We don't accept free products or compensation in exchange for our reviews.
Every single shoe we test is purchased with our own money. No brand is giving us samples or review units - we don't have to say thank you to anybody, we just want to provide the most unbiased, in-depth running shoe reviews available!
We have been testing running shoes since 2009 - You can trust us!
Let's start with the best everyday running shoes for most people: these are shoes that received high praise from both our testers, our readers and the running community in general.
We call everyday running shoes the shoes you will most likely cover most of your miles in.
The most important factor for these shoes is comfort: they need to be comfortable while your feet are pounding on the ground for miles and miles. Ideally the upper fits you like a glove and the sole provides enough cushioning to protect you from the contact with the ground while still allowing a natural movement.
Technology has improved throughout the years. In the past a cushioned shoe needed to be heavy to provide comfort, but newer foams are lighter - allowing for great comfort at lower weight.
For your long runs (be that in training, or races where you focus on the distance run instead of the times) you will need a shoe that is more comfortable.
Ideally the uppers have plush materials in key places while still allowing good breathability and the soles have plenty of cushion without dragging you.
These options are true and tested great long-run shoes!
Everything has gone up in price! Shoes that used to be $100 are now closer to $130 or more.
At the same time, many brands have strengthened their mid-priced options and there are some shoes that truly feel more expensive than their price tag.
You can't go wrong with any of these - especially if you have just picked up running, you want a good running shoe but are not sure yet of what you exactly are looking for.
Trail Running is quite a generic term that includes running over a variety of terrains, inclines and mileage. We believe the shoes listed below offer a good choice for all your trail running needs.
If you want a more in-depth look at trail running shoes, check our dedicated article, where you'll find different options based on the kind of terrain you plan to run on.
If you are ready to lace up for race day, here are the shoes we recommend.
Most people will be fine using their training shoe for the race. But if you are a competitor you might want something lighter and more responsive.
Here are a few options, but if you want more choice, please check our marathon-specific selection that goes into detail separating suggestions based on your speed, training shoes vs race-day shoes and more!
Possibly the most asked questions by our readers and any person who knows I run this site, “what are the best running shoes” is not an easy question to answer!
Running shoes are a very personal matter. So personal in fact that a recent medical research established that comfort and fit are the most important matter while selecting a running shoe in terms of minimizing the risk of injury.
For this reason, it is impossible to make a list that will be valid for everyone.
We are a team of testers with different running experience, body shapes and sizes, individual bio-mechanics. This always updated list is divided into different sections so that every runner can find the best running shoes for them.
Here are a few pointers and definitions to help you choose correctly.
Traditionally, all running shoes are divided into Neutral running shoes or Stability running shoes.
This is based on the concept (lately less popular) that the height and elasticity of your foot arch determines what your shoe should do for you.
Although there is much more to choosing a pair of running shoes than this, most runners will be find in Netrual (cushioning) running shoes. Some runners though (like me) absolutely do need stability in their shoes in order not to get injured.
A running shoe drop, or heel-to-toe offset, is the difference, measured in millimiters (mm) between the height of the shoe sole in the heel area vs the height of the sole in the toe area.
For reference, traditional running shoes usually have an offset (drop) of 12mm. Low drop are considered shoes with a drop between zero (called zero drop) and 4mm. Everything in between is also possible.
The logic is: shoes with a higher heel will favor heel strike during running, while shoes with a zero or low drop will favor a more forefoot or midfoot running gait. It is largely a matter of preference, but running on your toes requires a completely different set of muscle activation and switching from one kind of shoe to the other without proper conditioning and a very gradual approach might result in injury.
In a nutshell minimal vs maximal refers to the amount of cushioning that the shoe gives to the runners.
Starting in 2009, more and more runners have been promoting a barefoot running idea: shoes are bad for you, you should run barefoot or, if that is not possible, with “as little shoe as possible”. Milions of runners made the switch to minimalism and quite a few got injured. As a result, companies came out with running shoes that are lightweight (one of the principles of minimalism) but with very high, soft soles that really cushion the foot.
There is not a right or wrong type of shoe here – it entirely depends on the runner, their style and preferences.
A high price tag is not a guarantee that a shoe is better than another. This said, we always recommend to shop for running shoes that have a recommended retail price of $100 or more.
This does not mean you need to pay more than $100! New versions of running shoes are released every year and – most often than not – changes versus the previous version are small and incremental in nature. This means that instead of buying this year version of a shoe, you can very often buy last year’s model for a fraction of the price, often as low as 50% less.
While the distinction might seem obvious, it’s good to mention some points that differentiate a trail running shoe from a road one.
The last distinction we want to highlight is the difference between high mileage, every day shoes vs shoes for speedwork and racing.
It has become a common practice for runners all over the world to have at least two separate pair of shoes:
If you found this guide useful, have a look at our other ones!
