The running shoe scene has exploded in the past few years. There are more choices than ever before, with a specialized shoe for just about every niche imaginable. That means there's never been a better time to buy running shoes, but there's also never been a more confusing time to choose the right ones.
If you don't know where to start, we've got you covered. We've tested and reviewed over 280 models, and below are our recommendations for the best running shoes that we think will work for the widest number of runners.
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.
- Energy Return: How well the midsole of the shoe returns the energy that you put into it with each foot strike. The higher the score, the livelier and more responsive the shoe will feel. A score over 7 is satisfactory for daily training. Look for scores over 8 for a shoe you plan to use for faster runs.
- Stability: How steady the shoe feels underfoot. A score of 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.
If you want to learn more about our testing process, you can read about our lab tests.
If you're mostly concerned with comfort, check out our recommendations for the most comfortable running shoes. If you're looking to increase your mileage, check out our recommendations for the best long-distance running shoes. And if you're someone who listens to music while running, check out our picks for the best headphones and earbuds for running.
We've bought and tested more than 250 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
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Best Running Shoes
Cushioning9.3Energy Return8.3Stability6.7True To Size8.9Weight:229.9 g (8.11 oz)Heel Stack Height:44.6 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:8.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you're looking for a single running shoe that can handle all your weekly miles, the ASICS Megablast is the best running shoe we've tested. It's exceptionally comfortable underfoot, absorbing a huge amount of impact, so whether you're heading out for an easy run or a longer effort, your legs stay very well protected. It's also lots of fun, with plenty of bounce and rebound to keep everyday miles from feeling dull while making faster running easy to sustain. It's very light for such a deeply cushioned shoe, too, so it never feels cumbersome and offers the versatility to handle anything you could ask of one pair of running shoes.
That said, it's not a cheap shoe, and if most of your running is around 6:00/km or slower and you care more about comfortable cruising than faster running, the ASICS Superblast 3 is the better fit. Its softer, less aggressive ride is better suited to slower paces, while still providing exceptional impact protection and plenty of bounce. However, if you want one amazing shoe that can handle all of your weekly running and performs especially well when you want to run faster, the Megablast is hard to beat.
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Best Mid-Range Running Shoes
Cushioning8.0Energy Return8.3Stability6.6True To Size8.9Weight:220.0 g (7.76 oz)Heel Stack Height:36.9 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:6.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Plastic ShankIf our top pick, the ASICS Megablast, costs more than you want to spend, the adidas Adizero Evo SL is the next best option. You give up a lot of the other shoe's remarkable shock absorption and comfort, so your legs won't feel quite as protected on longer runs or when you just want to cruise. It's also less bouncy and doesn't move you through each step as smoothly, so you have to work a little harder to keep your stride flowing. However, its lighter, lower-profile build gives you a nimbler ride that handles everything from easy runs to faster efforts, with plenty of rebound to help you settle into a rhythm at any pace. Though the protection isn't as deep as the Megablast's, it still absorbs an impressive amount of impact in its own right, so you can feel confident that your legs are well protected across your weekly running.
That said, it's not the most stable shoe. If you'd rather trade some excitement for better impact protection and significantly more security underfoot, the Saucony Endorphin Azura is the better choice. However, if you want to spend less money and still get a fun, fast shoe that can handle almost anything you throw at it, the adidas is the pick.
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Best Budget Running Shoes
Cushioning7.3Energy Return6.8Stability8.4True To Size8.9Weight:296.7 g (10.47 oz)Heel Stack Height:44.3 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:12.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you want to spend as little as possible while still getting a very good running shoe, the Nike Winflo 12 is our best budget pick. It gives up a lot compared to the two picks above: it's significantly heavier, less versatile, and offers much less help through your stride, making it harder to settle into a comfortable rhythm. On the upside, you get a much more stable platform that's very dependable for weekly mileage. There's still enough rebound to be fun as you clock miles, and it still does a satisfactory job of taking the sting out of the sidewalk, so your legs are decently protected.
That said, if you want a lighter, more energetic budget shoe for faster running, go with the adidas Zenboost instead. You give up some stability, but it's significantly lighter and much better suited to quicker paces. If you mainly want an affordable, dependable shoe for easy weekly mileage, however, the Nike is the better pick.
If you want to see more affordable options, check out our picks for the best cheap running shoes.
