Club Benefits
If you're looking for the best running shoes, the answer is simple: the best running shoes will be the most comfortable pair that best suits your style of running.
However, if you're still unsure of where to start, we've put countless pairs of shoes to the test in order to bring you some recommendations based on the areas where these shoes shine, from best cushioned, to best fast, to best for stability, and more.
Tested by
Nick Harris-Fry made running about 95% of his personality in 2016 and hasn’t looked back since. He’s almost always training for a marathon, and has run 15 of them to date with a PR of 2:25. Nick usually runs 60-80 miles a week and tests a lot of shoes while doing so, and tends to favor versatile shoes that combine comfort and speed.
Jane McGuire has been running marathons since she first caught the bug in 2017, and writing about running shoes for a living for the past seven years. Her marathon PR is 3:38, and she'll tell anyone who will listen about her love of the Nike Invincible 3. If it's a max cushioned shoe that Nick gives three stars, Jane will probably love it.
Jessica Downey has kept up with running since childhood, starting with local track meets before moving on to marathons in recent years. She’s completed two sub-four-hour marathons and credits the running shoes she tests regularly for helping her get there. Jessica often wears big, cushioned trainers for long runs but has recently dabbled in the carbon-plated scene to try and catch up with Nick’s marathon PR (don't hold your breath).
How to choose running shoes
Running shoe tastes can be very personal with regard to factors like the level of cushioning, stability, and heel-to-toe drop you prefer, so if you’re starting from scratch, there’s no substitute for going to a running store and trying a few different styles of shoes out.
While there, you can also get your gait analyzed (this is usually free) to see if it’s worth trying stability shoes in particular to reduce the risk of injury. Don’t feel obliged to use them if they don’t feel right, however. When I’ve spoken to physios, they always suggest that going with a shoe that simply feels comfortable for you is your best bet.
Once you have an idea of the style of shoes you like, you can pick out a suitable pair of shoes for your running. That might be a comfortable cushioned shoe for daily training, a stability shoe if you want extra support, or something speedy if you have races in mind.
Of course, not everyone can get to a running shoe store to try out the different options, so rest assured that our picks below are designed to work well for a wide range of people, and are safe bets even if you’re not sure on your own preferences yet.
Here's a breakdown of some of the key terms you might come across in this guide, and when shopping for running shoes:
- Zero drop: The ‘drop’ of a running shoe refers to the height difference between the heel of the shoe and the forefoot. Some shoes will have ‘zero drop,' meaning there is literally zero drop, making them extremely flat to the ground. These are often popular with runners who prefer minimalist shoes or that running barefoot feeling, but if they won’t be for everyone.
- Neutral: In the past, running brands tended to divide their shoes into two different categories: ‘neutral’ and ‘stability'. This was related to whether or not your foot rolled in too far over your ankle as your foot hit the ground (referred to as overpronation). Stability shoes traditionally had a hard, medial post that ran along the inside arch of the shoe. These days, a lot of running brands are moving away from these categories and support has got a lot smarter, but running shoes will still fall into one of these two categories. A neutral shoe is often one that is flexible and cushioned, suited to runners who don’t especially overpronate (when your foot rolls inward as you move) when they run. If you have medium to high arches, you’ll normally find a neutral shoe is more comfortable. But again, the best way to know for sure is to have your gait analyzed.
- Stability: As mentioned above, stability shoes will have some sort of support to prevent your foot from rolling in as you run.
- Carbon plate: This means the shoe has a carbon fiber plate in the midsole, designed to help you run faster. It works, and most of the best carbon fiber running shoes will propel you to a faster running time, but they aren't designed to be worn every day, and will wear out faster than your regular running shoes.
The best running shoes you can buy today
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Best running shoe for beginners
If you’re just getting started with running, you need a comfortable and supportive shoe to protect you from the impact of the sport, which is exactly what the Novablast 5 is.
However, a lot of shoes do that job, and what separates the Novablast from the pack for me is that it’s also a lot of fun to run in. It won’t run the miles for you, but I found that Novablast 5 puts a smile on your face thanks to its smooth, bouncy ride.
It’s also pretty good value, durable, and lighter and more versatile than a lot of max-cushioned shoes like this. That means as you become more comfortable with running and perhaps start to adopt a structured training plan with different types of runs, like interval sessions, the Novablast 5 will be suitable for them all.
Whether you’re embarking on a couch to 5K training plan, or dived in at the deep end and signed up for a marathon straight away, the Novablast 5 is a perfect running shoe for beginners, and it also works well as a cushioned daily trainer in the rotation of more experienced runners.
