The Best Men’s Running Shoes for Every Foot Shape and Gait
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Experts break down the best choices for wide feet, trail running, and more.
Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan
Finding the right pair of running shoes doesn’t have to be daunting, especially once you narrow your options by focusing on how you run, where you like to run, and how much you’re willing to pay.
Some shoes will provide out-of-the-box comfort and handle almost all running styles. Others focus on key features like stability or cushion to accommodate different running strides or issues like over- or under-pronation. Race-specific shoes integrate carbon-fiber plates that increase forward propulsion for mile after mile, while more casual shoes can easily double as walking/lifestyle options for days when you skip the run. To help you sort through it all, we found the best options for a variety of types of runners and spoke to Altra founder Golden Harper for expert advice on choosing the right running shoes.
Best Overall Road: Adidas Men's Adizero Boston 10
Why We Love It
Durable, lightweight construction and reliable traction will have you ready for any road.
What to Consider
Despite the shoe’s availability in seven colors, they all boast white midsoles, which may not please some runners.
Named in honor of the city that hosts one of the world’s most popular, high-profile marathons, the Adizero Boston 10 from Adidas provides enough versatility to handle a casual run or a long training outing. Anatomically designed “Energyrods” provide solid spring-back and stiffness while cutting down on the ounces, and a combo of foam and EVA in the midsole offers solid cushioning and durability. Traction is secure thanks to the Continental Rubber Outsole, which grips admirably on uneven surfaces and tracks reliably on wet pavement. Lightweight mesh uppers amp the breathability and further lighten the overall package, and a modest 8.5-millimeter drop provides a bit of additional forward momentum without overdoing it.
Price at time of publish: $95
The Details: Full and half sizes 7-13 | 10 ounces per shoe | 8.5-millimeter drop | Road
Best Overall Trail: Altra Lone Peak 7
Why We Love It
The already popular Lone Peak shoes get a solid upgrade with the 7, including a lightweight, breathable, seamless, and stitch-free upper and a grippier outsole.
What to Consider
It’s not ideal for heel-toe runners.
Altra revisited their wildly popular trail runner with the Lone Peak 7, adding a seamless, stitchless, breathable upper that cuts down on the ounces without sacrificing durability and an upgraded outsole for confident grip on a variety of wet and dry surfaces. Thankfully, they didn’t change the shoe’s Footshape fit, which provides a roomy forefoot so that your toes can splay out naturally, dramatically improving your balance on uneven terrain. And they also didn’t change the zero-drop configuration, ideal for mid-strike runners. But you still get ample cushioning in the 25-millimeter stack height, including an Altra EGO midsole that hits the sweet spot between responsiveness and control, making the Lone Peak 7s some of the most nimble trail runners available.
Price at time of publish: $150
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 - 13, 14, 15 | 11 ounces | 0-millimeter drop | Trail
Best Road-to-trail: Scarpa Men's Golden Gate ATR
Why We Love It
The Golden Gate ATR provides a one-quiver solution for all types of running.
What to Consider
Scarpa indicates that the fit is “precise,” so you may want to size up for a more comfortable fit.
For runners who often transition from smooth pavement to uneven singletrack or fire roads, the Scarpa Golden Gate ATR provides a one-shoe solution for your next outing. The shoe is designed for medium to long runs, with a high-performance rubber outsole that has 4-millimeter lugs to provide grip on wet, slick surfaces on the trail or pavement, a height that won’t feel like overkill on the road. A proprietary construction system wraps the breathable upper around the foot with an integrated collar and tongue to make them easy to get on and off. Rebounding insoles improves the energy output with easy forward stride, with a 4-millimeter drop and a max stack height of 28 millimeters.
Price at time of publish: $159
The Details: European full sizes 40-41, full and half sizes 42-47 | 10.6 ounces per shoe | 4-millimeter drop | Trail, road
Best Budget: Brooks Range 2
Why We Love It
Designed for new runners, the Range 2 provides out-of-the-box comfort with cushioning that’ll respond to your specific running style.
What to Consider
More experienced runners may find the shoe lacking.
