The Best Running Shoes of 2024

Most budget shoes will use lower-quality foam underfoot to keep the price low. However, bottom-of-the-barrel foam breaks down much faster, leaving you at risk of injury and in need of a replacement.

Before we go into why the Launch is the best budget trainer, let us explain the Launch 10 ($110) versus the Launch 10 GTS ($110). Three seasons ago, Brooks retooled and rebranded its entire stability line of shoes under the GTS. The Ravenna was replaced with the Launch 8 GTS. So, if you like a more stable, supportive shoe, go with the Launch 10 GTS.

The Launch 10 and GTS 10 use the BioMoGo DNA midsole, one of Brooks’ highest-quality foams. The midsole perfectly toes the line between soft and responsive.

Brooks classifies the Launch as a lightweight speed shoe with cushioning, and we agree. But it’s also well-suited as an everyday trainer, especially for those on a budget. You won’t find as much cushioning as on the Brooks Glycerin, but at such a light weight, it does offer a generous stack height.

Sure, you can find cheaper running shoes, but we guarantee they won’t run as well. For those on a budget or just looking for a great running shoe for the here-and-there run, the Brooks Launch 10 and stability version Launch 10 GTS are among the best running shoes for the price.

If you’re looking for an everyday neutral trainer to clock miles and get in the occasional uptempo session, the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 Lite-Show ($170) is as good as they get.

The updated Nimbus 26 has full-length single-density FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and its new PureGEL technology for maximum comfort and cushioning during any type of run. Testers found the cushioning level not too soft, but not too firm, thus hitting a sweet spot of just the right balance between the two. And it’ll last longer. If we have one complaint about HOKA’s flagship Clifton, it’s that it doesn’t maintain that out-of-the-box cushion as you pack on the miles. Not so with the Nimbus, which maintains its Goldilocks-esque status even as you put it through wear and tear.

Typically, with this much foam underfoot, you lose some sensitivity — but not with the Nimbus Lite 3. Our testers found the shoe to be fairly flexible, moving well with the feet and allowing them to react. Combined with the upper, genuinely the most comfortable of any shoe on this list, we continued to reach for the Nimbus even when other shoes were on deck to be tested. 

The 26 comes in a little heavier than the 25 at 10.8 ounces for men and 9.3 ounces for women (compared to 10.3 ounces for men and 9.1 ounces for women), but it’s still surprisingly lightweight for such a cushioned and well-padded everyday trainer. While the 8mm heel drop may not be for everyone (particularly forefoot runners), the steep ramp provides added support under your heel as you start to fatigue.

While aesthetics doesn’t affect technical performance, this is certainly one sharp-looking trainer. The slightly oversized but sculpted midsole looks fantastic, and although white isn’t our favorite color for running shoes, Asics somehow put together a brilliant all-white shoe.

Everyday neutral running shoes are the most exciting type of running shoes. They need to fit well and feel comfortable across a wide range of paces and distances and for the most part, disappear when you wear them.

No other trainer we tested hit these marks better than the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 Lite-Show. This shoe will not disappoint runners looking for a conventional, moderately higher drop, max-cushioned trainer.

For those familiar with the Brooks Transcend, the Glycerin GTS 21 ($160) is its replacement. Brooks rebranded its entire support line as “GTS” models, which is short for “go-to support.”

In the past, supportive shoes had a firmer piece of foam or “post” along the medial side of the shoe to support pronation. This would (in almost every case) result in a firm underfoot ride.

By placing two firm pieces of foam on either side of the heel, Brooks is able to less invasively reduce excess inward and outward rolling of the foot while offering a softer ride more typically found in neutral shoes. But don’t mistake a softer ride for a squishy one. Compared to models like the HOKA Clifton 9, the Glycerin offers comfort paired with sturdiness. 

The softness comes from a new nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole — Brooks’ softest cushioning foam. For the retooled 21 version, Brooks added 2 mm of cushion to the midsole. The updated midsole yields a more responsive and stable underfoot experience versus the Glycerin 20 GTS.

Combined with a redesigned upper featuring 61% recycled material, the latest Glycerin ups the comfort factor and reaffirms the brand’s commitment to halve carbon emissions by 2030.

These shoes are workhorses. They’re capable of maintaining form longer than most shoes. Yet, like most workhorse shoes, the Glycerin 21 GTS is fairly heavy. At 10.5 ounces (men) and 9.5 ounces (women), you might want a lighter shoe for speed work and races.

For those runners who require a supportive shoe but are tired of the firm persona of most supportive models, look no further. The Brooks Glycerin GTS 21 will feel like a slice of heaven while still giving you the support you need.

