10 Best Running Shoes of 2024 (2024)

Best Overall Men's Running Shoe

Hoka Mach 5

The Hoka Mach 5 is our favorite men's running shoe. We want our go-to daily trainer to be able to handle everything from slow, long runs to blistering, race-paced efforts. That's a tall order, but the Mach 5 delivers. We love the plush cushioning at comfortable paces, and the lightweight, responsive foam makes it easier to go faster for longer.

If you often run on dirt or gravel roads and paths, this might not be the right shoe for you. We found the exposed foam outsole to struggle with traction and durability. Check out the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 if you're looking for a great all-around option with better traction. Otherwise, if you're looking for a single shoe to do everything in, this is the one we'd pick.

Read more: Men's Hoka Mach 5 review

Related: Women's Hoka Mach 5 review

Best Overall Running Shoe for Women

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 - Women's

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 earned the highest marks in our women's running shoe round-up for a couple of reasons. This 12mm drop shoe offers strong landing comfort and cushioning but lacks the maximalist stack that has become popular. Because of this, the Adrenaline provides a familiar and traditional fit that is appropriate for all run distances. The built-in lateral GuideRails offer excellent support for long distances, especially for runners who tend to overpronate.

The Adrenaline is a predictable, stable, and reliable shoe that lacks some of the serious tech of other shoes. If speed workouts and racing are your thing, the Adrenaline will work, but we recommend shoes with stronger responsiveness and less weight. Given the security of the Adrenaline, its responsiveness and weight are predictable, but PR-chasers might prefer something with a bit more underfoot pop. But if you are in the market for a structurally sound workhorse of a marathon partner, the Adrenaline 23 comes with our highest recommendations.

Read more: Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 review

Related: Men's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 review

Best Men's Bang for the Buck

Puma Velocity Nitro 2

The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 is one of our favorite daily trainers. And that's before we think about how little it costs. We love the soft and responsive ride and the great lockdown from the upper. Plus, it has some of the best traction of any road shoe we've tested. This is a shoe that can handle almost anything — for a lot less than other choices.

If you're a runner who craves lots of plush cushioning for those longer efforts, this might not be the shoe for you. While we think it's fine for longer runs, this shoe thrives at moderate distances. If you're rarely out on the roads for more than 10 miles at a time, this is a great shoe that will handle most runs during your week. If you've been searching for a quiver-killer on a budget, we can't recommend the Velocity Nitro 2 enough.

Read more: Men's Puma Velocity Nitro 2 review

Best Budget Buy for Women

Saucony Kinvara 14 - Women's

The women's version of the Saucony Kinvara 14 is an ultra-lightweight shoe that is available for a slightly more digestible price tag than many other running shoes on the market today. The updated Kinvara is a bit more responsive than previous iterations, relying on the rebound of slightly soft PWRRUN+ foam for energy return. The minimalistic design offers comfort where you need it without any extras. The comfortable and breathable upper make this shoe one we recommend for budget-conscious runners in need of a lightweight daily trainer.

The minimalistic structure of the Kinvara lacks the lateral support that some distance runners may covet. The outsole rubber is also a bit softer than some of the more durable options we've tested, making it less suitable for crossing over onto light trails or abrasive surfaces. The 14th version of this shoe is also not as well received as previous iterations — some folks are happy, while others report that the increased stack height completely changes the shoe. Still, if you're not attached to the 13 and an affordable and peppy daily trainer is what you are after, the levity and pep of the Kinvara should treat you and your wallet right.

Read more: Women's Saucony Kinvara 14 review

Related: Men's Saucony Kinvara 14 review

Best Men's Option for Smooth Cushioning

On Cloudsurfer 7

If you want to feel like you're rolling along on soft clouds, the On Cloudsurfer 7 might be for you. The midsole feels plush and soft, even as it rolls you forward with each step. The upper is deceptively light. Pair that with a pronounced rocker, and the Cloudsurfer handles faster paces while keeping you comfortable.

That doesn't mean it's a shoe we'd choose for workouts, but it can handle them. Our biggest concern with this shoe is the lack of stability. The soft cushioning and high stack (particularly in the heel) result in an extremely unstable shoe. If you prefer to feel planted, you won't like the Cloudsurfer. But, if you want a smooth and plush ride for easy runs with the ability to pick up the pace, you might want to consider this option.

