We’ll dispel one myth about the best men’s running shoes right off the bat: There is no universal “best” shoe for everyone. Running shoes reflect the diversity of running as a sport, with all its different disciplines, paces, surfaces, and the endless individuality of its athletes. Every runner has their own unique needs and goals. In short, the best running shoe depends on you: Where do you like to run, and what feels good on your feet?
With men’s running shoes, specifically, there isn’t that much to know: For guys, the only real gender-specific feature to keep in mind is sizing—make sure you get shoes that fit your feet. To find your best running shoe, though, you’ll need to reflect a little bit on your life as a runner: Do you need a trail shoe with a grippy outsole or a road shoe to pound pavement. Are you training for a race, or taking relaxed jogs? If you feel wobbly or constrained in your old shoes, it may be time to try a wider shoe, or look for a stability shoe with extra support.
Yes, it’s a lot to analyze. But finding the right shoes–the ones that fit your feet perfectly and cater to your running style–is absolutely worth it. To help you find that shoe, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite men’s running shoes, based on our testing and notes from the men of the Runner’s World wear-test program. The path to your best running shoes starts here.
Runner’s World has helped dedicated runners, from sprinters and marathoners to gym rats and guys just trying to get in shape, for more than 50 years. Our essential running gear recommendations, including men’s running shorts and shoes, are based on the hard work of our test team, which tests the latest and great running gear.
That testing includes taking shoes apart to analyze their materials and construction, as well as miles and miles of running. In 2024, the Runner’s World test team includes Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate, and Test Editors Amanda Furrer and Morgan Petruny.
In addition, the test team gathers data from the Runner’s World wear test program, a group of 277 Runner’s World+ subscribers, who test new running gear and submit feedback based on their experience.
For this guide, our recommendations were selected by test editors Jeff Dengate and Morgan Petruny, based on their testing and data from the wear test program. In addition, some of our recommendations–both the shoes themselves and our advice–come from two of our contributors, Michael Charboneau and Dan Roe.
Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer and former test editor for Runner’s World. He’s written about running shoes and gear for the last six years at a number of publications, including Men’s Journal, Field Mag, and InsideHook.
Dan Roe is a freelance writer and former test manager for Runner’s World who has tested and reviewed dozens of running shoes (and cut several in half to see what’s inside).
We picked the best running shoes for men based on wear testing and data from the Runner’s World test team–specifically Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate–and the men of the Runner’s World wear test program. After putting countless pairs through the wringer and evaluating the data, we’ve rounded up some of the standouts that have received especially high marks and praise from our male testers. (For an even deeper breakdown of our rigorous testing process, check out how we evaluate shoes.)
Seeking tips to get the best fit and price? We’ve got you covered there, too.
| Weight | 8 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Heel Stack | 37 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32 mm |
The Hoka Mach 5 won the Runner’s World Gold Medal award for its supreme versatility as an everyday trainer: substantial enough to support you for a long run, but quick enough to spur you as you ramp up the tempo for the final few miles. It was so effective, in fact, that we got worried when we found Hoka had reworked the entire design for the Mach 6. It turns out we had no reason to worry: We love the new version too.
“The Mach is back, baby!” Runner’s World Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate said he’s pumped about the Hoka Mach 6. Our wear-testers were also impressed with the new and improved design.
Hoka managed to thicken the midsole by 8mm both fore and aft without adding any weight to the shoe–that’s no small feat. The secret sauce is Hoka’s Supercritical EVA foam compound, which now composes the entire midsole, rather than only half. More porous than conventional ethylene vinyl-acetate, Supercritical makes the shoe lighter and more responsive, enabling speed without cutting out comfort.
“They feel very soft, but in a responsive way—not a sink-your-feet-in way,” said one wear-tester, a collegiate runner. “I got in some pretty solid long runs, which progressed nicely in pace, and these shoes felt great at each one of those paces.”