With a refreshing price, the Brooks Range 2 provides a solid road running option for the cost-conscious athlete, and it’s a solid choice for beginners. The brand employs BioMoGo DNA foam cushion that adapts to your specific gait, weight, and stride for out-of-the-box comfort, while the plush breathable uppers provide a snug fit while keeping your feet cool. With this latest iteration, an updated saddle provides a better fit in the midfoot, while the heel collar avoids chafing at the achilles.
Price at time of publish: $70
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 - 13, 14 | 9.3 ounces | 8-millimeter drop | Road
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Best Cushioning: Hoka Men's Rincon 3
Why We Love It
The Rincon 3 delivers the perfect degree of cushioning to soften impacts without slowing you down.
What to Consider
If you favor a plush feel over a more responsive, performant shoe, this may not be for you.
Hoka are largely responsible for the high-stack, maximalist running shoes that now dominate a good portion of the market, and the Rincon 3 continues to demonstrate the values of all the extra cushioning. Built with the brand’s signature lightweight, compression-molded EVA midsole, it provides solid protection and plush comfort without sapping speed thanks to a responsive toe-off that works with a profile built to increase forward propulsion. Vented mesh uppers fit snugly and breathe well, and a neutral stability structure uses a symmetrical bed that keeps unnecessary bells and whistles on the factory floor. And despite all that cushioning, the heel-to-toe drop is a modest 5 millimeters.
Price at time of publish: $165
The Details: Full and half sizes 7-13, full sizes 13-16 | 7.7 ounces per shoe | 5-millimeter drop | Road, racing, neutral
Best for Wide Feet: On Men's Cloudrunner
Why We Love It
Designed specifically for wide feet, the aptly named Cloudrunner provides instant plush comfort and support.
What to Consider
It’s not ideal for longer runs or races.
Available specifically for wide feet, the Cloudrunner uses ultralight foam cushioning to provide a super-soft landing with a wider bottom unit, and a cradle-shaped construction provides support with every element of your foot fall. Engineered mesh uppers reinforce that supportive comfort and provide ample ventilation to keep you cool. A modest 9-millimeter heel-to-toe drop adds a touch of forward propulsion on medium-length runs, and the use of recycled material in the heel, tongue, collar and sock lining, and laces add a nice touch of sustainability.
Price at time of publish: $150
The Details: Half and full sizes 7-13, full size 14 | 10.58 ounces per shoe | 9-millimeter drop | Road
Best Arch Support: Asics Men's Gel-Kayano 29 Running Shoes
Why We Love It
The Gel-Kayano 29 is built to combat over-pronation while providing ample support without sacrificing response.
What to Consider
The 10-millimeter drop may be overkill for more mid-strike runners.
Built with the maximum amount of cushioning, the Gel-Kayano 29 from Asics is designed to fend off over-pronation, providing a stable running experience without sapping the shoe’s responsiveness. That stability comes from a low-profile heel counter that cradles the back of your foot, along with an additional stability detail at the midsole’s inside angle to keep your foot from rolling too far inward, which bolsters support at the arches. Gel in the rear provides solid shock absorption, and the breathable uppers keep things comfortable.
Price at time of publish: $160
The Details: Full and half sizes from 6 to 13, 14, 15, 16 | 10.5 ounces | 10-millimeter drop | Stability, road
Best for Trail Racing: The North Face Summit Series Vective Sky
Why We Love It
A combination of foams in the midsole, a rocker profile, aggressive lugs, and a carbon fiber plate all work in the Summit Series Vective Sky to deliver max speed in uneven terrain.
What to Consider
The grip may be too much if you’re not encountering rugged terrain.
Ready for the most demanding terrain and longest mountain races, the Summit Series Vective Sky from The North Face has two pinnacle foams integrated into its midsole, with a 4-millimeter Pebax insert at the forefoot to amp forward propulsion. The rocker-style profile also comes with a carbon-fiber plate and a forked design at the heel and forefoot to improve stability in uneven, unpredictable terrain. Under foot, you’ll find that the 3.5-millimeter rubber lugs will grab onto wet and loose terrain, while breathable uppers still protect your feet from rocks, roots, and branches. Built on a precision-fit last, the Vective Sky fits true to size and is ready for your next high-octane outing.