Read more: Men's On Cloudsurfer 7 review

Best Underfoot Cushion for Women

Asics Gel-Kayano 30 - Women's

The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 is a reimagined take on the maximalist-style shoes that have become popular for extreme comfort. Standing at a measured height of 37mm and 26mm in the heel and forefoot, respectively, the Gel Kayano is a tall shoe that is stuffed with plush underfoot cushion. Its buttery soft upper and nearly quarter-inch thick tongue add dimensional comfort for your longest distances. The Hoka Clifton 9 is similar in fit to the Kayano, making it another great choice if underfoot cushioning is your top priority.

It isn't especially surprising to learn that the Gel-Kayano runs a bit heavier than most shoes due to its incredible amount of cushion. This beefy runner isn't one we'd recommend for runners looking to lay down serious speed, but for long, slow distances, the comfort of the Kayano is prime. Fit-wise, it runs a bit short, which can lead to toes feeling cramped during runs. If you can't try this shoe on before you buy it, we recommend purchasing a half-size up for the ultimate comfort experience.

Read more: Women's Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review

Related: Men's Asics Gel-Kayano 30 review

Best Men's Race Day Shoe

Nike Vaporfly 3

When it's time to let it rip, the Nike Vaporfly 3 just might be your best choice. This shoe combines an aggressive geometry, a carbon plate, and a chunk of extremely responsive ZoomX foam to create one of the fastest shoes on the market. We love it for anything from a road mile to a marathon (plus for some of our hardest workouts), and we think you will, too.

As with any shoe that is hyper-focused, there are some drawbacks. This is a race shoe, with cushioning that will save your legs for the later stages of the race. But that cushioning doesn't transfer well to easy days. To be honest, this is a shoe for the hardest efforts and nothing else. But if you're willing to spend the money for some help as you chase that next PR, the Vaporfly 3 is the shoe we recommend.

Read more: Nike Vaporfly 3 review

Best Speed-Focused Women's Shoe

Nike Vaporfly 3 - Women's

If speed is calling your name, the Nike Vaporfly 3 might be your perfect match. This dual-carbon plated shoe is made for serious speed work. With an 8mm drop, an incredibly lightweight body, and just enough comfort for racing, this is our go-to recommendation for runnings looking to ratchet up their paces. With each women's size 6.5 weighing in at just under 5 ounces, the weight of the Vaporfly won't hold you back. The breathable upper mesh also ensures that your feet won't heat up as your paces do.

While the pricey Vaporfly is comfortable for what it is, it doesn't offer much in the way of comfort features. This, combined with its made-for-speed stack, cuts down on the applications for the Vaporfly. If you want a responsive shoe that is slightly more comfortable for longer distances, the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a great option. The Deviate Nitro weighs a few ounces more but offers a bit more cushion in the places you need it most.

Read more: Nike Vaporfly 3 review

Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Men

Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3

If you prefer to ditch the pavement, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 is the shoe we recommend. Striking the perfect balance of some essential features to look for in a trail shoe, the S/Lab Ultra 3 earned near-perfect scores in comfort, stability, and foot protection. Although it has an 8mm drop, this shoe feels as stable as some zero-drop models we have tried, and the socklike fit keeps your foot in place even on off-camber trails. These shoes feel secure going down almost any kind of terrain.

The sturdy midsole left us feeling confident about underfoot protection. Still, Solomon scaled back the ruggedness of the upper, reducing it to a tightly woven mesh with the addition of film overlays only to high-wear areas, and the toe bumper is only semi-rigid. Another thing to note is the width. Solomon is notorious for making narrow-fitting shoes, which have more of an average width; they may not be as comfortable for runners with wide feet. These are not dealbreakers for most people, and the S/Lab Ultra 3 is the cream of the crop for trail runners, only scoring below average in the weight and sensitivity metrics. Check out the Altra Superior 6 if those are important.

Read more: Men's Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 review

Related: Women's Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 review

Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Women

Hoka Torrent 3 - Women's

Thanks to its almost universal comfort, the women's Hoka Torrent 3 is what we suggest for long-distance trail runners. We easily ran 20+ mile distances (sometimes all at once) while wearing this protective and cushioned trail running shoe. With sticky rubber and multidirectional lugs designed to grip any surface, the traction is exceptional. The lugs remain strong and beefy even when worn in harsh conditions, and the Torrent easily transfers from the trail to the road. This is a great option if you're looking for a versatile shoe that will get you through distances of all lengths.