The company put a durable rubber back on the outsole, which should help the shoe grip better and last longer. Our testers also loved the creel jacquard upper, which puts a soft, comfortable layer of polyester near the foot and wraps that with a stretch-resistant polyester exterior to keep your foot secure. It may be too snug for wider feet, though: The shoe’s still relatively narrow, with a pointed shape that may pinch if you have a wide forefoot.
If you’re in the market for a well-cushioned neutral running shoe that only costs $100, the Brooks Trace 3 is worth keeping in mind. We haven’t been able to fully test the Trace 3 yet, but we’ve encountered shoes like it many times before–its basic components and design reflect generations of Brooks shoes that we loved for their dependable, no-nonsense comfort and support.
The Trace has historically resembled the Brooks Ghost—the brand’s flagship neutral cushioned shoe—but with a slimmer EVA foam midsole. For the latest version of the shoe, Brooks switched up the foam from its traditional EVA compound to a combination of EVA foam, rubber and air, dubbed DNA Loft. In our experience, Brooks’ DNA Loft shoes can feel a little bit lighter and more responsive underfoot than shoes with traditional EVA foam midsoles.
The shoe comes in a touch heavier than its predecessor, which is likely due to a redesigned mesh upper that uses a greater percentage of recycled materials and adds a heel pull tab that makes the shoe easier to slide on your foot. Like the rest of Brooks’ road running shoe lineup, the Trace 3 features a soft engineered mesh upper that includes ample foam at contact points like the ankle collar and tongue.
The outsole sports redesigned flex grooves that take the edge off the heel-toe transition, which should help the shoes avoid feeling blocky—a critique from the previous version of the Trace.
So far, the Trace 3 has garnered positive early reviews from runners, who note the shoe’s ability to keep runners comfortable for training runs long and short. For runners who don’t need additional stability and want to stack up training run mileage without expensive shoe replacements, start with the Brooks Trace 3.
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Heel Stack | 37 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 31 mm |
The brand new On Cloudeclipse has already won the RW Gold Medal as one of our highest-rated shoes from wear testers in recent history. Beginner’s luck or not, there’s plenty to love about this beautifully balanced, go-fast trainer.
An ultra-padded “super trainer,” the Cloudeclipse combines a tall stack of soft, responsive foam with a midsole plate—On calls it a “Speedboard”—that stabilizes the foam and adds responsiveness to the platform. The resulting ride is “soft and peppy, but still controlled,” according to Runner’s World test editor Morgan Petruny. “It doesn’t feel too wobbly or unpredictable underfoot.”
Likewise, RW senior newsletter editor Pavlína Černá said the Cloudeclipse deposed Saucony’s Triumph 21 as her favorite training shoe on the market right now. “[It’s] cushioned, but doesn’t let my foot sink,” Černá said. “It has a forward-push, but doesn’t force me to go faster than I want to. Simply perfect!”
The mesh upper was adequately wide for our wear testers and breathable as well, although Petruny noted that its lightweight construction meant that runners with narrow feet may suffer from a sloppy fit if they aren’t able to tighten the laces enough.
Generally speaking, you want to save your “fast shoes” for “fast days”—tempos runs, track workouts and races. With the Cloudeclipse, you can wear your go-fast shoe on every single training run.
| Weight | 8.8 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 45mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 37mm |
The Asics Superblast 2 stands out in an increasingly crowded category of well-cushioned, lightweight training and racing shoes. The highlight here is its massive midsole, which measures a towering 45mm tall at the heel. The stack features two of Asics’ cushioning materials, FlyteFoam Blast+ Eco and FlyteFoam Turbo+ foams, which absorb impacts while generating a propulsive, springy sensation at toe-off. On top, a stretchy woven upper creates a secure, yet accommodating fit. A relatively wide, full-contact sole shape promotes smooth transitions.
RW testers were really impressed with the Superblast 2, with multiple reviewers praising the shoe’s plush ride and versatility. “The cushioning felt incredible,” said one, “but the shoe still felt firm and quick enough that I could get moving and cut down the pace.”
