Best Running Shoes for Men & Women, Tested and Reviewed

While the barefoot running trend appeals to some, others prefer to have extra cushion for their runs. This best-seller from Saucony is ideal for those who need more support for daily walks, runs or race training. At first glance, this pair looked very thick, and we were surprised by how lightweight they felt out of the box and on our feet. We usually wear mid to lightweight ankle socks, which fit comfortably with these sneakers.

To test the Triumph out, we wore these shoes on a walk, a pavement run, a trail/woods run, and a trail run. In the middle of our first run on pavement, our calves actually started burning (in that feel-the-burn kinda way) on the uphills in a way that they don't with our older, flatter running shoes. We think this sensation is because the Triumph has a slightly more elevated heel.

However, on the trail run, we never experienced the burning. Despite not being built exclusively for trail running, that run felt good all the way through—the shoes felt solid and we didn’t feel like we would slip on rocks or uneven surfaces. The extra padding is very nice, and we think it'll be helpful for those who want more support for their feet and heels in the long run. We did get a blister during the first run, but that’s likely due to breaking in a new pair of kicks.

Trail running isn’t just a way to work up your heart rate—it provides the opportunity to experience the beauty of Mother Nature, see beautiful sights, and get a little dirty along the way. This minimalist running trainer offers support while mimicking the feeling of being barefoot. Thanks to the knitted upper design and firm foundation sole, you can still feel the ground beneath your feet when you wear these. You can trek on wet, rocky, dry or firm terrain, and rest assured you have grip throughout all conditions.

When we first opened these out of the box, they appeared to be cute white sneakers. It was our first time using shoes without traditional laces, and the overall aesthetic was chic, lightweight, and easy to throw in a backpack or take traveling. Once we tried them on, we were surprised to find the fit was smaller than we expected. Since Vivo specializes in making wider shoes, we assumed our feet would have plenty of room, but now we know to size up. When we wore them for the first time, we could feel the edge of our little toe rubbing against the shoe wall.

Beyond the toe box, though, we love how the rest of the shoe fits. It hugs your foot in a way that feels secure without any too-tight pressure points. We sometimes get bruises on the ridge of our foot from laces, but we didn't have any issues with these. It hugged the shape of our foot and allowed it to move naturally and flexibly while still protecting it.

We have a high arch and a wide foot, but we did not get foot cramping, like traditional shoes or hiking boots often cause.

During our test run, we really loved how flexible the sole is while also giving protection. To put them to the true test, we took these on a trail with lots of branches and uneven terrain, and they held up beautifully. Because they could move with our feet, we could navigate each terrain securely.

About halfway through our run, we could feel that my left little toe was rubbing against the side of the shoe. We removed the shoe and could see a bit of redness on that toe, but not enough to cause a blister or any significant pain. For the best experience and fit, we recommend thinner socks.

These lightweight shoes would be great for trail running (of course!) but also casual running and indoor classes, because they allow your foot to adapt to various surfaces and conditions.

For a sleek design that offers cushioning and stride transition, these On Cloudsurfer sneakers check all the boxes. Thanks to a Helion foam toe and their signature CloudTec, which features an interlocking system for a smooth stride as your foot rolls, it's designed to give ample support. When we first took these out of the box, we liked the clean, modern,and lightweight design.

We have another pair of On shoes, and we liked the new updated sole and thread pattern. This is a big benefit and change since previously, small rocks would always get stuck in the cracks of the sole. As expected with this brand, this pair was high-quality, elegant, and true to size.

When we first put these on, the toebox felt slightly more narrow but still provided a good, normal amount of room. We suspect they might stretch a bit with use. It has a very soft cushion that does make you think more of the cloud feeling, hence the name!

We have some pronation and a slight heel striker, so we always look for stability and

good conditioning. This shoe served all of our needs: It provided a lot of support, more than we would typically go for, and makes for a very smooth run–we didn't feel a tremendous amount of energy transfer, and at times it felt like the soft cushioning absorbed more energy than it gave back to our run. We didn't feel that it would propel us forward in a way that other shoes might.

More contact with the ground provides a more seamless running experience, due to the increased surface touchpoint. Overall, we think this would be a good pick for a recovery or easy, slow endurance runs. The shoe doesn't give the energy return that others will because of the soft cushioning; as such, it's not ideal for anything with faster speeds.

Maybe you’ve been a road warrior for years—perhaps have a few races under your belt, with medals proudly displayed in your office. And now, you’re ready for a new challenge: Trail running! If you’re looking for a way to test out this new type of running without investing too much into a sneaker, the Hi-Tec Destroyer is an excellent starter shoe for light hikers and newbies. It’s lightweight and features a reinforced toe bumper, heel strike, reflecting elements, and breathable mesh.