Although Hokas are comfortable, the toe box and lace bed on the Torrent 3 are small right out of the box. These trail shoes pack out for a tailored fit but require some break-in time. If you want more impact protection and comfort for miles on end, we highly recommend the Torrent 3. If you're more into zero drop and need a wide toe box, check out the Altra Lone Peak 7.

Read more: Women's Hoka Torrent 3 review

Related: Men's Hoka Torrent 3 review

Best Trail Runner on a Budget for Men

Brooks Divide 4

If you're feeling timid about stepping into the world of trail runners or just don't want to spend a ton, the Brooks Divide 4 is at your service. Stable and durable, every iteration of this shoe has been one we recommend. Version 4 keeps most aspects of the upper we know and love, but a thinner and stiffer mesh noticeably improves breathability. While not ultralight or highly technical, this dependable shoe loves smooth and simple packed trails or even a jaunt through town on the way to the trail.

If your trail running has progressed to a more advanced place, the Divide 4 might leave you feeling underwhelmed. It's rigid, which takes away from the flexibility you want for technical terrain, particularly if you're moving fast. The Divide also has smaller lugs (we measured them at just 2.5mm) — with the stiffness of the shoe, these don't impart as much confidence as we would prefer. That said, if you're not moving super fast on complicated trails, or you plan to do a mix of hiking and running, this is a great contender. You certainly can't beat the price, and Brooks is known for building durable, long-lasting shoes.

Read more: Brooks Divide 4 review

Best Value Trail Runner for Women

Brooks Divide 4 - Women's

Our female testers felt the same way as the men — that the Brooks Divide 4 is an excellent choice for newer runners, no matter the terrain. The price is right, and the traditionally-focused fit is a crowd-pleaser. Comfortable with firm cushioning, the Divide is great for simpler dirt trails and has no problem crossing over onto pavement.

The Divide isn't very sensitive or overly protective, so it's best kept to easy, packed trails. You certainly don't have to feel limited by this, but it's good to keep in mind if that doesn't match your intended style. You will feel some information from underfoot, but a rock plate dampens a good bit of this. But, as we said, if you're just learning the trail-running ropes, this is a great place to start. The Divide balances a lot of great features with an approachable fit and bomber price point.

Read more: Brooks Divide 4 review

Why You Should Trust Us

When testing running shoes, we pay close attention to underfoot and upper comfort, stability, cushion, traction, and weight. Depending on what type of running you do, each of these metrics will have different levels of importance, reflected in our weighting for each category. When pounding the pavement, cushion and landing comfort are the keys to keeping your joints happy. If you prefer to run on trails filled with rocks and roots, foot protection and traction will be your top priorities. Our male and female testers log dozens of miles in each pair of shoes and choose various terrain types to include in their routes. Collectively, our testers have traveled thousands of miles in close to 500 pairs of running shoes and counting.

Our main testers for this review include a collection of devoted runners with expertise in the sport, and most have spent years running and testing footwear for the OutdoorGearLab team. Ally Arcuri is an avid runner and exercise specialist with a Cal State Fullerton kinesiology degree that helps her evaluate women's trail and road shoes from a biomechanics perspective. Nathaniel Bailey is the lead tester for our men's road shoe review. He competed in track and cross country from middle school through college and now continues to race on the roads and coach high school and recreational runners. Matthew Richardson is our current men's trail shoe expert, exploring as many trails in SW Colorado as he can. Specializing in computer mapping, he also tests GPS watches, a perfect companion to creating and exploring new trail runs as he tests shoes.

How to Choose the Right Running Shoe

You may be new to running and want to start on the right foot. You may be a long-time runner and know precisely what you like in a shoe but are ready to branch out from your trusty model. Either way, you should consider a few things before purchasing your footwear. Each pair of running shoes has different features, and the right one depends on your running style, the length and location of your runs, and if you want a multifunctional shoe or are okay with having a different pair of shoes for each activity.

Running Style

Your running style will largely dictate which shoe is the best for you. Suppose your typical run involves a 20-minute morning jog on the paved path around the park. In that case, your shoe needs will differ wildly from the distance runner training for an ultramarathon or the trail junkie tackling rocky paths at high elevations. The location, frequency, and duration of your run all matter.

Traditional running shoes are great for those who mostly run on sidewalks and roads or stick to treadmill and track workouts. If you live in an area where dirt hiking paths are more common than sidewalks, and you love runs that wind through the forest dodging roots and rocks, a trail running shoe will be a better choice. Trail-specific features like burley lugs and grippy outsoles will help you feel more grounded and agile.