Whether you’re heading out on a tempo run or aiming for double-digit mileage, the Superblast 2 will help you smash your goals.
| Weight | 7.0 oz (M10) |
|---|---|
| Type | Road Racing |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 40mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32mm |
Nike overhauled the Vaporfly from the rubber up, looking to make the third version the lightest yet. In our men’s size 12, we see only a 0.1-ounce drop from version 2 (our pink pair of the first Next% was 0.4 ounces lighter still). So, it’s not the lightest ever, but it’s still lighter than competitors like the Asics MetaSpeed Sky+, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3, Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, and Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2.
One attempt to shave weight came in the way Nike shaped the midsole. It’s still using the same Peba-based material for the foam (Nike calls it ZoomX), which delivers top-of-the-line energy return. That foam is already lightweight, but Nike added a cutout on the lateral sidewall—your foot doesn’t need support there—and a small channel under the midfoot to reduce material and shave a couple grams.
The shoe is also equipped with a carbon-fiber plate. This high-tech combination of plate and foam allows elite marathoners to race under a five-minute pace, but it’s not just for the pros. Even at slower speeds, the shoe still feels exceptionally propulsive and energetic, making every stride a little more efficient and less taxing. Overall, it just might be the speediest and bounciest shoe we’ve tested yet.
The New Balance Rebel was originally introduced as a speed-focused trainer, but the design has morphed over subsequent iterations into a general training shoe for all paces. The Rebel v4 continues that trend: It’s a featherlight, responsive shoe with enough cushioning to feel comfortable at a wide range of paces and distances.
The Rebel V4 features New Balance’s propulsive FuelCell midsole foam for a cushioned and responsive ride, with an increased stack height and wider sole shape for improved shock absorption and stability. The sleek mesh upper offers good breathability, so your feet don’t overheat during hard efforts. Finally, one of the brightest highlights of this shoe is what you don’t feel: At 6.9 ounces for a men’s 9.5, it’s exceptionally light, especially for a daily trainer.
I recently tried a pair on some casual neighborhood runs, and the Rebel v4 impressed me with its balanced ride—soft at impact and then firm enough to feel responsive—and overall comfy fit. The wide sole shape was also a welcome change, as the shoe felt stable even when running over broken sidewalks. And it’s fast: I accidentally set a second-best 2-mile time on one of my runs.
Our wear-testers agreed, calling it an “overall solid, dependable everyday trainer.” Workhorse running shoes aren’t supposed to be this speedy and fun but, true to its name, the Rebel V4 defies convention.
| Weight | 7 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Heel Stack | 29mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 25mm |
The Saucony Kinvara, now in its 15th iteration, has been a staple for speed training for awhile now. This year, Saucony swapped in an engineered mesh upper that offers good breathability with minimal weight.
The midsole of Kinvaras past remains intact: A streamlined layer of Pwrrun foam (albeit with a slightly lower stack height than last year’s Kinvara 14). This EVA-based cushioning absorbs some impact force while giving you a good feel for the ground and a firm base for explosive toe-offs. Because the midsole is relatively thin, the shoe also flexes well and moves with your foot throughout each stride. Plus, Pwrrun is durable enough to withstand contact with the ground, so there’s no need for a heavy outsole—the rubber is confined to two small patches at the toe and heel.
RW testers appreciated the Kinvara’s streamlined build. One tester called it “super light and sleek” and another said it felt “lightweight and fast.” Its minimal cushioning is definitely an acquired taste, however, and multiple testers wished for more padding. In a world of increasingly tall, puffed-up training and racing shoes, the Kinvara keeps it old school: Lean, firm, and fast.
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Trail |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel Stack | 34 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 26 mm |
If the trails are calling and you must go, the Salomon Genesis is a favorite among hardcore mountain athletes and budding trail runners alike. We’re fans, too: We named the Genesis one of the year’s best trail shoes in the 2024 Runner’s World Shoe Awards. Its Contragrip outsole features chevron-shaped 4.5mm lugs, which claw into loose and sloppy terrain to keep you upright and injury-free. RW video editor Pat Heine-Holmberg recently used the shoe at Tor de Géants, a 205-mile trail race through the mountains of Italy.
