Brooks has ever made, and a perfect companion for marathon training. With a high stack of cushioning—45mm at the heel and 39mm at the forefoot—this is a running shoe that provides plenty of shock absorption to keep your legs feeling fresh over long distances.
Despite all that cushioning, the shoe doesn’t feel overly heavy, thanks to its rockered design, which helps you roll smoothly from heel to toe. While it’s not the fastest option for speedwork, it can still handle tempo runs and feels stable even on long efforts.
The Glycerin Max also features Brooks' nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam, which is designed to offer both cushioning and responsiveness. The midsole uses larger, softer foam cells in the heel for a plush landing, while smaller, denser cells in the forefoot adding to a snappier toe-off.
Combined with a breathable mesh upper and a padded heel collar for added support, this shoe delivers a comfortable and stable ride for runners tackling high-mileage training.
- Read our full Brooks Glycerin Max review
Best running shoe for beginners
The Brooks Ghost 16 continues the Brook's reputation of producing a dependable, versatile running shoe, perfect for runners seeking comfort and durability in a daily trainer. A significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Ghost 16 features a new midsole made from a nitrogen-infused foam also found in the Brooks Glycerin 21. This results in a lighter, more responsive shoe that offers better energy return compared to the previous Brooks Ghost 15 model.
During our testing, the Ghost 16 proved to be a reliable option for both long, steady runs and speed sessions. The shoe's midsole strikes an excellent balance between softness and responsiveness, while the grippy RoadTack outsole ensures reliable traction on wet and dry surfaces. It’s perfect for runners of all levels, but we think new runners will especially appreciate the extra cushioning, which helps protect against injuries that can happen when using muscles that aren’t used to running yet.
One thing to note is the Ghost 16’s high 12mm heel-to-toe drop, which is higher than many modern daily trainers. This might feel less natural for runners who prefer a lower drop or a more rockered profile. However, for those who favor a traditional feel, the Ghost 16’s smooth ride and stability make it a solid choice.
- Read our full Brooks Ghost 16 review
Best running shoe for flat feet
The Saucony Hurricane 24 is an impressive cushioned stability shoe designed for those who prioritize comfort and support during their runs. It’s a significant upgrade from its predecessor, featuring a higher stack height, an updated rocker, and improved midsole foams, which make it one of the most comfortable shoes for easy and long runs. While it's a bit heavier than some other options on the market, our testing proved to us that the extra weight is offset by the plush cushioning and smooth ride it provides.
The dual-density midsole, which uses Saucony’s PWRRUN PB foam for a soft and bouncy feel, and a firmer PWRRUN frame for added support, ensures that your foot feels cradled during every step. The wide base and high sidewalls of the shoe add to its stability, making it an excellent choice for runners who overpronate or those who need additional support, even on longer runs.
What stood out the most during our testing was the smooth rocker, which creates an effortless transition from heel to toe. This feature really helps make longer distances feel more manageable, allowing you to keep moving comfortably without tiring quickly.
Although the Hurricane 24 may not be the best option for fast-paced runs due to its heavier weight, it truly excels in easy miles and long runs, offering a cushioned and stable ride. Neutral runners can also enjoy the comfort it provides, despite being a stability shoe, as the support comes from its design rather than traditional medial posts.
- Read our full Saucony Hurricane 24 review
Best sustainable running shoe
Finding a high-performing pair of running shoes made from environmentally conscious materials can be a real challenge. Sustainable materials can struggle to match the durability, flexibility, and lightweight properties of common synthetic alternatives. However, the Veja Condor 3 stands out as an exception.
We found the Condor 3 to be exceptionally comfortable for our daily miles, with eco-friendlier materials such as recycled polyester, sugar cane, and Amazonian rubber. The midsole, which combines sugar cane-based EVA and Amazonian rubber, provides a spongy feel and a smooth, cruisey ride. This shoe is perfect for easy, relaxed runs, can handle longer distances too, and has become a favorite walking shoe of mine. That said, it's a bit on the bulkier side, making it less ideal for speed work.
In addition to its performance, the Condor 3 scores high on style—no surprise, coming from a French footwear brand. It's the kind of running shoe that looks just as good off the track as on it, without screaming "I'm a runner!" We've received plenty of compliments on its aesthetic, from runners and non-runners alike.
While it might be a bit pricier than some less versatile trainers, the cost feels justified when considering the sustainable materials and practices behind both the brand and the shoe.
