The 6 Best Running Shoes for Men of 2024

Best Overall Men's Running Shoe

Asics Novablast 4

Weight Per Shoe (Size 10.5): 9.76 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7 mm

Thanks to an engaging geometry and fun, comfortable ride, the Asics Novablast 4 is our choice for the best overall running shoe. It's our favorite trainer for daily use; we use it for easy days and some workouts. The FF Blast + Eco foam absorbs impacts and returns energy well. The rocker geometry and "trampoline" forefoot act as advertised, making this relatively big shoe feel light and bouncy. We think it thrives at easy-moderate paces, but we've enjoyed it all the way down to 5K pace. The upper of the Novablast 4 is soft, with enough stretch to accommodate a wide variety of foot shapes while still providing comfortable lockdown.

Our only true concern with this shoe is traction. The lack of lugs is evident when running on wet or slick roads, and the risk of a slip increases with pace. However, it wasn't enough for us to stop using this shoe in winter, even after our testing. This shoe is comfortable and fun, which makes it the perfect daily choice for us. We think it could be a quiver-killer for runners who want one shoe that can do a little of everything comfortably. For others, it could find a spot in a rotation for easy/uptempo days. If you're looking for a shoe that is as fun as it is reliable, start here. If you are looking for a more speed-oriented shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is another high-scoring shoe that is a bit lighter and a bit more responsive.

Read more: Asics Novablast 4 review

Best Bang for Your Buck

Puma Velocity Nitro 3

Weight (per shoe): 10.07 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10 mm

We think the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a great shoe choice for most days, whether you want to take it easy or push the pace. With a decent stack of Puma's supercritical NITRO foam, it's relatively lightweight, smooth, and responsive. The upper is breathable and has excellent lockdown, although the toebox does run a bit narrow. The PumaGrip outsole performs very well on a range of road surfaces, from ice to dirt and everything in between. The versatility makes this shoe our first choice when we travel; it's comfortable for long runs on unknown roads and responsive enough to get the job done during workouts.

Puma added a little stack height to this new version of the Velocity Nitro, which increases comfort but reduces overall stability. This is a neutral shoe with good ground feel and is probably not the best for runners who need significant amounts of lateral stability. It is also heavier than average for the group, although we did not feel the weight on our runs. Overall, this is a solid pick for most runners, from beginner to seasoned racer; it can work alone or in a rotation. This level of versatility, combined with its affordable price tag, makes it a great budget buy. Plus, if you shop Puma's sales, you'll find great deals, making this an even better value choice. If you like what this shoe has to offer but want a shoe more dedicated to speed, check out the Puma Deviate Nitro 2, which adds more NITRO foam and a carbon plate to help you out at faster paces.

Read more: Puma Velocity Nitro 3 review

Best for Race Day

Nike Vaporfly 3

Weight (per shoe): 7.24 oz | Measured Heel to Toe Drop: 10mm

The Nike Vaporfly 3 combines extremely responsive ZoomX foam with aggressive geometry and a carbon plate to provide excellent race-day performance. The Vaporfly saves significant weight with a thin upper that still provides good lockdown. The geometry of this shoe propels you forward on each stride and helps keep your form stable and efficient towards the end of hard efforts. This is our favorite race-day shoe. While it was originally designed for marathons, we've found it to be extremely fast and effective in road races all the way down to one mile.

The focus on pure speed does come with a few drawbacks. The Vaporfly is pretty unstable, which can make cornering at high speeds difficult and lead to issues on uneven surfaces. And while traction is solid on dry, paved surfaces, we found ourselves looking for a better bite on wet pavement and hardpacked dirt. If the lack of stability is an issue for you, the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 offers more in this area and still manages faster paces quite well. This aside, the Vaporfly is an expert at hard efforts and fast races. It isn't a shoe for everyday use and is quite an investment, but if you're looking for some help chasing that next PR on the roads, this is the shoe we'd recommend.

Read more: Nike Vaporfly 3 review

Best for Workouts

Adidas Adizero Boston 12

Weight Per Shoe (Size 10.5): 9.95 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm

The Adidas Boston 12 is our favorite shoe for workouts and faster training runs. The combination of Lightstrike foams and EnergyRods makes this a snappy shoe that thrives at pace — but also somehow is comfortable on easy runs. We think it thrives at moderate to fast paces, making it the perfect training partner for a race buildup. The Continental rubber (yes, like the tires) outsole gives confidence on slick surfaces. The upper is lightweight and breathable but provides enough comfort for long runs.

