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Best Running Shoes for Beginners (August 2024)

Written on 28th August by Ruggero Loda Founder and Publisher, Running Shoes Guru
314 other reviews
BEST RUNNING SHOES FOR BEGINNERS
Looking for your first running shoe? Look no further: we bought and tested more than 120 pairs of running shoes this year and we're ready to share our recommendations with you.

The 6 best running shoes for new runners

Keep scrolling or click on a shoe to find out why we chose it and what other shoes you should consider.

New Balance FuelCell Propel v5

Best daily trainer for new runners
Weight: 9.7oz Drop: 6mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
7.0
The New Balance FuelCell Propel V5 is a daily trainer that can handle those easy runs and those long runs. And at the price of $120 USD, you are getting easily one of the best daily trainers in the...
MSRP $119.95 $43 Best price today this will redirect you to Amazon.com

Saucony Guide 17

Best supportive daily trainer
Weight: 9.4oz Drop: 6mm
Our Rating
10
Users Rating
9.0
The Saucony Guide 17’s are a pillowy soft max cushioned supportive shoe. It's a very stable shoe that can be used for an everyday trainer. I personally don't care for the color combinations or how...
MSRP $139.95 $104 Best price today this will redirect you to Amazon.com

Nike Winflo 11

Most stylish
Weight: 10oz Drop: 10mm
Our Rating
10
Users Rating
7.4
The Nike Winflo 11 is a shoe for anyone! It’s such a versatile shoe and wears many hats. You can use them for training, for short runs and they are stylish enough to wear for running errands....
MSRP $105 $105 Best price today this will redirect you to Nike

Asics Gel Nimbus 26

Best Max Cushioned
Weight: 10.7oz Drop: 8mm
Our Rating
10
Users Rating
9.0
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is a cushioned daily trainer that is an everyday shoe for most runners of all abilities. It has great outsole grip, soft enough cushion, and a stable, responsive ride. ...
MSRP $159.95 $98 Best price today this will redirect you to Amazon.com

Hoka One One Stinson 7

Best Trail Shoe for Beginners
Weight: 12.7oz Drop: 5mm
Our Rating
9.0
Users Rating
0.0
The HOKA Stinson 7 provides an exceptionally stable, reliable, highly cushioned ride for road to non-technical trails. For everyday training or longer efforts where the terrain varies between roads,...
MSRP $169.95 $0 Best price today this will redirect you to Hoka ONE ONE

Table of content

  Our Top 5 picks for all categories
 
 
What to consider
 
 
Best daily trainer for new runners
 
 
Best supportive daily trainer
 
 
Most stylish
 
 
Best Max Cushioned
 
 
Best Trail Shoe for Beginners
 
 
Quick questions you might have
 
 
Comments
 

Don't overthink it.

Here’s what you need to consider when choosing your first pair of running shoes:

  • Comfort is everything.
    Your running shoes should be comfortable with a proper fit. If anything feels “off” while you briefly try them, imagine after 10,000 steps in them.
  • You want a daily trainer.
    Forget super-shoes, super-trainers, zero-drop, maximal cushion… your first shoe should be a reliable, comfortable workhorse. Once you get more comfortable with your running, you’ll know what else to look for in a shoe.
  • Pay attention to stability.
    Do you struggle keeping your balance while standing on one leg? Are your ankles weak? Choose a stability, or support, running shoe.

It is that easy!

Best daily trainer for new runners

New Balance FuelCell Propel v5

merchant logo
$120.00
$43.00
See deal   >
merchant logo
$120.00
$119.00
See deal   >
In short
The New Balance FuelCell Propel V5 is a daily trainer that can handle those easy runs and those long runs. And at the price of $120 USD, you are getting easily one of the best daily trainers in the market within that price range.
Pros
  • Affordable daily trainer
  • FuelCell midsole
  • Durable outsole
  • Good traction with the outsole
Cons
  • TPU plate doesn't give you the responsiveness it proclaims
  • Rocks can get stuck in between the canyon designs of the outsole
Who should buy it

If you are looking for a daily trainer that will protect your feet underfoot, the FuelCell midsole could be ideally for you because of how soft it is. And at $120 USD this is one of the few affordable shoes out there with this much quality.