“The Genesis gripped the dry, dusty rocks at high elevation as we climbed alpine passes in excess of 30 percent, and ran down equally steep descents,” Heine-Holmberg said.
The shoe’s midsole is on the firm side, Heine-Holmberg noted, making it a durable option for runners who want to use it to blend road and trail mileage. By reducing the amount of space between the outsole lugs, Salomon also made the shoe more useful on the road by avoiding the squirmy feeling of spaced-out lugs underfoot.
It still has some padding in the midfoot, though, and the energy foam blend in the Genesis is lighter and springier than the company’s traditional off-road midsole foam. As for the upper, a thick, protective toe cap and durable Matryx knit construction keeps your foot safe and secure. The shoe also drains well, Heine-Holmberg noted, so feel free to blast right through water crossings in this ready-for-anything trail shoe.
| Weight | 8.2 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Neutral Road |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel Stack | 36 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 28 mm |
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 dares to ask the question: “What if you could push for a new PR every day?” Many runners alternate between easy to moderately paced training runs and sessions where they push themselves, and have a shoe for each purpose. The daily trainer, which you wear on easy days, tends to feel less exciting underfoot but leaves your legs fresher at the end of the run. A peppier, more aggressive shoe risks getting you injured if you wear it day-to-day.
The Endorphin Speed 4 bridges the gap between trainer and racer by shoving a lot of midsole foam beneath your foot—just 4mm shy of Nike’s towering Vaporfly 3—and delivering seemingly bottomless cushioning. Saucony’s PWRRUN PB foam feels supple at touchdown but firms up to deliver high energy return, and a nylon midsole plate keeps the tower of lightweight, springy foam stable.
“I’ve been using the Speed 4 for marathon base building and all kinds of workouts: fartleks, tempos, race-pace intervals,” said RW test editor Amanda Furrer. “It lets me feel a little super-shoe magic similar to the Pro, without wearing down my carbon fiber–plated pair before race day.”
Saucony also improved the upper, according to most wear testers, widening the toe box while maintaining a secure fit through the midfoot. “I never felt stable in the original (Endorphin) Speeds, but the wider platform on these gives me way more confidence,” one wear tester said. “I also think they’re more cushioned, as longer distances felt easier on my body.”
With a relatively low weight–just over 8 ounces in a men’s size 9–the Endorphin Speed 4 has everything you need to hit PRs out on the road one day and crush a recovery long run the next.
| Weight | 9.7 oz (M9) |
|---|---|
| Type | Stability Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 36.5mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 28.5mm |
The Asics GT-2000 is a great pick for runners who want a little bit of extra support to feel stable in their shoes and help guide their strides without the stiff, clunky design that has plagued stability shoes in years past.
The GT-2000 13 offers minor refinements from last year’s model, including a slightly boosted stack height and a refreshed upper design. It provides a comfy ride, especially for heel strikers: The FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole absorbs shocks, and it’s paired with a PureGEL layer in the heel for a little extra softness. The forefoot is firmer, which gives you a responsive platform for toe-off.
To add stability, it utilizes Asics’ 3D Guidance system, which includes features like a wide sole shape for stable footing and a beveled heel to promote smooth, even strides. It’s far less intrusive than traditional support features like a stiff medial or extra arch support.
RW testers praised the GT-2000’s moderate cushioning and supportive ride. “I loved how smooth this shoe felt,” said one tester. “The shoes are able to provide an adequate amount of support without being too heavy,” said another.
Need a reliable, sure-footed trainer for everyday running? Whether you overpronate or not, the GT-2000 is worth a look.
A former Division 1 runner, Dan grew up riding fixies and mountain bikes and now reviews everything from performance running shoes to road and cross bikes, to the latest tech for runners and cyclists at Bicycling and Runner’s World.
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner’s World and other publications; when he’s not writing, he’s usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World, guiding the brand’s shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he’s spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
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