When we first opened the box, we found the shoes bright, plush, rugged, and clean. Although we thought the light colors could easily get dirty, we were impressed with how well the shoe resisted stains and messes. They fit like a glove, not too broad or tight, and they were comfortable to wear over time without becoming loose—an essential feature for more extended wear.

We found these lightweight shoes to be more stiff than running shoes, with an all-day grip and traction. We tested them on mulch, gravel, grass, and dirt terrain and never worried about slipping. These shoes' comfort and responsiveness are appealing, especially with our recent broken toe and gout diagnosis. They allowed us to up our daily step-average because we could move around more easily.

Given the design and support, these would be ideal for light-medium hiking trails, everyday walking/running exercises, casual running, dog walking, and grass and dirt activities. Overall, we love the bright colors and clean nature of the shoe that keeps it appearing youthful and sporty when it otherwise could look simply like a rugged hiking shoe.

As you become more active, you often become loyal to specific brands and fits. Particularly if you have wide feet and like to run, you need a shoe like this one that offers cushion, support, and stability. Sometimes, the wider design can feel like the sides of your feet are left hanging, but not with this pair from New Balance.

At first impression, the style is simple and attractive. Since we have wide and flat feet, fit is usually tough to figure out. We often will size up, but since New Balance offers both half sizes and the width option, we were able to find the Goldilocks of fits: These are just right!

When we tested these out on a run, we found the cushioning and support very comfortable without being bulky or over the top. The toe box felt roomy and unrestricted. In addition to wide and flat feet, we also suffer from a bunion, Morton’s neuroma, and overpronation. This style supported all those issues, allowing us to run and walk without irritation or discomfort.

We took these out for a 5k run on a paved greenway, where they performed well–we didn’t experience any blistering or rubbing, which we think has a lot to do with the wide width, roomy toe box, and the fact that the upper is soft, stretchy, and all one piece of material.

We could’ve used a smidge more mid-foot support–by the end of the run, we were feeling a little overpronation strain in the ankles–but overall, these performed well from beginning to end. We’ve also gone for walks in them several times, and they’re very comfortable for casual, daily strolling, too.

Repeat after us: You’re still a runner even if you—wait for it—never run outside. With the popularity of in-person and virtual treadmill classes, you may enjoy training indoors, but not so much outside with unpredictable conditions. And hey, that’s okay! This sneaker might be a good fit for you, since it’s designed to help you go faster, a feat that’s easier to accomplish on a continuous belt. It features a light mesh upper session and a rubber grip.

When we first opened the box, we were surprised by the unique, high-quality, modern design. They fit true to size but were a little snug, so we might have been more comfortable sizing up. The width is average, but they seem very short, so our toes almost touch the front. We could use our regular running socks, and the size wasn’t an issue, but we wouldn’t be able to use thick socks.

We tend to overpronate and we’re flat-footed, and we like how supportive these shoes were, not causing any pain or discomfort while running. They felt sturdy enough to be supportive without looking silly, like a lot of stability shoes do.

An interesting difference in these shoes compared to others is the rounded bottom: They feel strange walking around, but once you’re running, they propel you forward. This made them feel lightweight—almost like running on air.

Though not every runner graduates from short jaunts to marathon racing, if you have your heart set on 26.2 miles, you need long-distance shoes to help you get there. Our pick is this lightweight pair from New Balance, that offers increased energy return, a two-layer midsole arc, and additional foam support under the forefoot. They’re meant to endure miles and miles without your feet paying the price.

When we first opened the box, they looked like they’d be heavy shoes, since the heel has a ton of cushion and overall seems a little boxy. The mesh around the toe box caught our attention as thin/lightweight, which seemed an odd combination. While these are not technically stability shoes, they looked a lot like them.

The shoes fit great: True to size and just enough wiggle room on the width to accommodate someone with a slightly above average width, or as our feet swelled up while running. We wore standard socks for a long run and didn't notice any issues, but thinner socks might be an option for some. We have very high arches, and these shoes were comfortable and supportive the whole time.

To test them, we ran on a mix of paved and trail running for five miles, working on distance and sprinting. Despite our misgivings about the appearance and the potential heaviness of the shoe based on aesthetics—particularly in the heel—we didn't notice the shoe's weight while walking, jogging, or running in them. We mostly forgot we were wearing them, which is always a good sign.

The heel strike was very responsive, especially on short hills and in short sprints where it felt like the shoe was helping propel me forward and providing more support. Post-run, we had no issues with blisters or foot pain, which can sometimes occur when we break in a new pair of shoes, even at this shorter total distance. We were surprised how much we enjoyed running in these shoes–the flexibility of the shoe up top would be exceptionally comfortable on longer/hotter runs when the feet expand.