The lacing can be a bit annoying to dial in at first, but once you've got it, this is a very comfortable shoe. Our main complaint is that while it's comfortable enough to run easy in, we don't have enough self-control. It wants to go faster, and we give in. If you want a race shoe but don't want to buy dedicated race shoes, try these. We'd recommend this shoe to most runners who want a versatile daily shoe but think it's best in a rotation used for workouts and long runs. For a true daily runner, we recommend taking a look at the Hoka Mach 5. While not the speediest in our lineup, it earned one of the highest scores in the group and is a great do-it-all shoe.

Best for Smooth Cushioning

On Cloudsurfer 7

Weight (per shoe): 9.15 oz | Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 15mm

The On Cloudsurfer 7 offered the smoothest cushioning in our lineup. The CloudTecPhase midsole is a pleasant surprise, rolling us forward with each step. That, combined with a lightweight design, means that the Cloudsurfer can manage faster paces — something that highly cushioned trainers often struggle with (although it definitely is not our first choice for workouts). The upper is extremely comfortable, providing great lockdown and a plush feel. Plus, On nailed the aesthetics for this shoe. It's one of the few running shoes we're tempted to wear around when not running.

The very plush ride does have some drawbacks; paired with the high drop, it resulted in one of the least stable shoes in our testing. If you're a runner who needs or prefers stability, look elsewhere. On saved significant weight by using exposed foam on the outsole. While it didn't show excessive premature wear in our testing, we do expect it to degrade faster than other shoes. The Cloudsurfer is for runners who want a smooth and plush ride for easy runs. It's a great addition to a rotation, but we wouldn't recommend it as your only trainer. For a one-and-done shoe with more stability, the Asics Novablast 4 is a good place to start.

Read more: On Cloudsurfer 7 review

Best for Fun Recovery Runs

Saucony Triumph 21

Weight (per shoe): 10.37 oz | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 11mm

If you want a fun shoe to coast in, look no further than the Saucony Triumph 21. The thick chunk of PWRRUN+ foam absorbs impacts well and gives good energy return, making it our favorite shoe for easy runs, no matter the distance. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip on all surfaces. The upper fits well, and we experienced no hot spots during testing, even when we started runs with existing blisters.

The thick chunk of foam is great for giving your legs a break, but it isn't the most stable on uneven terrain. We also found that the PWRRUN+ foam seemed to mold to our footstrike over time more than some other shoes, meaning it likely isn't the best for runners looking for support. This also isn't a light shoe — it can handle marathon paces, but it isn't the one we'd grab for a threshold session or faster. We love the Triumph for our easy days and recommend it for most runners who want a comfortable and smooth cushioned ride to cruise in. If you like the sound of the Triumph and want a faster-paced trainer to round out your rotation, we recommend taking a look at the Adidas Adizero Boston 12 as well.

Read more: Saucony Triumph 21

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	76	Nike Vaporfly 3 Best for Race Day	$260
	75	Asics Novablast 4 Best Overall Men's Running Shoe	$140
	75	Saucony Endorphin Pro 3	$225
	73	Hoka Mach 5	$140
	72	Adidas Adizero Boston 12 Best for Workouts	$160
	72	Puma Deviate Nitro 2	$160
	71	Saucony Endorphin Speed 3	$170
	69	Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Best Bang for Your Buck	$135
	69	On Cloudsurfer 7 Best for Smooth Cushioning	$160
	68	Saucony Kinvara 14	$120
	67	Hoka Clifton 9	$145
	66	Saucony Triumph 21 Best for Fun Recovery Runs	$160
	66	Asics Gel-Nimbus 26	$160
	65	Altra Torin 7	$150
	64	New Balance FuelCell Propel v4	$110
	64	Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23	$140
	64	Asics Gel-Kayano 30	$160
	61	Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40	$130
	60	Brooks Ghost 15	$140

Why You Should Trust Us

Our running experts have tested hundreds of pairs of shoes over the last decade — and more than 80 pairs of men's road running shoes specifically. Before even starting tests, we complete extensive market research to determine which competitors are worthy of entering the competition. We then purchase each product, take copious measurements, and send each contender through extensive hands-on testing. We utilize tester experience and data gathered by our in-house testing team to produce detailed reviews for our readers.