Price at time of publish: $199
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 - 13, 14 | 9.6 ounces | 4-millimeter drop | Trail, neutral, stability, road racing
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Best for Treadmills: Enda Iten
Why We Love It
This all-around exercise shoe is at home on the treadmill, during HIIT workouts, and for interval training on the road.
What to Consider
They come in some pretty bold colors, as well as a few more conservative options.
Enda, which means “Go” in Kiswahili (spoken in Eastern and Central Africa), is a B-corp-certified performance footwear brand based in Kenya, and its Iten running shoes are a great introduction to its high-quality products. It comes with a modest drop of only 4-millimeters, which is ideal measurement for treadmill running, where you can work perfecting a mid-strike stride. Dubbed an overall workout shoe, the Iten only weighs 8.7 ounces and works well for HIIT, interval training, and longer runs. The outsole boasts a less-aggressive tread pattern that’ll find purchase on the treadmill or while road running, and the 18-millimeter drop of high-rebound EVA under the forefoot provides plenty of bounce and impact absorption.
Price at time of publish: $89
The Details: Full and half sizes from 6.5 - 12, 13, 14 | 8.7 ounces | 4-millimeter drop | Road
Best for Road Racing: Nike Men's Vaporfly 2
Why We Love It
The Vaporfly 2 uses all of the highest-tech features available at Nike to deliver what may be arguably the fastest road runner ever made.
What to Consider
It’s considerably more expensive than most running shoes.
Nike boasts that the Vaporfly 2 is the fastest shoe they’ve ever made—and it’s easy to see why they make that claim. The shoe comes with a full-length carbon fiber plate under foot, which provides a propulsive sensation to keep you moving fast, as well as a ZoomX foam at the forefoot for optimal energy return. The uppers, meanwhile, are made of the all-new VaporWeave: a water-resistant, breathable material that’s super strong and incredibly light. Flexible grooves lining the outsole provide traction in a variety of weather conditions, and a little bit of padding on the tongue helps reduce lace pressure. It’s a nice detail that works with the lace loops, which are integrated directly into the uppers without an arch band, helping to shave the ounces.
Price at time of publish: $250
The Details: Half and full sizes 6-13, full sizes 14-15 | 6.6 ounces per pair | 8-millimeter drop | Road, racing
Best for Under-pronators: Brooks Men's Ghost 14
Why We Love It
The Ghost 14 is comfortable right out of the box, and a mix of high-end cushioning materials and other tech adjust your steps to handle under-pronating.
What to Consider
The 12-millimeter heel-to-toe drop is a bit taller than other models, which benefits heel-toe strikers but not midsole strikes.
The popular Brooks Ghost 14 uses a recently updated midsole now composed of 100 percent DNA Loft cushioning that helps adjust for under-pronation and delivers a plush feel without seeming squishy. A segmented Crash Pad improves the flow from heel to toe, and a stretchy upper adjusts to the contours of your feet. The Ghost 14 is also Brooks’ first entirely carbon-neutral shoe, with reduced manufacturing waste, a minimum of 30 percent recycled materials in the uppers, and carbon offsets.
Price at time of publish: $108
The Details: Full and half sizes 7-13, full sizes 14-15 | 10.1 ounces per pair | 12-millimeter drop | Road
Best for Narrow Feet: Nike Invincible 3
Why We Love It
The Invincible 3 provides the max cushion that Nike offers, making the shoe comfortable and stable without sacrificing response.
What to Consider
That stack height may not appeal to some runners, and the hefty 9-millimeter drop isn’t for everyone.
Engineered to include the max cushioning, Nike’s Invincible 3 focuses on comfort and support with a slightly narrow fit thanks to a smaller heel clip compared to earlier versions, while the wider midsole improves stability. The shoe’s architecture protects your feet from the effects of pronation, and the dense midsole foam and cushiony stack height provide a solid, snappy, bouncy response to help propel you forward. Flyknit, material that has proven durable over miles of use, provide zones of breathability on the uppers to keep your feet cool.
Price at time of publish: $240
The Details: Full and half sizes from 6 - 13, 14, 15 | 9 ounces | 9-millimeter drop | Road
Best for Beginners: NinetyNine Point
Why We Love It
The Point employs high-end features like a carbon fiber plate and a seamless forefoot lining that make it easy to get into running.
