The Best Running Shoes of 2024

We used to say running was a pretty simple sport. All you need is a pair of running shoes and clothes, and off you go. However, with the advances in technology these days, we’re second-guessing that concept.

Whether you embrace the new complicated age of running or wish for a return to the simpler past, there is one thing about running that will never change — running always has, and always will, start with a good pair of running shoes.

Our team of testers put the shoes on the list through the (literal) paces, including short speed workouts, run commutes, heart-rate spiking interval training, and weekend devotion to the church of the long run, we faithfully logged steps and notes on each shoe listed here. So whether you’re a recreational runner lacing up for a family 5K or a competitive marathoner, we have a shoe for you.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, and at the end of our list, be sure to check out our comparison chart, buyer’s guide, and price & value section.

Editor’s Note: For our November 15, 2024, update, we added more models, including the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 Lite-Show, Mount to Coast S1, and Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. We also made sure our product list is up-to-date with current models, color schemes, and designs.

The Best Running Shoes of 2024

Running Shoe Comparison Chart

How We Tested Running Shoes

Our Expert Testers

Cory Smith led our initial rounds of testing. His passion for running started over 25 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation in the 3 km his senior year. Ever since then, Cory’s been addicted to competitive running in every distance, from 1 mile to the marathon and trail racing. Today, he’s a full-time online running coach and running gear reviewer.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review. Since then, he’s tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for GearJunkie and other outlets. He loves dissecting gear and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design and little detail of running shoes.

We brought in gear tester Matthew Medendorp to help update the guide for 2024. A runner who bounces between trails and tarmac, Medendorp never takes a trip without packing at least one pair of running shoes. Okay — more like three. These days you can find him in the Midwest, grinding out weekly miles on the local running paths and behind a running stroller (a Thule Urban Glide 2 Double — since this is GearJunkie).

Our Testing Process

For 2024, we brought our running shoe finalists on two head-to-head testing trips. The first was in the thin air of Flagstaff, Ariz., where the amateurs and pros flock to train every season. The second to Mammoth Lakes, Calif., another high-altitude training ground for elite athletes (and humble gear-testers). With picturesque backdrops, we vetted 2024’s best shoes on pristine tarmac, sometimes swapping shoes mid-route to get a better comparison. 

Every runner is different, so we also solicited feedback from a diverse group of runners. For this review, GearJunkie tasked a test team with logging miles and weighing in with their perspective as competitive runners, physical therapists, and former shoe designers.

We tested the latest shoes from every brand, and all testers were asked to rank each shoe numerically and write short-form reviews of the top-ranked shoes. Armed with our testers’ feedback and our own impressions, GearJunkie picked the best running shoe in the most popular shoe categories.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Running Shoe

Running shoes have their fair share of complexity. Sorting through today’s shoe stats like stack height, heel drop, weight, and now carbon fiber plates can give anyone a headache. Luckily, we’re here to cut through the noise and give it to you straight.

Over our years reviewing shoes, GearJunkie testers have run in just about every running shoe produced. More than that, we’ve recruited teams of testers for feedback and talked with shoe engineers, podiatrists, and specialty running store owners.

Armed with this knowledge, we’ve picked the best shoes of the season based on our editors and test team’s input paired with head-to-head comparisons.

It’s worth noting that this guide focuses specifically on road running shoes. Be sure to check out our exhaustive guides on the best trail running shoes and the best hiking shoes — if that’s more your pace.

Comfort Is King

After talking with many physical therapists, running store owners, and shoe experts, they all agree on one thing — pick a running shoe based on comfort. The shoe that feels, fits, and runs the best is most likely going to be the best shoe for you.

Fortunately, most of today’s online shoe retailers allow a full refund or credit on used shoes within a 30- or 90-day window. This allows you to buy a pair of shoes, try them out for a few runs, and make the decision. This is also a nice feature to ensure that you get the correct sizing.

Sizing Properly

In our experience, most people wear running shoes that are too tight. The rule of thumb (literally) is you should have a thumb-width of space between your longest toe and the edge of the running shoe. For most, this will be half to three-quarters of an inch.

You need this space for two reasons. First, as you run, your feet will slide slightly forward. This extra space prevents your toes from consistently banging up against the inside wall of the shoe. Second, if you run long enough and in higher temps, your feet will swell. Again, extra space is necessary.

The thumb’s width rule is a great way to size your shoe while accounting for how much your feet may swell during a long run.

Finding the proper width is a little trickier. Shoe width varies from brand to brand and even within the same brand between models. There are brands that are known for being wide or narrow.

Altra and Topo are known for favoring runners with wide feet. Aside from these two, it’s hard to make absolute assumptions across all models of a brand as being wide or narrow.

The Details: Stack Height, Drop, and Weight

If you want to geek out on the stats of a shoe, that’s fine. But we would steer clear of making decisions solely based on them. Pay attention but don’t obsess.

Sure, there is a pretty big difference between a 12mm drop and zero drop, so much so that I don’t suggest making such a drastic change. But between a 4mm and 6mm drop, it’s marginal. To put it in perspective, it’s the difference in the thickness of a nickel.