To analyze all aspects of a running shoe's performance, we devised a comprehensive testing plan. Each shoe is put through a rigorous set of runs. First, each shoe completes a standardized 6-mile test loop that contains hardpacked dirt, loose gravel, asphalt, concrete, and grass surfaces. Each shoe in our current lineup has run through at least:

• One threshold workout of 6-10 miles

• One long run of 90-120 minutes

• One shorter recovery run

• One session of alactic hill sprints

• One session of 3k-5k paced work

• 2-3 sets of mile-paced strides

Most shoes log significantly more than this over the course of testing.

We then score each shoe on five weighted metrics:

• Cushioning and Landing Comfort (25% of overall score weighting)

• Responsiveness (25% weighting)

• Stability (20% weighting)

• Upper Comfort (15% weighting)

• Weight (15% weighting)

The cushioning and landing comfort and responsiveness metrics each hold 25% of the overall score weighting, much higher than the other test metrics. Collectively, that's 50% of a product's overall score. We think these are the two most important factors in a runner's experience of a shoe, and we weight them as such. During testing, we note subjective measures of comfort or discomfort during runs of various lengths, on different surfaces, and at different paces. We also complete side-by-side testing to compare the fastest feel and produce the most rebound for energy input.

Lead tester Nathaniel Bailey has always loved running. He competed in track and cross country at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels and now continues to chase "fast" times on the roads. Nathaniel coaches high school and recreational runners, sharing his passion for the sport and continuing to develop his knowledge of running and physiology. When he's not thinking about running (pretty rare), he's doing something like cycling unsupported across the United States with his wife, camping in the backcountry, or trying new recipes at home.

Analysis and Test Results

We've tested the best men's running shoes by evaluating five key performance metrics that we believe capture a shoe's overall performance. The test metrics include cushioning and landing comfort, responsiveness, upper comfort, lateral stability and support, and weight. Between our article on buying advice for running shoes and our detailed review, we believe you'll find the best running shoe for your needs and budget here. Read on to see how each contender performs in the different test metrics.

Value

Value is a huge consideration when you're logging miles. Some runners want to get the most mileage per dollar they can, while others care more about performance than durability. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is our favorite model for value, blending great performance, versatility, and durability at a reasonable price. The Saucony Kinvara 14 and the Hoka Mach 5 also provide great all-around performance and a lower list price than most other shoes in the test.

Cushioning and Landing Comfort

The first thing we look for in a road running shoe is comfort. A shoe needs to reduce the pounding your body feels over miles of running for a good experience. We've tested various models that claim to have different levels of cushioning to narrow down what we feel are the best models at various paces.

The Nike Vaporfly 3, Saucony Triumph 21, and Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 earned some of the highest scores in this category but are three extremely different shoes. The Vaporfly is very well-cushioned and does an excellent job of saving your legs over long, hard efforts on the roads. It's also extremely responsive, which makes it highly difficult to run comfortably at easy paces. The Triumph 21 is bouncy and smooth. It's our favorite shoe for easy runs, regardless of the distance. The cushioning feels bottomless and does a great job of leaving your legs fresh on longer recovery runs. While it can handle some faster paces, we wouldn't go out of our way to use it in a workout.

The Gel-Nimbus 26 is a one-trick pony, but it does that one trick very well. It's great for slow and easy miles and is very enjoyable for recovery runs. In that sense, it's similar to the Saucony Triumph 21, but it just isn't as responsive. Even marathon-paced efforts in this shoe feel like a struggle.

The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a great compromise that provides plush cushioning with the ability to hit faster paces. This shoe ended up with a high rank in our review thanks to its balanced performance and excellent price point.

Responsiveness

Feeling fast is fun, so we're always looking for shoes that give us an extra edge when the pace drops. We test each shoe at a variety of paces, looking for a snappy toe-off, good energy return, and the ability to maintain a fast pace with ease. Nothing is more frustrating than feeling like you're fighting a shoe during a run, so this metric significantly affected our opinion of each pair.

