Home Guides Best Running Shoes for Beginners
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FOR EVERYONE

FOR EVERYONE

FOR EVERYONE

Nike Winflo 9

Nike Winflo 9
The Nike Winflo 9 is an all-around shoe that can wear many hats and wears them well.
The Nike Winflo 9 is an all-around shoe that can wear many hats and wears them well.
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.

FOR HEAVY RUNNERS

FOR HEAVY RUNNERS

FOR HEAVY RUNNERS

Saucony Triumph 20

Saucony Triumph 20
The Triumph 20 is a long-distance, everyday running shoe. It offers premium features that surely won’t disappoint.
The Triumph 20 is a long-distance, everyday running shoe. It offers premium features that surely won’t disappoint.
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.

MOST AFFORDABLE

MOST AFFORDABLE

MOST AFFORDABLE

Saucony Axon 2

Saucony Axon 2
The Saucony Axon 2 is simple, well designed, and it simply works. No extra frills, simply one of the best trainers on the market.
The Saucony Axon 2 is simple, well designed, and it simply works. No extra frills, simply one of the best trainers on the market.
Michael Mason-D'Croz
Long distance runner, shoe expert.

SUPPORTIVE

SUPPORTIVE

SUPPORTIVE

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
The Adrenaline is the support sibling to the Ghost. Equally comfortable, but made for runners who want or need support.
The Adrenaline is the support sibling to the Ghost. Equally comfortable, but made for runners who want or need support.
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.

FOR RELAXED RUNS

FOR RELAXED RUNS

FOR RELAXED RUNS

Asics Novablast 3

Asics Novablast 3
The Asics Novablast 3 is a polished daily trainer.
The Asics Novablast 3 is a polished daily trainer.
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert

For beginner runners, there are literally hundreds of options when it comes to running shoes.

In this guide we will select the shoes that we believe to be good universal choices for people just starting to run. In case you want a personalised recommendation, don't forget to visit our running shoe finder: answer 5 questions and we will recommend three shoes for you to choose from.

We also put together the video below that will tell you without BS what is important when choosing a running shoe and how to differentiate between them.

Mid-Priced Running Shoes

Running shoes range in price between $50 and $180 (with some, more expensive, exceptions). You don't have to spend a lot of money on a pair of running shoes - especially your first one, but surely you shouldn't cheap out.

In our years of testing, we identified the sweet spot between price and value at $100-$120.

Shoes in this price range are comfortable, durable and will help protect you from unnecessary injury.

First choice
Weight
10 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Budget Friendly
  • Versatile
  • Many colors to choose from
“The Nike Winflo 9 is an all-around shoe that can wear many hats and wears them well. I love the stylish look they have to them and also can be worn all day for various activities. ”
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
Read the full review of Winflo 9
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
9.7 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Max cushioned comfort
  • For runners who want a bit of everything
  • Excellent traction
“The Saucony Triumph 20 is a long-distance, everyday running shoe. It offers premium features that surely won’t disappoint. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a pair of these babies.”
Olivia Yoder
Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
Read the full review of Triumph 20
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
9.6 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Best buy on the market
  • Designed to push speeds
  • Tons of cushion
  • Redesigned upper is top notch
  • Excelled at all types of runs
“The Saucony Axon 2 is simple, it's well designed, and simply it works. No extra frills for the heck of it, it's simply one of the best trainers on the market, and for half the price of the others even in the same ball park. ”
Michael Mason-D'Croz
Long distance runner, shoe expert.
Read the full review of Axon 2
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
10.20 oz.
Drop
12 mm.
Category
Stability
Reasons to buy
  • DNA Loft Midsole
  • GuideRails
  • Comfortable
  • Durable
“The Brooks Adrenaline 22 is a solid daily trainer. Its tried and true approach along with the small changes made in the 22 results in the Adrenaline becoming one of the most stable and comfortable trainers out there. ”
Recommended for
I would recommend the Brooks Adrenaline to anyone who is looking for a tried and true stability trainer that is built for miles.
TJ Jones
Road and trail runner, stability shoes expert.
Read the full review of Adrenaline GTS 22
or buy them here: Men / Women
Also consider
Weight
8.9 oz.
Drop
mm.
Category
Cushioning
Reasons to buy
  • Smoother ride transitions
  • Better breathability
  • Improved stability
  • More cushioning
“The ASICS Novablast 3 is a polished daily trainer which is best suited to relaxed, easy runs. Its midsole has been upgraded to FF Blast+ foam so it loses a bunch of weight and gains some extra cushioning depth. Version 3 rides smoother than its predecessor but it rides firmer so it doesn't have the fun, bouncy ride which the Novablast used to be known for. ”
Brandon Law
Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Read the full review of Novablast 3
or buy them here: Men / Women

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