What to Consider
The colors are somewhat limited.
Relative upstart NinetyNine is the brainchild of shoe-builders from Nike, Cole Haan, and Everlane, and their inaugural shoe, the Point, feels like a confident first step into the running market. Suitable for runners of any skill level, the shoe really excels for first-timers thanks to the solid cushioning that’s supported by a full-length carbon fiber plate for a smooth, responsive run. The breathable mesh uppers keep your feet cool, with an out-turned collar and tongue to assure your ankle and achilles don’t get fatigued, while an assured fit comes from a seamless forefoot lining and a molded sock liner, reducing the chances of chafing or blisters.
Price at time of publish: $120
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 to 14 | 11 ounces | Road
Best for Speed: Saucony Endorphin Elite
Why We Love It
The Endorphin Elite is built to move, with a comfortable, streamlined upper and loads of tech to propel you.
What to Consider
Mid-strike runners need not apply; their profile is aggressively focused on heel-toe running.
The radically-built Endorphin Elite from Saucony even looks fast, and appearances don’t deceive. The mesh upper uses a sequence of strap panels above the mid-foot to provide next-to-skin comfort while drastically cutting down on weight, while the 39.5-millimeter stack height provides comfort and — even more importantly — solid rebound to bolster energy efficiency. This works with a slotted-fork-design carbon plate to propel you forward, and the exaggerated profile at the toe delivers the brand’s most aggressive arc to keep you on your toes and moving forward.
Price at time of publish: $275
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 to 13, 14, 15 | 7.2 ounces | 8-millimeter drop | Racing
Best for Marathons: Mizuno Men's Wave Rider 25
Why We Love It
The latest iteration of a long-time runner’s favorite, the Wave Runner 25 provides solid response, ample stability and cushioning, and breathable mesh uppers.
What to Consider
The 12-millimeter drop may be too much for some runners.
With the 25th iteration of the Wave Rider, Mizuno leans into marathon-friendly technologies and overall construction that’ll resonate with long-distance runners. The Wave plate disperses energy from your foot strike across a wider area to improve stability and cushioning, while the proprietary foam in the midsole provides solid rebound without sacrificing the soft, resilient feel that’s earned the shoe legions of loyalists. Breathable, durable mesh uppers keep your feet cool as you clock in the miles, and a carbon rubber outsole proves durable enough to handle all your training runs as well as race day.
Price at time of publish: $74
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 - 13, 14, 15 | 9.6 ounces | 12-millimeter drop | Racing
Best for Neutral Feet: New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X 1080v12
Why We Love It
With a next-to-skin fit and a re-engineered midsole that flexes and supports at various touchpoints, the Fresh Foam X 108v12 provides ample support and nominal drop for neutral runners.
What to Consider
Compared to previous versions, this model tends to run big, so you may want to size down.
Available in both standard and wide widths, New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080v12 uses a new underfoot cushioning pattern modeled on pressure mapping data to provide strategic areas of stretch and support that’ll resonate with neutral runners. Suitable for long runs or quick jaunts, the stretchy upper combines with a bootie upper construction to hug your feet for a snug fit, while the texture blown rubber outsole at the forefoot adds rebound at the toes for a solid transition.
Price at time of publish: $130
The Details: Full and half sizes from 7 - 13, 14, 15,16 | 10.3 ounces | 8-millimeter drop | Stability
Most Attractive: Adidas Retropy E5 W.R.P.
Why We Love It
With a fun retro design and solid running tech to keep you moving forward, the Retropy E5 W.R.P. will appeal to the most discerning of runners.
What to Consider
At 13 ounces, they’re a bit heavy.
Brands with a long history can really lean into their heritage style, and that’s what makes the Adidas Retropy E5 W.R.P. turn heads. The decidedly retro aesthetic comes in three colors, but the shoe isn’t just a looker. The mesh and nubuck leather upper provides breathability and durability, while the use of Adidas’ Boost technology provides solid energy return and ample cushioning, with an aggressively textured, wrapped rubber outsole that’ll grip on wet surfaces. And, unlike a pair of shoes from the 1970s, the uppers contain at least 50 percent recycled materials.