The Nike Vaporfly 3 had one of the highest levels of responsiveness in our runs, closely followed by the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. This makes sense, considering they're both race shoes designed for speed and propulsion.

Among everyday shoes, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 and the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 perform extremely well. They're very similar shoes, combining great cushioning with responsiveness that we loved during faster efforts. Both utilize a plate (carbon for the Puma, nylon for the Endorphin Speed) to provide a snappy toe-off and the sensation of rolling along with ease.

Stability

Stability is important to reduce the chance of pain and injury. Our testing lineup features a wide range of offerings for every type of runner. Support is one of the most personal choices in shoes; some runners prefer less support in favor of responsiveness, while others seek out a shoe that holds their foot in a certain position. For those in the latter group, we test each shoe over various gradients and surfaces to give you our top picks that are both stable and supportive.

The Asics Gel-Kayano 30 provides the best support and stability in the test. It utilizes a wide platform to provide inherent stability and uses geometry rather than medial posting to keep your foot moving forward.

Stability shoes are tricky — we are glad to see an industry shift towards stability shoes that use less medial posting and are more inherently stable neutral trainers. That's more in keeping with most current peer-reviewed evidence. You might need support depending on your natural mechanics, but remember that shoes are not a solution to mechanical issues. You should work with a professional rather than self-diagnose your running mechanics and try to address them with a shoe.

Brooks is known for making stable shoes, and the Adrenaline GTS 23 and Ghost 15 follow that trend. We also found that the Hoka Mach 5 and Clifton 9 provide strong lateral stability thanks to a wide base. Similarly, both the Puma Velocity Nitro and Deviate Nitro provide a strong lockdown and a stable base that performs well on uneven surfaces and hard impacts.

Upper Comfort

A shoe's upper can make or break a running experience, as hotspots or blisters can quickly ruin your day. We keep our testing standard by using the same pair of running socks during our first test loop. After that, we mix it up, running in thicker and thinner pairs. High on our list of priorities is a snug fit that keeps our foot stable and provides confidence through corners and uneven terrain. We want an upper that offers good support and locks down our heel without our toes feeling cramped. The tongue has to wrap our midfoot precisely, and the laces have to hold us snugly without causing pressure or hotspots.

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 earns one of the highest scores for upper comfort. The stretchy knit upper provides great lockdown and a snug feeling without creating hotspots. It's easily our favorite in the test.

Also high on the comfort list is the Hoka Mach 5 with a thin upper design and awesome tongue. It holds our feet securely and has a great heel cup. The On Cloudsurfer 7 has a light and breathable upper that also provides great all-day comfort.

This is another area where Brooks shoes are known to excel. The Ghost 15 has a comfy and soft upper, and it's easy to get the lacing right. The Adrenaline GTS 23 feels snug with excellent lockdown and a gusseted tongue that stays put. The only caveat to the upper comfort for these two kicks is that they both tend to run a bit warm.

Weight

Lighter shoes are almost always faster. In fact, plenty of studies have shown significant benefits to running economy when shoe weights are reduced. Unsurprisingly, we typically prefer lighter shoes, but there are some exceptions. Particularly on easier days, we're fine with a heavier shoe if it provides some extra cushion and stability.

Weight often differs from the manufacturer listings, and we weigh each size 10.5 per shoe in-house to compare each pair more accurately.

The Nike Vaporfly 3 is easily one of the lightest shoes in our test. The Saucony Kinvara 14 and the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 are both lightweight options as well. All three shoes save weight thanks to minimalist upper fabrics. Although not the very lightest, the Hoka Mach 5 and the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 both weigh below average for the group, and we like them for our faster efforts due to their lightweight upper and fabrics. Both feel agile and quick.

There is often a tradeoff with lightweight designs when it comes to overall stability and predicted durability. Many lightweight designs use thinner and lighter upper materials or reduce or eliminate the rubber tread on the outsole. More traditionally designed shoes with padded uppers and durable outsoles are among the heavier designs we tested.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect running shoe isn't easy (there's a reason so many runners have a rotation), but after spending hundreds of hours and logging dozens of miles in these shoes, we hope we can at least make it easier for you. Don't forget to check out our individual gear reviews linked throughout this article for more detailed information about each design. We hope that this review will help you find the right shoe for your fitness needs and budget, and one that will provide you with an awesome running experience.