- Read our full Veja Condor 3 review
Best value running shoe
This upgraded version of Brooks' softest shoe upholds the series' reputation as a comfortable every day pair. They're slightly lighter than the Brooks Glycerin 20, but with the same 10mm drop.
They also retain the previous edition's DNA Loft V3 midsole foam, making them ideal for short runs or long slow-paced sessions. But they're supportive enough for when you need to pick up some speed as well.
There are some modest upgrades elsewhere, with a redesigned upper which is just as comfortable as before, but feels slightly thicker and less breathable. Still, the new padding on the tongue and heel collar felt comfortable during our testing.
Overall, we found that the Glycerin 21 kept the Glycerin 20's focus on durability and comfort, but the lower weight was a welcome change. There may not be enough difference to warrant an upgrade from the 20, but the Glycerin 21 are an excellent, budget-friendly introduction to every day running shoes.
- Read our full Brooks Glycerin 21 review
Best running shoe for versatility
It goes without saying, you don’t have to own multiple pairs of running shoes to be a runner. While some people might invest in multiple pairs for different sessions, if you’re new to running or are on a budget, you’ll still be able to build fitness and train for races with only one pair in your closet. Plus, if you’re looking for that one pair, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is a brilliant shoe to invest in.
A seriously versatile shoe, the New Balance 1080v13 is soft and plush enough to keep you comfy on your long runs, but can also pick up the pace when you need it for faster tempo sessions. Compared to the New Balance 1080v12, the New Balance 1080v13 has more of the brand's Fresh Foam X midsole foam, and the stack height is larger, yet the shoe has gotten lighter.
The downside here is that the shoe is slightly more expensive than the previous iteration. That said, during testing we were pleasantly surprised by the 1080v13 — it’s a comfortable running shoe, that could easily be worn for anything from a 5K to a marathon. It’s a brilliant example of what you’d expect from an everyday running shoe and a reminder that you don’t need multiple running shoes in your closet to train well for a race.
- Read our full New Balance 1080v13 review
Best stability running shoe
Engineered with a wide platform and high sidewalls, we found the Guide 17 offered a stable and secure fit that cradled the foot to help stabilize each landing. The design of the shoe is complemented by Saucony's Center Path Technology, which is there to help keep the foot aligned during runs.
The shoe features Saucony’s PWRRUN+ midsole, which we found to provide a good balance of cushioning and support during testing across our long, easy, and recovery runs.
While the cushioning isn't highly responsive, the Guide 17 is a comfortable shoe designed to carry you over a range of distances and has extra features to enhance this such as roomy toe box. The shoe also boasts a breathable upper, which helps keep feet cool and comfortable in a mix of conditions.
Overall, the Saucony Guide 17 is a reliable stability shoe perfect for those needing extra support and cushioning on their easy and long runs.
- Read our full Saucony Guide 17 review
Best trail running shoe
After testing the Hoka Speedgoat 6, we found it offers a solid mix of comfort and performance for various trail conditions and is what we look for in a pair of the best trail-running shoes. It’s available in six colors for both men’s and women’s versions, with most options offered in both standard and wide widths.
The midsole is crafted from CMEVA, which is similar to the Speedgoat 5’s but with updated properties: it’s firmer, lighter, and slightly more responsive. In our experience, the feel remains comfortable, though the firmer material gives it a more agile edge, particularly useful for faster-paced trail sessions.
As with many Hoka models, the Speedgoat 6 runs slightly narrow in the toe box, which we noticed during longer test runs. For those who prefer a bit more room—especially if you’re tackling ultramarathons—you might consider sizing up a half size for added comfort.
Our overall thoughts on the Spedgoat 6 is it's a trail shoe versatile enough for anything from ultramarathons to quick, short trail races and everything in between.
- Read our full Hoka Speedgoat 6 review
How to choose the best running shoes for you
When it comes to finding the best pair of running shoes for you, there are a few different things to consider. Firstly, how you run. Before investing in a pair of shoes, it's a good idea to head to a running store and have your gait checked. If you overpronate dramatically, you might be better off in a stability shoe to prevent injury.
Secondly, where you plan on running. If you're planning on doing most of your miles on the pavements around your neighbourhood, you'll want a road shoe that's designed to help cope with the impact.
If you're hoping to go off exploring in the trails, you'll want a trail shoe with an outsole designed to be grippy on rocky, muddy and wet terrains. If it's a PB you're after, you're likely to want a racing shoe, which will have various features designed to get you a fast finish, for example, carbon fiber plates and snappy, reactive midsoles.
