The Best Running Shoes of 2026

We test a ton of running shoes. As in, our lead tester alone has probably over 40 pairs he’s testing for various reviews at any one time. The true test of greatness is when we’re not actively testing and are able to choose the shoes we naturally gravitate toward. Time and time again, the shoe our testers reached for more than any other is the Craft Pro Endur Distance ($155).

If you’ve never heard of Craft, don’t worry. It isn’t exactly a mainstream running brand in the U.S. — yet. Based out of Sweden, this boutique sports brand is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of high-performance sportswear. The Craft Pro Endur is evidence of that.

As a neutral everyday trainer, the Pro Endurance is incredibly bouncy and fun. It’s one of the liveliest everyday trainers we’ve run in. That’s thanks to the Pebax midsole, a premium foam most commonly used in carbon fiber super shoes.

The material is not only lighter but it’s also more resilient and has a higher energy return than the more commonly used EVA and TPU foam. There’s a ton of it underfoot, too. With stack heights of 36 mm/27 mm for men and 34 mm/27 mm for women, it’s up there in terms of maximum cushioned shoes on the market.

What’s impressive is how lightweight the Pro Endur is for such a thick-cushioned shoe. Coming in at 8.2 ounces for men and 7.4 ounces for women, it’s incredibly versatile as an easy-day-comfortable recovery shoe all the way to a marathon race-day shoe.

If we were limited to one shoe for every type of running, the Craft PRO Endur would most certainly be it. Overall, we think it’s the best running shoe on the market.

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. With great versatility comes great value.

Ghost 16 is focused on just being a good running shoe, one capable of long miles or speed work. 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 team, it is nonetheless surpassed on everyday performance by Craft’s PRO Endur and race day bona fides by Saucony’s Endorphin 4.

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 an ~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 10 ($150) is the latest version of HOKA’s flagship running shoe. The catch-22 of a brand’s cornerstone product is that it has to evolve each year while always remaining recognizable.

But every once in a while, a shoe needs an overhaul. The Clifton 10 that overhaul. The brand changed the fit subtly but universally with changes on the heel, underfoot transition, forefoot fit, and midsole geometry, and added a double-lace lock. If that sounds like a totally different shoe, fear not. The Clifton 10 remains unmistakably a HOKA ride, just tweaked. It feels recognizable, just improved.

The biggest change in drop is that the Clifton 9 was a fairly neutral 5mm, and the Clifton 10 is a more aggressive 8mm, thanks to an extra 3mm of midsole cushioning at the heel. That extra 3mm and other changes come with a small weight penalty: 0.4 ounces, to be exact. But the tradeoff is worth it. Our testers found that the Clifton 10 had more capacity for up-temp runs and speedwork than the previous versions.

The result is a shoe that leans into the max cushioning, swallowtail design HOKA has long pioneered. Faster and more responsive than the previous version, the Clifton 10 performs ideally on recovery runs but still has an increased 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.

Italian running shoes? Why not? Diadora’s origins chart back to both mountain climbing boots and soccer cleats, but the brand has running cred, too. The brand has made running shoes since the 60s, but its offerings are entirely modern, including a carbon-plated super shoe.

But where Diadora really shines is in the daily training space, where the brand’s “normalize high mileage” marketing campaign has been a fun nod to long-distance running culture. Even as run clubs and marathons run in popularity year after year, it’s still a minority of the population that counts thirty-mile training weeks as the norm. 

Diadora’s Nucleo 2 ($160) is a shoe that makes it easy to take on high-mileage weeks. A midsole made from a proprietary Anima midsole compound gives back 65% energy return. V2 comes with a redesigned last with a better forefront and midfoot fit. 

While not technically a stability support shoe, the Nucleo 2 has some elements from that classification of runners. An asymmetrical midsole design subtly corrects overpronation. It doesn’t guide your stride the way Brooks GTS range might, but it does come across as well supported on your run. 

Our testers liked the feel (and the look) of the Nucleo 2s but would note that they took some break-in time to get race-ready. That’s theoretically true of all running shoes, but something about the Nucleos took our tester a few runs to settle into. Compared to something like Saucony’s Endorphin Speed 4s, which fly right out of the box, this can feel a bit unsettling. But ultimately, our tester found a little bit of extra time was what he needed to get these shoes cooking.

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.