Following on the heels of the Altra Vanish Carbon (Altra’s carbon-fiber racing shoe) comes the Vanish Tempo ($170) — a similar feeling, lightweight, highly cushioned shoe, but without a carbon fiber plate.

Despite the tempo namesake, the Vanish Tempo is an incredibly versatile shoe. In fact, thanks to the thick 33mm stack height of Altra’s most premium midsole, it’s just as capable of an easy-day recovery run.

Due to the thick midsole, the underfoot feeling is much less sensitive and flexible than other Altra road shoes we’ve tested. But if you enjoy a well-cushioned, well-protected, stable shoe, you’ll be rewarded with a fun, bouncy ride.

It’s worth mentioning that the Vanish Tempo has Altra’s Slim FootShape, which is a departure from their signature wide toebox. The more traditional toebox shape fits snugly but is comfortable against the foot for better control during faster running.

We think the verdict is still out on whether longtime Altra fans will embrace this new breed of narrower toebox and thick-soled Altra racing shoes. Personally, as someone who mainly road races in the traditional brands, it’s a huge improvement for me and most of my testers agree.

However, if you like a more natural-feeling, flexible zero-drop shoe, we think you’d be better off with the Altra Rivera 3 or Escalante Racer 3.

There’s no doubt the original Nike Alphafly NEXT% was a groundbreaking shoe. It helped more runners PR in the marathon distance than perhaps any other shoe. However, a lot of runners had issues with the feeling of sinking down into their heels if they weren’t running up on their forefoot.

These were more than adequately addressed in the Alphafly 2, which quickly rose to the top as our favorite in the recently minted “super shoe” category. When Nike debuted the third iteration of its record-breaking shoe, the Alphafly 3 ($285), we were more than a little curious as to what it would improve upon.

So what did they change? First, the Swoosh slightly widened the carbon foot plate, adding stability and a little bit of extra confidence for non-elite runners. Next, the ZoomX distribution changed. The Alpha2 had an additional 4 mm of ZoomX built into the shoe; the 3 ups the ante by extending that tech across the entire shoe, forming a continuous bottom layer and providing a smoother ride and increased propulsion.

The AirZoom units remain the same (don’t mess with perfection), but the carbon plate updates and remapped ZoomX unlock more potential out of the squishy tech. Combined with a redesigned upper and an overall lighter weight, the Alphafly 3 is ready to churn out your next marathon PR. Make no mistake, though; this is a shoe that wants to go fast.

Our tester found that, while the Alphafly 2s could work in a recovery run mode, the 3s felt clunky at anything above a ~7:20-mile pace. The shoes really lived up to their name and reputation at anything under 6:45- miles, with an increased springboard effect the faster he pushed them. 

If you haven’t tried the Alphafly or were turned off from the original due to the sinking feeling, we can confidently say you should try the newest version. It’s a much better, kinder racing shoe for everyone. When our tester laced up for an initial around-the-block test run, he accidentally ran his fastest 5K in a decade. Again, these shoes just want to go fast.

There’s not a runner we know who wouldn’t benefit from the massive amount of crazy bouncy cushioning of the Nike Alphafly 3. As one tester perfectly put it, “These shoes felt fast — almost illegal.” It’s not equipment doping if everyone’s doing it, right? There’s no doubt these will be on our feet during our next 26.2.

The originator of maximum cushioning movement, the Clifton 9 ($145) is the latest in HOKA’s flagship running shoe. The catch-22 of a brand’s cornerstone product is that each year it has to evolve, while always remaining recognizable.

HOKA mastered the new, yet familiar, tightrope with the latest Clifton. The Clifton 9 is lighter than its predecessor, yet adds 3 mm in stack height. This is due to a variety of factors — the biggest being a new type of foam used in the midsole and a redesigned outsole. The upper also got a makeover, with a plusher heel and streamlined tongue. 

The result is a show that leans into the max cushioning, swallowtail design HOKA has long pioneered. Lighter and more responsive than the previous version, the Clifton 9 performs ideally on recovery runs but still has the capacity to move with some speed when necessary. HOKA cushioning provides relief, especially on high-mileage weeks — and the redesigned knit upper adds more comfort to an already comfortable shoe.

Finally, the gravel revolution has come to running. With gravel bikes (and the Lifetime Grand Prix) dominating the cycling scene over recent years, companies were bound to replicate the all-road capability of a gravel bike in running shoes. And while Salomon may have named their shoe DRX DEFY GRVL, Craft partnered with a real-life gravel tire manufacturer, Vittoria, to create the Xplor Hybrid ($140).