- Read our full Asics Novablast 5 review
Best value running shoe
We've been writing about the Pegasus since the Nike Pegasus 35, and that allows us to say with some authority that the Pegasus 41 is the best version of the shoe to date. It's a workhorse and a great choice for beginner runners, and more experienced runners alike.
It's one of the most popular running shoes on the market, and for good reason — it’s well-balanced and can handle a wide range of runs. Plus, it's often on sale, so you can probably pick it up for less than $100.
The 41st Pegasus has a lighter, more breathable upper than the Pegasus 40, while still retaining a decent amount of padding around the tongue and collar. It also contains Nike's ReactX midsole foam, which is softer and bouncier than the React foam used in previous versions of the shoe. There are also two Zoom Air pods under the heel and forefoot, to make the shoe a little bouncier underfoot.
Sure, there are snazzier shoes on the market these days, but the Nike Pegasus is reliable, balanced and comfortable. It's a shoe you'll almost definitely like, and it could easily get you around your first 10K or half-marathon.
- Read our full Nike Pegasus 41 review
Best running shoe for stability
The Saucony Hurricane 25 took that loyalty to a new level. It looks large and in charge first out of the box, but it is lighter than its predecessor. If you need gentle, reliable support, whether you’re an overpronator, new to running, or returning from injury, the Hurricane 25 delivers.
This stability shoe helps runners who overpronate by guiding their stride into better alignment using Saucony’s CenterPath Technology, which gently encourages your foot to land in a more natural position for improved balance and support. The correction is subtle, so even as a neutral runner, I find it comfortable. The outsole uses XT-900 carbon rubber, a durable material that provides a strong grip and long-lasting wear without making the ride stiff.
In testing, I found the Hurricane 25 fits true to size with a roomy toe box that lets your toes spread out naturally. Around the heel and midfoot, it feels secure and locked in, which really boosts stability on longer runs when the legs start to get a little lazier.
The midsole of the sneaker combines Saucony’s soft and springy PWRRUN PB foam with a layer of firmer PWRRUN foam underneath, creating a ride that feels cushioned and energetic while keeping each step steady and supported. Although the upper can feel a little clammy on hot days, the Hurricane 25 reliably offers a smooth and confident ride.
- Read our full Saucony Hurricane 25 review
Best cushioned running shoe
Nike Vomero Plus is a fantastically versatile cushioned running shoe that suits most running lengths and conditions.
In testing, I found it to be comfortable straight out of the box, which is a real plus, and I didn't experience any rubbing or heel slipping on my initial eight-mile long run, either.
ZoomX foam is usually used by Nike in its best carbon plate running shoes, however, the Vomero Plus does not have a plate. Instead, this foam gives you a cushioned ride, protects your legs from impact, and gives you enough bounce to get to the final miles of a long run.
It may be bulky, but it doesn't feel heavy while running. While it may have been designed with longer runs and easy miles in mind, this doesn't mean it struggles to pick up the pace. When wearing it during a tempo session, I found I had no issues moving to a marathon pace. This means it can pick up the pace when you want it to, and there's no reason why you couldn't race in this shoe.
It's pretty stable, too, even if it isn't advertised as such. The wide toebox feels steady, even when you're flagging. It isn't the most suitable for trail or tight track runs, but overall it feels grippy yet stable on the road.
Overall, the Nike Vomero Plus is a great all-rounder that will suit more seasoned runners and beginners alike.
- Read our full Nike Vomero Plus review
Best fast running shoe
The Asics Megablast is a standout running shoe, offering a bouncy, comfortable, fast, and fun ride that works for any kind of run.
It's designed with balancing weight and comfort in mind, and did so excellently in testing. This is in part thanks to its midsole, which is entirely made from a foam called FF Turbo Squared. This is a highly resilient and bouncy material. While it may not be very soft, it's still comfortable and delivers a lot of energy return at faster paces.
The Asics Megablast also has a quite thin and breathable engineered woven upper. Even during long runs, I didn't experience any rubbing or hotspots, and it was breathable enough that my feet didn't get too sweaty, even when running in hot conditions.
While it is light and fast, it's also highly stable and comfortable, which is a combination that not many other shoes have. It's one of the most versatile running shoes on the market, and in testing, I found it feels great on a wide range of runs, from easy recovery to fast interval sessions.
The main flaw is the price. If money is no object to you, then I would wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the best, fastest running shoes on the market. However, that performance comes at a very high cost, especially when terrific running shoes like the Nike Pegasus 41 are available for much less.
- Read our Asics Megablast review
