Midsole: Squeezed between the upper and the sole is the midsole, a hefty chunk of foam that provides the cushion for a smooth ride. Runners generally will have specific desires for their midsole, like if they want to mimic the sensation running on a cloud or they actually want to feel some of the feedback from the ground.
Outsole: Here’s the part of the shoe that actually makes contact with the road. Road outsoles tend to consist of smooth, grippy rubber, while trail runners will have chunkier lugs for traction on slippery dirt and treacherous inclines.
Ankle collar: The part of the shoe that surrounds your ankle is known as the ankle collar. It’ll keep your foot securely planted in your shoe, but you’ll need to actually try out a shoe to make sure that that ankle collar won’t rub your Achilles tendon raw by lap five.
Heel-to-toe drop: When you’re standing still, the height distance between your heel and the front of your foot is considered the heel-to-toe drop. Picking the right ratio (which is measured in millimeters, typically between eight to 12) is all about personal preference, and you’ll only really get a feel for it during a test run. If you’re not heading into a store in-person to test out the shoe, you’ll need to take a beat after you buy one to confirm whether your running stride feels natural and comfortable, and how you want your preferred heel-to-toe drop from there.
So, whether you’re training to run a marathon in 2024 or just want to hop on the treadmill every now and then, here are the best running shoes for every kind of activity.
The Best Nice, Normal Road Running Shoes: Brooks Ghost 15
Finding the best running shoe for you is usually all about fit, and the Ghost 15 comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide, making this the most inclusive shoe on this list. The midsole is also broadly appealing, ensuring a soft landing and cushiony rides for everyday running, no matter the surface. The Ghost 15 is slightly heavier than the Ghost 14, but with improved cushioning and a more structured, breathable, and better-fitting upper, it’s worth the measly extra .2 ounces. Even with the marginal weight gains, it won’t feel as squishy as a purposely-built extra-plush shoe. If you’re new to the whole pavement-pounding thing, this is a great place to start.
The Best Maximalist Running Shoes: Hoka Bondi 8
For the smoothest of rides, whether you’re an advanced runner or a newbie, the Bondi 8s are an excellent pair of trainers. They’re firmer than they look—we awarded these running shoes a Fitness Award last year because of just how natural they feel to stride in. But a big part of the appeal of any Hoka shoe is always going to be its super-plush, supportive midsoles. And with a wide range of sizes available, the Bondi 8s can suit practically everyone and every foot.
The Best Running Shoes for Racing: Nike Vaporfly 3
With the Nike Vaporfly 3, you’ll feel like the shoes are literally launching you forward on the road, because they are. Running is in the middle of a revolution: A new generation of so-called “supershoes” that actually make you faster are hitting the market. And anecdotally speaking, the model most pros and serious amateurs are choosing is the Vaporfly 3. The shoe’s lightweight construction won’t weigh you down, while the full-length carbon fiber plate adds stability. But the real star of the show is Nike’s ZoomX foam, which returns a little energy back to your legs, meaning you’ll have more drive to push it a little further on your next run. And isn’t that every racer’s dream?
The Best Everyday Running Shoes: Asics Gel-Kayano 30
In 2022, we called the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 the “sneaker of the moment,” but when it comes to actual running chops, we think the current Gel-Kayano 30s have a greater edge. This durable model features exceptionally breathable and stretchy upper for long-distance runs. Special cushioning in the midsole is designed to help soften landings, while baked-in stability features ensure a stable and comfortable run. This shoe is a workhorse, and we know because they carried one of our editors through a marathon last year. The Gel-Kayano 30s might not be as exciting as some other running shoes or technology on this list, but hell, you’d be hard-pressed to find something as proven and reliable.
The Best Ultra-Cushioned Running Shoes: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp v2 Trainer
This GQ Fitness Award winner features an aggressively rocker shape and soft foam that makes it feel like you’re floating while you’re running. These trainers fall on the heavier end of things, but that sturdiness coupled with New Balance’s baked-in running tech have a propelling effect that helps to alleviate some of the weight you’re feeling on your foot. They’re pretty ideal for longer runs on hard surfaces.
The Best Trail Running Shoes: Norda 001
Just launched a couple of years ago, Norda has taken the trail running world by storm, developing a shoe that not only performs with aplomb on the trail but oozes effortless style. We first noticed them on the feet of the most stylish runners on Instagram, but quickly realized their shoes were much more than a social media phenomenon. The upper is lightweight, they’re made from sustainable materials, and hi-vis touches make this great for running at night. And being a trail shoe, the Norda 001’s Vibram outsole ensures you stay on your feet and not your ass.
The Best Road Running Shoes: Asics Superblast
The propulsion technology on the Superblasts is so next-level that they’re illegal to wear in elite races, but these Fitness Award winners are all the more primed to help you go faster and farther on your daily runs. Its thick foam base sit atop a rockered outsole for forward motion, and while we think you’ll hit some new PRs with this, don’t be afraid to lace them up for your recovery days because of that comfy cushioning.
The Best Supportive Running Shoes: Nike InfinityRN 4
The InfinityRN 4s double down on arch support and cushioning around the heel and ankle to help correct potentially detrimental running strides. The 4s don’t have the same dramatic rocker shape as other super-cushioned running shoes, but the foam rocker does give runners a little more pep in their step, plus more energy rebound and added stability. Thanks to the sock-like Flyknit upper, you can be sure your foot won’t overheat on those long-distance hauls.
The Best Running Shoes for Fast Training Runs: Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
Not quite a supershoe, the Endorphin Speed 3s swap out the more-aggressive carbon plate for one made of nylon, which still assists with boosting your speed without the harsh effects carbon can have over time. These lightweight trainers aren’t as technologically advanced as a pure race-day model, but they’re still fast and responsive—which means they’re ideal for intervals, tempos, and all other faster-than-average days on the track. Fresh “Speedroll” technology offers more forward propulsion while using less energy and an XT-900 rubber outsole grips the road to keep you from slipping and spraining anything.
The Best Neutral Running Shoe: On Cloudsurfer
If you’re not someone who needs the extra stability on their runs, the On Cloudsurfer is just a really solid shoe for everyday jogging or even some light marathon training. The shoe’s rocker-like silhouette provides just enough springboard action without making you feel off-balance. The latest innovation in the Cloudsurfer is the brand’s proprietary CloudTec Phase midsole, which softens the impact of your landing while optimizing the weight transfer of your stride.
The Best-Looking Running Shoe: Tracksmith Eliot
In the pursuit of a good-looking (aka not aggressively neon) running shoe, you might think you need to pass up on some key technical advancements. But in the past decade Tracksmith has revived the relatively pedestrian category of running gear by bringing back the spirit of decades past. The Boston-based brand has put aesthetics at the forefront of its performance-forward gear. Its Eliot shoe is its first foray into footwear, bringing its signature preppy, retro style to your feet. More than just good looks, though, these sneakers offer a surprisingly smooth ride courtesy of the Pebax foam midsole, which we found hits the right balance between firmness and springiness—much like the pine needle-laden roads of New England that they were designed to mimic. Its super-thick insole just feels good underfoot, and partly because these look so damn sleek, they might actually encourage you to lace up more often.
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