Who should not buy it

This is not a shoe I would not recommend using for any particular speed workout. Although the Propel V5 has a plate within the midsole the weight of the shoe itself and the softness underfoot will not give the quality workout you need. I would highly suggest looking for a lighter and more responsive shoe instead.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
9.7 oz
Heel
37 mm
Carbon plate
Plate in other materials
Heel drop
6 mm
Toe
31 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
7.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
7.0
Toe-off
7.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
10
Team review
Read full review

Best supportive daily trainer

Saucony Guide 17

merchant logo
$140.00
$104.00
See deal   >
In short
The Saucony Guide 17’s are a pillowy soft max cushioned supportive shoe. It's a very stable shoe that can be used for an everyday trainer. I personally don't care for the color combinations or how they look but thoroughly enjoy how they feel on.
Pros
  • Breathable and lightweight
  • Center Path Technology helps guide you forward
  • High stack height helps to absorb impact
Cons
  • The colors and look are not trendy but don't affect the way it runs
Who should buy it

This shoe is for the runner who is looking for a smooth and gentle ride. It’s great for long distances.

Who should not buy it

This shoe is not for the runner who likes to be connected with the ground. It has a dense built-up midsole that doesn’t make it a top pick for a shoe I would race or PR in.

Main Specs
Type
Stability
Weight
9.4 oz
Heel
35 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
6 mm
Toe
29 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
10
Build quality
10
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
10
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Most stylish

Nike Winflo 11

merchant logo
$105.00
$105.00
See deal   >
In short
The Nike Winflo 11 is a shoe for anyone! It’s such a versatile shoe and wears many hats. You can use them for training, for short runs and they are stylish enough to wear for running errands.
Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Can be worn for many activities
  • Durable
Cons
  • Not for longer distances
  • Laces come undone easily if not double-knotted
Who should buy it

They are for someone who wants a high-quality shoe that can perform various needs without spending an arm and a leg.

Who should not buy it

They are not for the runner looking for a long-distance running shoe. It can be used for short to mid-distance runs but once you enter into those double digits you’ll start to notice the lack of responsiveness.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
10 oz
Heel
mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
10 mm
Toe
mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
10
Team review
Read full review

Best Max Cushioned

If you are a heavy runner, or simply enjoy a very soft, pillow-y ride, you should be looking into a max cushioned daily trainer.

Asics Gel Nimbus 26

merchant logo
$160.00
$98.00
See deal   >
In short
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is a cushioned daily trainer that is an everyday shoe for most runners of all abilities. It has great outsole grip, soft enough cushion, and a stable, responsive ride.
Pros
  • Versatile
  • Stable
  • Lots of cushion
  • Great traction
  • Eco-conscious
Cons
  • On the heavier side
Who should buy it

If you’re looking for a shoe that can handle most types of runs while having a good amount of cushion, this is a great shoe. Beginner runners will love this shoe as an all-around shoe while intermediate to advanced runners will likely use this for recovery, easy, slower tempo, and long run days.

Who should not buy it

If you’re not a fan of a higher stack shoe or are looking for a fully plush shoe, then this shoe won’t be something you’ll love. Also, if you’re needing a shoe that is lighter in weight, I would also look elsewhere. If you’re an intermediate to advanced runner looking for a speedy shoe, this shoe will not meet your demands.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
10.7 oz
Heel
41.5 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
8 mm
Toe
33.5 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
10
Build quality
10
Upper
10
Sole unit
10
Landing
10
Transition
10
Toe-off
10
Traction
10
Durability
10
Value / Price
10
Team review
Read full review

Best Trail Shoe for Beginners

Hoka One One Stinson 7

merchant logo
$170.00
$0.00
See deal   >
In short
The HOKA Stinson 7 provides an exceptionally stable, reliable, highly cushioned ride for road to non-technical trails. For everyday training or longer efforts where the terrain varies between roads, grass, and gravel, the Stinson 7 goes the distance in plush comfort.
Pros
  • Exceptionally stable on road and non-technical terrain
  • Plush cushioning
  • High stack protects from underfoot hazards
Cons
  • Subpar agility in tight spaces and on rocks
  • Outsole can get slippery on rock when wet
  • Break-in period may be required before optimal comfort
Who should buy it

For a road-to-trail runner or non-technical trail runner or hiker looking for a stable, maximalist shoe to go the distance in comfort.

Who should not buy it

Trail runners who primarily run on technical, uneven terrain with tight rocks where a lot of agility is required or speed is the focus.

Main Specs
Type
Trail
Weight
12.7 oz
Heel
45 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
5 mm
Toe
40 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
6.0
Traction
6.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Quick Questions you might have