Find The Best
Running Shoe
For Your Needs

Running shoes have come a long way in the last few years. New brands have entered the market, and legacy brands have introduced so many innovations that two shoes bearing the same name but a different model number may share little more than a logo. The market is packed with excellent options, but finding the right shoe for your needs has rarely felt more confounding.

We've tested and reviewed over 200 models; below are our recommendations for the best running shoes you can buy. To help make sense of our picks, here's a quick rundown of the main scores we use in our testing:

• Cushioning: How well the shoe's midsole absorbs impact. Overall, 7.5+ is good, though heavier runners should also check the Heel Cushioning and Forefoot Cushioning tests in individual reviews, which show how the cushioning performs at higher force levels.
• Responsiveness: How well the shoe translates your applied force into forward motion. A score of 6.5+ is adequate for daily training. For racing, look for 8 or better.
• Lateral Stability: How steady the shoe feels underfoot. 7.5 is good for daily use. Race shoes with narrower platforms can score lower, meaning it's important to run with good form. Max-cushioned shoes regularly score lower, too, due to their taller stacks, and are best suited to easy runs where it's easier to maintain good form.
• True to Size: How closely the shoe matches a standardized baseline for length and volume. A score of 9+ means most runners can stick with their normal size. Scores between 7.5 and 9 are generally still good, but check the individual fit components if you have specific concerns, like wide arches or tall toes.