Lastly, how often you run. A marathon runner will have different requirements when shopping for running shoes than a runner who clocks the odd 5K. If running isn't really your thing, it's just something you do in the gym now and again, you'll probably want a more affordable shoe.
Also tested
Brands are constantly releasing new running shoes onto the market, and we strive to test as many as we can. Not every pair makes our list because it's our job to weigh up which are worth your money.
If you want to see some other good options that may have something you like in them, here are other options that didn't quite make the cut.
FAQs
What shoes to expect in 2025
2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for running shoes, with brands rolling out major announcements and plenty of speculation about what’s to come.
The Saucony Ride 18 has already hit the shelves, and we’ll have a full review coming soon after putting it through its paces. Meanwhile, our tester and senior fitness writer, Nick Harris-Fry, has already tested and reviewed the Hoka Clifton 10, which will officially launch in April.
Hoka has also confirmed the upcoming Cielo X1 2.0 and Mach 3, promising updates to some of its fastest shoes. Over at Brooks, the Hyperion 4 PB is set to land this year. Rumors suggest we could see the Nike Vaporfly 4 as early as April, a release that will no doubt have marathon runners and racing fans on high alert. Saucony is also expected to expand its lineup with the Endorphin Elite 2.
Stay tuned for reviews and hands-on testing as we put the latest models through their paces.
How should running shoes fit?
We spoke to Tony Poland, an expert in sports, rehabilitation, and recovery bodywork who has served on the US Olympic Medical Support Teams in London and Tokyo and on the US Olympic Committee Medical Team in Rio de Janeiro.
"You’re going to want a snug fit everywhere except at the toe. Don’t be afraid of a little extra room around the toes. You want some space in the toe box because too much constriction can lead to injury," Poland explains.
"Your toes should not hit the end of your shoe at rest, and you should always be able to wiggle them around." According to Poland, this is a very foreign concept to most people.
Often people end up wearing shoes that are actually too small. When in doubt, try out a shoe in your usual size, then try one a half size up from that.
How long should a pair of running shoes last?
The lifespan of a running shoe varies depending on factors like your training volume and the terrain you run on. For example, carbon fiber racing shoes typically don’t last as long as cushioned trainers, and avid trail runners may find their shoes wear out faster due to the rugged surfaces they tackle.
As a general rule, most running shoes are designed to last between 300 and 500 miles. However, if your shoes feel less cushioned than they once did, or if noticeable wear and tear is impacting their performance, it’s time to invest in a new pair.
When I remember, I log which shoes I wear for each run on my best Garmin watch and Strava. This helps me track how many miles I’ve clocked in them. Strava even offers a handy feature that notifies you when you’ve reached a certain mileage in a pair of running shoes, so you know when it’s time to consider a replacement.
What is a neutral running shoe?
For a long time, running shoe brands categorized their shoes are neutral or stability, and which you'd choose would depend on whether your foot rolled over your ankle as you hit the ground (overpronation).
Stability shoes often have a hard medial post alongside the arch of the shoe, while neutral shoes are more flexible and cushioned, suited to those who don't overpronate. However, most brands have developed more versatile support designs now.
But many shoes are still termed neutral, so if you have medium or high arches, you might find these more comfortable for running. And there are plenty of insertable insoles you can buy that address overpronation.
Can you use running shoes for walking?
You can definitely head out on a walk in running shoes, but they're generally better suited to everyday walks rather than hiking or extended time outside. You will also wear them down quicker if you do a lot of walking in them. If you need something with more ankle support for uneven terrain, consider a pair of the best hiking boots instead.
Are running shoes waterproof?
The best trail running shoes are designed for wet or slippery conditions and are generally water-resistant and quick-drying. But most running shoes aren't, as the focus is on comfort and breathability.
The upper of the running shoe is designed to hold as little moisture (from water, rain or sweat) as possible so that the shoe stays lightweight and comfortable.
Do men’s and women’s shoes fit differently?
There's a perception that men's and women's running shoes are the same, just in different colors. That's not quite right, though. Women's feet are often narrower and smaller, so the women's edition of a shoe reflects this.
It can be hard to spot these differences visually, as they're usually quite minute changes to the fit, construction, and cushioning. However, some high-end race shoes have a unisex fit, designed to accommodate both.