The Xplor has Px midsole foam. This thick midsole provides a soft, responsive ride on the road while maintaining the stability required for off-road and trail excursions. It’s paired with a light upper that feels a little mismatched to the shoe’s undercarriage but allows for excellent breathability in hot weather. 

We found that at faster paces, the upper began to have lockdown issues due to the mismatched weights. What does hold up is the outsole and tread combo. The grippy Vittoria-produced rubber mimics the efficacy of a gravel tire: Smooth sailing on roads with strategically placed lugs for off-road grip and cornering.

We liked the versatility of these shoes, which allowed us to mix up our local paved running path with adjoining single track on long runs, switching back and forth with equal confidence. Is it the gravel bike of shoes? It just may be. It’s trail-capable and road-friendly and one of the first hybrid shoes we’ve tested that lives up to the lofty claims.

Designed for long-distance road running, the Mount to Coast R1 ($160) was eyebrow-raising at every level. The first time we picked them up, we were shocked at how light it was. In hand, the 8.5-ounce runner felt like an airy barefoot shoe, not a supportive long-distance running shoe. 

And they felt just as good on our feet. The knit mesh upper felt molded to our feet, giving the shoe a personalized feel. And despite its soft, pliable feel, the material is surprisingly supportive. As we put more and more miles on the shoe, it turned out that a successful blend of contrasts is the R1’s defining trait. 

During long training sessions, the Pebax-blended midsole offered a Goldilocks ride — a perfect blend of response and cushioning. As the miles wore on and our strides went from springy to plodding, the soft cushioning saved us from feeling the pounding too much. As an added perk, the reinforcement that runs through the sole provided added support and structure that kept our feet striking correctly after fatigue set in. 

Another feature that we appreciated in the R1 is the dual lacing system. The upper half of the laces is traditional lacing that keeps the heel locked in, while closer to the toes, the shoe is secured with a speed lock lace. This came in especially handy when our feet started swelling during longer runs, as we could loosen the lower half of the shoe up without sacrificing ankle security. 

The bottom line is that the R1 is an excellent long-distance road shoe, but we loved the cushioning and response on short runs as well. While not as flashy as, say, the Nike Alphafly 3, the R1 is an understated yet effective shoe that is so comfortable that you may forget that you’re wearing it. 

Carbon fiber shoes are great and all, but wow, are they pricey. If the thought of dropping $225-plus for a pair of running shoes makes you cringe, this Saucony speedster is for you.

Priced more in line with premium everyday trainers than carbon fiber shoes, the Endorphin Speed 4 ($170) features a more flexible nylon plate that spans the full length. It’s a bit more forgiving than stiffer carbon fiber shoes, making it more versatile and suitable for a broader audience.

There have been a few updates for the fourth iteration that make it a slightly smoother ride. It still has a generous dose of Saucony’s high-energy TPU PWRRUN PB midsole. They also redesigned the nylon plate, adding a winged element that provides more reinforcement while maintaining flexibility. This causes the shoe to look distinct, more like a super shoe than a daily driver and we worried this might make the Endorphin 4 a shoe reserved for race day. But the engineers knew what they were doing. 

The ride is certainly playful and fast, and that fun feeling isn’t reserved for fast paces only. One tester found it worked just as well for moderately paced stroller runs as track-based speed workouts. Even when we were clipping away at more moderate paces, we found the ride smooth.

The 4 carries over an engineered mono-mesh upper that gives it a good combo of breathability and lockdown. It’s also a more versatile shoe than some of the other speed trainers we tested, like the HOKA Mach x 2 which excelled at faster paces but didn’t perform as well slowing down.

In contrast, the Endorphin Speed can pull double duty. We crowned it the best for speed training, and it certainly is, but it’s just as capable as an everyday trainer. If you’re looking for a fun, high-performance shoe with some bounce, but aren’t willing to shell out the dough for pricey carbon fiber shoes, here you have it.

When the first Asics Metaspeed Sky came out in 2020, it quickly became our go-to for longer-duration speed sessions and races. Between the carbon fiber plate and bouncy midsole, faster paces just seemed to come easier than in other shoes. Furthermore, we felt we recovered faster from these tough sessions versus a more traditional lightweight speed/racing shoe.

Fast forward 1 year later and Asics releases the second iteration ($250) of the Asics MetaSpeed Sky with some pretty significant updates over the original version. For those who found the upper on the original to be stiff, scratchy, and ill-fitting, Asics did a total revamp, making it more flexible, comfortable, and better fitting.

Underfoot, there’s 4% more of Asics’ highest rebound foam, Flytefoam Blast Turbo. Although we couldn’t feel a significant difference from the added midsole, we will say it’s just about as bouncy as they come. The harder you push, the harder they push you back and propel you forward.

