Here’s How to Choose the Best Running Shoes — Plus Eight Pairs to Buy Right Now
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At a Glance: The Best Running Shoes
Best Overall: Brooks Ghost 15 (men’s / women’s)
Best Speed Training Shoes: Asics Novablast 4 (men’s / women’s)
Best Trail Running Shoes: Brooks Catamount 2 (men’s / women’s)
Best Road Shoes: Nike Pegasus 40 (men’s / women’s)
Best Distance Shoes: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 (men’s / women’s)
When it comes to running, you can get the best headphones, the best shorts, and even the right socks, but none of it will make a difference if you don’t have the right running shoes. The wrong shoes will dampen your performance and, in most cases, cause injuries like knee pain or shin splints. But proper footwear, on the other hand (er, foot), can unlock speed and endurance you didn’t realize you had.
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Finding the best running shoes for your personal stride and running habits is no easy task — especially if you’re a beginner. If you’re looking to lace up a pair of running shoes this spring, read on: Below, we’ve reviewed and researched dozens of popular pairs to find the best running shoes, including picks for concert, trails, overpronation, and different foot shapes.
Note: remember that running shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles as support degrades with use. If you’re still using an old pair, it might be time to upgrade.
In This Article
The Best Running Shoes to Buy Right Now
Running Shoe Buying Guide
How We Chose the Best Running Shoes
The Best Running Shoes for Men and Women
Below are some of our favorite pairs of running shoes, including options for beginners, pros, trail runners, and everyone in between. We also have men’s and women’s versions for most picks. We’ve thoroughly tested dozens of running shoes and researched other expert and non-expert opinions on each pair to make this list.
1. Brooks Ghost 15
Long regarded as one of the most reliable, versatile running shoes around, Brooks’ Ghosts are a great choice for beginners as well as more seasoned runners. We used the latest Ghosts — the 15s — as our everyday shoe for a few months, and the balanced cushioning was very impressive. They’re supportive and soft for long runs, but you still feel plenty of responsiveness when picking up the pace or navigating sidewalk traffic. This cushioning comes courtesy of a DNA Loft V2 midsole, which shaves off some weight compared to past Ghost models.
$139.95
$139.95
2. Asics Novablast 4
If you’re doing sprints on a regular basis, you’ll want shoes purpose-built for speed work. We recommend these Novablast 4s from Asics, which feel extra light and snappy but also soft enough to soak up hard impacts when sprinting. Asics also upgraded the outsole with the 4s (compared the the 3s) for better grip, making a great shoe even better.
$139.95
$139.95
3. Brooks Catamount 2
Roots, rocks, and other trail obstacles require a different type of running shoe. The best trail running shoes we’ve tested are these Catamount 2s from Brooks, which feel sturdy for protection against ankle rolls, grippy in loose dirt and mud, and responsive on the uphill thanks to a propulsion plate. Better yet, all of this weighs in at an extremely lightweight 9.7 ounces, which we noticed immediately when lacing these up at the trailhead.
$101.93 $170 40% off
$101.93 $170 40% off
4. Nike Pegasus 40 BTC
Nike’s Pegasus is another classic running shoe that’s ideal for short to mid-length workouts, and makes a great choice for beginner to intermediate runners. The shoe’s 40th iteration introduced a more comfortable upper that softens sensitive areas while conforming better to the foot. It’s a fantastic go-to, and, like most Nike products, we think it’s also better-looking (especially in-person) than most of the competition.
$103.97 $140 26% off
$130
5. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
If you’re training for a marathon or logging big runs on your own, check out these Adizero Adios Pro 3s from Adidas. Used by 2023 Boston Maraton winner Evans Chebet, the pro-level shoes are all about energy retention and return to reduce fatigue. They do this with Adidas’ carbon-infused “Energyrods” for snappiness and “Lightstrike Pro” cushioning for responsive support. Overall, we love them for upping mileage, but beginner/intermediate runners will be better off with the more versatile (and more affordable) Ghost 15s above.
$249.99
$249.99
6. Asics Gel-Kayano 30
Overpronation — the ankle rolling inwards when you strike — is very common, so most shoes address the issue at least slightly. But, if you still feel yourself overpronating with decent running shoes, consider these Gel-Kayano 30s. They’re another iconic everyday running shoe, but they have exceptionally good roll protection in the form of Asics “Literuss” tech, which gives added medial support in the midfoot.
$159.95 $160.00
$159.95
7. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Those of us with flat feet can experience ongoing pain, if not addressed with the right shoes. We think these Brooks Adrenaline GTS trainers are the best running shoes for flat feet, although they’re excellent shoes for just about any runner. Thanks to a beefy rear outsole and a supportive arch, the Adrenaline GTS 23 excels at comfortably returning ankles to the right position. Otherwise, it’s a super smooth shoe that shines on distance runs and everyday jogs.
$139.95
$139.95
8. Hoka One One Clifton 9
Hoka’s thick-soled running shoes have garnered it a cult following. The rocking motion and exceptional shock absorption provided by the uniquely large sole yield some of the smoothest and most comfortable steps, plus the shoes are great for anyone with wide feet (order Clifton 9s in wide sizes here). Up top is a textile and synthetic fabric that’s both breathable and flexible, although you still get amble support from a padded ankle collar.
$145
$145
Running Shoe Buying Guide
Before picking up your new kicks, here are a few things to think about while shopping.
Shoe Type: Most running shoes fall into one of four categories: road, trail, speed, or distance/professional. Most runners only have a road shoe as their go-to, used for logging short to medium-distance runs on concrete, well-groomed trails, and treadmills, but the other types of shoes are great to have in your arsenal too. But, if you only plan on doing trail runs, for example, just pick up a trail shoe and forgo a road trainer.
Support, Cushion, & Drop: Support is the core feature of all the best running shoes, but there are really three things you’ll want to look at: drop height, cushioning, and support. You want a shoe that encourages proper alignment of the foot, ankle, and knee (support), but you also want something soft enough to absorb impact (cushion).
Drop height refers to the difference in height between the forefoot and heel, or the steepness of the shoe, measured in millimeters. If, like most runners, you strike with your heel and roll forward, look for a shoe with at least 6mm of drop. More drop will relieve stress on your Achilles and cushion reduce impact. If your forefoot or midfoot hits the ground first, opt for shoes with around a 6mm drop or less.
Size: Proper sizing is more important with running shoes than with every day sneakers. You want your foot to be gently “hugged” — go too small or too large and you’ll end up with blisters. Pro tip: try on new running shoes in the evening, as your feet swell slightly throughout the day.
How We Chose the Best Running Shoes
Because everyone has a different gait and running schedule, we had to go beyond testing shoes ourselves (although we did plenty of that as well). To find the best running shoes for as many runners as possible, we had beginners try shoes and report back, spoke to more experienced runners about their experiences with different shoes, and combed through reviews online. When testing shoes ourselves or asking others about their experiences, we considered confidence throughout the run, performance, and any pain that sometimes arises when using bad shoes. After testing shoes, we only included options here that can be ordered from reputable retailers. Also, all options needed to have at least a 4/5-star customer rating (at time of publication).
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