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Best Running Shoes For Beginners
Cushioning8.5Energy Return7.2Stability7.1True To Size9.4Weight:247.7 g (8.74 oz)Heel Stack Height:41.9 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:8.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you're buying your first proper pair of running shoes and want something comfortable and easy to trust, go with the ASICS Novablast 6. It isn't quite as versatile as the ASICS Megablast or adidas Adizero Evo SL, but it's more stable than either shoe, providing a secure platform as you get used to running regularly. There's still enough bounce to make logging your first miles fun, and its excellent shock absorption does an amazing job of protecting your legs from impact as you're building mileage. It can also handle longer runs reasonably well, so you're unlikely to outgrow it as your running improves.
If you'd rather spend a little more for some extra support, however, the Saucony Hurricane 26 is worth a look. It's significantly more stable, especially for runners whose ankles tend to roll inward when they run, and, though much heavier, it has a livelier, more versatile ride. That said, for beginners who just want a comfortable, reliable, easy-to-lace shoe that will grow with them, the ASICS is the best place to start.
For more options for beginners across different budgets, check out our picks for the best running shoes for beginners.
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Best Running Shoes For Run/Walk
Cushioning8.0Energy Return3.9Stability7.6True To Size9.6Weight:261.1 g (9.21 oz)Heel Stack Height:41.9 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:10.2 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf your running plan has you walking more than running, or you just need a very comfortable shoe for long days on your feet, go with the HOKA Clifton 11. It isn't as versatile as our top pick, the ASICS Megablast, or our beginner pick, the ASICS Novablast 6, with a much less lively ride than either shoe. However, when you're spending all day on your feet, a bouncy shoe can actually be more of a hindrance than a help. This shoe gives you a trustworthy, predictable platform with deep cushioning and impressive shock absorption, so whether you're walking thousands of steps a day or starting a walk-run plan, your feet get a plush landing, and your legs stay well protected. It's still a good daily trainer too, so you're not limited to walking if you start running more regularly.
If maximum protection matters more than weight or price, the HOKA Bondi 9 offers even deeper cushioning and a plusher ride for long days on your feet. It's much heavier and less stable, though, so if you want the lighter, cheaper shoe with a more trustworthy platform, the Clifton 11 is the better pick.
Notable Mentions
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Brooks Ghost 18:
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a much more stable alternative to our beginner pick, the ASICS Novablast 6, making it a better option if you prioritize a secure, predictable ride. However, it's heavier, less versatile, and much less protective.
See our review -
Nike Pegasus 42:
The Nike Pegasus 42 is a firmer alternative to our mid-range pick, the adidas Adizero Evo SL. It's much more stable, but far less fun and less versatile, so it's better suited to runners who prefer more road feedback.
See our review -
New Balance 1080v15:
The New Balance 1080v15 is a cheaper alternative to our top pick, the ASICS Megablast, with a more stable and relaxed ride. However, it's less protective and much less lively, so it can't handle as wide a range of running.
See our review -
Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra:
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is a more luxurious cushioned alternative to the ASICS Megablast. However, it's heavier, significantly less stable, and less versatile overall.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Sep 14, 2026 at 11:13 am:
We've updated this article to change our top pick to the ASICS MEGABLAST and replaced the ASICS NOVABLAST 6 with the adidas Adizero Evo SL as our 'Best Mid-Range' pick. We moved the NOVABLAST 6 to our 'Best For Beginners' pick, replacing the Nike Pegasus 42, and replaced the adidas Zenboost with the Nike Winflo 12 as our 'Best Budget' pick. Finally, we added a new 'Best For Run/Walk' category with the HOKA Clifton 11, tweaked the text throughout the pick boxes to reflect these changes, and updated the Notable Mentions accordingly.
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Sep 01, 2026 at 12:51 pm:
We've changed our top pick from the ASICS MEGABLAST to the Saucony Hurricane 26, as we believe the latter will work for a broader range of runners. We've also replaced our 'Best For Racing' and 'Best For Speed Workouts' categories with a single 'Best For Faster Running' category, and changed our 'Best For Beginners' pick to the Nike Pegasus 42.
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Aug 19, 2026 at 02:11 pm:
We've updated our 'Best Budget' recommendation after testing the adidas Zenboost.
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Aug 10, 2026 at 09:59 am:
We've combined the 'Best For Stability' and 'Best For Beginners' picks into a single category and removed the 'Best For Long Runs' category, as our top overall pick, the ASICS MEGABLAST, also has the highest score in our new Long Run usage.
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Jul 13, 2026 at 09:23 am:
We've verified that all our recommendations are still accurate and in stock, but haven't made any changes to our picks.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we currently consider 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.