Stack Height

This is usually the measurement of the bottom of the shoe to the bottom of the inside of the shoe. It gives a measurement of how much material there is between your foot and the ground.

The higher the stack height, the thicker the sole. We say “usually” because some brands will not include the insole as part of the stack height measurements.

Drop

Drop is the difference in measurement of stack height between the heel and toe. It ranges from zero to 12 mm. The higher the drop, the less strain on the Achilles, soleus, and calves. Zero-drop shoes are associated with a more natural barefoot running feeling.

Weight

The weight of a shoe can give a good insight into the type of running for which the shoe is best suited. Lightweight shoes — ones weighing less than 8 ounces for men and 7.5 ounces for women — are typically designed for faster running and racing.

Heavier shoes — 10 ounces for men and 9 ounces for women — are more suited for everyday training. In most cases, we’ve found weight to be a good insight into the durability of a shoe. Lighter shoes with less foam tend to wear out more quickly than the thicker, heavier ones.

Neutral vs. Supportive

Should a shoe correct over/underpronation or not? Some say yes; others say no. Most of the experts we’ve spoken with say it depends. Dr. Crispell recommends that those needing a supportive shoe look for “a sturdy heel cup, multi-density EVA midsoles, and a mid-foot truss or bridge that stabilizes the shoe.”

Bottom line: Comfort is king, and if you’re still unsure, we recommend taking a trip to your local specialty running store to get their advice. With proper footwear and proper training, you, too, can pound out the miles on the pavement in relative comfort.

More Than One Pair

Do you really need more than one pair of running shoes? Think of it this way — do you really need more than one pair of shoes in general? Technically, no. But if you start to pull away the layers, you have work shoes, workout shoes, comfortable shoes, slippers, flip-flops, etc.

Just like all your other shoes, running shoes perform best in certain scenarios. For example, the HOKA Clifton 9 makes a great recovery run shoe but not so much a great speed workout shoe. On the flip side, a carbon fiber shoe makes a great race day shoe but not a great recovery run shoe.

One solution is to own at least three pairs of road running shoes: a durable everyday trainer, a speed or race day shoe, and one super-comfortable recovery run shoe. By rotating between shoes, you’ll be less likely to get overuse injuries from your shoe.

Price & Value

If you’ve been running for a while, you know that running shoes sure haven’t gotten any cheaper over the years. Fortunately, there’s a relatively wide range of prices to suit different budgets. While you may sacrifice some features when opting for a budget shoe, there are still some solid options out there. Here’s what you get (and don’t get) with budget, mid-tier, and premium running shoes. 

Budget

In the budget range (roughly $100-$140), Brooks reigns supreme. The company designs solid shoes with an outsized price-to-performance ratio. The Brooks Launch 10, at $110, is a bargain of a shoe, great for beginners and seasoned runners alike. The Ghost remains a top performer for training miles and local 5Ks while packing a lot of performance into $140, increasingly impressive in a steadily inflating price category of daily trainers.

Less money does mean less tech, which means you sacrifice weight, speed capability, and energy return plates. That’s not to say that these are necessary to be a runner—they’re not! All you need is a pair of shoes and a desire to run. But as you increase your weekly mileage and consider race calendars, you may also want to consider bumping up to the next tier of shoe tech.

Mid-Tier 

For the $150-$180 price range, you get a shoe that either has more engineering (ie. max cushioning) or speed and energy return tech, like the nylon plate in both Salomon Phantasm 2 ($170) and Saucony’s Endorphin Speed 4 ($170). In general, these mid-range shoes can work for both daily training and some speed on race day, putting them in the price-to-value sweet spot. 

If you’re looking for a shoe that packs speed-focused technology into a price range that’s not out of reach, we like aforementioned Saucony’s Endorphin Speed 4. For a shoe that prioritizes balancing comfort and performance, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 ($170)  is our mid-range pick.

What you’re not getting in this price range are pricey materials like carbon plates and ultra-lightweight foam. For that, you’ll have to head up to the premium price range. 

Premium 

For the $190+ plus premium price range, you get to the top, race-oriented super shoes and boutique, small up-and-coming challenger brands. For our money, the Nike Alphafly 3 ($285) leads the pack on race shoes. But each major shoe brand has its own version of this high performer, so you’re likely to find a high performer that mimics your favorite fit.

For the extra money, you’re getting carbon plates and foam so light that it practically floats away on its own. And, crucially, energy return which increases in percentage the faster you go.

Is it worth it? It depends; how much do you want to qualify for Boston this year? Love it or hate it, super shoes are here to stay. The people running the fastest will be wearing them and continuing to push qualifying times past their historic markers. Remember Speedo’s RZR Lazer, the swimsuit co-developed with NASA that shattered Olympic records and then was subsequently banned? This price range of shoes is that for marathons. That said, you still have to put in the work to get Olympic-level fast to get record-breaking performance out of them.

What is the sweet spot for most people?

Budget to mid-range, depending on your running goals. Most runners are looking to get outside, stay healthy, and race in some local 5Ks or half marathons. To do that, you don’t need space-age technology, but a solid, reliable shoe that’s capable of daily training and setting goals on the edge of your ability. 

Frequently Asked Questions