Running shoes have come a long way in the last few years. Lots of new brands have entered the market, and legacy brands have introduced so many innovations that a shoe bearing the same name as a model from a few years ago no longer resembles it. Cushioning, stability, and energy return are all important aspects to consider, as is deciding what trade-offs among them you're willing to accept.
We've tested and reviewed almost 200 models; below are our recommendations for the best running shoes you can buy. If you're looking for shoes to race a marathon, check out our recommendations for the best marathon running shoes. If you're after shoes suited for long-distance training, not just racing, check out our recommendations for the best long-distance running shoes.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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Best Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.95K/10K Racing6.2Energy Return8.3Cushioning9.4Lateral Stability6.9Weight:229.9 g (8.11 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe best running shoes we've tested are the ASICS MEGABLAST. They're one of the few running shoes in today's increasingly specialised market that can truly do it all, from long, easy runs to short, uptempo intervals. This shoe delivers comfort and performance with very few compromises. Its cushioning is among the best money can buy, providing superb protection from the impact of pounding the pavement. That protective cushioning holds up over the long haul, continuing to provide excellent impact absorption even through the marathon distance.
This shoe isn't just about cushioning, though: its midsole is made of a bouncy foam that does an impressive job of returning the energy you put into each step. If you decide you want to pick up the pace, this shoe will happily oblige. ASICS packed all of this cushioning and rebound into a surprisingly lightweight construction, so the shoe never feels cumbersome or sluggish, even as your legs fatigue.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.45K/10K Racing6.1Energy Return7.4Cushioning8.7Lateral Stability7.1Weight:247.5 g (8.73 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:9.1 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneASICS has been having a blast these past few years, and the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 is the best upper mid-range running shoe. The cushioning is still excellent, but the shoe feels firmer underfoot and has less bounce than the ASICS MEGABLAST; however, this shoe compensates for its lower energy return with a stiff rocker in the midsole that helps keep your foot rolling forward as you land, relying more on its geometry than its foam to help maintain forward momentum. It's still a great choice for runners trying to build up their endurance, as it provides impressive long-distance protection, and even heavy heel strikers will get plenty of impact absorption.
If you're more focused on getting faster than going farther, and you naturally land on your forefoot, the HOKA Mach X 3 is a good alternative. It has a nylon plate in the midsole that adds some structure and snap to shorter, faster workouts. It still has amazing cushioning, but the shoe becomes much firmer when increased forces are applied, making it very responsive to pace pick-ups.
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Best Mid-Range Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.25K/10K Racing6.6Energy Return5.7Cushioning9.1Lateral Stability6.9Weight:263.4 g (9.29 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:9.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:PlasticThe Mizuno Neo Vista 2 is the best mid-range running shoe. Shoes in this range have clearer trade-offs, and in this case, you're sacrificing speed for cushioning. But you get a ton of cushioning from the towering stack of foam, which offers maximum protection at any distance. This shoe's midsole is comprised of two different foams, stabilized by a plastic plate, resulting in a plush underfoot feel that is surprisingly lightweight given its stack height. The shoe runs quite long, and the upper is very loose, so consider sizing down.
The combination of soft foam and a tall platform can make this Mizuno shoe feel a bit wobbly, so runners looking for a more secure ride might consider the Saucony Hurricane 25. Despite its turbulent name, it's a solid shoe that uses a wide base, contoured dual-density foam, and soft sidewalls to deliver a smooth, stable running experience. Its cushioning actually holds up better over long distances than the Mizuno, but neither is quite on the same level as the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2, much less the ASICS MEGABLAST.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.75K/10K Racing7.4Energy Return8.3Cushioning8.1Lateral Stability7.2Weight:220.0 g (7.76 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Plastic ShankThe adidas Adizero Evo SL has received a lot of hype among runners, and it's easy to see why. While it doesn't offer as much protective cushioning as any of the recommendations above, it uses the same premium Lightstrike Pro foam that adidas uses in its premium racing shoes, so you get an impressive amount of energy return for a fraction of the price. If you plan to do some intervals or just like to mix up the tempo on your daily runs, this shoe is a great option.
If you're a lighter runner who naturally lands on your heels, you might also want to consider the ASICS NOVABLAST 5. It has both a higher stack height and a broader platform than the adidas shoe, so it's unsurprisingly heavier and less nimble, but also a bit more stable. You'll get less energy return than you would from the adidas, but the ASICS still has enough responsiveness to shift gears if you feel like putting in a few pace surges during your run.