Price at time of publish: $122
The Details: Full and half sizes from 5 - 13, 14 | 13 ounces | Road
Tips for Buying Running Shoes
Know your foot shape and gait
Today’s running shoes can cater to the specific shape of each runner’s foot, so it’s important to understand what type of feet you have. If you have flat feet or low or weak arches, you probably tend to overpronate, so look for a show that provides ample stability to help course-correct how your foot lands. Those with higher arches may benefit from a shoe that provides more arch support to help lessen the impact of each footfall, while wider feet should target shoes that come in either wide versions or shoes that boast a wider-than-average toe box, which also allows your toes to splay out naturally to improve your balance.
It’s also important to know how you run – specifically whether you’re a heel-toe striker (landing on your heels and then propelling yourself forward off your toes), or a mid-strike runner, which means you land at the mid-sole, rather than at the heel. For mid-strikers, look for shoes with little to no drop (the height measurement between the heel and the toe), while traditional heel-toe strikers benefit from the added cushion you find in a shoe with a larger stack weight and bigger drop measurements.
Respect your injury history
If you’ve developed foot ailments like plantar fasciitis or other conditions like weak ankles, sore knees, or lower back pain, look for a shoe that boasts lots of cushioning and stability rather than a pair of minimalist shoes that were the craze during the Born to Run period. This will help dramatically cut down on the impact of each footfall, delivering a softer feel without reducing the overall performance of the shoe. Now that the market has been flooded with shoes with maxed-out midsoles that have a lot of EVA cushioning, you’ll find plenty of options.
Go for Stability
All running shoes provide some sort of stability to help you navigate uneven terrain and also adjust off-kilter foot strikes so that your gait is more neutral. But those who have over- or underpronation should focus on shoes labeled “stability” because they’re engineered to avoid the pitfalls of a misstep. These types of shoes use energy-absorbing materials like EVA in the midsole, which reduces the overall impact of each foot strike and, more importantly, assures that your foot lands correctly. Those with neutral feet — where just the side of your arch touches the ground — don’t need to consider these types of shoes as much because they’re running pattern is “correct,” so they can explore neutral running shoe options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my running shoes?
As with all outdoor apparel, how you can clean your shoes will depend on the key materials of the shoe itself. For cleaning the treads and outsole and the sides of the midsole, typically a bit of soap and water will do the trick. But upper materials vary – everything from synthetic mesh to leather to proprietary fabrics. For leather, be sure to use a product specifically made to clean that material, while others typically can be cleaned with a wet cloth and a bit of laundry soap if the stains prove stubborn. When in doubt, refer to the shoe’s manufacturer guidelines.
What are the different types of running shoes?
Running shoes basically break out into two types: those made for the road and those made for the trail. The former typically have less aggressive treads that still grip on wet pavement, while trail shoes boast more aggressive outsoles with lugs to help find purchase on uneven, loose terrain you typically find on a trail. And there are a few road-to-trail shoes to accommodate runners who navigate to their favorite trail by running on the road, shoes that amp the tread lugs a bit from typical road-running shoes. Beyond that, you’ll find all types of variations in both categories. Neutral running shoes benefit people with a “correct” running style, while other shoes are designed to add stability and help adjust your footfall to avoid overpronation. Zero-drop shoes work well for runners who have a mid-strike stride, while other shoes have lots of extra cushioning in the EVA and bigger heel-to-toe drops to support runners who want a softer ride and that run with a heel-toe stride.
What running shoes do professional athletes wear?
These days professional runners wear many of the same brands that are available to the casual runner, including Saucony, Adidas, Hoka, Brooks, Nike, Asics, and Altra. In fact, many brands have sponsored athletes on their roster, and they help inform the design of future shoes by running in existing pairs, a trend that expanded other brands like The North Face and Arc’teryx.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Nathan Borchelt has been rating, reviewing, and testing outdoor and travel gear for decades — and has spent much of that time on runs, both on the trails and the road. Stability, traction, and comfort ranked as the highest point of consideration because those features dictate the overall performance of a pair of running shoes, but other considerations (breathability, the durability of the materials, fit, and price) were also taken into account. When possible, test runs were performed in variable conditions, and both professional reviews and comments from verified customers were also consulted.
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