It’s impossible not to compare any carbon fiber shoe these days to the Nike Vaporfly Next%, given it was the original super shoe. For the average runner, we like the Asics Metaspeed Sky+ better. This is primarily because it’s more stable. The wide underfoot profile is more forgiving and suitable for midfoot or heel and strikers.

In a landscape of carbon-plated super shoes that only perform at certain elevated paces, it can be tempting to spend more thinking about your shoes than actually running. The Brooks Ghost 16 ($140) is a reminder that a shoe doesn’t need sci-fi geometry or cost half your month’s rent to perform. The Ghost fills an increasingly shrinking niche in our modern running shoes landscape: a shoe you can train and race in.

Instead, the Ghost 16 focused on just being a good running shoe, one capable of long miles or speedwork. On test runs, it was supportive but not overly cushioned. Most importantly, the aptly named Ghost doesn’t distract from the run itself. Instead, it lets the runner disappear into that elusive zone. Our tester reached for these on runs when he wanted to leave the Garmin behind and just run by feel. 

The 16 lives up to its predecessor’s everyman reputation but also manages to shave off some weight via redesigned midsole cushioning and upper. Crucially, though, the Ghost still runs and feels like the same shoe, just with a bit of an upgrade. Runners who loved the 15 will love the 16 even more.

Runners looking for a sub-3-hour marathon time should look elsewhere. But those tackling local 5Ks or looking for a workhorse shoe that can put in the miles will be happy with the Brooks Ghost 16. Though it’s a capable shoe, be warned it’s not designed as a cross-trainer — the 3D mesh upper handles forward motion well but could blow out if used laterally.

Ultimately, the Ghost is a bit of a “jack of all trades, master of none.” A reliable, capable shoe that is repeatedly a favorite of our testing teams it is nonetheless surpassed on everyday performance by Craft’s PRO Endur and race day bonafide’s by Saucony’s Endorphin 4.

The Salomon Phantasm 2 ($170) is a shoe that wants to go fast. From the moment our tester laced it up, it was apparent this was not a shoe intended for a Zone 2 long run, but rather for any workout that requires speed and explosiveness.

This comes down to two things. First, the shoe has a composite fiber plate dubbed the “Energy Blade” designed to return kinetic energy. Second, this plate works in conjunction with a rocker geometry designed to keep you moving forward. The result is a propulsive feeling while running.

These shoes aren’t going to do the work for you, but you’ll be able to tell they want to get moving. It makes for a pair of shoes that are great for running, but feel a little awkward walking through a warmup in.

What differentiates the Phantasm 2 from a slew of other speed and propulsion-designed shoes is that it doesn’t sacrifice comfort for performance. Instead, it balances the two, adding additional lightweight foam underfoot and pockets of padding in the mesh upper.

Our tester found that this made it more comfortable than other shoes in the speed category without noticeably trading off performance. And priced at $170, they provide a fantastic features-to-cost ratio, making them a worthy choice for speed work and race days.

Our testing team found that this shoe was fast, but a little clunkier than the Saucony Endorphin Speed, keeping it out of the top spot. But for runners who love Salomon’s fit and aesthetic, this is a quick, uptempo shoe that they’ll enjoy speedwork in.

On shoes are everywhere these days. Favored by the athleisure set, you’re as likely to see the signature, pod-like outsoles at your coffee shop as your running path. There’s no denying they look cool (well …), but do they run fine?

On built the Cloudsurfer ($160) as a maximum cushion shoe using the brand’s CloudTec Phase technology. That’s a lot of “techs” and a lot of “clouds” in one sentence, but the idea behind the terminology is that the space in the outsole, i.e., the “clouds,” collapses with your footstrike. In theory, this delivers enhanced cushioning and a smoother, more efficient transfer from heel to toe.

Our tester found that this resulted in a shoe that cushioned well, but felt firmer than other maximally cushioning shoes like the HOKA Clifton. The foot feels cradled, but less speed is sacrificed. Another factor here is the rocking design of the outsole. While the Cloudsurfer is billed as a neutral fit, the outsole is canted at the heel.

This design enhances the “rocker” feel of the shoe, moving the foot from heel to toe with extra efficiency. The Cloudsurfer’s heel-to-toe rock and the nature of the compressing outsole also mean this shoe is purpose-built for running, but does not perform well in cross-training scenarios.

The knit upper is lightweight and comfortable, but our tester found the tongue to be strangely short. This was most evident when switching between shoes for head-to-head testing. And while it didn’t noticeably affect performance, it required tighter lacing than other shoes on this list.