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Best Budget Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.35K/10K Racing6.6Energy Return7.8Cushioning7.9Lateral Stability8.0Weight:264.8 g (9.34 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:9.6 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe best budget running shoes we've tested are the Saucony Triumph 23. If you just want a running shoe with enough comfort and stability to get you through the grind of regular runs, this shoe delivers. The design feels rather basic compared to more premium options, and there are some annoyances: for example, the thick padding in the upper of the shoe limits breathability, so it can become uncomfortably hot on summer days.
That said, this shoe is surprisingly lightweight for the amount of cushioning it packs underfoot, and heel strikers in particular will appreciate how well the rear of the shoe absorbs heavy impacts. The cushy feeling you get when you step into the shoe can be short-lived, though: after more than 20k, the midsole becomes increasingly harsh and starts to bottom out.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes
Marathon Racing4.85K/10K Racing6.1Energy Return4.5Cushioning5.6Lateral Stability8.0Weight:283.2 g (9.99 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:11.4 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Nike Pegasus 41 is the best cheap running shoe we've tested. There's nothing fancy about this classic daily trainer, but it's a sturdy workhorse that can reliably handle repeated pounding with minimal fuss. It isn't a lively or bouncy shoe, and any speed is earned rather than assisted, as the ReactX midsole returns energy poorly. This shoe's cushioning is sub-par out of the gate, and long runs can get downright harsh. Nevertheless, the Pegasus series, like the shoes themselves, has impressive longevity for a reason: they're built to last, and can endure hundreds of miles of running or walking.
Notable Mentions
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Nike Vomero Premium:
The Nike Vomero Premium is a shoe that specialises in superlatives: tallest and most cushioned, but also heaviest and most expensive. The Vomero Premium is far too bulky to feel fast, but if you want a fun, bouncy ride or a running shoe that looks like it belongs on a spaceship, this is the one. While it has more cushioning than either the ASICS MEGABLAST or Mizuno Neo Vista 2, it's even less stable underfoot.
See our review -
Brooks Glycerin Max 2:
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 impresses with its amazing comfort. Its generous stack height and plush cushioning deliver a luxurious ride, making it the Cadillac of running shoes. It's nowhere near as fast or bouncy as the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 or even the Mizuno Neo Vista 2, but it has a gentle rocker that helps keep you rolling along. If you are on the heavier side, you will particularly appreciate how well the Glycerin Max 2's thick midsole absorbs impact.
See our review -
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5:
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 is a super trainer that excels at shorter, faster workouts. It's much livelier than either the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 or HOKA Mach X 3, but as its name suggests, it's built for speed rather than endurance. Its lightweight construction and lower stack height help keep it nimble, but there isn't much cushioning underfoot. If you're starting to build a shoe rotation, the Endorphin Speed 5 is a good complement to a more comfortable long run shoe.
See our review -
Salomon Aero Glide 3:
Salomon has come down from the mountains and started making road running shoes, and the Salomon Aero Glide 3 is their best daily trainer yet. It might not be as versatile as the ASICS MEGABLAST or even the adidas Adizero Evo SL, but it offers impressive cushioning and good energy return, all while remaining relatively lightweight. Note that this shoe runs long, so you might want to try sizing down.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jan 23, 2026:
We've revamped the structure of our article and also updated our picks to include shoes that we tested in 2025 and early 2026.
Aug 07, 2025:
We replaced the Mizuno Neo Zen with the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 as the 'Most Cushioned Running Shoe,' as the latter has superior cushioning. We also changed our pick for the 'Best Long Run Running Shoe' from the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 to the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2, due to the latter's better energy return and stability. On the other hand, we updated our pick for most versatile from the SUPERBLAST 2 to the adidas Adizero Evo SL, as the adidas shoe had more usages. Finally, we added the HOKA Rocket X 3 in the Notable Mentions.
Apr 30, 2025:
We replaced the Nike Alphafly 3 with the adidas Adios Pro 4 as the new racing pick, as it offers better cushioning and improved energy return at a similar weight. We also replaced the On Cloudboom Strike with the Nike Vaporfly 4 as a racing alternative pick to better cover the full racing spectrum, including shorter distances. Finally, we updated the 'Most Cushioned' pick by replacing the Mizuno Neo Vista with the Mizuno Neo Zen, as this newer model provides better underfoot protection.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best shoes for running for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper pair wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no running shoes that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you'd prefer to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our running shoe reviews. No shoe is perfect for everyone; your personal preferences, running style, physiology, and training goals will play the biggest role in your selection.