Those who run longer distances will likely appreciate more cushion in the midsole of their shoe and the support that comes with it. Conversely, a more responsive shoe with a lower profile can help you feel lighter on your feet and keep you running at a fast clip. Runners who like to keep their workouts short and sweet or experienced runners who frequently participate in 5k or 10k races will probably love a lighter shoe, even if it is less supportive. Ideally, your shoe will feel light on your feet, regardless of the distance you plan to cover, and weight plays a big part in the overall feel.

Another thing to consider is whether you are okay with having multiple pairs of running shoes or want one shoe to do it all. After all, as much as we'd like a cool new gadget for every sport, gear (and cost) adds up quickly. Purchasing and storing ten pairs of technical shoes isn't always practical when two or three can do the trick. Some models can take you from running to biking, hiking, or crosstraining without skipping a beat. A common trend is to purchase a burlier trail running shoe that can easily double as a lightweight trail hiking shoe and one for road-specific runs that can moonlight as a crosstraining kick. Bonus points if your footwear is comfortable and stylish enough for casual settings, too.

Trail vs. Road

Likely, the first and easiest way to narrow down your options is to choose between trail running shoes and road running shoes. The differences between the two styles of shoes are more pronounced, and most people already prefer one or the other. However, if you aren't sure which style is right for you, read on to learn about the significant differences.

Road running shoes are designed to keep your body comfortable when running on hard artificial surfaces such as concrete and asphalt. The added cushion and wider footbed found on most models provide the right amount of stability and landing comfort to protect your joints from repeated impact on hard surfaces. They also have more flexible and relatively smooth soles that work well on flat surfaces. You can expect more responsiveness from this style of shoe. From here, you can dive deep into the subcategories of maximalist, minimalist, zero drop, and more. Each type has its perks, and ultimately, it is a choice of personal preference.

Below, see the scores outlined for our men's road running shoes review and women's road running shoes review.

Choosing a road shoe doesn't mean you can't take on the occasional dirt road or smooth-packed trail, but if you find yourself straying off the paved path more often than not, you may want to look into a pair of shoes optimized for trail use. The best trail running shoes usually have deeper lugs and a sticky rubber outsole. The idea is to maximize traction on rocks, roots, mud, and other natural surfaces you may encounter when leaving the pavement. They typically feature a rock plate or a lot of EVA foam in the midsole for extra protection against sharp objects on the trail. They need to withstand all manner of organic matter that you may come across on the trail, so the upper section of the shoe is usually made with more water-resistant or quick-drying materials in case of stream crossings.

The best pairs are much more durable and withstand trail abuse from wayward branches and scrapes. The extra protective features sometimes add to the shoe's overall weight, but the gap is narrowing between the two styles, and you may not have to sacrifice the ounces to get a good pair of protective trail shoes. Within the world of trail runners, you will find more or less intense styles, and you can select the one that is best suited to the aggressiveness of the trails you frequent.

Scores for the individual trail running shoes we tested are shown below for both our men's trail running shoe and women's trail running shoe articles.

The Importance of Fit

Fit is likely the most valuable factor to consider when buying a pair of running shoes, and you will find that sizing isn't always consistent across brands. Some run large, and some run small. Some brands are known for having narrow-fitting shoes, while others have a wide and roomy toe box. Because each model has a slightly different profile, we recommend purchasing shoes from a location where you can try them on first or going through a website with a good return policy. Over time, you will likely dial in your preferences for everything from width to lacing patterns.

On that note, we recommend not limiting yourself to just men's or women's models. While gender-specific shoes may be designed with features tailored to their respective gender categories, there are no hard and fast rules. You might find that they fit better to the contour of your feet, or maybe you like the color scheme offered in the other gender of the shoe. Whatever the reason, if you feel more comfortable and stable in the version of a shoe that isn't marketed towards your gender, that is the shoe for you.

Conclusion

Running is a centuries-old practice that has many mental and physical health benefits, whether you are brand new to the sport, or training for your next ultramarathon. The right pair of shoes is essential to keep you on your feet and on the move, but with the abundance of choices in today's market, it is necessary to do the research before committing to a pair. Luckily, we have researched and tested hundreds of models to find the ins and outs of each pair, and we hope that this list of our favorites will help you make the best choice for your lifestyle and running goals.