The color options were our only downfall for these marathon-worthy shoes. There was only a lighter color available in our size, and these shoes immediately looked dirty after just one run. Five miles on dirt/pavement/gravel turned the shoe's sole from neon yellow to a muddy greenish color. We prefer a darker hue.

Overall though, these shoes have a lot of potential if you’re looking for a lot of support without the weight and occasional breathability of a stability shoe.

For beginners who aren’t sure what type of fit or support they need, you can’t go wrong with the Nike Pegasus. It was recently redesigned to have a mid-foot band that’s more forgiving and supportive for all-sized arches. The upper mesh provides breathability and comfort as you increase your mileage, speed and confidence. (Fun fact: A reviewer in our list of the best running shoes for women ran her first marathon in a pair of Nike Pegasus.)

Our first impression of this pair of kicks was a great one: They’re stylish and lightweight, with bright colors and a sleek design. When we tried these on, they felt true to our normal size, and were easy to wear with thin and slightly thicker socks.

The ankle area was especially comfortable, since it stretched to allow us to make the laces as tight or loose as we wanted. We also appreciated the shorter size of the laces, since typically, longer laces give us anxiety while running, for fear we will trip over them and eat pavement.

We tested these out by going for an easy-breezy three-mile run at a conversational pace. We were impressed by how quickly our feet molded to the design of the shoes, offering stability without having to be broken in. While we usually would get a blister from the first time we run in a new pair of kicks, we didn’t have any discomfort in the Pegasus.

While someone with specific foot conditions would probably need a more supportive shoe, for a general new runner, these are a good investment to begin the running journey. We did notice they attract dirt more than others, and we wouldn’t want to take them out in inclement weather, since the mesh material would allow water to seep through the top.

We have only run in these a few times, and they seemed to hold up well, but some reviewers say the bottoms wear on quickly.

For beginners who aren’t sure what type of fit or support they need, you can’t go wrong with the Nike Pegasus. It was recently redesigned to have a mid-foot band that’s more forgiving and supportive for all-sized arches. The upper mesh provides breathability and comfort as you increase your mileage, speed and confidence. (Fun fact: A reviewer in our list of the best running shoes for women ran her first marathon in a pair of Nike Pegasus.)

Our first impression of this pair of kicks was a great one: They’re stylish and lightweight, with bright colors and a sleek design. When we tried these on, they felt true to our normal size, and were easy to wear with thin and slightly thicker socks.

The ankle area was especially comfortable, since it stretched to allow us to make the laces as tight or loose as we wanted. We also appreciated the shorter size of the laces, since typically, longer laces give us anxiety while running, for fear we will trip over them and eat pavement.

We tested these out by going for an easy-breezy three-mile run at a conversational pace. We were impressed by how quickly our feet molded to the design of the shoes, offering stability without having to be broken in. While we usually would get a blister from the first time we run in a new pair of kicks, we didn’t have any discomfort in the Pegasus.

While someone with specific foot conditions would probably need a more supportive shoe, for a general new runner, these are a good investment to begin the running journey. We did notice they attract dirt more than others, and we wouldn’t want to take them out in inclement weather, since the mesh material would allow water to seep through the top.

We have only run in these a few times, and they seemed to hold up well, but some reviewers say the bottoms wear on quickly.

Specifications (Nike Pegasus 40 Men’s)

• Weight: 10.1oz (288g)
• Heel drop: 10mm
• Price on time of publish: $130

Seasoned runners enjoy the feeling of ground (or track) beneath their feet, the air filling their lungs, and the challenge of pushing harder—and often faster. For those looking to increase their pace, Saucony Endorphin Speed is meant to help you push. It’s designed with a winged plate that propels you forward from toe-off to landing. In other words: you’ll feel like you’re tipping forward, and that’s the point.

At first impression, the heel cushion seemed more significant than others we’ve tried in the past, but overall, it had a nice shape and firmness and fit true to size. We tested a variety of socks, and they all provided the snug fit you want when training. From the start of the run, these shoes provided a lot of bounce and shock absorption—ideal for running on various surfaces, including pavement, grass, and uneven ground.

As we approached the middle of the run and started to experience fatigue, we were impressed with the continued comfort and support of the shoe. The Endorphin Speed promotes improved running form and motivated us to keep going.

Following the run, these shoes continued to be comfortable, but perhaps were a little awkward with waking–the shape feels unnatural, since you’re pushed forward a bit. We recommend wearing these for marathon training and casual running because they provide stability and are easy to wear for long distances. However, they might not be the best fit for an everyday shoe, since they’re on the bulkier side and meant for speed.